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Grade 11 World Religions > Hinduism > Flashcards

Hinduism Flashcards

1
Q

What is puja?

A

Hindu worship ceremony

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2
Q

What are deities?

A

Images of the God in many forms

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3
Q

What are the Vedas?

A

Early sacred scriptures of Hinduism

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4
Q

What is Sanskrit?

A

the language of ancient India

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5
Q

What are the Upanishads?

A

sacred scriptures, the final dialogue ending the Vedas. Upanishad literally means “sitting beside” a guru.

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6
Q

What is a Murti?

A

Image of a Hindu deity

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7
Q

What is a Mandir?

A

A Hindu temple

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8
Q

What is a Mantra?

A

sacred sounds, words, or phrases, repeated in ritual

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9
Q

What is a guru?

A

a wise teacher

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10
Q

What is Moksha?

A

Freedom or liberation from samsara, or the cycle of rebirth

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11
Q

What is Karma?

A

The law of cause and effect, of one’s actions having an impact on one’s future life.

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12
Q

What is Dharma?

A

One’s personal code of conduct relating to family and society; one’s duty

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13
Q

What is Brahman?

A

The supreme cosmic force

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14
Q

What is Atman?

A

the true self

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15
Q

What is Maya?

A

illusion. Makes humans sense and see things as separate from each other and they do not see the divine oneness (Brahman) of all things

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16
Q

What is Ahimsa?

A

The principle of non-violence

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17
Q

What is Caste?

A

A traditional Hindu social level or class

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18
Q

What are untouchables?

A

In the traditional Hindu social levels, the lowest outsider class

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19
Q

What is an Ascetic?

A

Someone who practices severe self-discipline or abstains from physical pleasures for religious purposes

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20
Q

What is Ramayana?

A

A Hindu epic about Prince Rama and Sita

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21
Q

What is Bhagavad Gita?

A

A sacred Hindu story about Prince Arjuna and Krishna

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22
Q

What is an avatar?

A

a deity who has descended into the world in Earthly form

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23
Q

What is yoga?

A

Hindu path (or discipline) to liberation

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24
Q

Create a sentence that includes the words: Dharma, Karma, Samsara and Moksha

A

One must follow their Dharma to have good karma, to escape Samsara to reach Moksha

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25
Q

What are the statistics on Hinduism’s ranking in Canada?

A

~Hinduism is Canada’s fourth most followed religion
~More than 70% of Canadian Hindus were born elsewhere
~Canadian Hindu population was just under 1% (2001)

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26
Q

What are the statistics on Hinduism’s ranking in the world?

A

~Over 900 million Hindus worldwide
~most live in India and 80% of India’s population is Hindu
~Large numbers of people who follow Hinduism are in Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Beyond

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27
Q

What are the characteristics of Hinduism that makes it different from other religions?

A

~No formal authority
~No formal “church”
~No doctrines or founder

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28
Q

How many Gods does Hinduism have?

A

33 Million

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29
Q

What were the three time periods that Hinduism evolved over?

A
  1. Pre-Vedic Period
  2. Vedic Period
  3. Upanishadic Period
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30
Q

What was the Pre-Vedic Period? When was it?

A

2500 to 1500 BCE
~There are many questions about the Indus Valley civilization but we do know this:
-Most of the people lived in cities–cities that were impressively complex, built with bricks, and that included sophisticated drainage and sewage systems
-it was a matriarchal society–one in which women, especially mothers, took a leading role
-people worshiped a mother goddess–whom some later Hindu deities resemble

Scholars believe that later Hindu deities evolved from goddess images of this period

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31
Q

What was the Vedic Period? When was it?

A

Began around 1500 BCE to 600 BCE
~it is named after the first sacred writings of Hinduism (scholars think the Vedas were collected during this period)
~The language of the Vedas is Sanskrit
–veda is the Sanskrit word for knowledge
~rituals during this period focused on: prayers, elements of nature, animal sacrifices

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32
Q

What was the Upanishadic Period? When was it? How did it change the religion?

