5e World Religions 5e Test bank Questions Amore Hussain

Chapter 1

Studying Eastern Religion

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The three levels of the world are earth, sky, and ________.
   1. mountains
   2. sea
   3. underworld
   4. mesas
2. The axis mundi is the symbolic link connecting ________.
   1. man and ghosts
   2. man and god
   3. heaven and hell
   4. earth and sky
3. In Japan, features of the natural landscape were believed to be ________.
   1. Earth-mother given
   2. kami
   3. created by volcanoes
   4. god-made
4. According to your textbook, in ancient times, the living were willing to sacrifice _______ to help the dead.
   1. everything
   2. humans
   3. nothing
   4. resources
5. Because of religion, another name for humans is ________.
   1. Homo erectus
   2. Homo iousian
   3. Homo religiosus
   4. Homo sapiens
6. Another word for witchdoctor is ________.
   1. shaman
   2. magus
   3. brahman
   4. rishi
7. Various hunting rituals show that people believed that the spirit of the killed animal or person ________.
   1. brings disease
   2. brings compassion
   3. survives death
   4. seeks revenge
8. Many cultures believed that uninhabited areas were ________.
   1. wastelands
   2. guarded by spirits
   3. beloved by the gods
   4. to be exploited
9. One way to deal with unfriendly spirits is to ________.
   1. take flight
   2. exorcise them
   3. neglect them
   4. frighten them
10. To communicate with the spirit world, the shaman enters ________.
    1. a drugged state
    2. a trance
    3. a dance
    4. a tent
11. People in the Neolithic era went to extraordinary lengths to ________.
    1. paint on cave walls
    2. employ "royal" shamans
    3. practise hunting magic
    4. create sacred areas
12. One very important function of Neolithic-era priests was to ________.
    1. baptize
    2. track the seasons
    3. hear confessions
    4. say mass
13. One of the powerful reasons for human religion suggested by your textbook is ________.
    1. joy of death
    2. fear of sin
    3. idea of an afterlife
    4. fear of Satan
14. The Hindu goddess Durga is often depicted riding ________.
    1. a wolf
    2. a dragon
    3. a lion or a tiger
    4. a makara or a peacock
15. The sacred bull mount of the Hindu god Shiva is named ________.
    1. Minotaur
    2. Bast
    3. Europa
    4. Nandi
16. One of the activities that the Indo-Europeans did not engage in was ________.
    1. farming
    2. waging war
    3. hunting
    4. riding horses
17. Everywhere the Indo-Europeans conquered, they set up ________.
    1. a social system with four divisions
    2. the subjugation of women
    3. tent cities
    4. principalities
18. One of the social classes in India is the ________.
    1. Vaishyas
    2. Dyaus
    3. Catalhoyuk
    4. Vestal
19. The priest class in India is called ________.
    1. Brahmins
    2. Shudras
    3. Bronislaw
    4. Druids
20. In India the four-level social system was given mythic status in ________.
    1. the Purusha
    2. the Rig Veda
    3. Olympia
    4. Mt. Meru
21. According to Laozi, the Dao that can be described is not the ________.
    1. god
    2. eternal Dao
    3. Name
    4. Earth mother
22. According to Laozi, the name that can be named is ________.
    1. the Father
    2. the Mother
    3. not the eternal name
    4. the underlayer
23. What the Daoists called Dao, the Upanishads called ________.
    1. Indra
    2. sat
    3. Maya
    4. None of the above.
24. Svetaketu learned that ________ throughout the world.
    1. Apollo exists
    2. all is one
    3. there is a hidden essence
    4. all is Purusha

C, pp. 16-17

1. The Indian texts composed between 1500 and 600 BCE, whose title means "sitting-up-near," are collectively known as the ________.
   1. Svetaketu
   2. Upanishads
   3. Daodejing
   4. Vedas
2. In the ancient Greek cosmology, two of the primary elements that make up the world are ________.
   1. air and water
   2. earth and rock
   3. fire and wood
   4. the sun and moon
3. Jainism and Buddhism were rooted in ________.
   1. pre-brahminic traditions
   2. Vedic traditions
   3. Upanishadic traditions
   4. Biblical traditions
4. Jaina master Mahavira was a strong proponent of ________.
   1. ahimsa
   2. war
   3. Vedic ritual
   4. animal sacrifice
5. In the Ganges tradition, the notion of hereditary priesthood is ________.
   1. embraced
   2. rejected
   3. developed
   4. sacrosanct
6. One way the avatar god is a savior is that he ________.
   1. saves the faithful from hell
   2. saves the underworld
   3. saves the dying
   4. saves social norms
7. Krishna says to Arjuna that he comes into the world for ________.
   1. the protection of the good
   2. the defeat of karma
   3. his followers
   4. Hindus only
8. Krishna says to Arjuna that he comes into the world for ________.
   1. Shaktas
   2. the setting up of righteousness
   3. Shavites
   4. non-Hindus

B. p. 19

1. The most famous Hindu source for stories of Krishna is the ________.
   1. Bhagavad Gita
   2. Upanishads
   3. Ramayana
   4. Vedas
2. The avatar wave gave Buddhism the story of ________.
   1. Amitabha
   2. Avalokiteshvara
   3. Shakyamuni
   4. Rama
3. One of the earliest sets of scriptures we have is the ________.
   1. Vedas
   2. Upanishads
   3. gospels
   4. sutras
4. The teachings of the Buddha were transmitted orally ________ before they were written down.
   1. for millennia
   2. for decades
   3. for centuries
   4. for 100 years
5. At the time of writing of the teachings of the Buddha, the Mahayana school ________ texts.
   1. added more
   2. purged some
   3. rewrote all of the
   4. edited
6. Vajrayana schools of Buddhism have their own ________.
   1. canon
   2. surahs
   3. Avesta
   4. angels
7. Buddhist practice did not include ________ until the 1200s.
   1. precepts
   2. placing faith in sacred texts
   3. meditation
   4. chanting
8. Nichiren instructed his followers to place their faith in ________.
   1. the Vairocana Sutra
   2. the monks' vows
   3. Amitabha Buddha
   4. the Lotus Sutra
9. Followers of the Pure Land school of Buddhism chant ________.
   1. the pratimoksha
   2. the Book of the Dead
   3. pujas
   4. homage to Amitabha Buddha
10. The Hindu goddess of speech is ________.
    1. Logos
    2. Vac
    3. Indra
    4. Zohar
11. According to your text, one of the reasons people make great art is ________.
    1. to serve religion
    2. because of neuroses
    3. to critique religion
    4. for profit
12. According to your text, religion pervades the human world enough that ________.
    1. people are indirectly affected by it regardless of whether it plays a direct role in their lives
    2. its prevalence alone shows the nature of the divine
    3. it has become meaningless
    4. everyone is religious, whether they like it or not
13. Issues regarding religious "insiders" versus "outsiders" are complex because there are ________.
    1. many kinds of insiders
    2. actually no such matters
    3. actually no outsiders
    4. false prophets
14. In the twenty-first century, all religions are ________.
    1. found throughout the world
    2. originally from the Far-East
    3. originally from the Middle East
    4. found only in Asia
15. Common features of what we call "religion" include ________.
    1. sacred places
    2. spiritual beings
    3. life after death
    4. all of the above
16. Your text defines "sacred" as that which is ________.
    1. "set aside"
    2. "associated with sacrifice"
    3. "associated with prayer"
    4. "blessed by God"
17. ________ are commonly identified as sacred places.
    1. Valleys
    2. Oceans
    3. Mountains
    4. Forests
18. Religion appears to be a universal response to ________.
    1. inevitable class struggle
    2. psychological yearnings to return to an infantile state of being nurtured
    3. God
    4. fundamental experiences of being human
19. In many religions, aspects of animals' bodies, such as feathers and claws, are used ________.
    1. as amulets
    2. as a symbolic expression of regret for hunting
    3. as symbols of social status
    4. to demonstrate prowess in hunting
20. Ancient people have commonly buried their dead in fetal postures facing east ________.
    1. to symbolize and perhaps facilitate rebirth
    2. because the elderly and infirm were infantilized
    3. to hasten decomposition
    4. for space considerations
21. When Canadian Scholar William Cantwell Smith spoke of "religion in the singular," he was referring to ________.
    1. primal religions
    2. monotheistic religions
    3. the universal phenomenon of human religiosity
    4. Christianity
22. According to your text, a shaman can be understood as ________.
    1. a magician who heals through the manipulation of perception
    2. a Neolithic proto-astrologer
    3. an ascetic who renounces attachment to the social world
    4. a mediator between the world of the spirits and that of humans
23. According to your text, shamanism ________.
    1. is usually a vocation or calling, following some extraordinary experience
    2. is an exclusively male occupation
    3. entails a life of strict celibacy
    4. is a hereditary position passed down in lineages
24. Ecstasy comes from the Greek word "ecstatic," which means ________.
    1. to "surrender" [to God]
    2. to "experience" [hallucination]
    3. to "stand outside" [oneself]
    4. to "hear" [divine calling]
25. Stonehenge was built during the ________.
    1. contemporary era
    2. Bronze Age
    3. Neolithic era
    4. Paleolithic era
26. Early humans believed that the spirits of animals they hunted needed to be ________.
    1. watered
    2. monitored
    3. appeased
    4. fed
27. A common element of both the bull gods of the Neolithic period and Persephone in Greek myth is that both are symbols of ________.
    1. human rage
    2. fertility
    3. weakness
    4. death
28. The growth of temple religions accompanied the rise of ________.
    1. monotheism
    2. paganism
    3. a priestly class
    4. scripture
29. The term "Indo-European" denotes ________.
    1. the earliest inhabitants of India
    2. an ethnic group
    3. a shared linguistic and cultural community
    4. a racial group
30. According to your text, Zarathustra’s writings were important in the development of ________.
    1. charity
    2. paganism
    3. monotheism
    4. polytheism
31. The Buddha taught his followers that the status of the "true brahmin" is ________.
    1. impossible for humans to obtain
    2. divinely granted
    3. a birthright
    4. earned through merit
32. Mystery religions became so influential and popular during the Roman period that they posed a threat to ________.
    1. the emperor
    2. the official Roman religion and priesthood
    3. the stability of the Roman Empire
    4. the lives of government officials
33. Avatar or avatar-like beings are found in ________.
    1. Buddhism
    2. Christianity
    3. Hinduism
    4. All of the above
34. In contrast to Christianity, there is no room in Jewish thought for ________.
    1. God
    2. scripture
    3. prophets
    4. an avatar god
35. The dominant approach to the contemporary study of religion is ________.
    1. feminist
    2. nonconfessional
    3. functionalist
    4. Marxist
36. When approaching an unfamiliar religious tradition, outsiders need to be sensitive to ________.
    1. the opinions of other outsiders
    2. the divine truth
    3. the ways in which it serves the needs of its followers
    4. the way it ought to be
37. The divisions of Buddhism are called:
    1. Vehicles
    2. Subdivisions
    3. Groups
    4. Sects
38. The Harappan culture was named after:
    1. The archeological site in Punjab in modern Pakistan.
    2. The Indo Europeans
    3. An archeological site in India
    4. None of the above
39. The Harappan culture is also known as:
    1. The Indus Valley civilization
    2. The Indo European civilization
    3. The civilization of Hinduism
    4. The Hindu civilization
40. What do we know about the Indus Valley civilization
    1. Their planned cities
    2. Sewer system and Seals made of clay
    3. A and B
    4. Language and religious culture
41. What is true about the Great Bath at Harappa?
    1. A place of purification like “temple tanks” that appeared in later Hinduism
    2. Similar to ancient South Indian temples where mating rituals were performed
    3. It could have been a brothel containing some religious annotation
    4. All of the above
42. In historic cultures, horned males are associated with:
    1. male deity
    2. shaman
    3. A and B
    4. none of the above
43. Pipal tree is significant in Hinduism and in Buddhism it is known as the:
44. Bodhi tree
45. Mango tree
46. Neem tree
47. All of the above

True or False Questions

In India, serpent spirits are called nagas.

