FoxChild@Learn
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June 2022
Q1.1: Which one of the following is the meaning of the term ‘sanatana dharma’?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A End of suffering B Eternal law C Non-violence D Personal freedom
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: B Eternal law
Q1.2: Give two beliefs about matter (prakriti).
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority considered for marking. Matter (Prakriti) is everchanging / it is inert / it is temporary / it is an illusion (maya) / Matter (prakriti) is one of the two energies which Brahman projected itself in (the other being purusha) to create everything in the universe / Matter (prakriti) goes through a cycle of three stages - creation, maintenance, destruction / Matter (prakriti) is the primal essence of everything, i.e. the basis from which everything exists and what everything is / Matter (prakriti) has three qualities (Tri-gunas; sattva = goodness; rajas = energy; tamas = darkness) which are built into everything, including human nature / The atman is trapped within temporary physical bodies which are matter (prakriti) / Matter (prakriti) blocks the jivatman from recognising its true identity, which means that the atman is blocked from moksha (liberation from rebirth), etc.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in a personal loving God influences Hindus today.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the belief must be included. • As they feel God shows love to them / so they feel they should show love to others / which may be in being kind / or giving aid/support / or in their job, etc. • They will be thankful to God for that love / so become a devotee / worship regularly and sincerely. • They might join a sect of Hinduism / in which they live by the codes of that deity / e.g. ISKCON movement / which requires devotion and submission to Krishna. • They will feel blessed / that God is loving and so will protect them / and will be there for them / ‘For the protection of the good, and for the destruction of the wicked, for the establishment of Dharma, I am born from age to age’ – Bhagavad Gita 4:8. • They will feel that they should worship this God / as this God is loving / and so should their family / so they will teach their family to also worship this God. • They will feel that all their worship is personally seen and accepted by God / which might make them feel a greater sense of purpose / and of self-worth. • They might feel God is too vast/complex / so believing in a more defined (i.e. personal, loving) God allows them to worship/focus / e.g. on how God can help, ie show love / e.g. Ganesha the remover of obstacles, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Hindu beliefs about free will.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Hindu belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Hindu belief and teaching – 1 mark • Free will is the ability to choose one’s actions / those choices generate good and bad karma (punya and pa’apa) / which karma is expressed through this and future lifetimes. • Free will is the ability to choose within the religion / i.e., one’s dharma / sanatana dharma or varnashramadharma /ability to choose one’s yoga / i.e., bhakti, jnana, karma, astanga/raja. • Hinduism teaches that free will is not complete freedom / it is like travelling on the road / free will has chosen the route and mode of travel / however karma impacts on free will / as do events and people along the way. • A person can use free will to help others / to look for/recognise need and then respond positively to it / this brings good karma / reflects the virtues (compassion, humility etc). • A person can use free will to hurt others / by ignoring need / by being selfish / this brings negative • Using free will to help others is a way of helping oneself / as it generates good karma / which helps bring a better rebirth / or to achieve moksha (goal of life for Hindus). • Hinduism also teaches that free will is an illusion / humans think they have free will / but only the atman has free will, and it is deluded by being in a material body in this world (prakriti). • Sri Ramakrishna taught that only God has free will / ‘the world is his play’ / as long as a person has not realised his true nature and that of God, that person cannot have true free will / all that person’s thoughts and actions are affected by maya (illusion), etc. Religious teachings might include: ‘If one clings to his attachments, refusing to let go, sorrows will not let go their grip on him’ – ‘It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is considered the highest method of worshipping the Supreme Lord, who is present in everyone’s heart’ – Bhagavat Purana 8.7.44. ‘People who have realized God are aware that free will is a mere appearance. In reality man is the machine and God is the Operator, man is the carriage and God its Driver.’ – Sri Ramakrishna. ‘These actions which can cause hurt and suffering to any other living beings are to be considered pa’apa (sin); and punya (virtue) is defined by those actions which bring joy and happiness to others’ 'The two paths lie in front of the man, pondering them the wise man chooses the path of joy...'
