Terms

Question 1

What is Nirvāṇa/Nibbāna?

Answer 1

Nirvana (literally “extinction”) refers to the ultimate liberation in Buddhism, characterized by the cessation of suffering (dukkha), craving (tanha), and the cycle of rebirth (samsara). It is a state of profound peace and freedom, attained by overcoming ignorance and achieving enlightenment. Nirvana is central to Buddhist teachings, representing the highest spiritual goal and marking the end of karmic accumulation and existence in samsara.

Question 2

What is Mārga?

Answer 2

Marga (literally “path”) refers to the spiritual path or discipline leading to liberation or enlightenment in Indian traditions. In Buddhism, Marga commonly refers to the Noble Eightfold Path, which outlines ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom as the way to achieve Nirvana.

Question 3

What is Upasaka/Upasika?

Answer 3

Upasaka/Upasika (literally “lay devotee”) refers to male and female lay followers of Buddhism who commit to living ethically while supporting the monastic community. They adhere to the Pancasila (Five Precepts) as moral guidelines:

1. I will not harm any living being (ahimsa).
2. I will not take what has not been given.
3. I will refrain from sense-pleasure misconduct.
4. I will refrain from false speech.
5. I will refrain from unmindful states due to intoxication.

Question 4

What is Bodhicitta?

Answer 4

Bodhicitta (literally “mind of awakening”) refers to the altruistic aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Central to Mahayana Buddhism, it has two aspects:
Relative Bodhicitta – the compassionate resolve to liberate others from suffering.
Absolute Bodhicitta – the wisdom realizing the true nature of reality (emptiness).

Cultivating bodhicitta is essential for progressing on the Mahayana path and achieving Buddhahood.

Question 5

What is Bhavachakra?

Answer 5

1. Human realm : The best realm for rebirth, because we have the right blend for leisure, intelligence and curiosity….. and pain. It’s a perfect balance
2. Animal realm : Not considered a very good realm, there are some animals more noble than others but not necessarily sacred.
3. Hell realm : Intense suffering
4. Ghost (preta/ peta/ hungry ghost) realm: Intense suffering, insatiable hunger reflecting a state of intense craving and attachment.
5. God realm: considered one of the best realms; happiness, comfort and long life. You get there from positive karma from previous lives. But, usually when you die in the god realm you rebirth in lower realms because of attachment to pleasure and comfort.
6. Asura (demi-god or titan) realm: a bit better than lower realms (hell, ghost and animal) because it offers more power and less immediate suffering but still a realm of negative emotions and dissatisfaction.

Question 6

What is Anatman/Anatta?

Answer 6

Anatman (literally “not-self”) is the Buddhist doctrine denying a permanent, unchanging self or soul. Instead, it teaches that a person is composed of five categories (form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness) that are impermanent and interdependent. Understanding anatman helps overcome attachment and ego, leading to liberation (nirvana).

Question 7

Who is Ganesha?

Answer 7

Lord of beginnings, remover of obstacles. Elephant-faced lord. Uma’s son who destroys all sorrows. God of wisdom and knowledge: students, writers and artists worship if you seek success and inspiration. God of New Beginnings: worshipped during the beginning of any significant event. Elephant head symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and discerning mind. Also Ganesha known for gentle and loving nature.

Question 8

Who is Sarasvati?

Answer 8

Goddess of learning, music, language, and arts in Hinduism, playing an essential role in guiding individuals toward intellectual growth and creative excellence. She is revered as the mother of the Vedas (oldest and most authoritative scriptures in Hinduism) and the source of all knowledge and speech, making her one of the most important deities in Hindu religious and cultural life.

Question 9

What is the word “Hinduism”?

Answer 9

Sanskrit “Sindhu”: geographical term “Hindu” is believed to be derived from Sanskrit term “Sindhu” which was the name for the Indus River. Persian “Hind” & “Hindu”: Persians referred to the people living on the other side of the Indus River as Hindus, it was not used to designate a particular religion at this time. Greek “India” & “Indos”: Historians in Greece adopted the term “Indos” to refer to the people of India. The term “Hindu” began to acquire a more religious connotation only much later. The term was used by Muslim rulers and scholars to distinguish the non-Muslim religious practices and beliefs of the majority population of India from the Islamic religion.

