Buddhism Quiz Questions & Answers
The Ultimate Buddha Quiz
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
Test your knowledge on the life and teachings of the Buddha with our quiz! From his birth in Lumbini to his attainment of enlightenment and the formation of the sangha, this quiz covers key events and concepts in Buddhism. Challenge yourself to see how much you know about the Middle Way, the Noble E...
Test your knowledge on the life and teachings of the Buddha with our quiz! From his birth in Lumbini to his attainment of enlightenment and the formation of the sangha, this quiz covers key events and concepts in Buddhism. Challenge yourself to see how much you know about the Middle Way, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Buddha's teachings on suffering and liberation. With questions on history, philosophy, and biography, this quiz is perfect for anyone interested in Buddhism or world religions.
-
1. What is the meaning of the term 'Buddha'?
- A title for those who have attained enlightenment
-
2. What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
- A training of the mind that includes ethical training and meditative practices
-
3. What was the Buddha's tribe of origin?
- Sakya
-
4. What was the reason for the Buddha's renunciation?
- He realized that life was subject to old age, disease, and death
-
5. What did the Buddha's first sermon teach?
- The noble eightfold path as the middle path
-
6. Where did the Buddha's community grow to around sixty awakened monks?
- Savatthi
-
7. What was the Vassa rainy season?
- A time when ascetics of all religions rarely travelled
-
8. Where did the Buddha settle in his later years and develop a set of regulations for the sangha?
- Sravasti
-
9. What are the core teachings of Buddhism?
- The Middle Way with the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path
Test Your Knowledge of Buddhist Thought and the Four Noble Truths
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
How much do you know about the basic framework of Buddhist thought and the Four Noble Truths? Test your knowledge with this quiz and learn about the central teachings of Buddhism, including the nature of suffering, the path to liberation, and the doctrine of rebirth. Explore the different interpreta...
How much do you know about the basic framework of Buddhist thought and the Four Noble Truths? Test your knowledge with this quiz and learn about the central teachings of Buddhism, including the nature of suffering, the path to liberation, and the doctrine of rebirth. Explore the different interpretations of these teachings and the debates surrounding them, from traditional Buddhist scholars to modern naturalized Buddhists. Challenge yourself and discover how much you really know about Buddhism.
-
1. What are the Four Noble Truths?
- They are a set of propositions that describe the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation in Buddhism.
-
2. What is the goal of following the path to liberation in Buddhism?
- To attain peace of mind in this life and end rebirth and the cycle of suffering.
-
3. What is Moksha?
- Freedom from samsara, or liberation from rebirth, which is a central concept in Indian religions.
-
4. What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
- The path to liberation from suffering in Buddhism, which includes mindfulness, meditation, discipline, and understanding impermanence and craving.
-
5. What is the basic insight of the truth of dukkha in Buddhism?
- Samsara, life in this mundane world, with its clinging and craving to impermanent states and things, is unsatisfactory and painful.
-
6. What is the truth of samudaya in Buddhism?
- The truth that samsara, and its associated unsatisfactoriness, arises, or continues, with craving for and clinging to these impermanent states and things.
-
7. What is the truth of nirodha in Buddhism?
- The truth that unsatisfactoriness ceases when one renounces or confines craving and clinging, and nirvana is attained.
-
8. What is the difference between the Theravada and Mahayana traditions in Buddhism?
- The Theravada tradition emphasizes the insight into the Four Noble Truths as liberating in itself, while the Mahayana tradition sees the higher aims of insight into emptiness and following the Bodhisattva path as central elements in their teachings and practice.
-
9. What is the view of naturalized Buddhists on the doctrine of rebirth in Buddhism?
- They reject the doctrine of rebirth and consider it unnecessary for the practice of Buddhism.
Buddhist Practices for Liberation Quiz
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
Test your knowledge of Buddhist practices leading to liberation from samsara with this quiz. From the Eightfold Path to the Noble Eightfold Path, this quiz covers the fundamental teachings and practices of Buddhism. Explore the various paths to enlightenment, including the Pāramitās and the Lamrim,...
Test your knowledge of Buddhist practices leading to liberation from samsara with this quiz. From the Eightfold Path to the Noble Eightfold Path, this quiz covers the fundamental teachings and practices of Buddhism. Explore the various paths to enlightenment, including the Pāramitās and the Lamrim, and learn about the different interpretations of the Buddhist teachings across East Asian Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism. Test your understanding of the key concepts of Buddhist soteriology and see
-
1. What is the Eightfold Path?
- A Buddhist practice leading to liberation from samsara
-
2. What are the eight practices included in the Eightfold Path?
- Right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi
-
3. What is the central soteriological instrument in later Buddhism?
- Insight
-
4. What is the Pali term for the Eightfold Path?
- Ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga
-
5. What are the three basic divisions of the Noble Eightfold Path?
- Moral virtues, meditation, and insight/wisdom
-
6. What is the highest rated perfection in Mahayana texts?
- Prajna-paramita
-
7. What is the genre that outlines the path to liberation in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism?
- Lamrim ('Stages of the Path')
-
8. What does the right effort practice involve?
- Preventing the arising of unwholesome states and generating wholesome states by guarding the sense doors and restraining the sense faculties
-
9. What is the ultimate goal of the different traditions of East Asian Buddhism?
- The cessation of suffering and the attainment of enlightenment
Are You Nirvana-Savvy?
