The 15 quiz questions
Question 1 : What are the spirits and deities worshipped in Japanese Shintoism called?
Possible answers:
- Kami
- Tengu
- Yokai
- Oni
Explanation: Kami are the spirits, deities and sacred forces of Shintoism. They can be gods, ancestors, nature spirits or natural forces. It is estimated that there are 8 million kami.
Question 2 : What is the traditional red-orange gateway at the entrance of Shinto shrines called?
Possible answers:
- Pagoda
- Shimenawa
- Komainu
- Torii
Explanation: The torii (鳥居) marks the boundary between the profane world and the sacred space of the shrine. Its vermillion color is said to repel evil spirits. Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto has over 10,000.
Question 3 : The Yin and Yang symbol, representing the balance of opposing forces, is associated with which philosophy?
Possible answers:
- Taoism
- Confucianism
- Buddhism
- Shintoism
Explanation: Yin-Yang is a fundamental concept of Chinese Taoism. Yin (black, feminine, passive) and yang (white, masculine, active) are complementary and interdependent. Each contains the seed of the other.
Question 4 : Which Chinese sage is considered the legendary founder of Taoism and author of the Tao Te Ching?
Possible answers:
- Lao Tzu
- Sun Tzu
- Zhuangzi
- Confucius
Explanation: Lao Tzu (Laozi, "old master") is said to have lived in the 6th century BCE. His text, the Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way and Virtue), in 81 chapters, is the founding text of Taoism.
Question 5 : Who is the founder of Sikhism, born in Punjab in 1469?
Possible answers:
- Kabir
- Mahavira
- Guru Nanak
- Guru Gobind Singh
Explanation: Guru Nanak (1469-1539) is the founder of Sikhism. He preached the oneness of God, equality of all human beings and rejection of the caste system. He is the first of the 10 Sikh gurus.
Question 6 : What is the turban worn by Sikhs, one of the five mandatory articles of faith, called?
Possible answers:
- Fez
- Dastar
- Taqiyah
- Kufi
Explanation: The dastar (Sikh turban) covers the uncut hair (kesh), one of the 5 Ks — the five articles of faith: kesh (hair), kangha (comb), kara (bracelet), kachera (undergarment) and kirpan (dagger).
Question 7 : Which sun goddess is the most important deity in Shintoism?
Possible answers:
- Amaterasu
- Tsukuyomi
- Inari
- Susanoo
Explanation: Amaterasu (天照) is the sun goddess and supreme deity of Shintoism. According to mythology, the Japanese imperial family descends directly from her. The Ise shrine is dedicated to her.
Question 8 : What does the word "Tao" mean in Taoism?
Possible answers:
- The Light
- The Truth
- The Way
- Energy
Explanation: Tao (道) means "the Way" or "the Path." It refers to the fundamental principle, the mysterious and indefinable force that is the origin of the entire universe. Taoism teaches living in harmony with the Tao.
Question 9 : In which Indian city is the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Sikhism's holiest site, located?
Possible answers:
- Varanasi
- New Delhi
- Jaipur
- Amritsar
Explanation: The Golden Temple is in Amritsar, Punjab (India). Covered in gold leaf, it welcomes about 100,000 visitors daily. Its langar (community kitchen) serves free meals to all, without distinction.
Question 10 : Which Taoist concept means "acting without forcing" or "non-action"?
Possible answers:
- Chi kung
- Qi gong
- Feng shui
- Wu wei
Explanation: Wu wei (無為) is a central principle of Taoism: acting by following the natural flow of things, without effort or resistance. It is not inaction, but spontaneous and natural action in harmony with the Tao.
Question 11 : How many human gurus did Sikhism have before the holy book became the "eternal guru"?
Possible answers:
- 5
- 7
- 10
- 12
Explanation: Sikhism had 10 human gurus, from Guru Nanak (1st) to Guru Gobind Singh (10th). In 1708, the 10th guru designated the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) as the eternal guru and definitive successor.
Question 12 : Shintoism is the indigenous religion of which country?
Possible answers:
- Japan
- Korea
- China
- Vietnam
Explanation: Shintoism ("way of the gods") is the indigenous religion of Japan. It has no founder, no central sacred text and coexists with Buddhism. Most Japanese practice both.
Question 13 : Approximately how many Sikhs are there in the world?
Possible answers:
- 5 million
- 30 million
- 100 million
- 250 million
Explanation: Sikhism has about 30 million followers, making it the 5th largest religion. The vast majority live in Punjab, India, but significant communities exist in the UK, Canada and the US.
Question 14 : What purification ritual do visitors perform at the entrance of a Shinto shrine?
Possible answers:
- Seven prostrations
- Temizu (fountain purification)
- Silent meditation
- Food offering
Explanation: Temizu is the purification ritual at the fountain (temizuya) at the shrine entrance. One rinses the left hand, then the right, then the mouth. This gesture symbolizes purifying body and spirit before meeting the kami.
Question 15 : The Sikh langar is a free community kitchen. What fundamental principle does it illustrate?
Possible answers:
- Material renunciation
- Charity toward the poor
- Strict vegetarianism
- The equality of all human beings
Explanation: The langar illustrates the principle of absolute equality: everyone sits on the floor, side by side, regardless of religion, caste, wealth or social status. The Golden Temple in Amritsar serves 100,000 free meals daily.