Question 10

What is Orientalism?

Answer 10

Orientalism, by Edward Said (1978), a Palestinian Christian scholar, critiqued how ‘the East’ is configured in scholarship, international relations, etc., as:
(basically how the west critiques the east)
-an inert, static place
-decadent, exotic, backwards, traditional, irrational
and feminine
-a site which can be studied and examined
-a contrast to ‘the West’, viewed as dynamic,
rational, technologically superior, and above all
—modern, so that a patronizing and superior attitude
was adopted towards colonial populations

Two sides of the same coin: demonization and exoticization

Question 11

What is the Indus Valley Civilization?

Answer 11

Apparently, Hinduism is from the IVC that’s why it’s important to know about them.

Question 12

What is veda/vedas?

Answer 12

Veda (literally “knowledge”) refers to the ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, composed in Sanskrit. The four Vedas—Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda—contain hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings. They form the foundation of Vedic tradition and are considered eternal, revealed knowledge (shruti).

Question 13

What is Upanishads?

Answer 13

The Upanishads (literally “sitting near”) are philosophical texts that form the concluding part of the Vedas, focusing on spiritual knowledge and self-realization. They explore concepts like Brahman (ultimate reality), Atman (self), and moksha (liberation), emphasizing meditation, ethics, and the unity of all existence. Key Upanishads include the Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka, and Katha Upanishads.

Question 14

What is the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 14

The Bhagavad Gita, part of the Mahabharata, is a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna on the battlefield, covering complex topics like duty (dharma), action (karma), and devotion (bhakti). It teaches three main spiritual paths: karma-yoga (path of action), jñāna-yoga (path of knowledge), and bhakti-yoga (path of devotion). Krishna reveals his divine form and stresses acting selflessly and following one’s personal duty (svadharma). The text has been influential across various interpretations in Hindu philosophy, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one’s duty with detachment​.

Question 15

What is Agni?

Answer 15

In the Vedic tradition, is the deified ritual fire and a central element in Vedic rituals. Agni is personified as a god who transports offerings made through fire rituals (yajña or homa) to other deities. Agni symbolizes transformation, and his role is essential for maintaining the cosmic order (ṛta). Vedic hymns dedicated to Agni emphasize his importance in prosperity, societal order, and ensuring heavenly rewards

Question 16

What is Moksha?

Answer 16

Moksha (literally “liberation”) refers to the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation in Hinduism. It signifies freedom from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and the cessation of all suffering and attachment. Moksha is achieved through self-realization, meditation, etc. In Hinduism, it involves realizing the unity of the self (Atman) with the supreme reality (Brahman). Moksha remains a central concept, representing the end of ignorance and the attainment of eternal peace and enlightenment.

Question 17

What is Varnashrama-dharma?

Answer 17

varṇāśrama-dharma refers to a framework of social and spiritual duties based on two factors:
Varna (Caste): Divides society into four main classes—Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers). Each varna has its own specific duties and responsibilities, supporting the social order.
Ashrama (Stages of Life): Divides an individual’s life into four stages—Brahmacharya (student life), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (hermit), and Sannyasa (renunciant). Each stage emphasizes different spiritual and societal obligations. Together, varṇāśrama-dharma provides guidelines on how individuals should act according to their social position and life stage, aiming to fulfill dharma (righteous duty) and maintain societal harmony​

Question 18

what are atman (ātman) & brahman purusharthas (puruṣārthas)?

Answer 18

Ātman: This term refers to the individual self or soul, the true essence within each person. The Upanishads present ātman as something beyond the body, mind, and ego—representing the innermost essence that remains unchanged and is identical with the universal essence. The ātman is considered to be eternal and is not bound by the physical or temporal experiences of the world. Brahman: This is the concept of the ultimate, unchanging reality that pervades all of existence. The Upanishads describe brahman as formless, limitless, and beyond human comprehension. It represents the ultimate truth and foundation of everything, encompassing all creation while also being beyond it.

