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Eastern Philosophy Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Eastern Philosophy Quizzes, Trivia

Eastern Philosophy Trivia

Eastern Philosophy Trivia Quizzes

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The philosophies of South and East Asia, including Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy, Korean philosophy, and Japanese philosophy, are often intimately linked with religious practices, but can be considered separately.
6 Eastern Philosophy quizzes and 70 Eastern Philosophy trivia questions.
1.
  A Wheel of Light: The Chakras   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
We are all more than our physical bodies, for each of us exists within a rainbow of light. How much do you know about chakras? Find your center, try this quiz, and don't worry about your score. Shanti...Peace.
Average, 15 Qns, LilahDeDah, Jun 04 21
Average
LilahDeDah
Jun 04 21
1052 plays
2.
  Kundalini Yoga    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The practice of Kundalini contains both the secrets of the Tantric and Shaktic energies.
Tough, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Feb 25 19
Tough
thejazzkickazz gold member
Feb 25 19
822 plays
3.
  Vedanta and Yoga    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Vedanta and yoga offer the world a method of attaining liberation. Through right living, understanding, renunciation and self-analysis one can become God-realised. But what do you know about some of the basic principles?
Average, 15 Qns, Vedantin, Aug 01 20
Average
Vedantin
Aug 01 20
602 plays
4.
  Yoga Philosophy    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Yoga has been with us since the 'Cradle of Civilisation' started in the Indus Valley which is over 6000 years old. Yoga involves more than just 'asanas' (postures), the ultimate aim of Yoga is much more profound. Take the quiz and find out!
Tough, 10 Qns, wiseye, Oct 28 21
Tough
wiseye
Oct 28 21
878 plays
5.
  The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China, as compared to "The Art of War", were little known to the Western world. The thirty-six strategies came from the actual experiences of kings, politicians, military leaders and even ordinary people.
Tough, 10 Qns, sw11, Jan 05 20
Tough
sw11 gold member
Jan 05 20
136 plays
6.
  Tidbits On Chinese Thought    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Various questions on thought in China over the last 3000 years.
Difficult, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Nov 07 07
Difficult
thejazzkickazz gold member
702 plays

Eastern Philosophy Trivia Questions

1. The book written by Gao Yuan in 1991 was titled based on a famous Chinese saying. If one wants to defeat a powerful foe, one must lure what out of the mountains?

From Quiz
The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Tiger

In ancient China, the tiger was considered the fiercest animal, the king of animals, just like the Five Tiger Generals of the state of Shu in the Chinese classic, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A tiger is strong when it is in the familiar surrounding of the mountains. Once it is lured out of the mountains, it becomes vulnerable. Gao Yuan (born 1952) was born in a mountain village in North China. He experienced the Cultural Revolution when he was a teenager. In 1982, he moved to the US and earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of California and MBA from Sanford University. In 1987, he wrote a book titled "Born Red: A Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution". The book titled "Lure the Tiger out of the Mountain", written in 1991, gave a very concise explanation on "The Thirty-Six Stratagems".

2. What is the meaning of the word 'yoga'?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Union

The term 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word of 'yuj' which means to unite (presumably with God or the 'Eternal Spirit').

3. What two forces compose the essence of the Kundalini?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: Sakti & Sakta

The Kundali is the composite force of Sakti and Sakta (Siva). Sakti is the force at the base of the spine (Mulahudra) and the Shiva lies at the crown (7th cakra). Sakti or the divine-mother is always tripartite. She is composed of the threes gunas, Sattvas, Rajas, and Tamas. She lives in a palace called Sri Nagara.. sitting on Bindu Pitha the whole world is the reflection of her body. The sun and moon are her eyes, the ocean and rivers her veins, the mountains are her milky breasts, and the trees are her eyelashes; her breath is the wind and the clouds her heavenly sighs. MULADHARA: the 1st Cakra: The senses are controlled by the first cakra. It maintains the differentiating function of the mind. On the lotus petal located her are the words: VAM, SAM,, SAM and SAM. The elephant with 7 trunks represents the sexual drive here. And the Godchild Brahma with five-faces represents the 5 dimensions of his Omniscient here. The Devi is the goddess of speech. It's represented in each cakra and her messages is inscribed in each memory of the cakra with the Sanskrit intonations of power. So that each cakra has symbols of power that is released when the cakra of that particular level has been opened. The word is Sakti herself, the mother goddess, manifesting her powers in the Kundalini flow.

4. The 'Gujin Tushu Jicheng' was the world's largest what, at 10,000 chapters?

From Quiz Tidbits On Chinese Thought

Answer: encyclopedia

This encyclopedia was commissioned under the emperor Yongzheng of the Qing empire, 1725.

