Eastern Religions - Hinduism

Question 1

Aryans

Answer 1

Indo - European nomads who crossed into India’s Indus River Valley between 1000 - 2000 B.C. no one knows why they went there.

Question 2

Kshatriya

Answer 2

Second highest caste made up of warriors/fighters.

Question 3

Brahman

Answer 3

Supreme divine reality. When you strip away all of the illusions/deceptions, everything is Brahman. World soul.

Question 4

Shiva

Answer 4

Third of the three major gods. Shiva’s role is to destroy the universe in order to re-create it. Destroys illusions and imperfections of this world. Source of good and evil, combines contradictory elements. Passionate, extreme and associated with love. Worshipers are part of the shaivism section.

Question 5

Vedas

Answer 5

Collection of four sacred writing pieces made by the Aryans early into their Indian settlement.

Question 6

Brahmin

Answer 6

Highest level of caste. Fewest number of people in this caste. Made up of priests.

Question 7

Reincarnation

Answer 7

A soul is reborn to continue on its path to moksha.

Question 8

Upanishads

Answer 8

Among the oldest pieces of Hindu literature. Shows conversations between teachers and students. Discusses some central philosophical meanings of Hinduism.

Question 9

Castes

Answer 9

Social class system made by the Aryans. Brought it with them to India and became more rigid as they mixed with others. 4 different levels: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. Untouchables are not part of the system (outcasts)

Question 10

Untouchable (dalit)

Answer 10

Outcasts from the caste system. Made up of people doing jobs that no one wants to do. Have bad karma from another life.

Question 11

Karma

Answer 11

The consequences of an action are reaped in the future.

Question 12

Dharma

Answer 12

One of the four things needed to ensure spiritual harmony. Virtue and morality.

Question 13

Dasas

Answer 13

Enemies of the Aryans. Aryans were dominant over them. .

Question 14

HInduism

Answer 14

Main religion in India. Polytheistic religion. Believes in reincarnation.

Question 15

Brahma

Answer 15

First of the three major gods. The creator, created the universe and everything in it. Isn’t worshipped as much as the other gods because his work is done. Created the vedas and the castes.

Question 16

Ganges River

Answer 16

A river in India which is thought to be holy so people will bathe in it.

Question 17

Sudra

Answer 17

The lowest level of castes. Made up of people who are servants or who don’t have very good jobs.

Question 18

Moksha

Answer 18

Perfect understanding of life. Liberation from suffering caused by life & death.

Question 19

Vishnu

Answer 19

Second of the three major gods. Preserver and protector of the universe. Comes to Earth to restore the balance between good and evil. Worshippers called Vaishnavas.

Question 20

Mahabharata

Answer 20

Indian epic poem that depicts the struggles of Aryans as they went south in India.