Hinduism Full Flashcards
What is an Avatar?
An incarnation, or manifestation, of a deity in earthly form.
What is a Guru?
A spiritual teacher or guide who can help one achieve moksha, or salvation.
What does Ahimsa mean?
The doctrine of non-violence toward all living creatures.
What does Aryan mean?
“Noble and educated”.
What is Samsara?
The endless cycle of rebirths.
What is Yoga?
A practice or discipline combining philosophy with physical exercises and meditation; union with God.
What does Harijan mean?
untouchable.
What is an Ascetic?
Someone whose lifestyle is a set of practices in which restrictions and limits are placed on the sensually pleasurable and comfortable experiences that most people consider integral to a happy life.
What is Karma?
The totality of one’s actions; the accumulation of good or bad karma determines one’s birth in his or her next life.
What is Dharma?
The duties a Hindu should follow in their life.
What does Maya refer to?
The temporary and imperfect nature of the physical world.
What is Moksha?
Liberation of the soul from the endless cycle of rebirths; attained by uniting the atman with the Brahman. It is the ultimate goal of Hindus.
What is a Mandir?
A Hindu place of worship.
What is Puja?
A common thanksgiving ritual that involves offerings of flowers, food, and other articles to the deities.
What is a Mantra?
A sacred word or phrase that is chanted during worship or meditation.
What does Om represent?
A sacred syllable that invokes the essence of Brahman when chanted. It is believed to be the sound of all reality.
What is a Pilgrimage?
A journey to a sacred place.
What is the significance of the Sacred Cow?
It represents Mother Earth, as it is a source of goodness and its milk nourishes all creatures.
Who is Agni?
The god of fire; the link between gods and humans.
What is Shruti?
Knowledge that is revealed to, or ‘discovered’ by, the wise men of Hinduism, e.g., the content of the Vedas.
What is Smriti?
Human-made literature, or knowledge that is ‘remembered,’ e.g., the content of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
What is a Swami?
The holy men of Hinduism.
What is a Yogi?
A spiritually evolved individual who practises meditation.
Who is Brahma?
Creator of the universe
Brahma is depicted with four heads, bearded faces, and four arms, symbolizing omnipotence.
What does Brahma’s four arms represent?
Omnipotence/all powerful
The four arms signify that God is all-powerful.
What role does Shiva play in Hinduism?
The Destroyer
Destruction is seen as a prelude to recreation on a cosmic level.
What does destruction mean on a personal level according to Shiva’s teachings?
Removal of the bonds that hold devotees to the cycle of rebirth
This highlights the transformative aspect of destruction.
What does Shiva’s third eye represent?
Spiritual wisdom and power
The third eye is a common symbol of insight and higher consciousness.
Who is Vishnu?
Preserver of the universe
Vishnu is believed to have come to earth in nine different forms.
What color is Vishnu often depicted as and what does it symbolize?
Blue, symbolizing infinite space
This color represents Vishnu’s all-pervasive nature.
Who is widely regarded as the most important avatar of Vishnu?
Prince Ram
In some regions of India and Nepal, Ram is seen as the supreme being.
What is Ganesh known for?
God of good luck and new beginnings
He is also known as the remover of obstacles in one’s life.
What does Lakshmi symbolize?
Good luck
She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
What is Saraswati the goddess of?
Knowledge
She is also the patron of arts and culture.
What are the various perspectives in which Krishna is portrayed?
- God-like child
- Prankster
- Model lover
- Divine hero
- Supreme being
Krishna is often depicted as a blue figure playing the flute.
What does Parvati represent?
Mother Goddess representing female energy (shakti)
She embodies the nurturing aspect of femininity.
Who is Hanuman?
The monkey god
Hanuman is said to be the child of the wind god and can grow to 100 times his normal size.
What is the first stage of life in Hindu philosophy?
Student
This stage focuses on discipline of the mind and body, and gaining knowledge.
What is the second stage of life?
Forest Dweller
In this stage, individuals retire from household duties and participate in religious pilgrimages.
What is the third stage of life?
Householder
This stage involves marrying, providing for family, and practicing social and religious traditions.
What is the fourth stage of life?
Ascetic
This stage involves giving up worldly life to wander, meditate, and attain salvation.
What are the Four Paths to Salvation?
The Four Paths to Salvation are karma, Bhakti, jana, and raja yoga.
What is Karma Yoga?
