Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture

Internatinal Theravæda Buddhist Missionary University

Yangon, Myanmar
(Entrance Examination for Diploma in Buddha Dhamma)
January, 2019

Paper I English Grammar and Composition Time allowed: Two hours

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Answer all questions

1. Read the passage.

A strong Buddhist faithfully makes a vow for his or her religious achievement by
performing meritorious deeds. A Buddhist’s final resolution is nothing but to attain
Nibbæna and liberation from sufferings of life cycle. One may wish to obtain many
kinds of thing, such as wealth, education, a happy life, a peaceful family and success
in every position. In reality, these are not final goals, but temporal desires for life.
Most Buddhists understand that one’s desire never reaches an end because humans are
always thirsty for more worldly pleasure and additional enjoyment in life. However,
they know that excessive desire can cause endless suffering in life. So long as one’s
mind is unbalanced and forgetful because one has been overwhelmed by desire, he or
she will have to encounter unsolvable problems and many difficulties that are
associated with endless suffering.

Match the words in column (a) with the words of same meaning in column (b)
Column (a) Column (b)
1. Property (a) desire
2. Liberation (b) face
3. Excessive (c) wealth
4. Strong wish (d) freedom
5. Encounter (e) extra

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

(a) How should a strong Buddhist make a vow for one’s religious achievement?
(b) What is a Buddhist’s final resolution?
(c) What kinds of thing may one wish to possess in life?
(d) How do most Buddhists understand about one’s desire?
(e) If one’s mind is unbalanced and forgetful, what will he or she have to
experience in life?
2. Join the following sentences using the suitable related words.
(a) A person practices the Dhamma. It protects him from various dangers.
(b) It is a common belief among people in this world. The soul will transmigrate
from one life to another.
(c) In the world, there is no place. The king of death can never reach.
(d) Some might say that Buddhist practices are really self-centered and selfish.
They observe the five precepts to obtain merit only for themselves.
(e) Venerable Subhþtithera always puts loving-kindness in his mind. It makes him
as well as others happy and peaceful.

3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

(a) He is accused …… stealing a girl’s purse.
(b) Venerable Revata has dedicated his life ……. The Buddha’s Dispensation.
(c) The Bodhisatta sacrificed his life ….. the sake ….. all beings.
(d) Myanmar is known ….. the world ….. her golden pagodas, historic sites,
beautiful places and generous people.
(e) We all should try to escape ……… the world of suffering.

4. What are the Four Sublime States (Brahmavihæra) in Buddhism and how does
loving-kindness plays from an important role to be peaceful in human societies?

5. Write an essay on one of the following:

(a) The Triple Gem (Ratanattaya)
(b) Eightfold Noble Path (A¥¥ha-magga³ga)
(c) Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Cattæro Satipa¥¥hæna)

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