Madhva — Questions and answers

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What was Madhva's main idea about God, individual souls, and the material world?

Choices

  1. They are all one and the same.
  2. There is an eternal and basic difference between them. ✓
  3. The universe is just an illusion.
  4. God is the only thing that is real.

Answer: There is an eternal and basic difference between them.

From page 1

What did Advaita Vedanta believe about the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman)?

Choices

  1. They were completely different.
  2. The soul was a part of Brahman, but not identical.
  3. They were fundamentally identical, or the same. ✓
  4. Brahman was an illusion the soul created.

Answer: They were fundamentally identical, or the same.

From page 2

What is one of the five eternal differences (Pancha Bheda) that Madhva taught?

Choices

  1. The difference between waking up and sleeping.
  2. The difference between God and an individual soul. ✓
  3. The difference between yesterday and tomorrow.
  4. The difference between loud and quiet.

Answer: The difference between God and an individual soul.

From page 3

How did Advaita scholars feel about Madhva's idea of eternal distinctions?

Choices

  1. They thought it was a new and exciting idea.
  2. They believed it was a misunderstanding of reality and limited Brahman. ✓
  3. They completely agreed with Madhva's teaching.
  4. They thought distinctions were the most important truth.

Answer: They believed it was a misunderstanding of reality and limited Brahman.

From page 7

According to Madhva's philosophy, why do our choices and actions matter in modern life?

Choices

  1. Because everyone else is doing the same thing.
  2. Because we are distinct individual souls, and our actions have lasting consequences. ✓
  3. Because our choices are just temporary and don't really matter.
  4. Because only big, important actions have consequences.

Answer: Because we are distinct individual souls, and our actions have lasting consequences.

From page 9

What does Madhva's Dvaita Vedanta philosophy continue to shape today?

Choices

  1. Only ancient history books.
  2. Devotional traditions and the personal spiritual lives of millions. ✓
  3. How to build new buildings.
  4. The way people cook their food.

Answer: Devotional traditions and the personal spiritual lives of millions.

From page 10