The Origins of Hinduism
What is a Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language and writing.
What are the three important goals aside dharma for Hindus?
They are kama (love), artha (wealth), and moksha (oneness with God).
What types of jobs are there in the varna Vaishyas?
There are merchants, artisans, and farmers.
What was Siddhartha's father's name?
King Suddhodana.
What is nirvana?
Nirvana is an ideal state of happiness and peace. Siddhartha uses the "middle way" to obtain nirvana and enlightenment.
True or False
People founded Hinduism.
True.
Why was Dharma important in Hinduism?
Dharma is a belief found in Hinduism and other Indian traditions that a person has a duty or obligation to live an honorable life. It's important because it helps people live happily, selflessly, and in balance. It can be also described as a duty.
This person is known for criticizing the ideas of hierarchy and discrimination with the caste system.
Indian freedom leader Mahatma Gandhi
How old was Siddhartha when he discovered the three forms of suffering?
He was 29 years old when he discovered the three forms of suffering.
What were the three forms of sufferings?
The three forms of sufferings are aging, sickness, and death.
Who Were the Aryans?
The Aryans were nomads who brought gods and rituals to India, some of which became part of Hinduism.
What are the main beliefs of Hinduism?
There is only one belief, Hinduism while other beliefs like karma and samsara are just practices.
What were the excluded jatis called and why were they excluded from the caste system?
The excluded jatis are called the Untouchables. They were excluded because they did works that other Indians were unwilling to do or considered lowly, like handling dead animals or garbages.
What was the Brahman's prediction of Siddhartha's life?
The Brahmins said that either Siddhartha would either rule the universe as a prince or he would become the Buddha after seeing the three forms of sufferings.
Why did Siddhartha chose the extreme way of living to obtain enlightenment?
Siddhartha thought this extreme way of living could make him focus more in finding enlightenment which causes him to lack basic necessities. Siddhartha even became terribly thin that he could touch his stomach and feels his backbone due to lack of food. Sometime Siddhartha would stay up all night without sleeping to achieve his enlightenment goal.
What Were the Roots of Hinduism? Explain.
The roots of Hinduism are found in the Vedas, which most Hindus believe ccontain eternal truths. It is a collection of sacred texts, verses, hymns, prayers, and teachings.
What is Karma and explain how this Hindu belief could affect Indians in their next life.
Karma is what happens to one's soul after death depending on how they lived. Hindu believes that if a person leads good or bad life, the actions and consequences of that life will affect its next life. Good karma in their present or past life can make the person achieve moksha or freedom from the samsara rebirth.
What are the differences between jatis and caste system (also called varnas).
Jatis are group of people that does a particular jobs in the varnas system. If your a Kshatriyas, your whole family would be in the Kshatriyas, varnas. Varnas and caste are the same thing. A person from the caste or varnas system are called jatis.
Why did Siddhartha suddenly want to be an ascetic? Explain.
The reason Siddhartha wanted to be an ascetic was, after he saw the three forms of suffering and the ascetic man who inspired him that people could end suffering with peace. Because of this, Siddhartha was transformed and he no longer wanted a noble life and wanted to be an ascetic to find peace.
List and explain the Four Noble Truths.
1. Suffering is present in all things, and nothing lasts forever.
2. Suffering is caused by cravings (desires and wants).
3. The way to end suffering is to give up all cravings.
4. The way to give up all cravings is to live life according to the Eightfold Path.
How does Hinduism its beliefs affect the daily life in ancient India?
It affects their daily life in many ways. The varnas, or the caste system diverse jatis. For example, there are four varnas in the caste system, which are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. They are associated with a particular jobs that shifted away from herding and hunting to other occupations. Certain groups called the Untouchables are not allowed to enter houses of worship or attend many schools because they do Indian's unwilling jobs. Another example of the affect of Hinduism is the monism. It's the idea where all existing things in reality come from one original source, Brahman. All deities represents various aspects of Brahman. Brahman was known to be the creator of the universe, the supreme power. The dharma is the practice where it helps people to live happily, selfless, and in balance. Karma is concept that bad or good done depends from the past life. Good karma equals achieving moksha or freedom from cycle of rebirth. The cycle belief of birth, death, and rebirth is called samsara.
List and explain the 3 important gods alongside their goddess partners.
The three important gods alongside their goddess partners are Brahma and Saraswati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, Shiva, and Shakti (also known as Parvati). Brahma creates the universe. Saraswati was the goddess of knowledge and creativity. Vishnu preserve and protects the universe. Lakshmi was the goddess of good health and prosperity. Shiva was the transformer and destroyer. Shakti was the goddess of love and devotion.
Why does some caste discrimination exist in some parts of India today?
The reason is because some Indians still follows and practice the varnas society system even though many part of country in caste discrimination is banned and are illegal. Few people of Indian descent living outside the Indian subcontinent still identify by the caste system.
Summarize the whole journey that Siddhartha took to become Buddha precisely.
After Siddhartha's mother, queen Maya had a weird dream of white elephant with six tusks, Hindu priests or Brahmins interpret her dream. The prediction was about the two possible paths of prince's future which is to become the ruler of the universe or become buddha. The king was worried about the Brahmins' prediction, so he decided to raise Siddhartha in a world of perfect wealth and beauty, and protects the horrors of the worlds. Siddhartha enjoyed his life with curiosity of the outside. At an age of 29,his father gave Siddhartha more freedom to travel outside and discovered the three forms of suffering during one of his journeys which are aging, sickness, and death. After the discovery, Siddhartha went out another journey where he met an ascetic man who gives up worldly pleasures such as possessions, fine clothes, money, and shelter. The ascetic man told Siddhartha that to be free from suffering, you must give up desire, pleasures, and comforts of the world while finding peace by helping others find peace. This transformed him from his royal life to finding enlightenment in peace. One night, Siddhartha went to the dark woods to find enlightenment through meditation. He cut off his hair, put on a simple robe, and carried only a small bowl for alms. Siddhartha met other ascetics that shared his spiritual goals. Siddhartha quickly became an expert at meditation, but he eventually became unhappy because of his extreme way of living. Siddhartha learned that denying bodily pleasures does not bring enlightenment so he aimed for the "middle way". Because of this, Siddhartha's ascetics abandoned him. After trying his right path, the "middle way" he eventually became Buddha and reached nirvana. Siddhartha could've selfishly escaped through enlightenment but instead, he shares his path, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to avoid suffering.
List and explain the Eightfold Path.
1. Right understanding: Develop a deep understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right purpose: Live a life of selflessness, love, and nonviolence.
3. Right speech: Be careful and truthful in what you say. Do not lie or gossip.
4. Right action: Do not kill, steal, or lie. Be honest.
5. Right way to earn a living: Do not work at a job that causes harm to people or living creatures.
6. Right effort: Promote good actions and prevent evil actions.
7. Right mindfulness: Be aware of but not attached to your emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
8. Right concentration: Focus your mind with such practices as meditation.