Bharat Soka Gakkai

Introductory level Study Examination – Model paper -I

Date: 18th Sept 2016 Time: 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm

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 Bharat Soka Gakkai
Introductory level Study Examination – Model paper –I

Date: 18th Sept, 2016 Time: 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Total Marks: 100 Duration : 2.00 hours

(All answers should be based on the content of the study material provided for this
examination)

Section A: Questions on the Concepts – ( 30 Marks)

1 The Characteristics of ichinen sanzen are:

a) it pervades the entire universe b) it includes both body and mind

c) it includes both self and environment d) it gives rise to good and evil

e) it encompasses cause and effect simultaneously f) All of the above

2 The principle “three thousand realms in a single moment of life” is classified into

_______________ principle and the _________________ embodiment of this principle.

3 Nichiren Daishonin embodied the three thousand realms in a single moment of life in the
form of ____________. Thus, Nichiren established the actual practice of three thousand
realms in a single moment of life.

4 President Ikeda says, “ The power of belief, the power of thought, will move ________ in
the direction of what we believe and conceive of it. Our strong resolve or prayer permeates
the entire ______________ world , its __________ manifesting more strongly as we take
action.

5 When the Mystic Law (Nam-myoho-renge-kyo) is propagated in the Latter Day of the Law,
negative forces in the form of _______ ___________ __________ will appear to persecute
the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra.

6 List out the three powerful enemies and briefly explain about the third one.
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7 When we continue to chant Nam-myoho-renge –kyo with a strong prayer for our own
happiness and that of others, and consistently speak and act to achieve those ends, we
enhance and develop our own _________________ and _____________ state. By doing so,
we manifest the state of ____________ wherein the ________ and ____________ are
completely in harmony.

8 List out the two important qualities of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging.

9 In the Gosho, “The Three Kinds of Treasure” Nichiren clarifies that ____________ others as
exemplified by the ____________ of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, constitutes the essence
of Buddhist practice and the correct way for human beings to behave.

10 Which is considered to be the highest ‘human behaviour’ established by the teaching of

Buddhism in the Bodhisattva Never Disparaging Chapter?

11 The principle of “voluntarily assuming the appropriate karma” elucidates that those who
___________ the Mystic Law have willingly chosen to be ___________ with the most
appropriate __________ karma that allows them to lead others to happiness through the
example of their ______________ in this present existence.

12 Bodhisattvas of the Earth willingly view their karma as their __________ and
_______________. They utilize the great power of _____________ and ___________ to turn
all _____________ into _____________, demonstrating actual proof all along the way. For
them, _____________ are important opportunities for developing and strengthening their
lives, while __________________ their negative karma.

13 “ It is in this ceaseless striving that the bond of oneness of mentor and disciple exists” –
Expand.

14 Name the four factors that explain how actions cause us to shift from one of the Ten
Worlds to another.

15 _______________________ unifying the factor among the ten.

16 As we raise our fundamental life condition, what functioned earlier as an _______

_________ begins to function as _____________ and what produced ______________ begins
to produce _________.
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17 When we _____________ our sate of life, our ________________ will naturally _______ as
well.

18 If we base our lives on the principle that life and environment are one, however, we see
that the fundamental cause of all our _______ and ______________ lies not in the
______________ but in ________________.

19 We cannot move the heavenly deities to __________ with a weak or passive attitude in
faith. The protective workings of these benevolent forces of the universe arise in response to
________________ and _____________ that are infused with an unwavering
________________ to win and never be _______________ by any hardship.

Section-B :– Questions on New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu – III ( 30 Marks)

1) The heart of the great vow for kosen-rufu and the life state of Buddhahood are one and
the same. How?

2) What is the inscription mentioned in the Soka Gakkai Kosen-rufu Gohonzon?

3) How do one embody the fundamental significance of the hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-
rufu in his/her life?

4) What is the “original cause” and “original effect” mentioned by Pres.Ikeda in the concept
of ‘Casting off the Transient and Revealing the True’.

5) Visitors to the hall of great vow for kosen-rufu are greeted by eight pillars lining both its
southern and northern sides. These pillars symbolize the eight-character passage of the Lotus
Sutra which is also the heart of the Soka Gakkai. ……It is the spirit to __________ each
member as if there were a _____________ and greeting them from afar with the same
_____________ one would show a Buddha. This is the heart of the mentor.
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6)What is the Soka Gakkai’s “casting off the transient and revealing the true”?

