Hinduism

Question 1

T/F The term Hinduism is not in fact problematic

Answer 1

False, it is problematic because it refers to a geographical reference.

Question 2

What are the 4 Vedas?

Answer 2

Rig Veda: for priests
Sama Veda: chants for priests
Yajur Veda: used for prayers
Artharva Veda: used for everyday life

Question 3

What types of sacrifices were performed in the Vedic Religion?

Answer 3

Animal sacrifices: to God of earth and sky

Fire sacrifices: offering of milk and butter

Question 4

What are the dates for the Vedic Religion?

Answer 4

1500 BCE to 500 BCE

Question 5

What is the difference between shruti and smirti?

Answer 5

Shruti: what is revealed (comes from God)
Smirti: what is remembered (comes from people, possibly made up)

Question 6

What are the two books from the Classical Religion (500 BCE to 500 CE)?

Answer 6

Ramayan and Mahabharata

Question 7

Under which ruler (of the Mughal period) were Hindus “tolerable”?

Answer 7

Akbar

Question 8

Who was the most important reformer during the British Raj?

Answer 8

Mahatma Gandhi

Question 9

What was the post-partition of India?

Answer 9

When the British separated India’s continent into two countries (Pakistan and Hindustan)

Question 10

What is Satyagraha?

Answer 10

A concept made by Gandhi where we use passive resistance instead of violence

Question 11

What are the two major categories of scriptures?

Answer 11

Shruti and Smirti

Question 12

What do Hindu priests use when they are seeking an explanation of sacrifices?

Answer 12

Brahmanas

Question 13

What drink according to Rig Veda produces immortality?

Answer 13

Soma

Question 14

At what stage of life may one prepare for Samadhi?

Answer 14

Sannyasin

Question 15

The way of knowledge as salvation is the basis of which yoga form?

Answer 15

Jnana yoga

Question 16

The control of the self, one of the virtues of Hinduism is known as

Answer 16

Damyata

Question 17

Who is the god in human disguise that drives the chariot for Arjuna?

Answer 17

Krishna

Question 18

Samsara is the Hindu term for…

Answer 18

reincarnation

Question 19

According to karma yoga, the motivation for work should be

Answer 19

duty

Question 20

Shankara was known for his introduction of

Answer 20

Advaita

Question 21

A Hindu who chooses a life goal of Kama is in search of

Answer 21

pleasure

Question 22

What is the name given to Hindu sacred “revealed” writings?

Answer 22

Shruti

Question 23

The form of yoga that trains the physical body so that the soul can be free is called

Answer 23

Raja

Question 24

How did Gandhi respond to British violence in India

Answer 24

He resorted to Ahimsa and Satyagraha

Question 25

In what year did India gain independence from Britain?

Answer 25

1947

Question 26

The 2nd stage of life in Hinduism is known as

Answer 26

Grihasta

Question 27

The God in rig Veda who wields a thunderbolt and controls storms and monsoons is

Answer 27

Indra

Question 28

What did the Laws of Manu represent?

Answer 28

an ideal code of behavior

Question 29

The sama veda would be referred to when a priest

Answer 29

requires chants for the sacrifices

Question 30

Which dualistic philosophical system explains the universe without employing gods

Answer 30

Sankhya

Question 31

In which holy book would one find the yogic paths to salvation?

Answer 31

Bhagavad gita

Question 32

A person who teaches their insights and reasoning is known as

Answer 32

Guru

Question 33

During the earliest times (1000 BCE) why did varna play a part in making the Aryans superior to the natives of India?

Answer 33

the light skinned aryans were the conquerors

Question 34

The phrase you reaps what you sow can summarize

Answer 34

the law of karma

Question 35

The Hindu concept, samsara, refers to..

Answer 35

the wheel of rebirth which turns forever

Question 36

T/F the word Upanishads means sitting near a guru

Answer 36

True

Question 37

T/F THe yoke of work in Hinduism is bhakti

Answer 37

True

Question 38

T/F The advaita system is strictly monistic

Answer 38

True

Question 39

T/F Puja is worship through the use of murtis

Answer 39

False

Question 40

T/F according to the upanishads, there is an absolute end for humankind and the universe

Answer 40

True

Question 41

Soma, an intoxicating drink, was used recreationally but not in Hindu worship

Answer 41

False

Question 42

Another word for goddess is devi

Answer 42

True

Question 43

In post-partition India, there are no conflict among the many different religious groups living there

Answer 43

False

Question 44

What are the major gods of popular Hinduism? What are their roles?

Answer 44

Brahma: Creator Vishnu: Preserver Shiva: creator and destroyer

Question 45

What are the rig veda gods?

Answer 45

Indra: god of monsoons and storms Varuna: the god of sky Agni: god of fire

Question 46

What is soma?

Answer 46

a ritual drink

Question 47

What is the Caste system levels? (higher to lower class)

Answer 47

1. Brahmins (priest) 2. Kshatriyas (warriors, generals) 3. Vaishyas (merchants) 4. Shudras (laborers) 5. Untouchables (outsiders)

Question 48

What are some of the concepts covered from the Upanishads?

Answer 48

1: idea of supreme being called Brahman. 2: idea of soul that comes from Brahman, called Atman 3: idea that those who do not agree with the laws of Hinduism are in a state of illusion called Maya 4: Karma the idea that for every action there is a reaction 5: Samsara, is the wheel of life, where the soul goes back to Brahman. 6: Moksha is freedom of the soul, liberation

Question 49

What are the stages of life? Who do they apply to?

Answer 49

1: (ages 8-24) Student- Bramchari 2: (24-about 60) Householder (Grihasta) 3: Retirement (Vanaprashta) 4: Sannyasin These only apply to the top 3 tiers of the varna (brahmins, kshatriyas and vaishyas)

Question 50

What are the four goals of life?

Answer 50

1: Dharma (duty/righteousness) 2: Artha (wealth/ success) 3: Kama (pleasure) 4: Moksha (liberation)

Question 51

Control of the self is known as..

Answer 51

damyata

Question 52

The act of being generous is known as...

Answer 52

datta

Question 53

compassion to all is known as..

Answer 53

daydhvam

Question 54

another word for human ignorance is..

Answer 54

avidya

Question 55

In Sankhya, what are the terms for matter and nonmatter respectively?

Answer 55

Matter: Prakriti Non matter: Purusha (spirit)

Question 56

Who is Agni?

Answer 56

The God fo fire (vedic religion)

Question 57

What is Artha?

Answer 57

goal of life to be successful.

Question 58

What is an avatar?

Answer 58

god in an earthly form

Question 59

What is bakhti?

Answer 59

devotion and worship of a god/goddess

Question 60

What is the difference between Brahma, Brahman Brahmanas and Brahmin?

Answer 60

Brahma: the god of creation Brahman: the ultimate reality Brahmanas: Guidelines and explanations of sacrifice Brahmin: Highest, priestly caste of the the Varnas