Hinduism Flashcards
What are the four main classes of the caste system?
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and shudra
Brahmin
Highest of the four classes, priests
Kshatriya
Second of the four classes, warriors and administrators
Vaishya
Third of the four classes, producers (farmers, merchants, and artisans)
Shudra
Lowest of four classes, servants and laborers
Samsara
Wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs
Moksha
Liberation or release of the individual self, atman; salvation
Three paths to liberation
Karma Marha, Jnana Marga, and Bhakti Marga
Karma Marga
Path of works
Jnana Marga
Path of knowledge
Bhakti Marga
Path of devotion
Four stages of life
Student, householder, forest dweller, wandering ascetic
Karma
Moral law of cause and effect, why stuff happens
Dharma
Ethical duty; basically the rules
Upanishads
Ancient philosophical text that forms basis of Hindu doctrines (offers commentary on the Vedas)
Bhagavad Gita
Hinduism’s most popular sacred text; short section of the epic poem about Krishna teaching Arjuna about ways to God
Atman
Eternal self or soul of an individual that is reincarnated
Artha
Material success and social prestige
Monism
Doctrine that reality is ultimately made up of one essence
Brahman
Eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought
Four goals of life
Sensual pleasure, material success, harmony with Dharma, and the bliss of Moksha
Worship
Daily devotions, household and village rituals, pilgrimages to holy sites, and cow veneration
Hindu gods
330 million; most popular are Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver; and Shiva, the Destroyer. Also note Rama and Gamesh, and Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu)
Avatar
An incarnation of a deity
Caste system
Traditional division of Hindu society into various categories with four main classes
