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Hinduism
Jainism
Buddhism
Social Systems
100

What is Brahma. How does he look

The prime creator god according to the Vedic tradition. A three headed god with four sets of arms. He sacrificed himself to himself to create the order of the universe. 

100

Who is Mahavira

The 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, and the historical founder of Jainism.

100

Who is Shakyamuni

The Historic Buddha!!!

100

What are the 4 castes (in order of rank)

Brahmins - Priests
Kshatriya - Warriors/Rulers
Vaishyas - Agriculturalists, Merchants
Shudras - Laborers 

200

What is the Sruti. What does it include

The four canonical Vedas of the Hindu tradition.
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda.

200

What is Digambara

A school of Jainism often considered one of the most strict and rigorous sects. 

  • Digambara monks do not own or wear any clothing.
  • They drink water from a gourd. 
  • They beg for food and eat only once a day. 
  • They observe 28 root virtues, including five supreme vows, five regulations, and five-fold control of the senses. 


200

What is a Buddhist Sutra

A canonical scripture that is said to be the direct oral teachings of Shakyamuni. They almost always open with the arhat Ananda recounting, with his perfect memory that all arhats have, the words of the Buddha. 

200

What does it mean to be "twice born"

The three upper castes have a coming of age ritual that gives them the qualification to read the Vedic texts.

300

Define Bhakti

Translated as love or devotion, it is personal worship towards an individual deity. It can take a variety of forms. 

300

What is a Digambara's fan made of, what is it's purpose?

Peacock feathers. To sweep bugs out of their path.

300

Double Jeopardy!!!!!!!!!

What is the relationship between King Ashoka's rule and Buddhism. Explain in detail, most complete answer will receive points.

N/A

300

Which caste are the atmospheric gods. Why

The atmospheric gods are Kshatriyas. They are violent and swift. It is said thunderstorms are the result of atmospheric gods doing battle with demons.

400

Who is Agni why are they important

Agni the god of fire, is the god to which all major sacrifices are given. As the mouth of the gods he consumes the sacrifice and transports it to the realm of the gods as smoke. 

400

What is Shvetambara 

Another major Jain sec, it is unique in that it believes women can attain salvation! Additionally:

  • They believe that the true self is free from passions.
  • They believe that non-attachment is a spiritual practice that leads to liberation.
  • They believe that clothing is not an obstacle to salvation.
  • They have preserved many original scriptures.
400

What is a bodhisattva what is an arhat. 

In Buddhism, an arhat is a person who has attained enlightenment and nirvana, and is no longer subject to rebirth. A bodhisattva is a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings.

400

What are the four stages of life (in order)

Brahmacharya - The student
Grahstha - The householder
Vanaprastha - The forest dweller
Sannyasa- The renunciate 

500

What is the Mahabharata. Why does it matter? Is there a particular section of it that stands out as a linchpin of the Hindu tradition

The Mahabharata is one of two major epics of the Hindu tradition. It details the cataclysmic battle between the semi-divine Pandavas and their demonic cousins the Kauravas. One of its most famous chapters is the Bhagavad Gita, which takes the form of a conversation between a charioteer and his driver, and has served as a linchpin text in understanding Dharma.

500

What is chakravartin

The idealized/perfect human in Jainism. The enlightened form all strive for.

500

What are the four noble truths

  • dukkha (not being at ease, 'suffering', from dush-stha, standing unstable). Dukkha is an innate characteristic of transient existence nothing is forever, this is painful
  • samudaya (origin, arising, combination 'cause'): together with this transient world and its pain, there is also thirst, craving for and attachment to this transient, unsatisfactory existence
  • nirodha (cessation, ending, confinement): the attachment to this transient world and its pain can be severed or contained by the confinement or letting go of this craving
  • marga (road, path, way): the Noble Eightfold Path is the path leading to the confinement of this desire and attachment, and the release from dukkha.
500

What was Mohenjo-daro, what is unique about the site, why does it matter

One of the largest surviving archeological sites of the Indus-Valley civilizations. A major walled city, with a centralized public bath house. Helps show the importance of ablution and water related rituals in India even before the Indo-Aryan invasion.