What do you know about Tibetan Buddhism?

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Religion and Ethics Writer

Give yourself a point if you recognized this man as the Dalai Lama. Associated Press

On the Tibetan calendar, which is solar and lunar, the year begins today. Similar to the Chinese calendar, the Tibetan one divides the year into 12 months, each having 29 to 30 days.

Multiple choice

1. How many lamas (Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders) are there in Hawai'i?

[ A. None | B. One | C. Three | D. Seven ]

2. What nationality must you be to become a lama?

[ A. Tibetan | B. Chinese | C. Indian | D. Any ]

True or false

3. Lamas must study in Dharamsala, India, site of the exiled Dalai Lama's monastery.

4. Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation.

5. Leaders are allowed to marry.

6. The Dalai Lama has never been to Hawai'i.

Fill in the blanks

7. The 15-day ___________ is Buddha's miracle time. Positive or negative actions are multiplied 100,000 times.

8. The two basic sitting meditation techniques are ___________ and ___________.

Click here to check your answers.