Asian 101 Exam #1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does Dharma refer to?

Philosophy of life

Historical figures

Nature's balance

Religion, duty, ethics, law (correct)

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?

The cycle of life and rebirth Signup and view all the answers

What does Yuga refer to?

Cycles of time within which the wheel of life turns. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Soma in Hinduism?

A deity who is also a deified plant used in worship. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Agni?

The Vedic god of fire. Signup and view all the answers

What are Dalits also known as?

Untouchables. Signup and view all the answers

What is Shiva known for?

Destroyer and restorer of worlds. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lingum represent?

Shiva - phallic symbol. Signup and view all the answers

What does Yoni represent?

Shiva - phallic symbol representing the female aspect. Signup and view all the answers

What was Harappa-Mohenjo Daro?

Society built by indigenous Dravidian people. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Vedas?

Knowledge and revelation source; religious and literary works. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Aryans?

Indo-European tribe that introduced the Vedic system. Signup and view all the answers

What is Krishna considered?

Source of all avatars of God. Signup and view all the answers

What is Kali known as?

Goddess of destruction. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Durga?

A female demon-slaying mother goddess. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 goals of life in Hinduism?

Kama, Artha, Dharma, Moksha Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 life stages in Hinduism?

Student, Householder, Hermit, Sannyasin Signup and view all the answers

Who are Sadhus?

Ascetics who practice extreme forms of spirituality. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an Aghori?

An extreme ascetic devotee of Shiva who lives in cremation grounds. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Lawbook of Manu enforce?

Patriarchy and Hindu beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is Sati?

A practice where a widow throws herself onto her husband's funeral pyre. Signup and view all the answers

What is Karma?

Thoughts, words, deeds have ethical consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Reincarnation refer to?

The soul returns to a new body. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Brahma?

The male creator/destroyer God. Signup and view all the answers

What is Vishnu known as?

The preserver. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Guru?

A religious teacher with insight. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pan Gu represent?

First living being and creator of all in Chinese cosmogony. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Yellow River known for?

Deposits fertile soil and is a historical civilization site. Signup and view all the answers

What does Xia refer to?

An ancient civilization in China. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Shang known for?

Ruled around the Huang He and known for bronze metallurgy. Signup and view all the answers

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

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.
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.

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.