Hinduism (asian traditions)

vedas

"knowledge", the Sanskrit scriptures that are the foundation of Hinduism.

guru

"teacher" guide in philosophical and spiritual matters

transcendent

lying beyond the ordinary range of perception, "the divine"

karma

The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences

samsara

the endless cycle of birth death and reincarnation or rebirth until one has achieved oneness with brahman

brahman

ultimate reality or absolute reality

shruti

"that which is heard" most revered body of hindu sacred scripture

smriti

"that which is remembered" hindu scripture of epics and stories

transcendental meditation

A trademarked meditation technique that promotes relaxation through the recitation of a mantra

rishis

holy person or sages

atman

individual soul or essence

avatar

incarnation of a Hindu god

maya

Brahman is permanent; everything else is only an illusion

moksha

transcendent state of ultimate liberation from samsara

yogas

paths to moksha include path to action, knowledge, and devotion

satyagraha

the policy of nonviolent resistance initiated by ghandi

brahmins

hindu priests, highest social class of Hindu caste system

kshatriyas

rulers warriors and administrators

vaishyas

families of farmers and merchants

shudras

laborers and servants, not allowed to study vedas

dharma

"duty", pursuit of righteousness

artha

pursuit of both material and political wealth

kama

pursuit of artistic recreational and sensual pleasure

moksha (life pursuit)

pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through action, knowledge, and devotion

diwali

The festival of lights celebrates the return of Rama to his kingdom, Light over dark, good over evil

September

Decorate homes with light and oil lamps, fireworks, and give gifts to friends and family for their generosity

holi

festival of colors, commemorates the love between the deities Krishna and Radha

Putanna's attempt to kill Krishna is another story associated with this holiday

celebrates arrival of spring

Custom of throwing colored powders

Bhakti

The devotional way of achieving liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth

asceticism

The practice of self-denial and self-discipline, particularly for religious or spiritual reasons

sanskrit

"perfected" language of Hinduism and the Vedas

caste

one of the hereditary social classes in Hindu India that determines occupations and social possibilities

where does Hinduism originate

1500 BCE on the Indian Subcontinent

what is the origin for the word Hindu

Sindhu, the Sanskrit word for river to refer to the Indus River

What are some differences in how people lived between the Early Vedic Period and the Later Vedic Period?

Early Vedic people were nomadic or seminomadic, engaged in agriculture and iron working. Tribes had nonhereditary chiefs, educational opportunities for women, non-rigid class distinctions, and worship of classic elements

Late Vedic people were spread all over India and Pakistan, claiming of territories, urban settlements, women confined to households, a hereditary caste system, more education of boys by gurus

How did Hinduism shift to emphasizing personal transformation during the Classical Period

The rise of Karma and reincarnation causes people to focus on personal development

Describe one movement that contributed to the expansion of Hinduism outside of India in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Transcendental meditation was a when a person is given a mantra to meditate on daily and this caught on to a global audience

Describe two considerable challenges Hindus encounter in India today.

Overlap between religion and state causing the religion to "lose it's spirit"

Tension between muslims and hindus is still prevalent

What was the purpose of a guru?

Act as a teacher and guide for young boys

What is the Transcendental Meditation movement like today

Very prevalent and practitioners can be seen anywhere

What is the difference between the Shruti and the Smriti Hindu Scriptures?

Shruti scripture is considered more sacred "that which was heard" it's directly from gods (contains the Vedas)

Smriti is "that which is remembered" and it contains hindu traditions that are passed down and practiced

What are the Upanishads concerned with?

Philosophical texts, merit more discussions

ahmisa

the intentional avoidance of violence against another living thing

Mahabharata

Smriti scripture. Epic following the feud between the Pandavas and the Kauravas over inheritance.

Bhagavad Gita

one of the stories in the Mahabharata that follows Arjuna and his talks with Krishna about personal detatchment

Ramayana

Part of the Hindu smriti scriptures, an epic about the adventures of Prince Rama, who journeys to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon-king Ravana.

soma

a hallucinogenic beverage that was used as an offering to Hindu gods and used in Vedic ritual sacrifices

How are Brahman and atman related?

Braham is identical to the innermost soul a persons "atman" is their real self

What are the three primary male forms of Brahman?

Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer.

Describe how the Hindu cycle of rebirth relates to the three paths to liberation

The hindu cycle of rebirth is samsara

Samsara is the karma-driven cycle of death and reincarnation

The three paths to liberation are disciplines designed to break the cycle of samsara to achieve moksha

How are karma, samsara, and moksha related?

Moksha is achieved by removing the karmic residue accumulated throughout countless deaths and rebirths.

Name and describe the four stages of life for Hindu males

Brahmacarya- bachelor student stage, learn traditions

Grihastha- stage of householder

Vanaprastha- "retiring to the forest"- a man begins to move away from ordinary life and becomes a hermit

Sannyasa- a spiritual pilgrim who renounces the world to pursue moksha

What are the four life pursuits for a Hindu?

Dharma- pursuit of righteousness

Artha- pursuit of both material and politica wealth c

Kama- pursuit of artistic recreational and sensual pleasure

Moksha- pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth

What is the meaning and proper use of Namaste?

"I bow to you" Used to acknowledge a divine spirit

Puja

The ritual worship of a god or goddess in Hinduism

murti

The image of a deity in artistic form, not an idol, just an image

What are some of the functions of festivals and holidays in a society?

Mark's life cycle event

Why are natural sites sacred to Hindus?

because Brahman is present in all creation.

Why do Hindus visit the Ganges River?

It's a symbol of life without end

How does a temple puja differ from a home puja?

A brahmin performs puja with minimum participation from people

At a home, a puja can be performed individually or collectively

devas

From the Sanskrit for "sitting one," they are celestial beings in the Hindu tradition.