Keywords To Remember
- Sanatan Dharm: Another name for Hinduism meaning the “eternal duty” or “eternal law”.
- Tri-Deva: The three principal gods in Hinduism — Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Mahesh/Shiva (the destroyer).
- Natraja: An epithet of Shiva representing him as the cosmic dancer.
- Atma: The individual soul or self in Hindu philosophy.
- Parmatma: The supreme soul or universal spirit.
- Ahimsa: The principle of non-violence towards all living beings.
- Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam: A Sanskrit phrase meaning “the world is one family.”
- Sarvadharma Sambhava: The belief that all religions are equal and should be respected.
- Avesta: The holy scripture of Zoroastrianism.
- Gathas: Hymns or sacred songs within the Avesta.
- Mono-theistic: Belief in the existence of only one God.
- Messiah: The promised deliverer or savior in Judaism.
- Tirthankar: A spiritual teacher in Jainism who has conquered the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth; spiritual freedom.
- Brahmacharya: The practice of celibacy or self-restraint.
- Triratna (Three Jewels): In Jainism, the three guiding principles — right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
- Kaivalya: Supreme knowledge or enlightenment.
- Nirvana: The ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering in Buddhism.
- Ashtangika Marg (Eight-fold Path): The path prescribed by Buddha for ending suffering.
- Sangha: The Buddhist community of monks, nuns, and lay followers.
- Tripitakas: The three collections of Buddhist scriptures.
- Synagogue: The Jewish place of worship.
- Bible: The sacred scripture of Christianity.
- Old Testament: Part of the Christian Bible that contains Jewish scriptures.
- New Testament: Part of the Christian Bible that contains the teachings and life of Jesus Christ.
- Penance: Self-imposed punishment for sins or wrong-doing.
- Orthodox: Strict adherence to traditional beliefs and practices.
- Enlightenment: Spiritual awakening or realization.
- Meditation: A mental exercise to attain calmness and spiritual insight.
- Biography: A written account of a person’s life.
- Civilization: Advanced stage of human society with culture, government, and social structure.
Something To Know
A. Tick (✔ ) the correct option.
- The oldest religion of the world is-
(a) Buddhism
(b) Hinduism
(c) Judaism
(d) Jainism
Answer – (b) Hinduism
- The Parsees are the followers of-
(a) Abraham
(b) Zoroaster
(c) Rishab dev
(d) Jesus Christ
Answer – (b) Zoroaster
- Siddharth became Buddha when-
(a) he attained enlightenment.
(b) he left his family for good.
(c) he renounced the world.
(d) people started calling him Mahatma.
Answer – (a) he attained enlightenment
- Which one of the following books belongs to Judaism?
(a) Aranyaka
(b) Apocrypha
(c) Avesta
(d) Bible
Answer – (b) Apocrypha
- Which colour of clothes do Shvetambers wear?
(a) black
(b) white
(c) green
(d) orange
Answer – (b) white
B. Fill in the blanks.
- According to the Hindus, Srishti (the creation) is governed by three Gods namely/
(i) __________(ii)__________(iii)__________
Answer – Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh
- __________is the God of good forces, according to Zoroastrianism.
Answer – Ahur Mazda
- __________is the only God in Judaism.
Answer – Jehovah
- Gautam Buddha realised that the real cause of misery is__________.
Answer – desire
- Christian era started from __________CE.
Answer – first
C. Match the following:
- Karma Yog a. Christianity
- Avesta b. Jainism
- Ashtangika Marg c. Hinduism
- Triratna d. Zoroastrianism
- New Testament e. Buddhisim
Answer –
Column A | Column B |
1. Karma Yog | c. Hinduism |
2. Avesta | d. Zoroastrianism |
3. Ashtangika Marg | e. Buddhism |
4. Triratna | b. Jainism |
5. New Testament | a. Christianity |
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- Name any three holy books of Hinduism.
Answer – Vedas, Upnishads, Bhagavad Gita
- State the content of the Old Testament.
Answer – It contains the history of Jewish religious beliefs and rules to be followed by every Jew.
- What is the main contribution of Mahavir?
Answer – He preached the Triratna (Right Faith, Right Action, Right Knowledge) and strongly advocated non-violence.
- In your opinion, what is the main cause of misery?
Answer – According to Buddha, the main cause of misery is desire.
- What is a synagogue?
Answer – A synagogue is the place of worship for Jews.
E. Answer the following questions.
- Explain the meaning of the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Answer – In Hindu philosophy, the soul never dies. It leaves one body and enters another, continuing the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until it attains Moksha (liberation).
- Describe the teachings of Zoroaster.
Answer – Zoroaster taught the belief in one God, Ahur Mazda, and emphasized right thinking, right speech, and right action to fight evil and achieve good.
