Know Your Mentor-disciple (Nichiren Buddhism)
A fun little quiz for practitioners and friends of the SGI-USA. Quiz about the founders of the 12-million buddhist worldwide lay organization, the Soka Gakkai International.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Which one of these individuals would have seen King Kong vs. Godzilla in a movie theater?
- A.
Winston Churchill
- B.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- C.
Mahatma Gandhi
- D.
Josei Toda
- E.
Daisaku Ikeda
Correct Answer
E. Daisaku Ikeda -
- 2.
Youthfulness originates from _____ _______ (two words). There are young people who look surprisingly old, and there are elderly people who, no matter how the years pass, always sparkle with the glow of youth, an inner vitality. ~ Daisaku Ikeda
Correct Answer
life forceExplanation
The quote by Daisaku Ikeda suggests that youthfulness comes from a person's "life force." This refers to the inner vitality and energy that some individuals possess, regardless of their age. It implies that youthfulness is not solely determined by physical appearance but rather by the presence of a vibrant and energetic spirit.Rate this question:
- 3.
Who said: "Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us."
- A.
Josei Toda
- B.
Winston Churchill
- C.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- D.
Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
- E.
Che Guevarra
Correct Answer
D. Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)Explanation
Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist and vocalist of the band Grateful Dead, is attributed to saying, "Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us." This statement reflects a sense of responsibility and frustration towards the state of affairs, suggesting that someone needs to take action to address the issues at hand. The use of the word "pathetic" conveys a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction with the fact that it falls upon them to take action.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of these 2 individuals was born in Tokyo, 1928?
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Shirley Temple
- C.
Josei Toda
- D.
Risako Uchida
Correct Answer(s)
A. Daisaku Ikeda
D. Risako UchidaExplanation
Both Daisaku Ikeda & Risako Uchida was born in Tokyo, 1928. Risako Uchida contributed significantly to introducing Russian literature into Japan.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Fill in the blank: The human ______ is the strongest force there is. As long as our ______ remains unbroken, there is no defeat. In life, ______ual defeat always precedes actual defeat. Guard against laziness, cowardice, carelessness, impatience, resignation and despair which corrode the human spirit and sow the seeds of defeat.
Correct Answer(s)
spiritExplanation
Quote from Daisaku IkedaRate this question:
- 6.
Who said: "It's a question of whether we're going to go forward into the future, or past to the back."
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Pat Sajak
- C.
Josei Toda
- D.
Dan Quayle
Correct Answer
D. Dan Quayle -
- 7.
Who said: "It is not my purpose to debate matters of victory or defeat in war or the pros and cons of policies and ideologies; rather, I grieve at the thought that war causes countless people to lose their husbands or wives, and leaves countless people seeking for lost children or parents."
- A.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- B.
Mahatma Gandhi
- C.
Daisaku Ikeda
- D.
Josei Toda
- E.
Charles de Gaulle
Correct Answer
D. Josei Toda -
- 8.
Who said: "A thousand sheep cannot hold their own against a single lion. A single courageous individual dedicated to the Great Good can accomplish far more important things than a thousand cowards who practice only passive and minimal good. It's not the number, but the quality of people that matters."
- A.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- B.
Josei Toda
- C.
Martin Luther King
- D.
Daisaku Ikeda
- E.
Kahlil Gibran
Correct Answer
A. Tsunesaburo MakiguchiExplanation
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi is the correct answer because the quote emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to individuals dedicated to making a positive impact. Makiguchi suggests that a single courageous person who is committed to the greater good can achieve more significant things than a large group of individuals who are passive and only contribute minimally. The quote highlights the idea that it is not the number of people that matters, but rather the quality of their dedication and actions.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of these men is the founder of the Soka (value creation) schools, "a nondenominational school system based on an ideal of fostering each student's unique creative potential and cultivating an ethic of peace, social contribution and global consciousness", a school system that runs from kindergarten through graduate study, including a university in Tokyo and in Aliso Viejo, California?
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- C.
Josei Toda
- D.
John Dewey
Correct Answer
A. Daisaku IkedaExplanation
Daisaku Ikeda is the founder of the Soka schools, a nondenominational school system that aims to foster each student's unique creative potential and cultivate an ethic of peace, social contribution, and global consciousness. The schools run from kindergarten through graduate study, including a university in Tokyo and in Aliso Viejo, California.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The motivation Ikeda most frequently describes is revealing. All of his accomplishments, he has said, have been an effort to fulfill the vision of his ________, Josei Toda--to demonstrate Toda's greatness. Everything Ikeda says and does is with reference to Toda. "I have no life apart from working, advancing and living with all my might alongside President Toda. I have come to realize that I am who I am because of my ________."
