Hinduism and Jainism Flashcards
Moksha
liberation
Monism
Belief that all reality is ultimately one
Samsara
Wheel of rebirth
Karma
Moral law of cause and effect
Dharma
Ethical duty based on divine order of reality
Polytheism
More than 1 god
Atman
Eternal self
Brahman
Ultimate source of the universe and the essence that is the ground of existence
Pantheism
everything is God
Brahma
creator god
Vishnu
preserver god
Shiva
destruction god
avatar
living embodiment or incarnation
Caste System
Brahmin-priests Kshatriya- warriors and administrators Vaisha- merchants Shudra- Slaves Dalit- outcast
4 stages of life
Student- learn about the Vedas
Householder- married and have children
Forest dweller- go on a retreat for a spiritual quest
Sannyasin- withdrawal from society (wandering ascetic)
Four goals of life
Kama- sensual pleasure
Artha- material pleasure
Dharma- the want to fulfil your duty
Moksha- liberation
Diwali
Festival of Lights that celebrates the victory of light versus darkness that is celebrated in the Fall
Holi
Festival of Colors that celebrates life and fertility that is celebrated in the spring
Shruti Scriptures
Vedas
Rig Veda
Shruti
Most popular among the lower castes
Less authoritative
Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
Arjuna
Stay loyal to caste of Kshatriya or nonviolence
Debates with charioteer, Krishna the incarnation of Vishnu
Rig Veda
Oldest and most sacred Veda
1000 hymns composed to the gods
Hymns of praise and used in the fire sacrifice
Syncretism
The practice of combining religions, bad because it takes things out of context
Ecumenism
promotion of worldwide Christian unity
Interreligious Dialogue
Dialogue with non-Christian religions
Jina
Jainism derived from Jina
Conqueror
Lokas
Finite but vast universe shaped like a giant man
Kevala
Jain enlightenment
Ahimsa
“Nonviolence”
Asceticism
Lifestyle of rigorous self denial and self discipline
Tirthankaras
Makers of the river crossing
They have reached salvation and help others reach salvation
There are 24 per cycle
The last is Mahavira
Mahavira
Kshatriya
father a ruler
luxurious lifestyle that he left
gave away possessions
gave away robe to represent that he was departed from old life
attained kevala after fasting and sitting near a tree meditating
Difference between Polytheism and Monotheism
Polytheism is many gods and monotheism is one God
The Path of Action
Karma Marga
“The path of works”
for the active person
main goal is selfless service to others
The Path of Knowledge
Jnana Marga
understanding that everything is ultimately one
for the philosophical person
The Path of Devotion
Bhatki Marga
worshiping deities
for the emotional person
Nostra Aetate
declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions
Catholics should respect people from different religions
The Church does not reject anything that is true and holy
May be different but it still reflects a ray of Truth which enlightens people
Western Religions
Occidental Act of Revelation monotheistic linear time either/or mindset avoid relativism
Eastern Relgions
Oriental moment of enlightenment polytheistic Cyclical Time both/end mindset
Revelation
receiving a direct message from God
Enlightenment
moment of complete understanding
Everything is God meaning
the tree is God, we all are God, the ground is God
Finding God in all things meaning
Realising where God is in your everyday life and how He helps you
