Ancient India Breakout
You've been traveling many hours to get to Ancient India and you've finally arrived! However, when you try to leave the airport, all of the doors are locked and you are trapped inside. In order to make your way out of the airport and enjoy your vacation, you must solve the clues below to breakout! Good luck!
5 Digit Letter Lock
1. What type of group is the caste system?
A. economic
B. political
C. social
2. What is one major difference between the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas?
A. Kshatriyas are a much lower caste.
B. Brahmins could overrule decisions made by Kshatriyas.
C. The Brahmins were not social.
3. Which is true about the Vaisyas?
A. They were respected in society.
B. They were unskilled workers.
C. They lived in temples.
4. Who in India did not have a caste?
A. Kings & Priests
B. Untouchables
C. Farmers & Merchants
5. Which religion was the caste system a part of?
A. Buddhism
B. Hinduism
C. Jainism
4 Digit Color Lock
Having established the reality, cause, and end of suffering, in the final noble truth the Buddha taught his disciples the eight-step path to awakening. Because they represent the actions and comportment of one who lives in accord with the dharma, these eight aspects of Buddhist practice are described as “wise,” “skillful,” “correct,” or simply, “right.”
Use the images below and this site to solve the color lock clues.
1. One makes an effort to improve
2. Samyag-dṛṣṭi
3. Nirvana
4. One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way
5 Digit Directional Lock
The Taj Mahal is an enormous mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife. Constructed over a 20-year period on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, the famed complex is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. At its center is the Taj Mahal itself, built of shimmering white marble that seems to change color depending on the daylight. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, it remains one of the world’s most celebrated structures and a stunning symbol of India’s rich history. Source
Use the map and story below to solve the directional lock!
While you're trapped in the airport, you see a large map of the Taj Mahal grounds. You decide to plan your tour of the Taj Mahal until you can get out. You see that there are two entry gates, west and east, and you decide you'll start your journal at the West Gate. As you enter, you see that to your left are living quarters for tomb attendants and to your right are subsidiary tombs, believed to be the burial sites of two of Shah Jahan's "lesser wives." Both sites are very interesting! You ultimately want to make it to the forecourt and stop to take pictures. After you visit the forecourt, you pass through the Great Gate and Water Channels. You love how the water channels are symbols of the four rivers of Paradise mentioned in the Koran. You plan to stop and take pictures there too. Next, you make a note that you'll go check out the actual Taj Mahal. Then, you'll go see the pools and see how much smaller they are than the Central Pool. Once you finish up there, you think you'll want to take advantage of the awesome views and go see the largest tributary of the Ganges River. You cannot believe that it's 851 miles long! At this point you're getting closer to getting out of the airport, so you put the map of the Taj Mahal grounds in your bag and you'll figure out the rest later!
4 Digit Number Lock
4 digit Date Lock
Before the Indus Valley was put together, there where tiny towns, cites, and civilization in the region. Dozens of towns and cities had been established between 6000 to 3000 B.C.E. Between this time, events such as religious practices where formed. Farming settlements where also established. Finally, around 3000 B.C.E., the Indus Valley was formed and the first signs of urbanization in the civilization where noticed. Planned cities were the "key" to their success.
One of the richest visual objects in Tibetan Buddhism is the mandala.
A mandala is a symbolic picture of the universe. It can be a painting on a wall or scroll, created in colored sands on a table, or a visualization in the mind of a very skilled adept.
The mandala represents an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation. Each object in the palace has significance, representing an aspect of wisdom or reminding the meditator of a guiding principle. The mandala's purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones and to assist with healing.
The Tibetan mandala, which was created in Manchester by monks from Drepung Loseling contains at least eight deities, with the principal deity in the centre of the pattern. The deities who reside in the palace embody philosophical views and serve as role models.
According to Buddhist scripture, mandalas constructed from sand transmit positive energies to the environment and to the people who view them. They are believed to effect purification and healing. Mandala sand painting was introduced by the one and only Buddha himself and there are many different designs of mandala, each with different lessons to teach.
The mandala sand painting process begins with an opening ceremony, during which the lamas consecrate the site and call forth the forces of goodness. The monks chant and dance in resplendent dress. These three events comprise the sand painting process.