Q1.5: ‘For Hindus, the most important aim of life is moksha (liberation from the cycle of
rebirth).’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Hindu teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Q2 Hinduism: Practices
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [SPaG 3 marks] understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• Since moksha is liberation from rebirth / being free of the barriers of maya (illusion) / knowing one’s true self and God / ‘Liberation is not possible without knowledge’ – shruti scripture / then this must be the highest priority / as that liberation is the greatest achievement / with the most to • Moksha means to be freed of all the suffering of this world / any sane person would make that their highest goal / as no one wishes to suffer / ‘By realising God, one is released from all fetters’ - Vedas / also to be freed from the struggle with/against karma / which is part of the reason for the • The scriptures discuss moksha at length / always discussed as the purest of aims in life / other aims are presented as less than this. • Other aims can become barriers / e.g. kama (seeking pleasure) can become addictive / so a person never has enough material comfort/sensory pleasure / they then become more entrapped in maya and rebirth / ‘When all desires stationed in the heart are dispensed with one becomes liberated undoubtedly, even while living’ – Garuda Purana. • Depends what is meant by ‘most important’ / if this means ‘highest/most noble’, gurus and scriptures would place moksha as highest, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Other aims are all important because they are stepping stones to moksha / they are important in their own way / a Hindu will focus on what is most pertinent to them / so their idea of importance will change with circumstance. • Not everyone is at the stage where they can focus on this aim / e.g. a young person is still learning the dharma / so it is not their most important / it is one of several / not everyone is focused on their religion / so to them material aims might be more important. • Kama (seeking pleasure) is more important / as it is to have sufficient to be able to live a comfortable life (not excess) / this satisfaction allows other goals to then be pursued. • Arta (material prosperity) is more important / e.g. for those with a family / as they need to ensure their family has everything they need / in order to fulfil their duty to them / in Hindu culture, marriage and family are expected of all. • Dharma (living ethically) is more important / by keeping the three elements of dharma, a Hindu can make spiritual progress, even achieve moksha / dharma becomes the means to attaining moksha / i.e. the foundation of moksha /‘The desire for liberation arises in all human beings at the end of many births through the opening of their past virtuous conduct’ – Upanishads. • Sanatana-dharma (doing one’s duty by following eternal law) / allows you to live the right way / e.g. by keeping the Hindu virtues / which leads to moksha anyway / ‘better to do one’s duty ill, than another’s duty well’ – Bhagavad Gita / this is a more pure form of attaining moksha, because of being focused on what is necessary now. • Varnashrama-dharma (caste and stage duty) / as you have to look after your family to be able to get good karma / this takes up all wealth and energy / also to process successfully through the stages of life / which leads to moksha / this is a more pure form of attaining moksha, because of being focused on what is necessary now, etc. Q2 Hinduism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following is the type of Hindu worship known as bhajan/kirtan?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Being blessed by a priest B Holding a fire ceremony C Seeing the deity D Singing hymns
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Singing hymns
Q2.2: Give two ways in which Hindus celebrate Diwali.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority considered for marking. Putting small lights/candles/lamps around the home / putting lighted lanterns onto water, e.g. the Ganges / retelling the story of Diwali – of Rama and Sita / attend the mandir (temple) for worship / special puja dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity / clean the house / business people have their accounts blessed ahead of the new year / puja for Ganesha / Havan ritual / music and dancing, including fairs and festival events in the UK / exchange of cards and gifts / creating rangoli patterns outside the home / firework displays, etc. Allow the elements of puja – chant mantras, pray, make offerings, partake in arti, receive prasad,
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting ways in which gurus are important in Hinduism.
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs • As teachers / for those who are focused on their spiritual journey / there is a very ancient tradition of gurus within the religion / many are considered saints/rishis / their writings are still used today / their sects still exist. • They help to explain the scriptures / which they have greater understanding of / because of longer study / they are experts with a higher level of religious understanding than ordinary Hindus. • Hinduism encourages every Hindu to use a teacher / ‘guru’ means ‘the one who dispels darkness and takes towards the light’ / thus the guru helps a student to see the truth of the scriptures. • All Hindus have a teacher |(guru) as they learn their religion / those who wish to focus or dedicate themselves to understanding the scriptures need a guru. • It is easier to learn from a guru / as they have already moved closer to attaining, if not already attained moksha / they know the path, so know what to do/not do / their experience and knowledge can be used by the student. • Following a guru demands obedience to them / this means the decision to follow a guru is a great undertaking / gurus represent a deliberate focus on and dedication to a wholly spiritual path / the guru is their focus of worship, so very important. • Gurus are highly respected / for example, at Kumbh Mela, the gurus are the first to be allowed into the water at sunrise / many people attend Kumbh Mela primarily to find a guru (for long or short periods of time). • Gurus can be seen as role models / as they may have attained moksha / so know how to. • They have traditional importance / i.e., historically gurus were revered / which gives them status • The goal of life for Hindus is moksha / anything that can help that is important / gurus help their students attain moksha, so must be important. • Gurus preserve the faith/religion / because they teach others the correct understanding and ways of practicing it, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two reasons why Hindus support environmental projects.