HINDUISM Flashcards
Give 2 contrasting beliefs about God’s nature (5)
- Nirguna- “God is outside all” (Isa Upanishad)
- Saguna- “In truth Brahman is all” (Mundaka Upanishad)
Give 2 beliefs about God’s presentation (5)
- There are three God’s- Tri-murti (Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu)- “how many gods are there? 3” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
- There is only one God with just many aspects- “how many God’s are there really? one” (BU)
Describe 2 members of the tri-murti (4)
- Brahma creator God, consort Saraswati goddess of learning, presented on Lotus with water pot
- Vishnu preserver God, consort of Lakshmi goddess of wealth, presented with avatars
‘Moksha is a Hindu’s main aim in life’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-“he who knows Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Rig Veda)- release from Maya
-karma- “who so enjoys their gift yet gives nothing is a theif” (Bhagavad Gita)
AGAINST
-help others- Sanatana Dharma- “one may amass wealth with 1000 hands but one must also distribute it with 1000 hands” (Artharva Veda)
-fulfill Dharma- better transmigration
‘The temple is the best place to worship’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-temples are known as God’s home on earth-Brahmin’s conduct ceremony- “he who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Rig Veda)
-learn about ceremonies in a community- “there is none high or low amongst you, strive all together to gain prosperity” (Rig Veda)
AGAINST
-worship specific deity at home according to warns or ashrama (e.g. Lakshmi for vanaprastha)
-release from ordinary secular life- astanga meditational yoga
Explain the differences between Vaishnavism and Shaivism (4)
- Vaishnavas- dualists- dvaita (God and atman are separate), worship Vedas, puranas, pray to avatars
- Shaivites- non-dualists- advaita (God and atman are one), ask for destruction of evil and sins
Give 2 beliefs about Gurus (5)
- They are a representative that has achieved Moksha teaching everyone how to do it too- “he who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
- they are here to bring happiness and love- Mata Amritanandamayi hugged everyone
‘All Hindus should be vegetarian’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-the breath used in killing should not be used in prayer
-Sanatana Dharma- care for animals
AGAINST
-Nirguna Brahman- “God is outside all” (Isa Upanishad) -not important
-maya of immaterial wealth- “since i am rich of noble line who else can be compared to mine?” (Bhagavad Gita)
‘Diwali is the most important Hindu festival’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-celebrates the Ramayana- Rama and Sita’s return
-Diyas= light over darkness
AGAINST
-Holi- release from caste system- “in truth Brahman is all” (Mundaka Upanishad)
-celebrates new life in Spring
Give two different types of yoga (5)
- Karma Yoga- selfless action “he who enjoys their gift, yet gives nothing, is a thief” (Bhagavad Gita)
- Jnana Yoga- knowledge “He who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Brihadaranyaka upanishad)
‘Varanasi is the best place for pilgrimage’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-capital of spirituality for Jains, Buddhists, and Hindus- community- “there is none high or low amongst you, strive all together to gain prosperity” (Rig Veda)
-on the Ganges- “I am the Ganga” (BG- Krishna)
AGAINST (Kumbh Mela)
-water releases atman- celestial bird Garuda- “the water is the essence of the earth” (Bhagavad Gita)
-largest pilgrimage in the world- devotion= Bhakti Yoga
‘Hindus must give to charity’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-Sanatana Dharma- care for needy-“there is none high or low amongst you, strive altogether to gain prosperity” (Rig Veda)
-“amass wealth with 1000 hands and also distribute it with 1000 hands” (Artharva Veda)
AGAINST
-support family (1st ashrama-provide for family-artha)”since i am rich of noble line who else can be compared to mine” (Bhagavad Gita)
-should give time not money- dana- goshallas
Explain two ways in which Hindu charities promote conservation (5)
- Bhaktivedanta Manor Cow Protection- create retirement homes for cows (goshallas) show love to animals- “i look upon all creatures equally” (Bhagavad Gita)
