Module 14:Indian Early Civilizations, Empires, & World Religions

Which conclusion can be made from the information in the map?

• One of Harappa’s major trading partners was Egypt.

• One of Harappa’s major imported products was pottery from China.

• Harappan merchants used both overland and overseas trading routes.

• Harappan merchants traded gold and silver for the raw materials they needed.

Which of the following explains the importance of Sanskrit?

• It is widely spoken in India.

• It is used in Christian rituals.

• It is the root for many South Asian languages.

• It is used by South Asian merchants to communicate.

Match the name of the text to its description.

• Atharvaveda

• hymns addressed to deities

• Upanishads

• a collection of magic spells

• Yajurveda

• a commentary on the teachings on the Vedic texts

• Rigveda

• a collection of poems used in Hindu rituals

Which of the following are true of Hinduism?

• Hinduism has no one founder.

• Hinduism is a blend of many religious traditions.

• It is considered by many to be the world’s oldest religion.

• There is one set of beliefs that Hindus follow.

• Most of its followers live in China.

Match the name of the Hindu god or goddess to its description.

• Brahma

• a Hindu god who is represented in the form of an elephant

• Hanuman

• one of the three major Hindu gods, associated with destruction

• Vishnu

• one of the three major Hindu gods, associated with preservation

• Ganesha

• a Hindu god who is represented in the form of a monkey

• Shiva

• one of the three major Hindu gods, associated with creation

Which statement best characterizes the Hindu and Jain belief of ahimsa?

• the worship of many gods

• the avoidance of harmful acts

• the practice of animal sacrifice

• the prohibition against owning property

Match the name of the term associated with the life of Siddhartha Guatama to its description.

• meditation

• “Enlightened One”

• fasting

• focusing the mind on spiritual ideas

• Bodh Gaya

• where he prayed under a tree and reached enlightenment

• Buddha

• going without food

Buddhism and Hinduism differ on some beliefs. Organize to show whether the statement is a Buddhist or a Hindu belief.

Groups:

(a) Buddhism

,

(b) Hinduism

• Its followers are guided by the teachings of four holy texts.

• Right behavior leads to good karma, which affects reincarnation.

  
  

• There is no supreme god.

• There is a supreme force, called Brahman.

• Following the Eightfold Path leads to wisdom, enlightenment, and nirvana.

  
  

• The Four Noble Truths explain suffering in the world and how to overcome it.

  
  

Which statement about the early spread of Buddhism is supported by the information in the map?

• Buddhism spread as far as Persia.

• Buddhism spread as far as eastern China.

• Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia by way of China.

• Buddhism spread from its birthplace in southern India.

Which of the following statements expresses a Sikh belief regarding what makes a good life?

• A person should have many servants.

• A person should try to become wealthy.

• A person should live alone, away from social problems.

• A person should have the freedom to practice his or her religion.