Overview of Hinduism Flashcards
Why is Hinduism hard to define?
There is no concrete founder or scripture. There was a plethora of ideas that contained a synthesis of many beliefs and practices.
How old is Hinduism?
~ 5000 years old
What context did Hinduism come out of?
- Animistic cosmology (animated by spirits)
- Polytheistic and pantheistic cosmology
- Origins come from the Indus Valley Civilization
What is Santana Dharma?
- A life philosophy
- “Eternal Truth or Duty”
- duties or virtues
How can you explain the polytheistic and pantheistic belief system within Hinduism?
(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
What are the Vedas?
Hindu scriptures
- direct from God
What is Shruti?
The most-revered of the Vedas
What is Sanskrit?
An ancient South Asian language
What are the Hindu scriptures (Vedas) about?
- 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
How many gods/goddesses are there in Hinduism?
330 million+
What is Trimurti?
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)
What is Brahman?
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
What is the Hindu notion of the self?
- Eternal (Atman: the eternal self that underlies all existence, present in everyone)
- Impersonal (part of a larger collective)
What is an Atman?
The eternal life that underlies all existence
- the spiritual life principle of the universe
What are the Hindu View of the Cosmos?
not linear, no origin or end, cyclical
- cycle of creation and destruction
- THE UNIVERSE ITSELF IS A DIVINE CREATION
What is the Caste System?
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
What is Dharma?
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
What is Puja?
Worship or Offering
- ceremonial
- brief daily practices within the home
- elaborate temple rituals
- make an offering to an image of god
What is Bhakti?
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
What is Darshan?
Reciprocal act of beholding
- be able to see God and God can see us through the image of an object)
What is Ahimsa?
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