A

600 BCE to 200 BCE
~ancient India’s culture was unified
~Hinduism both accepted the Vedas and added to them with the Upanishads
~Worship began in temples
The Upanishads are an interpretations of the Vedas added to the end of each. They moved Hinduism from a focus on sacrificial practices to a philosophical and meditative way of life–a focus on the inner self

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33
Q

What four things are involved in the origins of Hinduism?

A

~The Aryan Invasion
~The Vedas
~The Ascetic
~The Upanishads

34
Q

What is the Aryan Invasion?

A

Around 1700 BCE the collapse of an already struggling Indus valley Civilization began. When the Aryans, a very powerful race, descended from the Hindu Kush and Himalayas into the Indus Valley, they brought with them a very different belief system and way of life.
~Aryans were not agriculture people and crafted beautiful bronze weaponry.
~The worshiped only male Gods, their central God being the “sky father” (probably an influence on the Greek and Roman Gods, Zeus and Jupiter)
~Their principle deities, such as Agni and Indra, were associated with the sun (their priests composed verses to these gods which were recited during fire sacrifices)
~The Aryans settled in the Indus valley and maintained their rituals but a lot of the Indus religious culture remained alive in villages and was adopted but the Aryans
Hinduism was born from this mixture

35
Q

How did the Vedas contribute to the origins of Hinduism?

A

They are considered the oldest writings, these scriptures originated before the Aryans migrated to the Indus Valley, and eventually they arrived into four scriptures. The historical sweep of the Vedic writing reflects deep shifts in spiritual interests and ways of worship. For centuries the Vedas were only transmitted orally, through memorization and recital. Eventually they were transmitted into Sanskrit.

36
Q

How did the Ascetics contribute to the origins of Hinduism?

A

By the 7th century BCE the Aryans and the people who lived in the Indus valley migrated across India to the Ganges Valley and settled there with the native population. Most of the elite were the Brahmins (priests). The Brahmins determined the caste system. At first the Brahmins were looked up to but eventually people began to question them. They took spiritual authority and oversaw the writings of the Vedas and demanding complicated rituals (that centered around the Brahmins and excluded the lower castes). A more individualized of religious life was born, the life of the Ascetic. The Ascetics dedicated their life to spiritual austerity and self-discipline. They stayed out of the social system and would live alone in the forests or gathered with other ascetics who lived lives of intense devotion and meditation. These individuals inspired others away from dependence on priests, creating a revolution of spiritual thought and practice.

37
Q

How did the Upanishads contribute to the origins of Hinduism?

A

From the revolution of the Ascetics the Upanishads were created by the Ascetics between 700-500 BCE. They contain almost exclusively dialogues of a guru. These texts are different from the earlier Vedic writings because they are intended to inspire and welcome anyone, regardless of status or caste. These were still hard to understand but what matters is the seeker’s depth of sincerity and character. So the fire rituals that were common among Vedic priests were replaced by the deep internal searching of the ascetics. Central to the Upanishadic belief us that of the Atman. Through meditation and self-sacrifice, an individual may come to realize fully that he is not separate from the universal soul, he is not a body or an isolated identity.

38
Q

What happens during Puja in the home?

A

~most Hindu families have a place of worship in their homes
~they remove their shoes, ring a bell to summon the murti, light a lamp and burn incense while worshiping
~The murti is washed and decorated with garlands of flower petals
~A small amount of red paste is placed on the foreheads of the murti and the worshipers
~Worshipers make an offering of fruit, light, flowers or sweets to the murti
~A lamp is moved around the murti to indicate the presence of Gof
~Devotees place both hands above the lamp flame and touch their foreheads to receive the deity’s blessing
~Any food that has been part of the puja is eaten by everyone present

39
Q

What happens during Temple Worship?

