Exploring Hinduism

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Questions and Answers

What is another name for Hinduism, which refers to the idea that its origins lie beyond human history?

Jainism

Vaidika Dharma

Sanātana Dharma (correct)

Brahmanism

What are the four proper goals or aims of human life in Hinduism?

Karma, samsara, yoga, agama

Purushartha, Vedic yajna, temple building, mythology

Dharma, artha, kama, moksha (correct)

Honesty, patience, self-restraint, compassion

Which religion is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers?

Islam

Hinduism (correct)

Buddhism

Christianity

What are some of the shared textual sources in Hinduism?

Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism?

Samsara Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the eternal duties prescribed in Hinduism, such as honesty and refraining from injuring living beings?

Dharma Signup and view all the answers

What is the exonym for Hinduism?

Hindu Signup and view all the answers

What is the endonym for Hinduism, which refers to the dharma related to the Vedas?

Vaidika Dharma Signup and view all the answers

What is the oldest religion in the world according to Hinduism?

Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

What are some prominent themes in Hindu beliefs?

Dharma, artha, kama, moksha Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the categorization of communities in India before British influence?

Communities were categorized based on locality, language, varna, jāti, occupation, and sect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes Hinduism?

Hindus can choose to be polytheistic, pantheistic, panentheistic, pandeistic, henotheistic, monotheistic, monistic, agnostic, atheistic or humanist Signup and view all the answers

What makes it difficult to arrive at a comprehensive definition of Hinduism?

The diversity of ideas and traditions within Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major current of Hinduism?

Brahmanism Signup and view all the answers

What do many Hindus believe about the deities in Hinduism?

Deities are manifestations of a single impersonal absolute or ultimate reality Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the notable characteristics of Hinduism?

Belief in the existence of an impersonal absolute Signup and view all the answers

How does McDaniel classify Hinduism?

Into three major religions and four forms of religiosity Signup and view all the answers

What is the oldest form of Hinduism?

Folk Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

What are the major kinds of Hinduism according to Michaels?

Brahmanic-Sanskritic Hinduism, folk religions and tribal religions, founded religions Signup and view all the answers

What is the belief system associated with Dharmic Hinduism?

Belief in karma, cows, and caste Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the Hindu practices mentioned in the text?

Charity (dāna) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the six āstika schools of Hindu philosophy mentioned in the text?

Sūtra Signup and view all the answers

Which are the major scriptures of Hinduism?

The Vedas, the Upanishads, the Purānas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the four major denominations of Hinduism mentioned in the text?

Brahmanism Signup and view all the answers

When did the Hindu synthesis emerge?

Between 200 BCE–300 CE Signup and view all the answers

Where is Hinduism the most widely professed faith?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Where does the word 'Hindū' derive from?

Indo-Aryan language Sanskrit root Sindhu Signup and view all the answers

When did the term Hindu first occur as a Persian geographical term?

6th-century BCE Signup and view all the answers

When was the term Hinduism first used?

1816–17 Signup and view all the answers

When did the European merchants and colonists begin to refer to the followers of Indian religions as Hindus?

18th century Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hinduism Overview

Another name for Hinduism is Sanātana Dharma, which means "eternal law" and implies that its origins lie beyond human history.

Goals of Human Life

The four proper goals or aims of human life in Hinduism are not specified in the text.

Hinduism Statistics

Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers.

Hindu Textual Sources

Some shared textual sources in Hinduism include not specified in the text.

Key Hindu Concepts

The cycle of death and rebirth in Hinduism is referred to as Samsara.
The eternal duties prescribed in Hinduism, such as honesty and refraining from injuring living beings, are referred to as Sanatana Dharma.
The exonym for Hinduism is Hindooism.
The endonym for Hinduism, which refers to the dharma related to the Vedas, is Sanatana Dharma.

History of Hinduism

Hinduism is considered the oldest religion in the world, according to Hindu beliefs.

Hindu Beliefs

Some prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include not specified in the text.

Caste System

Before British influence, communities in India were categorized into Jatis, which were not rigid or fixed.

Definition of Hinduism

It is difficult to arrive at a comprehensive definition of Hinduism because it is a complex and diverse religion.
One of the notable characteristics of Hinduism is its diversity and complexity.

Classification of Hinduism

McDaniel classifies Hinduism as a polycentric religion.
The oldest form of Hinduism is the Vedic religion.
The major kinds of Hinduism, according to Michaels, include Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Smartism.
The belief system associated with Dharmic Hinduism is that of living a life of duty and morality.

Hindu Practices

Some common Hindu practices include not specified in the text.
The six āstika schools of Hindu philosophy include Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta, Yoga, and Sankhya.

Hindu Scriptures

The major scriptures of Hinduism include the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and Epics.

Hindu Denominations

The four major denominations of Hinduism include Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism.

Hindu History

The Hindu synthesis emerged between 500 BCE and 300 CE.
Hinduism is the most widely professed faith in India.

Etymology of Hindu

The word 'Hindū' derives from the Persian word for the Indus River.
The term Hindu first occurred as a Persian geographical term in the 6th century CE.
The term Hinduism was first used in the 19th century CE.
European merchants and colonists began to refer to the followers of Indian religions as Hindus in the 16th century CE.

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Test your knowledge about Hinduism, the oldest religion in the world. Explore its beliefs, practices, and important deities in this informative quiz. Discover fascinating facts and deepen your understanding of this Indian religion with over 1.2 billion followers worldwide.