Hinduism Flashcards
What does Julius Lipner say about Hinduism
it is “Polycentric… a polymorphous monotheism rather than just polytheistic”
Fuller discusses what with regards to Hinduism
a polytheistic religion with many Gods and Godesses, multiplicity, fluidity and permeability
What is the caste system
Gods -> Preists -> Warriors -> Merchants -> commoners -> Untouchables (
What is Monism
MONISM- rejects duelism, god and the world is the same thing e.g Brahma, god is within us all as the divine self.
What is Henotheism
HENOTHEISM- belief and worship of one god while accepting the existence/possibility of others
Monotheism?
MONOTHEISTIC- belief in one God
Polytheistic ?
POLYTHEISTIC- belief in one or more gods, e.g there are many gods, goddesses and deities within hinduism.
Polycentrism?
POLYCENTRISM- having several central parts
Pantheism?
PANTHEISM – god is all throughout the world. Similar concept to monism.
What does ‘The way of the Banyan tree’ say about hinduism?
All stems from one, it is multifaceted. links to polycentrism
what is Dharma?
Way of life, morality
Karma?
what comes around goes around
Moksha?
Being at one with the Divine, resulting in liberation from Samsara
Who said “it is better to do your own Dharma poorly than anothers well…”
Krishna
What is Brahman?
“The one supreme, all pervading Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe” - Bowker 2012
What does Bowkers definition of Brahman mean for the definition of Hinduism?
Suggests a Pantheism
what are the four Purusarthas?
Dharma, Artha, karma and Moksha
List the key beliefs in Hinduism
the purusarthas, yogas, puja, samsara
what is the pizza effect?
“the export of an idea, its cultural transformation and subsequent re-importation and impact” - k.knott
What is the Atman?
The soul, or true essence of self
What is the Supreme Being/ Brahman more commonly worshipped as?
Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, or Shakti
What is Ahimsa and why do Hindus practice it?
Non-Harm, practised because they believe “divinity permeates all living beings” - Monier-Williams 1974
What are the Vedas?
Earliest form of Hindu scripture
What are the Upanishads ?
the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and have profoundly influenced its diverse traditions - Doniger 1990
