hindu practices Flashcards

1
Q

what is the story of Gajendra

A

A king was turned into an elephant and in a river he was attacked by a crocodile who would have killed him but Vishnu and Garuda swung down after he recalled mantras in his old life and cut off the head of the crocodile and took him to the vaikuntha

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2
Q

how does the story of Gajendra influence Hindus today

A

influences Hindus to worship as human effort and devotion to God will help them achieve moksha as well as Gods grace

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3
Q

what are ways the holy books teach hindus to find and worship God

A

Upanishads-yoga and meditation
Bhagavad gita-path of knowledge

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4
Q

where can hindus find God and worship

A

in homes , shrines or any outdoor sacred places

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5
Q

what is a murti

A

an image of God

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6
Q

what are rules in mandirs(temples) and ways of worship

A

take off shoes before entering

ways include
chanting mantras walking round murti(image of God)
presenting gifts
prepare food and offerings

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7
Q

what is bhakti

A

1 of the yogas
showing love and devotion to God and is one of their most important duties as it offers promise of moksha

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8
Q

what does bhakti encourage

A

showing love by focusing on deity and making simple offerings like a leaf or flower

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9
Q

what is puja

A

giving respect and honour by making offerings like rice flowers fruit or rice and saying prayers in front of the murti

the general term for hindu worship

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10
Q

what is the main worship ceremony

A

arati-lamp is lit and passed around deity
with songs and prayers
then flame is passed round on tray so they can pass hands over it and touch eyes to recieve blessing from deity
tray represents elements with the 4-5 diff lights

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11
Q

what is darshan

A

kiss steps of shrine and then ask for deitys blessing in return

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12
Q

what is a way hindus chant mantras

A

japa which is counting beads on strings calling different names of deity

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13
Q

what is singing hyms

A

kirtan or bhajan

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14
Q

what is havan

A

fire sacrifice to God Agni on special occasions as symbol of animal sacrifice ritual

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14
Q

what is a sadhu

A

a wandering holy man like a guru who have special part in kumbh mela pilgrimage to lead pilgrims into the water

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15
Q

who do holi and divali celebrate

A

holi-prahlada defeating demoness Holika
Diwali-marriage of Vishnu and Lakshmi

15
Q

what are 4 main types of festivals and why are these festivals important

A

-key event in deitys life
-birth/life of Hindu saint
-seasonal festivals of harvest and nature
-family relationships and cycle of human life

-they allow Hindus to link the divine/help bring together family

16
Q

what is the symbolism of the swastika

A

it points in every direction showing how God is present in every place or form of life

16
Q

what are gurus and what do they do

A

a holy person who has reached enlightenment after giving up attachment to material possessions who
-studies scriptures
-and meditates
they teach others how to find self realisation/enlightenment

17
Q

expected qualities of a guru

A

-well versed in scriptures
-know abt brahman
-overcome all human desires
-honest and trustworthy

18
Q

what is a sannyasin

A

-someone who has reached final stage of life and cut all contact with family/possesions and walks around with begging bowl /walking stick and prayer beads

-they are treated with great respect

19
Q

what is a swami

A

teachers of the scripture who are hindu holy men

20
Q

what is yoga

A

concentrating on God (either antarayami or brahman)to achieve union by self discipline and worship

21
Q

how many yogas are there to be practiced/combined

A

4
karma,astanga,jnana and bhakti

22
Q

what is karma yoga and an how is it carried out

A

path for those doing good in the world but wanting freedom
-selfless action
from the attraction to material desires
-special rituals(eg:havan-sacred fire sacrifice)

23
Q

what is jnana yoga and how is it carried out

A

-stricter path of knowledge
for those who have given up worldly pleasures to focus on antarayami
-this is done through study of scriptures and helps with achieving self realisation
-they see the world as whole(eg difference in skin colour as an illusion)

24
Q

what is astanga yoga

A

-path of meditation
to find God in heart(eg mantras or prayer beads)
-done by ascetics at Kumbh Mela

25
Q

what is bhakti yoga

A

-path of personal devotion
worshiping Bhagavan/anataryami to reach union
(eg meditating in front of murtis at the home to show love)

26
Q

what are reasons Hindus go on pilgrimage

A

-to make amends for wrongdoings
-strengthen faith and relationship with God
-express their dedication to the religion or a deity
-part of dharma

27
Q

where do Hindus go on pilgrimages and why are they special

A

Pilgrimage sites which are places by rivers or mountains as the holy places are where heaven and earth is believed to meet(beauty and awe of the natural world)

28
Q

what do pilgrims do at the site

A

-remain celibate
-circumambulate the temple and shrine
-wash in the holy water

29
Q

why are hindus vegetarians

A

-krishna recommends only eating pure foods
-religious purity
-ahimsa

30
Q

why are cows protected and an example

A

Krishna was a cowherd
Vedas forbid their murder
shiva rides a bull which is a source of power
-in bhaktivedanta manor in 1996 a protection projects was set up to protect them from being slaughtered by Bse disease

31
Q

what are goshallas

A

cow retirement homes

32
Q

what is dana

A

part of dharma
-means giving kindness to others as well as money

33
Q

what is sewa

A

selfless giving
-part of dana