Christianity and Hinduism Key Concepts: Bible, Trinity, Salvation, Karma, and Yoga

Roman Catholicism

one of three Christian branches. Centered in Rome at the Vatican. Head of the church is the Pope.

Eastern Orthodoxy

one of three Christian branches. More similar to Roman Catholicism than to other Christian branches. The Eastern Orthodox church and the Roman Catholic church disagree on matters of doctrine.

Protestantism

one of three Christian branches. Consists of a broad group of churches which do not belong to one of the other two branches. Includes Adventist, Anglican, Baptist, Calvinist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Pentecostal churches, among others.

God

supreme being. Seen as a father figure and creator of all things.

Jesus Christ

founder of the Christian faith. Died for the sins of humanity. Seen as one in being with God and with the Holy Spirit.

Virgin Mary

the mother of Jesus Christ, said to have conceived him by immaculate conception (a virgin birth). The Virgin Mary is especially important to those who practice Roman Catholicism. She is also highly revered in the Muslim faith.

Apostles

the twelve followers of Jesus during his lifetime. Literal translation is 'a person who is sent to preach the gospel.'

Disciples

a person who follows Jesus' teachings.

Pope

leader of the Roman Catholic church. Said to have 'papal infallibility' in certain specific circumstances regarding church dogma.

Satan

another name for the devil. A representation of evil and sin.

Trinity

used to represent the belief that there is one God in three parts: God the father, God the son, and God the holy spirit.

Incarnation

used to describe Jesus becoming human by being born to the Virgin Mary.

Ascension

used to describe Jesus returning to heaven, 40 days after he resurrected from the dead after his crucifixion.

Salvation

refers to a human 'being saved' or returning to be in the presence of God.

Grace

God's love and mercy for all human beings.

Sin

a wrong behavior that causes a separation from God.

Atonement

making amends for wrongs or sins.

Reconciliation

getting closer to, or being reconciled with, God, through having sins forgiven.

Baptism

a rite of entry into Christian churches. Can take place as a baby or as an adult.

Sacrament

a rite or ceremony that is an outward sign of something holy, or of grace. Sacraments include baptism, eucharist, confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, marriage. Not all sacraments are recognized by all Christian branches.

Communion/Eucharist

translates as 'Thanksgiving.' A rite that reenacts the events at Christ's last supper before his crucifixion. Most Christian branches perform this in some fashion.

Transubstantiation

the belief held mainly by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches that the wine and bread used in the Eucharistic service actually turns into (changes substances - transubstantiates) the actual blood and body of Jesus Christ.

Bible

the Christian holy book. Contains the Old Testament and New Testament. May also contain the Apocrypha.

Theology

study of God and the nature of God.

Parable

stories Jesus used to communicate messages with underlying spiritual meaning.

Sunday

recognized as the Christian holy day, Sabbath, or day of rest. Many Christian churches recognize Saturday as an acceptable day to celebrate the Sabbath.

Altar

the location inside a Christian church that represents the table where Jesus shared his last supper with his apostles.

Crucifix/Crucifixion

a crucifix is a model of a cross with a representation of Christ hanging from it, to remind Christians of Christ's crucifixion, when he was put to death by being nailed to a cross.

Commandments

Rules that God gave to Moses for how to live life.

Creed

There are two main creeds in the Christian church that state church members' religious beliefs. These are the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.

Denomination

Word used to describe any of a number of churches who consider themselves to be Christian churches.

Old Testament

Another name for the Hebrew Scriptures contained in the Bible.

New Testament

Part of the Bible that comes after the Old Testament. Contains the Gospels, Epistles, and book of Revelation.

Heaven

The place/state where Christians aim to be after death. Where God exists.

Purgatory

A place/state between earth and Heaven. Seen by some Christian branches as a 'waiting area' that some souls must occupy until they are ready to be with God in Heaven.

Hell

A place/state that represents absolute and permanent separation from God after death, where a human's soul lives for eternity.

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'; 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.

Bhakti Yoga

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.

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

Spiritual teacher in Hinduism.

Jiva

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 in various forms (avatars) in times of crisis.

Karma

Law of cause and effect.

Dharma

Duty; religious duty.

Caste

Stratified system of social classes in traditional Hindu society.

Seers (Brahmins)

Priestly caste; intellectuals and spiritual leaders.

Administrators (Kshatriyas)

Administrators who orchestrate people and projects.

Producers (Vaishyas)

Merchants, farmers, producers; those who create material goods.

Followers (Shudras)

Servants, unskilled laborers, followers.

Untouchables

Those 'below' the caste system; outcasts.

Student

First stage of life; learning from a Guru.

Householder

Forming and caring for one's family unit.

Retirement

Detaching from daily life duties after raising a family.

Sannyasin

Renouncing worldly life to pursue Moksha and spiritual freedom.