KCSE 2011 Hindu Religious Education Paper 1 Questions and Marking Scheme

HINDU RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (315)
Hindu Religious Education Paper 1 (315/1)

1.    
   1. State five attributes of Paramatma according to the Mool Mantra. (5 marks)
   2. Explain the four aspects of Purusharth.(8 marks)
   3. Describe the characteristics of Lord Vishnu demonstrated in his role as a Preserver.(7 marks)
2.       
   1. State the teachings of Ramanujacharya on Atma and Paramatma.(6 marks)
   2. Describe the daily routine observed by a Jain Sadhu according to Lord Mahavir.(6 marks)
   3. How did Lord Krishna assist Arjun in the battlefield of Kurukshetra?(8 marks)
3.        
   1. Identify the four vedic scriptures.(4 marks)
   2. State the qualities of Bharat in Ramayana.(8 marks)
   3. Describe the role of Vidur in Mahabharat.(8 marks)
4.       
   1. In what ways can a Vanprasthi assist those infected by HIV/AIDS?(10 marks)
   2. Explain how the practice of Bhoot Yajna helps in the preservation of the environment.(5 marks)
   3. State five qualities that a Hindu can acquire by practising the principle of Dhruti.(5 marks)
5.      
   1. Discuss ways in which the principle of Samyak Vyayam (right effort) helps in eradicating corruption in the society.(10 marks)
   2. State the similarities between Naam Japna and Dhun.(5 marks)
   3. Give five reasons why Jains refrain from eating root vegetables.reasons(5 marks)
6.      
   1. Describe the functions of each of the Panch Kosh of Sharir.(10 marks)
   2. Give five qualities of a Jivamukta.(5 marks
   3. State the advantages of performing Pratyahar in Ashtang Yoga.(5 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.      
   1. Five attributes of Paramatma according to the Mool Mantra:
      1. He is one
      2. He is eternal
      3. He is sustainer
      4. He is the creator
      5. He is without fear - fearless
      6. He is without enemies
      7. He is not subject to time
      8. He is beyond birth and death
      9. He is responsible for His own manifestation
         (5 x 15 marks)
   2. Aspects of Purusharth
      1. Dharma - duties of humans as given by Paramatma
      2. Artha - earning through honest means
      3. Kama - fulfilment of wishes/desires through senses
      4. Moksha- union with devine - liberation, salvation, mukti, self enlightenment.
         (4 x 2 = 8 marks)
   3. Characteristics of Lord Vishnu demonstrated in his role as a preserver
      1. Loving to all
      2. Merciful - pardons errors/mistakes
      3. Generous - by being bountiful
      4. Forgives wrong doers
      5. Protects the righteous
      6. Destroys evil doers 
      7. Looks after the creation
      8. Preserves the knowledge of the scriptures
      9. Equanimity - treats all equally
      10. Promotes divine knowledge
      11. Reincarnates to establish Dharma/destroys evil.
          (7 x 1 = 7 marks)
2.         
   1. Teachings of Ramanjaharya on Atma and Paramatma.
      1. He established Advait philosophy: Paramatma is One
      2. He is separate from the soul - (atma)
      3. He is omnipotent
      4. He is omniscient
      5. He has infinite love
      6. He is creator of soul
      7. Soul is self-conscious
      8. Soul is unchanging
      9. Soul is a complete entity - whole
      10. Soul is atomic - made from matter 
      11. Soul is separate from Paramatma
      12. Soul never becomes part of God
      13. Soul is eternal - nitya Soul is free - mukta Soul is attached - badha
          (6x1= 6 marks)
   2. Daily routine observed by a Jain Sadhu according to Lord Mahavir:
      1. Penance - fasting
      2. Beg for alms
      3. Read the scripture
      4. Preaching
      5. Observing food restrictions
      6. Dhyana, samaik, meditation
      7. Prayers
      8. Move from place to place
      9. Covering His mouth
      10. Not wearing shoes/walking barefoot.
          (6 x 1 = 6 marks)
   3. Ways in which Lord Krishna assisted Arjun in the battlefield of Kurukshetra:
      1. Lord Krishna encouraged Arjun to fight as his duty to defend the righteousness. 
      2. He became Arjun's charioteer and guided its manoeuvres on the battlefield,
      3. He mislead Dhromacharya into believing that his son Ashwathama is dead.
         (This led to Dhronacharya to put his weapons down) He coveed the sun with clouds and made it look like a sunset which enabled Arjun to kill Jayadrath. He protected Arjun from being killed by Bhishma by bringing in Shikhandi.
         (4 x 2 = 8 marks)
3.         
   1. Names of four vedic scriptures:
      1. Shruti = Vedas (Sam, Rig, Yajur, Athara) 
      2. Smriti
      3. Puran
      4. Itihas
         (4 x 1 = 4 marks)
   2. The qualities of Bharat as demonstrated in Ramayana:
      1. Obedience to his parents
      2. Love for his brothers
      3. Showed humility by carrying Rama's slippers on his head.
      4. Lived simple life (like a hermit)
      5. Was unambitious and did not accept to be the king.
      6. Very respectful to Rama, Sita and his citizens.
      7. Caring - wanted Rama to come back to rule.
         (4 x 2 = 8 marks)
   3. Role of Vidur in Mahabharat:
      1. was a good administrator in the court of Dhritrashtra,
      2. asked Dhritrashtra to treat Pandar and Kauravas equally.
