Questions and Answers
What does Dharma refer to?
Who were the Dravidians?
Indigenous Indians who lived along the banks of the Indus river in complex cities.
What does Varna represent in Hinduism?
Hindu caste system.
What is the concept of Samsara?
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What does Yuga refer to?
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Who is Soma in Hinduism?
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Who is Agni?
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What are Dalits also known as?
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What is Shiva known for?
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What does Lingum represent?
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What does Yoni represent?
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What was Harappa-Mohenjo Daro?
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What are the Vedas?
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Who were the Aryans?
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What is Krishna considered?
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What is Kali known as?
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Who is Durga?
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What are the 4 goals of life in Hinduism?
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What are the 4 life stages in Hinduism?
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Who are Sadhus?
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What defines an Aghori?
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What does the Lawbook of Manu enforce?
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What is Sati?
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What is Karma?
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What does Reincarnation refer to?
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Who is Brahma?
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What is Vishnu known as?
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What is a Guru?
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What does Pan Gu represent?
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What is the Yellow River known for?
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What does Xia refer to?
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What were the Shang known for?
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Study Notes
Concepts and Definitions
- Dharma: Represents religion, ethics, duty, and law; essential for upholding society and the cosmos.
- Dravidian: Indigenous people of India known for complex urban settlements along the Indus River, featuring standard weights, writings, and a fertility goddess.
- Varna: Refers to the Hindu caste system, also associated with the concept of color.
- Samsara: The cycle of life, death, and rebirth; signifies the suffering associated with reincarnation and includes the concept of imperishable atman (soul).
- Yuga: Cycles of time that dictate the phases of existence; currently in the Kali Yuga, the age of destruction.
- Soma: A deity and plant in Hinduism known for its intoxicating effects, used specifically in worship.
- Agni: The Vedic god of fire, symbolizing illumination and transformation, emerged from Purusha (the cosmic man).
- Dalits (Harijan): Historically referred to as untouchables or pariahs; their actions in life determine caste mobility in future lives.
- Shiva: Known as the destroyer and restorer of worlds; often associated with phallic symbols.
- Lingum: Symbol of Shiva representing masculinity; viewed as an uncircumcised penis.
- Yoni: Symbol for feminine divine attributes as represented by Shiva; interpreted as the vagina.
- Harappa-Mohenjo Daro: A key civilization founded by Dravidians, known for advanced urban planning, regional trade, and public infrastructure.
- Vedas: Ancient religious texts comprising knowledge and revelations in Sanskrit; corruption of these texts is viewed as a significant offense.
- Aryan: Indo-European tribes who introduced the Vedic system and caste hierarchy to India.
- Krishna: Central figure in Hindu doctrine; acknowledged as the supreme personality of Godhead, advocating for multiple paths to spiritual liberation in the Bhagavad Gita.
- Kali: A fierce goddess associated with destruction; linked to the cycle of creation emerging from destruction.
- Durga: Mother goddess depicted as a powerful figure who slays demons, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
Life Goals and Stages
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Four Goals of Life:
- Kama: Pursuit of pleasure.
- Artha: Engagement in politics and material wealth.
- Dharma: Commitment to duty and service.
- Moksha: Spiritual liberation sought through guidance of gurus.
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Four Life Stages:
- Student: Initial stage focused on education.
- Householder: Adult phase involving family responsibilities.
- Hermit: Withdrawal from worldly attachments.
- Sannyasin: Final stage where one teaches and prepares for transcendence.
Ascetic Practices and Social Structures
- Sadhus: Ascetic practitioners who engage in extreme rituals to alter their perception of reality, sometimes involving nudity and challenges like walking through fire.
- Aghori: Extreme ascetic followers of Shiva, known for inhabiting cremation grounds and engaging in radical practices that defy societal norms.
- Lawbook of Manu: Legal text that enforced patriarchy and codified Hindu beliefs.
- Sati: A historical practice where a widow self-immolates on her husband's funeral pyre, reflecting deep-rooted cultural norms.
- Karma: The belief that every action has ethical repercussions, impacting present and future lives, with the ultimate goal of achieving moksha (release from the cycle of rebirth).
- Reincarnation: Concept that the soul is eternal, returning in different physical forms across lifetimes.
Deities and Historical Civilizations
- Brahma: Creator deity in Hinduism, associated with the duality of creation and destruction, revered by some Tantric practitioners.
- Vishnu: The preserver god in Hinduism, crucial for maintaining cosmic order.
- Pan Gu: In Chinese cosmogony, the first living being who created the world from his own body, symbolizing the link between mythology and cosmology.
- Yellow River: A vital 3,000-mile river in China recognized for both its fertile contributions and catastrophic floods; seen as the cradle of early Chinese civilization.
- Xia Dynasty: Dates back to 2200 BCE, characterized by a hereditary monarchy and early flood control efforts; debated as a mythological entity or historical reality.
- Shang Dynasty: Significant Chinese dynasty lasting from 1766 to 1122 BCE, noted for advancements in bronze metallurgy and state-controlled industries.
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Test your knowledge with these flashcards for Asian 101 Exam #1. This quiz covers essential terms and definitions related to Indian heritage, including concepts such as Dharma and Varna. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of Asian religious and cultural contexts.