Hinduism

Question 1

Who would Hindus say the founder of Hinduism was?

Answer 1

No one really knows

Question 2

Do Hindus have a Sabbath?

Answer 2

Don’t believe in a Sabbath day, every day should be the Sabbath

Question 3

What does “Hindu” mean?

Answer 3

River

Question 4

It is often said that “one of the biggest misconceptions about Hinduism is that it is” what?

Answer 4

That it is a religion

Question 5

What is the “goddess that purifies the people”?

Answer 5

Goddess Ganga or Saraswati

Question 6

What is the Way of Karma and how does it work?

Answer 6

Cycle of rebirth, good works, good knowledge, good devotion

Question 7

Scholars and historians believe that Hinduism had its beginnings in approximately what year- and as a result of what event?

Answer 7

Aryan conquer the Dravidians, 500 BCE

Question 8

What does the term “Shruti” mean?

Answer 8

Canonical writings- only allowed if priest

Question 9

What is the ultimate place, role, or definition of Brahman in Hinduism?

Answer 9

The ultimate. The reality that is source of all being and all knowing

Question 10

Do Hindus in India participate in group worship?

Answer 10

No group worship. Any worship done is in the heart or head

Question 11

What Hindu God is often called the “energy of the Ultimate”?

Answer 11

Shiva

Question 12

Which of the Big Three Hindu Gods is both a God of Destruction and Creation?

Answer 12

Shiva

Question 13

Does Hinduism encourage proselyting by its members?

Answer 13

No. Hindus believe that you are born into the religion that suits you

Question 14

Who were the Aryans? Who were the Dravidians?

Answer 14

Aryans conquered the Dravidians and began the caste system

Question 15

Out of the big three Hindu deities, which of the three gods gave birth to the two other Hindu deities?

Answer 15

Brahma

Question 16

What is “prasad” in Hinduism?

Answer 16

Sacramental food, food brought to worship systems, priest bless it and give it to other people

Question 17

Does Hinduism have formal doctrines?

Answer 17

No

Question 18

Is Karma negative or positive or both?

Answer 18

Negative

Question 19

What are three ways to escape the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism?

Answer 19

1. Good works
2. Knowledge
3. Devotion

Question 20

What is the “Way of Bhakti” and how does it work?

Answer 20

Salvation through devotion

Question 21

What is “Monism”?

Answer 21

All existing things go back to one source

Question 22

Which God dances on the back of the prostate demon of ignorance?

Answer 22

Shiva

Question 23

What is modalism? How does it relate to Hinduism?

Answer 23

One god– three different forms
The trinity are a manifestation of the ultimate reality Brahman Atman

Question 24

What is the purpose of a bindi in Hinduism?

Answer 24

Represents a third eye. energy center of the human body

Question 25

What article of sacred clothing do Hindus have?

Answer 25

Clothing isn't sacred

Question 26

In Hinduism, the most authoritative and formally canonical writings are called what?

Answer 26

Shruti

Question 27

How does Hinduism feel about religions other than Hinduism?

Answer 27

You are where you are supposed to be

Question 28

What is the "way of jyana" and how does it work?

Answer 28

Salvation through knowledge

Question 29

What Hindu texts make up the core of the Shruti?

Answer 29

Four vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads

Question 30

In Hinduism, the term "smriti" means what?

Answer 30

Remembered

Question 31

Which is the only Hindu God that is primarily benevolent?

Answer 31

Vishnu

Question 32

What does the term "Shakti" mean?

Answer 32

Power

Question 33

What is Shakti worship?

Answer 33

Worshipping the divine mother

Question 34

What do Hindus believe about the individual or personal soul?

Answer 34

Atman-- soul doesn't exist

Question 35

Which HIndu god functions a bit like the Holy Spirit in Christianity?

Answer 35

Brahman

Question 36

Hinduism developed out of the mixing of what pre-historic peoples?

Answer 36

Aryans and Dravidians

Question 37

In Hinduism, practitioners may worship god by doing what kinds of things?

Answer 37

Puja, chanting, prasad, offerings, prayer

Question 38

Hindu castes:

Answer 38

1. Brahmins 2. Kshatriyas 3. Vaisyas 4. Sudras 5. Untouchables

Question 39

What does the term prasad mean?

Answer 39

Food and water offered to deity during worship

Question 40

What is "tantric" devotion?

Answer 40

Direct connection with the divine

Question 41

Is the Bhagavad Gita part of the Smriti or the Shruti?

