The Karmic Perspective Trivia Quiz

Answer: Buddhism

According to tradition, Siddhartha Gautama was born a prince, the son of King Suddhodana who ruled over a kingdom in the northern part of India. Siddhartha was born in a place called Lumbini now located in present day Nepal. During this youth, the king tried to shield him from the harsh realities of life and ensured that he was untouched by the problems faced by his subjects.

When Siddhartha first encountered the outside world at the age of 29, he was moved by the plight of the old, sick and crippled. Unable to ignore these, he left the palace to live the life of a monk.

It is at this stage that he attained enlightenment while meditating under a banyan tree. The Middle Way taught by him preaches a balance between a life of indulgence and that of self denial.

Answer: Hinduism

The four varnas formed the basis of the caste system in Hindu society. The four consisted of the teachers and priests called the Brahmins, the warriors and kings called the Kshatriyas, the merchants and farmers called the Vaishyas and the servants and labourers called the Shudras. The untouchables formed the fifth category and were the lowest rung of the society.

Answer: Jainism

Paryushana can be translated to mean 'coming together'. During this period, lay people as well as the monks study and meditate while fasting. Even the wandering monks take a break from their travels and take up temporary residence in a particular town or city for the duration of this festival.

While most of the observers have only one simple meal during this period, some fast for the entire duration without having any food or water. Even among those that eat light meals, no food or water is consumed between sunset and sunrise.

At the end of the festival, Jains seek forgiveness from everyone for any hurt they may have knowingly or unknowingly caused.

Answer: Sikhism

Both men and women Sikhs are forbidden from cutting their hair. Men wear turbans to cover their head and most even refrain from shaving their facial hair. The religion also forbids the sacrifice of animals as part of ritualistic offerings. Sikhism also doesn't have any priests.

The practice of having priests was abolished by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh. There is only a person called the Granthi who looks after the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. Any member of the Sikh faith can become a Granthi.

The religion also doesn't advocate or encourage a monastic way of life. Sikhs are encouraged to marry and live family-oriented lives.

Answer: Buddhism

The prayer wheel consists of a cylindrical wheel fitted on a spindle that can be turned. Monasteries and other holy sites contain rows of such prayer wheels. The spinning of these wheels is believed to have the same spiritual effect as the oral recitation of the mantras. Prayer wheels are especially common in Tibetan culture.

Answer: Hinduism

The site for the celebration of the Kumbh Mela is chosen depending on the positions of the planet Jupiter and the sun. The main event of the gathering is to bathe in the waters of the river located in the town where the festival is held. This ritual bathing is believed to wash off the sins of the people.

The origins of this festival lie in the Hindu myth of the ocean churning. According to the myth, the gods lost their powers due to a curse. The gods and demons then made a pact to churn the ocean and produce the nectar of immortality which would be shared equally between them. Once the nectar was formed though, a fight broke out between the two groups.

While the Hindu god Vishnu was flying away with the pot (kumbh) of nectar, drops spilled at four places - Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Thus, the Kumbh Mela is held at these four locations.

Answer: Buddhism

Dalits were regarded as untouchables in the caste-based Hindu society and subjected to various kinds of discrimination. Denied access to education that would provide a means to better their lives, they were stuck in a vicious circle of poverty. The word Dalit itself is taken from the Sanskrit language and means 'crushed' or 'suppressed'. They were forced into occupations that were considered unfit to be done by others, like the cleaning of sewers, removal of animal waste and carcasses and other such work, and were not permitted to enter schools, temples or even the houses of people belonging to the upper castes.

Prominent Indian leader B.R. Ambedkar, who was himself a Dalit, is credited with leading a movement that aimed to better their lives. Overcoming financial and social difficulties, Ambedkar was one of the first of the Dalits to obtain a college education, going on to obtain a law degree and doctorates from the London School of Economics. The first law minister of independent India and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar refused to be part of a community that practiced such inhuman caste biases. He eventually converted to Buddhism and led a mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism, inspired by the religion's equal treatment of all people.

Answer: Jainism

One of the important symbols of Jainism are the triple umbrellas which signify protection through the triple gems. The triple gems are regarded as essential to help the mortal soul attain spiritual freedom.

Buddhism also has the concept of three jewels or triple gems; however, these consist of things that guide Buddhists on the path to salvation. The three jewels in Buddhism are Buddha, the Enlightened One; Dharma, the teachings of Buddha; and Sangha, the Buddhist community.

Answer: Sikhism

The Golden Temple, located in Amritsar in the state of Punjab in India, is one of the most important religious sites for Sikhs. The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, and then continued by nine other gurus. The construction of Harmandir Sahib was begun by the fourth guru, Guru Ram Das and completed by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev.

As is the case with all Sikh gurudwaras, the Golden temple is open to people of all faiths and both genders may freely enter to worship within the premises.

Answer: Sikhism

Sikhism does not follow any caste system and all men and women are treated as equal. All men are given the title of Singh which means lion and women that of Kaur which means princess. The Sikh marriage ceremony is known as 'Anand Karaj' which translates to 'joyful union' and is usually conducted within the premises of the Gurudwara. Sikhism has always prohibited the practices of child marriage and the dowry system. Also, there are no astrological considerations while deciding upon the date and time of the marriage ceremony.

The ceremony is held at a time that is mutually convenient for both families.