YMBA Junior Level past years questions
-- Dhamma paper (1998~2003)
Q1A: Life of Buddha ~ abt the Bodhisatta.
- What were the incidents that led Prince Siddhartha to leave worldly pleasures? Enumerate them. ( J 2003 )
- Enumerate briefly the five dreams the Bodhisatta saw indicating his impending Buddhahood. (J 2001, J 2000, J 1999 )
- Relate the story which made the Bodhisatta taking a meal of milk-rice in 49 portions on the day of his enlightenment. ( J 1999 )
Q1B: Life of Buddha ~ on His Enlightenment.
- Write briefly how and when the Blessed One spent the first seven weeks after His Enlightenment. (J 2003, J 1999, J 1998 )
- Relate the incidents that took place in the morning of the day the Bodhisatta became a Buddha. ( J 2001 )
- Enumerate in Pali and English the three knowledges realised, when he became a Buddha. Explain them briefly. ( J 2000 )
- Enumerate and explain the three special knowledges (vijja) attained by the Bodhisatta during the three watches of the night. (J 1999 )
- What were the causes and the results of the meeting between Buddha and Brahma Sahampati just after Enlightenement. ( J 1999 )
- Who were Tapassu and Bhalluka ? What is their importance? ( J 1998)
- Describe the Buddha’s journey from Gaya to Banarasi up to the time of meeting the pancavaggiyas. ( J 1998 ).
Q1C: Life of Buddha ~ General.
- Describe the causes and the results of the Buddhist Councils convened by King Kalasoka. ( J 2003 )
- What do you mean by Mara Yuddha ? ( J 2000 )
Q2 : Six Special Knowledges of the Buddha.
- Enumerate the six special knowledges (Sad Asadharana Nana) and explain one of them. ( J 2002 )
- Enumerate in Pali and English the six special (unique) knowledges of the Buddha (sad-asadharana). ( J 2000, J 1998 )
Q3 : Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
- What are the two extremes, which should be avoided by a recluse seeking relief? Explain briefly what the Blessed One meant by the term Middle Path. ( J 2003 ).
- Classify the Noble Eightfold Path under the main categories. ( J 2002 )
- Enumerate the four Noble Truths and explain the first one in detail. ( J 2002 ).
- Give a brief description of the Middle Path as was realized and taught by the Buddha. ( J 2001 )
- Expalin the 4th Noble Truth. ( J 2001, J 1998 )
Q4 : Dasa Paramis and Jataka Story.
- Write down the ten perfections naming at least one (jataka) birth-story connected with each. ( J 2003, J 2002 ).
- Relate a Jataka story illustrating the Perfection of Renunciation (nekkhamma – parami). ( J 2001)
Q5 : Dhammapada. (normally 6 questions this section)
- Complete the stanza ‘Puttamatthi . . . .’ and give its meaning. (J 2002).
- Write the full stanza and the Englsih translation of the following stanzas (J 2001)
( i ) na paresam vilomani ..... (Dhm 50)
( ii ) tesam sampannasilanam ...... (Dhm 57)
( iii ) carañ ce nadhigacchevva ..... (Dhm 61)
( iv ) madhu’va mannati balo ..... (Dhm 69)
- Write short notes on
(a) Sakkãram Nabhinandeyya .... (J 2000)
- Write short notes on
- Yo ca silavatam gandho vati .... ( J 1999)
- Write short notes on
(a) Na paresam vilomani, na paresam katakatam ( J 1998)
Q6 : Suttas (Ratana & Metta ) (expected to know meaning of Pali verses)
- Write short notes on
( i ) samadhina tena samo no vijjati ( J 2000) ~ Ratana Sutta
( ii ) sakkayaditthi ( J 2000) ~ Ratana Sutta
( iii ) atthakusala ( J 2000) ~ Metta Sutta
prepared by : Sis Chan Shy Loong (apr’04)
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