5. The thirty-six stratagems are related to the "Book of Changes", represented by the hexagrams for earth. Who wrote the "Book of Changes"?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Fu Xi

The Chinese classics "Book of Changes" ("I Ching") was created by Fu Xi, considered by some to be an ancient Chinese mythological figure. He developed the trigrams (known as bagua in Chinese Pinyin) revealed to him supernaturally. The arrangement was based on the markings on the back of a mythical dragon horse (aka turtle) which emerged from the Luo River. "I Ching" was compiled during the Zhou Dynasty. The number 36 of the hexagram came from the trigrams on the Book of Changes which is the philosophy of unity of opposition, Yin (female) and Yang (male). The hexagram consists of 6 stacked horizontal lines, with broken and unbroken lines, consisting of a total of 36 lines. The 36 lines are Qian (Heaven) with 3 lines, Dui (Lake) , Li (Fire) and Xun (Wind), each with 4 lines , Zhen (Thunder), Gen (Mountain) and Kan (Water), each with 5 lines and Kun (Earth) with 6 lines.

6. There are eight stages of training for a yogi to go through in order to reach 'moksha' (release). What is the final stage called?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Samadhi

Samadhi is a state at which the mind of the human is separated from our soul thus making our soul pure and free of matter; we will be consequently liberated from 'samsara' - the cycle of birth and death.

7. How many cakras are in the human body?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: 7

The first cakra is called the Mulahadra, it lies at the base of the spine. The 2nd cakra is called the Svadhisthana, it lies at the genital area. The 3rd cakra is called the manipura, it lies at the navel. The fourth cakra is called the anahata, it lies in the vertebra behind the heart. The 5th cakra is called the Vissuddhi, it lies on the vertebra behind the throat. The 6th cakra is called the ajna, it is related somehow to the Pineal gland. The 7th cakra is called Sahasrara, and it lies at the top of the head above the occipital area. By the way, I'm using the Sanskrit spelling here, as opposed to the Hindi "chakra", which is more common.

8. The 'Memorial to the Emperor Renzong' was the first major political work of what Song dynasty reformer?

From Quiz Tidbits On Chinese Thought

Answer: Wang An-Shi

9. The thirty-six stratagems were divided into how many sets?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Six

The six sets are stratagems for: When commanding superiority Confrontation Attack Situations of confusion Gaining ground Desperate straits The first three are for use in a position of strength and the second three for positions of weakness.

10. In humans, the seven major chakras are found where?

From Quiz A Wheel of Light: The Chakras

Answer: Between the base of the spinal cord and the top of the head

The first (base) chakra is located in the genital area, opening downward. Moving upward along the spine are the second through sixth chakras, and the seventh (crown) chakra is located at the top of the head, opening upward.

11. What is the name of the authorative text on yoga philosophy, written over 2000 years ago by a sage called Patanjali?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Yoga Sutra

The text discusses mainly about how yoga allows the union of soul with the divine through 'dhyana' (meditation). Also known as 'Yoga Of Eight Limbs' (Astanga Yoga).

12. What 20th century Chinese reformer wrote such works as 'The Story of Ah Q' and 'Diary of a Madman'?

From Quiz Tidbits On Chinese Thought

Answer: Lu Xun

13. Chinese philosophers and military strategists recognized the value of flexibility in dealing with different types of situations. What is considered the most powerful flexible element?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Water

Lao Zi recognized that the water is the most flexible and powerful element. Water can adapt into any situation to erode even the toughest rock. In a documentary released in 2001 on "Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey", Bruce is said to have regarded water as the ultimate symbol of strength. He stated: "Be like water because it is soft, resilient, and formless. It can never be snapped. Water may be soft but yet it is stronger than everything else in existence. That's because of it can overcome any obstacle no matter how hard it is. By doing so, it conquers all without fighting."

14. In addition to their associated colors, what are chakras most commonly depicted as?

From Quiz A Wheel of Light: The Chakras

Answer: Lotus blossoms

Although each chakra has its associated element, yoga posture, and Hindu deity, their most common depiction is the lotus flower. The base chakra is symbolized by the four-petaled lotus, the second by the six-petaled, and so on up to the crown chakra with its thousand-petaled lotus. The flowers are usually depicted in the color associated with the same chakra, and the symbols are very intricate and beautiful.

15. What is the name of the text that forms part of 'Mahabharata', also known as 'Song Of The Lord'?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Bhagavad Gita

'Bhagavad Gita' contains 18 chapters and is mainly a dialogue between Arjuna (a disciple) and Lord Krishna (Master/God) on the verge of a battle where they discussed the Yoga of knowledge (jnana), action (karma) and devotion (bhakti).

16. Which cakra signifies the process of Enlightenment in a person?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: 7th

17. A Chinese proverb: A familiar sight provokes no attention. This proverb corresponded to which strategy?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Cross the sea by fooling the sky

This is the first stratagem, the stratagem when commanding superiority. In Chinese Pinyin it is expressed in four words: man (deceive) tian (sky) guo (cross) hai (sea). in 589, He Nuobi, a general of Sui Dynasty used this strategy to defeat the short-lived Chen dynasty ruler, Chen Shubao. His army was conducting regular exercises nearby until Chen ignored him and he made a sudden swift attack, catching Chen unprepared. The Allied forces used this strategy against the Germans before the offensive at Normandy in 1944. The landing practice was done many times by dropping parachutes of mannequins until the Germans became used to it. When the Germans relaxed, letting down their guard, the real paratroopers arrived.

