Hinduism Flashcards
Atman
the eternal Self, which the Upanishads identify with the Brahman; the eternal self or soul of an individual that is reincarnated from one body to the next and is ultimately identified with Atman
Dharma
ethical duty based on the divine order of reality; one of the four goals of life
Upanishads
a collection of over two hundred tests composed between 900 and 200 BC that provide philosophical commentary of the Vedas
Smriti
– literally “that which is remembered” are considered man-made including stories, ect.
Sruiti
literally “heard” as opposed to learned
Bhagavad Gita
a short section of the epic poem Mahabharata in which the god Krishna teaches the great warrior Arjuna about bhakti marga and other ways to God; Hinduism’s most popular scared text
Karma
the moral law of cause and effect actions; determines the nature of one’s reincarnation
Vedas
Hinduism’s oldest and most sacred scriptures; the Books of Mantra, Song, Ritual, and Spell
Rig Veda
Book of Mantra: a collection of 1,017 Sanskrit hymns composed about 1500 BC or earlier; Hinduism’s oldest sacred text
Sama Veda
Book of Song; liturgical collection of songs used during the Soma sacrifce
Yajur Veda
Book of Ritual; serves as a guidebook for priests executing sacrificial acts
Atharva Veda
Book of Spell; a collection of charms to curse or bless
Brahman
the eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought
Samsara
the wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs
Caste
a system to keep social and economic order; fulfill yours and you may advance
Sanskrit
primary language of Hinduism
Four Stages of Life
-student -householder -forest dweller -sannyesin/wandering ascetic
First Stage of Life
student; studies the Vedas and other sacred literature
Second Stage of Life
householder; gets married, pursues a career, raises a family
Third Stage of Life
forest dweller; retreats from worldly bonds
Fourth Stage of Life
sannyesin/wandering ascetic; renounces physical pleasures and worldly attachments for the sake of spiritual advancement; can be in society but in a different way
First Stage of Life (woman)
Girlhood; Educated by parents primarily in domestic skills and their role in religious rituals
Second Stage of Life (woman)
Marriage; Wife goes to live with her husband’s family; Defers to her mother-in-law in all things; Dharma to be a good wife and share her husband’s karma
Third Stage of Life (woman)
Widowhood; Marked by her husband’s death; burns with her husband or becomes a disgraced widow
Four Goals of Life
Dharma, Kama, Artha, Moksha
First Goal of Life
Dharma: To live fulfilling your dharma
Second Goal of Life
Kama; Sexual desire, pleasure, and love (importance of bearing children)
Third Goal of Life
Artha; Material success, wealth, and power (statecraft) maintain social order and prevent anarchy
Fourth Goal of Life
Moksha;To reach the final goal of life, liberation from rebirth; One must give up the other 3 goals; 3 yogas used to reach moksha
Puja Ceremony
•Bathe the linga with a sacred substance (milk, honey) •Powders, flowers, ritual dress •Engages all the senses •Bell ringing to awaken the spirit •Incense symbolizes spirited life •Music and singing •Fire is the presence of the divine •Water is the elixir of life – sustains, refreshes, and purifies the body •Flowers and food reinforces that in giving, one recieves
5 Castes
-brahmin -kshatriya -vaishya -shudra -untouchables
brahmin
the highest of four cleases of the caste system, made up of priests
kshatriya
- the 2nd of the 4 classes of the caste system, made up of warriors, and administrators
vaishya
the 3rd of the 4 classes of the caste system of the caste system, made up of producers, such as farmers, merchants, and artisans
shudra
the lowest of the 4 classes of the caste system, made of servants and laborors
outcasts or untouchables
outside of society; beggars
Three Margas
-karma marga -jnana marga -bhakti marga
karma marga
Way of Action: Followed to a degree by all Hindus as they follow their dharma; Pujas, pilgrimages;Identify the whole of life in service to others
jnana marga
Way of Wisdom: Living in such a way that one’s very life expresses the truth of the Brahman and Atman; Dis-identify ones self from the body, mind, and senses until they are only the self
bhakti marga
Way of Devotion:All things are done with faith and devotion to one’s personal god; Worship their chosen deity as the supreme god, but do not deny the reality of other gods;Identify themselves completely with the Lord in love
