The roots of Hinduism are found in the Vedas, which are ____
a collection of sacred texts
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According to the Vedas, what are the varnas?
Four main social classes in Hindu society
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What did Gandhi criticize the caste system's ideas of discrimination?
The caste system does not align with Hindu teachings/ it is unfair
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Why were Untouchables excluded from other Indians?
They did work considered lowly
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To certain Hindus, the soul, or atman, is a part of
Brahman
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What did early Hindus mean by varna dharma?
The way of one's role in society; following your duty based on your social class
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Hindus believe that acquiring good karma is needed to
achieve freedom from the cycle of rebirth
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What shape best represents samsara, the Hindu view of birth, life, and death?
A circle or wheel
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How did the caste system affect the lives of people in India?
People's jobs & marriages were based on their caste; impacted how people were treated
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In the story from the Ramayana, the Hindu ideal that Rama says is a lifelong struggle for some people is what?
to be willing to give up riches & power
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Which Hindu belief does the story in the Ramayana illustrate?
Dharma
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How do the actions of one character illustrate the Hindu belief in dharma?
Answers may vary (Rama went to the forest to obey his parents; Sita followed him to be by her husband; Bharata gave up the throne because it was his brother's
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What does the story suggest about the importance of family in Hindu beliefs?
Family comes first
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How might Hindus expect karma to affect one character in the story?
Bharata - ruling in place of Rama but letting everyone know who the real king is
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What does Rama mean by what he tells Bharata about riches and power?
It is hard for many people to give this up and his brother was willing to do that in order to do the right thing