A

~The mandir is a complex of shrines, each devoted to a different deity
~when the worshipers enter the temple, they remove their shoes and wash their hands
~They approach the shrine to make an offering and ring a bell to announce their arrival to the murti
~this puja is the same as puja in the home but led by a priest, he will chant verses from the scriptures while worshipers sing and clap while the lamp is circled around the deities
~the service ends with a sharing of blessed food offering
~in another important ritual, havan, a fire offering, the priest lights a fire, then pours butterfat or oil into it while chanting from the Vedas
~the priest offers prayers for purity, dips his fingers into water, then touches his ears, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, body and legs
~worshipers do the same to remind themselves that God lives within them

40
Q

What are the five levels of the caste system? Is the Caste system legal today in India?

A
  1. Brahmins
  2. Kshatriyas
  3. Vaishyas
  4. Sudras
  5. Untouchables/Harijans

The Caste system is no longer legal in India because it became discriminatory, although people do still use it.

41
Q

What is the Brahmin caste?

A

~the priestly caste
~role is to study and teach in matters of faith
~lead mostly to key rituals

42
Q

What is the Kshatriyas caste?

A

~the warrior caste

~role is to protect the people and run a fair government

43
Q

What is the Vaishyas caste?

A

~traders, merchants, farmers, artists, business people

~role is to take care of the economic needs of the community

44
Q

What is the Sudras caste?

A

~lowest caste
~they serve the three higher castes
~unskilled workers, servants, menial workers

45
Q

What is the untouchables caste?

A

~also called outcasts
~considered outsiders and may not interact in any way with members of the four castes
~they did the dirtiest work in society and lived separately
~this is changing; there are now quotas in place to ensure members have access to better jobs

~Ghandi called them Harijans–means children of God

46
Q

How does Atman differ from Brahman?

A

Brahman is the supreme being that the Hindus believe to be their God. However, they believe that the Atman is a part of Brahman that is within them all. They think that when they die, the Atman goes back to Brahman and is then put into the next reincarnation. (similar to our Holy Spirit)

47
Q

What are the four stages of life? When do they occur? Who follows them?

A

The four stages of life are followed by the males in the top 3 castes.
The four stages of life are:
1. Student (ages 7-20)-religious education and a willingness to search for the truth
2. Householder(20-50)-duty to family, raising children, earning a living
3. Semi-retired(when family is self-supporting[probably have grandchildren])-retired from worldly life, focus on spiritual matters
4. Wandering Ascetic(when ready)-holy, detached from life, with no possessions or responsibilites

48
Q

What are the Life Milestones?

A

Hinduism has 16 milestones and some families observe all 16. The three we study are:

  1. Naming a Baby
  2. Sacred Thread
  3. Death
49
Q

What occurs during Naming a Baby?

A

~mothers and their newborns are separated for the first 10 days of life, for ritual purification. Naming ceremony occurs on the 12th day, usually in the home
~Although modern Hindu naming practices are now more flexible, traditional rules relate to the number of syllables, caste and deity of devotion

50
Q

What occurs during the Milestone: Sacred Thread?

A

~intended for 7-12 year old boys of the upper castes to mark his becoming a student
~The boy is introduced to his guru, and from then on is obligated to wear a sacred thread over his shoulder and chest as a sign of his responsibilities to his caste and Veda Studies
~Marks the death of childhood and the birth of a responsible adult

51
Q

What occurs during the traditional death ritual?

A

~Traditionally Hindu families move in a procession from the dead person’s home, carrying the corpse on their shoulders to the cremation grounds
~The body is placed on the funeral pyre, mantras are recited, offerings are made to the deity of fire (who leads the dead to the eternal realm)
~the ashes are then scattered on water
~The practices are adopted in Canada ex. some Hindu communities built their own crematorium to allow traditional practices

52
Q

What are the 5 Daily Duties?

A

Beside daily worship, most Hindus attend to four other religious duties. Here are the five daily duties:

  1. Worshiping God: Hindus must devote part of their day to worship. This ensures spiritual contact
  2. Reciting Scripture: By reciting from a sacred text, the faithful learn the lessons of worldly and religious life
  3. Honoring to parents and elders: Hindus are very loyal family members. Parents and elders are honored for their wisdom and self-sacrifices
  4. Helping the Poor: Even the less fortunate try to obey this commandment. Guests, in particular, are given special attention in a Hindu home
  5. Feeding animals: Because Hindus consider all life a sacred part of one God, animals are respected and cared for
53
Q

What is the Hindu Triad? What do they symbolize?

