Practices

Question 1

Name 6 types of worships

Answer 1

Puja 
Arati 
Darshan
Bhajan/ Kirtan
Mantras/ japa
Havan

Question 2

Explain the 4 types of festivals

Answer 2

Celebrating a key event in the life of a deity
Celebrating the birth life or achievement of a Hindu Saint
Seasonal festivals
Joyful celebrations of family and life

Question 3

What is Diwali

Answer 3

Festival of light
Five days in November or October
Vaishnavas recall the story of Rama and Sita
Lakshmi is remembered

Question 4

What is Holi

Answer 4

Celebrated in Feb or March at the time of the full moon
Story of Prahlad and Holika
Old clothes and bright coloured powders

Question 5

Give the four qualities of a guru

Answer 5

Well versed in scripture
Know about Brahman
Overcome human desires
Be honest sincere and trustworthy

Question 6

Name a famous female guru

Answer 6

Amma (hugs followers to show love)

Question 7

Name a modern guru

Answer 7

Sathya Sai Baba (over 15 million followers)

Question 8

What’s karma yoga

Answer 8

Path of selfless action
Doing good
Free soul from material want
Requires rituals eg havan 
For example, giving to charity

Question 9

What’s jnana yoga

Answer 9

Path of knowledge
Give up worldly pleasures
Focus on non personal nature of God
Study and practice scripture to become one with Brahman
For example believe racism is an illusion due to human ignorance

Question 10

What’s Bhakti yoga

Answer 10

Path of personal devotion
Develop loving devotion to God
Use bhagavan to reach union with God
Eg meditating at home In front of an image of Krishna everyday

Question 11

What’s Astanga yoga

Answer 11

Path of mediation
Finding God with in the heart
Eg yogis that practise intense meditation

Question 12

What happens at the Kumbh Mela

Answer 12

Small scale every 3 yrs large scale every 12yrs
Bathing in the Ganges (mythological story of Garuda) brings purification
Time of festival is calculated through the stars
In 2013 100 million bathed in the Ganges
Lasts 55 days
Sadhus lead the procession into the water
Attending demonstrates passion and devotion

Question 13

Quotes from the cultural India website about Varanasi

Answer 13

Varanasi to Hindus is the gateway to moksha

Varanasi stirs an individual to reflect about life

Question 14

A mandir that practises sustainability

Answer 14

Neasden Temple in London

Question 15

Why are Hindus vegetarian

Answer 15

Animals suffer
Breath is used to utter holy scripture should not associate with the killing of animals
Not eating meat is a sign of religious purity
Animals are part of samsara
In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna recommends eating veg fruit grains and milk products

Question 16

Why are cows sacred

Answer 16

Lord Krishna was a cow herd
Cows give nutrition
Cows look after whilst we are alive
The Veda forbid the killing of cows
Shiva rides a bull

Question 17

What forest is a place of pilgrimage

Answer 17

Vrindavan forest as Krishna lived there.

It was destroyed by industrialisation and so there’s a project to restore it

Question 18

Story from tradition about helping others

Answer 18

King rantideva

And the King and the cart driver

Question 19

Name a women’s festival

Answer 19

Sewa International made a festival to celebrate womanhood

Question 20

Things people do as dharma

Answer 20

Sharing food (Anna Dana)
Offer food to unexpected guests
You can’t refuse hospitality to anyone
Some organise meals for the needy or donate to charity