Hinduism Flashcards

What is Hinduism

The native religion of India, but practiced across the world. It is both polytheistic (believe in more than one God[s]) and monotheistic, where they believe in only one God

What is “ultimate reality”?

In Hinduism, “ultimate reality” refers to Brahman, the eternal, unchangeable, and transcendent essence that pervades the universe, encompassing all deities and existence. Reaching ultimate reality is a common goal with those that practice the religion and leads one to discover their purpose and how one wants to live within the world

Monism

A mindset/way of thinking within Hindus. Distinctions don’t exists, reality and God are one; in other words they believe God actively influences and takes a role in peoples lives directly.

Dualism

A mindset/way of thinking within Hindus. They believe that there is a distinction between God and the universe, that God has created Earth and the human race and while watching, is not an active contributor to what happens on Earth. Think of him as being a “fly on a wall”.

Om/Aum (Sound)

A sacred sound that is associated with the oneness and connection of the universe with God

Shruti

That is which is heard (from God). The Vedas are direct words from God

Smriti

That which is received (from religious teachers). Everything after the Vedas is written from religious teachers and is considered Smriti

Vedas

Texts and prayers that are performed and studied to connect with ultimate reality/divine, taking what is heard and understood from the divine and how that connects to oneself (atman) and the world

Atman

The soul/self

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth and death

Sanskrit

Sacred language of Hinduism

Life in this World:

-Dharma is a sense of duty of what is right, mindfulness

-Caste & gender system

Cosmology & Soteriology:

-Samsara

-Karma

-Moksha, defined as liberation & release

-Yoga, helps us unite our atman to ultimate reality

Worship:

-Puja, offerings/church

-Murti, images; not idols. The murti.images are alive with the energy of Brahman and is not sacrilegious

-Darshan, the sacred act of being seen & listened to by a deity/God

Bhagavad Gita

A religious text. Basic messages of the Gita is Dharma and the “karma” or fruits of ones actions, the idea of doing the right thing and not getting attached. Devotion to Krishna, who is a God that interacts with humans and is a mediator for God/Brahman.

Puja

Offerings/church

Murti

Images that are worshiped and have the spirit of god; not false idols

Darshan

Darshan is the sacred act of being seen & listened to by a deity/God

Moksha

Liberation and release (from Earth/Samsara)