Key Words

Question 1

Brahmanism

Answer 1

The Vedic belief in Brahman, the universal spirit that contains all

Question 2

Historical Vedic Era

Answer 2

When the Vedas were written. India (1500-500 BCE)

Question 3

The Vedas

Answer 3

Religious scriptures in four groups

Question 4

The Upanishads

Answer 4

A final section of the Vedas, They contain philosophical reflections about the nature of the universe

Question 5

Samsara

Answer 5

Reincarnation

Question 6

Dharma

Answer 6

One’s religious duty according to one’s caste

Question 7

Karma

Answer 7

The result of one’s intentional actions, Causes ascent or decent of the caste system

Question 8

Moksha

Answer 8

Liberation from rebirth, merger with Braman, The human goal of Brahmanism

Question 9

Sramana

Answer 9

means “one who seeks the truth by means of asceticism” Critics of Brahmanism

Question 10

Asceticism

Answer 10

Denial of bodily pleasures for the purpose of achieving spiritual goals

Question 11

Jainism

Answer 11

A Sramana movement that teaches non-violence and love towards all living things.

Question 12

Mahavira

Answer 12

The historical founder of Jainism who was born in Bihar, India, in 599 BCE and lived to the age of 72

Question 13

Jinas

Answer 13

Jain spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection

Question 14

Tirthankaras

Answer 14

24 spiritual leaders called “ford-makers”, of whom Mahavira was the last

Question 15

Ajivika

Answer 15

A Sramana movement. Their founder taught niyati, the determinism of the universe down to the smallest atom

Question 16

Ajnana

Answer 16

A Sramana movement. They claimed knowledge of philosophical propositions was impossible or usless

Question 17

Charvaka

Answer 17

A Sramana movement. They claimed that direct perception is necessary for knowledge

Question 18

Siddhartha Gutama

Answer 18

The original Historical founder of Buddism (c.563/480 BCE - c.483-400BCE)

Question 19

King Shuddhodana

Answer 19

Siddhartha’s father. A king of the Kshatriya castle

Question 20

Asita

Answer 20

A seer who made a prediction about Siddhartha

Question 21

Yasodhara and Rahula

Answer 21

Siddhartha’s wife and son

Question 22

Chandra

Answer 22

Siddhartha’s charioteer

Question 23

The 4 passing signs

Answer 23

An old person, a dead person, a diseased person, a Sramana

Question 24

Renunciation

Answer 24

Renouncing the world and its pleasures

Question 25

Enlightenment

Answer 25

A sudden realisation of an important truth

Question 26

The 3 poisons

Answer 26

Greed (raga), Hatred (dvesha) and Ignorance (moha)

Question 27

Nirvana

Answer 27

The condition reached by those who have become fully enlightened. Means "extinction (of the desire flame)"

Question 28

Budda

Answer 28

A title. Means "enlightened one"

Question 29

Brahma Sahampati

Answer 29

A God who begged the Budda to share his knowledge

Question 30

Dhamma

Answer 30

The Budda's teaching

Question 31

A Stupa

Answer 31

Monuments built over Siddhartha's remains

Question 32

punabbhava/punarbhava

Answer 32

a word naming the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth

Question 33

Eternalism

Answer 33

The belief that the soul or Atman is an eternal substance that can neither be created nor destroyed

Question 34

Annihilationism

Answer 34

The belief that the soul or Atman is completely extinguished at death

Question 35

The middle way

Answer 35

The Buddhist view that over-indulgence and self-denial are equally detrimental to the prospect of enlightenment

Question 36

An Arahant

Answer 36

(Pali: "one who is worthy"). One who is on his/her way to or has achieved enlightenment

Question 37

Kisa and the Mustard Seeds

Answer 37

A Buddhist story about death, grief and mourning