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relg - buddhism > hinduism gen knowledge > Flashcards

hinduism gen knowledge Flashcards

1
Q

How did indologists and scholars of religion learn about hindu tradition?

A

asked male brahmins for their understanding of the tradition (focused on the epics, variations, and varieties of devotional activity)

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2
Q

Does western academia provide a full picture of hinduism?

A

no - leaves out a lot of diversity and practices. focus more on the chronological aspect of the religious tradition. because texts were written by high caste men - woman are not pictured in the movements fully (lack of diversity)

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3
Q

when did indus river valley civilization develop?

A

2500 BCE - four and a half millennnia ago - on northwest of the indian subcontinent. eventually moved south and east over the centuries. city of harrapa had over 40,000 residents

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4
Q

what was gathered from the indus valley civilization?

A

writing, pottery, and stone weights. indus valley script, terracotta images with figures in seated positions or mid-battle.

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5
Q

what is the aryan migration theory?

A

based on white supremacist ideology. warrior nomads who had sacred oral scriptures (the vedas) - believed that mingling of Aryan and Dravidian cultures happened.

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6
Q

What do vedic rituals do?

A

offer a characterization of important Vedic deities. introduce the conception of the Vedic absolute or the one.

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7
Q

The Vedic Samhitas

A

Hymn in praise. Most highly regarded literary works of the Aryans. the oldest of which is the RG VEDA samhita.

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8
Q

RG VEDA SAMHITA

A

consists of over 1000 hymns
- arranged into 10 books called the mandalas
- there are stages for each addition to the collection
- around 1000 BCE

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9
Q

what comprised orthodox aryan scripture?

A
  • RG VEDA Samhita
  • Sama Veda Samhita (contains verses from the RG veda and presents in the form of chants)
  • Yajur Veda Samhita (verse prayers to be learned by adhvaryus - the priests who perform the main features of the Vedic rituals)
  • the three samhitas reveal development of vedic ritual art. composed in vedic Sankrit.
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10
Q

Vedic dieties

A

highest in the god pantheon Agni (fire) and Indra (god of storms and lighting) - most rituals were dedicated to them
- surya (the sund)
- dyau-pitr (god of heavens)
- vayu (the wind)
- varuna (god of the waters)
- soma (a sacred plant and intoxicating drink)
- usas (the dawn)
- ratri (the night)
- prthivi (the earth)

  • prevalence of male deities
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11
Q

What was muller’s anthropomorphism theory?

A

human beings in awe of natural phenomena - were given abstract qualities and anthropomorphism as divine actors were manifestations of these powers

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12
Q

Rta?

A

Rta - “the right way.” Means achieving overarching orderliness to the cosmos. shown in seasonal changes akin to human life. akin to fate - but more orderly. controls plant growth, river flow, a persons development. Eventually turns into dharma.

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13
Q

how does rta turn into dharma?

A

developed into notion of individual human and social actions in relationship with the overarching cosmic order/ Was used to describe how individuals should behave righteously.

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14
Q

The brahmanas

A
  • extolled the virtues of sacrificial rites. (yajna)
  • a genre of texts that emerged primarily to deal with the power within the recitation of sacred verses and with the ritual practices of the priestly class.
  • describe variety of rituals
  • interpretations and origins of ritual practice
  • show parallels between the three realms - macrocosm, mesocosm, microcosm
  • emphasize the science of the ritual itself
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15
Q

what are the three realms?

A
  • macrocosm (abode of the gods)
  • mesocosm (society and wordly realm)
  • microcosm (individual human life and ritual action)
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16
Q

what are the vedic sacrifice of Yajna?

A
  • yajna is emphasized in brahmana literature
  • it gives the vedic gods power and they are dependent on sacrifice
  • the diety Brhaspati - was high priest and wise spiritual preceptor to the gods themselves
  • served as a divine model for the earthly members of the priestly class as performing yajna - was vital to enter heaven
  • most were for benefit of social or cosmic good
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17
Q

srauta rites?

