Religion, Unit: Hinduism

Atman

The true self or sould, eternal and divine

Avatar

Earthly Reincarnation of a deity, usually Vishnu

Brahman

• The ultimate reality/supreme cosmic power.

• Formless and infinite,

• Omnipresent

Brahmin

Highest Caste, priests and scholars

Brahma

The Creator God and is part of the Trimurti

Hindu Trinity (Trimurti)

The Three main gods who represent the different parts of the universe

• Brahma - The Creator

• Vishnu - The Preserver

• Shiva - The destroyer

Karma

Cause and Effect

Persons actions good or bad always come back and in their next life.

Moksha

Ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Samsara

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and is the process of reincarnation

Shurti

Shruti are revealed to humans.

Smriti

Sacred texts that are human made, like morals, laws, and legends

Vedas

The oldest and most authority scriptures. Collection of Hymns, prayers, rituals, and teachings.

Monism

The belief that all reality is one and everything is interconnected.

Rig Veda

• Oldest of the Veda

• Compiled around 1500BCE

• Various Hymns for each God

Yajur Veda

• Sacrificial hymns

• Instructions for priests on how to preform sacrifices

Sama Veda

• These are Rigveda’s turned into songs

• easy to sing

Artharvaveda

Spells and incantation for everyday life like healing, protection.

Upanishads

• Made 500 BCE but not written till 1656BCE

• With spiritual discipline and meditation people can understand spiritual reality

• Form of dialogue

• emphasize denying the wordily reality to achieve moksha

Castes

Dividing up Society into different groups, and affects their life.

Kshatriya

• Land owners

• Warriors

• rulers

  Government, and maintain law and order

Brahmin 2^nd Meaning

• Priests

• Religious teachers

• Scholars

  Preform Rituals and sacrifices, philosophy and teaching

Vaishya

• Merchants

• Farmers

  managing money

• Trade with other nations

Shudra

• Servants

• Laborers

  Service to other castes

Dalits/Unteachable

Outside of the Caste system and were discriminated upon.

Where did Hinduism originate?

Hinduism originated in the Indus valley in 2500BCE

What is Harappan Culture?

An ancient advanced culture, known for its cities and writing systems.

Who were the Aryans and what was their role in Hinduism?