hindu practices

Question 1

what is the story of Gajendra

Answer 1

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

Question 2

how does the story of Gajendra influence Hindus today

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Upanishads-yoga and meditation
Bhagavad gita-path of knowledge

Question 4

where can hindus find God and worship

Answer 4

in homes , shrines or any outdoor sacred places

Question 5

what is a murti

Answer 5

an image of God

Question 6

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

Answer 6

take off shoes before entering

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

Question 7

what is bhakti

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what does bhakti encourage

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what is puja

Answer 9

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

Question 10

what is the main worship ceremony

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what is darshan

Answer 11

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

Question 12

what is a way hindus chant mantras

Answer 12

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

Question 13

what is singing hyms

Answer 13

kirtan or bhajan

Question 14

what is havan

Answer 14

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

Question 14

what is a sadhu

Answer 14

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

Question 15

who do holi and divali celebrate

Answer 15

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

Question 15

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

Answer 15

-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

Question 16

what is the symbolism of the swastika

Answer 16

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

Question 16

what are gurus and what do they do

Answer 16

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

Question 17

expected qualities of a guru

Answer 17

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

Question 18

what is a sannyasin

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

what is a swami

Answer 19

teachers of the scripture who are hindu holy men

Question 20

what is yoga

Answer 20

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

Question 21

how many yogas are there to be practiced/combined

Answer 21

4
karma,astanga,jnana and bhakti

Question 22

what is karma yoga and an how is it carried out

Answer 22

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)

Question 23

what is jnana yoga and how is it carried out

Answer 23

-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)

Question 24

what is astanga yoga

Answer 24

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

Question 25

what is bhakti yoga

Answer 25

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

Question 26

what are reasons Hindus go on pilgrimage

Answer 26

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

Question 27

where do Hindus go on pilgrimages and why are they special

Answer 27

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)

Question 28

what do pilgrims do at the site

Answer 28

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

Question 29

why are hindus vegetarians

Answer 29

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

Question 30

why are cows protected and an example

Answer 30

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

Question 31

what are goshallas

Answer 31

cow retirement homes

Question 32

what is dana

Answer 32

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

Question 33

what is sewa

Answer 33

selfless giving -part of dana