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
Test your knowledge on Nirvana in Buddhism with this informative quiz. Learn about the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, the different interpretations and perspectives of Nirvana, and the various traditions and theories surrounding this concept. This quiz will challenge your understanding of Nirva...
Test your knowledge on Nirvana in Buddhism with this informative quiz. Learn about the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice, the different interpretations and perspectives of Nirvana, and the various traditions and theories surrounding this concept. This quiz will challenge your understanding of Nirvana and enhance your knowledge of Buddhism.
-
1. What is the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice?
- Nirvana
-
2. What are the three poisons that Nirvana is said to extinguish?
- Greed, hatred, and delusion
-
3. What is sopadhishesa-nirvana?
- Nirvana with a remainder, attained and maintained during life
-
4. What is the difference between the two types of Nirvana identified by the Theravada tradition?
- One is achieved during life and the other on death
-
5. What is the Mahayana tradition's highest goal?
- Buddhahood
-
6. What is the classic Mahayana Yogacara view on Nirvana?
- There are at least two types of Nirvana
-
7. What is the difference between the two models on the bodhisattva's attitude to Nirvana?
- One states that a bodhisattva postpones their Nirvana until they have saved numerous sentient beings, and the other doesn't teach that one must postpone Nirvana
-
8. What is the Dhammakaya Movement's interpretation of Nirvana?
- Nirvana is not anatta but the 'true self' or dhammakaya
-
9. What is the Mahayana tradition's view on the bodhisattva path?
- It is the highest spiritual ideal over the goal of arhatship
How well do you know the concept of dharma?
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
Test your knowledge on the concept of dharma with this informative quiz! Dharma is a central concept in Indian philosophy and religion, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and others. This quiz will cover the multiple meanings and interpretations of dharma, as well as its significance in...
Test your knowledge on the concept of dharma with this informative quiz! Dharma is a central concept in Indian philosophy and religion, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and others. This quiz will cover the multiple meanings and interpretations of dharma, as well as its significance in various religious and philosophical texts. Challenge yourself and see how much you know about this complex and important concept.
-
1. What is the meaning of dharma in Hinduism?
- Behaviors that are considered to be in accord with Ṛta
-
2. What is the antonym of dharma?
- Adharma
-
3. What is the origin of the word dharma according to Paul Horsch?
- Vedic Hinduism
-
4. What are the two categories of dharma in Patanjali Yoga?
- Yamas and Niyamas
-
5. What is the meaning of dharma in Jainism?
- The teachings of the Jinas
-
6. What is the purpose of the Tattvartha Sutra in Jainism?
- To define dharma as that which is in conformity with the nature of the universe
-
7. What is the significance of the Ashoka Chakra in Indian culture?
- It is the central motif on India's flag
-
8. What is the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism based on?
- Dharma
-
9. What is the record of guidelines and rules in Hinduism called?
- Dharmashastra
Test Your Knowledge of Sangha in Buddhism
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
How well do you know Sangha in Buddhism? Test your knowledge of the monastic communities of bhikkhu and bhikkhuni with this enlightening quiz. From its historical roots to its role in preserving the Buddha's teachings, discover the significance of Sangha in Buddhism and challenge yourself on the mis...
How well do you know Sangha in Buddhism? Test your knowledge of the monastic communities of bhikkhu and bhikkhuni with this enlightening quiz. From its historical roots to its role in preserving the Buddha's teachings, discover the significance of Sangha in Buddhism and challenge yourself on the misconceptions surrounding it.
-
1. What is the meaning of the Sanskrit word Sangha?
- Religious community
-
2. In what context was Sangha historically used?
- To denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom
-
3. Which religious associations have used the term Sangha?
- Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs
-
4. What does Sangha refer to in Buddhism?
- The monastic communities of bhikkhu and bhikkhuni
-
5. According to which schools of Buddhism does the term Sangha not refer to the community of sāvakas or the community of Buddhists as a whole?
- Theravada school and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism
-
6. What is the Sangha's role in Buddhism?
- To preserve the Buddha's original teachings
-
7. What is the minimum number of possessions that Buddhist monks, nuns, and novices own?
- None
-
8. Is it true that all Buddhists, especially Sangha members, practice vegetarianism?
- No, it is not true
-
9. What do some liberal scholars opine about the use of the term Sangha in the West?
- It is used frequently but mistakenly
Discover the World of Theravāda Buddhism
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
Test your knowledge on Theravāda Buddhism, the oldest existing school of Buddhism that emphasizes personal effort and self-reliance in achieving liberation from suffering and attaining Nirvana. This quiz will cover topics such as the history, beliefs, practices, and literature of Theravāda Buddhism,...
