Classical Era Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity

Diwali

The Hindu festival of lights, held in the late fall. It celebrates new beginnings, good over evil.

Holi

Spring festival in Hinduism celebrated by throwing brightly colored water or powder.

karma

deed or action in Hinduism

dharma

moral duty in Hinduism

atman

individual soul in Hinduism

Brahman

the universal soul in Hinduism

Siddhartha Gautama

the Buddha

Enlightenment

wisdom, achieved by Siddhartha

Existence is suffering; the cause of suffering is desire; the way to end suffering is to end desire; the way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path of the Middle Way.

The Four Noble Truths

ascetic

someone who foregoes all the comforts of life

Asoka

Indian king who converted to Buddhism following his army's bloody victory at Kalinga.

Kshatriyas

the warrior caste in Hinduism

Brahmins

the priestly caste in Hinduism

Shudras

the laborer caste in Hinduism

Vaisyas

the merchant caste in Hinduism

varna

One of the four major social divisions in India's caste system.

jati

A sub-varna in the caste system that usually consisted of people working in the same occupation.

moksha

In Hinduism, when the soul reunites with the universal soul and no longer goes through the process of reincarnation.

Aryans

Indo-Europeans originally from the steppes north of the Caucasus who took over and assimilated with native groups in India; brought Sanskrit, the Vedas, and iron tools.

desire

in Buddhism, the cause of suffering

Vedas

sacred literature of the Aryans

Theravada

branch of Buddhism that holds to original teachings of the Buddha; more like a philosophy or way of living

Mahayana

branch of Buddhism that sees the Buddha as a god and allows for more popular worship and rituals

Zen Buddhism

Stresses meditation, tranquility, and experience in the search for truth.

Tibetan Buddhism

Led by the Dalai Lama; focus is on compassion and ritual.

samsara

the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in Hinduism

Aum

the principal symbol of Hinduism

Untouchables

also called "dalit," considered outside (beneath) the caste system

Brahma

the Hindu god of creation

Vishnu

the Hindu god of preservation

Shiva

the Hindu god of destruction

Middle Way

a way of living that is the Buddha's solution to suffering

Mahabharata

epic Sanskrit poem about a civil war between two groups of cousins

Bhagavad Gita

a section of the Mahabharata known as the "Song of the Lord;" focuses on Krishna fulfilling his dharma

Ramayana

epic Sanskrit poem about King Rama and his wife, Sita; highlights concept of dharma.

nirvana

in Buddhism, the release from desire and pain

trade

one of the main ways in which Buddhism spread throughout Asia

polytheism

Belief in many gods.

monotheism

Belief in one god.

Jesus Christ

Jew born in Bethlehem, Judea. Developed a big following and inspired the world's largest religion.

Apostles

12 followers of Jesus, his most faithful disciples.

The Gospels

Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

Paul (of Tarsus)

Originally opposed Christianity; converted after having a vision of Jesus and then spread religion through travels and letters.

epistle

a letter

Constantine

Roman emperor; endorsed Christianity with his conversion; moved capital to Byzantium; called for Council of Nicaea.

Theodosius

Emperor of the Roman Empire who made Christianity the official religion of the empire.

Council of Nicaea (325 CE)

Brought bishops and other church leaders together to agree on Christian beliefs and teachings.

priest

leader of a church who performs services and rites for its community

bishop

supervises a group of churches

missionary

a person who travels to another land or country to do religious work, often trying to spread their religion

Pope

the head of the Catholic church, all priests answer to him

Peter

Apostle, first Bishop of Rome

the cross

major symbol of Christianity representing the sacrifice of Jesus for humanity

Christos

messiah

fish (ichthus)

(formerly) secret symbol for Christians

parable

A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson

Christmas

Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ

Easter

The day on which Christians celebrate Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

New Testament

The 27 books of the Bible written after Jesus' lifetime that include his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, as well as the early history of the Church.