18. 'Yama' and 'Niyama' are part of what kind of practice?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Moral and Ethics

'Yama' means self-control and discipline. 'Niyama' means virtue. Both of them form the practice of morality and ethics. They are also known as the 'Hindu Commandments', since there are ten of them, and they are very similar to the Ten Commandments of the Bible.

19. What are the superhuman powers associated with the Kundalini?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: siddhis

20. The second stratagem was used by Sun Bin during the Spring and Autumn Period (722-476 BC) to save the state of Zhao. Besiege the state of _______ to save the state of Zhao. What word belongs in the space?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Wei

In Chinese Pinyin, the four words are: wei (besiege) wei (Wei state) jiu (save) zhao (Zhao state). Sun Zi stated in The Art of War: "He who knows the art of direct and indirect approach will be victorious. Such is the art of maneuvering. The stratagem is to distract a powerful foe by attacking the location the foe values the most." During the Spring and Autumn Period, Sun Bin and Pang Juan were both disciples studying under one master. They both served the state of Wei, but Pang was always jealous of Sun who was more talented than him. Pang made King Wei lose trust in Sun who got punished by having his kneecaps removed. Sun later escaped to the state of Qi after learning of Pang's plot. When Pang led his army to attack Zhao, King Zhao sought help from the state of Qi. Sun came up with this strategy to attack Wei, after Pang led the Wei's army to attack Zhao. In doing so, he saved the state of Zhao and also defeated his arch enemy.

21. According to Yoga philosophy, the universe is made up of two entities, the first one is matter known as 'prakrti'. What is the other one known as?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Purusa

Purusa is the spiritual entity. Purusa and Prakrti results in creation, since perpetuity is one of their characteristics, consequently there's no 'Big Bang' theory. The creation follows a pattern of repeated birth and destruction.

22. Which term closely describes righteous living or duty?

From Quiz Vedanta and Yoga

Answer: dharma

Eastern philosophy explains that to follow a harmonious path to liberation is the best way to avoid misery and conflict. The word dharma refers both to the teachings of Buddha and to one's personal role in maintaining the natural harmony of the world.

23. What is the practice in Kundalini, whereby the meditator exits his body?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: Brahman's gate

24. Normally, Marxists believe that the better portion of proletarian support comes from urban workers. Maoists believe that the bulk of this support is derived from what class?

From Quiz Tidbits On Chinese Thought

Answer: rural peasants

This is probably due to the fact that China's population is about 80 percent rural, even to this day.

25. The third stratagem is to kill with the ___________ knife. What word is missing?

From Quiz The "Thirty-Six Stratagems" of Ancient China

Answer: Borrowed

The four Chinese words are jie (borrow) dao (knife) sha (kill) ren (people). Old Chinese saying: If you want to do something, make your opponent do it for you. During the Three Kingdom period (220-280 AD), Cao Cao of Wei made use of the Wu's generals to attack Shu's stronghold at Jingzhou. Cao Cao used the opportunity when Shu Lord Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and other top generals were fighting to capture Sichuan to establish their base in west China. Wu succeeded in capturing Jingzhou and killed Shu's First Tiger General Guan Yu who was guarding the city. Although this stratagem may not sound positive, this stratagem can be applied to one trying to adapt to a new environment and dealing with new people. As the old saying goes, "When in Rome, do like the Romans do". The borrowed knife is to adapt to the new environment when dealing with new people.

26. There are four different types or states of consciousness. What is the super-conscious state also known as?

From Quiz Yoga Philosophy

Answer: Turiya

'Turiya' is a state at which one is super-conscious - not in a state of wake, sleep or dreamless sleep. Also known as 'nirvana' by Buddhists.

27. According to the eightfold path to enlightenment, which of the steps refers to the withdrawal of the senses?

From Quiz Vedanta and Yoga

Answer: pratyhara

The eight steps being: Yama (moral conduct), Niyama (religious observances), Asana (posture), Pranayama (control and watchfulness of the breath), Pratyhara, Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (superconsciousness experience).

28. What are the names of the three nerves which connects the system of cakras together called?

From Quiz Kundalini Yoga

Answer: pindala & sushumma & ida

The Ida is the left-coiled caduceus like nerve which is cool and represents the passive force akin to the moon. And Sushumma is the fiery-red (sun) nerve coiled to the right.

29. The first official observances in China of which religion occurred in 65 A.D., under Ying, Prince of Qu?

From Quiz Tidbits On Chinese Thought

Answer: Buddhism

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