The surahs of the Qur'an are believed to be the sacred words of God revealed to the prophet Muhammad by an angel.

One thing shamans do is appease animal spirits.

Obon is a religious food offering.

One way avatars are savior figures is that they are understood to have fought the forces of evil before the dawn of humanity.

One of the gods associated with the virility of the bull is Dionysus.

One of the four elements in the ancient Greek cosmology is earth.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is one of the oldest scriptures in history.

Ancient cultures around the world favoured low-lying locations as burial sites.

Non-violence to all life represented a novel practice when it appeared within Ganges spirituality.

Islam asserts that its holy scripture was in God's "mind" before the creation of the world.

The gospels were not written until two or three generations after the death of Jesus.

A correlation seems to exist between the use of ritual and events perceived as dangerous.

Harappa is an archeological site in India.

Today we know almost everything about Harappa including its original name and its language and religious culture.

The Harappan culture is also known as the Indus Valley Civilization which was the largest civilization of its era.

Today, we know that the inhabitants of Harappa had extensive knowledge about town planning and sewer system.

The followers of Zarathustra migrated from Afghanistan to India and are called Parsees.

A prophet speaks the wisdom of the ages.

The founders of Asian religions were usually sages like Laozi and Buddha.

God was beyond human understanding was the idea preached by Shankara.

Faith-based approach promotes a specific interpretation of a religious idea.

Interfaith approach can be found in schools, in chaplaincy or in classes offered at religiously affiliated schools.

Interfaith approach deals with sharing of important characteristics of a religion through stories etc. between adherents of different faiths.

When a student encounters holy places and meets with religious leaders of a faith, she/he is using experiential approach to study a religion.

Short Answer Questions

What are three basic characteristics of religion from ancient times? Use examples to illustrate your answer.

What did Bronislaw Malinowski learn about dangerous endeavours and ritual?

What is one way that certain illnesses are dealt with in Sri Lanka?

Ancient people preferred high places for burial sites. What did they do if there were no high places?

How does the concept of "sky father" unite the various Indo-European peoples?

What is the story of Amitabha Buddha about and what religious concept is it connected to?

What are three of the reasons people study religion?

How and when did temple religion develop?

What is the Energy God?

Where do "insiders" get their religious knowledge?

What are some of the problems with dividing religions into Eastern and Western religions?

What is meant by a mystery religion?

According to your text, in what way does the poet Ogden Nash's statement "Whatever the mind comes at, God is not that" resemble core ideas of the Energy God?

Briefly describe the Harappan Culture. What are some of the things found at Harappa that are similar to later Hinduism?

What is the difference between sages and prophets? What popular religions had sages?

Describe the academic study of religion.

What are the five overarching assertions about religions according to scholars?

What are some of the methods to study religion?

What is the difference between academic study of religion and theology?

Essay Questions

What is the Hindu story of Princess Dhamayanti about?

What is the Bhagavad Gita and what teachings does it impart?

What are the nine waves of religion? Briefly explain each.

What are the various patterns that can be observed in most religions? Briefly explain each.

What is scriptural religion?

Why is the emergence of avatars (incarnation) associated with a shift away from sacrificial rituals to that of faith?

How does the concept of avatar appear in three different religions?

Why do we study religion?

Describe some academic and non-academic methods to study religion.

Where did the Harappan Culture flourished? What are some of the things found at Harappa that indicate that this culture was the predecessor of later Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism?

Chapter 2

Hindu Traditions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Hinduism, an acharya is a ________.
   1. court musician
   2. religious instructor
   3. sacred text
   4. medium
2. The earliest Vedas were composed in ________.
   1. 1750–1500 BCE
   2. 1800–1900 CE
   3. 1350–1276 BCE
   4. 1500–1750 CE
3. Mohenjo Daro is an ancient city ________.
   1. along the Ganges
   2. along the Indus River
   3. in Iran
   4. in Afghanistan
4. The Indo-Europeans were a group of people who shared ________.
   1. a family of languages
   2. flint weapons
   3. a belief in shamans
   4. cooking techniques

A, pp. 34-36

1. The Vedic rishis were ________.
   1. undertakers
   2. doctors
   3. kings
   4. seers
2. In Vedic hymns, Soma is the god of ________.
   1. procreation
   2. magic
   3. the moon
   4. wealth
3. According to the Hindu Vedas, Sarasvati is the goddess of ________.
   1. motherhood
   2. speech
   3. fertility
   4. death
4. A dominant feature of Vedic religion was ________.
   1. confirmation
   2. celibacy
   3. confession
   4. ritual sacrifice
5. The Vedic "Hymn to the Supreme Person" is about ________.
   1. Shiva and the dance of destruction
   2. Vishnu and the Great Flood
   3. God creating the world in seven days
   4. the sacrifice of the primeval man
6. In the Hindu tradition, the members of the priestly class are associated with God's ________.
   1. legs
   2. feet
   3. arms
   4. mouth
7. In the Vedic hymns, Agni is the god of ________.
   1. war
   2. fire
   3. the sun
   4. water
8. Most of the Upanishads took the form of ________.
   1. conversations
   2. novelettes
   3. mysteries
   4. amusing stories
9. In the Hindu tradition, the system of rewards and punishments attached to various actions is called ________.
   1. karma
   2. duty
   3. kama
   4. law
10. In Hinduism, the cycle of rebirth is called ________.
    1. aranyakas
    2. satya
    3. samsara
    4. amrita
11. In the Hindu tradition, moksha is ________.
    1. an Indian ritual drink
    2. sin
    3. expulsion from paradise
    4. liberation from rebirth
12. According to Hindu thought, at the heart of liberating wisdom is ________.
    1. Brahman
    2. the soul
    3. knowing the relationship between Atman and Brahman
    4. Atman
13. In the Upanishads the Supreme Being is called ________.
    1. Mahavira
    2. Atman
    3. Brahman
    4. Dyaus Piter
14. The famous dictum in the Chandogya Upanishad, tat tvam asi means ________.
    1. "God is one"
    2. "God is love"
    3. "you are that"
    4. "the end is God"
15. The wife of the sage Yajnavalkya, named ________, played an important role in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
    1. Ramanuja
    2. Shankara
    3. Maitreyi
    4. Sarasvati
16. One type of smrti is ________.
    1. prayers
    2. dharmashastras
    3. Aranyakas
    4. Vedas
17. In classical Hinduism, shruti refers to ________.
    1. inspired texts
    2. preached sermons
    3. remembered texts
    4. revealed texts
18. One of Indiaʹs great epics is entitled ________.
    1. Ramanuja
    2. Ralpachen
    3. Rongzong
    4. Ramayana
19. In the Ramayana, King Dasarathaʹs son, ________, is exiled because of a promise to one of his wives.
    1. Ravana
    2. Rama
    3. Krishna
    4. Ram Rajya
20. The Ramayana introduces a monkey with divine ancestry. This monkey is named ________.
    1. Hanuman
    2. Krishna
    3. Ravana
    4. Ganesha
21. In classical Hinduism, Sita is often seen as the ________.
    1. goddess of music
    2. ideal mother
    3. goddess of the earth
    4. ideal wife
22. The Mahabharata has ________ verses.
    1. about 50,000
    2. about 100,000
    3. Vedic
    4. sexually explicit
23. The main part of the Mahabharata is about a struggle between the Pandavas and the ________.
    1. Maha Bharatas
    2. Kauravas
    3. Mahaviras
    4. Krishnacharyas
24. According to the Mahabharata, Krishna is the charioteer of ________.
    1. Indra
    2. Minos
    3. Arjuna
    4. Rama
25. The Bhagavad Gita is ________.
    1. a fire offering manual
    2. a yoga manual
    3. part of the Upanishads
    4. part of the Mahabharata
26. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna claims to be ________.
    1. the truth
    2. a personal god
    3. the author of the text
    4. the son of Indra
27. One way to liberation is through ________.
    1. karma yoga
    2. bhakti yoga
    3. jnana yoga
    4. all of the above

D, pp. 45-47

1. Some Hindu texts assimilated ________ as an incarnation of Vishnu.
   1. Sarasvati
   2. Kali
   3. Brahman
   4. the Buddha
2. In the Hindu tradition, bhakti is ________.
   1. a creator god
   2. devotion to a deity
   3. a holy man
   4. the sacred cow
3. Hindu devotees who give primacy to Vishnu are called ________.
   1. Varna
   2. Vaishnavas
   3. bhaktiwala
   4. Shaivas

B, pp. 47-48

1. Hindu devotees who give primacy to Parvati are called ________.
   1. Deviwalas
   2. Shaktas
   3. Parvatikas
   4. Shaivas
2. The first avatara of Vishnu is ________.
   1. a fish
   2. Manu
   3. Krishna
   4. a lion
3. There are about ________ Hindus around the world.
   1. 500 million to 750 million
   2. 950 million to 1 billion
   3. 1 billion to 1.5 billion
   4. 750 million to 900 million
4. Some Puranas celebrate the love between Krishna and ________.
   1. Hanuman
   2. Radha
   3. Ganesha
   4. Shiva
5. Vishnu's consort is ________.
   1. Kali
   2. Lakshmi
   3. Parvati
   4. Vasuki
6. When Hindus visit a temple, they seek darshana, or ________ by the deity.
   1. the grace given
   2. the world as created
   3. the words spoken
   4. seeing and being seen
7. In Hinduism, Shiva appears ________.
   1. as the new sun god, similar to Apollo
   2. in paradoxical roles
   3. as a goose
   4. sequentially
8. In North India, Holi is ________.
   1. the goddess of renewal
   2. the root of the word "holiness"
   3. a spring festival
   4. a bough of vegetation
9. In Hinduism, one of the festivals dedicated to the Goddess is ________.
   1. Navaratri
   2. Meenakshi
   3. Murugana
   4. Devanagari

A, pp. 85-86

1. Om is a ________.
   1. syllable chanted in meditation
   2. writing system
   3. spiritual teacher
   4. devotional poet
2. According to the Puranas, the cosmic cycles called manavantaras are made up of ________.
   1. 4 eons (yugas)
   2. 71 great eons (maha yugas)
   3. light years
   4. 60-year cycles
3. In the Hindu tradition, a samnyasin is ________.
   1. an ascetic
   2. a cycle of rebirth
   3. a student
   4. a traditional medicine
4. Madhva taught a philosophy that was ________.
   1. explicitly dualistic
   2. hermeneutic
   3. monastic
   4. empirical
5. The word "Hinduism" is derived from the word ________.
   1. India
   2. Harappa
   3. Hanuman
   4. Sind
6. "Hinduism" became a common term of identity in ________.
   1. nineteenth century CE
   2. tenth century CE
   3. first century BCE
   4. sixteenth century CE
7. Of the four Vedic compositions, ________ is markedly different in orientation from the other three.
   1. Rig
   2. Sama
   3. Atharva
   4. Yajur
8. The ________ were considered "custodians" of the Vedas.
   1. Vaishyas
   2. Brahmins
   3. Shudras
   4. Kshatriyas
9. ________ has been most widely known and performed throughout Southeast Asia.
   1. The Gita Govinda
   2. The Ramayana
   3. The Bhagavad Gita
   4. The Mahabharata
10. Hindu temples ________.
    1. are accessible only by brahmins
    2. represent the spatial and temporal cosmos
    3. are exclusive to Vaishnavites
    4. provide a dwelling place for avatars
11. Manu, in Indian mythology, refers to ________.
    1. the philosopher Ramanuja
    2. the primordial man who Vishnu saved from the flood
    3. the first rishi
    4. the dharmashastras
12. In the Hindu tradition, the term "twice born" denotes ________.
    1. taking the name of one's father
    2. ascetic rejection of social obligations
    3. born a Twin
    4. spiritual rebirth
13. After many centuries of being eclipsed by Buddhism, Hinduism re-emerged forcefully during ________.
    1. the Ashok Empire
    2. the British Colonial period
    3. the Indus Valley/Harappa civilization
    4. the Gupta Empire
14. The deities we are most likely to encounter is the Puranas are ________.
    1. Mahavira and the Buddha
    2. Agni and Indra
    3. Kabir and Nanak
    4. Vishnu and Shiva

