Test Your Spiritual Quotient: Multi-Faith Quiz

Be it the 50 feet Sarva Dharma Stupa which stands tall right next to Bhagavan Baba’s residence, or the Sarva Dharma logo of the world wide Sai Organisation, or the huge and impressive statues of Divine incarnations in the Vidyagiri stadium, or even the vibrant celebrations of Christmas, Buddha Poornima and Shivarathri in Prasanthi Nilayam - Unity of all Faiths has been one of the principal tenets of Bhagavan’s message right from the early days of His Avatharhood. The more we are open to other beliefs, the more we enrich our lives. And to help us in this endeavour, H2H continues this series of quizzes on the unique facets of world’s religions.

1. Although born into his religion at birth, a Zoroastrian child will undergo an initiation ceremony when he is invested with the sacred Sudreh-kusti (awhite muslin undershirt and a hand-woven thread ) vestments, as he recites the following affirmation of the Zoroastrian creed prayer in Avestan:

"May there be propitiation of the Just knowledge created by Ahura Mazda,
which is the holy Mazda worshipping Good Religion."

2. Compassion is an intrinsic part of Islam. It is not restricted to human beings alone, but embraces plants and animals as well. Some of Allah’s names are Rahmân and Rahîm (Compassionate and Merciful). Every Muslim prayer begins with: “Bismillah al-Rahmân al-Rahîm (begin in the name of Allah who is Compassionate and Merciful).

The Holy Qu’ran has several references to compassion to reinforce the beauty of this beautiful virtue. It emphasises two ways of expressing compassion.

One is fasting during the month of Ramadan. By fasting, we learn to be sensitive to the state of the hungry and less fortunate. We realize what it is to stay without food and water as a result of which we feel compassion for every living creature around us.

What is the other way of expressing compassion?

3. Jainism is based on two basic concepts, namely atma and karma. The effect of virtuous deeds (shubha karma) earns us punya, and paap is the effect of evil deeds (ashubha karma). Man’s happiness and misery hinges on his karma. Jains are given to understand that r ight faith, right knowledge and right conduct need to be practised to become free from the bondage of karma.

According to Jainism, what is the ultimate bliss called after all karmas have been destroyed?

4. In their daily lives Sikhs practice viewing the equality of all peoples regardless of caste, creed, or religion. Every gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) has a room attached to it where free meals are served without any distinction to people seated in one line. It truly symbolizes a sense of humanity. What is remarkable about this practice is that it has been carrying on since Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism, first started this beautiful act of generosity.

What is the name of the hall where these community meals are served?

5. Confucianism is a school of thought based on the teachings of a Chinese scholar, K'ung Fu Tzu, commonly pronounced as Confucius in English. Some of his basic teachings were:

- Be kind and good to everyone.
- Every relationship, especially families, should have their foundation on sincerity, loyalty, and respect.
- If rulers are wise and good, then the people follow accordingly.
- People serving the government should earn their positions through education.

This faith has the cultivation of virtues as its central belief. There are two most important virtues according to this faith. One is jen (a benevolent and humanitarian attitude). The other is:

A. Hsiao (love within the family)
B. Yi (righteousness)
C. Li (maintaining proper relationships and rituals that enhance the life of the individual, the family, and the state)
D. Xin (honesty)

6. “However many holy words you read, however many you speak,
what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?” - The Buddha

There are ‘Six Perfections’ to be practiced by a Bodhisattva (an enlightened being who has discovered the Ultimate Truth also known as nirvana, but puts it off for a time till he has guided all his fellow beings to that state of discovering the real Truth) to become a Buddha. Through compassion we can achieve the six perfections. The real motivation for the Mahayana Path, one branch of Buddhism, is love and compassion. The absolutely enlightened state is one of perfect marriage of wisdom and compassion – bodhichitta. Compassion, in the words of Shantideva, a great Buddhist master, is beautiful. “Others are my main concern. When I notice something of mine, I steal it and give it to others.”

According to Mahayana Buddhism, the ‘Six Perfections’ or Six Paramitas’ to be practised by a Boddhisattva to become a Buddha are:

1) the perfection of giving (dana-paramita)

2) the perfection of morality (shila-paramita)

3) the perfection of patience (kshanti-paramita)

4) the perfection of energy (virya-paramita)

5) the perfection of meditation (dhyana-paramita)

What is the sixth perfection?

A. the perfection of truth (satya-paramira)
B. the perfection of wisdom (prajna-paramira)
C. the perfection of love (prem-paramira)
D. the perfection of bliss (ananda-paramira)

7. These lines are familiar to most of us. What is the common thread that runs through all these 5 quotes?

But You, O Lord, are a God full of ………………., and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with …………………….. for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with ……………….. for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have ………………. on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." Matthew 15:32

When the Lord saw her, He had ………………… on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." Luke 7:13-14

8. Jews across the world believe that God created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh day. It came to be known as the Sabbath or Shabbat, the seventh day of the week, a day considered for rest for all Jews. What is the time frame of the Sabbath?

A. From Friday midnight to Saturday midnight
B. Depends on individual choice
C. From sunrise on Saturday to sunrise on Sunday
D. From Friday sundown to Saturday sundown

9. Bahá’u’lláh’s founded the Bahá'í religion and his essential message is of unity. He preached the oneness of God, the oneness of the human family, and the oneness of religion. Bahá'ís are of the firm belief that humanity must cultivate the vision of unity to perceive nature and the purpose of life. This unifying vision is explained lucidly in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh.

Bahá'u'lláh said, “The earth is but one ………… and mankind its ……………”

A. One planet and mankind its creatures.
B. One continent and mankind its people.
C. One country and mankind its citizens.
D. One universe and mankind its residents.

10. Bhagavan Baba once told a charming tale of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and a thief who had become attracted by the saint and wished to have a mantra from him:

Chaitanya then said: “I shall impart the sacred name to you on one condition. Whichever place you may choose for thieving you must recite the sacred name 108 times before you break into the place.

Chaitanya then drew the thief near to him. The thief's heart had considerably softened after listening to Chaitanya's words. Sambhaashanam Sankatanaashanam ("conversation with a holy person removes distress"). Sparsanam Karma Vimochanam (the touch of a holy person frees one from the effects of past deeds). Chaitanya held the thief's head and whispered in his ear three times the mantra: " Om Namo Bhagavathe Vaasudevaaya." The mere sight (darsanam) of Chaitanya destroyed the sins committed by the thief. His words dispelled the worry felt by the thief. The touch of the saint freed him from the bonds of past deeds.

(Meanwhile)…a rich man had taken his wife and children to meet Chaitanya, leaving his house unguarded. The thief broke into the house and entered the safe-room in which all the valuables were kept. He saw gems of all kinds. He was resolved not to touch any of the valuables till he had completed recitation of the mantra given to him by Chaitanya. But before he completed the mantra japa (recitation of holy formula), the master of the house and others arrived there.

What does Bhagavan tell us happened next?

A. The residents of the home immediately chased the thief away.
B. The thief escaped with some jewels
C. The residents of the home began to worship the thief
D. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu entered the home and all began to sing kirtans

Dear Reader, did you like this quiz? Is it too difficult? Is it interactive enough? Would you like more such quizzes? Please help us in serving you better by writing to h2h@radiosai.org mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.