A
  • Usually sponsored by a king. Prosperity of the kingdom - fertility of his lineage and of the land or revitalization of his own power
  • Srauta rites are supposed to be performed along with the rhythms of the natural world
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18
Q

Grhya rites

A

Household rites or yajnas for individuals

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19
Q

what is needed in exxchange for yajna?

A

Daksina. “spouce” of the yajna - indisepnsable exchange payment to bring transfer of spiritual merit from ritualists to the patron.

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20
Q

What is dharma used for?

A

used to weave together cosmic, social and personal order to provide a harmonious existence

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21
Q

Rg Veda interacts with dharma how

A

refers to the actions that should be undertaken to uphold cosmic order

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22
Q

how do gods maintain cosmic order?

A

through self regulation and regular sacrifice gods can maintain cosmic order.

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23
Q

what are kalpa sutras?

A

genres of literature within the vendangas.
- first to articulate the prescription of self-controlled and orderly behaviour
- attributed to sages such as Gautama and Apastaba

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24
Q

what are dharma sastras?

A
  • treaties that deal with dharma.
  • influence shaping value and behavior of hindus
  • legal codices and law books
  • social duties defined and codified in varna
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25
Q

Smrti ?

A
  • traditional, remembered
  • usually includes vendagas, epics, puranas, but also dharma sastras that are synonymous with the term
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26
Q

what are laws of manu?

A
  • can be called manu smrti
  • described duties of the king how to enforce punishment should dharmic order
  • discusses creation, cosmic geography, division of the vedas and class.
  • rose in popularity because of developing tensions on the indian subcontinent
  • attempt to standardize conduct and protect upper class
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27
Q

what does the vasnasramadharma contain?

A
  • lays out social obligations
  • varna: classes which hindu society is divided into
  • asrama: stages that demarcate a person’s journey through life
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28
Q

What are the classes (varna) ?

A

Tale of the classes - comes from idea that giant cosmic person is sacrified and from his body comes.
1. Mouth (brahama)
2.. Arms (rajanya)
3. Thighs (vaisya)
4. Feet (sudra)

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29
Q

What are jatis?

A

Caste system. division of varna into smaller groupings. “birth group.” usually identify according to lineage, origin, or jati. Jatis and varna can overlap. participating in activities with other jatis goes against social order - usually speak same language and have same family name.

30
Q

what is dvvija?

A

“twice born.” get privileges not available to the fourth and lowest class. The concept is premised on the belief that a person is first born physically and at a later date is born for a second time spiritually, usually when he undergoes the ritual of passage that initiates him into a school for Vedic studies

31
Q

brahmins?

A

Highest social class. have achieved the embodiment of dharma. can attain realization of Brahman.
- were tasked to recite the vedas and sicuss vedic teachings
- conduct rituals one behalf of others
- uphold the dharmic lifestyle of higher ethical and moral behaviour to achieve superior spiritual status.

32
Q

ksatriyas?

A

second highest class. warriors to protect brahmins and help them with rituals.

33
Q

vasyas?

A

third highest class. tend to cattle, cultivate land, trade, lend money, bestow gifts, offer sacrifices, study the vedas sudras.

34
Q

sudras?

A

Lowest class - served three upper classes. have to be employed by upper classes.

35
Q

candalas or untouchables

A

“fierce.” refers to members of aboriginal tribes who wore animal skins to maintain a frightening appearance. don’t belong to a varna class. seen as polluting because they cremate dead or make leather.
- now called “dalit.” or “oppressed.”

36
Q

idea of time?

A
  • time and creation move in repetitive cycles of time.
  • follow yearly cycle of seasonal change.
  • cosmos is created and renewed, but degenerates through time
  • progressive decline is marked by human life spans of 400 years
  • end of life cycle enters a period of dissolution

Yuga (ages)
Satya (4800 god years)
Treta (3600 deva years)
The dvapara yuga *2400)
Kali yuga (1200)

37
Q

godess kali?

