Hinduism Test Flashcards
Where does the word Hindu come from?
Sanskrit word “Sindhu” meaning “river”
How many Hindus still live in India?
95%
What is the Banyan Tree analogy?
There are branches that grow up and some branches grow down into the soil; these branches become roots and sprouts new trees alongside the old one; it is hard to tell what is the original and what is not. So has Hinduism transformed over the years.
What is the Indus Valley period? (3)
Thriving civilization living in the Indus Valley and the area of Punjab.
Aryans invades North West India
The people intermingle and become known as Indo-Aryans
When did Hinduism become recognized as a religion?
In the classical period of 300-1200 CE where the Smriti emerged as the popular scriptural text
What is the Shruti?
The oldest of the Hindu scriptures
Knowledge that is revealed to or discovered by the wise men of Hinduism
Explain what happened in the Hindu-Muslim period. (3)
Muslims conquered Northwest India by 1201 and while some were tolerant of Hinduism others weren’t
Sikhism was formed which synthesized the two religions of Islam and Hinduism. Ruler Akbar attempted to spread this religion but failed. After him, the relations b/w the two worsened.
Muslims broke away from India and established Pakistan in 1947 and since the conflicts have continued
What is Brahman? (3)
Supreme being without quality or form
Soul of the universe
Divine, invisible and unlimited
What are the three primary forms of Brahman?
Brahma- the creator God
Vishnu- the preserving God
Shiva- the destroying God
Symbolize the cycle of life
What is an avatar?
The incarnation of a god or goddess who has descended from the heavenly world to earth to rid the world of evil (ex: Krishna and Rama)
What is the ultimate aim of all Hindu thoughts?
To attain the universal soul or Devine wisdom (Brahman)
What is maya?
All forms of existence are temporary and illusionary
What is dharma?
Personal conduct and righteous living
What is the cycle of reincarnation?
Samsara is the endless cycle of reincarnation. Hindus believe when you die, you are reborn into another body. The situation in the next life is determined by your karma in the previous life. Karma is the basic belief of cause and effect. Good actions means good next life. Bad actions means bad next life. This cycle continues until Moksha is achieved. Moksha is the liberation from the cycle and being united with Atman (inner-most soul) and Brahman. Liberation can be achieved through knowledge, good deeds and devotion.
Explain the caste system.
Brahmins: priests who make up the highest caste; purist, wisest and most learned
Kshatriyas: warriors; they protect and rule society with strength and courage
Vaishya: merchants and farmers; management and entrepreneurial skills
Sudra: servants; not allowed to study scripture
Untouchables: so low they’re not even a part of the caste system; degraded for “unclean work”
