Hindu Concept Of God Flashcards
Hinduism - a polytheistic religion
Some hindus think that there are many Gods and Godesses and that Brahman is just one if the many.
Hinduism - a monotheisic religion
Some hindus believe in only one God, brahman as a supreme spirit although it is difficult to imagine God like this so Hindus can imagine God in any form that helps them understand what God is like.
Hindus might have a …
Favourite type of God who they worship particularly. In india different parts of the country might worship different Gods.
What can a Hindu God do?
God does different things in different forms, for example, creating the world and helping those in difficulty. To make it easier for the Hindus to imagine what God, the supreme spirit, is like they picture him in any form which helps them. Some have a particular god that they worship
The trimiturti
Brahman, Vishnu and shiva
Means absolute reality
Brahma
is who creates the world and is believed to be the first being on earth. He is often pictured with prayer beads and a holy scripture
Vishnu
Is the preserver of the world and sometimes comes down to earth as a human being to reveal the truth if God to human beings. The two best known forms of Vishnu are Krishna and Rama. He is also know as the maintainer or sustainer and his animal is a eagle.
Shiva
Is the destroyer of the world who wears tiger skin is smeared in ashes and who’s animal is a bull
Other forms of god are..
Wives and consorts (sometimes called deities) such as Lakshmi and Saraswati and Parvati
Gods often have animals called
Vehicle or bearer which transports them e.g. Shiva has a white bull called Nandi and Lakshmi has elephants
Atman is
The belief that everything and everyone is god. It means eternal self and is often referred to as a spirit or soul and indicates out true self or essence that underlies our existence.
Puja is….
A word for showing honour and reverence in God. In most Hindu houses there is a Puja shrine
Things included on a puja tray….
Bell - alert God to their presence
Incense - lit
Prayers - e.g. ‘Gayatri mantra’
Offerings - e.g. Water, milk, rice, fruit
Murti - image of deity is washed and dressed
Arti ceremony - a small lamp is lit and waved in front of the deity and prayers are said
Ending - worshipper says farewell to the deity
Ways of worshipping God are…
Give them offerings - food water flowers incense
Dedicate shrines to them
Celebrate them during festivals
An example is Rama and Sita and how people lit divas for them when they returned and this tradition is still carried out today
Stories are told to illustrate God such as…
“The churning of the milky ocean” about Lakshmi. In the story Indra, the warrior god, was given the responsibility of protecting the world against the demons although he was arrogant and upset Lakshmi who then left the Gods and entered the milky ocean. By doing this the Gods began to lose their power and the demons took control. The Gods then started to churn the ocean to get Lakshmi back and after more than 1000 years she finally rose to the surface and peace was restored. This story creates a clear picture of why the Hindus need Lakshmi and helps them believe and worship her.
