Philosophy of World Religions September 24, 2024 Test: Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism (Terms)

Aum

Aum

Indicates the sound of the universe at creation, made up of three Sanskrit letters: A, U, and M.

Vedas

Ancient scriptures revered by Hindus.

Sanskrit

Literary language of classic Hindu scriptures, similar to Hebrew in Judaism and Latin in Christianity.

Brahman

The Supreme Reality in Hinduism.

Atman

The soul in Hindu belief.

Reincarnation

The transmigration of the soul into a new body after the death of the old body.

Karma

The actions and their effects on this life and lives to come.

Samsara

The worldly cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Moksha

Liberation from the cycle of samsara.

Namaste

A greeting meaning "I bow to you" in Hindi.

Caste

Social class distinction based on heredity or occupation.

Dalits

The "oppressed" section of the caste system, also known as the untouchables.

Divali

Festival of lights celebrating the return of Rama after exile.

Jain

A conqueror of blockades such as materialistic fashions and worldly attachments.

Mahavira

The Great Hero of Jainism who died in 527 BCE.

Jina

"Winner," one who has conquered passions in Jainism.

Ahimsa

Nonviolence in action and speech, leading to vegetarianism in Jainism.

Aparigraha

Nonattachment or nonacquisitiveness, free of possessions in Jainism.

Anekantwad

Open-mindedness to understanding the truth in Jainism.

Ascetic

A practitioner of fasting and detachment, often seen in monks and nuns.

Sikhs

"Seekers of truth" in Sikhism.

Guru

A great teacher, starting with Guru Nanak (1469-1539).

Langar

A free communal feast in Sikhism.

Kesh

Uncut hair to honor the creator in Sikhism.

Kirpan

A sword in a sheath, symbolizing protection of the weak and promotion of justice in Sikhism.

Gurdwara

A building of worship in Sikhism, welcoming people of all faiths.

Singh

A title meaning "lion" for men in Sikhism.

The Buddha

The Awakened or Enlightened One in Buddhism.

Nirvana

Liberation in Buddhism.

Dukkha

Suffering in Buddhism.

Anitya

Impermanence in Buddhism.

Anatman

The concept of no self or independent eternal reality in Buddhism.

Bodhisattva

One dedicated to liberating others in Buddhism.

Jataka Tales

Stories of the previous lives of the Buddha as a bodhisattva.

Theravada

"Way of the elders" in Buddhism.

Mahayana

"Great vehicle" in Buddhism.

Vajrayana

"Indestructible path" in Buddhism.

Samatha

Calm abiding, a type of meditation.

Vipassana

Insight meditation focused on breath.

Sunyata

Emptiness, a concept in meditation.

Koan

A mind-boggling question used in Zen practice.

Satori

A flash of insight in Zen Buddhism.

Dalai Lama

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

Vesak

The most important Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death.

Mandala

A spiritual guidance tool for meditation and establishing sacred space.

Navayana

A new movement in Buddhism that attracted Dalit converts due to its emphasis on equality.

What is a mantra and give an example.

-         Sacred sound, word, and or phrase that is repeated during meditation as part of some Hindu ritual such as the sound of creation Aum or pronounced “Ohm” during the saying.

What are the four castes in Hindu society, and what is the
one called which is outside the list?

-         Brahmins : priests

-         Kshatriyas : warriors

-         Vaishyas : socioeconomical jobs like farming, trading, mining, etc.

-         Sudras : supporting work to the above castes

-         Dalits/Untouchables : the “dirty work” like sewer cleaning

What was the original meaning of the symbol called a
Swastika and how and why was it appropriated by the
Nazis before and during World War II?

-         It originally meant good luck or wellbeing and got misappropriated by the Nazis as they used it for hate, supremacy, and racist ideology’s

Describe the Hindu belief in birth, death and re-birth and
what is the ultimate goal?

-         Samsara the cycles of birth, death, and re-birth indicating the aim for ultimate moksha the liberation from these cycles to meet union with Brahman the soul in the individual that are a part of God

Draw and describe the symbol for Jainism.

-         The symbol for Jainism looks like a temple with the hand at the bottom showcasing the 5 vows, then above following the swastika showing well-being then to the 3 dots indicating the 3 pillars and then the one single encompassed dot at the top indicating Brahman.

What is an ascetic and what are the various ways that life
is expressed in Jainism?

-         Someone who renounces worldly possessions. Life is expressed as trapped in the cycles of karma and also Moksha where you obtained liberation from the cycles and are leading towards enlightenment.

Ahimsa is one of the three ethical pillars of Jainism.
Describe how it influences the life of a follower, how they
live, treat other beings.

-         Ahimsa guides them to live a protecting life by treating other with respect, avoiding harm/violence, and to treat all living beings with the respect and dignity they deserve with peace.

What are the living standards adopted by Khalsa (all Sikhs
are expected to work toward this commitment)?

-         Honest work (Kirat Karni)

-         Community Sharing (Vand Chakna)

What did Guru Gobind Singh mean when he said, “Same
are the temple and the mosque and the force of worship
therein”?

-         There is no distinction in sacred space, they are both used as a process to connect to said God

What happened in 2012 in a gurdwara in Oak Creek,
Wisconsin, and why?

-         A man attacked worshipers as he had a hatred towards other religions and possible through wrongly association resulting in people dead and injured.

Describe Siddhartha Gautama’s spiritual awakening and
his journey to become the Buddha.

-         He was born as a prince that encountered suffering in the forms of old age, sickness, and death. He then renounced worldly pleasures and sought enlightenment through meditation. This was done at the Bodhi tree which he then was known as The Buddah.

What are the (progressive) Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

-         The truth of pain and suffering

-         The truth of the arising of pain or the cause of
suffering

-         The truth of the cessation of pain or suffering

-         The truth of the path to end pain: Noble
Eightfold Path

Describe the Noble Eightfold Path citing at least five
examples.

-         Right Understanding: Four Noble Truths

-         Right Thought or motives: eliminate egoism

-         Right Speech: abstain from negative speaking

-         Right Action (no killing, stealing, lying, getting intoxications and participating in sexual misconduct)

-         Right Livelihood: vocation

-         Right Effort: cultivate wholesome actions

-         Right Mindfulness: awareness

-         Right Meditation: mental discipline

What new movement in Buddhism attracted converts
from among the Dalits of Hinduism and why?

-         Navayana as it showed equality towards the caste system