Hinduism Beliefs and Practices

Flashcards about key beliefs and practices within Hinduism, based on lecture notes.

"In truth Brahman is all"

What is a central belief in Hinduism regarding Brahman?

Creator of all and Guardian of the Universe

What role is Brahma believed to have?

"One should amass wealth with hundreds of hands but one should also distribute it with thousands of hands"

What teaching does Hinduism promote regarding wealth?

"He moves, and he moves not. He is far, and he is near. He is within all, and he is outside all"

How is Brahman described in the lecture notes?

"All this universe is in truth Brahman."

According to Hinduism, where is the Universe?

In sound and in silence

What are the "two ways of contemplating Brahman?"

He watches over all beings and rules over their creation and their destruction

What role is Shiva believed to have?

The love that makes the offering.

What is cherished by Shiva?

For protection of the good, the wicked put to flight, I come into being age by age establishing the Right

What is the role of Vishnu?

With upright body, head and neck, lead the mind and its powers into thy heart

What does Hinduism teach about leading the mind?

No one is able to cause the destruction of the imperishable soul

What is said about the imperishable soul?

Varanasi for Hindus is the Gateway to Moksha

What is the significance of Varanasi for Hindus?

There is a path of joy, and there is the path of pleasure…. Who follows the first comes to good; who follows pleasure reaches not the End

What two paths are described in Hinduism?

When a man knows God, he is free

What happens when a man knows God?

Be friendly and compassionate … patient, hate not any being

What should someone be towards others, according to Hinduism?

Far better do one's duty ill than do another's duty well

What is more important than doing another's duty well?

I promise you will come to Me for you are dear to Me

What promise is made in the lecture notes?

the glory of God rule over all his creation

What is said to rule over all creation?

Having gained supreme perfection, the greatest souled ones who come to Me

What happens to the greatest souled ones?

doing his work without attainment attains to the highest goal

What happens when doing his work without attainment?