Question 19

What is Samskara?

Answer 19

Samskara (literally “refinement”) means a rite of passage or life-cycle ritual that ritually constructs one’s social identity. Traditional examples of so-called “upper-caste” Hindus include pre-birth rituals, the naming ceremony, the sacred thread initiation (upanayana), marriage, and funeral rites(antyesti, ‘the final sacrifice’). It is still the foundation for life-cycle rituals for many Hindus, and thus samskaras are an important continuity within Hinduism over the centuries.

Question 20

What is Advaita Vedanta?

Answer 20

Advaita Vedanta is presented as a non-dualistic philosophical school within Hinduism, rooted in the teachings of the Upanishads. Advaita (meaning “non-duality”) emphasizes that there is no true separation between the individual self (ātman) and the ultimate reality (brahman); instead, they are fundamentally one and the same. This philosophy, asserts that all perceived distinctions—between individuals, objects, and the divine—are illusions (or māyā), caused by ignorance. Liberation (moksha) in Advaita Vedanta is achieved through the realization of this unity, transcending the illusions of the physical world to understand that the true nature of all existence is brahman. Shankara argued that knowledge of this oneness leads to freedom from the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra) and ultimate spiritual liberation

Question 21

What/Who is Krishna?

Answer 21

Krishna is an avatāra, or incarnation, of the god Vishnu, embodying divine wisdom and power to uphold dharma (cosmic order). He reveals his universal form (viśvarūpa) to demonstrate his omnipresence and divine nature. This theophany, or divine manifestation, underscores Krishna’s role as the ultimate being who sustains and transcends the universe, guiding humanity towards righteousness and spiritual fulfillment

Question 22

What is avatara?

Answer 22

avatāra is defined as the incarnation or earthly manifestation of a deity, especially of the god Vishnu. The purpose of an avatāra is to restore dharma (cosmic order) whenever it is threatened by chaos or injustice.

Question 23

What is Karma-yoga?

Answer 23

karma yoga is described as the “path of action,” one of the key spiritual paths presented in the Gita. It emphasizes performing one’s duties selflessly, without attachment to the results or rewards of those actions. In the Gita, Krishna teaches Arjuna that karma yoga allows individuals to act in the world while maintaining inner peace by focusing on disciplined action rather than on personal gain. This path is associated with the idea of “skill in action,” where detachment from outcomes cultivates equanimity. Through karma yoga, one can fulfill their dharma (duty) while progressing spiritually, ultimately achieving liberation by serving as an instrument of the divine will.

Question 24

What is jnana-yoga (jñāna-yoga)?

Answer 24

jñāna yoga is presented as the “path of knowledge,” one of the primary spiritual disciplines in the Gita. This path focuses on the pursuit of spiritual wisdom and self-inquiry to understand the true nature of the self (ātman) and its unity with the ultimate reality (brahman). In jñāna yoga, practitioners engage in deep reflection and contemplation, aiming to overcome ignorance by discerning the eternal self from the transient physical world. Krishna describes jñāna yoga as a way to attain liberation through insight into one’s true essence, aligning with the Upanishadic teachings of self-realization. This path requires intense introspection and is often associated with meditation and philosophical study.

Question 25

What is bhakti-yoga?

Answer 25

bhakti yoga is explained as the “path of devotion,” where the primary focus is developing a personal, loving relationship with the divine, particularly through devotion to Krishna in the Gita. This path encourages surrender, love, and unwavering faith in God as a means of spiritual growth and liberation. Krishna teaches that in bhakti yoga, the devotee expresses devotion through acts of love, prayer, and worship, dedicating all actions to God. Unlike karma yoga and jñāna yoga, which emphasize action and knowledge, respectively, bhakti yoga centers on the emotional connection between the devotee and the divine. This relationship fosters humility and selflessness, allowing the devotee to attain liberation by merging personal will with divine will. The Gita highlights bhakti yoga as accessible to all, emphasizing that even simple offerings of love are accepted by Krishna if given with sincere devotion​.