Hinduism Flashcards
Avatar:
the incarnation of a deity in human or animal form to counteract the evil in the world
Ahimsa:
Ethical principal to not causing harm to other living things (non-violence, vegetarian lifestyle)
Brahman
-supreme being that is divine, invisible, unlimited and indescribable
-The soul of the universe from which all things arise and into which they all return
-Everything and everywhere
-It is manifested in various deities
Diety:
a god or goddess
Saraswati
-goddess of knowledge, music and the arts
-wife of Brahma
-4 arms (mind, ego, intellect, creativity)
-Veena (musical insturment)
-Book (Vedas)
-Pot of water
-Swan
Lakshmi
-goddess of wealth and prosperity
-Wife to Vishnu
-coins
-container
-gold
-elephant
Parvati
-goddess of love fertility and maternity
-the divine mother
-Shivas first wife
-Goddess of food and nourishment
-lion
Ganesha
-elephant headed
-God of beings
-god of intellect and remover of obstacles
-son of shiva and parvati
-mouse
Durga
-Warrior and protector goddess
-multiple weapons and arms
-shivas partner
-tiger/lion
-weapons
-lotus flower
Kali
-goddess of time and death
-dark andviolent portrayal
-shivas partner
-distruction and change
-donkey
-tongue
-necklace of human heads
-standing of human bodies
Krishna
-8th avatar of Vishnu
-leader, friend, hero and teacher
-usually portrayed as a child
-blue skin
-deity ofpanting, dance,music
-flute
-calf
Hanuman
-popular assistant of Lord Rama
-God of success, power and courage
-strength, perseverance, devotion
-giant mace (club with spikes)
Indra
-king of the Gods and heaven
-sky
-weather
Rama
-7th avatar of Vishnu had a wife named Sita
-featured in the Ramayana tales
-Protector God
-bow and arrow
Brahma
-creator of the universe
-part of the Hindu trinity
-4 heads, 4 arms
-not commonly worshiped
-swan
-lodus flower
-4 stages of life
-vedas
-bowl
Vishnu
-the preserver
-part of the Hindu Trinity
-incarnated 9 times with one more to come
-garuda (bird)
Shiva
-the destroyer
-part of the hindu trinity
-third eye
-bull
-life and death
-good & evil
-necklace of skulls
-trident
Trimurti/Trinity
-what Brahman is manifested through
-The three most important dieties
1. Brahma
2. Vishnu
3. Shiva
Dharma
-religious and moral law governing individual conduct
-Perform good deeds
Diwali
-festival of lights
-Symbolizes good over dark and good over evil
-Day is based on the Hindu/solar calendar
4 goals of human life
- Artha- financial security
- Kama- pleasure
- Dharma- moral law
- Moksha- liberation, ultimate goal
4 stages of life
- Student (7 to 20)-religious education, search for truth
- Householder (20 to 50)- duty to family and money
- Semi-retired (when family is self supporting)- focus on spiritual matters
- Wandering ascetic (when ready)- holy life, no possessions or responsibilities
Holi
-colourful festival to celebrate good over evil
-Powders of colour mean different things
-Celebrated in March
Karma
-concept of action, work or deed & it’s effect or conseuenses
-How someone is reborn isdetermined by the law of karma
-Ones actions have an impact on their future
Mahashivaratri
Celebrates the Hindu God Shiva at evening and night by praying pujas
Mandala
a geometric configuration of symbols
Mantra
a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation
Meditation
practice of calming and focusing the mind
Moksha
liberation from the cycle of death & rebirth
Navaratri
Dedicated to durga and parvati observers who fast all day and night for 9 days
Puja
Worship of Dieties
Puja in Household
-A murti/statue bathed or offered clothing
-Incense burned and lighted lamp/candle waved in front of deity
-Water and foods such as cooked rice, fruit, butter, sugar
-Bow, sip water given to deity, and receive portion of food (blessed food)
-Chant mantras or read verses from the holy books
Puja in Temple/mandir
-Sunrise, noon, sunset or midnight
-Worshippers must remove shoes, wash hands, approach shrine (s) quietly
-Worshippers may ring/hear a bell, make offerings, sing mantras, listen to traditional music, chant verses of scripture, sing and clap along, see arti - lamp/candel is circled around deity, worshippers wave hands from flame to forehead
Sacred Thread Ceremony
-Wisdom and Knowledge
-Childs family, teacher and child involved (guru), father
-Age 7-12 when a boy is at that age
-Thread draped over boys chest (Janoi)
Reincarnation
belief that the soul or spirit, after biological death, begins a new life in a new body that may be human, animal or spiritual depending on the moral quality of the previous life’s actions.
Vedas
- the most ancient Hindu scriptures
-Written in early Sannskrit
-Contains hymns
-Philosophy and guidance on rituals for the priests of Vedic religion
Samsara
- the cycle of birth, death & rebirth
-All life must return to earth after death
Caste System: Brahmins
1st Caste- priests, academics, leaders of faith, teachers
Caste System: Kshatryias
2nd caste- warriors, kings, police, government, military, people who protect society
Caste System: Vaishyas
3rd caste- “producers”- involved in the economy, farmers, artists, business people
Caste System: Sudras
4th caste-serve the above people
Caste System: Untouchables
live in separate small communities, do dirtiest work
