Indian Religion Summative

The Vedic religion is named for the Vedas, which are

• a collection of sacred texts.

• a group of people from Europe.

• the three most important deities.

• the temples where rituals were performed.

What change marked the transition from early Vedic religion to Brahmanism?

• As the land became crowded, many people moved to the cities.

• As scholars learned Sanskrit, the oral traditions were written down.

• As rituals grew more complex, a special class arose to perform them.

• As different groups moved into India, their gods became part of the religion.

In the caste system, how were people in India placed into a certain social class?

• by skill

• by birth

• by wealth

• by education

A person who spoke these words most likely belonged to which caste? “I have been learning about battle. My father is showing me how to use different kinds of weapons so I will be a good warrior.”

• Shudras

• Vaishyas

• Brahmins

• Kshatriyas

Why did Untouchables live in separate communities?

• They wanted to stay pure.

• They shared all their goods.

• They had to eat a special diet.

• They were considered unclean.

To Hindus, the soul, or atman, is a part of

• Shiva.

• the sun.

• Brahman.

• the ocean.

In some Hindu traditions, Brahma is the creator and Vishnu is the preserver. What does Shiva do?

• teach

• perfect

• enlarge

• destroy

The ancient social class system was called varna. What did early Hindus mean by varna dharma?

• Each caste had its own duties.

• Caste determined social status.

• People married within their caste.

• Religious texts defined the castes.

Which animal became a symbol for the Hindu belief in reverence for life?

• the lion

• the cow

• the camel

• the elephant

How was the Hindu belief about karma related to the caste system?

• People’s caste determines which deities they worship.

• People in the lowest castes will come back as animals.

• People in different castes work different kinds of jobs.

• People are in a caste because of how they lived in past lives.