GRADE 8 hindu religious education – Fundamental Principles Quiz

1. What is the basic meaning of dharma?

A ritual animal sacrifice
A place of worship
A musical instrument
Moral duty and righteousness
Explanation:

Dharma means the moral duties and right conduct that guide a person's behaviour in family, school and community.

2. Which principle teaches non-violence and kindness toward all living beings?

Ahimsa
Satya
Asteya
Loka
Explanation:

Ahimsa is the principle of non-violence; it asks people to avoid harming others and show compassion.

3. What does Satya mean in the principles of dharma?

Cleanliness
Charity
Obedience
Truthfulness
Explanation:

Satya is truthfulness—speaking and acting honestly, which is central to righteous behaviour.

4. What does svadharma refer to?

A yearly pilgrimage
One's own duty according to role and abilities
A special meal for festivals
A type of ritual music
Explanation:

Svadharma means performing the duties appropriate to your stage in life and abilities rather than copying others.

5. Which principle opposes stealing and taking what is not yours?

Santosha
Dana (giving)
Asteya (non-stealing)
Brahmacharya
Explanation:

Asteya teaches not to steal or take advantage of others; giving (dana) is different and positive.

6. How does following dharma help a school student in Kenya?

By guaranteeing high exam marks without study
By making them exempt from chores at home
By allowing them to break school rules
By guiding them to act responsibly, respect teachers and study
Explanation:

Dharma provides moral guidance—helping students respect others, work hard and behave responsibly at school and home.

7. What is karma in relation to dharma?

A holy book
A prayer for rain
A type of lamp used in rituals
The results of actions that follow or break dharma
Explanation:

Karma means actions and their consequences; good actions following dharma bring good results, and bad actions bring problems.

8. Which action shows dharma in caring for the environment?

Building only for profit without planning
Hunting for sport without limits
Ignoring water sources near your home
Planting trees and avoiding littering
Explanation:

Environmental care—planting trees, conserving water and not littering—is part of dharma toward other people and nature.

9. Which is an example of dharma in family life?

Respecting and helping parents
Disobeying elders on purpose
Leaving chores for others
Hiding from family duties
Explanation:

Helping and respecting family members is a clear example of fulfilling one’s duties and shows moral responsibility.

10. Why is self-discipline important to dharma?

It allows breaking rules freely
It discourages learning
It helps people control desires and do right actions
It makes you wealthy instantly
Explanation:

Self-discipline helps a person resist harmful temptations and choose actions that follow dharma and benefit the community.

11. What does ahimsa encourage in daily life?

Kindness toward all living beings
Showing off power over others
Seeking revenge when hurt
Being selfish to get ahead
Explanation:

Ahimsa promotes non-violence and compassion toward people, animals and the environment.

12. Which scripture is commonly used to learn about dharma?

A recipe book
A modern novel
A travel guide to Nairobi
The Bhagavad Gita
Explanation:

The Bhagavad Gita discusses duties, right action and moral choice and is often taught in Hindu religious education.

13. Who should guide young people about dharma in their lives?

No one at all
Only movie stars
Only sports coaches
Parents, teachers and elders
Explanation:

Family members, teachers and community elders share wisdom and examples that help young people learn right conduct.

14. How does honesty (satya) relate to dharma?

It builds trust and keeps relationships strong
It makes people weak in the community
It is only for rich people
It is unimportant for moral life
Explanation:

Honesty helps communities and families trust one another, which is essential for social harmony and fulfilling duties.

15. What is a good example of sva-dharma for a student?

Disrespecting classmates
Copying friends' homework
Studying hard and being truthful
Skipping school often
Explanation:

Sva-dharma asks each person to perform duties appropriate to their role; for a student this means study, honesty and responsibility.

16. Which action goes clearly against dharma?

Helping a classmate understand a lesson
Volunteering in community service
Returning lost money to its owner
Cheating during exams
Explanation:

Cheating harms others and breaks rules of honesty and fairness, so it violates dharma.

17. How does dharma support social harmony in Kenyan communities?

By supporting selfish behaviour
By encouraging everyone to isolate themselves
By promoting conflict between neighbours
By encouraging fairness, respect and cooperation
Explanation:

Dharma promotes values—fairness, respect for others and working together—that build peaceful communities.

18. What role does conscience (inner voice) play in following dharma?

It has no effect on behaviour
It tells you to ignore other people
It helps decide right from wrong when rules are unclear
It is always wrong and should be ignored
Explanation:

Conscience guides personal moral decisions and helps choose actions that align with dharma when rules don’t give a clear answer.

19. Which principle asks people to give to those in need as part of duty?

Tapas
Dana (charitable giving)
Brahmacharya
Moksha
Explanation:

Dana is the practice of giving to help others, an important social duty in many Hindu teachings.

20. Following dharma is likely to lead to which outcome?

Peace and well-being for oneself and others
Always getting everything for free
Avoiding work and responsibility forever
Guaranteed fame and celebrity
Explanation:

Living according to dharma promotes harmony, good relationships and long-term well-being, not instant material rewards.

21. What does 'Sanatana Dharma' mean?

A village name in Kenya
A type of fruit from India
A modern clothing brand
Eternal duties or universal moral laws
Explanation:

Sanatana Dharma refers to eternal moral principles that guide right conduct across time and cultures.

22. Which quality is most important in a leader according to the principles of dharma?

Only popularity regardless of actions
Justice and fairness
Avoiding responsibility
Strictness without fairness
Explanation:

Dharma values leaders who are fair and just, because their decisions affect the well-being of many people.

23. How can a young person practise respect for elders as part of dharma in Kenyan culture?

Stealing from them
Listening to their advice and helping them
Ignoring them at home
Mocking their stories in public
Explanation:

Respecting and assisting elders shows duty, gratitude and helps keep family and community ties strong.

24. What does Moksha represent in relation to following dharma?

A traditional musical dance
Liberation achieved by living righteously
A type of animal in stories
A market place in town
Explanation:

Moksha is spiritual liberation; many teachings say living morally (according to dharma) helps a person reach it.

25. Why should school rules be seen as part of dharma for students?

Because they are only for punishment
Because they exist only to make students unhappy
Because they stop learning from happening
Because they guide students to act responsibly and fairly
Explanation:

School rules help create a safe and fair environment; following them is a way students practise duty and responsibility.