A

embodiment of time and destruction

38
Q

how does hindu calendar function?

A

Solar and Monthly lunar calendar
- relgious festivals follow the lunar system
- no origin or nature of the universe

39
Q

How does hinduism make sense of the universe?

A
  • vedic samhitas present a fundamental dualism between heaven and earth
  • some hymns describe cosmos being a giant who manifested earth - he is sacrificed by the gods as an offering to himself to create the cosmos
  • the cosmos came from his body
  • there is a general belief in multiple worlds - heaven, hell, and a range of beings
40
Q

Karma from “kr”

A

to do or to act. the idea has developed that one’s actions have consequences in this lifetime and future ones. Moral principle of causality.

41
Q

How does rebirth work?

A
  • there is birth in other worlds (vedic samhitas)
  • fear of rebirth unless one attains self realization concept
  • on death a persons karma can lead to the path of the gods or the path of ancestors
  • those who are self realized go to the light - to merge with brahman (no rebirth)
  • those who follow path of charitable deeds, asceticism, enter the pitr yana. where they move through dark cycle into space and make their way back to the eartlhy realm to become life forms again
42
Q

Samsara

A

“flow together, or to wander.” term can be applied to wordly existence and reality.

43
Q

Moksa

A

“to release” from samsara and be freed. idea of liberation from samsara and karma. to achieve it - must acquire wisdom of insight into the truth, the self, and absolute reality.

44
Q

earliest texts on dharma?

A

dharma sutras.
- part of kalpa sutras

45
Q

puranas?

A
  • Puranas’ “ancient lore” and epics tell stories of dharma ethics
  • Puranas speak about cycles of creation and destruction of the cosmos
  • display intense devotion to a deity in return for divine favours which are used to terrorize human beings
  • shows ideal roles of family and society
46
Q

Gautama dharma sutra text

A

one of the earliest texts on dharma. These are 8 virtues it says are important. compassion to all creatures, patience, lack of envy, purification, tranquility, having an auspicious disposition, generosity, and lack of greed.

47
Q

What are general states of asrama?

A
  • male members of upper class go through it
  • studenthood. men are students who are taught celibacy and important of studies
  • they then become married and repay debt to society and ancestors in spiritual debt to the gods
  • third is typically retirement to forests prior to attaining religious salvation.
  • final stage is sannyasa purification - which very few reach. it is a total renunciation of life to become an ascetic that is considered to be a socially dead and new person with few connections.
48
Q

What does upanisads represent?

A
  • final stage of development in vedic religious thought and the last phase of Brahmanism
  • philosophical schools base their tenets on the upanisads
  • declares the brahman (absolute reality) = is the same as the atman (self)
49
Q

What is Vedanta?

A
  • focused on the study and understanding of the Upanisads
  • speculative philosophy
50
Q

who was sankara?

A

Sankara - highest regarded Hindu philosopher - life story has become a legend and there is no consensus on his date of birth

  • Brahmin 8th or 9th century
  • created advaita vendanta
51
Q

advaita vendata

A

radical non-dualism
- Proposes that there is only one thing that is absolutely real - the Brahman.
- Brahman is imaged as having two forms
1. nirguna (without attributes, names, or forms)
2. Saguna (with attributes, names, forms)
- brahman and atman are one
- saguna forms are lower and must be transcended to realize the higher Nirguna form
- concept of maya (vidya or knowledge) only tool to remove maya from the self
- importance of knowledge and self-inquiry as the primary means to attain liberation

52
Q

What is maya to advaita vedanta?

A

Māyā is itself inexplicable. When one is free from the deluding power of Māyā, one recognizes oneself as Brahman and is liberated from Brahman’s.
- illusion
- gives false appearance of reality which fogs human perception
- under maya we forget our true identity and atman gets confused for jiva - perpetuates the cycle of samsara

53
Q

different schools of vedanta philosphy?