A

The Hindu triad a combination of three deities that together symbolize the cycle of existence. The three deities are Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (The destroyer).

54
Q

How many forms has Vishnu reappeared in?

A

He has appeared in human form nine times so far and they are waiting for the tenth avatar, the mighty warrior Kalkin, who will rid the world of oppression.

55
Q

What does the term iconography refer to?

A

The symbols and associations used to describe and represent a deity.

56
Q

Who was Rama the reincarnation of? Who was his wife?

A

Rama was the reincarnation of Vishnu and his wife was Sita.

57
Q

What is the Om or Aum symbol?

A

It is both a visual and an oral representation of Brahmin or God.
The symbol includes: Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Maya, Truth-Brahman and Creation

58
Q

What is the Swastika?

A

It is an ancient symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and protection. The root “swasti” means auspicious. It was a symbol for Vishnu, it also represents the eternal wheel of life which rotates upon an unchanging center, God. It could be found on buildings or even animals in India because some Hindus think that it protects them from evil spirits and natural disasters. (pre-dates the Nazi symbol, Nazi symbol is drawn in the reverse of the Hindu one)

59
Q

What is the Lotus?

A

The lotus bud is born in water and unfolds itself into a beautiful flower, symbolizes the birth of the universe, manifesting itself in all its glory. It is also the symbol of the sun (which rises in the navel of Vishnu). It is the seat of Brahma and many deities are shown sitting on it

60
Q

What is the Cow?

A

The cow has been seen as sacred by Hindus for a long time. It is thought to be the offspring of the celestial cow, which was created by Lord Krishna from his own body. Another myth says it was born of the churning ocean and also the myth often approaches God in the form of a cow.
For many Hindus the cow is a sacred animal, providing milk and butter (both are used in rituals of atonement).

61
Q

What are the revealed scriptures?

A

~the oldest Hindu scriptures are the Vedas
~they were written by and for Brahmins
~Vedas include:
-verses or liturgical formulas
-prose that explains the meaning of the Liturgy
-explanations meant only for the most learned practitioners
-Upanishads

62
Q

What are the Traditional Scriptures?

A

~includes epic poems and popular stories explaining etiquette
~most people aren’t concerned about the historical accuracy
~many are stories of Hindu characters who are role models of dharma living

63
Q

What are the Laws of Manu?

A

~govern actions and virtues
~contains important instructions for living according to the caste and acting according to duty
~prominent themes in the Laws of Manu are the importance of patience, discipline, truthfulness, knowledge and living according to the 4 stages of life
~”a man becomes a stationary object as a result of the faults that are the effects of past actions of the body, a bird or wild animal from those of speech, and a member of one of the lower castes from those of mine-and-heart.”

64
Q

What are the three yogas or paths of liberation?

A

~Hindus turn to Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita to learn how to achieve the ultimate goal of Moksha or liberation from the eternal cycle of rebirth
~In the Bhagavad Gita, krishna describes three yogas that lead to liberation: Knowledge, Devotion, and Action

65
Q

What is the Path of Knowledge?

A

~this path stresses the quest for spiritual knowledge and truth
~One goal is to understand that Atman and Brahman are one
~Because the Maya of the world is powerful, Hindus train their minds through meditation (concentrating and focusing the mind to control one’s thoughts) to see the world as it truly is
~Meditation allows Hindus to go beyond the conscious self and detach from the world of illusions so they can then see the true nature of Atman

66
Q

What are the two types of Meditation?

A
  1. Using a Mantra–a word, phrase, or sound that is repeated

2. Using a Madala- a symbolic circle diagram that represents the universe or the self

67
Q

What is the Path of Devotion?

