Diwali Festivities Quiz

Hindu Festivals and Ceremonies

• Diwali, celebrated between October 15 and November 15, involves families lighting lamps called diyas to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.
• The thread ceremony, or Upanayana, marks adolescence, symbolizing the beginning of formal education and spiritual development in Hindu society.
• Commonly placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts is the Om symbol, representing the primordial sound and the universe.
• Kumbh Mela is an event where millions of Hindus gather to bathe in a sacred river, believed to purify the soul and wash away sins.
• In Hindu weddings, matchmaking is typically arranged by the couple's parents, emphasizing familial roles and traditions.

Symbols and Denominations

• The swastika symbol serves as an auspicious sign in Hinduism, representing good fortune and well-being.
• Jnana yoga, the path of knowledge, is primarily practiced by followers of the Advaita Vedanta school of thought.
• Worship among Shaktas focuses on the Divine Feminine, often worshipping goddesses such as Durga and Kali.
• Bhaktas engage in deeply devotional practices, centering their worship on a personal relationship with a deity.
• The tika symbol, usually marked on the forehead, is used for blessings and protection in Hindu customs.

Categories and Teachings

• The liberal approach to worship is primarily seen in the Brahmo Samaj, which emphasizes rationalism and ethical living.
• An ascetic monk taught Siddhartha about the importance of meditation and contemplation for achieving spiritual insight.
• After renouncing his status and caste, Siddhartha adopted a life of asceticism and self-discovery, initially striving for enlightenment through deprivation.
• Siddhartha practiced strictness and self-deprivation for six years before realizing that such extremes were unhelpful.
• Enlightenment was attained by Siddhartha at Bodhi Gaya, under the Bodhi tree, leading to his realization of the Middle Way.

Buddhist Councils and Texts

• In 486 BCE, the 500 leading disciples of Siddhartha convened to organize and clarify the teachings of the Buddha.
• The Vinaya Pitaka was recalled by Ananda, one of Buddha's closest disciples, overseeing the rules of monastic discipline.
• The Sutras were written during the schism between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, capturing diverse interpretations and teachings.
• The Sutta Pitaka, which includes discourses between Buddha and his disciples, was recited primarily by Ananda as well.
• The First Buddhist Council determined the contents of the Tripitaka, the traditional scriptures of Buddhism.

Focus of Scriptures

• The Abhidhamma Pitaka focuses on the philosophical and psychological analysis of the teachings of the Buddha.
• The Pali Canon serves as the principal source for understanding the life and teachings of Buddha and the foundation of Buddhist practice.
• The Heart Sutra emphasizes the concept of emptiness, central to Mahayana Buddhism.
• The Land of Bliss Sutra teaches about the Pure Land and the role of Amitabha Buddha as a savior figure offering rebirth in a blissful realm.

Core Concepts

• In Theravada Buddhism, a savior or God does not play a role; focus is primarily on individual effort toward enlightenment.
• The concept of anatman or anatta refers to the doctrine of no-self, denying a permanent, unchanging soul.
• In the Mahayana tradition, Siddhartha is viewed as a Bodhisattva, who has the potential to attain Buddhahood and save others.
• The Triratna or Tiratana consists of three fundamental structures: the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community of practitioners).