Hinduism Flashcards
Monism
all reality is ultimately one
Brahman
eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe
Atman
the eternal Self
Student
The first stage of life, where a person studies literature
Householder
pursuit of a career and raising a family
Forest dweller
a man (sometimes with his wife) will retreat from worldly bonds
Walking Astectican
forest dwellers return to society but remain detached from a social life
Moksha
the release from our ordinary and limited realm to the infinite and divine realm
Samsara
the individual is reincarnated from one life to another
Karma
every action produces an outcome or reaction that can be justified by the action’s moral worthiness
Dharma
the complete rule of life; everyone’s actions are judged morally based on dharma
The four social classes
- priests
- warriors, administrators
- producers, merchants, farmers
- servants, laborers
Vendanta
monism teaches that all reality is ultimately one
Sankhya
reality can be divided into 2 different categories
Yoga
physical and psychological practices
The message of the Bhagavad Gita
Krishna is trying to convince Arjuna to fulfill his dharma and become a warrior
The four goals in life
- sensual love
- material success
- Dharma- maintaining ethical duty
- Awarness of Moksha
Triumvirate & The Holy Trinity
- Triumvirate: Brahma (the creator), Shiva (the destroyer), Krishna (the preserver)
- The Holy Trinity: God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
Prayers to deities & prayers to saints
- Hinduism: Hindus can pray to deities to live a pure life
- Catholicism: Catholics pray to saints for certain needs
Reincarnation vs. salvation
- Reincarnation (Hinduism): Hindus anticipate reincarnation, where they will be a different aspect in the universe
- Salvation (Catholicism): Catholics pray and repent for salvation so they can enter Heaven
Polytheistic vs. Monotheistic
- Polytheistic (Hinduism): Hindus have millions of gods
- Monotheistic (Catholicism): Catholics only believe in one god
