Indian Religons

Question 1

What are the Three Gems of Jainism?

Answer 1

proper faith; proper knowledge; proper behavior

Jain Concepts

Question 2

What does ‘jiva’ represent in Jainism?

Answer 2

soul; present in every object in the material world

Jain Concepts

Question 3

What is ‘karma’ in Jainism?

Answer 3

negative atomic substance created when one jiva harms another; should be avoided because it weighs down jiva & prevents its return to freedom; can be reduced through self-sacrifice

Jain Concepts

Question 4

What does ‘ahimsa’ mean in Jainism?

Answer 4

non-violence to all (living) creatures

Jain Concepts

Question 5

What is ‘kevala-jnana’ in Jainism?

Answer 5

absolute knowledge; highest state of perception; moksha

Jain Concepts

Question 6

Who founded Jainism and what was his original name?

Answer 6

Vardhamana Mahavira = ‘Great Hero’; original name: Nigantha Nataputta

Vardhamana Mahavira

Question 7

What can be said about the religious nature of Jainism?

Answer 7

Depending on one’s definition of ‘god,’ one can say that Jainism is an atheistic religion, but that might go too far

Jain Concepts: Atheism (?)

Question 8

What are the Tirthankaras in Jainism?

Answer 8

24 men who achieved kevala; Mahavira was the last one

Jain Concepts: Atheism (?)

Question 9

What are the scriptures in Jainism composed of?

Answer 9

roughly 45 texts composed over the ages by Jain saints, sages, & scholars

Jain Concepts: Atheism (?)

Question 10

Who can practice perfect ahimsa in Jainism?

Answer 10

Only ascetics (monks) can hope to practice perfect ahimsa

Jainism

Question 11

What is the focus of lay people in Jainism?

Answer 11

The laity strive to live according to the 3 Gems & ahimsa. They provide the ascetics with their meager necessities

Jainism

Question 12

What are the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism?

Answer 12

1. Life is suffering. 2. Desire is the cause of suffering. 3. Eliminating desire eliminates suffering. 4. The way to eliminate desire is to follow the Eightfold Path

Buddhist Concepts: The Four Noble Truths

Question 13

What are the components of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism?

Answer 13

– right belief
– right resolve
– right speech
– right behavior
– right occupation
– right effort
– right contemplation – right meditation

Buddhist Concepts: The Eightfold Path

Question 14

Who had a revelation of the 4 Noble Truths while meditating near Varanasi, India?

Answer 14

Buddha

Example sentence: Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Question 15

What is the first Noble Truth in Buddhism?

Answer 15

Life is suffering.

Question 16

What is the second Noble Truth in Buddhism?

Answer 16

Desire is the cause of suffering.

Question 17

What is the third Noble Truth in Buddhism?

Answer 17

Eliminating desire eliminates suffering.

Question 18

What is the fourth Noble Truth in Buddhism?

Answer 18

The way to eliminate desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.

Question 19

What are the components of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism?

Answer 19

right belief, right resolve, right speech, right behavior, right occupation, right effort, right contemplation, right meditation

Question 20

What are some Vedic religious concepts?

Answer 20

varna & jati, karma, dharma, brahman, samsara, moksha

Question 21

What scriptures were important in Vedic Religion in the 6th-4th Centuries BCE?

Answer 21

The Vedas, especially The Rig Veda, The Brahmanas, The Upanishads

Question 22

What are some Hindu gods?

Answer 22

Shiva & Vishnu

Question 23

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 23

part of The Mahabharata

Example sentence: The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred text in Hinduism.