19 questions
What is the purpose of a Hindu temple?
to provide a space for Hindus to express their love of their deities
to house the poor, care for the sick, and feed the hungry
to offer protection to the local population from outside invaders
to serve as the last resting place for Hindus who have died
Which statement about Hindu temples is true?
Hindu temples are built according to ancient directions about their location and structure.
Hindu temples can be built however the local population wishes.
Hindu temples do not include images of their deities, because Hinduism forbids that.
Hindu temples are all very simple in form, with no carvings or sculptures.
According to Hindu belief, Brahman
is a supreme power, or divine force.
includes everything in the world, including the human soul.
is constantly creating, destroying, and re-creating the universe.
all of these
According to Hindu belief, how is Brahman related to the other deities?
Brahman is the humblest deity who serves all of the others.
The other deities in Hinduism are various forms of Brahman.
Brahman represents the human soul and is weaker than all other deities.
The other deities in Hinduism are equal in power to Brahman.
Which Hindu festival is taking place in this picture?
Indra
Ravana
Diwali
Vishnu
What do all the candles in this picture symbolize?
the beginning of spring
the love of family
the rebirth of the soul
the triumph of good over evil
The Diwali festival commemorates the defeat of the evil demon Ravana, as told in the
Kshatriyas.
Ramayana.
Shudras.
Varna Dharma.
Today, the most important Hindu deities are Brahma, Vishnu, and
Shiva.
Rama.
Indra.
Ravana.
This Indian man is caring for his soul by performing yoga, which is considered part of a common
atman.
dharma.
karma.
Vedas.
If Hindus live according to their dharma, they
follow the law.
fulfill their obligations.
perform their duties.
all of the above
What does it mean for Hindus to follow the dharma of their varna?
They acknowledge the social superiority of the untouchables.
They escape the cycle of rebirth and are united with Brahman.
They fulfill the duties and obligations of their social class.
They withdraw from society and spend their days in prayer.
Why do cows have a special place in Hinduism?
Cows are symbolic of the reverence for life.
The greatest Hindu deity is often depicted as a cow.
Cows represent health, wealth, and happiness.
The only meat that Hindus can eat is beef.
This Hindu woman is fulfilling part of her dharma by praying at the sacred Ganges River. By living according to dharma, she may hope
to become one of the untouchables.
to have her soul reborn into a higher social class.
to live outside the law of karma.
to move between social classes during her lifetime.
According to Hindus, karma is
a collection of sacred Hindu writings, including verses, hymns, and prayers.
the obligations and duties that a person is expected to fulfill.
all of the good and evil that a person had done in past lives.
the supreme power, or divine force, that is greater than all other deities.
Why did ancient Hindus believe that the law of karma proved the universe was fair?
Each person had an equal opportunity to rise to higher social classes.
Once a soul had be reborn as a person, it could never be reborn as an animal.
Even in ancient times, people in all social classes were treated equally.
Souls would be rewarded or punished for the good and evil they had done.
Why did many Hindu teachers criticize the caste system?
They argued that too many untouchables were rising to higher social classes.
They believed it was not right for people to be treated unequally because of their social class.
They objected because the caste system did not consider what people had done in past lives.
They said that the caste system made it too easy for people to change their social class.
These people have come to the Ganges River at the city of Varanasi. Why is this place important to Hindus?
Lawbreakers can be protected from punishment by bathing in the Ganges.
The war which led to Indian independence began at the Ganges River.
One of the most holy places in India is the Ganges River.
The Ganges is the only river in India with clean, drinkable water.
Faithful Hindus still come to the Ganges on holy journeys called
pilgrimages.
samsara.
reincarnation.
purifications.
For Hindus, bathing in the waters of the Ganges is
a way to avoid following their dharma.
the first ritual in the Hindu wedding ceremony.
an act of devotion and purification
the only way they can escape the cycle of rebirth.