Overview of Hinduism

Question 1

Why is Hinduism hard to define?

Answer 1

There is no concrete founder or scripture. There was a plethora of ideas that contained a synthesis of many beliefs and practices.

Question 2

How old is Hinduism?

Answer 2

~ 5000 years old

Question 3

What context did Hinduism come out of?

Answer 3

• Animistic cosmology (animated by spirits)
• Polytheistic and pantheistic cosmology
• Origins come from the Indus Valley Civilization

Question 4

What is Santana Dharma?

Answer 4

• A life philosophy
• “Eternal Truth or Duty”
• duties or virtues

Question 5

How can you explain the polytheistic and pantheistic belief system within Hinduism?

Answer 5

(BASED ON THE TRIANGLE)
Top of the triangle: Brahman (all connecting entity, in everyone and everything)
Middle of the triangle: Trimurti (Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer))
Bottom of the triangle: the other 330 million+ deities.

Trimurti and the other deities are representations of Brahman

Question 6

What are the Vedas?

Answer 6

Hindu scriptures
- direct from God

Question 7

What is Shruti?

Answer 7

The most-revered of the Vedas

Question 8

What is Sanskrit?

Answer 8

An ancient South Asian language

Question 9

What are the Hindu scriptures (Vedas) about?

Answer 9

• Very little know about the authors
• Focus is on the ethics and principles, not the authors
• Focus on the message, not the messenger
• Oldest is known as Rig-Veda
• Biased towards the priestly class
• Divided into 4 parts, each with a different purpose/focus

Question 10

How many gods/goddesses are there in Hinduism?

Answer 10

330 million+

Question 11

What is Trimurti?

Answer 11

Consists of 3 gods who are responsible for the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe (all equally important)
- Brahma: creator of the world and all things within it
- Vishnu: preserver or sustainer of the world
- Shiva: destroyer of the world (in order for re-creation to occur)

Question 12

What is Brahman?

Answer 12

The highest transcendent power beyond the universe, which pervades everything (can be considered an Atman by some)
- True reality of all things
- We are all part of Brahman

Question 13

What is the Hindu notion of the self?

Answer 13

• Eternal (Atman: the eternal self that underlies all existence, present in everyone)
• Impersonal (part of a larger collective)

Question 14

What is an Atman?

Answer 14

The eternal life that underlies all existence
- the spiritual life principle of the universe

Question 15

What are the Hindu View of the Cosmos?

Answer 15

not linear, no origin or end, cyclical
- cycle of creation and destruction
- THE UNIVERSE ITSELF IS A DIVINE CREATION

Question 16

What is the Caste System?

Answer 16

Came from Purusha, a deity, who was sacrificed by other gods, his body became the caste system
(BASED ON TRIANGLE)
Top of the triangle/Caste System: Brahmins (priests) (from Purusha’s mouth)
Second to top: Kshatriyas (kings & warriors) (from Purusha’s arms)
Second to bottom: Vaishyas (the commoners, i.e. land-owners & merchants) (from Purusha’s thighs)
Bottom: Shudras (labourers & servants) (from Purusha’s feet)

Detached from triangle: Untouchables (janitors, women on their periods)
These are people who are too worthless to be included in the triangle

Question 17

What is Dharma?

Answer 17

Duty, Truth, Law
- the power/law that upholds the universe
- revealed in the Vedas
- people have different dharma and duties
- based on the caste system or social status

Question 18

What is Puja?

Answer 18

Worship or Offering
- ceremonial
- brief daily practices within the home
- elaborate temple rituals
- make an offering to an image of god

Question 19

What is Bhakti?

Answer 19

Devotion
- emphasizes the relationship and love between a deity and devotee
- notion of a complete surrender or submission to these deities
- often towards a personal god/goddess

Question 20

What is Darshan?

Answer 20

Reciprocal act of beholding
- be able to see God and God can see us through the image of an object)

Question 21

What is Ahimsa?

Answer 21

non-violence or non-harm
- ethical principle of not causing harm to all other living things, including yourself
- the essence of compassion and human nature