Hinduism Quiz

The Vedic religion is named for the Vedas, which are

• a collection of sacred texts.

• the three most important deities.

• a group of people from Europe.

• the temples where rituals were performed.

Which of these is the best reason for someone in India to study Sanskrit?

• to read the ancient texts

• to run for political office

• to understand road signs

• to talk to ordinary people

What is the major difference between the old Vedic religion and Brahmanism?

• Religious scholars performed the complex rituals in Brahmanism.

• A class of priests became increasingly important in Brahmanism.

• Brahmins interpreted the Vedas for common people

• All of the above.

To Hindus, the soul, or atman, is a part of

• Shiva.

• the sun.

• Brahman.

• the ocean.

A Story from the Ramayana

When a king retired in ancient India, his oldest son was in line to become the next king. Rama was the oldest son of a king, but Rama's stepmother wanted her own son, Rama's younger brother Bharata, to be king instead. She persuaded the king to send Rama into the forest for fourteen years so her son could become the new king. Rama said, "Of course I will go. A son should always obey his parents." Rama's wife, Sita, decided to go with him into the forest.

"A wife's place is with her husband," Sita explained. When Bharata learned what had happened, he went to the forest to find his brother and give Rama the throne. Bharata then said, "Rama, you should be king, not me. Please come home."

Rama responded, "You are a good brother and a good man. Some people struggle their whole lives to be willing to part with their riches and power. You are offering to give your wealth away right now. But I cannot disobey my father's command."

Bharata said to Rama, "All right, I will rule in your place until you come back, but everyone will know that you are the real king." Bharata ruled for the next fourteen years. Then Rama and Sita came back and Rama took over the kingdom that his brother had kept for him.

The Hindu ideal that Rama says is a lifelong struggle

for some people is to

• live in the woods for fourteen years.

• use their power to gain more riches.

• be willing to give up riches and power.

• None of the above.

How was the Hindu belief about karma related to the caste system?

• People's caste determines which deities they worship.

• People in the lowest castes will come back as animals.

• People in different castes work different kinds of jobs

• People are in a caste because of how they lived in past lives.

In the caste system, how were people in India placed into a certain social class?

• by skill

• by birth

• by wealth

• by education

The festival of Divali, which begins the Hindu New Year, celebrates

• the changing of the seasons.

• the food from a good harvest.

• the victory of good over evil.

• the long life of the wise elders.

Which job was a Shudra most likely to do?

• interpret religious law

• herd sheep

• plow a field

• hold a government post

A Story from the Ramayana

When a king retired in ancient India, his oldest son was in line to become the next king. Rama was the oldest son of a king, but Rama's stepmother wanted her own son, Rama's younger brother Bharata, to be king instead. She persuaded the king to send Rama into the forest for fourteen years so her son could become the new king. Rama said, "Of course I will go. A son should always obey his parents." Rama's wife, Sita, decided to go with him into the forest.



"A wife's place is with her husband," Sita explained. When Bharata learned what had happened, he went to the forest to find his brother and give Rama the throne. Bharata then said, "Rama, you should be king, not me. Please come home."

Rama responded, "You are a good brother and a good man. Some people struggle their whole lives to be willing to part with their riches and power. You are offering to give your wealth away right now. But I cannot disobey my father's command."

Bharata said to Rama, "All right, I will rule in your place until you come back, but everyone will know that you are the real king." Bharata ruled for the next fourteen years. Then Rama and Sita came back and Rama took over the kingdom that his brother had kept for him.

This story from the Ramayana is often told to Hindu children to teach them all of the following EXCEPT

• Family is always first.

• Money can buy happiness.

• Hindus should follow their dharma.

• Children should obey their parents.