Ramayana

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture or ethnicity is superior to others often leads to misinterpretations of different cultural practices.  

Cultural Relativism

Understanding a culture on its own terms: its practices, beliefs, etc.

Orientalism

The western depiction that stereotypes other eastern cultures(colonization)

Moksha

Release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara)

Vedas

Foundational Hindu scriptures in Sanskrit

Brahman

Universal spirit in Hinduism

Brahim

Member of the priestly caste

Karma

Moral law of cause and effect

Dharma 

Duty, Law, or Right Action

Samsara

Cycle of reincarnation

Avatar

Deity’s earthly incarceration

Indus Valley Civilization

Ancient civilization in South Asia (3300-1300 BCE)

Aryan Invasion Theory

Earlier idea that Indo-European speakers violently invaded and ended Indus Valley Civilization

Aryan Migration Theory

Current view that Indo-European migrated gradually into South Asia

Indo-European Language

Family of related language spanning Europe and Northern India

Dravidian Language

Distinct language family of southern India

Proto-Indo-European

Hypothetical common ancestor of Indo-European homeland

Kurgan Hypothesis

Theory proposing Pontic Steppe as Poto-Indo-European homeland

Haplogroup

Genetic marker associated with Indo-European migrations

Vedas

Ancient Hindu sacred text

Swastika

Ancient Hindu symbol appropriated by Nazis

Om

Sacred Hindu sound and symbol

Who is associated with cultural relativism

Franz Boaz

What is Hinduism’s main concept of ultimate reality

Brahman

What are the main Hindu beliefs

Karma, Dharma, Samsara, Moksha

What is the caste system

Four main classes: Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (merchants), Shudra (workers)

Who are the Dalits

People outside the caste system; historically called “untouchables”

What does Yoga mean in Hinduism

“To yoke” — uniting the self with ultimate reality

Name the four paths of Yoga

Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), Bhakti (devotion), Raja (meditation)

Who is Shiva

God of destruction and transformation in Hinduism

Who is Vishnu

Preserver god; manifests in avatars like Krishna and Rama

Who is Krishna

Avatar of Vishnu; represents divine love

Who is the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama; founder of Buddhism

What led the Buddha to seek enlightenment

The Four Passing Sights: old age, sickness, death, and a wandering ascetic

What is the middle way

Balance between indulgence and extreme asceticism; Path to enlightenment

What is the goal of Buddhism 

Nirvana - liberation from suffering and the cycle of Rebirth