4.12.2 Hindu Religious Education Paper 2 (315/2) 1 . (a) Reasons why Sanskars (Rites) are important to Hindus: An individual through these Sanskar (i) acquires a unique identity of his/her own (ii) obtains social acceptance (iii) gets security through the rites in family and community (iv) learns about specific duties of a person at each stage from birth to death (v) promoted religious procedures and an understanding of them (vi) gives moral and ethical values to an individual (vii) Gets knowledge from the society and scriptures (viii)Learns about the cultural heritage and (iX) preserves the social customs and practices (X) Takes responsibility – personal, social and universal (Xi) Marks major milestones of life – birth, education, marriage, death, etc. (7 x 1 = 7 marks) (b) Religious rituals of a Sikh Wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj) (i) The ceremony begins with the recitation of morning hymn Asa di var (ii) The couple sit in front of the Guru Granth Sahib (iii) The duties of the couple in their new life are explained by the presiding priest – Gyaniji (iv) These duties are for the husband to protect and provide and the wife to be with her husband and take care of home (v) The wife promises to be content and loyal to her husband (vi) The couple accepts the teachings and to show their assent by bowing to the sacred scripture/GGS (vii) The father performs the ceremony of giving consent to his daughter getting married to the groom – kanyadan (viii) The four lavans – marriage hymns are recited (iX) The couple go round the Adi Granth four times while the marriage hymns – lavans are recited (X) The first five and the final verse of the Anand or marriage ceremony are recited The Ardas is performed (Xi) Hukamnama is read (Xii)Prasad is distributed. (7 x 1 = 7 marks) (c) The importance of Jain Siddha Chakra: It reminds J ains of the five revered ones from all directions (i) Siddha (ii) Acharya (iii) Upadhya (iv) Sadhu (v) Arihanta (vi) It tells Jains to practise (vii) Samyak Darshan – Right faith (viii)Samyak Gnan – Right knowledge (ix) Samyak Charitra – Right conduct (x) It shows J ains how to burn their Karma through self discipline (xi) tapes – austerities (xii) a symbol /object of worship (6 x 1 = 6 marks) 2. (a) Three types of Karma with an example of each. (i) Vikarma – Action prohibited by Dharma Telling lies, greed, temptation, false pride, irreligious, intoxication (drugs and alcohol) (ii) Akarma – Action which are natural Breathing, eating, feeling hungry so eating, using the body for movement, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting (iii) Anasakta – Action done without attachment to the deed or expectation of reward. Doing one’s duty – mother cooking, father earning, helping a beggar, stranger, fund-raising, adopting a child, paying fees for needy students, taking care of senior citizens (3 x 2 = 6 marks) (b) How the Law of Karma can help a person living with HIV/AIDS to lead a positive life (i) to accept what one is/ one‘s fate/ present circumstances/ gets mental bliss (ii) the present is the result of past Karma (sanchita) (iii) keep unquestioning trust in Paramatma (iv) HIV/AIDS is one‘s own mistake cum fate gets self respect (v) Others also give respect and accept him/her (vi) Not to blame anyone (vii) Do meritorious actions and ease the present (viii) Keep one-self busy in spite of the illness – pray, meditate, worship, help others (ix) Improve Prarabdha Karma (fate) by present Karma (7 x 1 : 7 marks) (c) Importance of Artha (livelihood) in Purushartha (i) Artha means getting money/ finances through right livelihood and honest means (ii) Money fulfils all desires (iii) gets education (iv) shelter (v) comforts in life (vi) mental peace (vii) self-respect (viii) pride in one‘s profession (ix) enables service to family members (X) social service 3. (a) How the Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in Kenya Sikhs celebrate in Kenya as follows: (i) Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag is replaced by a new one (ii) A service and prayers are held (iii) The prayers are led by Panj Pyare (iv) The flag post is taken down (v) Chola – the flag cloth is removed and the flag post is cleaned and washed (vi) It is then covered with a new chola/cloth and re-hoisted (vii) Ardas is recited (viii)Akhand path is arranged for two days prior to Vaisakhi and the Bhog takes place on the morning of Vaisakhi (ix) Discourses are given on the importance of Vaisakhi and religion (x) Amrit ceremony is performed for new initiates (xi) Competitions are held in sports, martial ans, poetry and essay writing (xii) Sikhs enjoy the day by singing and dancing to Bhangra music (xiii) Langar is served for three days ending on Vaisakhi day (xiv) Sikhs give service to do seva during the whole day. (8 x 1 = 8 marks) (b) How the celebration of Mahashivratri affect the life of Swami Dayanand (i) Dayanand Swami had kept a fast and vigil in the temple of Lord Shiva (ii) He saw a little mouse come and climb the shiv linga (iii) It started to nibble at the offerings (iv) Dayanand started thinking “why does the Shirlinga does not defend itself against a little mouse?’ (v) On deep thought he concluded that the murti of Parmatma is powerless. His search for truth began (vi) He studied the scriptures and vedas and learnt that Pramatma is formless – Nirakar (vii) He started preaching against Murti puja and meaningless rituals (viii) He started preaching the Arya Samaj which advocates and promotes the teachings of vedas (iX) He promoted ved rites and rituals like performing of havan and sanskers (X) He wrote Satyarth Prakash. (6 x 1 = 6 marks) (c) Virtues developed by Jains during Paryushan Parva (i) self-discipline (ii) compassion (iii) forgiveness (iv) brotherhood (V) purity of mind (Vi) purification of physical needs (vii) detachment (viii) humility (iX) devotion (X) amity (Xi) reverence for all life (xii) equanimity. (6 X 1 = 6