Judaism
According to the Torah, where did Abraham and his family move to?
Canaan
Who was Kongfuzi?
Kongfuzi was a teacher whose ideas influenced the lives of millions of people. His western name was Confucius.
Where did Islam have its origin?
Islam first emerged in Mecca, a city in Arabia in the Middle East.
What collection of literature contains the roots of Hinduism?
The Vedas
According to Buddhist tradition, what made Siddhartha Gautama walk away from princely life?
At the age of 29, Prince Siddhartha Gautama saw the pain and suffering of the world and was shocked by it. He decided to leave his comfortable life in search of a greater truth.
What was the Jewish Diaspora?
the spread of the Jewish people outside their homeland
Why did Confucius believe people should honor and respect their elders?
Confucius said that filial piety — respect of children for their parents — was critical to the social order.
What is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an is the Muslim holy book, which Muslims believe contains the word of God as revealed to Muhammad.
Who was initially responsible for interpreting Hindu sacred literature?
Brahmins (priests and religious scholars)
According to tradition, how did Siddhartha Gautama become the Buddha?
After days of mediation beneath a bodhi tree, he attained a new level of consciousness. He had attained nirvana — a state of happiness and peace — and had become the Buddha.
Why do Jews set aside a holy day each week, and what is it called?
Jews set aside a holy day each week, called the Sabbath, for rest and prayer.
Per the Mandate of Heaven, what happened if a ruler governed poorly?
If a ruler governed poorly, heaven withdrew its support and the ruler lost power.
What is the Hajj?
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca.
What do most Hindus believe about reincarnation?
Souls are reborn into a different body. But by living a spiritual life, Hindus believe they can free themselves from karma and end the cycle of rebirth.
What are the basic teachings of Buddhism called?
The basic teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths.
What are the Ten Commandments?
Teachings that Jews believe were handed down by God to Moses.
How does taking a civil service exam in China relate to Confucianism?
Knowledge of the Confucian classics has traditionally been the basis of the state civil service exam in China.
What are some of the places that Islam spread to in the centuries after its origin?
Islam spread east, across South Asia to Indonesia. It moved north into Turkey and the Balkans region of Europe. It also expanded rapidly along the east coast of Africa and south of the Sahara.
In what areas of the world is Hinduism the most prevalent?
South and Southeast Asia.
What institutions were created to help promote the spread and study of Buddhist thought?
Monasteries
Why did Jews adopt the practice of praying together in synagogues?
Praying together in synagogues became one way that Jews could maintain their traditions in foreign land, after the Diaspora.
Today, people continue to read The Analects of Confucius. What does this say about the importance of Confucianism in China?
Confucianism is still an important influence in China today.
How does Islam rank in number of followers compared to other world religions?
Islam is the second largest religion in the world.
Which popular physical activity has origins in Hindu ideas and practice?
Yoga has origins in Hindu ideas and practices.
Where did Buddhism originate? Where did it spread to?
Buddhism originated in India. It later became the leading faith of Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and China. From China, it spread to Korea and Japan.