Karma Yoga involves good deeds and thoughts which lead to the accumulation of good karma.
What is Bhakti Yoga?
Bhakti Yoga is a spiritual path that involves love, total faith, and surrender to God.
It is the easiest way for the ordinary person because it simply involves love for God in all things.
What is Jana Yoga?
Jana Yoga requires the guidance of a guru and uses deep meditation to experience a connection with God through the realization of the true Self.
What is Raja Yoga?
Raja Yoga, often called the ‘royal road’, is a method for controlling thoughts by turning mental and physical energy into spiritual energy through physical rituals and meditations.
What is Moksha?
Moksha is achieving liberation from multiple lives.
What is Karma?
Karma is the totality of one’s actions in life, determining the form an individual will take when they are reborn.
What is Samsara?
Samsara is the endless cycle of rebirths.
What is Dharma?
Dharma refers to ‘duties’; it is a code of moral conduct and righteous duties.
What is Santana Dharma?
Santana Dharma means ‘eternal religion’; it refers to the universal values and duties.
What is Varnashrama Dharma?
Varnashrama Dharma refers to specific duties for individuals in accordance with age, gender, status, etc.
What is Diwali known as?
Festival of Lights
Diwali takes place over five days at the end of October or beginning of November.
What does Diwali celebrate?
The triumph of good and knowledge over dark forces of evil and ignorance
It also honors Lakshmi and Vishnu and commemorates Rama’s return to his kingdom.
When does the puja take place during Diwali?
At dusk before the feast
What is Navaratri?
A ‘Nine Nights’ festival held in spring and autumn
Which goddess is worshipped during the first three nights of Navaratri?
Durga
What is worshipped during the next three nights of Navaratri?
Lakshmi
Who is honored during the final three nights of Navaratri?
Saraswati
What do worshippers observe on the tenth day of Navaratri?
Vijayadasami or the Day of Victory
What is Holi also known as?
Festival of Colours
When is Holi celebrated?
During the springtime in March
What occurs the night before Holi?
A bonfire is lit to signify the burning of evil
What activities do people participate in during Holi?
Playing with coloured water and powder
What is Mabashivaratri?
A special event dedicated to the devotion of Shiva
When does Mabashivaratri take place?
On the day before the new moon during February
What practices do devotees engage in during Mabashivaratri?
Worship, keeping vigil, and fasting for twenty-four hours
What do devotees do between midnight and sunrise on Mabashivaratri?
Repeat Shiva’s name and place flowers and grains on his image
When is a child named in orthodox Hindu families?
Ten days after birth
This naming ceremony has become a symbolic gesture.
What is the significance of marriage in Hindu culture?
Sanctifies the bond between bride and groom and their new social responsibilities
Who formally asks for the woman’s hand in marriage in traditional Hindu weddings?
The father of the groom
What type of marriages are common in Hindu culture?
Arranged marriages
What is the Upanayana ceremony?
A sacred initiation ceremony performed by boys of the Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya castes
At what age is the Upanayana ceremony typically performed?
Between the ages of eight to twelve
What does the Upanayana ceremony mark?
The boy’s transition into the student stage of life
What does the boy wear during the Upanayana ceremony?
A sacred thread over his left shoulder
How long does a typical Hindu wedding ceremony last?
Three hours
How many rituals are typically performed during a Hindu wedding ceremony?
15 rituals
What do the couple do during the wedding ceremony?
Take 7 steps around the sacred fire
What is applied to the bride’s hands and feet during the wedding?
Henna
What does the groom traditionally ride during the wedding ceremony?
A white horse
What is exchanged between the bride and groom during the ceremony?
Floral garlands
What color sari does the bride typically wear for the ceremony?
Red
What follows the wedding ceremony?
A huge wedding reception and grand feast
What is performed by the priest on the death anniversary?
Religious rites
What is done to the body during the death anniversary ceremony?
Bathe and dress the body in new traditional clothing
What is offered to the spirit during the death anniversary?
Light and flowers
What chant is repeated during the death anniversary ceremony?
‘Lord Ram’
What does the priest recite to sanctify the fire during the ceremony?
Passages from the holy scripture
What is done with the ashes after a Hindu funeral?
Collected and scattered in holy rivers or any other body of water
On which days after the funeral do family members gather for special prayers?
10th and 13th day
Fill in the blank: The child is named by a _______ ten days after birth.
priest
