KCSE 2011 Hindu Religious Education Paper 2 Questions and Marking Scheme

Hindu Religious Education Paper 2 (315/2)

1.      
   1. Give reasons why Hindus apply Tilak on the forehead.(6 marks)
   2. Explain the importance of Prasad in religious ceremonies.(7 marks)
   3. State the seven vows of Saptapadi taken by a couple during Vivah Sanskar.(7 marks)
2.         
   1. Identify the qualities of a person dominated by Tamas guna.(7marks
   2. Suggest actions that can be done by a person in Abodh (ignorant) state of mind.(7 marks
   3. Discuss the effect of accumulated Karma on the present life.(6 marks)
3.        
   1. Describe ways in which Hindus celebrate Madaraka Day.(7 marks)
   2. Give reasons why Hindus celebrate the festival of Dashera.(8 marks)
   3. How do the Sikh celebrate Guru Purab in honour of Guru Arjan?(5 marks)
4.       
   1. What is the importance of visiting Dwarka in Chardham Yatra?(7 marks)
   2. Give reasons why Sikhs visit Amritsar for pilgrimage.(5 marks)
   3. State the rituals performed by a devoteee durign the Tirthayatra to Pavapuri.(8 marks)
5.       
   1. Discuss the contributions made by Tulsi Das in the spread of the Bhakti cult in the medieval period (1000 AD to 1750 AD).(10 marks)
   2. Describe the role of Upanishad in spreading the knowledge of the Vedas. (10 marks)
6.        
   1. What is the significance of Bharat Natyam dance in temple worship?(10 marks)
   2. Discuss the contributions made by Shushrut in the field of medicine.(5 marks)
   3. State the importance of Shikhar in a Hindu temple.(5 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1.      
   1. Reasons why Hindus apply Tilak on the forehead
      1. signifies the respect for the third eye of knowledge
      2. it is a form of worship
      3. it is a religious symbol
      4. it is a memory spot - Gyan Chakra
      5. reminds the devotees to visit the temple
      6. reminds Hindus to think righteously
      7. so as to earn blessings from Paramatma
      8. it is a protection against wrong tendencies, evil eye
      9. saves one from energy loss
      10. reduces anger
      11. cools the forehead
          6 x 1 = 6 marks
   2. Importance of Prasad in religious ceremonies
      1. it is a gift from Paramatma
      2. it shows gratitude from devotees
      3. it is considered to be pure
      4. it is considered to be divine
      5. it is sanctified by mantra, shlok, aarti, bhajan, music, meditation and jap
      6. it is believed that care, love and humility come to those who take
      7. it it protects one from evil
      8. purifies the inner body gives peace and solace
      9. strengthens one physically
      10. ensures equality among devotees
          7 x 1 = 7 marks
   3. Seven vows of saptapadi taken by a couple during Vivah Sanskar
      1. love one another
      2. trust one another
      3. faithfulness to one another
      4. perform household chores together
      5. take care of family elders
      6. procreation
      7. take care of the environment, animals, society
         7x 1 = 7 marks
2.          
   1. Qualities of a person dominated by Tamas guna
      1. ignorant
      2. indolent/proud/arrogant
      3. lazy
      4. greedy
      5. materialistic
      6. full of desires
      7. deluded/misled
      8. evil minded
      9. lethargic/lazy
      10. short tempered
      11. impetuous/impatience
          7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. Actions that can be done by a person in Abodh (ignorant) state of mind
      1. short temper/becomes angry very fast
      2. taking things without permission
      3. killing insects unknowingly
      4. plucking flowers
      5. destroying vegetation
      6. being cruel to animals
      7. telling lies
      8. disobeying parents
      9. shouting at people
      10. causing pain to others unknowingly
      11. wasting food
      12. eating forbidden food
          7x1 = 7 marks
   3. Effects of accumulated Karma on the present life 
      1. accumulated karma result in a person being born poor and needy in the present life
      2. a person may be handicapped/physically challenged e.g. blind, lame, deaf 
      3. a person may be born as mentally challenged e.g. mongols, as a result of accumulated Karma
      4. one may be plagued by diseases e.g. heart problems, skin diseases
      5. a person may be born in a wealthy family as a result of good accumulated Karma
      6. a person may have all the necessities of life e.g. food, shelter, clothing
      7. one may be born with good leadership skills, talented e.g. in music, science, languages etc.
      8. one may be born as religiously inclined/religious
         6 x 1 = 6 marks
3.          
   1. Ways in which Hindus celebrate Madaraka Day
      1. attending Madaraka Day celebrations
      2. join in prayers e.g. in temples
      3. participate in national/communal events e.g. sports, clean up exercise
      4. visit monuments to remember freedom fighters
      5. visit historical places e.g. Jamhuri Park
      6. singing national anthem, patriotic songs
      7. organize special programmes in the media to create awareness about Madaraka Day
      8. carry out charity work e.g, visit children's home and donate food, cash
         7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. Reasons why Hindus celebrate the festival of Dashera
      1. Dashera marks the day when Lord Rama killed Ravan and Durga killed Mahisasur
      2. to honour the Goddesses
      3. to commemorate when the demons were killed
      4. to create awareness of the necessity of cultivating good and avoiding evil 
      5. to honour and respect tools of trade that are sources of livelihood
      6. ensure continuity of culture
      7. so as to learn ethics and morals
      8. so as to enable a person venture into new business 
      9. to establish unity and brotherhood
      10. to create awareness that arrogance brings about downfall by burning the effigy of Ravan
      11. for enjoyment and entertainment
          8 x 1 = 8 marks
   3. How the Sikh celebrate Guru Purab in honour of Guru Arjan
      1. by visiting Gurudwara
      2. holding prayers and activities - Ardaas/Japuji/Akhand Paanth
      3. listening to songs and singing - Kirtan
      4. holding processions to honour the Guruji and Guru Granth Sahib
      5. holdin discourses on the life and teachings of Guru Arjan
      6. preparing plays depicting life of Guru Arjan
      7. holding competitions in the recitation of Shabad and verses from Guru Granth Sahib
      8. holding Langar
      9. organizing charity work e.g. distribution of food
         5 x 1 = 5 marks
4.          
