Beliefs And Teachings

Question 1

Types of Brahman

Answer 1

nirguna- God as a spiritual presence

Saguna- God shown in form

Question 2

Symbol of Brahman

Answer 2

Om or Aum

Question 3

The three ways in which Hindus think of God:

Answer 3

Brahman- existing everywhere
Antaryami- the God within everyone
Bhagavan- a personal Lord or deity

Question 4

Name the tri-murti and their titles

Answer 4

Brahma the creator
Vishnu the preserver
Shiva the destroyer

Question 5

Name the four things held by Brahma and what they symbolise

Answer 5

The Vedas (books)- he is guided by the scriptures
Spoon- sacrificial ladle used in worship
Mala (a string of beads)- used in meditation
Water pot- water of life, he began creation

Question 6

Who is Brahmas consort?

Answer 6

Saraswati (Goddess of music, art and knowledge)

Question 7

Why is Brahma arguably the least important of the Trimurti?

Answer 7

His work as a creator has already been done

Question 8

Name the consort of Vishnu

Answer 8

Lakshmi (wealth, prosperity, fortune and love)

Question 9

Give 4 ways in which Vishnu is special

Answer 9

He represents the soul of the universe
He birthed Brahma
He is the Lord within
He is worshipped through avatars

Question 10

What are followers of Vishnu called?

Answer 10

Vishnava

Question 11

The three strides

Answer 11

Bali, a demon world ruler, offered his head for Vishnu to rest his foot on, thus acknowledging Vishnu’s supremacy

Question 12

Prahlada

Answer 12

Vishnu saved Prahlada due to his devotion

Question 13

What are worshippers of Shiva called?

Answer 13

Shaivites or Shaivas

Question 14

Why is Shiva known as the most complex God?

Answer 14

He has many different qualities (people often worship the one which is most relevant to their situation and life)

Question 15

What is Shivas symbol?

Answer 15

Linga (male sex organ) - represents his ability to recreate after destruction

Question 16

Name the dancing form of shiva

Answer 16

Nataraja

Question 17

Name Shivas consort

Answer 17

Parvati (AKA shakti, durga, or Kali)

Question 18

A parable about light (comparing the Trimurti)

Answer 18

Shiva is an eternal pillar of light
Brahma became a swan but couldn’t find the top
Vishnu became a boar but couldn’t find the bottom
Shiva is the most powerful

Question 19

Story of Bhrigu

Answer 19

Bhrigu was a holy man, trying to find the kindest deity.
He insulted Shiva and Brahma, who were furious
He kicked Vishnu in the chest, who apologised for injuring his foot.
Thus making Vishnu the most good and superior

Question 20

Who is Rama

Answer 20

The seventh avatar of Vishnu

Question 21

Who is Krishna

Answer 21

The eight avatar of Vishnu

Question 22

Who is Ganesha

Answer 22

An elephant headed deity, son of Parvati and Shiva

Question 23

Who is hanuman

Answer 23

Monkey warrior, featured in the story of Rama and Sita

Question 24

Give 6 Hindu ideas about the world

Answer 24

Time is cyclical
The material world is repeatedly created
The universe is one of many bubbles floating in space
Universe is in three tiers- heavenly planets, the earthly realm and the lower worlds
There’s no single account of creation
There are two realities- purusa (spirit) and prakriti (Matter)

Question 25

Explain the four yugas (or epochs)

Answer 25

Gold, silver, copper, iron
Each age gets shorter and more corrupt
At the end Vishnu appears as Kalki, clearing all evil and starting a new gold age

Question 26

Story about the atman from Hindu tradition

Answer 26

Salt and water (invisible but ever present)

Story if Svetaketu from the Chandogya Upanishad 6.12

Question 27

Story about moksha

Answer 27

A Hindu holy man blessed different people with life and death
Many questioned this until he explained:
He gave life to those who love materials, to prevent his suffering in the next life
He gave death to the good, so they could achieve moksha before sinning again
He gave neither life nor death to the butcher, as he is living a sinful life now, and a bad life in his next one
He gave a worshipper life or death, as no matter what she will always be faithful

Question 28

Name the four aims of human life for Hindus

Answer 28

Dharma
Artha
Kama
Moksha

Question 29

What’s Santana dharma

Answer 29

The Terence truth and doing what's right eg
Remember God in heart and mind 
Never eat meat or drink liquor
Learn from scripture
Try to achieve moksha 
CARE FOR ANIMALS AND PLANTS
CARE FOR THE NEEDY AND ELDERLY

Question 30

Explain the outward appearance of a mandir

Answer 30

Decorate to drive off evil forces
Creates a heaven on earth
Allows Hindus to worship in the space of the heart