Classical Religions

Hinduism first developed in which part of the world?

• Indus River Valley (India)

• 
  China

• Japan

• Malay Peninsula

Which of these religions was developed over a long period of time with no specific leader or founder?

• 
  Hinduism

• Confucianism

• Buddhism

• Daoism

The roots of Hinduism are found in the _____ religion.

• Vedic

• Jain

• Buddhist

• Confucian

Which of these explains why Hinduism developed as a polytheistic religion?

• Hinduism developed from the Vedic religion, which was polytheistic.

• Hindu explorers adopted the polytheistic religion of their European counterparts.

• Hinduism was a blend of world religions that people from different castes followed.

• Hindu kings wrote sacred texts that formed the basis of a polytheistic religion.

Which of these explains why the first stage of Hinduism was known as Brahmanism?

• The Brahmas were the first Hindu priests who adopted rituals from the Vedic texts and contributed new ideas about spirituality to Hinduism.

• The Brahmas were identified in the Vedas as priests whom the gods selected to create and propagate Hinduism.

• The Brahmas were Buddhist priests who combined the Four Noble Truths with Vedic principles to create Hinduism.

• The Brahmas were Buddhist priests who created Hinduism because they had no rights under the Buddhist caste system.

Why was the creation of sacred texts important to the spread of Hinduism?

• The texts provided a formal written basis for Hinduism that other civilizations could study.

• The texts described the ways Hindus could convert to Buddhism.

• The texts directed Hindus to conquer other civilizations militarily and impose Hinduism on them.

• The texts provided the basis for the eventual evolution of Hinduism into Buddhism.

Which statement accurately describes the various gods that Hindus worship?

• The Hindu gods are all aspects of the god Brahma. They represent the main principles of Hindu religious beliefs, such as creation and prosperity.

• The Hindu gods serve as intermediaries between the believers and the sacred texts. They help Hindus earn the highest place in the caste system.

• All of the Hindu gods represent reincarnation. The Vedas recognized reincarnation as the most important principle of Hinduism.

• All of the Hindu gods teach humans to accumulate material wealth. This wealth is needed to ensure they achieve Nirvana.

Which statement expresses the importance of Vishnu's role as the protector in Hinduism?

• Vishnu protects Hindus from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

• Vishnu preserves everything Brahma has created.

• Vishnu guards Hindus from the destructive practices of Shiva.

• Vishnu shelters people who have been cast away from other religions.

Which statement expresses the relative roles of the many Hindu gods?

• Ganesh, Lakshmi, and Krishna are the most important Hindu gods. All Hindus worship them to secure rebirth in a higher caste.

• Only Brahma is considered important. The other gods Ganesh, Vishnu, and Shiva represent his servants and are insignificant to Hinduism.

• As the creator of everything, Vishnu is the most important Hindu god. All of the other gods are of equal stature below him.

• While Hindus worship many gods, three of them Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the most important. They represent the fundamental aspects of Hinduism.

A Hindu living in an early Indian society is born into the Brahmin caste. Which of these occupations is he most likely to pursue?

• Performing Hindu rituals at a temple

• Selling expensive luxury goods from China

• Cleaning the floors of a massive palace

• Teaching people about the Eightfold Path