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.
What is Ujjain?
4th year of the Kumbh Mela, on river Shipra.
What is Nashik?
7th year of Kumbh Mela, on River Godavari
What is Prayaga?
10th year of Kumbh Mela, final gateway where the 3 rivers meet. Most holy site.
What is the river Ganges?
- River through India, very important.
- Sacred body of water, where earth and heaven meets.
What are the Himalayas?
A mountain range in Asia.
What is Yoga?
- Achieve Union of the self with the deity by self discipline and worship.
- Spiritual pathway a person follows through life, how they connect with Brahman.
What is Karma Yoga?
The path of selfless action.
What is Astanga Yoga?
The path of meditation.
What is Bhakti Yoga?
The path of devotion.
What is Jnana Yoga?
The path of knowledge.
What is Moksha?
Escaping the samsara cycle.
What is a Festival?
A religious celebration, usually remembering a specific event or deity.
What is Diwali?
- Hindu new year during October/November.
- Celebrating deity Lakshmi and story of Rama and Sita.
- Festival of lights.
What is Dharma?
Right way of living, good,
What is Adharma?
Evil.
What are Diwa lamps?
Lamps said to help Rama and Sita find their way back.
Who is Lakshmi?
- Consort of Vishnu, symbolises prosperity, wealth and beauty.
- Prayed to during Diwali especially, prayed for a prosperous new year.
What are Rangoli patterns?
Made with coloured chalks, welcomes Lakshmi into their home.
What is Holi?
- Hindu Spring festival, Feb/March.
- Celebrates good > evil and the story of Prahlada.
Who is Prahlada?
Dedicated follower of Vishnu, saved by avatar of Vishnu.
Who is Narasimha?
Vishnu’s lion avatar form, saved Prahlada.
Who is Holika?
Prahlada’s evil aunt.
Who is Krishna?
Deity known for mischievousness and joy, playing tricks and one of Vishnu’s avatar.
What is Kama?
All pleasure in life.
What is Ahimsa?
Pacifism, non violence.
What is Stewardship?
The belief that the world belongs to God, humans should care for it.
What is Sustainability?
Only using natural resources at a rate at which they can be replenished.
What is the Banyan tree?
Sacred tree where Lord Krishna rests and where life is symbolised.
What is the Langur monkey?
Represents Hanuman.
What is a Goshalla?
A cow sanctuary, caring for cows that are sick/old.
What is Tree hugging?
When people link arms around tress to stop them being cut down.
What is the Vrindavan forest project?
Conserve sacred trees.
What is social justice?
Society is fair for everyone.
What is inclusion?
Ensuring that all people are equally valued and included in society.
What is Dana?
Hinduism teaches that there are 4 ways to give:
- Give to family.
- Give to society.
- Give to the world.
- Give to God.
What is Sewa?
Selfless service - Hinduism teaches that part of Dana is selfless service to those in need.
What is Sewa international?
Service before self, improving woman’s rights.
What is ISKCON food for life?
Giving food to those in need and encourages karma yoga.