- Explain the three ways suggested by Mahavir to attain moksha.
Answer – Mahavir suggested Triratna:
(i) Right Faith
(ii) Right Knowledge
(iii) Right Action
- List the Eight-Fold Path as suggested by Mahatma Buddha to attain moksha.
Answer – (i) Right View
(ii) Right Thought
(iii) Right Speech
(iv) Right Action
(v) Right Livelihood
(vi) Right Effort
(vii) Right Mindfulness
(viii) Right Concentration
- Why do Christians celebrate Easter and Christmas every year?
Answer – Easter is celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus after three days of his crucifixion. Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Value Based Question
Bashir is a sculptor from Bihar. Every year he makes statues (idols) of Maa Durga for Durga pooja to be worshipped by the Hindus. He and his family members attend the festival along with their Hindu friends.
Give five such examples which illustrate the true picture of Indian secularism.
Answer – A Christian teacher organizing Diwali celebrations in school.
A Sikh donating to a mosque’s renovation.
A Muslim artist painting scenes from Ramayana.
A Hindu doctor treating all patients during Eid with respect.
People of all religions celebrating national festivals together.
Map Skill
On a political outline map of the world, locate and mark the following.
(a) Iran – the birth place of Zarathustra
(b) Israel-the home of Jews
(c) India-the land of many religions
(d) Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand – the Buddhist countries
Answer – Do it yourself
Something to Do
Complete the given table,
Answer –
Religion | Main Scriptures |
Hinduism | Vedas, Upnishads, Gita |
Zoroastrianism | Avesta |
Jainism | Kalpasutra |
Buddhism | Tripitakas |
Christianity | Bible (Old & New Testaments) |
- Prepare a chart of the teachings of all religions with the pictures of their founders.
Answer – Do it yourself.
- On the basis of the chart prepared, find out the teachings which are common in most of the religions.
Answer – Belief in one supreme God or truth
Non-violence (Ahimsa)
Truthfulness
Love and compassion for all
Helping others and self-discipline
Additional Questions And Answers – 01
FILL IN THE BLANKS (with Answers)
- Gautam Buddha was born in __________.
Answer: Lumbini - Zoroastrians pray in a __________.
Answer: Fire Temple - The sacred symbol of Judaism is the __________.
Answer: Star of David - The holy river associated with Hinduism is the __________.
Answer: Ganga - Jesus Christ was crucified on a __________.
Answer: Cross - Mahavir was the __________ Tirthankara of Jainism.
Answer: 24th - Tripitaka is written in the __________ language.
Answer: Pali - The day of rest and worship in Judaism is called __________.
Answer: Sabbath - In Hinduism, Moksha means __________.
Answer: liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth - The holy fire in Zoroastrianism represents __________.
Answer: purity and truth
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs) (with Answers)
- The founder of Jainism is—
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Rishab Dev
(c) Mahavir
(d) Guru Nanak
Answer: (c) Mahavir - The holy book of Christianity is—
(a) Torah
(b) Quran
(c) Bible
(d) Gita
Answer: (c) Bible - The Upanishads are part of—
(a) Vedas
(b) Bible
(c) Tripitaka
(d) Quran
Answer: (a) Vedas - Who is the creator God in Hinduism?
(a) Vishnu
(b) Shiva
(c) Brahma
(d) Krishna
Answer: (c) Brahma - The core teaching of Buddha is to—
(a) Pray daily
(b) Accumulate wealth
(c) Avoid desire
(d) Worship idols
Answer: (c) Avoid desire
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS (with Answers)
- Christianity believes in many gods.
Answer: False - Mahavir preached the doctrine of Ahimsa.
Answer: True - The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Ramayana.
Answer: False - Zoroastrians worship fire as a god.
Answer: False (They respect fire as a symbol of purity, not as a god) - Judaism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions.
Answer: True
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
- Who was Zoroaster?
Answer: Zoroaster was a prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism in ancient Iran. - What does the term ‘Nirvana’ mean in Buddhism?
Answer: It means the ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death. - Name the two major sects of Jainism.
Answer: Shvetambara and Digambara. - Why is Sunday important for Christians?
Answer: It is considered the holy day for worship and rest. - What are Vedas?
Answer: The Vedas are the oldest and most sacred texts of Hinduism.
COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS (Reasoning & Assertion)
Q1.
Assertion (A): Gautam Buddha left his palace in search of truth.
Reason (R): He was disturbed by the sufferings of the people.
Options:
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, R is false.
(d) A is false, R is true.
Answer: (a)
Q2.
Assertion (A): Fire is sacred in Zoroastrianism.
Reason (R): Fire is considered a purifier and symbol of truth.
Answer: (a)
Q3.
Assertion (A): Jainism supports violence to protect religion.
