KCSE 2014 Hindu Religious Education Paper 2 Questions with Marking Scheme

QUESTIONS

1.                              
   1. Give reasons why Sanskars play an important role in the life of a Hindu.(7 marks)
   2. Describe the religious rituals of a Sikh wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj).(7 marks)
   3. Explain the importance of the Jain Siddha Chakra.(6 marks)
2.                            
   1. Define the three types of Karma and give an example of each.(6 marks)
   2. Explain how the law of Karma can help a person living with HIV/AIDS to lead a positive life.(7 marks)
   3. Describe the importance of Artha (livelihood) in Purushartha.(7 marks)
3.                        
   1. Describe how the Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi festival in Kenya,(8 marks)
   2. How did the celebrations of Mahashivaratri affect the life of Swami Dayanand?(6 marks)
   3. State the virtues developed by Jains during the Paryushan Parva.(6 marks)
4.                              
   1. Describe the important places that Buddhists visit during the tirthayatra of Buddha Gaya.(8 marks)
   2. Give reasons why Sikhs visit Anandpur.(6 marks)
   3. Explain the rituals performed by Hindus when visiting Kashi (Varanasi).(6 marks)
5.                              
   1. State the means of propagation of Hindu Dharma in modern times.(8 marks)
   2. Discuss the role of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in spreading Bhakti Yoga.(8 marks)
   3. Give four teachings of Vedas that promote the preservation of the environment.(4 marks)
6.                              
   1. State eight common features of a Jain Derasar and a Hindu Mandir.(8 marks)
   2. Describe the role of music in Hindu worship.(6 marks)
   3. Explain the Hindu views on pre-marital sex,(6 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.                          
   1. Reasons why Sanskars (Rites) are important to Hindus:
      An individual through these Sanskar
      • acquires a unique identity of his/her own
      • obtains social acceptance
      • gets security through the rites in family and community 
      • learns about specific duties of a person at each stage from birth to death 
      • promoted religious procedures and an understanding of them
      • gives moral and ethical values to an individual
      • Gets knowledge from the society and scriptures
      • Learns about the cultural heritage and
      • preserves the social customs and practices
      • Takes responsibility - personal, social and universal
      • Marks major milestones of life - birth, education, marriage, death, etc. (7 x 1 = 7 marks)
   2. Religious rituals of a Sikh wedding ceremony (Anand Karaj)
      • The ceremony begins with the recitation of morning hymn Asa di var 
      • The couple sit in front of the Guru Granth Sahib
      • The duties of the couple in their new life are explained by the presiding priest - Gyaniji
      • These duties are for the husband to protect and provide and the wife to be with her husband and take care of home
      • The wife promises to be content and loyal to her husband 
      • The couple accepts the teachings and to show their assent by bowing to the sacred scripture/GGS
      • The father performs the ceremony of giving consent to his daughter getting married to the groom - kanyadan
      • The four lavans - marriage hymns are recited
      • The couple go round the Adi Granth four times while the marriage hymns - lavans are recited
      • The first five and the final verse of the Anand or marriage ceremony are recited
      • The Ardas is performed
      • Hukamnama is read
      • Prasad is distributed.(7 x 1 = 7 marks)
   3. The importance of Jain Siddha Chakra:
      It reminds Jains of the five revered ones from all directions
      • Siddha
      • Acharya
      • Upadhya
      • Sadhu
      • Arihanta
      • It tells Jains to practise
        Samyak Darshan - Right faith
      • Samyak Gnan - Right knowledge
      • Samyak Charitra - Right conduct
      • It shows Jains how to burn their Karma through self discipline
      • tapes - austerities
      • a symbol /object of worship(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
2.                        
