India

Question 1

Caste System

Answer 1

Social classes based on “purity of your soul” that greatly effected daily life

Question 2

Untouchables

Answer 2

Lowest Caste- so unclean that you could not even touch them. They had to do the dirty work of society (i.e. cleaning and touching dead animals)

Question 3

Reincarnation

Answer 3

The idea that after you die your soul is reborn into another body.

Question 4

Dharma

Answer 4

Your destiny/calling/duty in life

Question 5

Aryans

Answer 5

Arrived in first Indian civilization and were nomadic, unsophisticated herders

Question 6

Vedas/Upanishads

Answer 6

Sacred hindu texts including hymns and essays

Question 7

Karma

Answer 7

Sum of your actions in life and is based on dharma (follow your dharma to get good kharma). Good karma will ‘move you up’ in the next life

Question 8

Atman

Answer 8

Soul (which is reincarnated)

Question 9

Moksha

Answer 9

Ultimate goal- the end of reincarnation when you merge with Brahman (eternal salvation)

Question 10

Brahman

Answer 10

The most important Hindu god (out of many)

Question 11

Monsoons

Answer 11

Heavy rains and flooding brought by seasonal winds which altered trade routes

Question 12

Meditation

Answer 12

The way to reach Enlightenment

Question 13

Siddhartha Gautama

Answer 13

Buddha- Prince who initiated Buddhism

Question 14

Buddhism

Answer 14

Belief system began by Buddha as a reaction to the Caste system- believed in followed the 4 noble truths and the eightfold path

Question 15

Four Nobles Truths

Answer 15

Buddhist beliefs:

• life is full of suffering
• cause of suffering is self centered desires and cravings
• suffering can stop if people reach enlightenment
• to overcome desires, people should follow the eightfold path

Question 16

Eightfold Path

Answer 16

(Buddhist) You must have: Right views, attitude, speech, action, job, effort, mindfulness, and concentration

Question 17

Dalai Lama

Answer 17

Spiritual leader who has reached enlightenment but who still is reincarnated so he can help others

Question 18

Nirvana

Answer 18

Eternal salvation/ when an enlightened person dies and no longer is reincarnated

Question 19

How did India’s geography effect the development of civilizations?

Answer 19

Subcontinent/mountains caused a lack of trade and communication which created unique cultures

Question 20

What are the main beliefs of hinduism?

Answer 20

Follow your dharma to get good karma and eventually reach Moksha

Question 21

How did Hinduism influence Indian society?

Answer 21

The castes created a social, political, and economic divide

Question 22

What are the main beliefs of buddhism?

Answer 22

Believe in the Four Noble truths and follow the Eightfold path or “middle way” to reach enlightenment