D, pp. 49-50

1. In Hinduism, ________ is considered to be the patron(ess) of the arts.
   1. Sarasvati
   2. Krishna
   3. Rama
   4. Parvarti
2. The son of Shiva and Parvarti, ________, is especially popular in South India.
   1. Hanuman
   2. Ganesha
   3. Murugan
   4. Krishna
3. In terms of the Hindu cosmic cycles of time (yugas), we are presently in ________.
   1. krta yuga
   2. dvapara yuga
   3. kali yuga
   4. treta yuga
4. According to the dharmashastras, the prestige and power of the shudra caste was derived solely from ________.
   1. knowledge
   2. old age
   3. wealth
   4. manual skills
5. In Hinduism, advaita denotes ________.
   1. non-dualism between self and God
   2. non-violence
   3. one of the four Vedas
   4. dualism between self and God
6. The Indian medieval philosopher ________ rejected the idea that Brahman is without attributes and instead insisted that Vishnu is all pervading in the material world.
   1. Shankara
   2. Gandhi
   3. Madhva
   4. Ramanuja
7. The ________ community in India treats the philosopher Ramanuja as a savior and includes his image in many of their temples.
   1. Shaivas
   2. Jains
   3. Sri Vaishnavas
   4. Tantras
8. The tantric component of the Hindu tradition ________.
   1. is a nineteenth-century phenomenon
   2. appeared independent of the Vedic tradition
   3. was an integral part of the Vedas
   4. originated in Tibet
9. Of the four components of the tantric system in Hinduism, ________ refers to praxis and rituals.
   1. jnana
   2. carya
   3. yoga
   4. kriya
10. Kundalini is a form of yoga ________.
    1. derived from bhakti
    2. derived from tantra
    3. derived from the Yajur Veda
    4. derived from Kashmir
11. Ayurvedic medicine resembles ________.
    1. modern homeopathic medicine
    2. ancient Greek and Chinese medicines
    3. asceticism
    4. naturopathy
12. Cambodia's magnificent Angkor Wat temple was dedicated to ________.
    1. Shiva
    2. Jesus
    3. Devi
    4. Vishnu
13. The bhakti movement in Hinduism first began in ________.
    1. North India
    2. South India
    3. East India
    4. West India

B, pp. 63-64

1. The bhakti movement in Hinduism emphasized ________.
   1. use of vernacular languages
   2. poetry and music
   3. love and devotion
   4. all of the above
2. The ISKCON "Hare Krishna" movement traces its origins to ________.
   1. twentieth Kerela with Indira Gandhi
   2. sixth century BCE Bihar with Swami Mahavira
   3. fifteenth century CE Bengal with Chaitanya
   4. nineteenth century Gujarat with Rajchandra
3. Ram Mohan Roy’s organization, the Brahmo Samaj, drew upon the ________ for inspiration.
   1. Puranas
   2. works of Mira Bai
   3. Upanishads
   4. epics
4. The reformer Dayananda Sarasvati’s Arya Samaj rejected ________ as contrary to "true" Hindu teachings.
   1. image worship
   2. the Samhitas
   3. the early Vedas
   4. the Sama Veda
5. What is Ghaggar-hakra?
6. Network of rivers often thought of as Sarasvati of Rig Veda
7. An archeological site in India
8. Part of ganga
9. None of the above
10. One of the following statements is true:
    1. The dating and origins of Harappan civilization are very accurate
    2. The dating and origins of Harappan civilization are known by some
    3. The dating and origins of Harappan civilization are not unknown
    4. The dating and origins of Harappan civilization are not accurately known
11. Linga is placed in a receptacle called:
    1. Yoni
    2. Mandala
    3. Yantara
    4. None of the above
12. Linga represents:
    1. Energies of Shiva and presence of spirituality in all creation
    2. A column of light
    3. Creative side of Shiva
    4. All of the above
13. The union of linga and yoni is a symbolization of:
    1. Male and female energies combining and creating the universe
    2. Escape from the cycle of samsara
    3. a and b
    4. none of the above
14. Shiva is known as:
15. Nataraja, the king of dance
16. Singer
17. The black one
18. None of the above
19. Nataraja has four hands representing:
    1. An hourglass-shaped drum that represents sound
    2. Fearlessness; flame representing destruction
    3. Liberation
    4. All of the above

D, pp. 50-51

1. Tandava is the type of dance:
   1. That represents tenderness and grace
   2. That is aggressive and produces energy
   3. A and B
   4. Not a fierce dance but gentle
2. What rituals did rulers in India went through that became popular around 6^th century CE?
   1. Tantric rituals of initiation
   2. Vedanta rituals
   3. Pratikramana
   4. Samayika
3. Chakra is __
   1. A weapon of Vishnu, wheel of dharma and time, energy center at the bottom of human spine
   2. Sudarshana
   3. On the national flag of India
   4. All of the above
4. In the Rig Veda, __ is referred to sun, time, cycle of samsara and central components in mandalas called yantras.
5. The lotus flower
6. Chakra wheel
7. The dance of shiva
8. Sri Lakshmi
9. Parvati is also known as:
   1. Lalitha
   2. Sarasvati
   3. Durga
   4. None of the above
10. A set of nine interlocking triangles symbolizing male and female energies in a lotus-shaped circle is known as:
    1. Sri chakra
    2. chakra
    3. weapon of Vishnu
    4. symbol of destruction caused by Shiva
11. __ is represented in the three-dimensional image of the sri chakra:
    1. Bindu
    2. Shiva
    3. Mount Meru
    4. Vishnu
12. The national flower of India is:
    1. Jasmine
    2. Rose
    3. The lotus flower
    4. Tulip
13. Which deity(ies) is the lotus flower associated with:
    1. Lakshmi, Brahma, Vishnu, Sarasvati
    2. Jina mahavira
    3. Shiva
    4. None of the above

True or False Questions

The composition of the Laws of Manu occurred in approximately 500 CE.

The tantric tradition began in approximately 500 CE.

The Vedanta Temple was built in San Francisco in 1905-06.

The historical period of the Indus Valley civilization lasted from 4500 to 600 BCE.

The brahmins were the custodians of the Vedas and reserved for themselves the authority to study and teach these holy words.

The Taittiriya Upanishad associates Brahman with illusion.

One of the six schools of Hindu philosophy is Vaisheshika.

For many Hindus, the classic yoga text is entitled the Yoga Sutras.

In the Hindu tradition, Ayurveda is a systematic approach to metaphysics.

In Southeast Asia, Shiva is often worshiped as represented by the creative symbol of the linga

The term dharma is a blanket concept that includes all that Hindus consider to be sacred.

The words "Ireland," "Iran," and "Aryans" likely share a common linguistic root.

The Indian caste system was strengthened during the British colonial period.

The caste system plays an equally important role within Hindu communities outside of India as it does for those within India.

Renunciation of society became less common with the increasing popularity of the message of the Bhagavad Gita.

The ancient Harappa civilization had a written script.

Women poets are represented in the earliest of the Vedas.

Ideas of an afterlife and/or rebirth are elaborated in the earliest of the Vedic hymns .

Most Hindus are vegetarian.

In South India, the festival of Deepavali (Diwali) commemorates Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura.

A male Hindu child is said to be born with three debts.

Western scholars have challenged the idea of Hinduism as a unified tradition.

Hinduism is often compared with a banyan tree or a Venn diagram because of the commonalities that exist between various communities.

There are many commonalities between different Hindu communities for example, festivals, worship, common texts and caste system.

Ghaggar-Hakra is a network of rivers usually associated with the female goddess Parvati of Rig Veda.

The origins of the civilization of Harappa have been very well known among the archaeologists.

Ramayana has been preserved in only one language i.e. Sanskrit.

Yoni is a receptacle that represents the womb.

Linga is translated in English as “phallus” and is considered a physical object by Hindus.

The male and female energies of the linga and yoni generate spiritual birth which leads to escape from the cycle of samsara.

Shiva-Nataraja, the king of dance, has dominance over universal energy as well as ultimate inner peace.

Tantric texts and practices are in total opposition to Vedas.

Tantra’s sources include the Brahmanic worldview, the Atharva Veda as well as northern India’s practices of revering female goddesses and yoginis.

The Chakra is referred to as the weapon of Vishnu, the wheel of dharma, the wheel of time and a central image in the national flag of India.

The chakra is a central image in Kundalini Yoga as well as new age movements.

Mandalas or yantras have the chakra as the most important component.

Lalitha is another name of Radha.

The bindu or the dot is at the center of the sri chakra and symbolize the nondual union between Shiva and Shakti

The three-dimensional image of sri chakra represent a mountain considered holy by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists i.e. Mount Meru.

Kamakhya temple in Assam is designed in accordance with the concept of sri chakra.

Short Answer Questions

What are three different theories on the origins of Hinduism?

What are the four major sections of each Vedic collection?

How does the Vedic "Hymn to the Supreme Person" account for the origins of the world and the caste system?

What are the three ways to liberation, according to the Bhagavad Gita?

What is the trimurti concept and how is it misleading?

What were the four stages of life for males from the three higher classes in society?

What did Patanjali contribute to yoga?

8. Other than India, what are some of the other countries to which Hinduism spread? How do we

know that this occurred?

1. Who were the Nayanmars and the Alvars and what did they do?
2. Who was Ramakrishna and what did he do?
3. Why did the Indus Valley/Harappan civilization disappear?
4. How were the Vedas revealed, according to Hindu tradition?
5. How do the terms "dharma" and "religion" relate in Hinduism?
6. With the rise of tantra, Ayurvedic medicine underwent changes. What were they?
7. Some scholars have challenged the idea that Hinduism is a unified tradition. Does it have any validity?
8. Shiva is one of the classical deities in Hinduism. What are some of the symbols that are associated with him?
9. What are the sources of Tantra?
10. What are some of the most important objects in Hinduism and their significance?
11. What are the two levels of auspiciousness associated with the lotus flower and the goddess Lakshmi?
12. Briefly describe the water repellant nature of the lotus flower and its significance.
13. What are some of the challenges that Hindus face today?

Essay Questions

1. What was the interpreter Shankaraʹs understanding of Vedanta?
2. What are the basic elements of the story in the Ramayana?
3. How do non-dualists interpret the mystic syllable om?
4. How was the Supreme Being understood in the Upanishads and bhakti literature?
5. What is the Indo-European migration theory and why is it the source of so much dispute?
6. Hindus have faced severe scrutiny and discrimination all over the world. There are some other challenges as well. Explain in detail the challenges that they have faced.

