Hindu Practices Flashcards
What is Puja?
- Hindu term for worship.
- Literally means to give respect.
What is Bhakti?
The practice of showing love and devotion to Brahman or a deity.
What is Murti?
A statue or image of a deity used in worship.
What is a Shrine?
A sacred space usually in the home used for worship.
What is the Mandir?
Hindu term for temple
What is the Arati ceremony?
- Main ceremony, means complete love.
- They show their love and devotion to deities and then Brahman.
What is the Havan ceremony?
Fire sacrifice performed on special occasions.
What is Darshan?
- Respectful viewing of a holy image or statue.
What is Japa/Mantra?
-Mantra means chant.
- Japa is a term to describe chanting, they may use prayer beads.
What is Bhajan/Kirtan?
When Hindus sing hymns/ worship when praying.
What is a Guru?
Holy teacher, offer teaching and guidance.
What is Ashram?
A holy house where a guru teaches his followers.
What is Sadhu?
A wondering holy man.
What is Sannyasin?
A religious hermit who has reached the final stage of life.
What is Swami?
Master of senses, a Hindu holy teacher of scriptures.
What is a Pilgrimage?
A journey to or around a sacred place or a place of religious importance.
What is a pilgrim?
A person who goes on a pilgrimage.
What is circumbulation?
Walking along the holy site, often whilst chanting or praying.
What is celibacy?
Giving up sexual activity whilst on pilgrimage as a sign of commitment to Brahman.
What is penance?
Doing something to make up for something bad, to rid yourself of bad karma.
What is Varanasi?
- City on banks of river ganges.
- Founded by Shiva.
- Very holy site.
What is Ghat?
Steps down to the river Ganges
What is the Kumbh Mela?
A pilgrimage which takes 12 years in total to complete, 4 sites.
What is Haridwar?
1st year of the Kumbh Mela, on river Ganges.