Introduction to Hinduism Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice cards covering the key concepts and terms from the Introduction to Hinduism lecture.

Brahman

The name given for the supreme spirit and another name for God, who is in everything and all around us.

Atman

A soul that lies within everyone’s hearts; it is part of Brahman (God).

Samsara

The repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.

Karma

The result of actions where good actions generate good karma and bad actions generate bad karma, which the atman collects throughout life.

Reincarnation

The idea that when someone dies, their atman (soul) is born again in the next life.

Moksha

The ultimate paradise where the atman (soul) goes back to be with Brahman.

Deities

The $330 \text{ million}$ faces or forms of Brahman, representing the belief that there is only one God with many forms.

Tri-murti

The popular form of Brahman as three Gods (‘Tri’ means $3$ and ‘murti’ means image) consisting of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.

Hindu

The name given to religious believers who follow the teachings described in Hinduism.

Vedas

Ancient sacred writings that contain religious teachings.

Dharma

Important religious teachings that tell Hindus what the right and wrong actions are.