QUIZ—How Much Do You Know Your Buddhist Basics?

2) When the government rejected Nichiren Daishonin’s third and final remonstration, he left Kamakura and, in May 1274, took up residence at Mount Minobu in Kai Province. There, he lectured on the Lotus Sutra to foster disciples who would carry out kosen-rufu. He also ____________________. (See The Basics, p. 13)

a) wrote many letters to encourage his followers
b) secluded himself from society
c) was ordained a True Word priest

3) As our Buddhist practice progresses, functions will arise to obstruct us. How should we face such obstructions? Nichiren Daishonin writes, “At such a time … the wise will ________________ while the foolish will retreat.” (See The Basics, p. 63)

a) cry
b) rejoice
c) hide

 4) What did Josei Toda do on Sept. 8, 1957? (See The Basics, p. 98)

a) accomplish a Soka Gakkai membership of 10,000 
b) establish an after-school program 
c) deliver his Declaration for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons

5) Among the various types of “almsgiving,” one of the six paramitas or bodhisattva practices, the two most commonly known are ____________________. (See The Basics, pp. 108–09)

a) offering of peace and offering of enjoyment
b) the offering of goods and the offering of the Law
c) offering of self and offering of others

Level Up! From the Intermediate Exam

Instructions: Fill in the blanks or choose the best answer.

 1) Of the “five cardinal sins,” ____________________ in the Buddhist Order is extremely serious as it destroys the Buddha’s teachings and deludes people, causing them to fall into unhappiness. This is the gravest offense that Nikken committed. Please write a TWO-WORD answer. (See The Basics, p. 123)

2) In “The True Aspect of All Phenomena,” Nichiren Daishonin writes: “Now, no matter what, strive in faith and be known as a votary of the Lotus Sutra, and remain my disciple for the rest of your life. If you are of the same mind as Nichiren, you must be _________________________. And if you are______________________________, there is not the slightest doubt that you have been a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha from the remote past.” Please write in the same FIVE-WORD answer that fits in both blanks. (See The Basics, p. 140)

3) Bodhisattva Never Disparaging consistently venerated everyone he encountered, no matter who they were, including even those who attacked or persecuted him, bowing in respect and reciting to each a phrase known as the ___________________________. (See The Basics, p. 141)

a) sixty-five sutras of the Meditation Master
b) appraisal of the fifty-two stages of voice-hearers
c) twenty-four character Lotus Sutra

4) The stronger one’s faith and practice become, the more the three obstacles and four devils and the three powerful enemies emerge to interfere. However, when we summon even stronger faith and wisdom, our obstacles will cease functioning as devils if we ______________________________. (See The Basics, p. 171)

a) clearly perceive devilish functions for what they are
b) distance ourselves from them
c) decisively take action to become one with them

5) Buddhism started with Shakyamuni Buddha and was inherited by Nichiren Daishonin. Later, in the 20th century, the ____________________ rediscovered it, with its leaders and members carrying on the Buddhist lineage and teaching and spreading it throughout the world. Please write a TWO-WORD answer. (See The Basics, p. 182)

Click here to access study material. Register for the exam by April 5, 2026, through your SGI-USA member resources account at portal.sgi-usa.org.

“For Starters” Answers:
1. C; 2. A; 3. B; 4. C; 5. B

“Lever Up!” Answers:
1. causing disunity; 2. A Bodhisattva of the Earth; 3. C; 4. A; 5. Soka Gakkai 

April 3, 2026 World Tribune, p. 11