Chapter 3

Sikh Traditions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. "Sikh" is a Punjabi word meaning ________.
   1. searcher
   2. devotee
   3. disciple
   4. steward
2. There are about ________ Sikhs around the world.
   1. 5 million
   2. 35 million
   3. 53 million
   4. 25 million
3. There are more than ________ Sikhs living in India.
   1. 15 million
   2. 5 million
   3. 10 million
   4. 20 million
4. The founder of the Sikh tradition was Guru ________.
   1. Kabir
   2. Ravidas
   3. Namdev
   4. Nanak
5. The founder of the Sikh tradition lived from ________.
   1. 1777 to 1834 CE
   2. 1850 to 1910 CE
   3. 1469 to 1539 CE
   4. 1398 to 1476 CE
6. Nath terminology in the Sikh founder’s hymns suggest that he ________.
   1. was secretly a Nath
   2. was openly Nath
   3. fought against Naths
   4. engaged in debates with Naths
7. Guru Nanak had a mystical experience in ________.
   1. 1499
   2. 1425
   3. 1872
   4. 1785
8. The hagiographical ________ provide(s) much of the information about Guru Nanak's life.
   1. janam-sakhis
   2. Lodhi Sultanate
   3. dhadhis
   4. Adi-Sahib
9. The declaration, "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" indicates ________ in Sikhism.
   1. anti-Hindu/anti-Muslim tendencies
   2. a belief in an underlying common humanity
   3. Buddhist tendencies
   4. Jaina tendencies
10. Guru Nanak was ________ years old when he began his mission.
    1. 50
    2. 30
    3. 25
    4. 35
11. In 1519, Guru Nanak founded the village of ________.
    1. Kartarpur
    2. Lahore
    3. Nankana Sahib
    4. Delhi
12. Devotional singing in Sikhism is called ________.
    1. amrit
    2. doha
    3. kirtan
    4. gita
13. The first community of Sikhs was called the ________.
    1. Nanak-Panth
    2. Confirmed
    3. Comglomus
    4. Sangha
14. The authenticity of Guru Nanak's message came from ________.
    1. ancient holy scriptures
    2. the teachings of 100 gurus
    3. the teachings of the Buddha
    4. his personal experience of the Divine Reality
15. The most authoritative account of Guru Nanakʹs teachings is ________.
    1. his collection of gospels
    2. the Amrit
    3. his collection of 974 hymns
    4. his biography
16. By defining the "true Hindu" and the "true Muslim," Guru Nanak ________.
    1. attacked both religions
    2. dismissed their false gods
    3. was attempting to attract Jainas
    4. distinguished true from false believers
17. In Sikhism, the "Honored Recitation" is also called ________.
    1. Nama-mantra
    2. Mantra-japa
    3. Japji
    4. Japa-nama
18. In the evening, Sikhs chant Sodar and ________.
    1. Sangiti
    2. Dohas
    3. Arti
    4. Amrit
19. The institution of langar, or communal meal, promoted ________.
    1. medical charity
    2. egalitarianism
    3. politics
    4. war with enemy rulers
20. Guru Nanak's disciple Lehna was renamed ________ and was appointed as the second Guru.
    1. Nanakputra
    2. Sangat
    3. Angad
    4. Rama
21. Guru Angad faced a challenge by Sri Chand, the founderʹs ________.
    1. other disciple
    2. consort
    3. father
    4. son
22. Guru Angad established a Sikh center at ________.
    1. Lahore
    2. Islamabad
    3. Khadur
    4. Peshawar
23. The third Guru of the Sikh Panth was ________.
    1. Ram Das
    2. Nanakaputra
    3. Gurumukhi
    4. Amar Das
24. One of the institutions that the third Guru initiated to reinforce cohesion of the Sikh community was ________.
    1. communion
    2. fasting
    3. vegetarianism
    4. the annual festivals
25. Guru Amar Das abolished the wearing of the veil and ________.
    1. the practice of sati
    2. homosexuality
    3. the worship of Hindu gods
    4. Vedic puja
26. After a large bathing pool was built in Ramdaspur, the town was renamed ________, meaning "nectar of immortality."
    1. Nanakpur
    2. Ludhinana
    3. Delhi
    4. Amritsar
27. Guru Ram Das added ________ hymns to Sikh scripture.
    1. 679
    2. 159
    3. 25
    4. 610
28. The fifth Sikh Guru, ________, lived from 1563 to 1606 CE.
    1. Ram Das
    2. Arjan
    3. Dabistan
    4. Nanakputra
29. The fifth Sikh Guru built the famous ________.
    1. Golden Temple
    2. Mariamman Temple
    3. Taj Mahal
    4. city of Lahore
30. From its beginnings through the mid-seventeenth century, Sikhism was so successful it attracted ________.
    1. Christians
    2. the support of kings
    3. unfavourable attention by authorities
    4. Buddhists
31. The Mughal emperor, Jahangir, ________ Guru Arjan in 1606.
    1. honored
    2. exiled
    3. sanctified
    4. martyred
32. The sixth Sikh Guru was ________.
    1. Hari Hari
    2. Hargobind
    3. Sri Rama
    4. Narain
33. Under the sixth guru, the Sikh Panth ________.
    1. declined
    2. became a mendicant religion
    3. took up arms
    4. became yogic
34. The eighth Sikh Guru was ________.
    1. Harkrishan
    2. Tegh Bahadur
    3. Ram Das
    4. Har Rai
35. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ________ Guru of Sikhism.
    1. fifth
    2. tenth
    3. eleventh
    4. ninth
36. Guru Tegh Bahadur encouraged the Sikh Panth to pursue a just society ________.
    1. fearlessly
    2. obediently
    3. patiently
    4. with violence
37. The tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, created the ________.
    1. piri
    2. Sikh horsemen
    3. Khalsa order
    4. Sikh university
38. Guru Gobind Singh was ________ of the Sikh Gurus.
    1. the greatest
    2. the most liberal
    3. the last
    4. the most intellectual
39. In Sikhism, the ________ are outward symbols of the divine Word.
    1. Five Ks
    2. Cherished Five
    3. Ten Gurus
    4. four categories of sacred literature
40. The primary scripture of Sikhism is the ________.
    1. Adi Guruvac
    2. Adi Granth
    3. Gurusangiti
    4. Devivac
41. The third category of Sikh sacred literature consists of works by Bhai Gurdas and ________.
    1. Bhai Nand Lal Goya
    2. the Bhagats
    3. Kabir
    4. the Bhatts
42. The Sikh Rahit Maryada is the Sikh ________.
    1. political manifesto
    2. code of conduct
    3. Bible
    4. book of metaphysics
43. At the inauguration of the Khalsa in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh symbolically transferred ________ to the Cherished Five.
    1. two swords
    2. spiritual authority
    3. the golden throne
    4. holy scriptures
44. The Sikh Mul Mantar ("Seed Formula") is a statement about ________.
    1. Divine Grace
    2. ethics
    3. avatars
    4. Ultimate Reality
45. The Sikh Gurus were fiercely opposed to any ________ of the divine.
    1. service to
    2. anti-trinitarian views
    3. direct mention
    4. anthropomorphic conception
46. ________ separates us from Akal Purakh, the Eternal One, in Sikh understanding.
    1. Self-centeredness
    2. Hukam
    3. Samsara
    4. Physicality
47. The primacy of ________ over personal effort is fundamental to Guru Nanakʹs theology.
    1. the Gurus
    2. the scriptures
    3. divine grace
    4. samsara
48. In Sikhism, the key to a righteous life is ________ to others.
    1. living a superior life
    2. obedience
    3. rendering service
    4. confession
49. Sikhism is dedicated to ________.
    1. to achieve freedom from reincarnation
    2. the defence of human rights
    3. self-glorification
    4. to render service
50. Sikhs are disciples of ________.
    1. Adi Granth
    2. the ten Gurus
    3. Akal Purakh
    4. All of the above
51. The ________ shaped the historical development of the Sikh tradition
    1. rise of Hindu devotions
    2. urban base of Punjabi society and historical context of Nanak's successors
    3. rural base of Punjabi society and historical context of Nanak's successors
    4. decline of Buddhism
52. The traditional Sikh singer-musicians called Dhadhis specialize in _________ ballads.
    1. romantic
    2. humorous
    3. martial
    4. melancholic
53. Guru Nanak considered obedience from his followers to be ________.
    1. an act of friendship
    2. a voluntary decision
    3. an ethical duty
    4. unimportant
54. Guru Amar Das ________.
    1. gave women equal rights to conduct prayers publicly
    2. appointed women as missionaries and allowed widows to remarry
    3. abolished the need for women to veil and the practice of sati
    4. All of the above
55. In the early decades of its development, the majority of the Sikh community were ethnically ________.
    1. Naths, urbanites with tantric cultural traditions
    2. Jats, agriculturalists with martial cultural traditions
    3. Jainas, urbanites with renunciatory cultural traditions
    4. Dhadhis, agriculturalists with musical cultural traditions
56. Guru ________ was publicly executed in 1675 by Emperor Aurangzeb.
    1. Amar Das
    2. Gobind Singh
    3. Nanak
    4. Tegh Bahadur
57. The Sikh code of conduct prohibits all of the following except ________.
    1. cutting one's hair
    2. committing adultery
    3. eating meat products
    4. smoking
58. In Sikhism, the janam-sakhis are ________.
    1. one of several names for the Sikh code of conduct
    2. the poem of Guru Gobind Singh to Aurangzeb
    3. composed by Bhai Gurudas for singing in the Gurdwara
    4. birth narrative of Guru Nanak
59. The Sikh gur-bilas ("splendour of the Guru") literature is focused primarily on the two great warrior Gurus ________.
    1. Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh
    2. Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Amar Das
    3. Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur
    4. Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Hargobind
60. Guru Nanak's invocation of One God is contained within the ________.
    1. Zafarnama
    2. Mul Mantar
    3. rahit-namas
    4. guru-bilas
61. The Supreme Being of the Sikh tradition is ________.
    1. is immanent in all things
    2. is transcendent of creation
    3. is a personal god
    4. all of the above
62. In Sikhism, God is known through ________.
    1. his incarnation in the form of a human being
    2. revelation through a prophet
    3. the Gurus
    4. personal experience
63. In Sikhism, the all-pervasive divine order, will, and command is known as ________.
    1. Zafarnama
    2. Mul Mantar
    3. Adi Granth
    4. hukam
64. The three terms that Guru Nanak used to describe the nature of divine revelation included all of the following except ________.
    1. guru
    2. nam
    3. hukam
    4. shabad
65. Sikhs use the name ________ to refer to the Supreme Being.
    1. Allah
    2. Sahib
    3. Ram
    4. All of the above
66. In Sikhism, fixed prayers are recited ________.
    1. Beginning in the early morning
    2. Beginning at Noon
    3. Beginning at Sunset
    4. No fixed prayers exist within the Sikh tradition.
67. The Sikh festival Baisakhi marks ________.
    1. the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh
    2. the birthday of Guru Nanak
    3. the birthday of the Sikh community
    4. the birthday of the Guru Amar Das
68. In Sikhism, the Khalsa initiation ceremony takes place ________.
    1. when the candidate reaches the age of 13
    2. when the candidate is willing and able to accept the Khalsa discipline
    3. immediately after the birth of a child
    4. when the candidate enters the ritual bath
69. At the time of death of a Sikh devotee, the ________ is recited while the body (body and casket in diaspora) is being cremated.
    1. Kirtan Sohila
    2. Granthi
    3. Vahiguru
    4. Silence is observed.
70. In Sikh practice, the ideal women was defined as ________.
    1. a good wife
    2. a good daughter
    3. a good mother
    4. all of the above

