Hinduism: Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards

1
Q

What type of faith is Hinduism

A

Pluralistic,monotheistic and henotheistic

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2
Q

Define pluralism

A

believeing all religions are vlaid ways of reaching the one true god

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3
Q

Define henotheistic

A

Believing in a heriachy of Gods

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4
Q

How is Hindiusm monotheistic

A

There is one supereme being called brahman

‘In truth Brahman is all’’ Mundakkal Upanishad 2.2

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5
Q

Define Nirguna Brahman

A

No attributes and no form Brahman

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6
Q

Define Saguna Brahman

A

Form and attributes Brahman

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7
Q

Define Bhagavan

A

The supreme being exists in the spiritual worlds called vaikuntha

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8
Q

Define Antaryami

A

The supreme being existing within the hearts of all beings. The atman refers to the God within

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9
Q

What are the Trimurti

A
  • Brahma: The Creator
  • Vishnu: The Preserver
  • Shiva: The Destroyer
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10
Q

Why is Brahma considered the least important deity

A

as Shiva ordered him to be worshipped the least as he was obsessed with a female deity called Shatarupa

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11
Q

What is Brahma pictured on

A

on a lotus flower showing purity as he was born sitting on a lotus flower emerging from the navel of Vishnu

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12
Q

Who is Brahma’s consort

A

Saraswathi she is the goddess of music, knowledge, art, and learning

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13
Q

What is Saraswathi pictured on

A

riding upon a swan which symbolises purity and the ability to discriminate and be fair

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14
Q

How is vishnu worshipped

A

mainly though his incarnations, Krishna, and Rama with the Bhagvad Gita and repetitive prayer called ‘japa’

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15
Q

Why is Vishnu special

A
  • He represents the soul of the universe
  • He gave birth to brahma
  • He enters the heart of every living being to become the ‘lord within
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16
Q

What is important about Vishnu’s avatars

quote from Gita

A

• Vishnu steps in when necessary to restore moral order as he has the power to prevent suffering and disaster

Bhagavad Gita 4:7
‘Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of unrighteousness, then I will manifest myself’

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17
Q

What are the followers of vishnu called

A

Vaishnavas

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18
Q

what stories show Vishnu to be powerful and good

A
  • His victory over bali in the three strides and his helping Prahdala defeat the demon king show him to be a strong God who helps his followers
  • Shown by story of Bhrigu to be full of goodness
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19
Q

What are the followers of shiva called

A

Shaivites

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20
Q

What is shiva’s symbol

A

• His symbol is the linga (male sex organ) which represents his ability to recreate after destruction.

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21
Q

How is shiva worshipped

A

by focusing on the male linga or on his dancing from

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22
Q

What do shivas believe about the atman

A

believe there is only ONE reality that that atman and Brahman are one

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23
Q

What do Vaishnavas believe about the atman

A

are describes as ‘dualists’ because they believe the atman is separate from the supreme being

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24
Q

What else do Shaivites and Vaishnavas also disagree with

A

disagree about which deity is superior

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25
Q

Who is Saraswathi

A

Saraswathi is the goddess of learning and she is usually shown holding a musical instrument. She is the consort of Brahma and they have a son called Manu.

26
Q

Who is Lakshmi

A

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and beauty. She is shown holding lotus flowers and with a pot of money pouring from her lap.

27
Q

Define Shakti

A

Shakti represents divine feminine energy and is seen by Hindus as having many different forms.

28
Q

What are the 4 forms of Shakti

A

Saraswati – inspires music, drama, science and poetry. Many pray to her for help in these areas.

Lakshmi - many Hindus pray to her for a happy family life and financial security.

Parvati - known to be caring for others and both patient and wise.

Durga - a warrior goddess who symbolises the ‘hidden strength’ of women, and divine opposition to evil.

29
Q

Who is Kalki

A

The final avatar who will ride a white horse to destroy all evil

30
Q

What is an avatar

quote from bhagavad gita on it

A

An incarnation of vishnu sent down to earth for special reasons

Bhagavad Gita 4:7
‘Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of unrighteousness, then I will manifest myself’

31
Q

What does krishna represent (8th Avatar)

A

An example of personal devotion and brought peace and righteousness. Thought t be approachable and mischievous

32
Q

What does the Ramayana represent

A

show the ideal man by portraying all the human virtues of wisdom, justice, equality, obedience, loyalty, and devotion

33
Q

What is an example of krishna’s love

A

He also duplicated himself 1000s of times so he could enjoy will all the gopis. This shows Gods never-ending love for his followers

34
Q

What key text explains Hindu Cosmology (Hymn of Creation’

A

‘Who knows from whence this great creation sprang?
He from whom all this great creation came.
Whether his will created or was mute,
The Most High seer that is in highest heaven,
He knows it - or perchance even He knows not.’