Reason (R): Jainism believes in aggressive self-defense.
Answer: (d) A is false, R is false.
HIGH ORDER THINKING SKILL (HOTS) QUESTIONS
- Why do you think religions across the world stress on values like truth and non-violence?
Answer: These values help maintain peace and harmony in society, encourage compassion, and reduce conflict. All religions recognize their importance for personal and social well-being. - If religions teach unity and peace, why do religious conflicts arise? How can they be avoided?
Answer: Misinterpretation of religious texts, political motives, and lack of tolerance often lead to conflicts. Education, interfaith dialogues, and promoting secular values can help reduce such tensions.
LONG QUESTIONS (40–50 words)
- Explain the core teachings of Buddhism.
Answer: Buddhism teaches the Four Noble Truths, which include that life is full of suffering caused by desire, and suffering can be overcome by following the Eightfold Path. This path emphasizes right actions, right thoughts, and right living to attain Nirvana or liberation. - Describe the concept of Moksha in Hinduism.
Answer: Moksha means liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Hindus believe it is the ultimate goal of life. It can be attained through good karma, devotion, knowledge, and meditation, leading the soul to unite with the Supreme Being. - What are the major principles of Jainism?
Answer: Jainism promotes the principles of non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and non-possession (Aparigraha). It emphasizes self-discipline, purity of thought and action, and liberation through self-effort and right living.
Additional Questions And Answers – 02
Fill in the Blanks Questions and Answers
- Hinduism is also known as ________ Dharm.
Answer: Sanatan - The three gods governing creation in Hinduism are Brahma, Vishnu, and ________.
Answer: Mahesh (Shiva) - The holy book of Zoroastrianism is called ________.
Answer: Avesta - The first Tirthankar of Jainism was ________.
Answer: Rishabh Dev - Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under a ________ tree in Gaya.
Answer: Pipal - The sacred day commemorating Jesus Christ’s death is called ________.
Answer: Good Friday - The Hindu doctrine of ________ means all people are like one family.
Answer: Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam - The Jewish temple is known as ________.
Answer: Synagogue - Mahavir added ________ as the fifth teaching to Jainism.
Answer: Brahmacharya - The Buddhist scriptures are compiled in ________.
Answer: Tripitakas
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Answers
- What is the oldest religion in the world according to the text?
a) Zoroastrianism
b) Hinduism
c) Judaism
d) Buddhism
Answer: b) Hinduism - Who is considered the creator god in Hinduism?
a) Vishnu
b) Shiva
c) Brahma
d) Krishna
Answer: c) Brahma - What is the name of the Zoroastrian god of good forces?
a) Ahriman
b) Ahur Mazda
c) Jehovah
d) Messiah
Answer: b) Ahur Mazda - Who was the twenty-third Tirthankar of Jainism?
a) Mahavir
b) Rishabh Dev
c) Parshva Nath
d) Hemchandra
Answer: c) Parshva Nath - Where was Gautam Buddha born?
a) Kushi Nagar
b) Lumbini
c) Gaya
d) Varanasi
Answer: b) Lumbini - What is the sacred symbol of Christianity?
a) Swastik
b) Cross
c) Fire
d) Synagogue
Answer: b) Cross - Which Hindu scripture is considered a treasure of Indian philosophy?
a) Vedas
b) Gita
c) Puranas
d) Upnishads
Answer: b) Gita - What is the Jewish god called?
a) Ahur Mazda
b) Jehovah
c) Messiah
d) Ahriman
Answer: b) Jehovah - Which Jain sect wears white clothes?
a) Digambars
b) Shvetambars
c) Nayannars
d) Alvars
Answer: b) Shvetambars - What is the Buddhist Eight-Fold Path meant to achieve?
a) Nirvana
b) Kaivalya
c) Moksha
d) Heaven
Answer: a) Nirvana
True/False Questions and Answers
- Hinduism’s founder is known and documented.
Answer: False - Zoroastrians worship fire and the sun.
Answer: True - The Upnishads explain concepts like Atma and Parmatma in Hinduism.
Answer: True - Judaism believes in multiple gods.
Answer: False - Mahavir introduced brahmacharya as a Jain teaching.
Answer: True - Gautam Buddha was born in Gaya, Bihar.
Answer: False - The Christian festival of Easter celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth.
Answer: False - Jainism was divided into Digambars and Shvetambars.
Answer: True - The Hindu doctrine of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam promotes equality of all religions.
Answer: False - The Tripitakas contain the rules for Buddhist monks.
Answer: True
Short Questions and Answers
- What is Hinduism also known as?
Answer: Sanatan Dharm. - Name one god worshipped in Hinduism since the Harappan civilization.
Answer: Pashupatinath. - Who founded Zoroastrianism?
