Remembering Rama - Dr Frederick Lenz

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The Test - December, 1991
by A.

The Test referred to in the title above was part of a test for certification as Buddhist Monks which Rama's students filled out in the early 90's.

"TEST FOR CERTIFICATION AS BUDDHIST MONKS

The following test will serve as a legal document (microfilmed and stored). The test is 'open book', but you cannot directly quote Rama or paraphrase a book for your answers. The answers should be in your own words. The recommended length of the answers should be 10 to 20 pages in total for all questions. The paper should be typed, double spaced, with either a header or a footer for each page showing your name and a page number. Do not staple or paper clip the pages. Insert the loose pages into a 2 pocket folder and bring it to the December ASI Seminars. If you are unable to attend the December Seminars please pass it through someone else or mail it to the World Trade Center Address.

Begin the test by stating the following 5 facts at the top of the page:

1. Your name.

2. How long have you studied with Rama?

3. How many hours have you meditated in this lifetime?

4. How many classes in meditation have you attended? (do not include the dinners we have had with him recently. All intensive seminars and Lakshmi seminars, etc. should be included.)

5. If you have any other spiritual training or meditation training such as TM, Zen, etc. please list the number of years and training or certification you may have received.

7 test questions:

1. What are the 'Four Noble Truths?' Explain them.

2. What is meditation and how is it achieved? (different meditation techniques can be described to explain this if desired.)

3. What is Tantric Buddhism and how is it practiced?

4. Describe the relationship between the teacher of Enlightenment and the student.

5. What is the Holy Dharma? (the estoeric and exoteric definitions)

6A. Describe the cosmology of the rebirth process and karma, what is evolution, how the soul works.

6B. How does it apply to the practitioner of Buddhism?

7. How should a Buddhist monk conduct themselves? (or said differently: What is the code of conduct and ethics for a Buddhist Monk? What is the integrity of a Buddhist Monk?)"