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Hinduism Flashcards

(67 cards)

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1
Q

Is Hinduism polytheistic?

A

No, it is monotheistic, with many deities, and the Ultimate Reality (Brahman)

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2
Q

Briefly describe the history

A

The Indus Valley Civilization started more than 5000 years ago. Aryans entered 1000 years after, and the Vedic Tradition was introduced (polytheism, Vedas, and the caste system). Upanishads philosophy developed after, with Hinduism developing from Vedic Tradition and Upanishads.

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3
Q

Shruti?

A

Revealed texts, in four books of the Vedas. Consists of myths, rituals, and chants. Along with the Upanishads, philosophy.

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4
Q

Smriti?

A

Remembered texts, the epics. Like the Ramayana, and Mahabharata.

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5
Q

Darsan?

A

“Seeing” the deity (not idol worship)

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6
Q

Prasad?

A

Taking the divine within your own being through eating of food shared with the deity

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7
Q

Atman?

A

The human soul/spirit, identical to Brahman (universal soul). A Hindu’s goal is to reunite with their atman with Brahman.

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8
Q

Dharma?

A

Personal conduct and righteous living

  • A Hindu’s religious moral and righteous duty of the welfare for their family/society.
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9
Q

Samsara?

A

Endless cycle of reincarnation

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10
Q

Karma?

A

Basic belief of cause and effect, totality of one’s life determining the form they will take in their next life

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11
Q

Moksha?

A

Liberation from samsara and reuniting with Brahman through honest and moral actions (good karma)

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12
Q

Brahman?

A

Supreme being and soul of the universe

  • No form, qualities, or attributes
  • Divine, invisible, unlimited
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13
Q

Brahma?

A
  • Creator of the universe , part of Trinity (creator God)
  • No one created him
  • Closest to Brahman (due to his name)
    Features: four faces/arms, no weapon, lotus, long white beard
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14
Q

Sarasvati?

A
  • Wife of Brahma
  • Goddess: Knowledge and learning, arts, speech and communication, wisdom
  • Drive away darkness

Features: veena (instrument), white (purity), lotus, swan

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15
Q

Sri Vishnu?

A
  • Preserver of the universe, part of Trinity
  • Brings salvation
  • God: forgiveness, and compassion

Features: bow and arrow, blue, swastika on chest, snake

Notable avatars: Rama, Krishna, Buddha

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16
Q

Lakshmi?

A
  • Wife of Vishnu
  • Goddess: wealth, happiness, good wealth, beauty

Features: two red lotuses in two hands, lotus, elephant, red

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17
Q

Shiva?

A
  • Destroyer and restorer of universe, part of Trinity
  • God of Dance
  • Creative and sensual
  • Started off as Ruda (small deity)
  • Creates chance

Features: fire, dancing, trident, tiger

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18
Q

Paravati?

A
  • Wife of Shiva
  • Mother Goddess
    Forms (Mata) : Durga (Warrior), Kali (Destruction, Gauri

Features: Two hands with red and blue lotuses, two hands and blue lotus with Shiva Durga= tiger with lotus, Kali= tongue out

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19
Q

Ganesha?

A
  • God: success
  • Remover of obstacles
  • Son of Shiva and Parvati
    Features: elephant
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20
Q

Rama?

A
  • Reincarnation of Vishnu
  • Wife= Sita
  • Ramayana

Features: blue skin, bow and arrow

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21
Q

Hanuman

A
  • Monkey God
  • God of physical strength
  • In Ramayana
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22
Q

4 Goals of Life?

A

Dharma, artha, kama, moksha

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23
Q

Artha?

A

Earning money by honest means to provide for your family

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24
Q

Kama?