D, pp. 143-144

1. The consequence of the events of 1984, "Operation Blue Star" and the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was ________.
   1. a stronger bond between liberal and fundamentalism Sikhs
   2. division of Sikhs into liberal and fundamentalist camps
   3. a decision to prohibit Sikhs from wearing the kirpan
   4. greater autonomy for all states in India
2. The official Sikh response to homosexuality is _______.
   1. indifferent
   2. positive
   3. undecided
   4. negative
3. The source of the word Karam is derived from:
   1. Arabic
   2. Sanskrit
   3. Urdu
   4. Hindi
4. Guru Arjan coined the expression dhur ki bani to show:
   1. Sikh notion of revelation
   2. Guru Nanak’s mystical experience
   3. Haumai
   4. The nature of Akal Purakh
5. Simaran is derived from the Sanskrit root marana which means:
   1. to die or to pass away
   2. to live and pass on
   3. to create
   4. to be enlightened
6. Sikhs started immigrating to Canada a few years after __:
   1. Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebration in 1897
   2. Queen Elizabeth’s birthday celebration
   3. The Sikh regiment passed through British Columbia
   4. A and C
7. Sikh community was beginning to get visible in Canada with the establishment of:
   1. Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver
   2. Khalsa Diwan Society in Ontario
   3. Istari Satsang in New York
   4. Khalsa Diwan Society in Montreal
8. This ship containing Sikhs and other Indians was denied landing rights at Vancouver harbour:
   1. Komagata Maru
   2. Nippon Maru
   3. Dehli Express
   4. None of the above
9. What is true about the Canadian government’s change of policy after WW II?
10. It became more inclusive and accepting of Asian immigrants
11. Immigration Act of 1951 introduced a quota system for application
12. A and B
13. None of the above
14. A temple accommodating different religions was opened in __ by __
15. Stockton, Punjabi Sikhs
16. Stockholm, Muslims
17. Stockton, Digambaras
18. Stockholm, Hindus
19. What is true about the case of citizenship of Bhagat Singh Thind:
20. He was granted citizenship by Oregon District Court
21. He became ineligible to be a citizen after Justice Sutherland’s ruling about Caucasian race
22. It was ruled that Caucasian race can only be used to refer to White people
23. All of the above
24. What bill enabled Sikhs to hold public office?
25. Luce-Cellar Bill that was signed into law in 1946
26. Immigration Act of 1965
27. Immigration Act of 1967
28. Clare Boothe Bill

A, pp. 148-149

1. The Immigration bill of 1965 was passed by President Lynden Johnson which:
2. Allowed immigrants to come in without any background checks
3. Increased quota per country to 20,000
4. Banned Muslims from 6 countries
5. Introduced the system of chain migration
6. Istari Satsang means:
7. Spiritual Fellowship of Women
8. To offer sacrifices to the Guru
9. To gather for devotional activities
10. A and C
11. These are the most frequently recited scriptural hymns at Istari Satsang:
12. Guru Arjan’s Sukhmani
13. Guru Nanak’s gurbani
14. All of Adi Granth
15. None of the above
16. How have Sikh women empowered themselves through Istari Satsang?
17. They were successful in having a gurdwara built at Model Town, Ludhiana
18. They have active women groups that organize and celebrate festivals and anniversaries
19. They take part in Gurprub celebrations
20. All of the above

True or False Questions

The Adi Granth was compiled under the supervision of Guru Ram Das. F, pp. 123-124

Guru Gobind Singh organized the Khalsa in 1599 CE.

The last prayer offered in the morning by Sikhs is the Anand Sahib.

Sikhs pursue spiritual liberation within their lifetimes by adopting nam-simaran, the discipline of remembering the divine Name.

There are three types of spiritual authority in Sikhism: the eternal Guru, the teacher as Guru, and the scripture as Guru.

Sikhs who are not Khalsa members but are part of the Nanak Panth are called Sehaj-dharis, or gradualists.

The leader of the Namdharis was Guru Gobind Singh.

The Sikh Panth has never been monolithic or homogeneous.

God, in the Sikh tradition, incarnates during times of cosmic crisis.

The Sikh tradition shares with the Hindu, Jaina, and Buddhist traditions a belief in the possibility of liberation from the cycle of rebirth

The Sikh tradition is one of the oldest in South Asia.

The Sikh tradition emerged in a religious context uniformly dominated by Islam.

Guru Nanak understood his mission to preach the divine Name to be divinely ordained.

Devotional singing (kirtan) was an early form of Sikh worship.

Sikhs believe that Guru Nanak had a direct access to the Divine Reality itself.

Guru Nanak shared with the poet-saint Kabir negative ideas about women.

In the Sikh tradition, there is a liturgical requirement to sing the sacred Word, not just recite.

The Sikh communcal meal typically includes vegetarian meal

The Sikh tradition has its own distinct understanding of monotheism, distinct from Abrahamic traditions.

Sikhs commonly use Hindu and Muslim names for "God."

Martyrdom is a frequent theme in Sikh history.

Sikhism is the only world religion in which song has been the primary medium for the founder's message.

Over the last century, more than 5 million Sikhs have left India for foreign lands.

The Sikh Gurus strongly opposed any claim, by any tradition, to possession of the sole religious truth.

Environmental issues have not come into prominence in Sikh religion.

The word karam is derived from Aramaic sources.

The Indic karma and Sikh karam represent different concepts of time.

Dhur ki bani is the Sikh notion of revelation.

Bani is the tool to create through which Guru Nanak brought forth the universe.

Haumai means self-centeredness.

Akal Purakh could speak through the Guru only because he let go of his self-centeredness. T. p. 131

Simaran is derived from Sanskrit root “marana” which means “to be enlightened”.

The way of remembrance through which one let goes of one’s ego centric nature is gurbani.

Simaran is experiencing limitation leading to freedom by the awareness of forever sounding vibrations of the Divine Name.

Haumai means to make changes in the world.

Mystical experience can be experienced by householders, politicians and spiritual people alike according to the Sikh Gurus.

The Sehaj Dharis can now take part in SGPC elections due to the 1925 Sikh Gurdwara Act.

Khalsa Diwan Society opened its first Gurdwara in Vancouver in 1908.

Istari Satsang has empowered women who were able to muster enough support and funds to have a gurdwara built at Model Town, Ludhiana.

Istari Satsang means Sisterhood of Sikh women.

Sikh women gather at temples or each others’ houses to perform devotional activities and do community projects, these gatherings are called Istari Satsang.

Guru Arjan’s Sukhmani is mostly recited by the Sikh women at Istari Satsang.

Women groups through Istari Satsang are active inside and outside of India and are in charge of organizing the festivals and celebrations like Gurpurb. T. p. 144

Short Answer Questions

1. People who identify themselves as Sikhs are disciples of what three main things?
2. The foundation of the Sikh tradition is based on Guru Nanakʹs belief in what?
3. What are the characteristics of the ideal Sikh person, or Gurmukh?
4. What were the institutional innovations introduced by Guru Amar Das?
5. Which collections of writings make up the Sikh scriptures?
6. The Sikh Code of Conduct makes which five physical symbols mandatory for members of the Khalsa?
7. Guru Nanak used which three terms to describe the nature of divine revelation and what do these terms mean?
8. According to the Sikh tradition, what are the five evils associated with haumai and how are they overcome?
9. Explain the two principles that are the basis of the Sikh view of justice. What did Guru Gobind Singh teach in this regard?
10. How is liberation achieved, according to the teachings of Guru Nanak?
11. In Sikhism, what was the significance of the words, "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim"?
12. What does Guru Nanak's three-day immersion in the waters symbolize in the Sikh tradition?
13. How did Guru Nanak distinguish between "true" and "false" believers?
14. What rituals are involved with naming a child in the Sikh tradition?
15. What view does the Sikh tradition take on bioethical issues such as organ donation and genetic engineering?
16. What is the source of the word karam in Sikhism?
17. What is bani and dhur ki bani?
18. Define the word simaran. What are some of the things it represents?
19. Describe the phases with which the immigration of Sikhs began in Canada.
20. Sikhs have earned their place in politics in Canada. What influential positions have they achieved?
21. What is Istari Satsang and how have Sikh women empowered themselves through it?
22. Describe the phases with which the immigration of Sikhs began in the US.

Essay Questions

1. Outline the three phases of Guru Nanakʹs life.
2. What three Sikh institutions did Guru Nanak establish?
3. Name and explain the four notions of guruship, according to the Sikh tradition.
4. Discuss the Khalsa in Sikhism. Why was it created? What did it symbolize?
5. Discuss the major changes initiated by Guru Gobind Singh and their significance for the Sikh Panth.
6. According to the Sikh tradition, what is the importance of nam-simaran for spiritual liberation?
7. Explain in detail some of the phases of immigration of Sikhs in Canada and in the US. Mention the laws that were amended to eradicate the discrimination that they faced in North America.

Chapter 4

Jaina Traditions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Jaina path is one of ________.
   1. obedience
   2. prayer
   3. confession
   4. renunciation
2. For Jainas, the path to happiness, truth, and self-realization is the path of ________.
   1. action yoga
   2. bhakti
   3. kama
   4. restraint

D, pp. 161-162

1. The Jaina community is known for its ________.
   1. political power
   2. diamond trade
   3. practice of self-flagellation
   4. business acumen
2. For Jainas, the power of renunciation lies not in opposing worldly power but in ________.
   1. transcending and subsuming it
   2. ignoring it completely
   3. embracing it as sacred
   4. defeating it
3. The twenty-fourth prophet of Jainism was ________.
   1. Ram Das
   2. Devaputra
   3. Mahadeva
   4. Mahavira
4. In Jainism, the term "Tirthankara" means ________.
   1. time transcender
   2. samsara ender
   3. bridge builder
   4. death destroyer
5. The first Jaina temples were built in ________.
   1. the fifth century BCE
   2. the third century CE
   3. the seventh century CE
   4. the fifth century CE