   1. Importance of visiting Dwarka in Chardham Yatra
      1. Dwarka is one of the Chardham Yatra
      2. Lord Krishna established his kingdom, lived and died here
      3. the city is built on Gomati river which is considered to be holy
      4. there are 3 magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Krishna here
      5. the pilgrims visiting Dwarka offer water brought from Rameshwar for Krishna Abhishek
      6. it is one of the 4 Math established by Shankaracharya
      7. the Math offers Vedic education, spiritual knowledge and charity work
      8. pilgrims come to participate in Janmashtami celebrations
      9. the Maths train missionaries
      10. the pilgrims receive Yogasana and meditation lessons
          7 x 1 = 7 marks
   2. Reasons why Sikhs visit Amritsar for pilgrimage
      1. to participate in the worship of Guru Granth Sahib
      2. they take vows to be loyal and defend their religion
      3. they take dust from the holy place
      4. it is the holiest shrine of the Sikhs
      5. to swim in the lake dug by Guru Ramdas
      6. to visit the temple of Amritsar - Har Mandir
      7. the original Adi Granth is kept here
      8. the throne of God (Guru) Akal Takht is here
      9. Guru Har Gobind visited Amritsar after his release from Mughal prison
         5 x 1=5 marks
   3. Rituals performed by a devotee during the Tirthayatra to Pavapuri 
      1. pilgrims walk barefoot to the temple - walking is a kind of Tapas
      2. on reaching the Devasar, the pilgrims enter with reverence and focus on the murti of Mahavir
      3. the pilgrims perform Samaik, Pratikraman
      4. they offer prayers according to laid down rules
      5. they read the scriptures
      6. they circumambulate the Derasar
      7. perform religious dance using whisks
      8. singing of bhajans/stavans
      9. recitation of Navkar Mantra while travelling up to the temple performing meditation
      10. taking a little dust to mark their foreheads
          8 x 1 = 8 marks
5.         
   1. Contributions made by Tulsi Das in the spread of the Bhakti cult in the medieval period
      1. he revived the worship of Hanuman by visiting Sankat Mochan temple
      2. he set out to reach Lord Rama after his wife's instructions/guidance
      3. He went to Varanasi which is Lord Shiva's seat
      4. he was inspired to write the Hanuman Chalisa, a composition of how Hanuman helped Lord Rama
      5. he brought the devotees of Shiv and Rama together
      6. he wrote Ramayana in Avadh language which was the common man's language, to enable people know about the religion
      7. he wrote Ram Charit Manas in poetry form to enable people to sing it so it became more interesting
      8. he composed bhajans which helped to infuse faith, love, devotion and love to Rama
      9. he conducted Ramayana Path-Saptah to explain the principles as taught by Rama
         5 x 2 = 10 marks
   2. Role of Upanishad in spreading the knowledge of the Vedas
      1. Upanishads contain knowledge of the Vedas and convey this knowledge to the Rishis and Seers
      2. enabled knowledge to be passed on from teacher to pupil
      3. Upanishads are explanations of philosophy
      4. Unnecessary words were removed - hence made it easy to understand
      5. Upanishads presented great teachings in layman's language
      6. it gives profound truth about the universe, creation, worship, salvation
      7. Upanishads gave Jnan/knowledge
      8. Research done on Upanishads and Vedas made knowledge accessible to the common man
         5 x 2 - 10 marks
6.       
   1. Significance of Bharat Natyam dance in temple worship
      1. it is ancient art performed in temples 
      2. teachings of epics are depicted in dancing
      3. dance includes recitation of holy shloka and holy mantras 
      4. it teaches the ritual of worship/Bhakti through dance steps
      5. teaches how to respect the earth through touching the earth and taking dust and applying it on the forehead
      6. teaches humility through asking for forgiveness
      7. teaches importance of the nine emotions related to paramatma e.g. anger, peace, hatred, bravery, etc. 
      8. the dance honours Devis and the supreme
      9. it invokes man's desire to be united with paramatma
      10. it is a way of worshipping paramatma through music and rhythm
      11. it invokes pure and holy emotions in the spectators
      12. a prayerful, melodious, rhythmic and emotional way to please Paramatma
          5 x 2 = 10 marks
   2. Contributions made by Shushrut in the field of medicine
      1. he developed surgical instruments
      2. he studied human body in details
      3. he developed a code of ethics for physicians
      4. his code of ethics is honoured to date for graduating medical students in Ayurved doctorate
      5. he developed the technique of surgery
      6. he developed the art of plastic surgery
      7. he studied and used herbs as medicines
         5 x 1= 5 marks
   3. The importance of Shikhar in a Hindu Temple
      1. a Hindu temple is based on a human body therefore Shikhar and Kalash represent the mental and intellectual capabilities of a human being
      2. it inspires devotees to aim for the highest - that is salvation
      3. it motivates people to stay on top in every stage of life
      4. it teaches devotees to stay firm in their aspirations
      5. collects and spreads the pure vibrations of within and without
      6. can be seen from far so motivates people to visit the temple
      7. signifies that 'akash' that surrounds it is like Paramatma permeating the universe
      8. Paramatma watches, protects, invites, shelters us
      9. it is a symbol of man's devotion to the highest gratitude
         5x1=5 ma