Hinduism Key Terms

atman

Hindu concept of the eternal soul

avatar

Hindu concept of the incarnation or earthly manifestation of a deity

Bhagavad-Gita

Sanskrit for 'Song of the Lord'; this text is regarded as the crowning achievement of Hindu sacred literature

Yoga

Communion; union of the soul with the Supreme, or a process which promotes that relationship. The English word 'yoke' is derived from yoga. The Yogas represent different paths to liberation. There are 4 principal paths:

Bhakti Yoga

Hindu concept of devotional service to a personal god. The way to God through love.

Jnana Yoga

The path of knowledge, that aims at liberation. The way to God through knowledge.

Raja Yoga

Path of self-control and meditation to realize God. The way to God through psychophysical exercises (not physical exercises, as in working out).

Karma Yoga

the path of self-realization through dedicating the fruits of one's work to God. The way to God through work.

Brahma

Hindu god of creation

Brahman

Hindu concept for the spiritual oneness of all reality

guru

in Hinduism, refers to a spiritual teacher

jiva

in Hinduism, refers to the physical/psychological/social 'self' which acts, but which is not eternal

Krishna

Incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, who appears as a main character in the Bhagavad-Gita

maya

Hindu concept of false or illusory reality

meditation

focused, disciplined concentration intended to enable experience of the sacred

samsara

Sanskrit for 'the cycle of rebirth'

moksha

release from the cycle of death and rebirth in Indian religions; liberation

Shiva

Hindu god of destruction and rejuvenation

Upanishads

Philosophical materials in the Vedic literature

Vedas

literally means, 'knowledge'; applies to the entire collection of Indian sacred literature, including the Upanishads

Vishnu

Hindu god of preservation and love; appears on earth on verious forms (avatars) in times of crisis

Karma

used to refer to the law of cause and effect

Dharma

duty; religious duty. Literal translation - intrinsic quality of the self or that which sustains one's existence.

caste

literally means, 'race'; the stratified system of social classes in traditional Hindu society

The Four Stations of Life (Castes)

Seers (Brahmins), Administrators (Kshatriyas) ,Producers (Vaishyas) ,Followers (Shudras) ,The Upanishads, rationalize the caste system by saying "The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya (Kshatiyas) made. The thighs became the Vaisha, from the feet the Shudra was produced."

Seers (Brahmins)

priestly caste. Intellectuals, spiritual leaders, philosophers

Administrators (Kshatriyas)

administrators. The people who can "orchestrate people and projects"

Producers (Vaishyas)

merchants, farmers, producers. People who create material objects

Followers (Shudras)

servants, unskilled laborers, followers

untouchables

in traditional Hindu society, those 'below' the caste system, and thus not embers of any of the four castes. Also called 'outcasts.' Mahatma Gandhi called the untouchables harijan, which means 'children of God.'

The Four Stages of Life

student, householder, retirement, sannyasin

Student

studying. Learning from a Guru. Coming of age.

Householder

forming and caring for your own family unit

Retirement

time when a person can detach from the daily grind of the Householder stage

Sannyasin

a time of rejection of worldly life in exchange for a search to attain Moksha. A letting go of all sense of self.