Religions Midterm Hinduism Flashcards
Hinduism Atman
Atman is the word for “soul” or spirit. It’s the eternal, unchanging self that’s present in all living things. The goal of the atman is to escape the cycle of samsara and attain nirvana. This escape is called moksha.
Hinduism Brahman
Is the ultimate reality, the supreme god, and the divine consciousness. It is eternal and unchanging. It is a key concept in the vedas and upanishads. Hindus believe that all beings carry a part of Brahman within them, known as the atman.
Hinduism Samsara
The cycle of life, death, and re birth. It is also known as reincarnation.
Hinduism Karma
The idea that a person’s actions cause consequences, both in the present and in future lives. Hindus can improve their karma by following their dharma.
Hinduism Reincarnaiton
The belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death. The ultimate goal of reincarnation is to return to the word Soul, from which all souls come.
Hinduism maya
The concept of illusion, or the idea that the world is not what it seems. Can appear as egotism, selfishness, hatred, greed, lust, anger, and ambition
Hinduism dharma
A cosmic order, a way of life, and a set of duties. It’s a guiding principle that Hindus follow through rituals and righteous living. an mean “duty,” “virtue,” “morality,” or “religion”.
Hinduism moksha
the liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, or samsara. It’s the ultimate goal of life for Hindus
Hinduism sannyasin
a Hindu monk who has renounced worldly life and attachments to pursue spiritual enlightenment. The term comes from Sanskrit and means “purification from everything”
Hinduism Caste System
A social hierarchy that divides Hindus into groups based on karma, family lineage, and duty.
Brahmins: Priests, teachers, and intellectuals, who are considered the elite class
Kshatriyas: Warriors and rulers
Vaishyas: Traders, merchants, and farmers
Shudras: Manual laborers and service providers
Hinduism Avatar
A manifestation of a deity that appears on Earth as a human, animal, or plant. Matsya: The first avatar of Vishnu, who appeared as a fish to save the first man from a flood
Hinduism Vedas
The oldest and most sacred Hindu texts, which are considered to define the truth of Hinduism. They were written in Vedic Sanskrit between 1500 and 500 BCE.
Hinduism Upanishads
a collection of ancient Sanskrit texts that are foundational to Hinduism. They are considered the final phase of Vedic revelation and are often called “Vedanta”.
Hinduism Ramayana
a Hindu epic that tells the story of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The Ramayana emphasizes virtue, or dharma, which also includes truth and morality.
Hinduism Mahabharata
a Sanskrit epic poem that is a central scripture in Hinduism. The Mahābhārata is about a war between two groups of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who both claim the right to inherit the kingdom of Hastinapura. The Mahābhārata also explores the idea that duty is more important than loyalty.
Hinduism Bhagavad Gita
a Hindu scripture that is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna. It is a central text in Hinduism and is considered one of the most revered Hindu scriptures in the world. The Gita teaches that one can only kill the body, the soul is immortal, and that at death, the soul is reborn in another body.
Hinduism: Four Stages of Life
Brahmacharya
The student stage, marked by celibacy, devotion, and obedience to one’s teacher
Gṛhastha
The householder stage, marked by marriage, having children, and supporting one’s family
Vanaprastha
The forest dweller stage, marked by withdrawal from material things and pursuit of solitude
Sannyasa
The renunciate stage, marked by renouncing all possessions and devoting one’s life to spiritual purposes
Hinduism darshan
it’s a ritual that involves seeing and being seen by a deity or holy figure. Darshan is a moment of exchange between the devotee and the divine, and it’s considered an auspicious event.
Hinduism bhakti
a Hindu practice of devotion to a deity or divine figure. It’s a spiritual path that emphasizes a direct relationship with God. Bhakti is also known as bhakti marga or bhakti yoga
Hinduism aniconic
The practice of representing the divine through abstract symbols rather than human form. Lingam: A short, cylindrical pillar-like symbol of Shiva, made from stone, metal, or other materials. The lingam is often placed on a flat, disc-shaped platform called the yoni.
Hinduism Puja
a Hindu ritual of worship that involves offering gifts to deities, spirits, or ancestors. It’s a way to show devotion and seek blessings
Hinduism Trimurti (both versions)
Refers to the “divine trinity” consisting of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer); however, a female-centric version called “Tridevi” exists, where the three goddesses are Mahasarasvati (creatrix), Mahalaxmi (preservatrix), and Mahakali (destructrix) representing the same functions as the Trimurti gods
Hinduism Shakti
the divine feminine energy and power that creates, sustains, and destroys the universe. The word Shakti means “power” or “energy” in Sanskrit
Hinduism Mahadeva
a name for the Hindu god Shiva, which means “great god”. Shiva is one of the most important deities in Hinduism and is considered the Supreme Being in Shaivism. He is also depicted with a third eye on his forehead.
