Hindu Content

Question 1

What happens at darshan ceremony?

Answer 1

> Involves looking at image of deity which allows time and space to contemplate life
Closely linked with meditation - person worshipping deity gets mind free from distractions (maya), receives clarity/meaning for life
Often involves gestures of devotion like touching, kissing feet of deity
symbolises seeing the truth of the world/life/Brahman, the atman being brought closer to Brahman and enlightenment (Moksha)

Question 2

What happens at Havan Ceremony?

Answer 2

> A fire sacrifice to the deity AGNI
The fire purifies/cleanses wrong doing
Firepit is used and offerings are made to it (which represents the world)
Drives away negative energy to allow focus on God

Question 3

What happens at the Arati ceremony?

Answer 3

> main ceremony that happens in the Mandir
ceremony shows love and devotion to deities and Brahman
candles are lit in front of a murti as they believe it infuses the flame with deity’s love, devotion, love energy
prayers are sung whilst the wicks are passed around people so they can receive the love and devotion
offerings are made to symbolise the creation of people
burning flames symbolise sacrifice

Question 4

Japa/Mantra

Answer 4

Japa - term used to describe a chant, uses string of beads to count the chants
> forces mind to focus on Brahman and forget everything else
> intended to foster self realisation/ intimacy with divine power
Mantras - the chant which is repeated usually short scripture quotes

Question 5

Vishnu’s avatar Rama

Answer 5

• shown in the story of Rama and Sita where he saved his wife Sita
• shows good overcoming evil and good morals
• celebrated at Diwali by candles being lit to show light overcoming dark

Question 6

Vishnu’s avatar Krishna

Answer 6

Brings peace to 2 warring nations
Lived among farmers and taught that animals should be treated like humans (ahimsa)
Joy and love
Celebrated at Holi

Question 7

What’s a guru?

Answer 7

A personal religious teacher + spiritual guider

Question 8

Swami guru

Answer 8

A male religious teacher

Question 9

Sannyasin guru

Answer 9

A religious ascetic, renounced the world by performing his own funeral and abandoned claims to social life/family

Question 10

Sadhu guru

Answer 10

Religious teacher

Question 11

Purpose of the six personal virtues

Answer 11

Things that a Hindu should do to for Dharma (one of the 4 aims in a Hindu life)

Question 12

What are the 6 personal virtues?

Answer 12

Love, ahimsa, humility, control, empathy, respect

Question 13

Purpose of the 4 aims of life?

Answer 13

The 4 things that a Hindu should aim towards in their life.

Question 14

What are the 4 aims of life?

Answer 14

Moksha, Dama, Artha, Kama

Question 15

Worship in the home

Answer 15

Homes normally have a shrine (an area dedicated to a deity). Holy text says it doesn’t matter where you worship, it’s about the puja itself. “There are two ways of contemplation of Brahman: in sound, and in silence” (Upanishad 6)

Question 16

Shrines

Answer 16

> well decorated to show respect and the decoration is part of worship
personal to the family (e.g. can pick the deity the shrine is dedicated to)
can worship with family or alone
make offerings to the deities to show love,devotion,respect

Question 17

Influence of deities on Hindu life:

Answer 17

> may have a shrine in their home
may feel empowered by stories of deities
may devote their worship to a particular deity
may feel enriched through knowledge of Brahman that they gain through the deities

Question 18

Hanuman deity

Answer 18

Monkey warrior
>helped save Sita in the story of Rama and Sita
>remembered for his devotion to duty

Question 19

Saraswiti deity

Answer 19

> Goddess of learning
consort of Brahma
has a son called Manu

Question 20

Lakshmi

Answer 20

> Goddess of prosperity
worshipped at Diwali
prayed to for a prosperous new year
marriage of Vishnu and Lakshmi is referred to as the perfect union + are prayed to by newly weds

Question 21

Parvati deity

Answer 21

> example of perfect motherhood
said to be the reincarnation of Sati (Shiva’s first wife)

Question 22

Ganesha deity

Answer 22

> elephant headed deity
son of Shiva + Parvati
God of good luck
Worshipped before big events and weddings

Question 23

Kumbh Mela pilgrimage

Answer 23

Done over 12 years
Meet in a new place every 3 years (Prayaga at the end)
In each of the 4 places a bird once dropped nectar
Prayaga is seen to be the most important (where 3 rivers meet)
Men cover themselves in ash to represent death

Question 24

Varanasi pilgrimage

Answer 24

• where people go if close to death to get closer to Moksha
• founded by Shiva
• is on the river Ganges
• bathing in the water causes Shiva to aid in wiping clean impurities
• float candles on water every night to represent the soul joining with Brahman

Question 25

Why do Hindus go on pilgrimage?

Answer 25

~ shows commitment to Brahman (Bhakti Yoga)
~ allows you to meet gurus and learn more about deities/ Brahman
~ can meet other Hindus
~ spend time focusing on your own religion rather than daily worries

Question 26

Astanga yoga

Answer 26

• path of meditation
• focuses the mind on God rather than focussing on day to day concerns

Question 27

Bhakti Yoga

Answer 27

• path of devotion
• might include making offerings or sacrifices to God
• focuses mind and soul on God
• meditating on a murti

Question 28

Jnana yoga

Answer 28

• path of knowledge
• ignoring maya
• devoting life to learning about scriptures
  “Nothing is so sublime and pure as spiritual knowledge”

Question 29

Karma yoga

Answer 29

• path of selfless action
• giving to charity
• encourages people to do good for others
• frees the mind and soul from worldly pleasures

Question 30

What is artha?

Answer 30

Earning a lawful living through honest means - one of the four key aims

Question 31

What is kama?

Answer 31

Enjoying life responsibly and being positive (one of the four key aims)

Question 32

What is Moksha?

Answer 32

The atman being released from the samsara cycle and being united with Brahman (one of the four key aims)

Question 33

What is Dharma?

Answer 33

Living a good life/ being a good Hindu (one of the four key aims)