Hinduism: Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
What type of faith is Hinduism
Pluralistic,monotheistic and henotheistic
Define pluralism
believeing all religions are vlaid ways of reaching the one true god
Define henotheistic
Believing in a heriachy of Gods
How is Hindiusm monotheistic
There is one supereme being called brahman
‘In truth Brahman is all’’ Mundakkal Upanishad 2.2
Define Nirguna Brahman
No attributes and no form Brahman
Define Saguna Brahman
Form and attributes Brahman
Define Bhagavan
The supreme being exists in the spiritual worlds called vaikuntha
Define Antaryami
The supreme being existing within the hearts of all beings. The atman refers to the God within
What are the Trimurti
- Brahma: The Creator
- Vishnu: The Preserver
- Shiva: The Destroyer
Why is Brahma considered the least important deity
as Shiva ordered him to be worshipped the least as he was obsessed with a female deity called Shatarupa
What is Brahma pictured on
on a lotus flower showing purity as he was born sitting on a lotus flower emerging from the navel of Vishnu
Who is Brahma’s consort
Saraswathi she is the goddess of music, knowledge, art, and learning
What is Saraswathi pictured on
riding upon a swan which symbolises purity and the ability to discriminate and be fair
How is vishnu worshipped
mainly though his incarnations, Krishna, and Rama with the Bhagvad Gita and repetitive prayer called ‘japa’
Why is Vishnu special
- 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
What is important about Vishnu’s avatars
quote from Gita
• 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’
What are the followers of vishnu called
Vaishnavas
what stories show Vishnu to be powerful and good
- 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
What are the followers of shiva called
Shaivites
What is shiva’s symbol
• His symbol is the linga (male sex organ) which represents his ability to recreate after destruction.
How is shiva worshipped
by focusing on the male linga or on his dancing from
What do shivas believe about the atman
believe there is only ONE reality that that atman and Brahman are one
What do Vaishnavas believe about the atman
are describes as ‘dualists’ because they believe the atman is separate from the supreme being
What else do Shaivites and Vaishnavas also disagree with
disagree about which deity is superior