Flashcards for 'God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World' by Stephen Prothero

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, terms, and definitions related to Hinduism as explained in the lecture notes based on Stephen Prothero's book.

Hinduism

The third largest religion in the world, characterized by a diversity of beliefs and practices, and a lack of a unified creed.

Samsara

The cycle of life, death, and rebirth that individuals experience, considered a problem in Hinduism.

Moksha

The goal of Hinduism, representing spiritual liberation or release from the cycle of samsara.

Karma

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

Bhakti Yoga

The path of devotion in Hinduism, characterized by love and devotion towards a personal god.

Jnana Yoga

The path of knowledge and wisdom in Hinduism, focusing on understanding the true nature of reality.

Karma Yoga

The path of action or duty in Hinduism, emphasizing selfless action performed for the benefit of others.

Ganesha

The elephant-headed god in Hinduism, known as the remover of obstacles and associated with good fortune.

Vedas

The oldest sacred scriptures of Hinduism, consisting of hymns, rituals, and philosophical discussions.

Puja

A religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to the gods, involving food and flower offerings.

Darshan

A term in Hinduism referring to the sight of a deity or sacred object, considered a key act of worship.

Ramayana

An ancient Indian epic narrating the life of Prince Rama, his wife Sita, and their struggle against the demon king Ravana.

Bhagavad Gita

A 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, addressing moral and philosophical dilemmas faced in life.

Trimurti

The trinity in Hinduism comprising Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).

Advaita Vedanta

A non-dual philosophical system in Hinduism that teaches the oneness of Atman (the soul) and Brahman (the ultimate reality).

Hindutva

An ideology seeking to define Indian culture in terms of Hindu values and promote Hindu nationalism.