Answer: Zarathustra (Zoroaster). - What is the holy book of Judaism?
Answer: Old Testament. - Who was the first Tirthankar of Jainism?
Answer: Rishabh Dev. - Where did Gautam Buddha attain enlightenment?
Answer: Gaya. - What is the sacred symbol of Christianity?
Answer: Cross. - Name one Hindu scripture.
Answer: Gita. - What are the three ways to attain Moksha in Jainism called?
Answer: Triratna. - What is the Christian festival celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth?
Answer: Christmas.
Competency-Based Questions and Answers (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion (A): Hinduism emphasizes non-violence.
Reason (R): It preaches ‘Ahimsha Parmo Dharma’.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. - Assertion (A): Zoroastrianism believes in one God.
Reason (R): Ahur Mazda represents the good forces in the religion.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. - Assertion (A): Jainism promotes penance to attain Moksha.
Reason (R): Parshva Nath and Mahavir emphasized non-violence and penance.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. - Assertion (A): Buddhism rejects caste biases.
Reason (R): Gautam Buddha organized Sanghas open to all.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. - Assertion (A): Christianity emphasizes love for all.
Reason (R): Jesus Christ taught to hate the sin but not the sinner.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions and Answers
- Question: Why is Hinduism considered the oldest religion despite lacking a known founder?
Answer: Hinduism’s antiquity stems from its roots in Harappan practices like worshipping Pashupatinath and the Swastik. Its diverse scriptures, like the Vedas and Upnishads, evolved over centuries, reflecting continuous cultural and philosophical development without a single founder, unlike other religions. - Question: How did Zoroastrianism’s concept of good versus evil influence its teachings?
Answer: Zoroastrianism’s belief in Ahur Mazda (good) versus Ahriman (evil) shaped its emphasis on right deeds, thoughts, and speech. This dualism encouraged followers to choose righteousness, influencing ethical living and the belief that good ultimately triumphs, impacting moral conduct. - Question: Evaluate the significance of Mahavir’s addition of brahmacharya to Jain teachings.
Answer: Mahavir’s addition of brahmacharya reinforced Jainism’s ascetic ideals, promoting self-discipline and detachment from worldly desires. This strengthened the path to Moksha through Triratna, distinguishing Jainism’s rigorous ethical framework and influencing its division into Digambars and Shvetambars. - Question: Why did Buddhism spread widely across Asia?
Answer: Buddhism spread due to its rejection of caste and rituals, appealing to diverse groups. Support from kings like Ashoka and Kanishka, who promoted its doctrines, and the accessibility of the Eight-Fold Path facilitated its expansion to Sri Lanka, China, and Southeast Asia. - Question: Analyze the role of the Bible in shaping Christian beliefs.
Answer: The Bible, with the Old Testament detailing Jewish history and the New Testament focusing on Jesus Christ’s teachings, shapes Christian beliefs in monotheism and love for humanity. Its narratives and moral guidelines provide a framework for ethical living and spiritual practices.
Long Questions and Answers (40-50 Words)
- Question: Describe the key philosophical concepts of Hinduism.
Answer: Hinduism explores concepts like Atma (soul), Parmatma (God), and the cycle of birth and rebirth. The Upnishads emphasize the soul’s immortality and non-violence (‘Ahimsha Parmo Dharma’). Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam promotes universal brotherhood, while Sarvadharma Sambhava advocates equality of all religions. - Question: Explain the core teachings of Zoroastrianism.
Answer: Zoroastrianism, founded by Zarathustra, worships Ahur Mazda, the god of good forces, against Ahriman (evil). It emphasizes right deeds, thoughts, and speech. Good actions lead to heaven, while evil ones lead to hell. Fire and sun worship are central practices. - Question: Discuss the significance of Mahavir’s teachings in Jainism.
Answer: Mahavir’s teachings, including non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession, and brahmacharya, form Jainism’s ethical core. His Triratna (right faith, action, knowledge) guides followers toward Moksha. These principles, emphasizing penance and asceticism, shaped Jainism’s distinct identity and influenced its sects. - Question: How did Gautam Buddha’s Four Noble Truths shape Buddhism?
Answer: Buddha’s Four Noble Truths identify life’s miseries, their cause (desire), the need to overcome desires for Nirvana, and the Eight-Fold Path as the solution. This framework, rejecting rituals and caste, made Buddhism accessible, guiding followers toward enlightenment and ethical living. - Question: Analyze the impact of Christianity’s teachings on its followers.
Answer: Christianity, based on Jesus Christ’s teachings, emphasizes monotheism, love for all, and hating sin but not sinners. The Bible’s narratives promote compassion and ethical living. Celebrations like Christmas and Easter reinforce faith, fostering a sense of community and spiritual purpose among followers.