Hindu Practices Flashcards
Why do Hindus worship?
-sacred structures instruct them to
-worship will bring them closer to Brahman
-worship will help atman achieve moksha
-to show gratitude, praise of commitment to Brahman & deities
What does “there are two ways of contemplation of Brahman: in sounds and in silence.” Mean and where does it come from
Upanishads - worship can include both sung or spoken prayers as well as silent meditation.
What does “When a man know God, he is free: his sorrows have an end and birth and dead are no more…” mean and where is it from?
Upanishads
Prayers and worship can release the atman from the samsara cycle
What does “With upright body, head and neck, lead the mind and its powers into thy heart…..” mean and where is it from?
Upanishads
Worship can include body as well as mind
What does “Bear me in mind, with love to me, revere me, sacrifice, I promise you with come to me……” mean and where does it come from?
Bhagavad Gita
Shouting love, devotion and commitment to Brahman can lead to Moksha
What are the key features of worship in the home?
-Pray to particular deity - more personal and relatable
-murti is a statue or image of a deity used in worship
-Murtis shown great respect, cleaned, offered food, clothes.
What 2 types of service are there in the mandir?
Formal service - led by someone - follows format
Informal service - choose what you want to do - no format
Give 2 details about mandirs appearance?
-Highly decorative & elaborate
-Often covered in carvings of deities
-Place of stillness & quiet
Why are mandirs highly decorative and elaborate?
The time, effort, money put into the construction of it is seen as a form of worship itself
Why are mandirs often covered in carvings of deities
The carvings of deities are believed to ward away bad energy and evil spirits, making the mandir a place of good energy, calm and holiness
Why are mandirs a place of stillness and quiet?
To allow for prayer & meditation to allow for a suitably respectful environment to become closer to Brahman
Give a quote about the mandir and explain it
“The temple is a link between man and God” - Jay Lakhani
This quote shows that the mandir is where God can link with man and shows worshipping in mandir is crucial as there is connection between man and god
What is the purpose an meaning of the Aarati ceremony
-The main ceremony that happens in mandir
-Aarati is made of ‘a’ meaning complete and ‘rati’ meaning ‘love’
-Where Hindus show love and devotion to the deities and Brahman
What happens at the Aarati ceremonies?
- A murti of deity is brought and displayed in front of worshippers
-long wicks are lit and waved in front of the deity - believed that the golem infuses with deities love
-prayers are such while candles waved away- prayers joyous and include instruments.
-lighted wicks passed around - people receive love and protection
-Hindus will put hand over flame for blessing from diety
Symbolism and importance of Aarati ceremony
-Offerings are made - flowers, incense, water - symbolises all creation and people offering everything they love and are
-burning flame meant to symbolise sacrifice, people offer their own lives in service of Brahman and deities
-The flame symbolises knowledge cutting through darkness as people pray for wisdom & moksha - let go of distractions
What is the purpose and meaning of the Havan ceremony?
- havan ceremony is the name of fire sacrifice performed to deity Agni
-Hindus believe Agni is the god of fire and the fire is purifying meaning it can cleanse a person of bad energy or wrongdoing
-allowing them to focus fully on God on the material world around them
What happens during the Havan ceremony?
-Fire pit used
-people make offerings to the sacred fires throw fruit, flowers, wood into fire representing world
-Believed that this sacrifice purifies the environment as well as the people around driving away all negative energies - allows person to focus fully on what is right and how to live a good life
Symbolism and importance of Havan ceremony
The fire pit ritual represents the ultimate energy inside us all, un the rest of the universe. The ceremony is supposed to remind people to use this energy for good.
Symbolism and importance of Darshan
For Hindus, Darshan is about more looking at a deity. About seeing the truth if the world, truth of life and truth of Brahman. A persons soul brought closer to enlightenment and Brahman therefore moksha
What does the word Darshan mean?
Means to view or to look
What does Darshan involve?
Hindus spending time contemplating the deities - this beholding of a deity is considered the result in the person receiving a blessing or allowing the person time and space to contemplate life.
What is the practice of Darshan closely linked to?
Yoga
What is Bhajan / Kirtan?
-sing or hymns is called Bhajan
-narrative songs telling story of deities is called kirtan
-both forms usually have 1 singer accompanied by music and a choir
-they have no prescribed form, or set rules it is in free form and the effort shows worship and devotion
What is a mantra?
Type of chant
What is a chant in mantra
A short phrase being repeated again and again
What is a Hindu term to describe chanting
Japa
What does japa usually involve
A string of prayer beads
What are the string of small beads called?
Japa-mala
How many beads are on the japa-mala?
108 beads
What is japa chanting intended to do?
Focus the mind on God and on the words and forget everything else.