D, pp. 174-175

1. The colossal statue of Bahubali was erected in the ________ century CE.
   1. eighth
   2. ninth
   3. tenth
   4. fourteenth
2. The highest value in Jainism is expressed with the saying "ahimsa paramo dharma," which means ________.
   1. fasting to death is the highest way
   2. meditation is the highest path
   3. arhats are supreme
   4. non-violence is the supreme path
3. There are about ________ Jainas worldwide.
   1. 5 to 8 million
   2. 8 to 10 million
   3. 3 to 7 million
   4. 10 to 14 million
4. In Jainism, the soul is luminous and radiates peace, and on rare occasions our conscious minds ________.
   1. is lost without it
   2. prevents us from seeing it
   3. can glimpse it
   4. forgets about it
5. Momentary awakening and awareness of the soul in Jainism is called ________.
   1. vimala citta
   2. samyak citta
   3. samyak darshan
   4. citta samgraha
6. The white-clad Jaina sect is also called ________.
   1. Svetambara
   2. Tirthankarawala
   3. Parsavanath
   4. Sallekhana
7. The followers of Mahavira reject ________.
   1. ahimsa
   2. brahminical orthodoxy
   3. moksha
   4. vegetarianism
8. Jainas hold that the cycle of ________ produces predictable patterns in social, moral, and physical life.
   1. samsara
   2. illusion
   3. generation and degeneration
   4. generation and preservation
9. Jainas assert that Jainism has no ________.
   1. system of ethics
   2. uniting philosophy
   3. ultimate goal
   4. point of origin
10. Members of the Jaina community assume one of ________ roles.
    1. three
    2. six
    3. four
    4. five
11. In the Digambara sect of Jainism, women may not attain full renunciation, but may become ________.
    1. rajini
    2. arhats
    3. aryikas
    4. yogini
12. Jainas hold that the cosmos is made up of ________ eternal substances.
    1. six
    2. four
    3. ten
    4. 108
13. Jainas believe that the substances of the cosmos are divided into two broad groups: jiva and ________.
    1. ajiva
    2. vimalajiva
    3. nonjiva
    4. nirguna
14. In Jainism, pudgala has the attributes of touch, taste, smell, and ________.
    1. perfection
    2. color
    3. feelings
    4. thought
15. When Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism, Jainism began ________.
    1. a fundamentalist movement
    2. a political campaign
    3. an esoteric tradition
    4. moving to the peripheral regions
16. In the medieval period, Jaina householders were aware of the rules of restriction for the monks and acted as unofficial ________ of proper conduct.
    1. bankers
    2. spokespeople
    3. enforcers
    4. purveyors
17. Correct practice in Jainism is called ________.
    1. samyak marga
    2. caryapada
    3. samyak caritra
    4. vimalacarya
18. Correct knowledge in Jainism is called ________.
    1. samyak puja
    2. vimalacarya
    3. bodhicarya
    4. samyak jnana
19. In Jainism, enlightenment hinges as much on practice as on ________.
    1. confession
    2. worldview
    3. prayer
    4. psychology
20. In Jainism, practices are of two types: defensive and ________.
    1. offensive
    2. passive
    3. accumulative
    4. purgative
21. Ideally, the lives of Jaina renouncers are governed by ________.
    1. commandments
    2. vows
    3. gurus
    4. forest dwelling
22. In Jainism, dreams of a "carnal" nature have the power to ________.
    1. attract the gods
    2. become nightmares
    3. liberate you
    4. attract karma
23. In Jainism, the path to the very highest levels of self-realization has ________ stages.
    1. five
    2. 14
    3. 20
    4. ten
24. Through the practice of samayika, Jainas seek a state of ________.
    1. purity
    2. repentance
    3. compassion
    4. equanimity
25. For Jainas, ascending to the siddha loka, or realm of liberation, is ________.
    1. possible, but only in the current time cycle
    2. certain in the future
    3. not possible in the current time cycle
    4. guaranteed
26. The Jinas Mahavira, Parsavanath, Neminath, and ________ all receive regular devotions.
    1. Rsabha
    2. Ram Das
    3. Mahasena
    4. Sariputra
27. The central prayer of Jainism is called ________.
    1. Namopuja
    2. Japajapa
    3. Namokar Mantra
    4. Mantrajapa
28. One of the major festivals celebrated by Jainas is ________.
    1. Tarapuja
    2. Durgapuja
    3. Holi
    4. Mahavira Jayanti
29. In reciting the prayer Micchami Dukkadam, Jainas forgive, promise to be friendly, commit themselves to not seek enmity, and ________.
    1. vow to be generous
    2. express love
    3. have compassion
    4. ask for pardon
30. Jainas credit their adaptive success to their commitment to ________.
    1. politics
    2. renunciation
    3. ahimsa
    4. diplomacy
31. The Jaina doctrine of anekantavada teaches that all truth claims are ________.
    1. unprovable
    2. true
    3. untrue
    4. partial
32. On the question of neighboring peoples and practices, the Jaina acharyas recommended ________.
    1. becoming hermits
    2. conversion to Islam
    3. fundamentalism
    4. cautious integration
33. Jainism is not inclined to question the ________.
    1. structure of religion
    2. purity of teachers
    3. authority of religion
    4. authenticity of its followers
34. Outside of India, a renunciatory ethos is seemingly ________ for Jaina identity.
    1. more stringent
    2. more important
    3. less stringent
    4. less important
35. The Jaina Dilwara temple complex was built in ________.
    1. Pakistan
    2. Bihar
    3. Andhra
    4. Rajasthan
36. For Jainas, Palitana, Gujarat is a ________.
    1. burial place
    2. cave
    3. giant statue
    4. pilgrimage site
37. Gwalior Fort is ________.
    1. a Jaina military complex
    2. the site of sculptures cut from rock
    3. an ordination platform
    4. a temple complex
38. The first Jaina temple outside India was built in ________.
    1. New York
    2. Paris
    3. Leicester
    4. Toronto
39. For Jainas, Arhat denotes ________.
    1. householder
    2. female ascetic
    3. perfected being
    4. male ascetic
40. For Jainas, sallekhana is the ________.
    1. the prayer asking forgiveness
    2. perfected being
    3. name of one of the 24 Jinas
    4. practice of voluntarily starving to death
41. For Jainas, "Jina" means ________.
    1. non-violence or non-harm
    2. truth
    3. dispassion
    4. victor or conqueror
42. Mahavira, who Jainas revere as the final prophet of our time cycle, lived in the ________.
    1. third century CE
    2. sixth century BCE
    3. sixth century CE
    4. twentieth century BCE
43. For Jainas, active worldly engagement ________.
    1. is an important stage in one’s life but that must eventually be renounced
    2. causes us to accrue good karma that will lead to a heavenly rebirth
    3. causes us to accrue good and bad karma and thereby sink deeper into samsara
    4. is imperative, as we are ultimately responsible for caring for one another
44. Jainas equate non-violence with renunciation because ________.
    1. both lead to a good rebirth
    2. necessary violence does not lead to karma
    3. Jainas do not equate non-violence with renunciation
    4. only through renunciation is total non-violence possible
45. The Self of which Jainism speaks ________.
    1. Jainism rejects the idea of a true self
    2. is powerfully connected to the world and its ongoing sufferings
    3. is fundamentally indifferent to the world and its concerns
    4. loses all identity as it merges with the One
46. The Jaina Svetambaras and Digambaras differ in their views regarding ________.
    1. women's spirituality
    2. correct ascetic practice
    3. the nature of the Jina
    4. all of the above
47. For Jainas, the term shramana denotes ________.
    1. a primordial power
    2. a North Indian expression of Shamanism
    3. world renunciation
    4. the first Jina
48. The twenty-third Jaina Tirthankara is known as ________.
    1. Parsavanath
    2. Mahavira
    3. Rsabh
    4. Neminath
49. Mahavira and his followers rejected ________.
    1. the caste system
    2. sacrifice
    3. brahmanical orthodoxy
    4. All of the above
50. Within Jainism, the great time cycles of generation and degeneration are called (respectively) ________.
    1. gunasthanas and sthanakvasis
    2. kali and treta
    3. Golden Age and Bronze Age
    4. utsarpini and avasarpini
51. In Jainism, final spiritual release is attainable ________.
    1. from the human body and from animals with consciousness
    2. when an end to universal suffering is found
    3. from the human incarnation alone
    4. from all embodied forms
52. Following Mahavira's death, worship by devotees ________.
    1. was pursued in order to have him absolve all karma
    2. occurred in the absence of any hope of his response
    3. resulted in the a great number of miracles
    4. was pursued to attain his blessings of good karma
53. Mahavira's earliest disciples who helped to preserve his teachings are known as ________.
    1. shravakas
    2. agamas
    3. shramanas
    4. ganadharas
54. The Bhaktamara Stotra is a beloved text in Jainism. It concerns ________.
    1. mendicant conduct
    2. devotion to the first Tirthankara, Rsabha
    3. proper relations between husband and wife, parents and children
    4. ethical conduct and compassion toward all living beings
55. For Jainas, Ajiva ________.
    1. includes matter, time, space, and rest
    2. is non-soul
    3. is without consciousness
    4. All of the above
56. In Jainism, akash, adharma, dharma, and kala are all "supportive" forms of ________.
    1. ajiva
    2. punya
    3. jiva
    4. paap
57. According to your text, the most fundamental existential problem of Jainism is ________.
    1. that jivas and ajiva are thoroughly enmeshed
    2. that all beings live in the shadow of God
    3. that all beings are living in sin
    4. that all beings live with the illusion of self-hood
58. Activities of the mind and body cause vibrations that bind ________ to one's soul.
    1. punya
    2. paap and punya
    3. paap
    4. emotional particles
59. The ________ of Umasvati is a text cherished by both Svetambara and Digambara Jaina communities.
    1. Drstivada
    2. Tatthvartha Sutra
    3. Rig Veda
    4. Bhaktamar Stotra
60. In Jainism, bhattarakas are ________.
    1. female renouncers
    2. quasi-ascetics of the Svetambara tradition
    3. members of a devotional movement in Jainism
    4. quasi-ascetics of the Digambara tradition
61. The Jain reform movement that opposed temple-based practices is called ________.
    1. Caityavasi
    2. Sthankavasi
    3. Digambara
    4. Svetambara
62. The Jaina festival of ________ falls at the end of the four-month rainy season.
    1. Diwali
    2. Mahavira Jayanti
    3. Paryushana/Daslakshana
    4. Parshvanath Jayanti
63. Women played a central role in Jaina asceticism by ________.
    1. repudiating the obligations of being a wife and a mother
    2. becoming nuns and contributing to the philosophical tradition of Jainism
    3. embodying its most venerable ideals
    4. all of the above

D, pp. 187-188

1. The role of lay Jaina women, who have chosen a family, career, and/or community-focused life, is _______.
   1. so significant that the entire Jaina infrastructure can be said to rest upon it
   2. a role that allows them to provide the daily necessities of life to mendicants of both sexes
   3. taken willingly to act as buffers between renouncers and the world
   4. All of the above
2. Jainism has been undergoing a profound revitalization over the last century, expressing itself though ________.
   1. wide dissemination of Jaina publications
   2. the birth of a strong and vocal diaspora Jainism
   3. growth in Jaina educational institutions
   4. all of the above
3. The effort to define Jaina identity took a more political turn in the second half of the twentieth century, with the focus turning towards the community's status as ________, distinct from Hinduism.
   1. a majority
   2. singular
   3. a minority
   4. pluralistic
4. The renunciatory worldview can only be found in:

a) no religion except Jain

b) only Hinduism

c) only Islam

d) this idea is widespread and can be found in almost all religion

D, pp. 162-163

1. Jains aspire to the ideal of:
2. Vowing to not cause harm
3. Fasting to death
4. Renunciate their entire family
5. None of the above
6. The true, non-material Self is also called:
7. Soul/jiva
8. Ego
9. Sallekhana
10. Samyak darshan
11. Rather than sects, the two groups Digambara and Svetambara should be referred to as:
12. Sampradaya
13. Fractions
14. Clans
15. Denominations
16. The two traditions of Jain were two different interpretations of Jina Mahavira which is why they were not:
17. In opposition to each other rather they were parallel traditions
18. In agreement to each other and still their differences are irreconcilable
19. In opposition to each other rather they were the same
20. None of the above
21. Mahavira’s disciples or ganadharas compiled his sermons orally into:
22. 14 Purvas, 12 Angas
23. 12 Purvas, 14 Angas
24. 14 Purvas, 10 Angas
25. 12 Purvas, 12 Angas
26. . Agama means:
27. Coming, passed down
28. Turn into
29. Purvas and angas interpretations
30. Elaborations and commentaries
31. Northern mendicants organized a meeting in the town of __ to compile what remained of Agama:
32. Pataliputra
33. Dehli
34. Mumbai
35. Calcutta
36. The __ was convened at the town of Pataliputra to compile what remained of the Agama:
37. The First Council
38. The Council
39. The Council to compile
40. None of the above
41. The First Council concluded that the fourteen Purvas were lost but their essence was integrated into:
42. The Angas
43. The Agama
44. The 12^th Purva
45. Drstivada
46. At the First Council, other than memorizing and compiling and integrating the remaining Agama into the Drstivada, the Angas were also compiled into:
47. The Anga Bahya
48. The Purvas
49. The 12^th Anga
50. All of the above
51. The Anga Bahya are:
52. Commentaries and elaborations upon the Angas
53. They were not compiled by ganadharas
54. a and b
55. none of the above
56. the way to treat the remains of the Mahavira
57. the authenticity of Agama(Angas, Purvas, Anga Bahya)
58. the leadership of the Jaina community
59. all of the above
60. The Digambara sect considered __ authoritative:
61. the Satkhandagama
62. the Agamas
63. the Purvas
64. the Angas
65. The Svetambara sampradhaya wrote down their reconstituted canon in 5^th CE at:
66. the Pataliputra
67. the Council of Valabhi
68. the First Council
69. the Second Council
70. The precondition of samayika is:
71. Renunciation
72. Sallekhana
73. Pratikramana
74. A and B
75. Pratikramana does not include:
76. Reflection upon and repentance of sins
77. Return from violations
78. Helps remove karma
79. Fasting to death
80. The two-fold ritual of Pratikramana and Samayika are performed __ a day
81. Twice
82. Thrice
83. Once
84. They are not performed daily
85. Who performs Pratikramana and Samayika?
86. Householders
87. Renouncers
88. A and b
89. None of the above
90. What is the specialty of Pratikramana and Samayika ritual?
91. Householders become renouncers during the duration of performing it
92. The distinction between householders and renouncers stays the same
93. Householders cannot perform this ritual
94. Renouncers cannot perform this ritual
95. What from the following is true about Sallekhana ritual:
96. It has gained a lot of media attention recently
97. High Court of Rajasthan has equated it with suicide in 2015
98. The practice was restored by Supreme Court of India two weeks later amid protests
99. All of the above
100. The practice of Sallekhana is still fighting the legal battle because
101. The final decision from Supreme Court of India is still due
102. People haven’t decided to have a referendum yet
103. People voted and the results are not out yet
104. It is considered suicide and a criminal offence by some
105. Diksha means:
106. To initiate into Jain mendicant order
107. To fast to death
108. To renunciate but keep ties with family and friends
109. To become a religious householder
110. Becoming a nun requires one to:
111. Totally let go of the worldly belongings permanently
112. Be religious but can get married
113. Cannot have kids but can get married
114. B and c
115. Jainas were implicitly forced to:
116. Be identified as “Hindu-Jains” and not as a distinct group
117. Be considered as just another caste of Hindus
118. A and b
119. They were never forced implicitly or explicitly by the Hindu majority
120. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India voted __
121. To recognize Jains as a minority and distinct religion
122. to ban the ritual of Sallekhana
123. against Jain practices
124. all of the above

True or False Questions

In Jainism, sallekhana is the ritual of correct bathing.

