Hinduism

Question 1

Name the members of the Hindu Trimurti and their roles

Answer 1

• Brahma- the Creator
• Vishnu- the sustainer
• Shiva- the destroyer

Question 2

What are the names of two Hindu holy texts

Answer 2

• The Vedas
• The Upanishads

Question 3

What is the meaning of religious pluralism

Answer 3

The idea that all religious paths are seen as legitimate ways to understand and connect with the divine or ultimate reality.

Question 4

Explain two Hindu beliefs about the nature of God

Answer 4

Firstly, Hindus believe in Nirguna Brahman- an ultimate reality or divine consciousness that pervades the universe. The Upanishads state, ‘you are everything.. you are everywhere’. Hindus believe that this force is the source of all life. Brahman has no form and is not worshipped in itself. It is represented by the meditative ‘aum’ sound.
​Secondly, Hindus believe that Brahman can be worshipped as millions of different deities known as Saguna Brahman. The Vedas state, ‘God is one but wise men call him by many names’. Hindus want to be able to connect with God and it’s easier to do this when God has a shape or form e.g. Ganesha or Lakshmi. Different Hindu families will be devoted to different deities.

Question 5

When did Hinduism begin

Answer 5

Between 2300 and 1500 Bc

Question 6

Where did Hinduism originate from

Answer 6

Indus Valley near Pakistan

Question 7

Some Hindus consider the Trimurti to be different aspects of Brahman give one piece of evidence for this

Answer 7

‘God is one but the wise call him by many names’ Rig Veda

Question 8

What is the difference between brahma and Brahman

Answer 8

Brahman (with an ‘n’), which refers to Ultimate Reality, and Brahma (with no ‘n’), which refers to the creator god.