Hinduism

Question 1

What are the different theories as to how Hinduism developed in India?

Answer 1

• Outsiders (Ayrans) speaking an Indo-European language brought a new culture with them
• Existing culture changed and adapted and mixed with Ayran culture.

Question 2

What are the primary texts in the Hindu faith?

Answer 2

The Vedas and the Smriti are the first written sources of the Hindu faith.

Question 3

Describe the caste system?

Answer 3

The Vedas indicates a social order aka caste system.
- Brahmin - Vaishya (merchants)
- (kshatriya) Warrior class - Shudra (servants)
These are the steps in the hierarchy pf reincarnation and eventually, you can escape the castes.

Question 4

Explain the relationship between the caste system and karma, dharma and reincarnation.

Answer 4

The central principle of Hinduism is that the goal is to escape reincarnation.

Dharma - Fulfilling one’s duty that is assigned by one’s caste.
Karma - Accumulation of actions either “good” or “bad” in relation to one’s dharma. Not necessarily morally good or bad.
Reincarnation (Samsara) - if one fulfills one’s dharma one can eventually attain “Moksha” when one’s soul “Atman” unites with the universal world soul “Brahman.”

Question 5

What is karma?

Answer 5

Accumulation of actions either “good” or “bad” in relation to one’s dharma. Not necessarily morally good or bad.

Question 6

What is dharma?

Answer 6

Fulfilling one’s duty that is assigned by one’s caste.

Question 7

What is reincarnation (samsara)?

Answer 7

If one fulfills one’s dharma one can eventually attain “Moksha” when one’s soul “Atman” unites with the universal world soul “Brahman.”

Question 8

What is Moksha?

Answer 8

When one’s soul “Atman” unites with the universal world soul “Brahman.”

Question 9

What is Atman?

Answer 9

The name for one’s soul.

Question 10

What is Brahman?

Answer 10

The universal world soul.