The chanting is intended to foster self realisation and intimacy with Brahman
What is a pilgrimage
A journey to a sacred place or a place of religious importance
What is a pilgrim
A person who goes on a pilgrimage
Why would you go on a pilgrimage?
-feel closer to God
-be with a Hindu community
-shows commitment
-meet gurus
-seek healing
-to gain help/guidance
-to learn about the faith
-to seek forgivness
What happens on a pilgrimage?
Darshan, puja, circumambulation, charity, meeting gurus, penance, celibacy
What is Darshan
Viewing a holy image or statue or site
What is Puja
Prayer & worship
What is circumambulation
Walking around a holy site often whilst chanting or praying
What is charity
Many Hindus give to charity as part of their pilgrimages
What is meeting gurus
Gurus are holy teachers who offer teaching & guidance
What is penance
Doing something to make up for something to rid yourself of bad karma
What is celibacy
Giving up sexual activity whilst on pilgrimage as a sign of commitment to God
Why is varanasi considered Holy?
Shiva created the city, scattering ashes in the river will benefit the atman
Why do people bathe in the river Ganges
It cleanses the soul
What is varanasi seen as?
Gateway to moksha
Why do Hindus aim to die in varanasi?
Because it is believed to help their Altman
What is a ghat?
A place by the riverbank used for ceremonies for spiritual cleansing
Why is it famous religiously and architecturally?
Because it has been a place of battle between Muslims and Hindus with many temples of both being in Varanasi
How long does Kumbh Mela pilgrimage take?
12 years
How many sites are on Kumbh Mela
4
What 3 rivers does Kumbh mela visit
Ganges, shipra, Godavari
What is the first gathering of Kumbh Mela
Haridwar on river Ganges year 1
What is the 2nd gathering of Kumbh Mela?
Ujjain on the river shipra 3 years latter haridwar
What is the 3rd gathering of Kumbh mela
Nashik on the river Godavari 3 years after Ujjain
What is the final gathering of Kumbh mela?
Prayaga where all rivers meet, on the 12th year
How many attend prayagas festival of Kumbh mela?
Millions
What site is considered the holiest?
Prayaga where all 3 rivers meet
What story describes why Prayaga is so scared?
Story from the Puranas
What is Yoga
The spiritual pathway a person follows through life. Literally means ‘discipline’
What is karma yoga
The path of selfless action
What is Astanga yoga
The path of meditiation
What is Bhakti yoga
The path of devotion
What is jnana yoga
The path of knowledge
What do all yoga pathways lead a person towards
Knowing Brahman
What is an example of karma yoga
Giving to charity
What is an example of astanga yoga
Meditation or chanting
Give an example of Bhakti yoga
Mediating on a murti
Give an example of jnana yoga
Seeing past the illusions of the world
What do Hindus believe about picking yoga
You are able to change and which yoga you do based on what point in life you are
What is a festival
A religious celebration usually remembering a particular event or deity
What is Diwali
Hindu new year festival October / November celebrating Lakshmi and story of Rama and Sita. Also called ‘festival of lights’
What is holi
Hindu spring festival in February / March celebrating good overcoming evil and story of Prahlada
What are the 4 main types of Hindu festivals?
-celebrating a key event in life of deity
-celebrating birth, life and achievements
-seasonal festivals associated with harvest or nature
-Joyful celebration of family relationships and the cycle of human life
What does the story of Rama and Sita tell us
Dharma will always triumph over adharma
Vishnu can help humanity
Importance of fighting for what is right
Devotion to all
Need light to see or move so let god into life and light it up
Give 4 things Hindus belief about Lakshmi
Deity of wealth, prosperity and good fortune
Consort of Vishnu
Referee to as Sri meaning beauty prosperity and wealth
Grants great success in all endeavours
Why do Hindus use the Rangoli pattern
Because it welcomes goddess Lakshmi into their house
What 4 things does the story of Prahlada teach us
Good will always triumph over evil
The gods reward dedication and loyalty
Vishnu will serve and protect
Devotion to gods in face of temptation
Why are bonfires lit for holi
Light overcoming evil and the story of Prahlada features fire so reminding themselves
What is another reason people celebrate holidays other than Prahlada?
They remember Krishna became holi is a festival of fun and he was known for being silly so it is reminder for fun and joy during holi which is why they throw paint.
What does Hinduism teach about the environment?
It should be treated with respect
Why do Hindus respect the environment?
Because they believe that Brahman is all
What do Hindus refer to the earth as?
Mother because it provides nourishment and sustains creation
Why are Hindus vegetarian?
-killing animals causes them to suffer
-not eating meat is a sign of purity
What do Hindus do to if they use a plant or animal?
They apologise