7) What is the essential characteristic of Bodhisattvas of the Earth?

8) Define the term “World Religion”

9 ) “ …. This awakening is the starting point of the conviction of the Soka Gakkai, the
organisation in complete accord with the will and decree of the Buddha, directly linked to the
Daishonin and dedicated to kosen-rufu.” What is that awakening referred here?

10) What is the path of human revolution ?

11) “…When we return to this eternal vow from time without beginning, we can change all
negative karma into mission…” - What is that eternal vow?

12) What is the meaning of “accept and uphold” ?

13) Why do we ‘accept and uphold’ the Nichikan-transcribed Gohonzon but not the
Gohonzon inscribed in the second year of the Koan era (1279)?

Section-C :– Questions on Gosho and Messages – IV (20 Marks)

1) Live so that all the people of Kamakura will say in your praise that Nakatsukasa Saburo
Saemon-no-jo (Shijo Kingo) is diligent in the service of his _________, in the service of
___________, and in his concern for other ____________.
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2) “ More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are the treasures of the body, and the
treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. From the time you read this letter on,
strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!”

Explain briefly the ‘treasure of the heart’.

3) The heart of the Buddha’s lifetime of teachings is the ________ ______, and the heart of
the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the ‘________________ ______________’ chapter.
What does Bodhisattva Never Disparaging’s profound respect for people signify? The
purpose of the appearance in this world of Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, lies in
his behaviour as a human being.

4) Because shakubuku in the Daishonin’s Buddhism is based on a philosophy of __________

for others, it means to refute the error of those who ____________ the lives of others.
Premised on this understanding, the Daishonin indicates that, even in the evil and slanderous
age of the Latter Day, we need to act in a prudent and respectful manner, rather than simply
rushing in to refute error.

5) What is the significance of Hall of Great Vow for kosen-rufu?

6) What is the heartfelt wish of Sensei mentioned in his dedication on the monument at the
entrance of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu?

7) With what kind of attitude, realization and determination one should pray to this kosen-
rufu Gohonzon?

8) In his message for the 3rd BSG General meeting, Ikeda Sensei has mentioned three major
points as our common resolve? What are they?
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9) How do you create and expand the Garden of Capable people?

Section-D :– Questions on History – II (20 Marks)

1 Briefly explain about Tatsunokuchi Persecution.

2 On ________________ Nichiren Daishonin submits ‘On Establishing the Correct Teaching

for the peace of the Land, to retired regent Hojo Tokiyori- his first official remonstration with
the authorities.

3 What is happened on 21st September, 1279?

4 Name the important event associated with 28th April, 1253.

5 “Please look at me. Despite my lack of understanding and ability, I am determined to

follow your will and fulfil the mission of the Gakkai so that I may deserve your praise when I
see you again at Eagle Peak” - Whose statement is this?

6 What is the vision of Soka Gakkai International which was founded on 26 th January 1975
with Daisaku Ikeda as its President at Guam?

7 In the History of BSG in the new era, starting from 2014 to 2016, a phenomenal
development has taken place specially in terms of shakubuku. There are some important
steps taken by BSG to reach the target of one BSG of 100,000 Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
Name the important steps that propelled BSG to accomplish the cherished goals.
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8 The second President Josei Toda fell into deep meditation, recalling each of the 34
negations one after the other-trying to imagine what it might be that could absolutely exist
despite so many negational words. He was no longer conscious of the passing of time and
completely forgot where he was. Suddenly a word flashed in his mind. And in that instant,
he arrived at complete awareness of the meaning of the 12 mystic lines:

-------What is that ‘word’?

9 Mention the important event against the dates mentioned below:

1st August 2015:

29th November 2015:

18th November 2013:

26th January 2011:

4th February 1961:

16th March 1958:

8th September 1957:

18th November 1930:

2nd October 1960:

3rd July 1957:

10 How did BSG welcome the President Harada and the SGI Youth Delegation at the time of
3rd BSG General Meeting? Also mention about the big event taken place on 29 th November
2015.