india

Question 1

drum

Answer 1

sound of creation, beat of life, damaru

Question 2

fire in palm of upper left hand

Answer 2

ability to destroy

Question 3

arm put out in gesture of an elephant

Answer 3

strength

Question 4

crown

Answer 4

the Himalayas

Question 5

hair

Answer 5

the Ganges river

Question 6

circle

Answer 6

samsara, cycle of reincarnation

Question 7

raised left leg

Answer 7

moksha, liberation from the cycle

Question 8

flames around the circle

Answer 8

destruction of samsara (cycle of reincarnation)

Question 9

eyes

Answer 9

lotus-petal shaped eyes

Question 10

lotus

Answer 10

grows out of murky pond water, impurity, and out of it comes a beautiful flower that is symbolic of spiritual purity and perfection, Shiva is standing on a lotus pedestal

Question 11

maya (dwarf which is stomped upon)

Answer 11

illusions which distract us from escaping samsara (cycle of reincarnation) such as greed, etc.

Question 12

how is Shiva Nataraja not limited by human figure?

Answer 12

Shiva is depicted with four arms and is idealized and composed of symbols

Question 13

Brahma

Answer 13

the Creator of the Universe

Question 14

Vishnu

Answer 14

the Preserver

Question 15

avatars of vishnu

Answer 15

Krishna (the divine lover), Rama (symbol of loyalty and obedience), and Buddha

Question 16

Shiva

Answer 16

the Destroyer

Question 17

Devi

Answer 17

represents the essence of the female power

Question 18

Hinduism

Answer 18

• no single founder or prophet,
• no single holy books
• Worship is based on one-on-one relationship

Question 19

dancing celestial

Answer 19

India, 12th Century, sandstone, high relief, idealized, not limited by human proportions, feminine and serene smile

Question 20

what is the symbolism in the dancing celestial?

Answer 20

eyes in shape of lotus (spiritual purity), eyebrows in shape of archer’s bow, torso in shape of damaru (creation), arm in shape of long, edible root (idealized)

Question 21

parvati

Answer 21

10th century, India, Copper Alloy

Question 22

describe parvati

Answer 22

consort and wife of Shiva, accompanied by work of Shiva Nataraja, represents ideal wife and mother, torso in shape of damaru, holds lotus, elongated arm in shape of edible root (idealized)

Question 23

the goddess Durga killing the buffalo demon, Mahisha

Answer 23

12th century, India

• a buffalo demon was going to destroy the world, so Shiva and the other male gods tried to destroy it, but failed. They gave their powers to the goddess Devi, who became Durga and grew multiple arms and slew the demon.
• Durga is depicted standing on demon coming out of buffalo, and there are small versions of her in homes

Question 24

1st noble truth

Answer 24

life is abundant in suffering and despair

Question 25

2nd noble truth

Answer 25

the cause of the suffering is greed for temporary, frivolous pleasures

Question 26

3rd noble truth

Answer 26

end suffering through ending desire

Question 27

4th noble truth

Answer 27

to overcome the desires and achieve enlightenment, follow the Middle Way between desires and denial

Question 28

stupas

Answer 28

sacred mounds said to contain relics

Question 29

nirvana

Answer 29

the state of achieving enlightenment