Hinduism Test Review Answer Key Pages

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Hinduism Tes t Rev iew Fall 2013

Use the following questions to help you organize your thoughts about the upcoming test on Hinduism. If you

have any questions be sure to ask before the test. Write your response in complete sentences for full credit.

Vedic Hinduism

1. What is the expression that Hindus would more traditionally use when referencing their religious customs

and beliefs?Hindus traditionally refer to their tradition as Sanatana Dharma, meaning the eternal truth.

2. Why was knowledge of the Vedas so closely guarded over the centuries that only the Brahmins were taugh

about its contents or allowed to say them aloud?

The knowledge of the Vedas was closely guarded out of the belief that knowing and chanting the Vedas had to

be done perfectly. The Vedas had cosmological consequences.

3. Where did Hinduism originate and what two cultural legacies were blended in the process?

Hinduism originated in the Indus River Valley. It combined the traditions of the Ancient Indus River Valley

civilizations with that of the Aryans who arrived later.

4. What are some of the notable contributions to Hinduism that were given to it by both Indus River

civilizations and the Aryans?

The Indus River civilizations contributed the tradition of ritual bathing (ablution), a prototype of Shiva, and

ideas such as lingums and yonis. The Aryans contributed the Sanskrit language, the Vedas, the caste system

and rituals.

5. In the space below list some of the common themes that were found throughout the Vedic Creation texts.

Some of the common themes of the Vedic creation texts included the elements of water, fire, and air.

Additionally, they spoke of the acceptance of speculation and an organizing principle behind the universe that

would such a cosmological origin.

Classical Hinduism

1. What is the invisible, non-manifest universal soul from which all things originate and eventually return?

Brahman is God and as such is the invisible, non-manifest universal soul from which all things originate and

eventually return.

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2. What are the names and functions of the various components the Hindu view of reality diagram that was

presented in class?

Apply the following terms to the diagram above: Atman, Moksha, Karma, Brahman, Maya, andSamsara. In the space below describe what the diagram above represents in terms of the HinduWorld View.Be sure to check out the Hindu World View presentation notes for a further explanation of thisprocess.

Diagram. Please label the diagram above in the space provided. The words you need to use arelisted below. However, the you will need to provide the information for the Skandas. In the spacebelow describe what this diagram means. Terms: Moksha, Atman, Samsara, Karma, Brahman,Maya, transmigration (reincarnation).

3. Name 3 specific ways that Hindus of the Axial Age sought to change or transform the values of the Hindu

Vedic age?

Hindus of the Axial Age rejected previous interpretations of the Vedas, materialism, Vedic rituals, and the

exclusivity of learning for Brahmins.

Brahman Brahman

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Skandas:1. body2. feelings3. emotions4. cognition5. consciousness

Brahman

Maya

Atman

Samsara

Transmigration

Moksha

Karma


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4. What is the the essential dharma of all humans beings according to Hinduism?

The essential dharma of all human beings is to serve God. Serving God requires that

each person do their duty which is determined by caste, age, and gender.

5. How does the Vedic Hindu idea ofrita relate to the Classical Hindu idea ofdharma?

In Vedic Hinduism rita was the governing force that held the universe in order. It was believed that only the

Brahmins performing exacting rituals and sacrifices could keep the rita in order.

Dharma is different in a few ways. One it no longer requires a blood sacrifice. Equally, dharma involves al

members of society performing their duties which are governed by caste, age, and gender. No longer is the

stability of the world singularly in the hands of the Brahmins.

Stages of Life1. How do the concepts ofdharma, kama, artha, and moksha influence the way a Hindu might approach their

life in terms of pursuits of morals, pleasure, material wealth, and spiritual liberation?

The dharma is the governing law over the entire universe. It dictates everyones separate duty. With this in

mind Hinduism instructs people to a some point in their life seek out kama or pleasure. Additionally, artha is

encouraged meaning riches, wealth, power, and/or fame. However, neither of these should be pursued for the

duration of a persons life. Eventually a person needs to seek out moksha which means transcendence from this

world.

2. Describe some of the basic elements that are included in the various stages of Hindu life? (i.e. brahmacharya

(student stage), grihastha (house holder), vanaprastha (retirement), and sannyasi (final liberation).

brahmacharya: See the slide show on Hindu stages of life for detailed responses to this section.

grihasta:

vanaprastha:

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sannyasi:

Yoga1. What is the difference between Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga in terms of how they

encourage a person to advance their spiritual development?

