Hinduism

Question 1

Basics about Hinduism

Answer 1

A complex and constantly evolving religion
Worlds Oldest religion
3rd biggest religion
13% world population

Question 2

Sanatana Dharma

Answer 2

“Eternal Law”
Means River also
Sources of 3 other major religions ( Jainism and Bhuddism)

Question 3

Om symbol

Answer 3

Sacred Symbol
Symbol of Hinduism
used in chants and creation

Question 4

Holy Books

Answer 4

The Vedas
4 main vedas
4 parts: Mantras, Brahmanas, Forest treatises, The The upanishads

Question 5

The epics

Answer 5

smurti
Sanskrit
Many epics

Question 6

Epics

Answer 6

Ramayana - eternal struggle between good and evil
Mahabharta - sets up hindu mythology and beliefs
Bhayarad-gita: most famous part of the veda

Question 7

Varna

Answer 7

Brahmins - priests & teachers
Kshatriyas - chieftans & warriors
Vaishyas - merchants and commoners
shudras - not memebers of society, servent and slaves

Question 8

Brahman

Answer 8

unchaning, infinite, transcendent reality

Question 9

trimuti

Answer 9

3 forms of god
Brahma - the creator
Vishnu - the preserver
Shiva - the destroyer

Question 10

The 3 gods

Answer 10

Brahma - creator, lotus 4 heads, 4 arms
Vishnu - preserver, god of forgiveness, love, benevolence
Shiva - the destroyer, compassionate, erotic and destructive

Question 11

Other gods

Answer 11

Shakti - the great divine mother
Ganesh - Lord of hosts, remover of obstacles
Durga - Gentle face, armed with weapons
Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth, light and fortune

Question 12

Beliefs

Answer 12

Self - Atman or true self
Samsara - reincarnation
Dharma - mortal order in the world
Karma - what you did in the past effects

Question 13

Purushathas

Answer 13

4 main aims:
Moksha - liberation from “samsara” Considered Supreme end
Dharma - rightnousess in their religious life
Artha - success in their economic life
Karma - gratification of the senses

Question 14

Customs and Rituals

Answer 14

Ahimsa - non violence
Puja - offering to the gods
Havan - ritual fire that is present at many ceremonies
Cremation - wasted, rubbed with sandalwood paste, dressed and wrapped

Question 15

Yogas

Answer 15

Hatha - postures
Mantra - chanting
Bhakti - devotion
Karma - works
Jnana - knowledge 
Raja - all the yogas together 
Kundalini yoga - from the tantras

Question 16

More custom things

Answer 16

Dietary - the consumption of beef is highly restricted

Reverance for the cow - not worshipped, simply honored

Question 17

Holidays

Answer 17

Holi - celebrating krishana
Kumbh Mela - held every 3rd year t one of the four cities
Navarati - 9 days of praying ( Durga)
Divali - Fesival of lights ( Lakshmi)

Question 18

Worship things

Answer 18

Temples - Mandir, worship gods there

Murti - statues of gods

Question 19

Branches

Answer 19

They all respect each other will barely any conflict, only disagree on the concept of god
Vaishnavism - Vishnu is the one tru god, 80% of hindus
Shaivism - shiva is true god
Smartism - movism, moksha through all gods especialy ishtadera, a prism
Saktas - worship mother goddess, general sense in nature, Durga and Kali. 50 million people
Tantric Hinduism - Hare krishna people. Sikhsim, Jainism and Buddhism