Hinduism Flashcards
What kind of belief is Hinduism?
Monotheist even though it seems like it’s Polytheistic - Has a wide range of beliefs and practices; Has numerous deities that represent various aspects of the divine (Brahman)
What is Hinduism’s most ancient/sacred text?
The Vedas - written down in Sanskrit; Major Hindu Text
What is the Caste System?
System that determines your place in society; Divides people into social groups based on birth; Major system of Hinduism; Idea is that there are 5 different classes; As you reincarnate, you move up or down classes (based on karma); A social class order of many gods and goddesses, practices, and religious literature; Ideas:
-Everyone is not equal
-Embraced the inequality but didn’t explain why
-However you are born into the society, you have earned that spot, and once you reach the top of the pyramid you achieve moksha
-Everyone starts at Sudra
What are the classes in the Caste System?
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras, and the Untouchables (Dalits)
What is Sanskrit?
Indo - European language that the Vedas was written in; the ancient language of the Vedas adopted by the Indo-Aryans
Who were the Brahmins?
Philosophers/Priests - Most influential leaders of society; Highest class (priests, scholars, philosophers, judges–law making class); The priest varna of the caste system; Expected to take care of the temples
Who were the Kshatriyas?
Second highest class, warrior class (commanders in military, nobles, high ranking gov. officials – warrior class); Warrior/Political leaders; Smaller than Brahmins but important
Who were the Vaishyas?
Third class, middle class; Farmers who own their own land, the merchant class (these are the largest groups)
Who were the Sudras?
Fourth class, working class - unskilled labor; Work for others (bottom of the pyramid); Laborers
Who were the Untouchables: Dalits/Pariahs?
Lowest class in the caste system; If you touch them, then you would be spiritually polluting; Have occupations that are spiritually dangerous
What are the Twice Born Groups?
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas - Everyone in this group made progress because everyone starts out as Sudras
What are the Upanishads?
Last section of Vedas and address spiritual questions; Forest stories; Written by intellectual in a high level; A group of writings sacred in Hinduism concerning the relations of humans, gods, and the universe; Gurus would go out into forests and meditate to find answers about the ancient texts (vedas) and once the gurus found all the answers, they would take on chelas (students) and pass down their interpretation - each time the truth of what happened becomes more distant.
What are the 2 most famous Hindu Epics?
Ramayana and Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad Gita (Song of God) - a section of the Indian epic the Mahabharata)
What is Ramayana about?
Love story about Rama who is learning how to become the model king; His wife was kidnapped; His sidekick is a monkey; Teaches the morals in leaders and moral and to be a good person
What is Mahabharata about?
War story between 2 large clans (same family); Longest poem in the world; One of India’s greatest epics written between 1000 BC and 700 BC
Bhagavad Gita
Also known as “Song of God”; Part of the Mahabharata - poem/interlude for the Mahabharata
What is Reincarnation and how does it relate to Hinduism?
The process of death and re-birth; It means “in the flesh again”; Reincarnation is about the belief that the world is filled with illusion and suffering, meaning coming back to this world is seen as a punishment; Can be reborn into different forms
What is Samsara?
Cycle of reincarnation/death and rebirth, ignorance, and suffering; The idea that people are trapped in their bodies; Goal is to get out of reincarnation system and let Atman free; Repeating cycle of birth, life, death, and reincarnation
What is someone’s Dharma?
The obligations of the varna(class) one is born into (Duty); Duty of your class - expectation of a person; The social (known) expectations for someone of your class; Obeying dharma = move up the caste system, and if not down; Obey Dharma and have good karma = escape samsara
What is someone’s Karma?
Cause and effect of their good and bad actions in previous lives; Linking of actions and their consequences; Something that happened without preparation; Moral decisions affect your karma/determines your future - bad actions = bad karma, good actions = good actions; System of good/bad fortune based off of a buildup of good/bad actions (like a morality score); Your karma is determined by birth/how you are born
What is Moksha?
The Hindu concept of the spirit’s ‘liberation’ from the endless cycle of rebirths; When you escape samsara, you achieve moksha - Your atman returns to the Atman of the world
What is Atman?
Soul of the world / Universal soul; Soul (more specifically, all souls together); Part of Brahman - The absolute reality/ultimate unchanging reality
What is Varna?
A class in the Caste System (technical name); Different name for each section of the Caste system
What is atman?
The individual’s soul
What is the goal of Hinduism?
Goal is to let your soul(atman) escape samsara - this cycle and reunite with the soul (Atman) of the world and be free;
When you reach moksha, your atman will join the Atman of the world
What are the values of Hinduism?
Truth, right conduct, love, peace, non-violence
