Hinduism!
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Study Guide!
Date: __________________________________________
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Section: ________________________________________
Hinduism Notes (write your notes below)
1. What was the name of the powerful civilization that conquered the Indus Valley around 1700BC? What were they like?
2. What are the Vedas? Describe them. When they were finally written down, what Language was used?
3. The Rig Veda can be considered the bedrock of the Hindu belief system. How did the Rig Veda describe Hinduism’s gods and goddesses?
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4. What is the Varna? Describe the diagram that explains its different parts.
5. What is a caste?
6. Matching - Match the Caste to its appropriate description
__________ Brahmins
__________ Kshatrriyas
__________ Vaisyas
__________ Sudras
A. Outcasts of Society - Lowest of the low - Dalits They
all the lower-order work
B. Warriors and rulers - Kings
C. Servants
D. Priests - Scholars
E. Skilled Workers or Farmers - Businessmen
__________ Untouchables
7. What is India’s “sacred river? How did it become “sacred?”
8. According to Hindu tradition, what does the Ganges River offer to faithful Hindus?
9. What are the four basic Hindu beliefs? Explain each one.
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10. How gods make up the Hindu trinity? Who are they?
11. Identify these gods and goddesses. List four traits or facts about each. Place a large bold capital “T” next to the ones that are part of the
Hindu Trinity.
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12. What is the name for the Hindu place of worship? How are each of the Hindu places of worship dedicated?
13. What is puja?
14. Explain what this means... “although Hindus believe that an image cannot contain God, they believe that one can gain a deeper understanding of
representations of Gods like Krishna, Brahmin, Vishnu, and others”
15. Identify these parts of the typical Mandir.
_____ Images
_____ Temple Entrance
_____ Porch
_____ Stone Image
_____ Processional Passage
_____ Steps to the Shrine
_____ Hallway
_____ Shrine Room
_____ Basement
_____ Steps
_____ Pillared Hallway
16. What are the common features of a Hindu Family’s Shrine?
17. What are the four daily religious duties of Hindus
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18. Describe these Hindu Holidays. What do they celebrate?
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19. Identify these Hindu Symbols -Some Letters are used more than once
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Lotus
A. A scared animal in Hinduism. It is the offspring of Lord Krishna, made from his own body. In Hindu
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Swastika
B. Symbolizes the birth of the universe., manifesting itself in all of its glory..
C. An ancient symbol of auspiciousness or good fortune. Some Hindus believe it [rotect the wearter from evil
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Om or Aum
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Cow
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Sri Yantra
symbolism Earth often approaches God in the shape of a cow
spirits and natural disasters. Sadly, this symbol was stolen by Hitler and turned into a symbol of the Nazi
Party in German in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Hitler actually copied the symbol backwards so it is not the
same as the actual Hindu symbol!
D. A geometrical pattern or design used as a focal point for meditation
E. The principal symbol of Hinduism. It is a visual and oral representation of Brahma or God Reflects the
power responsible for creation, development, and destruction of the universe
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