Hinduism Online:
Essay Questions

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1. Chapter 1
   1. What are some of the potential continuities between Indus Valley religion and that of modern Hinduism?
   2. Define orthodox Hinduism and explain how it differs from the religious philosophy of the sramanas.
   3. Trace the arrival and impact of Islam on Hindus and Hinduism?
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3. Chapter 2
   1. The primary concern of the Upanisads is with the relationship between Brahman and Atman. Define both Brahman and Atman, and give a detailed explanation of the relationship between them.
   2. Define Sruti and smrti, explaining the differences between the two, and the various complexities that arise from such designations.
   3. Astrology has been a central component of the Hindu tradition since Vedic times. Give a detailed explanation of why this is so.
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5. Chapter 3
   1. Hindus have an elaborate conception of Time. Give a detailed description of this concept, explaining where humanity is currently located within this notion of time.
   2. Hinduism offers an assortment of explanations regarding the origin and nature of the universe. What are some of these explanations? List the time period in which they developed, and the major texts with which they are associated.
   3. Briefly define Karma, Samsara, and Reincarnation. Then describe the concept of Moksa giving a detailed explanation of its relationship to the three aforementioned concepts.
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7. Chapter 4
   1. This is considered to be one of the most distinctive features of Hindu society. Name this feature, describing it in detail, including how it evolved, and the texts associated with it.
   2. Discuss the role that notions of ritual purity and ritual pollution play in Hindu society. How do these notions relate to the varna system?
   3. Hinduism is concerned with the categories of auspiciousness and inauspiciousness. Explain these categories, where they derived from, and the dimensions of society that they impact.
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9. Chapter 5
   1. What are samskaras, and why are they important to the orthodox Hindu tradition? List the most important samskaras, describing them in detail and the reason for their importance.
   2. In what ways does marriage form the cornerstone of Hindu religious life? In your answer, describe the marriage process, the texts, rites, and requirements associated with it.
   3. What is known about the Hindu women of ancient India? Is there a certain role that women play in Hindu society? What is expected of women, and how are they regarded during the various stages of their life?
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11. Chapter 6
    1. What is sphota, explain it in detail including who is credited with its conception, which text elaborates upon it, and how it relates to mantra.
    2. What is Aum or Om, and why is it so important to the Sanskrit language?
    3. Define Brahman. Philosophically, what role does Brahman play in relation to the Sanskrit language?
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13. Chapter 7
    1. Explain what Hindu orthodoxy meant by heterodox, and then compare and contrast the heterodox darsanas of Jainism, Buddhism, and the Carvaka.
    2. Describe in detail the Sankhya darsana. What is the Sankhya view of reality, and of suffering (duhkha)?
    3. Describe the Yoga darsana in detail. Make sure to include the origins of yoga, the various types of yoga, and the important people and texts associated with it.
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15. Chapter 8
    1. In what ways is dharma a central feature in the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics?
    2. In what ways are the Ramayana and Mahabharata influential in transmitting Hindu religious values?
    3. The epics emerged at the end of the Vedic period. What significance do you think this had in the particular stories that were told, and why?
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17. Chapter 9
    1. What are the paths laid out in the Bhagavad Gita and how do they solve the dilemma of choosing a life in society or away from it?
    2. In what ways did Hinduism, and Hindu orthodoxy change during the period of the Epics?
    3. Why do you think the Bhagavad Gita makes its most compelling case for bhakti yoga?
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19. Chapter 10
    1. Explain the metaphysics of Saiva Siddhanta.
    2. Explain the metaphysics of Pañcaratra philosophy.
    3. Explain the character of the Great Goddess, and what its constituent elements are.
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21. Chapter 11
    1. What are the Puranas, and why and how is bhakti such an important part of them?
    2. Describe the scheme of Krsna’s avataras, and briefly outline the central myth associated with each of them.
    3. What brought about the decline of the Vedic deities, and which deities emerged to take their place? Choose one of these “newer” deities from the Puranic literature and describe them in detail.
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23. Chapter 12
    1. In what ways did Hindu bhakti ideology begin to embrace women and lower-caste participation?
    2. In what ways does domestic worship differ from temple worship, and in what ways are they similar?
    3. Who is allowed to perform the rites of worship at homes and in temples, and what qualifications, if any, must they have?
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25. Chapter 13
    1. In what ways does the Visistadvaita philosophy synchronize more closely with the actual beliefs and worship practices of the majority of Hindus, than does Sankara’s radical non-dualism?
    2. Who is Sankara, what is his philosophy, and why is he important to the tradition of Vedanta?
    3. How does Sankara’s philosophy of non-dualism differ from that of Ramanuja’s?
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27. Chapter 14
    1. What is a yantra, and why is it important to Tantra? Give an example of a yantra in your answer.
    2. How did Tantra originate, and what are some of the key characteristics of this tradition?
    3. What is Kundalini Yoga, and how does it relate to the Tantric tradition?
    4. Explain the metaphysics of non-dual Kashmir Saivism.
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29. Chapter 15
    1. How did Islam arrive in India, and what changes did it bring to the Indian people, and particularly to the religion of India?
    2. What impact did Britain have on India, and how did this impact India’s religious culture?
    3. What are the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj, who are the important figures associated with them, and in what way are they related to Hinduism?
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31. Chapter 16
    1. Discuss the religious significance of the structure known as Angkor Wat?
    2. How does Balinese Hinduism differ from Hinduism in India?
    3. Discuss the processes that shape the character of Cambodian religion today.
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33. Chapter 17
    1. Choose two of the important figures discussed in this chapter and explain who the figures are, and how they were important in bringing Hinduism to the West.
    2. Choose two of the important organizations discussed in this chapter; describe the organizations, the individuals associated with them, and what impact each had in bringing Hinduism to the West.
    3. What events took place that allowed for the spread of Hinduism to the West?
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35. Chapter 18
    1. Why is the cow considered sacred in the Hindu tradition, and how is it honored?
    2. Hinduism has numerous themes that nurture ecological awareness and reverence for the creation. What are these themes and how are they established within the tradition?
    3. What are some of the important moral and ethical issues Hinduism is facing with regards to modernity? Discuss these issues in detail.
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