Grade 1 Study Exam - 2016. Section B Q6-10

And here are the final five questions, completing the Grade 1 2016 series!

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2016. Section B Q1-5

Boy, I am struggling with this one!

As you MAY have noticed, I have already published all the other sections, but Section B is proving quite challenging.

Adding to this, that Blogger has recently turned into a monster of frustrating html quirks, and I am seriously considering migrating this blog to a less annoying platform (one that, say, I can actually access from my iPad and therefore update when I am on the go).

I have studied the section and decided on answers for all the questions, but I have found it quite complex to structure the answers following the guideline of including at least three points. I am not sure it is a very helpful guideline, and I personally found some questions a bit convoluted, but hey.

Here are the first five, the next five (concluding this series) will follow shortly.

As always, I have used the method of selecting passages from the material, copying them into my word processor and tweaking them to follow the answering guideline. In this case I have chosen to divide each answer into bullet points (which is one of the two ways they recommend to structure your answer). Based on the material, there is no word count for this section, but they mention one or two short sentences per point, so we are still talking of fairly concise answers.

Good luck and keep studying!

Grade 1 Study Exams - 2016. Section D

The History of SGI
All of your answers should be based on the material in Section D: The History of SGI.Write a maximum of 150 words in answer to each of the following questions.In the study exam, you will be set ve questions from this section.

D1  What is the difference between Soka Gakkai’s and Nichiren Shoshu’s interpretation of Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings?
The Soka Gakkai is dedicated to making Nichiren’s teachings effective and practical in the everyday modern world. It has always stressed that Nichiren Buddhism enables every individual, whether priest or lay believer, to develop his or her own innate Buddha nature. It has also stressed social engagement based on the bodhisattva ideal of taking action for the happiness of others towards the creation of a peaceful global society.The Nichiren Shoshu priesthood on the other hand is locked into an ancient ritualistic system, concerned to preserve its authority and jealous of its monopoly of certain sacred teachings, places and objects.Nichiren Shoshu has been more concerned with preserving traditional rituals, with a focus on the priests as intermediaries who are seen to be on a higher spiritual level than lay believers. In this sense it could be said to have lost sight of the original purpose and social mission of Buddhism.

D2  Why and how did Soka Gakkai work together with the priesthood after the Second World War?
Why? For the sake of the progress of Nichiren Buddhism and in the hope that they would help promote the common goal of establishing peace and happiness for the people. How? Soka Gakkai’s support for the priesthood included restoration of major buildings at Nichiren Shoshu’s head temple premises, construction of a new main head temple building and donation of land and a total of 356 branch temples. 

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2016. Section C

All your answers should be based on the material in Section C: Principles of Nichiren Buddhism in SGI.

Write a maximum of 200 words in answer to each of the following questions.

In the study exam, you will be set two questions from this section.

C1  What is the meaning of ‘establishing the correct teaching’? What is the meaning of ‘for the peace of the land’?

C2  What is Kosen‐rufu?

C3  What is the Soka Gakkai? 

Looks deceivingly simple, right?

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2016. Section A2

In 50-100 words, and based on the material in Section A – Part 2, explain the following subjects as if you were talking to a friend who is interested in Buddhism. Include at least three different points for each subject in your answer. In the exam, only one of the three subjects will be set.

(a)  What is the meaning of Nam‐myoho‐renge‐kyo?

(b)  What is the difference between a Buddha and an ordinary person?

(c)  What is the Gohonzon? 

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2016. Section A1

Based on the material in Section A – Part 1: The Life of Nichiren Daishonin, you will be set seven multiple choice questions. The questions given below may or may not be set in the exam. They are examples of the format in which the exam questions will appear. 
In studying this course and preparing for the exam, please read each section of the material carefully, so that you could answer a multiple choice question on it. This section is intended to cover the key events and places in Nichiren Daishonin’s life.
Below are the examples in the study material, complete with answers.

