Rel 345 Unit 2 Exam

Dharma

In Hinduism, a term from a root meaning "to uphold, support, bear," translated as religion, law, order, duty, or ethics. It is not one separate segment of life, but the cosmic and moral order that supports the whole world—from the laws of nature to human conscience.

Dharanath dharma ucyate

Hindu principle cited by Swami Vibudhesha Teertha meaning "that which sustains all species of life and helps to maintain harmonious relationship among them is dharma."

Adharma

In Hinduism, that which disturbs cosmic order, ecology, and the harmonious relationship among species.

Woodcutter Metaphor (Swami Vibudhesha Teertha)

Compares humanity destroying the natural conditions life depends on to a woodcutter sawing at the trunk on the very branch on which he is sitting—showing that causing adharma is ultimately self-destructive.

Restoring Balance in Hindu Narrative (Whitmore)

A recurring theme where a chaotic or demonic force destabilizes the world (creating adharma), and a deity takes action to restore balance (dharma).

Vishnu

Hindu deity famously associated with preserving the cosmos and taking action to restore dharma when chaotic forces destabilize the world.

Devi / Durga

The Goddess (Devi), specifically Durga, who emerged from the combined powers of male deities to defeat a chaotic demonic adversary they could not overcome alone, restoring dharma.

Durga Puja & Bengal

A massive annual festival devoted to the goddess Durga in the region of Bengal (historically united, today divided between West Bengal in India and Bangladesh).

Vahana

An animal vehicle associated with a Hindu deity; Durga's vahana is usually a tiger or a lion, linking divine power to the natural world.

Kitab Manthoor

In Islam, viewing the creation of humans, Earth, and the cosmos as "signs of the Creator" (an unfolded book of creation) that inspire reverence and care.

Hayat Tayebah

In the Islamic worldview (Prof. Al-Jayyousi), a "good life" defined not by material excess, but by living lightly on Earth and caring for both people and nature.

Zohd

In Islam, living lightly on Earth through moderation and restraint, countering overconsumption, overexploitation, and overuse of resources.

Fitra

In Islam, the "natural state" of creation—an innate harmony and purity that humans are called to preserve rather than disrupt.

Mizan

In Islam, the principle of balance built into the systems of the universe, establishing an ethical mandate for humans to respect nature and all forms of life.

Mikdar

In Islam, the principle of proportion and measure in the universe that humans must respect to maintain ecological harmony.

Khalifah

In Islam, humanity's role as trustees and stewards of Earth, carrying moral accountability to protect creation and mitigate environmental crises.

Root of Environmental Crisis (Islamic Perspective)

Human choices driven by overconsumption, overexploitation, and overuse of resources, which violate fitra and disrupt the balance (mizan) of creation.

Short-Answer Exam Strategy (Specificity Rule)

Instead of broad claims (e.g., "Hinduism teaches interconnectedness"), connect specific religious concepts/practices (e.g., Swami Vibudhesha Teertha's definition of dharma) to specific ecological realities and Unit 1 frameworks.

The Hungry Tide (Exam Prep Reminder)

Novel set in the Bengal Sundarbans (connecting to Bengal's Durga/tiger context); review key characters (Piya, Fokir, Kanai, Nilima), the Morichjhapi conflict, and how local Bon Bibi devotion models ecological limits.