Buddhist Philosophy Test

Testing your knowledge of Buddhist thought

So you think you know anything about Buddhist philosophy? Nothing is easier than being an armchair expert in the face of people who couldn't tell Dharma from Dukkha to save their lives. But what do you really know, grasshopper? Are you a fearsome black belt or a puny padawan? A go-getting amateur or a genuine expert on Buddhist philosophy? I guess we'll just have to find out. Ready? Let's begin.

Question 1 of 20

According to the Buddha:

We have a pure self but are not awake to see it in our normal state. Our cognitive faculties deceive us into thinking that we have a permanent self. The self is not just the personal self, but is also the highest truth about the cosmos. We have a self, but when we achieve Nirvana we transcend it and become selfless. There is no self because there is really nothing at all.

The "Buddhist Philosophy Test"© is the property of IDR Labs International.

While this test can help you gauge the extent of your knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, it is important to note that static knowledge of Buddhist thought does not necessarily translate into an ability to accurately decipher the ideas behind the concepts and historical, psychological, and soteriological contingencies involved. On the other hand, all else being equal, it certainly helps. As such, please note that, as such, the "Buddhist Philosophy Test"© cannot say anything about how good you are at actually making progress on the path, and that the test should not in itself be used as a measurement of an individual's ability to attain awakening and the perfection of wisdom. In other words, the test can only say something about how much an individual knows about Buddhist philosophy in terms of static book knowledge.

The "Buddhist Philosophy Test"© is the property of IDR Labs International. For more information, please consult our Terms of Service.

Why Use This Test?

1. Free. This free online test is designed to measure the extent of your knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and is delivered to you free of charge.

2. Comprehensive. The "Buddhist Philosophy Test"© does not simply measure your knowledge of the historical Buddha, as he lived in India (ca. 560-480 BCE), but also of the wider body of Buddhist thought as a whole. Furthermore, the test probes your knowledge of the parallels between Buddhist thought and Western philosophy.