Hindu Practices Flashcards
How are mandirs decorated?
Mandirs are designed to simulate a kind of heaven on earth to allow worshippers to be still and find the truth within themselves.
What is the purpose of outdoor shrines and who are they traditionally dedicated to?
Outdoor shrines generally exist to allow travellers or pilgrims to stop and pray while on the road. They are normally images of Ganesha as the remover of obstacles.
What is puja?
Puja means ‘giving respect and honour’ to a deity, and normally involves prayer to a murti and the making of various offerings.
What is a murti?
An image or representation of a deity to allow people to form a closer bond to the deity in worship.
What is arati?
The main Hindu worship ceremony, an arati lamp is lit and passed round the deity before being passed around on a tray for worshippers to pass their hands over. The arati tray includes four or five lights representing the elements of fire, earth, air and water.
What is darshan?
Asking for the blessings of a deity through singing hymns (known as bhajan and kirtan) and through chanting mantras.
What is japa?
A way of chanting mantras, often using a string of beads to focus the mind while counting through the different names of the deity.
What is havan?
A fire sacrifice performed on special occasions to the God Agni. The fire is lit with ghee (purified butter), rice is offered and prayers are said.
What are the four main kinds of Hindu festival?
1) Celebrating a key event in the life of a deity
2) Celebrating the birth, life and achievements of a Hindu saint
3) Seasonal festivals and customs associated with nature or harvest
4) Joyful celebrations of family relationships and the cycle of human life
What is Diwali?
The festival of light, celebrated for 5 days in October or November. People remember the story of the Ramayana and the marriage of Vishnu and Lakshmi while also praying to let Lakshmi into their homes to grant them learning and prosperity. Homes are decorated with lamps to remember Rama, Sita and Hanuman returning to their capital after their victory at night and needing lamps to guide their way.
What is Holi?
The festival of spring, celebrated at the time of the full moon in February or March and is associated with the victory of the devotee Prahlad over the demoness Holika. People wear brightly covered clothes and cover each other in brightly coloured powders or liquids to remember how Krishna and the milkmaids had fun playing tricks on each other.
What does the swastika represent in Hinduism?
It was a symbol of the sun and prosperity and how God is present in every place and form of life.
What are the four qualities a guru must possess?
1) Be well versed in the scriptures
2) Know about Brahman
3) Have overcome all human desires
4) Be honest, sincere and trustworthy
What is a sadhu?
A wandering holy man, associated often with the Kumbh Mela where they lead the procession of pilgrims into the water.
What is a sannyasin?
Someone who has reached the last ashrama and has given up all their possessions but a begging bowl, a walking stick and some prayer beads in order to become closer to God.
