Hinduism Flashcards
Atman
An essential self that everyone has
Brahma
The creator
Hindu triad
Brahma- the creator
Vishnu- the preserver
Siva- the destroyer
Vedas
A collection of hymns chants rituals etc written in Sanskrit (official language). Taught us what we know about the aryans. Memorized b4 written down and known as Vedic age
Upanishads
Explain Vedas
Ramayana
Long epic telling about Rama and bride Sita. Demon king ravana takes sit and Rama rescues her with help of hanuman monkey king. Rama is model of virtue ideal kin and Sita is ideal women
Mahabharata
Long epic tells of battles that rival aryan tribes try to take the Ganges area. Immortality tells of warfare and religion
Moksha
Union with brahma
Karma
Every deed in this life affects a persons fate in a future life
Reincarnation (samsara)
Rebirth of the soul in various forms
Caste and caste system
Social groups based on birth (ranked)
- Brahmins- priest
- Kshatriyas- warriors
- Vaisyas- herders farmers artisans merchants
- Sudras- servants laborer
- Dalits- untouchables
Ganges
Liquid form of god. When die ashes are scattered here
Varanasi
Pilgrims go to the very holy city (along the Ganges river). Thy offer holy water to wash away sins face east and pray for spiritual guidance and drink water. People want to die in Varanasi because so close to Ganges and better for reincarnation
Guru
Spiritual teacher
