The Buddhist Yogacara and Consciousness

Description: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the Buddhist Yogacara school of thought and its teachings on consciousness.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: buddhism yogacara consciousness mind
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What is the central concept of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. The existence of an external world

  2. The emptiness of all phenomena

  3. The mind is the only reality

  4. The path to liberation is through meditation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Yogacara school teaches that the mind is the only reality and that the external world is a mere projection of the mind.

What is the term used by the Yogacara school to refer to the storehouse of all mental impressions?

  1. Alaya-vijnana

  2. Manas

  3. Chitta

  4. Buddhi


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Alaya-vijnana is the storehouse of all mental impressions, both good and bad, that have been accumulated throughout one's life.

What is the term used by the Yogacara school to refer to the process of mental transformation?

  1. Vijnana-parinama

  2. Manas-parinama

  3. Chitta-parinama

  4. Buddhi-parinama


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Vijnana-parinama is the process of mental transformation through which the mind creates the external world.

What is the term used by the Yogacara school to refer to the eight types of consciousness?

  1. Ashtanga-vijnana

  2. Manas-vijnana

  3. Chitta-vijnana

  4. Buddhi-vijnana


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ashtanga-vijnana are the eight types of consciousness: eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness, mind-consciousness, self-consciousness, and storehouse-consciousness.

What is the goal of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. To attain liberation from suffering

  2. To realize the emptiness of all phenomena

  3. To purify the mind and achieve enlightenment

  4. To cultivate compassion and wisdom


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The goal of the Yogacara school is to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment, which is the state of perfect wisdom and compassion.

Which of the following is not a type of consciousness according to the Yogacara school?

  1. Eye-consciousness

  2. Ear-consciousness

  3. Nose-consciousness

  4. Ego-consciousness


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Yogacara school does not recognize the existence of an ego or self, so there is no such thing as ego-consciousness.

Which of the following is a key practice in the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. Meditation

  2. Yoga

  3. Chanting mantras

  4. Making offerings to deities


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Meditation is a key practice in the Yogacara school, as it is seen as a way to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment.

Which of the following is a central text of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. The Lankavatara Sutra

  2. The Heart Sutra

  3. The Diamond Sutra

  4. The Lotus Sutra


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Lankavatara Sutra is a central text of the Yogacara school, as it contains the teachings of the Buddha on the nature of consciousness.

Which of the following is a prominent philosopher of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. Nagarjuna

  2. Vasubandhu

  3. Asanga

  4. Shantideva


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Vasubandhu is a prominent philosopher of the Yogacara school, and he is known for his writings on the nature of consciousness and the path to enlightenment.

Which of the following is a key concept in the Yogacara school's theory of consciousness?

  1. The three natures

  2. The five aggregates

  3. The twelve links of dependent origination

  4. The four noble truths


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The three natures are a key concept in the Yogacara school's theory of consciousness, and they refer to the three aspects of reality: the imagined, the dependent, and the perfect.

Which of the following is a practice that is used in the Yogacara school to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment?

  1. Vipassana meditation

  2. Samatha meditation

  3. Metta meditation

  4. Anapanasati meditation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Samatha meditation is a practice that is used in the Yogacara school to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment. It involves focusing the mind on a single object, such as the breath, in order to calm and quiet the mind.

Which of the following is a key teaching of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. The world is an illusion

  2. The self is an illusion

  3. Consciousness is the only reality

  4. All phenomena are empty


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Yogacara school teaches that consciousness is the only reality, and that the external world is a mere projection of the mind.

Which of the following is a central concept in the Yogacara school's theory of knowledge?

  1. The two truths

  2. The three natures

  3. The five aggregates

  4. The twelve links of dependent origination


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The two truths are a central concept in the Yogacara school's theory of knowledge, and they refer to the distinction between conventional truth and ultimate truth.

Which of the following is a key practice in the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. Meditation

  2. Yoga

  3. Chanting mantras

  4. Making offerings to deities


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Meditation is a key practice in the Yogacara school, as it is seen as a way to purify the mind and achieve enlightenment.

Which of the following is a prominent philosopher of the Yogacara school of Buddhism?

  1. Nagarjuna

  2. Vasubandhu

  3. Asanga

  4. Shantideva


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Vasubandhu is a prominent philosopher of the Yogacara school, and he is known for his writings on the nature of consciousness and the path to enlightenment.

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