Sacred Texts Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bahá'i

These two books were written by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'i faith. Although he wrote many other books and prayers, these two documents form the guiding books for the followers of this religion. The Bahá'i faith aims for universal peace and unity across all individuals regardless of race, religion, or country of origin.

These two books are typically published together, but are considered separate books by the Bahá'i faithful. "The Four Valleys" was written in 1857 and encourages goodness in all who believe.

The valleys are actually four different types of mystical wayfarers, and how they can become closer to God. "The Seven Valleys" was written about 1860. The seven valleys are actually steps that a soul must take when travelling from the current world to realms that are considered to be closer to God.

The seven valleys include the valley of search, the valley of love, the valley of knowledge, the valley of unity, the valley of contentment, the valley of wonderment, and the valley of true poverty and absolute nothingness.

Answer: Hinduism

"The Vedas" are the oldest scripture in Hinduism. They are considered to be revelations of sacred information that were heard by ancient sages after they had meditated. "The Vedas" were initially passed down orally beginning in the second century BC. The mantras of this oral tradition are still said today. "The Vedas" contain texts on mantras, benedictions, rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices, meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge.

Answer: Christianity

The "New Testament" is a series of writings that are ascribed to different authors. Each book, or section, of the "New Testament" tells of the teachings of Jesus, and the first 100 years or so of Christianity. The entire "Bible" includes the "Old Testament", the first half of the "Bible".

The "Old Testament" is based on sacred Hebrew writings, and was written over centuries. The "Old Testament" is considered a sacred text in Christianity, but also in religions such as Judaism, Samaritans and others.

Answer: Shintoism

The "Kojiki" is one of the sacred texts of Shintoism. It was compiled in 712 CE. A translation titles this text as "Records of Ancient Matters" in English. It contains ancient myths and legends, as well as songs and other oral traditions that guide practices in Shintoism to this day.

The other sacred text of Shintoism is the Nihon-gi that was compiled in 720 CE. A translation of Nihon-gi is "Chronicles of Japan". Both of these sacred texts had influences from Buddhism and Confucianism, so although they are the main sacred texts of Shintoism, they are not absolutely exclusive to that religion.

Answer: Islam

Muslims, or those who follow the Islamic religion, believe that the "Quran" is the most sacred text. It is believed that it was originally revealed by God to the prophet, Muhammad. Muslims believe that this sacred text is the literal divine word of God. One verse in the "Quran" states that it was sent to Muhammad as a guide to mankind, with clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong (verse 2:185). During prayers, the Quran is recited only in Arabic.

Answer: Judaism

The "Tanakh" is the Hebrew Bible. Its name is actually an acronym for the three parts of this sacred text. Each section is identified by the first Hebrew letter of its name. The sections are the "Torah", the "Nevi'im", and the "Ketuvim", or "Law", " Prophets", and "Writings".

When the Hebrew letters are used for each section, it becomes "TaNaKh". The "Tanakh" is essentially the same as the collection of writings that Christians call the "Old Testament" of the "Bible", although different Bibles use slight variances, such as splitting the book of "Samuel" in the "Tanakh" into "Samuel 1" and "Samuel 2".

Answer: Zoroastrianism

The "Avesta" is a collection of texts that is central to Zoroastrianism. It was first developed between 224-651 CE, but that master copy is now lost. Scholars suggest that the most important parts of the text survived because they were memorized and recited by priests.

The sacred text as it exists today is divided by scholars into nine sections, including topics on worship, confounding evil spirits, hymns, prayers, invocation of divinities, blessings, and fragments, or incomplete texts. Although some translations exist, the "Avesta" as it is used in Zoroastrianism is composed in the Avestan language, an early Iranian language known only for its use here.

Answer: Buddhism

The "Tripiṭaka" is actually a Sanskrit word that contains two parts: "tri" for "three" and "pitaka" for "book". It is also known as the "Three Volumes" or the "Three Baskets". This sacred text has three sections that include the "Sutra Piṭaka", the "Vinaya Piṭaka", and the "Abhidhamma Piṭaka".

These sections were all written at different times and govern the canon of the Buddhist religion. The "Sutta Pitaka" contains over 10,000 teachings. The "Vinaya Piṭaka" contains monastic rules of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns.

The "Abhidhamma Piṭaka" is a collection of canonical texts.

Answer: Wicca

Wicca is a relatively young organized religion, having first been introduced in the western world by Gerald Gardner in 1954. Gardner introduced the "Book of Shadows" as a personal sacred text for witches. That document was later revised by his High Priestess Doreen Valiente.

The "Book of Shadows" is mainly a personal text that each witch uses while adding their own information to the book to provide guidance during rituals and ceremonies. In some cases, there are two books - one for the coven that mainly contains the core rituals that have been passed down from Gardner and Valiente, and a second that is created by each witch that contains information about divination, astrology, and beliefs about plants and herbs that are used in their own individual practices.

Answer: Sikhism

The "Guru Granth Sahib" was completed in 1604. In Sikhism, there are ten human gurus. The "Guru Granth Sahib" is thought of as the final guru after these ten humans. It contains hymns, poems, and scriptures about the tenets of the religion, or about the importance of living in a society that includes divine freedom, mercy, love and justice without any kind of oppression.

The "Guru Granth Sahib" is revered by those in the Sikh religion. Nobody is allowed to make any changes or alterations to this sacred text.

It is treated with utmost respect, typically carried on the head and not touched by unwashed hands while worshippers cover their heads and remove their shoes while in its presence. It is also covered with delicate cloths to protect it from the heat and dust when it is not in use.