In Jainism, happiness is the product of not-doing.

Mahavira lived from 599 to 527 BCE.

All life forms possess pudgala.

The Jaina Kalpa Sutra was probably composed in the third century CE.

In Jaina philosophy, no deities are worshipped, but deities may still be worshipped in popular practice.

Jainism tells followers that cultivating our personalities comes at the expense of knowing our true Self.

Accounts of Jenasenaʹs life are retold during the Jaina festival of Paryushana.

The Svetambara Jainas permit full initiation for women.

In Jainism, the aim of ascetic discipline is to cause karma to ripen and vanish prematurely.

The first Jaina temples appeared as early as the third century BCE.

The Jaina emphasis on practice reflects an understanding of the world and human suffering as illusory and therefore it does not require active human intervention.

Jaina munis and sadhvis are not permitted to prepare their own food.

In Jainism, an entire household gains social prestige from the pious acts that the women of the household perform, especially long and frequent fasting.

Whereas other religious traditions celebrate death, Jainas celebrate birth.

The Namokar Mantra is the supreme mantra within Jainism.

Despite being a religious tradition dedicated to renunciation, the Jaina community is rich in cultural expressions, including temples, festivals, art, literature, and philosophy.

Jainism cannot exist outside of India.

Jainism's sectarian differences are more salient in the diaspora than in India.

Jainas consider the Vedas to be sacred.

The renunciatory worldview is completely unfamiliar in religious traditions other than Jain.

Jains aspire to the ideal of vowing to not cause harm.

Rather than sect, the word sampradaya is more appropriate to describe Digambara and Svetambara traditions.

Digambara and Svetambara Jainism are totally in opposition to each other despite popular belief that they evolved as parallel traditions.

Right after the parinirvana of Mahavira, the sampradaya of Jainism emerged and had no disagreements between them.

The ganadharas memorized the teachings of the Jina and orally compiled them into 14 Purvas and 12 Angas.

Agama means “coming” or passed down.

After the famine, mendicants were living in scattered places and some travelled south.

Northern and southern mendicants met at Pataliputra to convene a meeting called the First Council.

The essence of the Purvas was memorized and integrated into Angas.

Drstivada is the 10th Anga.

The Anga-Bahya are commentaries and elaborations upon Angas and they were compiled by the generations after the ganadharas.

The Angas, Anga-Bahya and Purvas constitute the canon of Jainism.

Until this day Jain is an oral tradition and has no written scripture.

One of the major differences between Digambara and Svetambara sect is that they do not agree on the authenticity of the scriptures. T

Digambara sect believed that the Drstivada is a valid scripture while the Svetambara sect transmitted their oral tradition into written form in second century CE at the Council of Valabhi.

Pratikramana means “return from violations” which roughly translates to seeking forgiveness for one’s sins after reflecting upon it.

Pratikramana and Samayika are performed twice a day.

The ritual of samayika is performed before pratikramana.

Pratikramana is an essential ritual for Jains, however it still does not remove karma.

Pratikramana and Samayika eliminates the difference between a householder and a renouncer as they both aim for the same spiritual goal.

Sallekhana was ruled as suicide by the High Court of Rajasthan and it is still a criminal offence.

For the first time in 155 years of Indian Penal Code, Sallekhana was equated with suicide by the High Court of Rajasthan.

Even though the ritual of Sallekhana was restored by the Supreme Court of India in 2015, the final decision is still pending.

In 2001 Indian Census, over a hundred thousand new “Jains” were discovered.

In 2014, the Supreme Court of India recognized Jains as a minority and Jain as a distinct religion.

The Digambara fold is most integrated into Hindu communities and was against the 2014 Supreme Court decision.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the Jaina position on the soul's relationship to violence?
2. Why are followers of Jainism concerned with conveying their message?
3. How many followers did Mahavira have in his first 30 years as the living Jina?
4. Why do Jainas promote self-restraint and what is the effect of this on karma?
5. Where did the Jaina community move after they left their original centers of power in Magadha?
6. In the Jaina tradition, what was the problem with the caityavasis and bhattarakas and what was done about it?
7. How do Jainas understand the world and human suffering?
8. What practice is considered emblematic of Jainism, why is it undertaken, and how is it connected with the goals of Jainism more broadly?
9. What are the five parts of the Jaina Namokar Mantra?
10. How does puja help Jainas and to whom is it offered?
11. What is Jina worship within Jainism and what makes it distinctive?
12. What are some of the characteristics of Jainism's emphasis on correct practice (samyak darshan).
13. How do the perspectives of Svetambara and Digamabara Jainas differ on the subject of female religiosity?
14. Outline Jainism's four-fold social structure. How may it have contributed to the preservation of the Jaina tradition?
15. Is Jainism the only religion that preaches about the path of renunciation?
16. Why is the term “sampradaya” more appropriate to refer to the Jainism’s religious traditions than sects?
17. Who were ganadharas and how did the oral tradition of Jainism turn into scriptural form?
18. Why did the two groups of Jainism disagree about the authenticity of scriptures?
19. What is pratikramana and what other ritual is it paired with?
20. Why has the practice of Sallekhana gained media attention in recent years?
21. Is renunciation still practicable in today’s world of facilities and ease?
22. What efforts did Jains make in order to be recognized as different in the country of Hindu majority? Did everyone welcome these efforts?

Essay Questions

1. What are the scriptures of the Jaina and what happened to them?
2. In the Jaina tradition, what are the Mahavratas and what are the benefits for ascetics and lay members?
3. Why do Jainas say the only way to moksha is through non-violence?
4. How does Jaina devotionalism exist in the absence of a creator God?
5. For Jainas, in what ways is the vow of sallekhana the highest expression of non-violence?

6. Jain tradition has significant distinct ideas from Hinduism however, even today people think of

them as a branch or a caste of Hinduism. Name some of the things that have successfully changed that thinking to some extent.

1. Sallekhana is the ritual that is mostly practiced by old or sickly. So are many other rituals and practices that one does not see a young person doing. Is Jain religion popular among youth