A

Pursuing love and physical pleasures to balance life and sanctify marriage

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25
Four Stages of Hindu Life?
Student, householder, forest dweller, ascetic
26
Diwali?
- Festival of Lights - Fireworks, light decorations, gifts and new clothes - Triumph of good and knowledge over ignorance - Vegetarian dinner and puja performed - Honours Lakshmi and Vishnu's defeat of Naraka
27
Holi?
- Bonfire night before to burn evil - Squirt coloured water - Sweets and other foods
28
Navrati?
- Goddesses celebrated for three nights each: Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati - Tenth day= Day of Victory
29
Mahshivaratri?
- Dedicated to the worshp of Shiva - Worship, fast for 24 hours - Chants, and flower/grain offers -Water poured over his image from a copper vessel
30
Gandhi overview?
- Led India's independence from Britain - Fought with 'ahimsa' (non violence) - Started in South Africa - Improved social injustice among minorities (Muslims, women, untouchables) - Accepted caste system, but not implications and mistreatment - Assassinated by a fanatic Hindu
31
Reincarnation?
The soul doesn't die with the body, but enters another to carry on existence
32
Maya?
Imperfect world
33
Student stage?
- Discipline mind and body - Gain knowledge - Learn Hinduism rules/rituals - Respect others
34
Householder stage?
- Marry and have a family, provide for them (including elders) - Give to charity - Practice social/religious traditions
35
Forest dweller stage?
- Only men - Retire, give household duties to wife/won - Read/study - Pilgrimage
36
Ascetic stage?
- Give up worldly life - Wander - Meditate - Attain salvation
37
What is the belief of the caste system?
- Every occupation has a status with it - The higher the varnas (classes), the purer/closer to God/moksha
38
Brahmins caste?
- Top - Priests/advisors /scholars
39
Kshatriyas caste?
- Second - Soldiers/rulers/warriors/ leaders
40
Vaishyas caste?
- Third - Traders/shopkeepers /farmers
41
Sudras caste?
- Fourth - Servants/labourers - Serve other castes
42
Untouchables?
- Outside of the caste system - No job, can't talk to people in the castes - Worst jobs, unable to worshipping with other castes
43
Paths to salvation?
Bhakti, raja, jnana, karma - Based on the Hindu's nature/inclination
44
Bhakti yoga?
- Devotion/love towards a deity - Simpler, popular - Representations used to help with worship - Surrender themselves to deity, sing praises
45
Karma yoga?
- Good deeds and thoughts= good karma - Action not done for the reward
46
Jnana yoga?
- Difficult, needs assistance from guru - Learn about the relationship between Brahman, atman, and the nature of the universe explained in scripture - Follow scripture, follow guru's teachings, meditation
47
Raja yoga?
- Mediation/deep contemplation on Brahman - Trance like, acquire knowledge of Truth, become one with Brahman - Difficult, strict physical/spiritual discipline
48
Puja?
- Thanksgiving, offerings given to deities - Offerings put on a tray near a shrine Offerings: flowers, fruits, incense, water
49
Books of the Vedas?
Samhitas: deity worship Brahmanas: ritual sacrifice Aranyakas: worship/meditation Upanishads: philosophy
50
Aum/om? Draw it
- Sankrit - Represents the earth, atmosphere, and heaven (representing the Trinity) - Mantra , essence of Ultimate Reality
51
Swastika? Draw it
- Eternal wheel of life on an unchanged centre (God) - Good fortune/protection
52
Sri yantra?
- Focal point for mediation
53
Lotus?
- Symbolizes the birth of the universe/the sun
54
Cow?
- Sacred animal - Provides milk/butter, used in rituals
55
The Eight Milestones?
Naming of a child, child's first outing, first solid food, first haircut, thread initiation ceremony, marriage, death/cremation, death anniversary
56
Naming a child milestone?
- First - Named by a priest 10 days after birth - Now usually done by parents
57
Child's first outing milestone?
- Second - Expose child to their surroundings - New clothes and dab of charcoal applied to protect them from the evil eye
58
First solid food milestone?
- Third - 7-8 months after birth, a special prayer for good health/long life
59
First haircut milestone?
- Fourth - After six months of birth, hair shaven off (except for front of head)
60
Thread ceremony milestone?
- Fifth - Boy of the top 3 castes - Transitions into the student stage, and study sacred texts
61
Marriage milestone?
- Sixth - Bride and groom into householder
62
Death/cremation milestone?
- Seventh - Done by a priest, family prepares the body - Ashes scattered into holy waters
63
Death anniversary milestone?
- Eighth - Anniversary of their death, recitation of religious rites by priest
64
Ahimsa?
Non-violence towards living creatures
65
Avatar?
Incarnation of a deity in earthly form
66
Guru?
Spiritual teacher/guide to help achieve moksha
67
What is the language of Hinduism?
Sanskrit

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