philosophy beginner 10 sample questions

Eastern Traditions MCQ Practice Test

Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism

Q1. In the context of ancient Chinese philosophy, how does the concept of "wu wei" (無為), often translated as "non-action," relate to effective governance according to Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching?

Explanation: Lao Tzu's concept of Wu Wei emphasizes effortless action, achieved by aligning oneself with the Tao. Effective governance, in this context, involves minimizing intervention and allowing natural processes to unfold, with leaders acting as facilitators rather than imposing their will.

Q2. The Mahāvastu, an early Buddhist hagiography of the Buddha, is a text of which school?

Explanation: The Mahāvastu is the great biography-and-vinaya compendium of the Lokottaravāda (Mahāsāṃghika sub-school).

Q3. In the context of the "Two Truths" doctrine in Mahayana Buddhism, what is the relationship between the "conventional truth" (为安学) and the "ultimate truth" (紧安学)?

Explanation: In Mahayana Buddhism, the "Two Truths" doctrine posits that there are two levels of truth: the conventional truth (为安学) and the ultimate truth (紧安学). The conventional truth refers to the relative, dependent, and conceptual nature of reality, while the ultimate truth refers to the absolute, unchanging, and ultimate reality. According to this doctrine, the conventional truth is a dependent designation, meaning that it is a conceptual label that relies on the ultimate truth for its existence.

Q4. In the context of the Yogacára school of Maháyána Buddhism, what is the primary function of the “storehouse consciousness” (álayavijñána) according to the Indian philosopher Yogácára?

Explanation: In Yogacára's philosophy, the álayavijñána is the storehouse consciousness that contains the seeds of all past karma and conditioning, which in turn influence an individual's current experience and behavior. This concept is central to the Yogacára school's understanding of the nature of the mind and the causes of suffering.

Q5. In the context of the Madhyamaka school of Maháyána Buddhism, what is the relationship between the concept of “emptiness” (ávíça) and the notion of “dependent origination” (ágantuka)?

Explanation: In the Madhyamaka school, ávíça (“emptiness”) refers to the negation of inherent existence, or the concept of svabháva. ágantuka (“dependent origination”) describes the conditional and interdependent nature of phenomena. The correct relationship between these two concepts is that ávíça is a negation of the inherent existence of phenomena, while ágantuka is a description of their conditional existence.

Q6. In the context of the Mahábhárata, what is the relationship between the concept of “Niyati” (fate) and the concept of “Karma” (action)?

Explanation: In the Mahábhárata, “Niyati” refers to the idea that the course of events is predetermined and unchangeable. However, this does not imply a deterministic relationship with “Karma”, which refers to the idea that an individual’s actions have consequences in this life and the next. Instead, “Niyati” is seen as a necessary condition for the operation of “Karma”, but it does not determine the specific outcomes of an individual’s actions.

Q7. The Buddhist "Two Truths" doctrine distinguishes conventional (samvṛti) truth from ____ truth.

Explanation: The two truths doctrine separates conventional, everyday truth from ultimate truth (emptiness as understood in Madhyamaka). The original's Devanagari terms were fabricated.

Q8. In Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras, "citta" refers to ____.

Explanation: Yoga is defined as the stilling of the fluctuations (vṛtti) of citta — the mind-field. The original misused Sanskrit terms (alaya/sunya in the Yoga Sutras).

Q9. In the “Middle Way” of Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of “Suchness” (Tathatá) is described as being “empty of inherent existence”. However, this does not imply that Suchness is “empty of all meaning”. According to the Yogácára, Suchness is empty of inherent existence because it lacks “what”, but it is not empty of “whatness”. Which of the following accurately describes the relationship between Suchness and “whatness” in Yogácára’s philosophy?

Explanation: In Yogácára's philosophy, Suchness is not empty of whatness because it retains its intrinsic nature, which is not dependent on conceptual designation. This means that Suchness has a reality that is not affected by our conceptualizations, and it is not empty of meaning or significance.

Q10. In the context of the "Two Truths" doctrine in Mahayana Buddhism, what is the relationship between the "Conventional Truth" (吃代确学) and the "Ultimate Truth" (统调确学)?

Explanation: In the Two Truths doctrine, the Conventional Truth refers to the relative, everyday reality, while the Ultimate Truth refers to the absolute, ultimate reality. The Conventional Truth is seen as a provisional designation, a temporary and incomplete expression of the Ultimate Truth, which is beyond conceptualization and language.

That was just a sample. Sign up to unlock the full question bank with timed tests and certificates.

Sign Up Free
Eastern Traditions MCQ Practice Test | Mind Hustle