      3. advised the King fearlessly.
      4. saved Pandar from being burnt in Lakshgraha.
      5. persuaded the King to give Pandar their right to land.
      6. opposed gambling. 
      7. condemned the disrobing of Draupadi.
      8. tried to stop the battle of Kurukshetra.
      9. was a devotee of Lord Krishna.
      10. lived a simple life.
          (4 x 2 = 8 marks)
4.         
   1. Ways in which a Vanprasthi can assist those infected with HIV/AIDS
      1. take time to visit the people and socialize with them. 
      2. assist in raising funds for medicine, education etc.
      3. encourage others to show sympathy.
      4. help in removing the stigma by including them in projects.
      5. take them out to places and keep them occupied.
      6. give spiritual counselling.
      7. give positive talks on living with HIV/AIDS.
         (5 x 2 = 10 marks)
   2. How the practice of Bhoot Yajna helps in the preservation of the environment:
      1. to take care of fellow beings 
      2. care for domestic animals - give fodder
      3. care for wild animals by contributing to conservation projects
      4. care for birds by giving grains and water.
      5. not to trade or use things made of ivory, skins and hides.
      6. care for reptiles.
      7. care for vegetation.
      8. care for trees.
         (5 x 1 = 5 marks)
   3. Qualities that a Hindu can acquire by practising the principle of Dhruti:
      1. learns to be patient.
      2. perseveres during difficulties.
      3. is always consistent in achieving his/her goal.
      4. is fearless.
      5. courageous.
      6. satisfied/contented with what he/she has.
      7. does not complain unnecessarily.
      8. knows the difference between good and bad.
      9. takes responsibility for his/her actions.
      10. does not envy others for what they have.
      11. has full faith in Paramatma and His wisdom.
          (5 x 1 = 5 marks)
5.          
   1. Ways in which the principle of Samyak Vyayam helps in eradicating corruption in the society:
      1. promoting ethical and moral values in life.
      2. promoting dignity of labour by encouraging people to work hard, 
      3. people should not accept anything that they have not worked for e.g. bribes
      4. those who get sudden wealth should be taken to task to explain how they acquired the wealth.
      5. avoid taking or giving bribes. 
      6. organize seminars and workshops and sensitize people on the evils of corruption.
      7. admit faults and be ready to pay for mistakes.
      8. expose corrupt people without fear or favour.
      9. inform the authorities about any corrupt activities.
      10. create awareness on corruption through the mass and print media. 
      11. ensuring that all people in the society can afford basic necessities through creation of employment opportunities.
      12. stop the begging culture and encourage people to work for a living.
      13. discourage laziness.
          (5 x 2 = 10 marks)
   2. Similarities between Naam Japna and Dhun:
      1. Both can be performed individually.
      2. Both can be performed communally.
      3. Both are accompanied by music.
      4. Both produce pure vibrations.
      5. Both are chantings of Paramatma's name. 
      6. Both are performed at special occasions
      7. Both induce peace and happiness.
      8. Both make people forget their worries.
      9. Both lead to meditation/dhyan.
         (5 x 1 = 5 marks)
   3. Reasons why Jains refrain from eating root vegetables:
      1. It is in line with the practice of Ahimsa - non violence.
      2. Uprooting the vegetables destroys and kills the insects and micro-organisms that depend on them.
      3. Some vegetables like onions and garlic make people tamasic - angry, lethargic.
      4. The micro-organisms in the soil are deprived of their food.
      5. The living organisms in the soil can be uprooted together with the vegetables hence will be displaced from their habitat.
         (5x 1 = 5 marks)
6.           
   1. The functions of each of the Panch Kosh of Sharir:
      1. Annamaya Kosh- makes the body grow and sustain.
      2. Pranamaya - the breathing of air gives oxygen - life giving force.
      3. Manomaya- makes sense organs activated emotions, feelings, gets knowledge.
      4. Vijnanmaya - the intellect helps one in making choice, get knowledge and how to apply it.
      5. Anandmaya - in deep sleep state, experiences total bliss.
         (5 x 2 = 10 marks)
   2. Five qualities of a Jivamukta.
      He/she is
      1. detached from the world.
      2. equanimous. 
      3. loves all.
      4. is indifferent to worldly comforts.
      5. firmly established in self/steadfast.
      6. steady wisdom.
      7. has no desires.
      8. is devoid of longing for anything.
      9. withdraws his senses from objects.
      10. tranquil - peaceful. 
      11. enlightened.
      12. egoless.
          (5 x 1= 5 marks)
   3. Advantages of observing Pratyahar in accordance with Ashtang Yoga:
      1. helps one to withdraw senses from objects.
      2. begins to be detached.
      3. becomes one-minded.
      4. becomes focussed.
      5. is not distracted.
      6. brings senses under control.
      7. controls desires.
      8. gets mental peace.
      9. gets physical relaxation.
         (5 x 1 = 5 marks)