Answer 41

Smriti

Question 42

Is the theology of the Bhagavad Gita orthodoxy or heterodox?

Answer 42

Orthodox

Question 43

What two Hindu Gods were once enemies but now are friends?

Answer 43

Shiva and Vishnu

Question 44

What ia a "tilak" and who wears one?

Answer 44

worn on forehead

Question 45

Who awoke from a nap to find another deity growing out of his navel and another out of his head?

Answer 45

Brahma

Question 46

Which God in HInduism did we say is often known as the "creator" god?

Answer 46

Brahma

Question 47

Which God in Hinduiusm did we say is often known as the "preserver" God?

Answer 47

Vishnu

Question 48

In HInduism, what is Samsara?

Answer 48

Cycle of rebirth

Question 49

Which god in Hinduism did we say is often known as the "destroyer" god?

Answer 49

Shiva

Question 50

In Hinduism, what is Moksha?

Answer 50

Breaking the cycle of rebirth

Question 51

What's the difference between Braham, Brahman, and Brahmin?

Answer 51

Brahma: One of the big three Brahman: The ultimate Brahmin: priestly case

Question 52

Which Hindu deity is sometimes called the "absolute"?

Answer 52

Brahma

Question 53

Why do some Hindu Gods have four heads or four faces and four arms?

Answer 53

Symbol of power

Question 54

How many incarnations does Vishnu have?

Answer 54

10

Question 55

In which of Vishnu's avatars is he both the object and source of extraordinary love?

Answer 55

Krishna

Question 56

In which of Vishnu's avatars is he perceived as "God incarnate in mortality"?

Answer 56

Krishna

Question 57

For most Hindus, the most important God is not one of the big three, but whom?

Answer 57

Gramadevata

Question 58

What is the two fold purpose of life in Hinduism?

Answer 58

1. Overcome Maya or Illusion 2. Obtain release

Question 59

If you weren't born Hindu, what does that imply?

Answer 59

Cycle of rebirth

Question 60

Hindus believe in atman. What is that?

Answer 60

We do not have a soul. We're all a part of Brahman

Question 61

Which hindu caste is made up of the peasantry?

Answer 61

Sudra

Question 62

Which Hindu caste is made up of the politicians and military?

Answer 62

Kshatriyas

Question 63

Which Hindu caste is made up of the priests and scholars?

Answer 63

Brahmins

Question 64

Which Hindus use the Vedas?

Answer 64

Orthodox

Question 65

Which HIndu caste is made up of those who live on the fringe of society?

Answer 65

Untouchables

Question 66

Which Hindu caste is made up of merchants and farmers?

Answer 66

Vaisyas

Question 67

What does the term "Harijan" mean?

Answer 67

Children of God

Question 68

What is the "twice born" or "sacred thread" ceremony?

Answer 68

Initiation ceremony

Question 69

What are the ways to get off the wheel of reincarnation in Hinduism?

Answer 69

Good works, knowledge, devotion

Question 70

What are the four stages of life in Hinduism?

Answer 70

1. Student 2. Householder 3. Seeker (hermit) 4. Ascetic (holy man)

Question 71

What are mantras? What is the most common one in Hinduism?

Answer 71

Sacred sounds or phrases, Om (Aum)

Question 72

What is the Hindu term for "worship"?

Answer 72

Puja

Question 73

Why do HIndus not feel that making an offering to a statue constitutes idolatry?

Answer 73

The statue isn't actually god

Question 74

Wearing three white lines on your forehead symbolizes what?

Answer 74

Purity, spirituality, commitment

Question 75

What spiritually happens when you enter the Ganges River for a Hindu?

Answer 75

Purification and removal of sins

Question 76

What's the HIndu infant welcoming ritual?

Answer 76

Naming ceremony- feed baby solid foods for the first time

Question 77

What is a "chakra" in Hinduism?

Answer 77

Symbolizes the journey of the soul after death

Question 78

If one dies in a state of anger, rage, despair, or hopelessness, how does that influence one's atman?

Answer 78

More karma

Question 79

Which Hindus are required to be vegetarians?

Answer 79

Brahmins

Question 80

What foods do practicing Hindus not eat?

Answer 80

Don't eat beef, no alcohol

Question 81

What is "sati"?

Answer 81

Widow killing herself after her husband dies

Question 82

What things can one be incarnated as?

Answer 82

God, human, animal, insect, vegetation, demon

Question 83

What is "sindour" and what does it symbolize?

Answer 83

Vermilion powder, symbolizes marital status and commitment