   1. Three types of Karma with an example of each.
      • Vikarma - Action prohibited by Dharma
        Telling lies, greed, temptation, false pride, irreligious, intoxication (drugs and alcohol)
      • Akarma - Action which are natural
        Breathing, eating, feeling hungry so eating, using the body for movement, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting
      • 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)
   2. How the Law of Karma can help a person living with HIV/AIDS to lead a positive life
      • to accept what one is/ one's fate/ present circumstances/ gets mental bliss
      • the present is the result of past Karma (sanchita)
      • keep unquestioning trust in Paramatma
      • HIV/AIDS is one's own mistake cum fate gets self respect
      • Others also give respect and accept him/her
      • Not to blame anyone
      • Do meritorious actions and ease the present
      • Keep one-self busy in spite of the illness - pray, meditate, worship, help others
      • Improve Prarabdha Karma (fate) by present Karma(7 x 1 = 7 marks)
   3. Importance of Artha (livelihood) in Purushartha
      • Artha means getting money/ finances through right livelihood and honest means 
      • Money fulfils all desires
      • gets education
      • shelter
      • Comforts in life
      • mental peace
      • self-respect
      • pride in one's profession
      • enables service to family members
      • social service(7 x 1 = 7 marks)
3.                      
   1. How the Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi in Kenya
      Sikhs celebrate in Kenya as follows:
      • Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag is replaced by a new one
      • A service and prayers are held
      • The prayers are led by Panj Pyare
      • The flag post is taken down
      • Chola - the flag cloth is removed and the flag post is cleaned and washed 
      • It is then covered with a new chola/cloth and re-hoisted
      • Ardas is recited
      • Akhand path is arranged for two days prior to Vaisakhi
      • and the Bhog takes place on the morning of Vaisakhi
      • Discourses are given on the importance of Vaisakhi and religion
      • Amrit ceremony is performed for new initiates
      • Competitions are held in sports, martial arts, poetry and essay writing 
      • Sikhs enjoy the day by singing and dancing to Bhangra music 
      • Langar is served for three days ending on Vaisakhi day
      • Sikhs give service to do seva during the whole day.(8 x 1 = 8 marks)
   2. How the celebration of Mahashivratri affect the life of Swami Dayanand
      • Dayanand Swami had kept a fast and vigil in the temple of Lord Shiva 
      • He saw a little mouse come and climb the shiv linga
      • It started to nibble at the offerings
      • Dayanand started thinking "why does the Shirlinga does not defend itself against a little mouse?'
      • On deep thought he concluded that the murti of Parmatma is powerless. His search for truth began
      • He studied the scriptures and vedas and learnt that Pramatma is formless - Nirakar
      • He started preaching against Murti puja and meaningless rituals 
      • He started preaching the Arya Samaj which advocates and promotes the teachings of vedas
      • He promoted ved rites and rituals like performing of havan and sanskers
      • He wrote Satyarth Prakash.(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
   3. Virtues developed by Jains during Paryushan Parva
      • self-discipline
      • compassion
      • forgiveness
      • brotherhood
      • purity of mind
      • purification of physical needs
      • detachment
      • humility
      • devotion
      • amity
      • reverence for all life
      • equanimity.(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
4.                          
   1. Important places a Buddhist visit during the tirthayatra of Buddhah Gaya
      • Pipal (Bodhi) tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment
      • The path that Buddha walked on - near Mahabodhi temple 
      • The Mahabodhi temple/ stupa
      • Ratnaghara - roofless shrine
      • A holy pond at Gaya
      • Holy tree under which Buddha had stayed after enlightenment.
      • Monasteries teaching Vinay traditions
      • Stupas with Buddha's golden statues
      • Wheen of Dharma - prayer wheel
      • Diamond throne
      • Vihar gardens
      • Great wall round the Bodhi tree.(8 x 1 = 8 marks)
   2. Reasons why Sikhs visit Anand Pur
      • Pious and holy city for Sikhs founded by Teg Bahadur
      • Takht Sahib is revered
      • Weapons are preserve
      • Langars are served daily
      • Hola Maholla is celebrated annually
      • First Panj Pyare were baptised here
      • It is near the Golden Temple in Amritsar
      • After martyrdom of Teg Bahadur, his head was cremated here 
      • Two sons of Teg Bahadur were beheaded here
      • Khalsa Panth was founded by Gobind Singh.(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
   3. Rituals performed at Kashi (varanasi)
      • Do darshan of Ganga river.
