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
