hinduism beliefs Flashcards
what do hindus believe of brahman
God who is the ultimate reality and beyond human understanding
what is nirguna brahman
God has no form or shape
what is saguna brahman
the idea that God has form and can be pictured
what is used to represent nirguna brahman
the om symbol
what is used to represent different concepts of God and by who
parables by religious teachers
what are 3 hindu beliefs on the aspect of Brahman
-he is beyond name gender or form
-perfect form(eg perfect human like Jesus)
-family of deities
what are the 3 ways hindus think of God
-Antaryami-God as existing in alls heart
-as a non personal God who is everywhere
-a personal God shown through many deities living in vaikuntha(spiritual realm/perfect world)
who make up the trimuti and what are their roles
Brahma-creator
Vishnu-preserver
Shiva-destroyer
why is brahma shown to have 4 heads
to show he is looking in all directions and is responsible for the creation of the world
what are the 4 items Brahma carries
Vedas-earliest Hindu scriptures-guided by them
Spoon-sacrificial ladle in worship showing he is responsible for offerings
mala-string of beads used in meditation
water pot-water of life shows his role in creation
how does the lotus brahma sits on show purity
it emerges pure white from river mud
what is hindu beliefs on the birth of brahma
-created by vishnu to continue his work of creation in the different worlds
had no mother so is called self born
who is the consort of brahma and what does she represent
-saraswati
-represents music knowledge art and learning
rides a swan which is a symbol of spiritual perfection
what is brahma considered to be in ranking of the trimurti
the least important as punishment for his obsession
who is the deity who is more of a personal present God lives in vaikuntha
vishnu
how is vishnu worshipped and what are the 2 most known
through his 10 avatars(animal/human forms he appears as on earth)
Rama and Krishna
what are the 4 ways Vishnu is special
-represents soul of whole universe
-birthed brahma who created entire universe
-worshipped through avatars
-enters heart of all living becoming lord within
who is the consort of vishnu
lakshmi
what are images of vishnu meant to represent
-to remind hindus to follow religious/moral laws and restore moral orders
as he has the power to prevent suffering an disaster
What is Vaishnavism and what are the quallities/and what do they base their worship on
followers aim to be kind as vishnu was
-followers of vishnu
-Vedas /Upanishads and Puranas
Why do Vaishnavites believe in antaryami
as they believe Vishnu is within them and aim to serve them
what is the symbol of shiva and meaning
the linga (male sex organ) as it shows his ability to recreate after destruction
what is Shiva known as and who is his consort
lord of dance
Consort is Parvati/gentle godess known as shakti as well
what are shaivites often
ascetics(people who live simple lives)aiming for moksha by complete detachment
what do many shaivites believe about reality
there is only 1 reality:atman and brahman are one
what is the contrast in the beliefs of Shaivas and Vaishnavites
vaishnavites believe atman is seperate from supreme being vishnu
which god is superior
why can hindus be monotheist and polytheist
usually favour one God but recognise others and offer sacrifices to the one they deem as right in that moment
who are the 3 main female deities
Saraswati,Lakshmi and Parvati
what is divali celebrating
The return of Rama and Sita
what are the 2 realities and their meanings
purusa which is spirit
prakriti which is matter
the atman is distinct from the material and temporary mind and body
what do Hindus argue would fulfil creation and complete the universe
spirit and matter together
or
spirit to conquer matter
what is maya
illusion that a person sees when they reach enlightenment
what are the 3 stages matter goes through
the triguna
creation maintenance and destruction
what is the triguna seen as in human life and what is a persons actions reflective of
passion,goodness and ignorance
reflective of the balance of gunas in their personality
what are hindus beliefs on time
the 4 yugas
what are some hindu beliefs on brahman and atman
atman is wholly brahman as it is all powerful and present everywhere forever
brahman is only partly atman or else he wouldnt be supreme
what is transmigration
transfer of atman to a different body
what is another meaning of moksha
salvation and union with God
what are the 4 hindu aims of life
dharma
artha-earning living lawfully
moksha
kama-enjoying lifes pleasures
what is santana dharma
duties that link eternal soul to God
eternal truth
what does santana dharma consist of
always considering rights and wrongs of actions
remembering God in heart and mind
learning more about God and dharma
trying to reach moksha
worshipping God at home or in the temple
caring for the environment
showing respect to elders/needy
