hinduism

Question 1

Karma

Answer 1

Karma simply means “actions”, or the “result of past actions”. Karma explains the past actions and that you will never get away with something and your past actions will always come back to you in a different lifetime.

Question 2

Dharma

Answer 2

You can achieve your Dharma, for example its your soul/identity and it will always be with you in next lifetimes.

Question 3

Moksha

Answer 3

If you believe in the life and death cycle it is called Moksha. It also means Freedom is Samsara. When you achieve Moksha you also achieve Brahman, and are one with Brahman.

Question 4

Brahman

Answer 4

Brahman is viewed as the reality of things, and it can be bodiless, shapeless and can only be experienced and not described. Brahman shows the reality of yourself according to Hindus.

Question 5

Atman

Answer 5

Universal truth in everything. For example your atman in another lifetime will be different, your body will die but your atman (soul/spirit) stays.

Question 6

Samsara

Answer 6

Samsara is referred to as the life and death cycle. Samsara can exist in aquatic life, plants, and animals as well. Samsara also is the cycle of rebirth. Samsara is due to Karma because of the rebirth cycle.

Question 8

Karma

Answer 8

Karma simply means “actions”, or the “result of past actions”. Karma explains the past actions and that you will never get away with something and your past actions will always come back to you in a different lifetime.

Question 9

Dharma

Question 10

Moksha

Answer 10

If you believe in the life and death cycle it is called Moksha. It also means Freedom is Samsara. When you achieve Moksha you also achieve Brahman, and are one with Brahman.

Question 11

Brahman

Answer 11

Brahman is viewed as the reality of things, and it can be bodiless, shapeless and can only be experienced and not described. Brahman shows the reality of yourself according to Hindus. Brahman also should not be referred to as the god Brahma, because they are two different things.

Question 12

Atman

Answer 12

Universal truth in everything. For example your atman in another lifetime will be different, your body will die but your atman (soul/spirit) stays.

Question 13

Samsara

Answer 13

Samsara is referred to as the life and death cycle. Samsara can exist in aquatic life, plants, and animals as well. Samsara also is the cycle of rebirth. Samsara is due to Karma because of the rebirth cycle.

Question 14

Henotheism vs. Polytheism vs. Monotheism

Answer 14

Henotheism is when you believ in one supreme but you also acknowledge other gods as well. Monotheism is when you onyl beluve in one god. Polytheism is when you believe in all gods eualy.

Question 15

Brahma

Answer 15

The creator

Question 16

Vishnu

Answer 16

presever

Question 17

Holi

Answer 17

Celebrates the successful spring harvest, good vs evil, and the start of a new beginning.

Question 18

Ugadi

Answer 18

Celebration of Hindu new year, Lord brahma also created the universe on this day (April 9th)

Question 19

Onam

Answer 19

Onam is a harvest festival celebrating the return of King Mahabali (the demon king).
Celebrated mostly in Kerala
Boat races, tug of war, and sack races

Question 20

Pitru Paksha

Answer 20

Holiday is based around releasing your ancestors from despair and offering many various items, such as pin daan are severed. Some ways that this festival is celebrated is in temples.

Question 21

Makar Sankranti

Answer 21

Celebrates the sun transitioning into Capricorn, and the celebration of the new harvest. Some ways to celebrate this is to fly kites to symbolize the change of season. This festival celebrities Lord Suya (Sun god).

Question 22

Durga Puja

Answer 22

Durga puja celebrates the god Durga and her victory of the demon, Mahishasura.Lakshmi ( goddess of wealth), Sarawasti, (goddess of music and wealth), and Ganesha (remover of obstacles) are celebrated on this day.

Question 23

Diwali*

Answer 23

Festival of lights, usually celebrated with clay lamps called dias.

Question 24

Lohri

Answer 24

Harvest festival, fires are lit to symbolize worship and prayer to sun god. This festival is celebrated with lord Agni, (Fire god) which connects to the big bonfire that is made to throw stuff in.

Question 25

Gita Jayani

Answer 25

Gita Jayanti celebrates lord Krishna (love/compassion god)

Question 26

Hanuman Jayani

Answer 26

Celebrated in honor of Hanuman (monkey god) birth.
2 names, Hanuman Jayanti and Hanuman Janmotav
Hanuman is conquer of evil spirits

Question 27

Yoga

Answer 27

Yoga can be a way to achieve Moksha. Yoga means union, or to yoke. You are uniting yourself with god, and having a spiritual connection to Brahman. Connects the body,mind, and soul, which helps you achieve Moksha.

Question 28

Bhakti Yoga

Answer 28

Devotional, celebrating a specific god/universal entity, can be done through pujas, or songs/chants. Often in public places and is a way to worship god.

Question 29

Jnana Yoga

Answer 29

Jnana Yoga can be memorizing texts, a more academic way of achieving your Moksha.

Question 30

Karma Yoga

Answer 30

“Acting with the selfless intention”, always acting with the selfless motivation and trying to strive for that selfless

Question 31

Raja Yoga

Answer 31

Raja Yoga is one form of Yoga. is meditative, focusing on your breath. The motions you do are supposed to help connect your mind and body.

Question 32

What is the difference between Shruti vs. Smriti?

Answer 32

Shruti is heard, while Smirti is remembered. Smriti focuses on remembering past vedas and stories, for example the Bhagavad Gita, instead of memorizing a passage. Shurti is heard, and chanted. Shruti are vedas and Smirti are epics.

Question 33

Ramayana

Answer 33

Popular Ancient Hindu Veda which explains the story of good vs evil, love, and more about ancient Hindu beliefs. Sita and Rama are main characters that are seen in Ramayana.

Question 34

Maharabta (Bhagavad Gita)

Answer 34

Krishna and Arjuna are main characters in bhagavad Gita.
Explains more about Dharma and achieving your Dharma.