Hinduism Flashcards

Question

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

Answer 1

~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)

Answer 2

~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

Answer 3

~No formal authority ~No formal "church" ~No doctrines or founder

Answer 4

33 Million

Answer 5

1. Pre-Vedic Period 2. Vedic Period 3. Upanishadic Period

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

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

Answer 9

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

Answer 10

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

Answer 11

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.

Answer 12

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.

Answer 13

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.

Answer 14

~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

Answer 15

~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

Answer 16

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.

Answer 17

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

Answer 18

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

Answer 19

~traders, merchants, farmers, artists, business people | ~role is to take care of the economic needs of the community

Answer 20

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

Answer 21

~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

Answer 22

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)

Answer 23

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

Answer 24

Hinduism has 16 milestones and some families observe all 16. The three we study are: 1. Naming a Baby 2. Sacred Thread 3. Death

Answer 25

~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

Answer 26

~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

Answer 27

~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

Answer 28

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

Answer 29

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).

Answer 30

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.

Answer 31

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

Answer 32

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

Answer 33

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

Answer 34

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)

Answer 35

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

Answer 36

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).

Answer 37

~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

Answer 38

~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

Answer 39

~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."

Answer 40

~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

Answer 41

~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

Answer 42

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

Answer 43

~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

Answer 44

~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

Answer 45

~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

Answer 46

~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

Answer 47

~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

Answer 48

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/

Answer 49

1. Diwali | 2. Holi

Answer 50

~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

Answer 51

~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

Answer 52

~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)

Answer 53

Namaste means "I bow to you respectfully". | It is both a word and a gesture.

Answer 54

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

Answer 55

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

Answer 56

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.