Siddhartha Test Prep

Question 1

What does Siddhartha’s name mean?

Answer 1

“One who has accomplished a goal”

Question 2

What is Buddha’s real name?

Answer 2

Siddhartha

Question 3

What is a Brahmin?

Answer 3

Top of hindu caste system; priests, religious leaders

Question 4

What is Om?

Answer 4

Meditative saying meaning “one” universal symbol

Question 5

What is Atman?

Answer 5

Part of the universal existence or soul

Question 6

What is Brahman?

Answer 6

The supreme being

Question 7

What is the Rig Veda?

Answer 7

The longest and oldest of sacred texts, means “Knowledge of the Verses” (Rig=Read)

Question 8

What is an Ablution?

Answer 8

Act of washing oneself, ritual or physical

Question 9

What is Prajapati?

Answer 9

Lord of the people, deity associated with creatures

Question 10

What is the Sama Veda?

Answer 10

Shortest veda; veda of hymns and chants (Sama=Song)

Question 11

What are the Chandogya Upanishads and when were they written?

Answer 11

Body of sacred texts (rules, etc.) written 800-400 B.C.

Question 12

What is Satya?

Answer 12

Sanskrit for “truth”; idea of being truthful in actions, avoiding falsehood

Question 13

What is a Samana?

Answer 13

Under the umbrella of Ascetics.

Question 14

What is an Ascetic?

Answer 14

Self-disciplined person who does not allow for pleasure

Question 15

What is Nirvana?

Answer 15

Buddhist goal: liberation to end suffering by following the Eightfold path

Question 16

What is Mara/Maya Veil?

Answer 16

Mara - demon that tempted Buddha

Maya Veil - falsehood by claiming to have good qualities

Question 17

Who are the three main gods of Buddhism/Hinduism?

Answer 17

Brahma - creator
Vishnu - Preserver
Shiva - destroyer

Question 18

Who is Lakshmi?

Answer 18

The goddess of wealth and prosperity; wife of Shiva

Question 19

Who is Vasudeva?

Answer 19

The ferryman/potential god who helps enlighten Siddhartha

Question 20

Who is Govinda?

Answer 20

Siddhartha’s loyal friend who becomes a Buddhist monk and is enlightened by Siddhartha

Question 21

Who is Kamala?

Answer 21

Siddhartha’s love interest, who bears him a son

Question 22

Who is Kamaswami?

Answer 22

Merchant and Siddhartha’s boss for a while

Question 23

Who is Siddhartha Jr.?

Answer 23

Siddhartha’s rebellious son, who he loves and then runs away

Question 24

What are the three lessons Siddhartha learns?

Answer 24

1) Siddhartha comes to the conclusion that he alone can learn about himself, and by doing so, reach what he has been striving for.
2) He knows he cannot seek happiness within the everyday lives of regular people and wealth.
3) Eventually, after listening to and learning from the river for many years, Siddhartha finally achieves peace within himself, without want or need.

Question 25

What are the human traits Siddhartha must experience on his path to enlightenment?

Answer 25

Gambling, Wealth, Love, Starvation, Thoughts

Question 26

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Answer 26

1) Life is suffering. 2) Suffering is caused by ignorance and attachment. 3) Suffering is ended by overcoming ignorance and attachment. 4) The path to suppression of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Question 27

Describe the plot of the excerpt of the Bhagavad Gita.

Answer 27

Arjuna doesn't want to kill his family, but Vishnu tells him he should because he isn't really "killing" anyone, because they are all reborn.

Question 28

Essay: Name and explain an archetypal symbol in the book Siddhartha. Be sure to explain why it is important.

Answer 28

The River. Represents death and rebirth, the flow of time into eternity, and transitional phases of life cycles. This is important because every time Siddhartha changes, it happens by a river. The river also helps to enlighten him.

Question 29

Essay: The herald/harbinger archetype. Give an example from the book, and explain why it is significant to the story. How does this character behave like a herald/harbinger? Be able to give the basic characteristics of a herald/harbinger.

Answer 29

Herald: carrier of the power of destiny, plays an important part in the transformation of the main character. In this case, the herald is Siddhartha's inner voice that tells him to follow the path that the gods have called him to. The inner voice acts like a herald because it's voice signals Siddhartha's transformations. It is significant to the story because it stops Siddhartha from killing himself (the Om scene), and it guides him.

Question 30

Essay: Another archetypal character besides the herald/harbinger. Explain the characteristics of the archetype as well as how the character fits the description/follows the role of the archetype.

Answer 30

Mentor: Vasudeva, the ferryman. Mentors teach and give gifts. Vasudeva taught Siddhartha to follow a simpler life and to listen to the river, while also giving him food and shelter. Therefore, he is a mentor. Siddhartha eventually reached spiritual enlightenment.

Question 31

Define "mundane".

Answer 31

Lacking interest or excitement; dull

Question 32

Define "paradox".

Answer 32

Statement that logic cannot agree with, but makes sense