Correct Answer
mentorExplanation
Ikeda most frequently describes his motivation as being a result of his mentor, Josei Toda. He sees all of his accomplishments as an effort to fulfill Toda's vision and to demonstrate Toda's greatness. Ikeda believes that he is who he is because of his mentor, and that his life is centered around working, advancing, and living with all his might alongside Toda. Therefore, the correct answer is "mentor."Rate this question:
- 11.
Who said: "Apprehension and evaluation are not the same. [The famous story of the samurai] becoming terrified seeing a ghost in withered pampas grasses is an example arising from misapprehension. We must avoid making judgments about people or events from emotion or supposition. To evaluate on the basis of rumor or reputation is risky. We must avoid evaluating even the words of a spouse or close friend on the basis of misapprehension."
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Josei Toda
- C.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- D.
Danny Nagashima
Correct Answer
C. Tsunesaburo MakiguchiExplanation
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi said that apprehension and evaluation are not the same. He used the example of the famous story of the samurai becoming terrified by seeing a ghost in withered pampas grasses to illustrate how misapprehension can lead to wrong judgments. Makiguchi emphasized the importance of avoiding making judgments based on emotion, supposition, rumor, or reputation. He even advised against evaluating the words of a spouse or close friend based on misapprehension.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Who said: "Do not be angry with people who are weak. That is the mark of a coward. There are plenty of things to be angry about in the world--people wielding political or religious authority who have been blinded by money, for example! That is the kind of evil young people should direct their rage at. Be angry about that, and you'll never lose your temper about trifling matters."
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Josei Toda
- C.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- D.
Dr. Bruce Banner
Correct Answer
B. Josei TodaExplanation
Josei Toda is the correct answer because the quote reflects his belief in not being angry with weak people and instead directing anger towards those in positions of power who have been corrupted by money. This aligns with Toda's teachings as a Buddhist philosopher and the emphasis he placed on addressing societal issues rather than getting caught up in trivial matters.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Who said: "Let's always strive to practice 'actual faith.' Let's stick to the actual without deviating a single step. 'Theoretical faith' is a purely intellectual pursuit, of a merely philosophical dimension. It is faith in words only. 'Actual faith,' on the other hand, is a living reality in terms of both our inner conviction and all aspects of daily life. In other words, it means giving practical expression to our faith. It means to employ our faith to the fullest, both in our work--whatever our profession, be it a bookseller or a schoolteacher--and in our private lives."
- A.
Daisaku Ikeda
- B.
Josei Toda
- C.
Tsunesaburo Makiguchi
- D.
Dr. Martin Luther King
Correct Answer
B. Josei TodaExplanation
Josei Toda said, "Let's always strive to practice 'actual faith.' Let's stick to the actual without deviating a single step." He distinguishes between "theoretical faith" and "actual faith." Theoretical faith is described as a purely intellectual pursuit, while actual faith is described as a living reality that encompasses both inner conviction and practical expression in daily life. Toda emphasizes the importance of employing faith to the fullest in both work and private life, regardless of one's profession.Rate this question:
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- 14.
"Buddhism explains ______ in order to reveal how to transform it. Put another way, to hold the doctrine of _____ over people without fully clarifying the means for changing it is to wrongly interpret Buddhism. Such teachings only cause people to remain bound by the shackles of fate." ~ Daisaku Ikeda
Correct Answer
karmaExplanation
Buddhism explains karma in order to reveal how to transform it. Put another way, to hold the doctrine of karma over people without fully clarifying the means for changing it is to wrongly interpret Buddhism. Such teachings only cause people to remain bound by the shackles of fate.Rate this question:
- 15.
_______ extirpates fear, banishes sorrow, and kindles hope. It is a revolution through which we rewrite our own destiny. _______ entails an intense challenge to believe in yourself and stop diminishing yourself. To belittle yourself is to disparage Buddhism and the Buddha within your life.
Correct Answer
prayerExplanation
Prayer is suggested as the correct answer because it is described as something that extirpates fear, banishes sorrow, and kindles hope. It is also stated that prayer entails an intense challenge to believe in yourself and stop diminishing yourself, implying that prayer is a way to uplift oneself and have faith in Buddhism and the Buddha within one's life.Rate this question:
- 16.
The enlightenment and happiness of both self and others: A true mentor in Buddhism is one who enables us to remember this aspiration. A true _______, meanwhile, is one who follows the mentor's teaching, who recalls that this most profound ________ is in fact their own, and who, convinced from the bottom of their heart that this is indeed so, launches into action in accord with the mentor's words. ~ Daisaku Ikeda
Correct Answer
disciple
aspirationExplanation
A true mentor in Buddhism is someone who helps us remember the aspiration of enlightenment and happiness for both ourselves and others. A true disciple, on the other hand, is someone who follows the mentor's teachings and recognizes that this profound aspiration is their own. With a deep conviction in their heart, the disciple takes action in accordance with the mentor's words.Rate this question:
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
May 18, 2009Quiz Created by
Dandefensor
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