- Vrindavan Forest Revival Project- worked for replanting and conservation of forests
‘Bhakti is the most important form of yoga’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-show devotion to God through pilgrimage to Kumbh Mela
-show devotion to God through daily prayer and puja in the home- creates a personal relationship with God
AGAINST
-karma yoga- try to release from material illusion (maya)- “he who enjoys their gift, yet gives nothing is a thief” (Bhagavad Gita)
-jnana yoga- learn about God- “he who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Rig Veda)
‘The main reason why Hindus go to pilgrimage to pray is for healing’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-celestial bird Garuda dropped 4 drops of the nectar of immortality in the sites of Kumbh Mela- “the water is the essence of the earth” (Bhagavad Gita)
-allows release from atman - “the bodied soul takes on new forms when it discards the worm out ones that die” (Bhagavad Gita)
AGAINST
-community- “there is none high or low amongst you, strive all together to gain prosperity” (Rig Veda)
-show devotion to god- Bhakti Yoga
explain two contrasting hindu virtues (4)
- humility- don’t be too arrogant
- love- Hindus believe in Sanatana Dharma you need to show respect and love to the elderly and poor - “there is none high or low amongst you, strive all together to gain prosperity” (Rig veda)
Explain two contrasting Gunas
- Sattva- goodness and harmonious- working with others in a community
- Tamas- darkness, ignorance and chaos
explain two contrasting ashramas (4)
- brahmacharya- student and knowledge stage- Jnana yoga
- sannyasa- hermit- release from worldly desires- maya of material wealth
Explain two ways in which Hindus understand the atman (5)
- eternal- “the atman… is never born and never dies” (katha upanishad)
- soul- “the bodied soul” (Bhagavad Gita)
explain two Hindu beliefs about the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth (5)
- moksha- you can be released from the cycle of transmigration
- karma and atman- “the bodied soul takes on new forms when it discards the worn out ones that die” (Bhagavad Gita)
Explain two ways in which Hindus understand the term dharma (5)
- duty- “in this unavoidable discharge of your duty” (Bhagavad Gita)- your ashrama and varna allow you to achieve your dharma through fulfilling them
- order- Hindus believe that there will be order and balance in life if everyone follows their dharma and does as they should to achieve Moksha
‘Vishnu is the most important deity of the Tri-mufti’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-avatars govern festival Diwali- Rama and Sita’s return in the ramayana
-Vaishnavism- biggest sect in Hinduism- worship avatars, Vedas and Puranas to ask for preservation and maintenance
AGAINST
-Brahma- creator God- “who verily knows whence comes this creation? He verily knows it” (Rig Veda)- release from maya
-shaivism- destroyer God- belief in Yugas that Shiva will destroy the world and become Satya yuga again
‘the most important aspect of the Divine for Hindus is the idea that God exists within the heart of all living beings’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-antaryami allows Hindus to be closer with God and feel more connected and love morally (Sanatana dharma- consider what is right and wrong of every action)
-the idea of atman as a part of the divine in your soul allows you to govern actions and become more moral
AGAINST
-Saguna Brahman- God within everything “in truth Brahman is all” (Mundaka Upanishad)
-Nirguna Brahman- only when you reach Moksha will you understand the divine- “he who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Rig Veda)
-all equally important- “God is within all God is outside all” (Isa Upanishad)
‘The Brahmin social class is the most important of the varna’s’ Evaluate (12)
FOR
-the caste pecking order- “the murder of a shudra by a Brahmin is equal only to killing a cat or a frog” (Laws of manu)
-they are priests so are able to officiate temple worship and help other gain an understanding of Brahman- “he who understands Brahman verily becomes Brahman” (Rig Veda)
AGAINST
-all castes are redundant- “the senseless law of status by birth” (Gandhi)
-Vaishyas most important- merchant- artha- “one must accumulate wealth with 1000 hands” (Artharva Veda)