A
  1. Rāmānuja’s philosophy is known as Qualified NonDualism – “qualified” since it assigns qualities to Brahman. world is body of god (VISNU) and not illusory. rejects idea od nirguna Brahman - but brahman is VISNU and has all divine qualities. focus on devotion, worship, and faith.
  2. Madhva’s philosophy, known as Dvaita or dualism, is highly “realistic” having no place for an illusory reality created by Māyā. brahman, atman, and world are all distinct. focus on love and devotion.
  3. Śaṅkara whose philosophy is known as Advaita Vedānta, or radical non-dualism.
54
Q

how does Britain justify their presence in India?

A

-By end of 19th cent - british have to justify what theyre doing in India
- reinterperate indias history as a history of invasion and conquering
- No longer first race, culture, or language
- To britain was not natural progression, but incursion or war

55
Q

what are two theories for hinduism?

A
  1. aryan invasion theory
  2. cultural transformation theory
56
Q

How was orality important to rituals?

A
  • Importance of orality “hymns are meant to be used” - ritual efficacy
  • Not based on their intelligibility
  • Hearing and speaking of sacred words
  • Source of transformative power for the ritual to occur
  • Passed through recitation
  • sacred sounds are essential to efficient rituals and had supernatural power
57
Q

What does mantrra mean?

A

thought or instrument of thought

58
Q

Worship of agni ritual?

A
  • Worship of agni (the divine in the form of fire)
  • Fire “sacrifices” called yajna or homa
  • Considered a purifying substance (insence…ward off evil eye, clear air)
  • Fire rituals invoke the fire god Agni
  • the Rgvedic Hymns are used for fire rituals
59
Q

Sanskrit textual canon is what two categories

A

Sruti - “that which is heard.” (4 vedas)
Smrti - “that which is remembered.” (ca. 600 BCE- 400 CE)

60
Q

4 Varnas described

A
  1. Brahmana or “brahmin” - educated/scholars (considered to occupy highest class statues, in ritual and social terms)
    Sometimes are temple priests, scholars, or educators
    Only communities that are allowed to borht learn and teach the vedas
  2. Ksatriya ( often kings, warriors, and politicians - usally second highest class)
  3. Vaisya - merchants, comprise the “middle class” or pre-modern india - merchants, business people, the working class
  4. Sudra - servants labourers (usually imaged as servants of the other three classes” (lowest in ritual and social terms but still part of the varna hierarchy)
  5. Pancama or candala (outside the varna order) - the most ritually polluting group, stand outside brahmanic society. Ostracuzed. Refer to themselves today as “dalit” (means “oppressed”)
61
Q

Purusarthas?

A

“goals of man” - linked to shifting orientations of life in the asramas
1. dharma
2. artha
3. kama
4. moksa

62
Q

what are the two types of dharma?

A
  1. samnya-dharma = universal dharma. common duties and virtues everyone should follow. maintain compassion, patience, lack of greed and envy.
  2. Viesa-dharma = dharma that is particular to ones age,caste,gender etc.
    - food, dirty of woman, duty of teaching etc
63
Q

What are the three types of karma?

A
  1. Sancita - past accumulated /exhausted karma
    Incorporates both kinds of karma
  2. Prarandha - present accumulation/exhaustion of karma. Something they did in the past which they are now seeing the result of
  3. Agami - karma that will be used in the future. there are still choices, but it is predetermined that you will receive reward in future.
64
Q

What does the vedanta contain?

A
  • There is a self in hinduism
  • Known as atman - refers to the soul - essential permanent aspect of embodiment - unchanging immutable
  • Brahman (absolute reality)
  • What is the nature of the world around us?
  • Things come and go - change is a part of reality - the world is not absolutely real
  • “Brahman” Absolute reality is something unchangeable and immutable
  • Has characteristics of pure consciousness and tranquillity
65
Q

what were the upanishads?

