Hinduism and Sikhism Flashcards (IP6)

What is the typical name for a Hindu temple?

Mandir

What does the word 'mandir' literally translate to?

Waiting place or house

Unlike churches or mosques, what can Hindu temples be dedicated to?

Particular gods or goddesses

What is a physical representation of a deity used in Hindu worship called?

A murti

What purpose does a murti serve for Hindu worshippers?

It provides a physical focus for connecting with the divine

In Hinduism, what is the term for the ultimate, one infinite reality?

Brahman

How do Hindus view the relationship between living beings and Brahman?

Living beings are expressions of the Brahman

According to the Laws of Manu, what kind of clothing must the excluded social group wear?

Garments of the dead

According to the Laws of Manu, what must the excluded social group use as food dishes?

Broken dishes

What material must the ornaments of the excluded group be made of according to the Laws of Manu?

Black iron

According to the Laws of Manu, where are members of the excluded group forbidden from walking at night?

In villages and towns

With whom are members of the excluded group permitted to marry according to the Laws of Manu?

Their equals

What is the collective name for the three main forms of the one Supreme Reality in Hinduism?

The Trimurti

Which deity in the Trimurti is known as the Creator?

Brahma

Which deity in the Trimurti is known as the Preserver?

Vishnu

Which deity in the Trimurti is known as the Destroyer and Rebuilder?

Shiva

How is Brahma usually represented physically?

With 4 heads and 4 arms

How does Brahma's worship in temples today compare to Vishnu or Shiva?

He is rarely worshipped in temples compared to the others

What is Vishnu's primary role regarding the world?

He protects and preserves the world

What are the different forms Vishnu takes when he comes to Earth called?

Avatars

What is the primary purpose of Vishnu's avatars?

To restore balance when dharma declines and evil rises

Why does Shiva destroy the old, the ego, and negativity?

To make way for new beginnings and life

What weapon is Shiva often depicted holding?

A trident

What is Shiva's title when he is depicted as the cosmic dancer of destruction and creation?

Nataraja

Who was Vishnu's first avatar that saved the Vedas from a great flood?

Matsya (The Fish)

Which avatar of Vishnu is the hero of the epic Ramayana?

Rama (The Prince)

Which avatar of Vishnu is the hero of the Mahabharata and taught the Bhagavad Gita?

Krishna (The Divine Friend)

Which half-man, half-lion avatar of Vishnu defeated the evil king Hiranyakashipu?

Narasimha

According to Hindu tradition, which avatar of Vishnu will come in the future to defeat evil?

Kalki

What is the name of the current age that Kalki is expected to end?

Kali Yuga

Where is the benevolent form of Shiva said to dwell?

Mount Kailash

What does Shiva 'The Transformer' teach his devotees?

Detachment, discipline, and inner strength

In which sacred text does Krishna say he comes to Earth to protect the good?

The Bhagavad Gita

What are the estimated dates for the Indus Valley Civilization?

Approximately 2500-1900 BCE

Name the two major advanced cities of the Indus Valley Civilization

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

What were the planned features of cities like Mohenjo-Daro?

Planned streets, drainage systems, and trade centers

From which modern-day country did the Aryans migrate into the Indus Valley?

Iran

According to Sikh teachings, what is the responsibility of the Khalsa regarding the weak?

To defend and protect them

What must Sikhs stand against according to the Birth of the Khalsa text?

Injustice

What is the 'One True Reality' described as an impersonal god-being in Hinduism?

Brahman

According to the Shiva Purana, why does Shiva dissolve the universe?

So that new life may be born

What specific human traits does Shiva destroy to allow for growth?

Ego, ignorance, and negativity

What does the Hindu term 'dharma' represent in the context of Vishnu's mission?

Righteousness

In the Indus Valley, what was the function of the advanced drainage systems?

Urban sanitation

Which group of people is credited with migrating into the Indus Valley around 1500 BCE?

The Aryans

What is the primary role of Vishnu's avatar Rama?

To serve as an example of duty, courage, and goodness

Which Hindu text provides the quote 'Change is the law of the universe'?

The Shiva Purana

What was the role of Vishnu's avatar Matsya during the great flood?

Saving the Vedas and the wise king Manu

How does Shiva 'The Benevolent Lord' assist his devotees?

He protects them and grants peace, blessings, and liberation

According to the Laws of Manu, where must members of the excluded group always wander?

From place to place