Hinduism Vocab Quiz

Question 1

Ahimsa

Answer 1

non-violence

Question 2

Asceticism

Answer 2

the ideas, beliefs and lifestyle one who shuns the pleasure of the world in an effort to pursue spiritual goals

Question 3

Atman

Answer 3

the self or soul, sometimes seen as identical with Brahman

Question 4

Avatar

Answer 4

an incarnation of a god or God

Question 5

Brahman

Answer 5

ultimate reality - a Hindu expression of monism

Question 6

Darshan

Answer 6

the state of seeing and being seen by the deity

Question 7

Dharma

Answer 7

religious or moral duty

Question 8

Gunas

Answer 8

the qualities of the created world

Question 9

Guru

Answer 9

a teacher, particularly in Sikhism

Question 10

Karma

Answer 10

the law of actions

Question 11

Mahabharata

Answer 11

a great Indian epic about the Pandava brothers, contained within it is the Bhagavad-Gita

Question 12

Mantra

Answer 12

sound, phrase or idea that focuses the mind

Question 13

Maya

Answer 13

the illusory forms of the created world

Question 14

Monism

Answer 14

the understanding of the one Absolute as the origin of various manifestations and the universe

Question 15

Moksha

Answer 15

liberation - the freedom from the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth

Question 16

Murti

Answer 16

the manifestation of the deity in a particular form

Question 17

Om

Answer 17

common mantra used to focus meditation

Question 18

Pap

Answer 18

sin

Question 19

Prakriti

Answer 19

nature/natural order

Question 20

Puja

Answer 20

daily prayer or offering

Question 21

Punya

Answer 21

holiness/spiritual excellence

Question 22

Ramayana

Answer 22

Indian epic about Ram and his allies rescuing Sita from the clutches of Ravana

Question 23

Samsara

Answer 23

the cycle of life, death and rebirth

Question 24

Shakti

Answer 24

diving feminine creative power

Question 25

Sutra

Answer 25

religious text

Question 26

The Trimurti

Answer 26

Bhrahma - the deity responsible for creation
Shiva - the deity responsible for destruction
Vishnu the deity responsible for the preservation of creation

Question 27

Varna system

Answer 27

system of social groups based on the Vedas the Hindus are born in to; caste system

Question 28

Varnashramadharma

Answer 28

a person’s responsibility regarding class and the stage of life

Question 29

Vedas

Answer 29

one of a few sacred Hindu texts composed of four books

Question 30

Yoga

Answer 30

the paths to moksha:
Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion
Jhana Yoga - the path of knowledge
Karma Yoga - the path of ethical actions

Question 31

6 schools/systems (Darshans)

Answer 31

1. Samkhya
2. Yoga
3. Nyaya
4. Vaisheshika
5. Mimamsa
6. Vedanta