A
  • nature of reality and the person (7th, 8th century)
  • renunciation + knowledge of brahman
  • Condemnation of senses and desires (no physicality.)
  • why we have desires and central experiences
  • ascetism to withdraw from wordly attachments
  • there is a real self to us all which should be differentiated from embodied self. we have permanent unchanging core.
  • we take on a form (jiva) and think it is us but it is our disembodied self. But TRUE KNOWLEDGE is differentiating the jiva and atman.
66
Q

Central philosophy of the upanishads?

A
  • how do you achieve liberation?
  • ultimate reality and absolute self are non different (the same)
  • atman = brahman
  • liberation is in realizing you are not jiva but ultimate reality
67
Q

three major schools of vedanta

A
  1. Advaita (non-dualism) - only brahman is real, no distinctions are real - sankara 8th century - transcends all distinctions and beyond scope of human understanding - pure consciousness
    Ability to discriminate between self and non self (real and unreal) results from acquiring liberating knowledge (vidya or jnana)
  2. Visistadvaita (qualified non dualism) - world (matter), atman and god (isvara) are real - ramanuja (ca.1017-1137 CE) - can encounter divinities at any moment
  3. The god vishnu, is in control of atman and matter and therefore it is through his grace that souls achieve moksa (liberation) - this will grant you liberation - indu cosmologies and heavens - more personal devotion
    Theistic devotional (vaisnava) school
    Dvaita (dualism)
68
Q

three major schools of vedanta

A
  1. Advaita (non-dualism) - only brahman is real, no distinctions are real - sankara 8th century - transcends all distinctions and beyond scope of human understanding - pure consciousness
    Ability to discriminate between self and non self (real and unreal) results from acquiring liberating knowledge (vidya or jnana)
  2. Visistadvaita (qualified non dualism) - world (matter), atman and god (isvara) are real - ramanuja (ca.1017-1137 CE) - can encounter divinities at any moment
  3. The god vishnu, is in control of atman and matter and therefore it is through his grace that souls achieve moksa (liberation) - this will grant you liberation - indu cosmologies and heavens - more personal devotion
    Theistic devotional (vaisnava) school
    Dvaita (dualism)
69
Q

three major schools of vedanta

A
  1. Advaita (non-dualism) - only brahman is real, no distinctions are real - sankara 8th century - transcends all distinctions and beyond scope of human understanding - pure consciousness
    Ability to discriminate between self and non self (real and unreal) results from acquiring liberating knowledge (vidya or jnana)
  2. Visistadvaita (qualified non dualism) - world (matter), atman and god (isvara) are real - ramanuja (ca.1017-1137 CE) - can encounter divinities at any moment
  3. The god vishnu, is in control of atman and matter and therefore it is through his grace that souls achieve moksa (liberation) - this will grant you liberation - indu cosmologies and heavens - more personal devotion
    Theistic devotional (vaisnava) school
    Dvaita (dualism)
70
Q

three major schools of vedanta

A
  1. Advaita (non-dualism) - only brahman is real, no distinctions are real - sankara 8th century - transcends all distinctions and beyond scope of human understanding - pure consciousness
    Ability to discriminate between self and non self (real and unreal) results from acquiring liberating knowledge (vidya or jnana)
  2. Visistadvaita (qualified non dualism) - world (matter), atman and god (isvara) are real - ramanuja (ca.1017-1137 CE) - can encounter divinities at any moment
  3. The god vishnu, is in control of atman and matter and therefore it is through his grace that souls achieve moksa (liberation) - this will grant you liberation - indu cosmologies and heavens - more personal devotion
    Theistic devotional (vaisnava) school
    Dvaita (dualism)
71
Q

What three major texts did vedantic thinkers need to comment on?

A
  1. The upanisads
  2. The brahma sustra
  3. The Bhagavad-gita (introduces devotionalism and dieties)

relg - buddhism (5 decks)

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