SS Chapter 3

Today, the most important Hindu deities are Brahma, Vishnu, and

• Shiva.

• Rama.

• Indra.

• Ravana.

What does it mean for Hindus to follow the dharma of their varna?

• They acknowledge the social superiority of the untouchables.

• They escape the cycle of rebirth and are united with Brahman.

• They fulfill the duties and obligations of their social class.

• They withdraw from society and spend their days in prayer.

Why do cows have a special place in Hinduism?

• Cows are symbolic of the reverence for life.

• The greatest Hindu deity is often depicted as a cow.

• Cows represent health, wealth, and happiness.

• The only meat that Hindus can eat is beef.

This Hindu woman is fulfilling part of her dharma by praying at the sacred Ganges River. By living according to dharma, she may hope

• to become one of the untouchables.

• to have her soul reborn into a higher social class.

• to live outside the law of karma.

• to move between social classes during her lifetime.

According to Hindus, karma is

• a collection of sacred Hindu writings, including verses, hymns, and prayers.

• the obligations and duties that a person is expected to fulfill.

• all of the good and evil that a person had done in past lives.

• the supreme power, or divine force, that is greater than all other deities.

Why did ancient Hindus believe that the law of karma proved the universe was fair?

• Each person had an equal opportunity to rise to higher social classes.

• Once a soul had be reborn as a person, it could never be reborn as an animal.

• Even in ancient times, people in all social classes were treated equally.

• Souls would be rewarded or punished for the good and evil they had done.

Why did many Hindu teachers criticize the caste system?

• They argued that too many untouchables were rising to higher social classes.

• They believed it was not right for people to be treated unequally because of their social class.

• They objected because the caste system did not consider what people had done in past lives.

• They said that the caste system made it too easy for people to change their social class.

The effect of a person's actions in this and in previous lives. 

• karma
• dharma
• ahisma
• moksha

The rebirth of a soul in a new body. 

• dharma
• reincarnation
• ahisma
• shrine

The final goal for Hindus, liberation from reincarnation. 

• moksha
• epic poem
• Brahman
• guru