Hinduism Flashcards
What does Sindhu refer to?
Indus River
what practices and beliefs was Hinduism derived from?
Indus valley civilization and Aryans
three connections between the IVC and modern Hinduism
- Shiva
2.Yoga - Goddess Shakti
who were the Aryans
they came from Kazakhstan and entered India
what language is associated with Aryans
Shanskrit
two connections between modern Hinduism and Aryan religion
- Caste System
- Vedas
how was Hinduism created
By multiple religions that came through India
How do Hindus see time
the believe that time is cyclical
Maha Yuga
This is the cycle of creation. it literally means “Great Age”
The story of Brahma and Saraswati
The creator God Brahma and Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge).
Brahma was lonely, he created Saraswati out of his own form. Saraswati was beautiful and intriguing. So to see her all the time he gives himself a 5 heads to always see her. They have sexual intercourse which creates the plants and animals and the world.
Samsara
means “wandering” it is a process of reincarnation
what types of beings can a soul be reborn?
as a human, animal, demon, lesser god
What is Karma
every intentional action committed by human will produce a karmic seed. these seeds will influence a persons current or future life.
Puruasha
Cosmic Being
dharma
duties
Caste System or Varnas?
Brahmins
Kshatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudras
Dalits
Brahmins
highest varna, they are the priests and they emerged from Purushas head. Their dharmas are conduct religious rituals and teach Vedas
Kshatriyas
the second highest Varna. they are the ruling class (rulers and warriors) and they emerged from Purusha’s torso. Their dharmas are the economy so reading the Vedas
Vaishyas
third Varna, they are the mercantile class so like farmers, merchants. they emerged from Purusha’s legs. their roles are the economy, read the Vedas
Shudras
the lowest Varna, they are the servants, they emerged from Purusha’s feet. Dharmas is to serve.
Dalits
literally means scattered. they were called the “untouchable” their jobs were to clean the toilet, pick up garbage
what is the primary goal of Hinduism
to escape the cycle of samara via Moksha (liberation)
what does Vedas mean and what are they
it means Knowledge and are sacred texts
Rishis means
seers
sacred language
Sanskrit
Samhitas
are hymns that are in the Vedas
Agni
God of fire and sacrifice
what do Agni’s two heads represent
the dualistic nature of fire; it fights and ignites
what types of things do Hindus sacrifice?
oil, milk, butter, rice
Upanishads
“sitting down near”
they are Vedas that focus on philosophy and meditation techniques
an example of a Upanishads
father and son. Son thinks he is all knowing but the father teaches him the unknown.
brahman
indefinable, impersonal, eternal principle behind everything
How can Hindus be monotheistic
they believe all Gods (shiva, shakti, Agni) are different representation of Brahman
Atman
the soul
Shankara’s life
- miracle child
-wants to become a religious hermit
-parents said no
-almost died by a crocodile
-parents said yes he can be a hermit
what does Shankara claim
that each one of us is a Brahman deep down inside of us
Shankara interpret the phrase “Thou art That”? Namely
We are Brahman. My Atman is everyone’s atman
when does the student stage begin
when the boy/girl reaches puberty
what is the student stage ceremony
Shave their head, saffron robe, walking stick, bagging bowl, sacred thread (rebirth), wear earrings, for better hear that sacred syllable of om
what does the sacred thread from the student stage ceremony represent
Rebirth from childhood to adulthood
gurus
teachers
four life stages
student householder, retiree, renouncer
how does the stage of householder begin
wedding ceremony, arranged by parents picked bc of Varnas and astrology
artha
wealth
kama
love and desire
Kama Sutra
Book of Desire
sati
a widow
when does the stage of a retiree begin
the birth of a grandchild
how is retiree practiced
once you retire, you give your inheritance to your children and move to a smaller apartment
what are hindu renouncers called
Samnyasians
what are samnyasians primary goal
die to the world and focus on the spiritual world by doing rituals to renounce their family, friends and possessions.
what happens after death
cremation
Do Samnayasins get cremated
no they are buried because their soul has reached spiritual liberation
smrti
texts that full under epics, they are divinely inspired. like stories
Ramayana
it is an epic, it means “journey of Rama”
what competition did Rama do to have Sita?
In order to win Sita’s hand in marriage you have to string a giant bow. There is multiple men who are trying to do so. Rama is able to string it and breaks it he’s so strong.
Hanuman
Monkey God a shape shifter
Bhagavad Gita
“Song of the Lord”
Yoga
“pathway to moksha”
three types of yoga
Jhana, Karma, Bhakti
who practiced Jhana yoga
Adi Shankara
Bhakti yoga
most popular, where humans share in the lives of the Gods through love and devotion. worship
Jhana
“knowledge” and they study books, like Vedas and mediate on the Vedas
five actions associated with worship (pooja)
- offering to statue
- bow in front of it
- bathe the statue
- burn incense
- only brahmin perform this
Karma yoga
means performing one’s dharmas without considering the karmic consequences
shiva
God of destruction
what is Shiva dressed like?
a Samnyasin
Shiva is associated with several different symbols
snake, two-headed drum, trident, she has dreadlocks
Khumb Mela
a Hindu festival that occurs every twelve years on the banks of a sacred river because Shankada said too.
Parvati
Goddess of love and Beauty, Shivas wife
Ganesh
son of Parvati and Shiva, he is the God of Intelligence.
Shakti
Great Goddess
shakti appears in many forms including Kali. What does she looks?
Women with very long tongue dripping with blood, long hair, necklace of severed heads, all black, has a bloody knife thingy
Kali represents what?
inevitability remover of obstacles
Vishnu
God of preservation
