Term
| Explain the meaning of the term moksha. |
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Definition
| It means "release". It is release from this ordinary, finite, limited realm of existence into the infinite ocean of the divine. |
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Term
| What doctrine says all reality is ultimately one? Give an analogy that describes it. |
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Definition
| Monism; All rivers, all lakes, even all droplets of rain share a common essence, orginating from the ocean and eventually returning to it. |
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Term
| Define Brahman and Atman. How are the two related? |
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Definition
| Brahman is the essence that grounds existence and the source of the universe. Atman is the ultimate reality within and is the eternal Self. These two are related because Brahman is Atman and all reality is one. |
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Term
| What is the general function of Hinduism's many deities? |
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Definition
| The deities provide points of contact with the gods with its own personal characteristics so they can freely worship |
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Term
| Give a brief explanation of the doctrine of samsara. |
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Definition
| It is also known as "wheel of rebirth" the individual is reincarnated from one lifeform to another. |
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Term
| What is the name of Hinduism's most popular sacred text? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the two principles that connect the divine to this world? Briefly explain each. |
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Definition
Karama- action or deed that produces an outcome that is justified by the action's moral worthiness.
Dharma- Ethical duty based on the divine order of reality. there is a way of acting for every activity. |
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Term
| Name the four classes of the caste system and describe the people who belong to each. |
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Definition
Priests- Brahmin
warriors + administrators- Kshatriya
farmers, merchants, + artisans- Vaishya
Servants + laborers- Shudra |
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Term
| In the Bhagavad- Gita, why does Krishna encourage Arjuna to engage in war? |
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Definition
| The god, Krishna, disguised as Arjuna, a great woarrior reminds of his dharma to enter a crucial battle. |
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Term
| Identify and briefly explain the four stages of life. |
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Definition
| Student is the first stage where there is intensive study of the Vedas until marriage. The second stage is that of the household which is when they do the task of pursuing a career and raising a family. The third stage is marked when there is the birth of the first grandchild. The fourth stage is the sannyasin or wandering ascetic when forest dwellers remain detached from the normal attractions and distractions of social life even if they are ready to return to society. |
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Term
| Name and briefly describe the 4 goals of life. |
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Definition
Sensual Pleasure-(Kama) the pleasures of sensual love is to be embraced by whoever desires it.
Material Success- (artha) Pursuit of money.
Harmony with Dharma- to desire the joy of living in harmony with dharma
The Bliss of Moksha- Hindus are destined to seek the infinite being, awareness, found in the rivers. |
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Term
| Identify the three paths to liberation. Which type of person is best suited for each path? |
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Definition
Karma marga- those who are primarily concerned with day to day tasks such as earning a living or taking care of family
Jnana Marga- people who have a talent for philosophical reflection.
Bhakti Marga- people to whom emotional attachment comes easily. |
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Term
| What are the three most important schools of Hindu philosophy? What is the basic task that concerns all three? |
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Definition
| Vedanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. The basic task that concerns all three is the attainment of knowledge over the ignorance that binds the self to samsara. |
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Term
| Identify three most important gods or goddesses of Hinduism. |
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Definition
Brahma- Creator
Vishnu- Preserver
Shiva- Destroyer |
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Term
| What is an avatar? Name two important Hindu figures identified as avatars. |
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Definition
| An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiment of a diety. (usually vishnu)Krishna and Rama are the most popular avatars. |
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Term
| What Hindu text is most closely associated with bhakti marga? |
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Definition
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Term
| Identify three aspects of Hindu devotional life. |
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Definition
| Household and village rituals, Holy places, and Cow veneration |
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Term
| How did Mahatma Gandhi influence Hinduism? |
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Definition
| His steadfast efforts to stand up to oppression through nonviolence and civil disobedience influenced Hinduism. |
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Term
| What significant changes in the caste system took place in the 20th century? |
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Definition
| forbidding descrimination against outcastes |
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Term
| What is sati? What is its status today? |
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Definition
| The traditional practice of burning a widow on her husband's funeral pyre. It was outlawed in 1829 but still occurs rarely. |
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Term
| What significant development occurred in relations between Hindus and Muslims in 1947? |
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Definition
| In 1947, the Muslim community forced the partitioning of India to form the divided nation of Pakistan. |
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