Karma Yoga: See the presentation slide show on Yoga to complete this section.

Bhakti Yoga:

Jnana Yoga:

Raja Yoga:

2. What is the type of yoga that most non-Hindus are familiar with?

Hatha Yoga is the type of yoga that most non-Hindus are familiar with.

3. What is the name of a person who practices yoga?

A person who practices yoga is called a yogi.

Sacred Texts

1. What is the Mahabrata and what is the famous section of it that we read in class?

The Mahabrata is the worlds longest epic poem. We read the Bhagavad Gita in class which is a section of the

Mahabrata.

2. What is the difference between Hindu sacred texts that are considered shruticompared to those which are

considered smriti?

Shruti means the text was revealed by God. Smriti means that which is recalled and means that it is a book

written by the wisdom of men.

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3. What is the name of the story that depicts the adventures of Rama and his wife Sita?

The story that depicts the adventures of Rama and his wife Sita is called the Ramayana.

4. What are the Upanishads and when did they make an appearance in the Hindu tradition?

The Upanishads are shruti texts that are an extension of the Vedas. Some say they are the completion o ftheVedas. They emerged in Hinduism from the start of the Axial Age up until the common era.

5. In the Bhagavad Gita what is the advice that Krishna gives to Arjuna about duty and responsibility one must

accept in this life?

Krishna essentially tells Arjuna that you cant possibly understand the events that led up to your current

existence or situation. This is not for you to know or be concerned about. Rather, you must understand that you

are an instrument of God and simply need to take action according to your caste, age, and gender knowing that

you are part of Gods plan.

Caste System

1. If the Hindu caste system is not based on wealth, what is the basis of its differences?

Caste is not based on wealth. It is actually based on spiritual purity, occupation, and associations.

2. What are the four various castes of Hinduism?

Brahmins - priests

Kshatriyas - warriors/adminstrators

Vaiyashyas - land owners, merchants

Sudras - laborers

Dalits, Achuta, Harajin - untouchables or non-caste members of society

3. What does it mean to be twice born?

To be twice born implies that you are from one of the top three castes listed in question #2. It allows you to

have a guru and receive instruction in the Vedas and Yoga from a teacher (guru)

4. What role does the Book of Manu have regarding the Caste system?

Book of Manu codifies and explains the various duties of caste.

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5. Who are the untouchables?

Dalits, Achuta, Harajin - untouchables or non-caste members of society.

Deities1. What role to the Puranas play in teaching Hindus about the various deities in the tradition?

The puranas are the stories of the various deities that help Hindus better understand the nature of God.

2. Who are the three primary deities that make up the Hindu Trinity and what are their specific attributes?

The three primary deities of Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Hindu Practices

1. What is the name of the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through

invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals?

The daily practices of Hindus is called puja.

2. How is Hinduisms construction of time different from a Western civilization understanding of time?

Hinduism constructs time in a cyclical fashion where universes are created, destroyed, and recreated. In

contrast the west thinks of time as being linear with definite starting points and ending points.

3. What are Yugas and what does Hinduism suggest about the Kali Yuga, our present time?Yugas are the various cycles of time that Hinduism suggests are part of each day of Brahma. We are currently

living in the Kali Yuga which is marked by a world that is increasingly at war with nature and each other. (See

deities slideshow.)

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4. How does the act of performing ablutions on the part of contemporary Hindus relate ancient Hinduism?

Ablutions are an act of ritual purification. This practice has been part of Hindu culture since the ancient

Indus River civilizations.

5. What role to murtis (small figures/statues) play in the daily religious practices of a Hindu?

Murtis are the small statues of the various deities. As such they represent the power of each deity as an

expression of God. The statues themselves are not worshipped. Rather, people worship the powers they

represent.

6. What role does the city of Varanasi play for Hindus seeking to take a pilgrimage?

Varanasi is the city of Shiva. It is the city that the sick and dying go to before death. It is one of Hindus most

sacred cities.

7. Why are cremation ceremonies so expensive in India?

Cremation ceremonies are expensive due to the extensive ceremonies that are involved with cremation. Recall

the Story of India video watched class.

For the deities please refer to the deities slideshow.

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