Hinduism Flashcards
(18 cards)
In Hinduism, the soul.
Atman
Popular devotion to a god/goddess or guru, with love and adoration.
Bhakti
The impersonal ultimate principle; also, one of the priestly, aristocratic caste.
Brahman
A social organization by hierarchy of occupations, sanctified by Hinduism.
Caste
In Hinduism, the universal cosmic law, duty; in Buddhism, cosmic law, the teachings of the Buddha, and the realization and practice of truth (the second of the Three Jewels: Buddha, dharma, sangha) .
Dharmha
The contemporary era, a dark age, one of many cycles (yugas) of a vast cosmic time.
Kali Yuga
In Hinduism, the cosmic moral law of consequences for ethical actions and their effects on social and personal well-being or suffering that are seen as rewards and punishments for prior incarnations; the goal of religion is liberation from karmic cycles.
Karma
In Hinduism, the primordial sound vibration.
Om
One of the hereditary priestly caste learned in ancient texts, customs, and rituals.
Pandit
Mythological texts of ancient days; popular devotional texts.
Puranas
After death, rebirth in a new body higher or lower in the caste system, according to one’s karma.
Reincarnation
A poetic sage; rishis are visionary authors of Vedic hymns heard withing in meditation.
Rishi (seer)
The ancient language of the holy scriptures.
Sanskrit
Great epic poems, descriptions of gods and goddesses, codes of moral conduct, such as the Mahabharata.
Smrti texts
“Heard” by ancient sages in meditation, mostly the Vedas.
Sruti
Philosophical reflections in ultimate reality, oneness in which we all participate.
Upanishads
Foundational scriptures for Hindu tradition, written down c.1500 BCE; oldest are the Rig Vedas.
Vedas
Techniques for transforming consciousness and attaining liberation; there are many forms, such as guru yoga, devotion, work, study, asceticism, physical exercises, mantra repetition, visualization, meditation.
Yoga
