hinduism tests

moksha

the liberation from the cycle of life and rebirth. It is the ultimate goal in hinduism religion.

what doctrine says all reality is ultimately one? give an anology that describes it.

brahman,

how are brahman and atman related?

the atman, the eternal self, is each person’s brahman within.

what is the general function of hinduism’s many deities?

they are symbols depicting various attributes, functions, and manifestations of the one divine absolute. 

what is samsara

the endless cycle of death and rebirth driven by karma.

what is hinduism’s most popular sacred text? what is in it?

bhagavad gita. it is a conversation between Arjuna and Krishna and it discusses dharma, karma, and the path to liberation through different types of yoga.

how do karma and dharma connect the divine to this world?

they connect it through a cycle of action and consequence. dharma provides the moral and ethical framework for righteous living. karma is the law of cause and effect that determines the consequences of these actions. 

4 goals of life and 3 paths to liberation

Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. The Path of Action, The Path of Devotion, The Path of Knowledge. 

Describe these 2 important Hindu deities and their attributes: Vishnu, Shiva

Vishnu: preserver and sustainer of the universe

Shiva: the destroyer and transformer

How has caste changed in modern times?

It used to be strict, but now in urban places it has been more relaxed

Why does one perform puja? What are the most important elements of doing puja?

express honor, homage, reverence, adoration, or worship. include devotional offerings, honoring the divine, intention and connection. 

What is the Hindu understanding of divine presence? (How does one connect?)

In Hinduism, the divine presence is understood as both transcendent (beyond the universe) and immanent (existing within all aspects of existence), with the ultimate reality being Brahman.

Who was the founder of Hinduism?

theres no official founder of hinduism. linked to the indus valley civilization.

what are the vedas?

a collection of the oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism, which originated in ancient India and are considered texts of wisdom and knowledge

why do hindu deities statues have so many hands and implements, and different skin colors?

they represent their superhuman abilities, divine attributes, omnipresence, and specific aspects of their character

favorite hindu deity? explain them.

ganesha. human body with an elephant head that represents wisdom. has four arms to represent the four branches of self. 

give examples to elaborate how Hindu beliefs are made visible in puja, a temple, in controversies?

through rituals, symbolism, and social issues that highlight core concepts like devotion, the sacredness of images and places, and the complexities of the caste system. internet pujas create controversy as you have to pay to have a puja said for you. 

For hindus, what are some factors to consider when thinking of pro and cons to online pujas. 

pros: easily accesible to people who don’t have temples nearby. Makes the religion more accesibile to people in lower castes and women. 

cons: there is no way to know that the puja is truly being said. Not as sacred. 

for hindus, what are some factors to consider when thinking about the status of hijras?

hijra are members of the third gender. they are now legal, but some people still don’t accept hijra. legal status, religious status, and whether or not they appear in sacred text are some factors to consider. 

3 things found in hindu temples

ornate architecture, deities, candles, flowers, and color