Hinduism – core beliefs, teachings and practices

Fill in the blank: _______ is the supreme power in the Universe; ultimate reality; God.

• Brahman

• Vishnu

• Shiva

• Krishna

Fill in the blank: _______ refers to the three major aspects of the Brahman, the supreme power; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.

• Trimurti

• Trinity

• Triad

• Trikaya

Fill in the blank: _______ are the incarnations (divine becoming human) of a deity, sometimes in human form; most commonly used is Vishnu, the Preserver God, who was incarnated through Krishna.

• Avatars

• Demons

• Angels

• Prophets

Fill in the blank: _______ is devotion. In bhakti traditions it is believed that love of God is the path to moksha (spiritual liberation).

• Bhakti

• Karma

• Jnana

• Raja

Fill in the blank: _______ is an ancient city in northern India, on the banks of the River Ganges. One of the seven sacred sites of Hinduism, important as a centre of spirituality, where many Hindus aspire to end their lives.

• Varanasi

• Delhi

• Mumbai

• Chennai

Fill in the blank: _______ is the fifth samskar when a child receives its name on about the eleventh day after birth. Also called the Namakarana.

• Nam Samskar

• Annaprashan

• Mundan

• Upanayan

What is Karma?

• The belief in non-violence

• The belief that actions and their consequences determine the release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

• The Hindu festival of lights

What does Samsara refer to?

• The constant change or cycle of the world through birth, death, and rebirth

• The ultimate union with God

• The Spring festival of colors

What is Moksha?

• The Hindu social classes

• Release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; spiritual liberation

• The doctrine of non-violence

What are the Hindu social classes called?

• Ashramas

• Caste (Varna)

• Dharma