Culture and Religion in the East to 500 AD

Question 1

Kongzi (551-479)

Answer 1

Confucius, founder of Confucianism

Question 2

Analects

Answer 2

Collection of Confucian texts

Question 3

Ren

Answer 3

Major Confucian principle translated as hunanness

Question 4

Li

Answer 4

Major Confucian principle translated as courtesy

Question 5

Xiao

Answer 5

Major Confucian principle translated as respect for family and ancestors

Question 6

Mencius and Xunzi

Answer 6

Disciples of Confucius

Question 7

Laozi (6th c.BC)

Answer 7

Mythical founder of Daoism

Question 8

Daodejing

Answer 8

Short poetic volume written by Laozi containing the main Daoist principles

Question 9

Ying and Yang

Answer 9

Chinese concept expressing belief in the unity of opposites

Question 10

Rig Veda

Answer 10

The most important text of Vedic religion of India

Question 11

Aryans

Answer 11

Light-skinned people speaking an Indo-European language

Question 12

Dasas

Answer 12

Dark-skinned people living in central and southern India and speaking Dravidian languages

Question 13

Jati

Answer 13

Indian group related by birth (caste)

Question 14

Varna

Answer 14

Indian traditional social system (class)

Question 15

Samsara

Answer 15

Indian belief in reincarnation

Question 16

Atman

Answer 16

Immortal essence (soul)

Question 17

Ahimsa

Answer 17

Indian concept of non-violence

Question 18

Artha

Answer 18

The honest pursuit of economic well-being

Question 19

Brahmin

Answer 19

Priests and scholars

Question 20

Kshatriya

Answer 20

Warriors and officials

Question 21

Vaishya

Answer 21

Merchants, artisans, and landowners

Question 22

Shudra

Answer 22

Peasants and laborers

Question 23

Indian Caste System (Highest to Lowest)

Answer 23

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra

Question 24

Siddhartha Gautama (563 - 483)

Answer 24

The Buddha

Question 25

Dharma

Answer 25

Indian religious doctrine

Question 26

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 26

"The Greater Vehicle," the more popular form of Buddhism

Question 27

Hinayana Buddhism

Answer 27

"The Lesser Vehicle," a more demanding and austere version of Buddhism

Question 28

Bodhisattvas

Answer 28

Spiritually developed people, Buddhist "saints," who delayed their entry into nirvana to help other people reach enlightenment

Question 29

Nirvana

Answer 29

Final goal of Buddhism, personal salvation and escape from the cycle of reincarnation and attainment of a state of perpetual tranquility

Question 30

Upanishads

Answer 30

Old Vedic texts

Question 31

Vishnu, Shiva, Devi, and Krishna

Answer 31

Central gods of Hinduism

Question 32

Ramayana and Mahabharata

Answer 32

Epic poems expressing the principle of reformed Hinduism