Test 1: Hinduism

Question 1

Cosmic law

Answer 1

rta

Question 2

duty (according to caste, stage of life, gender, and universal)

Answer 2

dharma

Question 3

Priestly caste

Answer 3

Brahmin

Question 4

Renunciates. Holy men.

Answer 4

Sannyasi

Question 5

impersonal ultimate reality/ “subtle essence” within everything.

Answer 5

Brahman

Question 6

Brahman persomified. “man”/ primal “person”

Answer 6

Purusha

Question 7

self”/ “soul” living essence as self-conciousness in everything

Answer 7

atman

Question 8

The power of illusion/ the power of form

used to create the universe

Answer 8

maya

Question 9

cycle of deaths/rebirths

Answer 9

Samsara

Question 10

Fruit of ones actions. Determines the nature of ones rebirth.

Answer 10

Karma

Question 11

Liberation from Samsara. Realization of oneness with atman-brahman

Answer 11

Moksha

Question 12

“Knowledge” yoga. Emphasis on discovering upanisadic truth of atman-brahman oneness.

Answer 12

Jnana Yoga

Question 13

“Action” yoga. Emphasis on detached action.

Answer 13

Karma Yoga

Question 14

“Devotion” yoga. Emphasis on union through devotion to chosen deity.

Answer 14

Bhakti Yoga

Question 15

Core scripture texts. “Heard revelations”

Answer 15

Sruti

Question 16

“Knowledge”. Texts. Includes the Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Unpanisads.

Answer 16

Vedas

Question 17

“Collections”. Includes Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajar Veda, Atharva Veda. Came before the Upanisads.

Answer 17

Samhitas

Question 18

Hyms in praise of (largely nature) deities

Answer 18

Rig Veda

Question 19

Musical arrangement of the Rig Veda hymns

Answer 19

Sama Veda

Question 20

General sacrifical formulas (for upholding rta)

Answer 20

Yajur Veda

Question 21

Specific spells/incantations (for indivdual requests)

Answer 21

Atharva Veda

Ex. Fertility, wealth, etc

Question 22

“near-down-sit”. Most of them are dialouges that take place between a master and disciple. Mature philosophical orientation. Also referred to as Vedanta which means “end of Veda”. 123 in total; 13 principle ones

Answer 22

Upanisads

Question 23

Volume of Mahabharata. “Song of the Lord”. Devotional classic, teaching 3 main paths of yoga. Is the volume that details the story of Krishna and Arjuna (battle)

Answer 23

Bhagavad Gita

Question 24

“of ancient times” Encyclopedic collection of stories of gods/godesses.

Answer 24

Puranas

Question 25

Perserver. Also seen as Purusha. Incarnates as Krishna, has 10 incarnations. Brings the world back to dharma and joy.

Answer 25

Vishnu

Question 26

Incarnation of Vishnu. Grew up in the Vrindavan Forest. His mother Yasoda (adoptive) sees the universe in his mouth. Is always mischievous. Throws milk at girls, similar to celebration of Holi where ppeople throw pigments at each other to celebrate divine play (lila). His rosalila dance makes all girls feel like he thinks they are indivdually most important to him. Has sexual union with Radha.

Answer 26

Krishna

Question 27

The creator god. Source of scholarship and the arts. Considered the author of the Vedas.

Answer 27

Brahma

Question 28

Goddess of the arts and scholarship. Consort of Brahma. Commonly pictured sitting on a lotus flower and playing a musical instrument. Has very large following.

Answer 28

Saraswati

Question 29

Consort of Vishnu. Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Answer 29

Lakshmi

Question 30

Represented as sannyasi, completely liberated. To get his attention you have to build up "tapas", spiritual heat, he is said to have lots of tapas. Always shown with cobra snake, representing his mastery of yoga. Snake open hood represents cosmic consciousness. As destroyer, he releases tapas by doing a dance to dissolve maya. He dissolves ignorance so he is called illuminer.

Answer 30

Shiva

Question 31

"descent". Referes to the descent of divinity from heaven to earth and is typically used to describe an incarnation of god.

Answer 31

Avatara

Question 32

Brahmin books

Answer 32

Brahmanas