      • Bathe in R. Ganga
      • Light and float diyas in the river
      • Do darshan in Shiv temples
      • Ashes of departed souls after cremation is/are immersed in the Ganges
      • Prayers are recited at river banks
      • Homage is paid to presiding deities
      • Shraddah is performed
      • Water is collected from R. Ganga to proceed to Jagannath Puri for Chardham Yatra.
      • This signifies conclusion and culmination of Char Dham Tirthyatra
      • Aarti of Ganga is performed.(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
5.                            
   1. Means of propagation of Hindu Dharma in modern times
      • Religious discourses by visiting saints, scholas,
      • Katha - Ramayana, Mahabharat, Bhagwat Puran
      • Gatherings for performance of Sanskars - birth, marriage, death, etc.
      • Religious publications - on explanation of rituals
      • Or weekly/ monthly magazines
      • Building temples - worship
      • Television - Ramayana and Mahabharat serials
      • CD's
      • Internet
      • Radio
      • Different missions: Arya Samaj, Swami Narayan, Brahma Sabha, Youth activities - drama, dances etc
      • Teaching religion in schools/ institutions
      • Celebration of festivals
      • Films/ Animation or Regular features(8 x 1 = 8 marks)
   2. Role of Chaitnya Mahaprabhu in spreading Bhakti Yoga:
      • He sang in love in public and removed all sense of embarrassment from worship in the open.
      • He preached 'love of Parmatma' and pure love for Radha & Krishna. 
      • He marched through the streets and hundreds joined him in chanting of Parmatma's name and dancing joyously.
      • he preached far and wide thus touching many people.
      • He popularized the chanting of Name as a way to salvation.
      • He held religious discourses every day.
      • He promoted daily kirtans.
      • He founded Hare Krishna movement which evolves into ISKCON world wide. 
      • Dancing produces an escatsy and pure bliss.
      • No priests or rites and rituals are needed.
      • Vaishnavism grew in worship of Radha/Krishna.(8x1 = 8 marks)
   3. Teachings of Vedas that promote the preservation of environment.
      • Preaching oneness of life thus not harming any living beings. 
      • Giving the teachings to worship, respect and revere all living beings.
      • By showing rites and rituals for purification of air.
      • By advocating planting and nurturing of trees.
      • By preventing pollutions of all kinds.
      • Promoting love and compassion for panch mahabhut.
      • Through worship promote pure vibrations.(4 x 1 = 4 marks)
6.                                    
   1. The common features of a Jain Derasar and a Hindu-Mandir
      • Garbh Graha - The shrine where Murtis are installed.
      • Antarala - Santuary
      • Shikhar - dome
      • Dhwaj - flag
      • Umro - threshhold
      • Presiding Deity -
      • Kalash - water pot
      • Corridor for Pradakshina
      • Mandap - puja altar(8 x 1 = 8 marks)
   2. The role of music in Hindu worship
      • Produces pure vibrations
      • helps concentration
      • removes stress
      • is soothing
      • rhythm is practised
      • melodious tunes are learnt
      • physical health is enhanced
      • mental health is given
      • relaxes devotees
      • enjoyment if given
      • enlivens the atmosphere
      • appreciation for poetry and prose is increased
      • emotions are brought out
      • motivates many to participate.(6 x 1 = 6 marks)
   3. Hindu views on pre-marital sex
      • Indriya Nigraha means control of all sense organs
      • Celibacy before marriage - strict adherence to celibacy
      • Frowns and rejects babies born out of wed-lock
      • Illicit sex not permitted
      • Strict rules for conduct for boys and girls - not to mix
      • Girls when reach the puberty to be protected by parents and guardians 
      • Education is affected by loss of concentration
      • Thus lack or insufficient education means no professional qualifications
      • So that leads to low labour and less economic income
      • May lead to criminal activities
      • Pre-marital sex may lead to pregnancy bringing a social stigma or 
      • lead to early marriage resulting in health problems for females. (6 x 1 = 6 marks)