Quiz Review: Ancient India and Major Religions

Indus Valley Civilization

it stands out due to its advanced urban planning, sophisticated technology, and unique culture.

Caste System

Hinduism reinforced this by intertwining it with religious beliefs, particularly the concepts of karma, dharma, and moksha.

Edicts of Ashoka

Thirty inscriptions on pillars, boulders, and cave walls that proclaimed Buddhist teachings, promised fair treatment of subjects, preached nonviolence, and urged religious toleration.

Hinduism

A polytheistic religion with a belief in many gods and goddesses, upholding the authority of the Vedas and the caste system.

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth, a concept shared by both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Moksha

Liberation through union with Brahman (the ultimate reality) sought by Hindus.

Nirvana

A state of liberation from suffering and desire aimed for by Buddhists.

Ascetic

A religious person who goes without physical comforts to achieve a spiritual goal.

Ashoka

Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism and had thirty inscriptions placed on pillars, boulders, and cave walls.

Aryans

Indo-European-speaking pastoral nomads who slowly moved into the Indus Valley.

Brahman

The source of everything and spiritual power that exists in everything.

Buddhism

A spiritual and philosophical belief system founded c. 500 BC by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. It focuses on the path to enlightenment through practices like meditation, ethical living, and the understanding of suffering. Generally non-theistic and focuses on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, rather than worship of deities.

Caste

A social class a person is born into.

Dharma

The moral and ethical duties and responsibilities that an individual must follow according to their position in society. This is a concept shared by both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Enlightenment

A religious concept embraced by Hindus and Buddhists. It means one is free from ignorance and has come to an understanding of the reality of the universe.

Gurus

Philosophers or teachers who share their thoughts on spirituality with groups looking for further enlightenment.

Hinduism

A polytheistic religion founded c. 1500 BC. The many gods and goddesses worshipped represent different aspects of life and the universe.

Indus Valley Cities

Organized in a grid pattern, with wide streets and no noticeable political or religious buildings, advanced plumbing.

Karma

The result of a person's actions in this life and past lives. Negative actions will lead to hardships in the next life.

Kushan Empire

During the empire formed as nomadic groups took power of small kingdoms during the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, covering parts of present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan. Known for its role in trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

Moksha

The Hindu belief of liberation from samsara, and the soul rejoins the Brahman in a state of joy.

Nirvana

Buddhist belief in liberation and freedom from suffering, desire, and the samsara. Described as a state of enlightenment.

Reincarnation

The rebirth of the soul into a new body.

Samsara

The cycle of death and reincarnation of the soul.

Sanskrit

A language with Indo-European roots, and is the ancestor of modern Indian languages. It was used for sacred writings.

Silk Road

A network of roads that stretched from China to the Mediterranean which exchanged luxury goods.

The Buddha

What Siddhartha Gautama became known as when he reached enlightenment; the title loosely translates to 'the enlightened one.'

The Edicts of Ashoka

Thirty inscriptions on pillars, boulders, and cave walls that proclaimed Buddhist teachings, promised fair treatment of subjects, preached nonviolence, and urged religious toleration.

The Eightfold Path

Eight Buddhist guidelines to achieve enlightenment and lead to freedom from samsara. Anyone, regardless of caste, can follow the path. A key aspect of Buddhism that emphasizes individual spiritual development.

The Four Noble Truths

The Buddhist belief regarding suffering consists of four statements in which one must acknowledge that suffering exists, there is a cause to suffering, suffering can be overcome, and suffering can be ended by following the Eightfold Path. Core teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.

The Middle Way

The Buddhist belief of avoiding the extremes of self-indulgence and self-denial.

The Vedas

A collection of sacred hymns and poetry that were sung or chanted during ceremonies and heavily influenced Hinduism.

The Vedic Period

When the Indus Civilization collapsed, people moved east towards the Ganges River Valley. Subsistence farming was practiced until more pastoral communities developed, eventually becoming kingdoms.

Varna

Social group based on skills or abilities.