EXAMPLE 1) What date was Nichiren Daishonin born?
(a) 22 February 1222 
(b) 22 February 1226 
(c) 16 February 1222 
(d) 16 February 1226


EXAMPLE 2) What declaration did Nichiren Daishonin make about Nam-myoho-renge-kyo at Seicho-ji Temple?
(a) It is the sole correct Buddhist teaching for leading all people in the Latter Day of the Law to enlightenment.
(b) No Buddhist teaching can lead all people in the Latter Day of the Law to enlightenment.
(c) All Buddhist teachings are the same.
(d) It is the Buddhist teaching for leading people to enlightenment in their next lifetime.

EXAMPLE 3) What do we call the event in which Nichiren Daishonin was attacked and had his left hand broken?
(a) the Tatsunokuchi Persecution 
(b) the Komatsubara Persecution 
(c) the Tsukahara Debate
(d) the Izu Exile

EXAMPLE 4) Who was Nichiren Daishonin’s successor?
(a) Nanjo Tokimitsu 
(b) Nikko Shonin
(c) Shijo Kingo
(d) Nichimoku Shonin 

Below are some examples I created myself. These are without the answers. Feel free to put the answers in the comments

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Answers and wrap-up

So, to conclude the series of posts on the preparation of the Grade 1 Exam I wanted to write a wrap up post.

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section D

This is my favourite section. If I don't ace this section, I'm going to go hide in a corner and cover my head with ash. Or whatever.

So, section D contains three sections: D1, D2 and D3. Each section contains a variable number of questions. In the exam, a different number of questions from each section will be asked. The length of the answer will vary, but the maximum allowed for each section is 400 words.

Here are the questions:

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section B. Improved version.

I decided to redo the post on Section B because I finally realised the way the questions have to be answered. I'm sure most people got it the first time, but being a bit soft I only now understood that we are supposed to write 200 words IN TOTAL for the three questions (out of four) that will be asked in the actual exam. 

This means that to prepare we need to write about 70 words for each question.

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section C. AKA Negativity

Sorry for the two week gap in posting, but I was assaulted by quite a big bout of negativity in my preparation for the Study exam.

As I mentioned before, the decision to take part in the study exam in the first place had been hindered in various ways for years, and obviously the obstacles didn't end with me posting the dreaded application form. Let's see...

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section B. AKA Shijo Kingo

This is the third installment of a series dedicated to the study exams. 
As for anything in Buddhism, preparing the exam is turning into a great faith - and life - experience.

So, after Section A1 and Section A2, here is section B.

Section B of the exam is based on a Gosho called The Hero of the World. It is Gosho n.102 in The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin Volume I, (pp 835-841). It was written in 1277 and is one of many Gosho addressed to Shijo Kingo. 

Before moving onto the exam paper, allow me to say a thing or two about Shijo Kingo. 

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section A2.

Following section A1, the second installment of my series of posts dedicated to the Study exams.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to go to study meetings for a couple of weeks now, what with Dedicated Lilac activities and, today, my being a bit under the weather and needing an actual complete day off.

So since I'm in bed doing nothing, I might as well do some blogging.

Section A2 reads: In 50-100 words, and based on the material in section A2, explain the following subjects as if you were talking to a friend who is interested in Buddhism. Include at least three different points for each subject in your answer. In the exam, only one of the three subjects will be set.

a) Nam-Myoho-renge-kyo

b) The Lotus Sutra

c) The Gohonzon.

Grade 1 Study Exam - 2012. Section A1.

I'm taking the Grade 1 exam. I've always wanted to take the exams, all the exams up to Grade 3, and I'm finally starting.

My decision to take the exams has been faced with sanshoshima for years.
Up to 2006 I wasn't a member and I couldn't.
in 2006 I hadn't been a member for long enough and they didn't let me.
in 2007 I moved from Brescia to Bergamo around the time the deadline is and I forgot to apply.
in 2008 I moved to London around the time the deadline is and I forgot to apply.
in 2009 I moved to Romania where there are about 50 members in the whole country.
in 2010 I moved back to London around the time the deadline is and I forgot to apply.
in 2011 I really really wanted to apply. And I forgot.

So, finally, 2012, here I come!
I went to my first study meeting on Saturday and I really enjoyed it. I think it's also a great way to foster friendships in the Chapter and I'm already seeing some great Human Revolution potential in the experience.

I thought to share some notes and tips as I go through the study process.