Definitions

Question 1

Trimurti

Answer 1

• Among the more popular are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
• This is called the Hindu Trimurti (tri = three, murti = images)
• Brahma functions as creator of the universe, Vishnu protects and sustains them and Shiva finally destroys them.

Question 2

Brahman

Answer 2

• Brahman is approx. beyond definition or description - we can’t comprehend
  God’s glory/nature
• Another way of looking at it is by comparing Brahman to water. There are billions of rivers, streams and lakes on - Earth, each is made up of billions of droplets of water. All the creeks, rivers, lakes etc. eventually flow to the oceans. All the oceans eventually meet, making only 1 ultimate ocean.
• Brahman is the Ultimate Reality, the Supreme Being of God.

Question 3

Vishnu

Answer 3

Vishnu is known as the preserver and is portrayed as a more kindly god than Shiva. He loves forgives and tries to lead all men toward salvation. Vishnu has had many incarnations (called avatars) including Rama and Krishna (and some say Buddha).

Question 4

Shiva

Answer 4

Shiva is usually shown-with six arms, each with a different job to perform. Among his roles are those of destroyer of and restorer of life, symbol of the reproductive- forces of nature. His third eye signifies wisdom-or higher consciousness, and his blue throat is the result of having swallowed—a cup full of man’s sins. He is the enemy of evil spirits.

Question 5

Brahma

Answer 5

The creator, often portrayed with four heads embracing the four points of the compass and four hands holding the Vedas (sacred writings). Very few temples are devoted to him because he is supposed to be above worship.

Question 6

Avatar

Answer 6

The incarnation of a deity in human or animal form on earth

Question 7

Artha

Answer 7

artha, (Sanskrit: “wealth,” or “property”), the pursuit of wealth or material advantage, one of the four traditional aims in life.

Question 8

Kama

Answer 8

In Hindu philosophy, kama - the third purushartha (aims of human life), is defined as desire, longing and pleasure

Question 9

Dharma

Answer 9

• Religious duties to gain good karma
• Duties of living

Question 10

Samsara

Answer 10

• Law of rebirth
• Endless rebirth, a pattern
• The main belief of Hindus, Buddhists and - - Sikhs is Reincarnation or “Samsara”.
• Hindu idea of life’s cycle, birth, death, and rebirth, influenced by one’s actions (karma)

Question 11

Karma

Answer 11

• The actions which affect rebirth
• A person’s “next life” is determined by their good or bad deeds called “karma”.
• Good deeds= a good and happy next life (in the body or a human, dolphin, cow etc…).
• Bad deeds= suffering and unhappiness in the next life (in the body of an insect, bacteria, mouse etc…)

Question 12

Moksha

Answer 12

• End of the rebirth cycle
• The ultimate goal is breaking free from this cycle, reaching a state of eternal bliss and unity with the divine.

Question 13

Atman

Answer 13

• Individual soul and is part of brahman
• The soul in everything

Question 14

Caste system – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, Dalit

Answer 14

Caste system: The system of dividing up society into different groups (castes) affects all aspects of a Hindus life
- Brahmin Caste: the highest. (Comes from the Head of the Primal Man)
- Kshatriyas: Rulers and soldiers (Comes from the arms of the Primal Man)
- Vaishyas: Merchants and Farmers (Comes from the Thighs of the Primal Man)
- Shudras: Servants, Peasants, Workers (Comes from the feet of the Primal Man)
- Dalit (Untouchables): Do the jobs that nobody wants to do (Not mentioned in Gita)