Buddhism: History, Beliefs, Practices, and Key Figures

Question 1

Which feature is unique to Mahayana Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Belief in multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas

Answer

Strict adherence to monastic rules

Answer

Rejection of karma and rebirth

Question 2

The core teachings of Buddhism, which provide a path to enlightenment, are known as the:

Accepted Answer

Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

Answer

Ten Commandments

Answer

Twelve Steps

Answer

Beatitudes

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT included among the components of the Eightfold Path?

Accepted Answer

Right Belief

Answer

Right Speech

Answer

Right Livelihood

Answer

Right Concentration

Question 4

Who is widely recognized as a prominent figure in the development of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Nagarjuna

Answer

Ashoka

Answer

Chandragupta

Answer

Buddhaghosa

Question 5

Which of the following is a significant Buddhist scripture?

Accepted Answer

Pali Canon

Answer

Bhagavad Gita

Answer

Quran

Answer

Bible

Question 6

Which of the following is **not** among the Three Jewels of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Karma

Answer

Buddha

Answer

Dharma

Answer

Sangha

Question 7

What is the significance of the Bodhisattva path within the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

A path emphasizing compassion and service to others

Answer

A path focused primarily on individual liberation

Answer

A path involving strict monastic practices

Answer

A path reserved for advanced practitioners

Question 8

Which of the following is **not** a recognized type of Buddhist meditation?

Accepted Answer

Yoga

Answer

Vipassana

Answer

Zazen

Answer

Metta

Question 9

In what way does the concept of karma shape ethical behavior within Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

It encourages individuals to act with compassion and avoid harm to others

Answer

It promotes a fatalistic belief in predetermined outcomes

Answer

It prioritizes the accumulation of merit through rituals

Answer

It has no significant influence on Buddhist ethics

Question 10

Who is revered as the founder of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Siddhartha Gautama

Answer

Confucius

Answer

Jesus Christ

Answer

Moses

Question 11

Which fundamental principle lies at the core of Buddhist teachings?

Accepted Answer

Non-violence and compassion

Answer

Belief in a supreme creator deity

Answer

Sacrificial rituals and offerings

Answer

Strict adherence to societal norms

Question 12

What term denotes the ultimate state of enlightenment and liberation in Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Nirvana

Answer

Moksha

Answer

Samadhi

Answer

Zen

Question 13

What is the significance attributed to the Bodhi tree in Buddhist tradition?

Accepted Answer

The tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment

Answer

The tree where the Buddha delivered his first sermon

Answer

The tree where Buddhism was established

Answer

The tree where the Buddha passed away

Question 14

What is the essence of the doctrine of karma in Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Actions have consequences

Answer

Reincarnation occurs after death

Answer

The universe is inherently benevolent

Answer

Suffering is predetermined by fate

Question 15

Who is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

The Dalai Lama

Answer

The founder of Mahayana Buddhism

Answer

The author of the Tripitaka

Answer

The first translator of Buddhist texts into English

Question 16

Who is considered the founder of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Siddhartha Gautama

Answer

Confucius, founder of Confucianism

Answer

Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity

Answer

Mahavira, founder of Jainism

Question 17

According to the Four Noble Truths, what is the primary cause of all suffering?

Accepted Answer

Attachment

Answer

Ignorance, a contributing factor to suffering but not the root cause

Answer

Rebirth, a core concept in Buddhism but not the primary cause of suffering

Answer

Karma, a consequence of actions rather than the primary cause of suffering

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Brahma, a Hindu deity

Answer

The Dharma, the teachings of Buddha

Answer

The Sangha, the community of Buddhist practitioners

Answer

The Buddha, the enlightened teacher

Question 19

What is the ultimate aim of Buddhist practice?

Accepted Answer

Nirvana, a state of liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth

Answer

Heaven, a concept not central to Buddhism

Answer

Reincarnation, a belief in Buddhism but not the ultimate goal

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a major branch of Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Hinduism, a separate religion from Buddhism

Answer

Mahayana, the other main branch of Buddhism

Answer

Vajrayana, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism

Answer

Theravada, one of the two main branches of Buddhism

Question 21

In Mahayana Buddhism, what is the primary role of a bodhisattva?

Accepted Answer

To postpone their own enlightenment to help others achieve enlightenment

Answer

To practice meditation as a path to enlightenment

Answer

To lead the Buddhist community

Answer

To study and interpret Buddhist scriptures

Question 22

Which of the following is a key philosophical concept in Zen Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Sunyata, the emptiness or voidness of all phenomena

Answer

Anicca, the impermanence of all things

Answer

Samsara, the cycle of rebirth

Answer

Karma, the law of cause and effect

Question 23

What is the name of the sacred text that contains the teachings of Buddha?

Accepted Answer

Tripitaka, consisting of the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidharma Pitaka

Answer

Bible, the sacred text of Christianity

Answer

Qur'an, the sacred text of Islam

Answer

Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism

Question 24

Which of the following is a type of meditative practice common in Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

Vipassana, a technique of insight meditation

Answer

Yoga, a physical and mental practice with origins in ancient India

Answer

Prayer, a practice common in many religions but not specific to Buddhism

Answer

Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art involving slow, controlled movements

Question 25

According to Buddhism, what is the primary nature of reality?

Accepted Answer

Impermanent and interconnected, characterized by continuous change and interdependence

Answer

Divine and transcendent, existing beyond the physical realm

Answer

Eternal and separate, with each entity existing independently

Answer

Illusory and non-existent, a product of our perceptions