No point in thinking about it too much

35
Q

What are 6 Key hindu ideas about cosmology

A
  • Time is cyclical
  • The material world is repeatedly created
  • The universe is one of many bubbles floating in space
  • There are 3 tiers of our universe: the heavenly planets, the earthly realm, and the lower worlds
  • There is not a single account of creation; instead, there are many interrelated stories
  • There are 2 realities- spirit (purusa) and matter (prakriti)
  • Hindus believe that time goes in cycles and that each time period is a long one,called yugas
36
Q

How many yuga’s are there and which are we in

A

They go in order from least evil to most evil

Gold,Silver,Copper and Iron. We are in Iron

37
Q

What is usually used to represent the universe

A

a cluster of bubbles created from Vishnu’s breath

38
Q

What happens when you reach enlightenment

A

the world no longer has any substance and is shown to be an illusion (maya)

39
Q

What 3 stages do matter go through

A

creation, maintenance, and destruction. Called the tri-guna

40
Q

How are the tri-guna seen in human life

A

passion, goodness and ignorance. The balance of a person’s guna is there personality

41
Q

What is the atman

A

the etenal spirit made out of Brahman inside them

42
Q

What are the properties of the atman compared to the Body

A

Atman Body

Never changing	Ever-changing
Eternal	               Temporary
Conscious	        Unconscious
Active	                Unable to move
Alive	                Dead
43
Q

Define samsara

A

life is a continuous cycle of birth death and rebirth Where the body becomes different at rebirth, but the atman always stays the same

44
Q

Define transmigration

A

The transferring of atman into a different body

45
Q

Define reincarnation

A

taking on of a new body

46
Q

What is a Hindu’s aim in life

A

To achieve enough akarma to become enlightened and escape the cycle of moksha

47
Q

What is karma

A

That whatever you do in life has consequences

behave badly, they will be punished in the next life as they become a lesser being like a snake. Behave well and

48
Q

What is akarma and why is it important

A

If Hindus do good just to receive rewards, they will never reach moksha. They must do good deeds without any thought of personal reward; akarma

49
Q

What is virkama

A

Virkama is bad karma

50
Q

Define Dharma

A

Hindus duty in Life

51
Q

Define Artha

A

earning one’s living responsibly

52
Q

Define Kama

A

enjoying the pleasures of life responsibly

‘ The wise man chooses the path of joy; the fool takes the path of pleasure’ – Katha Upanishad 2.1-2

53
Q

What 3 things do VarnaSharmaDharma refer to

A

Varna refers to the 4 main social groups
Sharma refers to the 4 stages of life
Dharma refers to duty based on these first 2

54
Q

What are the Dalits

A

making up over 15% of India’s population. The Dalits are excluded from the caste system, and they have experienced persecution

55
Q

What are the 4 main social castes

A

Brahmins; Teachers and Priests
Kshatriyas; Warriors and leaders
Vaishyas; Merchants, traders and farmers
Shudras; Manual workers, labourers

56
Q

How do Hindus justify the caste system

A

That all the castes have to work together to be successful; castes are human body:

  • Brahmins are head
  • Kshatriyas are chest
  • Vaishyas are legs
  • Shudras are feet
57
Q

What are the 4 sharma (stages of life)

A
Brahmacharya  =    The student stage
Grihastha	  =     The householder stage
Vanaprastha     =     The retirement stage
Sannyasa	  =     The sacred pilgrim stage
58
Q

How do the 4 sharma relate to your dharma

A

The student stage; Go to school and learn the scriptures and duties.

The householder stage ;Marry and have children. Work and earn money to support the family.

The retirement stage Concentrate on reading the scriptures, meditating, worship, visiting the temple and going on pilgrimages.

The sacred pilgrim stage; Move away from material possessions and be a wandering holy person who teaches others about the scriptures and spends time in prayer.

59
Q

What are the main 11 virtues taught in Hinduism

A
  • Protection: essential duty to shelter less fortunate
  • Tolerance
  • Ahimsa; nonviolence
  • Hospitality; demonstrating magnanimity
  • Wisdom
  • Respect; for all beings
  • Celibacy: only one of the 4 ashrams is permitted
  • Mind and sense control
  • Austerity: means disciplined spiritual practice to gain wisdom
  • Honesty
  • Compassion; based on the notions of atman
60
Q

What is Sanatana Dharma

A

Refers to the eternal truth of doing what is right and the Hindu way of life

61
Q

What are some ways to perform Sanatana Dharma

A
  • Always considering what is right or wrong
  • Remembering God in your heart or mind
  • Learning more about God and dharma
  • Trying to reach moksha
  • Offering worship
  • Feeding birds and animals, and caring for plants and trees
  • Showing respect to elders and caring for needy