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Hindu belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Hindu belief and teaching – 1 mark • Respect for life is a virtue / all life needs the environment to be clean and healthy / so it is incumbent on people to protect the environment / if not for self, but for descendants / who will inherit a depleted and damaged world if environmental issues are not sorted. • Belief that God is in all things / including environment / ‘Brahman is all’ – Vedas / so respect for environment is a form of worship of God / bringing good karma. • Earth is called ‘Mother’ / nourishing humans through the food provided, land to live on etc / so supporting environmental projects is a way that thankfulness can be shown to Mother Earth for • To keep pilgrimage sites viable and healthy / Green Pilgrimage Network / recognising the increasing numbers of pilgrims to sites are doing greater damage to them / even putting them under threat / Hindus see pilgrimage as a key element of worship / so need to protect pilgrimage • The story of Krishna defeating the poisonous serpent Kaliya / who had set up home near a watering hole, and every living being that went near was fatally poisoned / Krishna defeated the serpent and restored the pool to its original usable state / message being to clean up where there is environmental damage. • Story of King Prithu who complained to Mother Earth when there was famine / Mother earth pointed out that human were just taking form the earth and not giving back / so she was withholding crops / told Prithu how to landscape the land and build reservoirs / Prithu did / famine ended / message being that humans have to look after the world. • Because there is significant evidence of climate change or degradation / this personally affects Hindus / so supporting environmental projects is a pragmatic, even common sense, response, Religious teachings may include - ‘Brahman is all’ - Vedas. ‘Protect trees, trees will protect you’ – Vedas. ‘The Earth is my mother, I am the Earth’s son’ – Artharva Veda. ‘The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers, but on loan from our children. So we have to hand over to them at least as it was handed over to us’ - Gandhi.
Q2.5: ‘In Hindu worship, the main focus is on One God (Ultimate Reality).’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Hindu teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.
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Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information.
Arguments in support
• The Ultimate Reality is all there is / ‘Brahman is all’ – Vedas / so it means that every act of worship must ultimately be focused on Brahman / regardless of what the immediate target of worship appears to be. • Hinduism is a monotheistic religion / deities are functions of One God / easier ways to understand the complexity of One God / hence all worship is focused on One God via a representation / no matter what the representation that is being used / 'There is only One God, and God is all' - • Hindus believe God is not far away / but rather within the heart and consciousness / hence any worship must be ‘from the heart’ / so they are constantly through any worship in contact with and focused on the One God / this is the essence of Hindu spirituality. • All deities are just functions of God / so worship of any is still worship of One God / ‘Brahman is pure consciousness, without parts, without form. In order to help the seeker in his efforts to surrender, symbols and qualities are added to Brahman.’ – Ramatapaniya Upanisad. • All sacred places/plants/animals are linked to the deities, or Trimurti / which is simply an expression of One God / hence they are linking back to the One God / so it is wrong to suggest Hindus are not focusing on One God when they are worshipping any of the Trimurti, or their • Focusing on the Ultimate Reality as Nirguna Brahman means a believer is focused on Aum / they are not side-tracked or distracted by an image or statue / so their worship is more pure, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• The One God might be the ultimate focus, but is often not the primary process / it is clear that the believer is focusing on Krishna for example / other foci help to connect to One God / such as holy places, deities, etc. • Given different deities represent different things / the various functions of God are split between these deities / it makes sense to focus on the specific deity / e.g. focusing on Ganesha before getting married and starting that new life. • Hindus worship their specific deity / understanding their Lord to be supreme / but this is not the One God / e.g. Vaishnavites believe Vishnu or Krishna to be supreme; Shaivites believe Shiva to be supreme / ‘Of all types of worship, worship of Vishnu is supreme. But even higher than that is the worship of those things related to Vishnu’ – Padma Purana. • Most people cannot focus on the One God / e.g. children or those with less understanding of God / God is beyond / Nirguna Brahman / hence they are unable to comprehend One God / find it easier to focus on something less complex / so Saguna Brahman is more comprehensible, relevant or relatable. • Focus should be on the actual task in hand / e.g., the act of puja / so that it is done with enough devotion and intention to be properly valid / and not just done out of ‘muscle memory’ / present in • Focus should be on what works best for the individual / nature can be a good focus / as you fell the presence of God / ‘Brahman is all’ (Upanishads), etc.