Can you define these terms that are related to Hinduism?

sacred texts (Vedas, Upanishads,Bhagavad Gita (which is in the Mahabharata), and the
Ramayana) Texts that Brahimns use to make rituals.

4 varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya,Vaishya, Shudra)

4 different level of people. They all represent different parts of the body of the cosmic man called
Purusha. Brahmin represent Purusha ‘s head, Kshatriya represent his arm, Vaishya represent
his leg, Shudra represent his feet.

castes/jati
Castes: it’s a kind of big part of dharma with the Varna. Caste also split in sub-castes called jati.
Jati is the sub-castes within the caste, Jati has specific dharma to do, it also has different level
inside one caste. Every jati is a group with specific dharma. The people who are born in one jati
must do that jati’s specific dharma.

Untouchables
The lowest level of people that can't even count into four varnas.

Atman devas/incarnations (for ex: Vishnu, Shiva, Devi)

People’s soul, it won’t perish forever.

reincarnation/samsara
The cycle of rebirth.

Karma
Spiritual purity, result of your deeds.

Moksha
Release from the cycle of reincarnation.

Dharma
One’s deed, what he/she should do in their life.

Brahman
Ultimate reality, it will never perish.

Devas/incarnations (for ex: Vishnu, Shiva, Devi)

Those are deities in Hinduism. They are also a reflection of Brahman.

Can you answer these questions about Hinduism?

What’s the difference between varnas and castes/jati?

Varna is four different level of people. But caste/jati is within the Varnas. Each varnas have its
own castes and each caste has its own sub-caste called jati. Each caste had its own high jati
and low jati. Also, Varna means color, but caste is a way to distribute the society. Each caste as
its own big part of dharma.

Why would people in the highest varnas/castes support the caste

system?
Because the highest varnas/castes is doing the sacred rituals. They have a lot of advantages
and privilege. They are benefit from it. If they don’t support caste system and make the society
doesn’t have caste system anymore, then they will no longer have the privileges and
advantages.

Why would people in the lowest varnas/castes follow the

caste system?
Because people in the lowest varna/castes can’t do anything to affect this caste system. They
can only do their dharma and try to raise their karma, and fight for their lives. They only can do
what caste system let them to do.

Can you explain the core purpose of life in Hinduism using all of
these vocabulary words? (atman, moksha, karma, dharma,
Brahman, reincarnation/samsara, varna, caste)
Everyone has its own atman (soul). The core purpose of life in Hinduism is trying to reach
Brahman--ultimate reality. By doing their own dharma and rise their karma. If he/she did their
dharma very well in this life and rise their karma a lot, then he/she probably will rise to the next
higher caste/varna. Once his/her karma is high enough, then he/she will become Brahman and
release from the reincarnation/samsara which also called moksha.

Can you explain the relationship between Brahman and devas?

Brahman is the ultimate reality, but devas are just god/goddess, but these devas are the
reflection of Brahman. Brahman just universal soul.

Can you define these terms that are related to Buddhism?

Siddhartha Gautama
He is a person who made the Buddhism. He saw a lot of people are suffering, so he decides to
become an ascetic, meditated under a tree and try to find an answer that makes people not
suffering. At last, he achieve the enlightenment. And became a buddha and experienced
nirvana.

Buddha
Person who
Middle Way
A flexible way to become a Buddha, a flexible way between Jains and Brahmins. 1: Not live to
eat 2: Hurt less 3: karuna(compassion) 4: Follow the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path
Right understanding, know four noble truths. Right purpose, urge to follow path and reach
nirvana. Right speech, no lie, unkind. Right conduct, no kill, steal, lie, unchaste, and drink. Right
livelihood, choose a job that doesn't harm life. Right effort, self control, strive for good. Right
awareness, don’t be moved by joy or sorrow. Right concentration, meditate until reach nirvana.
So Eightfold Path is a way to reach nirvana and end suffering.

Bodh Gaya

Nirvana
Give up desire, happiness, wealth, power. Doing the mediation, experience oneness with all
existence.

Dhammapada

Four Noble Truths (list & know all 4)

1: Life is suffering. 2: Suffering is caused by desire. 3: There is a way out of suffering. 4: End
up the suffering by following the Eightfold Path and reach nirvana.

Bodhisattva

Can you answer these questions about Buddhism?

Can you explain the core beliefs of Buddhism using all of these
vocabulary words? (nirvana, Middle Way, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path)
Buddhism is a belief that try to make people end up suffering. They told people to know the Four
Noble Truth to let people understand what causes suffering and how to stop it. To stop suffering
and reach nirvana which is give up desires, happiness, wealth, power, doing meditation,
experience oneness with all existence. They tell people to reach that by following the Eightfold
Path. But because it’s very difficult to follow the Eightfold Path perfectly, so Buddha provide a
Middle Way to let people reach nirvana and end up suffering.

Did the Buddha believe in and support the caste system? Why or
why not? How can you tell?
No. Because Buddha think that a person’s deeds or actions measure of who a person is.
Whether a priest or an outcast. He denounced the authority of Brahmin priest their scriptures
and rituals.
Members of which varnas or other groups would be more likely to embrace Buddhism? Which
might find it threatening?
Members of lowest varnas would be more likely embracing Buddhism. Because if they do what
Buddhism says, they will only need one life to release from the cycle of rebirth and also have
better life than do what Brahman says. But if they do what Brahman says, then they will need
more lives in order to release from the cycle of rebirth. And probably they have to do a lot of dirty
work in their lives.

How does Siddhartha’s own life illustrate (show) his concept of the Middle Way?
He only ate enough to live, he hurt lives as little as possible, he compassion others, he meditate
until experience nirvana. These things are all the things that a person should do in the Middle
Way in order to become a Buddha and end up suffering.

How did Ashoka helped spread Buddhism within India and also beyond India?

Review Gupta accomplishments in the following areas:

Hindu synthesis & religious tolerance,

Built Buddhist stupas and monasteries, and created as many as five thousand extraordinary
Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cave temples.

Math and science,

The Earth was round and rotated on its axis. Using positive and negative numbers. Determine
square roots, cube roots, and solved quadratic equations. Devised a decimal system and were
the first to use place numbers with a system of one to nine. Very good at metallurgy. Selling a lot
of goods to other countries.

Quality of life improvements

Founded the first University in the world.

Art & Architecture

Indian artists created beautiful images of Hindu gods and the Buddha. Built Buddhist stupas and
monasteries, and created as many as five thousand extraordinary Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain
cave temples.