A

~In this path, Hindus chose a particular deity and spend their lives worshiping it
~They see their religious identity tied to one preferred deity, but it does not exclude worshiping other deities

68
Q

What is the Path of Action (Good Works)?

A

~Also known as Karma yoga
~It involves Hindus doing their dharma, or duty, to the best of their ability
~The duty is different for everyone depending on caste, job, social status, stage of life, etc
~Hindus are not to act in hope of being rewarded with good karma
~They try to act according to what is required by dharma
~this path stresses discipline, ritual action, and moral choices

69
Q

Explain family life

A

~traditionally men and women have separate roles in Hindu society
~in urban areas and western countries gender roles are less structured
~One aspect of traditional gender roles, is the idea of a dowry: money or other valuables brought to the marriage by the bride
-many Hindu families pay or require dowries, even though its illegal in India

70
Q

Explain Arranged Marriage

A

~Hindu society has a tradition of arranged marriages, especially in India
~Friends, neighbours or paid matchmakers may arrange marriages
~The couple does not date and they are never left alone

71
Q

What is the main reason for arranged marriages in Hinduism?

A

~According to traditional Hindu beliefs, parents and others who arrange marriages:

  • have a greater wisdom into what it takes to have a successful marriage
  • know their children well
  • consider education, character, caste, tradition and background
  • give the couple a say in what happens if either disagrees with the match the search starts again
  • believe that love develops after marriage not before
72
Q

What are “love marriages”?

A

They are when you marry for love, like we do in the western society. They are becoming more common, Hindus are also marrying Hindus of other castes and non-Hindus/

73
Q

What are two Hindu Holidays?

A
  1. Diwali

2. Holi

74
Q

What is Holi?

A

~It is a spring festival that Hindus usually celebrate sometime in March, on the dull moon day of the last month in the Hindu calender
~The night before, worshipers light a bonfire that signifies the burning of evil
~According to Hindu legend, the young Prahalad was resented by his wicked father for being pious and God-fearing. His evil aunt took Prahalad away and tried to burn him in a fire. Instead she was burned to ashes
~to mark this festival, Hindus of all agesjoin in the merriment of squirting colored water on friends and family
~they distribute and eat sweets and other foods

75
Q

What is Diwali?

A

~this festival of lights is Hinduisms most popular celebration
~In India, it is normally celebrated over five days at the end of October or the beginning of November
~In other countries (like Canada), Diwali is observed only one evening but is preceded and followed by days of festivals
~during this festival, Hindus set off fireworks, decorate their houses with lights, give gifts, and wear new clothes to celebrate the triumph of good and knowledge over the dark forces of evil and ignorance
~lavish vegetarian dinners are prepared and a traditional puja is preformed at dusk before the feast begins
~In honours of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune and Vishnu, who defeated the demon Naraka
~this festival also commemorates Rama’s return to his kingdom after defeating Ravana, the evil king who had abducted his wife Sita in the Ramayana

76
Q

What is the symbol of Sri Yantra?

A

~It is commonly used as a visual focal point for meditation
~originated with the Sakti cult (the votaries or worshipers of the Divine Mother)
~the design represents the form of the goddess (it consists of 9 triangles that intersect to form 43 triangles in all. 3 concentric circles surround the triangles and it is framed by a square)
~used to represent spiritual evolution
~triangles stand for the many aspects of God (which merge into one when focused on)
~consciousness of unity appears in the circles
~The entire symbol is seen as a single unit mirroring the Absolute (God)

77
Q

Explain Namaste

A

Namaste means “I bow to you respectfully”.

It is both a word and a gesture.

78
Q

Who is Mahatma Ghandi?

A

India’s most influential political, spiritual, and social leader

79
Q

What is reincarnation?

A

The belief that after death a person’s soul is reborn in another body (Samsara)

80
Q

Explain: The Ganges River

A

is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is worshipped by Hindus who believe that bathing in the river causes the remission of sins and facilitates Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Pilgrims travel long distances to immerse the ashes of their kin in the waters of the Ganges, bringing their spirits closer to Moksha.

Grade 11 World Religions (5 decks)

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