Chapter 5

Buddhist Traditions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At the heart of Buddhism are the "Three Jewels": the Buddha, the Dharma, and the ________.
   1. Sangha
   2. Sutra
   3. Guru
   4. Arhats
2. Buddhaʹs last advice was to strive for ________.
   1. love
   2. distinction
   3. what has not arisen
   4. non-dichotomization
3. The Buddha Shakyamuni was ________ years old when he gained enlightenment.
   1. 30
   2. 35
   3. 25
   4. 50
4. Shakyamuni Buddha spent ________ years teaching.
   1. 35
   2. 30
   3. 45
   4. 50
5. The dominant tradition or "vehicle" in Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia is ________.
   1. Sufi
   2. Theravada
   3. Zen
   4. Svetambara
6. The dominant "vehicle" in East Asian Buddhism is ________.
   1. Mahayana
   2. Hinayana
   3. Taoyana
   4. Zen
7. The ________ "vehicle" of Buddhism became dominant in the Himalayan region.
   1. Theravada
   2. Zen
   3. Vajrayana
   4. Tientai
8. Shakyamuni Buddhaʹs name was ________ Gautama.
   1. Jnatrpura
   2. Vardhamana
   3. Siddhartha
   4. Samantha
9. Pratyeka buddhas are considered to be:
   1. hermits
   2. those who do not teach
   3. those who do teach
   4. A & B
10. Bodhisattavas are characterized as:
    1. being dedicated
    2. aiming for buddhahood
    3. self-disciplined
    4. All of the above
11. In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is one who has vowed ________.
    1. to live in poverty
    2. to seek buddhahood
    3. to leave the world
    4. not to have sex
12. Stories of the Buddha Shakyamuni in his previous incarnations are called ________, or "birth stories."
    1. Siddhartha
    2. Vessantara
    3. Jataka
    4. Zen
13. Shakyamuniʹs first attitude towards the formation of an order for women was:
    1. resistance
    2. encouragement
    3. acceptance
    4. none of the above
14. The Buddha Shakyamuni was born in a roadside park known as ________.
    1. Dharmachakra
    2. Lumbini
    3. Tushita
    4. Sarnath
15. The Buddha Shakyamuni had ________ major bodily signs at birth.
16. 32
17. four
18. 50
19. 21
20. The Buddha Shakyamuni had ________ minor bodily signs at birth.
21. 80
22. 70
23. 32
24. 23
25. One of the four sights that Siddhartha saw on his outings was ________.
    1. a god
    2. a nun
    3. a dead man
    4. a drunk
26. Shakyamuni realized enlightenment near the town of ________.
    1. Varanasi
    2. Nalanda
    3. Lumbini
    4. Bodh Gaya
27. In Buddhism, the negative aspect of nirvana has the sense of "putting out the fires" of greed, hatred, and delusion and the positive aspect is experiencing ________.
    1. complete nothingness
    2. the godhead
    3. transcendent happiness
    4. compassion
28. After Shakyamuni's enlightenment, the first people who paid respect to the newly-realized Buddha were ________.
    1. a group of farmers
    2. some fishermen
    3. two merchants
    4. a few warriors
29. The first sutra taught by Shakyamuni Buddha was entitled ________.
    1. the Wheel Turning sermon
    2. the Buddha Sutra
    3. the Great Sutra
    4. the Mara Defeater sermon
30. "The Middle Way" is ________.
    1. another name for the second sutra
    2. a religious way combining Buddhism with Hinduism
    3. a set of monastic vows
    4. a general ethic of moderation
31. Shakyamuni entered parinirvana at ________.
    1. Varanasi
    2. Bodh Gaya
    3. Sarnath
    4. Kushinagar
32. Parinirvana is best defined as:
33. the second last cycle of rebirth
34. the last cycle of rebirth
35. the third cycle of rebirth
36. the first cycle of rebirth
37. The core of the Buddha's first sermon in the deer park was the ________.
    1. monastic vows
    2. meditations
    3. confessions
    4. Four Noble Truths
38. One of the first principles of the Eightfold Path of Buddhism is ________.
    1. the vow of poverty
    2. correct posture
    3. right understanding
    4. celibacy
39. One of the first principles of the Eightfold Path of Buddhism is ________.
    1. right compassion
    2. right vows
    3. right intellect
    4. right mindfulness
40. Parinirvana means "________."
    1. no mind
    2. supreme exit
    3. nirvana with remainder
    4. nirvana without remainder
41. In Buddhism, personality is a product of ________.
    1. arbitrary circumstances
    2. the intellect
    3. Atman
    4. neurosis
42. Bhikshu Ananda is said to have recited the ________ ascribed to Shakyamuni.
    1. Four Noble Truths
    2. monastic vows
    3. wisdom verses
    4. discourses (sutras) on dharma
43. The principle of ________ is a thread that runs throughout Buddhism.
    1. transference
    2. metaphysics
    3. causality
    4. affliction
44. A section of the Pali canon is called the ________.
    1. Abhidharma
    2. Complete Dharma
    3. Tripitaka
    4. Vinaya
45. The Buddhist Sutra Pitaka, or "discourse basket," is divided into ________.
    1. two branches
    2. five nikayas
    3. six Lotuses
    4. four Dragons
46. In Buddhism, Sariputra is associated with the development of the ________, which classifies all mental phenomena according to their karmic consequences.
    1. Lotus Sutra
    2. book of rules for nuns
    3. abhidharma
    4. Buddhist art form
47. Buddha maintained that the way ________ was the same for both genders.
    1. of thought
    2. of sin
    3. to God
    4. to nirvana
48. All Buddhist traditions maintain that lay people ________.
    1. are able to advance towards nirvana
    2. are incapable of enlightenment
    3. must become monks and nuns
    4. are fundamentally sinful
49. One characteristic of Buddhist political rule was the promotion of ________.
    1. checks and balances
    2. non-violence
    3. rule of law
    4. vigilantism
50. The early Theravada Buddhist tradition ________.
    1. was unorthodox
    2. was conservative
    3. was very liberal
    4. adopted Hindu thought
51. Today, the majority of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks belong to the ________.
    1. Siyam Nikaya
    2. International Sangha
    3. Thailand-Nikaya
    4. Theravada International Association
52. Mahayana Buddhism appears to have emerged in ________.
    1. Sri Lanka
    2. Rajasthan
    3. the first century BCE
    4. the first century CE
53. The Buddhist Lotus Sutra places strong emphasis on upaya, or ________.
    1. skilful means
    2. arhathood
    3. vows
    4. renunciation
54. According to Mahayana Buddhist thought, Bodhisattva Manjusri is the guardian of Buddhist ________.
    1. sutras
    2. practices
    3. wisdom
    4. chastity
55. One of the major Mahayana Buddhist schools in India was the ________.
    1. Zen
    2. Madhyamaka
    3. Sautrantika
    4. Pure Land
56. The Buddha of "infinite light" is ________.
    1. Mahavairocana
    2. Akshobhya
    3. Amitabha
    4. Avalokiteshvara
57. Zen Buddhism was founded by ________.
    1. Buddhasena
    2. Bodhidharma
    3. Upagupta
    4. Guru Rinpoche
58. Buddhism spread on an unprecedented scale in Korea during the ________ period.
    1. Silla
    2. Kamakura
    3. Ming
    4. Han
59. Buddhism came to Japan ________.
    1. in the sixth century
    2. from India
    3. from Tibet
    4. in the eighth century
60. Japanese Buddhist Nichiren placed emphasis on ________.
    1. Avalokiteshvara
    2. the Lotus Sutra
    3. the Pure Land
    4. no-mind
61. Today, the principal Vajrayana Buddhist school is found in ________.
    1. Thailand
    2. Tibet
    3. Nepal
    4. Japan
62. Buddhism's three "vehicles" originated in _______.
    1. India, China, and Korea, respectively
    2. India, Thailand, and China, respectively
    3. India, China, and Japan, respectively
    4. All vehicles originated in India
63. A cherished text among Buddhists everywhere that emphasizes self-effort in the spiritual path is ________.
    1. Hinayanapada
    2. Lotus Sutra
    3. Theravadapada
    4. Dhammapada
64. According to Buddhism, at the time of death, _______ gives rise to a new being.
    1. one's karma complex
    2. nothing
    3. one's consciousness
    4. one's soul
65. The Buddha, in his previous life as Vessantara, sought to perfect _______.
    1. courage
    2. selflessness
    3. generosity
    4. compassion
66. The famous "three watches" (periods) of the night when the bodhisattva became a Buddha include all of the following except ________.
    1. awareness of his past lives
    2. awareness of how to end suffering
    3. awareness of consequences of karma
    4. awareness of state of nirvana
67. Having completed his journey to full enlightenment, the Buddha has earned the title ________.
    1. Bodhisattva
    2. Shakyamuni
    3. the Buddha
    4. Tathagata
68. The moment when the wheel of true dharma was once again set into motion by the Buddha was ________.
    1. when he accepts food from the Burmese merchants
    2. just before dawn when he gains insight into the nature of reality
    3. when he gives his first sutra to his former companions
    4. during the famous three watches of the night
69. The Buddhist concept of no-self develops out of the psychological implications of ________.
    1. permanence of the soul
    2. absorption in God
    3. existential impermanence
    4. existential suffering
70. The fundamental insight developed in detail through the doctrine of pratitya-samutpada is ________.
    1. all beings will continuously be reborn unless and until they realise they are eternal souls
    2. suffering is repetitive
    3. all beings are incapable of becoming enlightened
    4. all beings will continuously be reborn unless they reach nirvana
71. In the Buddhist "Wheel of Becoming" that depicts the doctrine of pratitya-samutpada, all of the following are identified as evils fuelling the cycle except _______.
    1. hate
    2. delusion
    3. greed
    4. guilt
72. The exact time and date of Buddhist initiations is carefully noted because ________.
    1. astral configurations are important indicators of individual propensities
    2. they mark the end of one's samsaric existence
    3. seniority is very important in the sangha
    4. annual celebrations of the event are marked
73. Buddhists distinguish ________ categories of noble persons, denoting their levels of spiritual advancement.
    1. 24
    2. 4
    3. 16
    4. 8
74. Emperor Ashok abandoned conquest by war to pursue conquest by ________.
    1. universal love
    2. meditation
    3. compassion
    4. dharma
75. The Theravada rejects all scriptures composed after the ________.
    1. Tripitaka
    2. Dhammapada
    3. Lotus Sutra
    4. Theravada accepts all Buddhist scriptures
76. According to the Buddhist tradition, all of the following occurred on Vesak except ________.
    1. Shakyamuni's "great going forth" from the palace
    2. Shakyamuni's enlightenment (becoming the Buddha)
    3. Buddha's parinirvana
    4. Shakyamuni's birth
77. The Mahayana tradition is the dominant Buddhist tradition is all of the following countries except ________.
    1. Korea
    2. Tibet
    3. China
    4. Japan
78. According to Mahayana Buddhists, the Theravadin's understanding of the bodhisattva vow led to an erroneous emphasis on ________.
    1. renunciation
    2. buddha fields
    3. asceticism
    4. personal liberation
79. In practical terms, taking the bodhisattva vow in a Mahayana tradition means ________.
    1. vowing to work for the less fortunate in society
    2. entering a monastic life
    3. vowing to engage in meditation for 6 hours a day
    4. vowing to be reborn in heaven and dispense merit from there
80. Buddhism began to decline in India during the ________.
    1. third century CE
    2. third century BCE
    3. seventh century CE
    4. first century BCE
81. The Indian family name "Ambedkar" denotes the ________ caste.
    1. brahmin
    2. kshatriya
    3. dalit
    4. vaishya
82. B.R. Ambedkar converted over __________ dalits while establishing Buddhism in India:
83. 830, 000
84. 380, 000
85. 38, 000
86. 83, 000
87. Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott were instrumental in helping to revive Theravada Buddhism in ________.
    1. Tibet
    2. Sri Lanka
    3. Tamil Nadu
    4. Laos
88. The ________ seems to accept suicide if it is committed for a good cause?
    1. Diamond Sutra
    2. Medicine Buddha Sutra
    3. Lotus Sutra
    4. Dhammapada
89. "Abortion Temples" in Japan ________.
    1. are temples with designated areas to remember and appease the spirits of aborted fetuses
    2. is the name given to where abortions are performed
    3. are temples where women perform penances for having aborted their fetuses
    4. were temples were barren women would pray to become fertile
90. Daisetsu T. Suzuki associated with ________ Buddhism.
    1. Theravada
    2. Zen
    3. Vajrayana
    4. Pure Land
91. The most popular Buddhist tradition in North America is ________.
    1. Theravada
    2. Vajrayana
    3. Pure Land
    4. Zen
92. The bhikshuni sanga has largely died out, but there an effort to revive the lineage in ________.
    1. Europe
    2. East Asia
    3. North America
    4. Theravada countries
93. ________ is credited with The Sutra of Sagara that uses the concept of "emptiness" to argue for gender neutrality.
    1. The Buddha
    2. Princess Jewel Brocade
    3. Helena Blavatsky
    4. A Theravada Bhikshuni sangha

True or False Questions

Theravada is now the dominant school of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.

The Chinese version of the Yogacara Buddhist school is called Kegon.

Mahendra took Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 225 BCE.

"Prince" Shotoku issued the Buddhist-influenced Seventeen-Article Constitution in 750 CE.

Members of the Gelugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism are known as the "yellow hats."

According to the Dhammapada, meditative persons will overcome Mara.

An almighty god is needed to mastermind the arrival of a buddha.

The best-known Vajrayana mantra means "Om Buddha liberate me."

Taliban forces in Afghanistan destroyed a colossal Buddhist statue in 2001.

Although Buddha's teachings spread widely, it was not the original intention of the Buddha to proselytize.

Recitation of the "Three Refuges" mantra remains a regular part of contemporary Buddhist practice.

According to renouncers of various Ganges Spiritualities, supernatural assistance was considered contrary to the spiritual path.

The bodhisattva, on the eve of his enlightenment, meditated in a way that was the very opposite to that of his yoga teachers.

In a state of nirvana, even the emotion of compassion is transcended.

The state of parinirvana is beyond human understanding.

Early Buddhist texts reveal ambiguity about women and the spiritual path.

Early disputes voiced at the Vaishali Council foreshadowed the later Theravada/Mahayana split.

The large number of different Buddhist sects that existed in the third BCE differed primarily in terms of the vinaya, or rules of monastic discipline.

Buddhism enjoyed its golden age in India under the patronage of Emperor Chandragupta.

It is possible that Emperor Ashoka's family had been supporters of the non-violent tradition of Jainism before his conversion to Buddhism.

When accepting the new dharma, early converts to Buddhism had to give up their previous practices of venerating gods and goddesses.

Chan/Zen Buddhism, like Theravada, downplays Buddha veneration.

Chan-Zen Buddhism is characterized by a distaste of book learning and a transmission of enlightenment "outside the scriptures."

Under the influence of the ancestor cults of China and Japan, the dead are honoured by an "all souls' day."

The first Dalai Lama to become the temporal as well as spiritual leader of Tibet was the fourteenth, Lhamo Thondup.

B.R. Ambedkar was a revolutionary individual who influenced India of Buddhism.

27. There are more than 150 stories about the Buddha’s lives in the Vessantara.

28. Tibetans protest against the Han Chinese domination which led to violence towards the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?
2. How do Buddhists understand the teachings on no-self?
3. What are the twelve links in the chain of dependent origination?
4. What are the four levels of a noble person, according to Buddhism?
5. What were the five points of controversy after the Vaishali Council?
6. What are the three bodies (trikaya) of a Buddha and what does this theory address?
7. What is the key to the highest spiritual wisdom in Mahayana Buddhism and which texts teach this?
8. In Chan Buddhism, what was the purpose of the fifth Patriarchʹs poetry contest and why was it important for the rest of East Asia?
9. What are the five moral vows that Buddhists follow and that are particularly important in Theravada?
10. Name and explain the eight features of a Buddhist temple complex.
11. Describe the similarities between the narratives of the Buddha and those of Jesus of Nazareth.
12. What was different about the method of meditation the bodhisattva (who would soon become the Buddha) used compared to that of his yoga teachers?
13. What are some of the positive and negative aspects of the state of nirvana?
14. In your text, which event is said to mark the beginning of institutionalized Buddhism?
15. Which Buddhist tradition has been most popular in North America and why?

Essay Questions

1. What happened during the encounter between Mara and Shakyamuni?
2. What are koans in Buddhism and how are they used?
3. What roles did Dr Ambedkar and the Mahabodhi Society play in bringing Buddhism back to India?
4. During Buddhism’s emergence, describe the social conditions.
5. In general terms, outline Buddhism's history in Southeast Asia.
6. Discuss the similarities and differences s between the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions.
7. Outline Nagarjuna's paradoxical ideas of Emptiness.