Test your knowledge on Theravāda Buddhism, the oldest existing school of Buddhism that emphasizes personal effort and self-reliance in achieving liberation from suffering and attaining Nirvana. This quiz will cover topics such as the history, beliefs, practices, and literature of Theravāda Buddhism, including the Pāli Canon, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Sangha. See how much you know about this influential and respected form of Buddhism that is practiced in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand
-
1. What is the purpose of this program?
- To generate multiple choice questions
-
2. What is the main focus of the questions generated by this program?
- Key facts provided
-
3. What should be the main goal when creating distractors for a multiple choice question?
- To test common misunderstandings
-
4. What is the best way to phrase a multiple choice question?
- Concise and clear
-
5. What is the purpose of including additional context as information for the correct answer?
- To provide further understanding
-
6. What is the main advantage of using multiple choice questions?
- Efficient and easy to grade
-
7. What is the main disadvantage of using multiple choice questions?
- Limited assessment of higher-order thinking skills
-
8. What is the best way to avoid bias when creating multiple choice questions?
- Use neutral language
-
9. What is the recommended number of options for a multiple choice question?
- 4 or 5
Test Your Knowledge of Mahayana Buddhism!
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
How much do you know about Mahayana Buddhism? Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the history, key concepts, and teachings of this major branch of Buddhism. From the origins and development of Mahayana to the unique doctrines and practices it promotes, challenge yourself with questions on the b...
How much do you know about Mahayana Buddhism? Take this quiz to test your knowledge on the history, key concepts, and teachings of this major branch of Buddhism. From the origins and development of Mahayana to the unique doctrines and practices it promotes, challenge yourself with questions on the bodhisattva path, Prajnaparamita, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Buddha-nature, and more. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this quiz is a
-
1. What are the three main branches of Buddhism?
- Mahāyāna, Theravāda, and Vajrayāna
-
2. What is the goal of Mahāyāna Buddhism?
- To become a Buddha through the bodhisattva path for the benefit of all sentient beings
-
3. What is the Madhyamaka theory of emptiness?
- The theory that all phenomena lack inherent existence
-
4. What is the Mahayana bodhisattva path?
- The superior spiritual path that emphasizes helping all beings achieve Buddhahood
-
5. What is bodhicitta?
- The wish to help others and the central characteristic of the Mahayana bodhisattva
-
6. What are the Prajnaparamita texts?
- Some of the earliest Mahayana works that contain key Mahayana teachings
-
7. What is the Buddha-nature doctrine?
- An important Mahayana teaching that explains what allows sentient beings to become Buddhas
-
8. What is the Madhyamaka school?
- A Mahayana philosophical school that focuses on the emptiness or lack of real existence of all phenomena
-
9. What are the six perfections or transcendent virtues in Mahayana Buddhism?
- Focused around the acquisition of merit, they are common practices shared by all Mahayana traditions
Test Your Knowledge of Vajrayāna Buddhism
9 multiple choice quiz questions with answers
How much do you know about Vajrayāna Buddhism? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of the esoteric and mystical practices that developed in medieval India and spread to Tibet, Nepal, other Himalayan states, East Asia, and Mongolia. From mantras and mudras to deity yoga and completion practices, th...
How much do you know about Vajrayāna Buddhism? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of the esoteric and mystical practices that developed in medieval India and spread to Tibet, Nepal, other Himalayan states, East Asia, and Mongolia. From mantras and mudras to deity yoga and completion practices, this quiz covers the key concepts, practices, and traditions of Vajrayāna Buddhism. Explore the rich symbolism, complex analogical thinking, and diverse practices of Vajrayā
-
1. What is Vajrayāna?
- A form of Buddhism that emerged in India and spread to Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, and parts of China and Japan
-
2. What is deity yoga?
- Meditation on a chosen deity or 'cherished divinity'
-
3. What is the Vajrayāna's philosophical view based on?
- Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, mainly the Madhyamaka and Yogacara schools
-
4. What is the significance of mantras in Vajrayāna practice?
- A central feature of tantric practice
-
5. What is the fundamental practice of Buddhist Tantra?
- Deity yoga
-
6. What is the Vajrayāna Yogini tantras?
- A set of texts that draw extensively from material present in Shaiva Bhairava tantras classified as Vidyapitha
-
7. What is the Tendai school in China and Japan known for?
- Employing some esoteric practices, but these rituals came to be considered of equal importance with the exoteric teachings of the Lotus Sutra
-
8. What is the Shingon school in Japan known for?
- Including practices, known in Japan as Mikkyō, which are similar in concept to those in Vajrayāna Buddhism
-
9. What is the Vajrayāna's view on the separation of samsara and nirvana?
- There is no strict separation of the profane or samsara and the sacred or nirvana, rather they exist in a continuum
