Buddhism Quiz 1

Indus Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BC)

One of the earliest urban civilizations in South Asia; important for context before Vedic religion

Harappa (Mohenjo-daro)

Major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization known for urban planning

Śiva

A Hindu deity, possibly linked to proto-Shiva figures in Indus Valley seals

Dravidian

Language family of South India; contrasted with Indo-Aryan influences.

Indo-European (Indo-Aryan)

Language family of Sanskrit and related tongues, brought by Indo-Aryan migrants.

Sanskrit

Classical language of India; language of Vedic texts and later Buddhist texts.

Prakrit

Middle Indo-Aryan vernacular languages; many early Buddhist texts are in Prakrit.

Vedas

Earliest sacred texts of Hinduism; hymns, rituals, and prayers.

Upaniṣads

Philosophical texts exploring ultimate reality (Brahman) and self (ātman).

Agni

Vedic fire god; central to sacrificial ritual.

mantra

Sacred utterance, sound, or phrase believed to have spiritual power.

soma

A sacred ritual drink in Vedic tradition, often linked to divine inspiration.

Brahman

Ultimate reality or world-soul in Hindu thought.

Brahmanism

Religion centered on Vedic ritual and priestly authority.

Brahmā

Hindu creator god; distinct from Brahman (ultimate reality)

śramaṇa

Wandering renunciant seeking liberation outside Vedic ritual system.

saṃsāra

Cycle of rebirth and death.

mokṣa

Release from saṃsāra; ultimate spiritual goal.

renunciation

Giving up worldly life for spiritual pursuit.

asceticism

Practices of self-denial and discipline to attain liberation.

internalization of the sacrifice

Shift from external ritual sacrifice to inner spiritual practice.

yoga

Discipline or practice, often meditation, for liberation.

Kaivalya Upaniṣad (6th century BC)

Upaniṣad emphasizing renunciation and liberation.

Siddhārtha Gautama

The historical Buddha (c. 5th century BCE).

Queen Māyā

Mother of the Buddha; gave miraculous birth

Māra

Tempter figure representing obstacles to enlightenment."

Two bodies of a buddha (rūpakāya and dharmakāya)

ūpakāya: physical body of Buddha; Dharmakāya: body of truth/teachings."

First Council

Gathering of monks after Buddha’s death to preserve teachings.

Ānanda

Buddha’s attendant; remembered for preserving many discourses.",

    "Tripiṭaka (three baskets)": "Canonical Buddhist scriptures: sūtra (discourses), vinaya (monastic rules), abhidharma (philosophical teachings)."

Aśoka

Mauryan emperor who spread Buddhism across South Asia.",

    "polytheism": "Belief in many gods."

monotheism

Belief in one god

monism

Belief that all reality is one substance or principle.