Hinduism (MIDTERM REVIEW)

Does Hinduism require that you believe certain doctrines or practice certain rites in order to be a faithful (or “orthodox”) Hindu?

No, it is a lifestyle more than a religion 

Who was the founder of Hinduism?

• We don’t know; it began around 3500 years ago. Aryans conquered the Dravidians; Assimilation

• Resulted in the beginnings of Hinduism

 According to our in-class discussion, Hinduism likely began through the interactions of what two groups of people?

Aryans and Dravidians

Do Hindus today believe it appropriate to proselytize converts? Why or why not?

No, because karma determines that people are born how they are supposed to be

Do Hindus believe that religions other than Hinduism have a role to play in the spiritual purpose of mortality or the spiritual development of humans?

Yes, each religion is like a rung on the ladder of reaching nirvana

What does the term “Hindu” mean?

Geographic term: from India; dharma (“the way”) is a better name

According to your readings, what is a name for Hinduism that is deemed more appropriate than “Hindu”?

Dharma

Which of the following are acceptable beliefs for faithful Hindus: Polytheism, Monism, Modalism, Monotheism, and/or Atheism?

• Monism; a little bit of everything, all things are one

• Any of them

The various Hindu gods are technically just different ways to perceive of what?

Many ways to conceive of one actual god called Brahman; other gods are ways to understand the ultimate one

According to our in-class discussion, who are the best-known Hindu gods?

Roughly 330 million gods; Vishnu (preserver), Brahma (creator), Shiva (destroyer) also Krishna Rama and Ganseh

What is the difference between Brahma, Brahman, and Brahmin?

• Brahma = 1 of the big 3 gods, the Absolute

• Brahman =  The ultimate

• Brahmin = Priestly caste

Why do most Hindus not worship Brahma?

He doesn’t get involved in the day-to-day lives of people

When Vishnu awoke from his sleep, what came into existence?

Universe, Brahma, and Shiva

What Hindu deity is not worshipped much because he does so little outside of creating the earth?

Brahma

Shiva is said to be “the energy of” whom? And, in this capacity, he is akin to what Christian Concept?

Energy of the ultimate (Brahman); destroys the earth

What is symbolized by depictions of Shiva dancing on the back of the demon of ignorance?

• See things as they really are

• Conquering the idea of ignorance and false knowledge

According to our in-class discussion, what does the term “Shakti” mean?

Enabling power

According to our in-class discussion, what technically is the title for the “Supreme Being” or

“single god” of Hinduism?

Brahman

According to our in-class discussion, a common symbolic analogy for our return to God at the end of the cycle of reincarnation (i.e., our merger with the divine) is what?

A drop of water into the ocean

According to our in-class discussion, is there “good karma” in orthodox/traditional Hindu belief?

• No, there is only karma, or bad karma, that follows you around until you “work it off”

• Culmination of poor decisions that must be worked off by doing good works to negate the bad that one has done. Good karma is an oxymoron, karma is bad by nature

 What is “Ātman” in Hinduism, and how does it differ from traditional ideas of the “soul”?

“Breath”: no eternal soul, but the breath of the divine

While many don’t understand that there is a distinction between “reincarnation” and “transmigration of the soul,” what—according to our in-class discussion—is the primary difference between these two ideas? And which is technically the traditional Hindu belief?

• Transmigration, the soul moves to another body, regardless of karma

• Reincarnation, your karma dictates your next vessel and one is created for the atman to inhabit

Though there are technically tons of castes in Hinduism, in class we discussed the five most common castes. What were those five castes, and who falls into each caste?

People are put into separate groups from the start to the end of life. 

1. Brahmins

2. Kshatriyas (gov. officials)

3. Vaisyas (most indians)

4. Sudras (Peasants)

5. Untouchables: The “Harijan” (marginal jobs)

What are the three ways off the round of rebirths, according to our in-class discussion? And what does each approach focus on?

1. Way of Karma: good works and selfless service (Salvation by works)

2. Knowledge or Jyana; study of sacred texts (Salvation by thought/intellect)

3. Devotion or Bhakti; worship, causing a shortcut (Salvation by grace)

Which of the three “ways off the round of rebirths” could be called “salvation by grace,” which would be “salvation by works,” and which would be “salvation by thought/intellect”?

• Grace: Devotion or Bhakti

• Works: Good works to get rid of karma

• Thought: Knowledge or Jyana

Which texts are technically more authoritative or canonical in Hinduism: the “Smriti” or “Shruti”?

Shruti (can’t be publicly read unless by a priest)

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the meaning of the term “Shruti”?

Heard/revealed

What, according to our in-class discussion, what is the meaning of the term “Smriti”?

“Remembered” (read by the average Hindu), hymns to be chanted

How consistently are scriptures used in Hinduism?“Shruti”?

Most Hindus don’t read scriptures because it’s the priests' job (the Brahmins)

What, according to our in-class discussion, are the four stages of life and social interaction—

commonly known as “Ashrams”?

1. Student: live and learn from a Guru; abstains from sexual relations

2. Householder: has a wife, kids, and a home

3. Seeker (hermit): Husband spends more time in spiritual endeavors

4. Ascetic (Holy Man): has attained detachment

 What, according to our in-class discussion, is the common Hindu term for worship?

Puja

According to our in-class discussion, Hindus may worship god (or their gods) via doing various things. What were the things we highlighted in class as common acts of Hindu puja?

Circumambulating a shrine, viewing a statue, self-sacrifice, chanting, home celebrations, sexual discipline, making offerings

Do most Hindus believe that their statues are an actual god?

No, they are more of a divine reminder; allows them to connect with the divine

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the Hindu position on “sacred clothing”?

Nudity is better than sacred clothing because clothing is a distraction from things that matter most;

the janeu (sacred string) is the only thing that would be considered sacred

According to our in-class discussion, what is the symbolism behind Hindu couples getting married with their hands clasped and bound with a cord?

Symbolizes unity and permanence; rejoice in differences

The most common way to dispose of the body of a deceased Hindu is what?

Cremation; burning the body lets the soul out, or some believe you must put a hole in the head (chakra). Also common to throw into a river

One’s “animating power” or ātman escapes from one’s body (after death) through a metaphorical tube called what?

Chakra

What ecclesiastical hierarchy does Hinduism have?

None, except for Brahmins

Though most Indians are vegetarians, which Hindus are required to practice vegetarianism?

Brahmins practicing in a temple; don’t eat cows

Why is the patriarchy of Indian society not seen (by Hindus) as anti-female or misogynistic

• Women and dowry are gifts to men; parents get credit against their karma; universal lessons

• Women give enabling power to men

• Everyone’s Brahman-atman has or will experience existence in both male and female bodies, so everyone will experience the universal teachings

Hindus believe they can escape the “cycle” of reincarnation only if they are what (i.e., a god, a human, an animal, an insect, vegetation, or a demon) during their last incarnation?

God or human

What Hindu symbol, discussed in class, functions as a representation of “good luck” (or a “blessing” from God), the seat of “wisdom and concentration” (that can help with placing your focus as you seek enlightenment), and as a representation of a “third eye” (or spiritual

“discernment”)?

Bindi/tikka/talik

Does Hinduism have formal denominations?

• Six schools of Hindu philosophy

  • Logical school

  • Physical reality

  • Evolution of all things

  • Yoga

  • Focus on Vedas

Hinduism claims to have approximately 1.1 billion practitioners worldwide