Hindu and Buddhist Religious Concepts: Deities, Paths, and Texts

What does the Hindu tradition include regarding deities?

A wide range of gods and goddesses.

How do dualistic or devotional Hindus conceive of God?

As embodied in specific deities, represented by physical objects.

What is Brahman in Hinduism?

The ur-deity or original deity that gives rise to other gods.

Who are Krishna and Rama in Hindu belief?

Two popular deities, each an avatar of Vishnu, who aid the world.

What is the primary function of Vishnu's avatars?

The preservation of order in the world.

What is the concept of atman in Hinduism?

The eternal self that exists in all sentient beings and is reborn due to karma.

What is moksha?

The liberation from samsara and union with the ultimate reality.

What determines one's quest for liberation in Hinduism?

Caste status, the four stages of life, and the four aims of life.

What is dharma?

One's duty or obligation as a human, which varies based on societal role.

What are the four varnas in the Caste System?

1. Brahmin (priests), 2. Kshatriya (warriors), 3. Vaishya (producers), 4. Shudra (servants).

What does Article 17 of the Indian Constitution state about untouchability?

Untouchability is abolished and its practice is forbidden.

What are the three main paths (margas) to liberation in Hinduism?

1. Karma (action), 2. Bhakti (devotion), 3. Jnana (knowledge).

What are the four stages of life for men in Hinduism?

1. Student, 2. Householder, 3. Forest-dwelling hermit, 4. Renouncer (sannyasi).

What is the significance of the Laws of Manu?

They outline the debts of life to ancients, divine beings, and ancestors.

What is the monistic perspective in Hinduism?

Brahman is everything, the source of all reality, and distinctions are illusions.

What are the Vedas?

The oldest texts in Hinduism, containing teachings about divine beings and rituals.

What is darshan in Hindu worship?

The interlocking gaze between the deity and devotee, allowing for a relationship.

What is puja?

A form of Hindu worship involving offerings to a deity.

What is arati?

An offering of light by waving a lamp in front of the deity to remove evil.

Who typically performs puja in the home?

Women are often centrally tasked with performing puja.

What role do women often play in traditional beliefs?

Women are often custodians of traditional belief and have important roles in culturally significant festivals.

What is the Hijra in South Asian culture?

The Hijra is recognized as a third gender in South Asia, often revered historically and can include individuals born male who dress in traditionally feminine ways or are born intersex.

What significant texts mention the existence of Hijras?

The existence of Hijras is mentioned in Hindu holy texts like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

What are the 'Four Sights' that led to the Buddha's Great Going Forth?

The Four Sights are a frail old man, a sick person, a corpse, and a wandering ascetic.

What is the 'Great Going Forth' in Buddhism?

The Great Going Forth refers to the Buddha leaving his palace to reject the life his father set up for him.

What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?

The Middle Way is the discovery of a path between indulgence and self-mortification.

What does Dharma refer to in Buddhism?

Dharma broadly refers to nature and nature's laws, and more narrowly to the body of the Buddha's teachings.

What is Interdependent Origination in Buddhism?

Interdependent Origination is the concept that all things come into existence depending on other things, with no independent identity.

What are the Marks of Existence in Buddhism?

The Marks of Existence are impermanence, suffering (dukkha), and no-self (anatman), which includes the five skandhas.

What is the relationship between karma and rebirth?

Karma influences the new life and combination of skandhas in rebirth, illustrated by the analogy of a candle's flame.

What does Nirvana signify in Buddhism?

Nirvana is the extinguishing of desire and suffering, described as bliss and beyond description.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

The Four Noble Truths state that suffering is inherent in life, the cause of suffering is desire, there is a way to end desire and suffering, and the way is the Noble Eightfold Path.

How do texts function in the Buddhist tradition?

Texts in Buddhism are important for preserving teachings, though their role differs from that in Hindu or Jewish traditions.

What are Jataka tales?

Jataka tales are stories about the Buddha's past lives, illustrating moral lessons.

What is Theravada Buddhism?

Theravada Buddhism, known as the 'Way of the Elders,' emphasizes individual effort in seeking an end to suffering and nirvana.

What are the main texts of Theravada Buddhism?

The main texts include the Tripitaka (Pali Canon), which consists of the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutra Pitaka, and Abhidharma Pitaka.

What distinguishes Mahayana Buddhism from Theravada Buddhism?

Mahayana Buddhism, known as the 'Greater Vehicle,' emphasizes compassion for others and the Bodhisattva Vow, aiming for the liberation of all beings.

What is a Bodhisattva in Buddhism?

A Bodhisattva is an 'enlightenment being' who has taken a vow to assist others in attaining enlightenment.

What are the six perfections in Mahayana Buddhism?

The six perfections are generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation, and wisdom.

What does the Hindu tradition include?

A wide range of gods and goddesses.

How do Hindus view the divine?

The divine exists in all things, not just in icons or temples.

What is the dualistic view of God in Hinduism?

God is embodied in specific deities, such as Ganesha and Shiva.

What is Brahman in Hinduism?

Brahman is understood as the ur-deity or the original deity that gives rise to other gods.

Who are Krishna and Rama in Hindu belief?

They are popular deities and avatars of Vishnu, sent to aid the world.

What is the purpose of avatars like Krishna and Rama?

To aid the world by preserving order.

What is the concept of atman in Hinduism?

The eternal self that exists in all sentient beings and is reborn due to karma.

What is moksha?

The release from samsara and union with the ultimate reality.

What is dharma in Hinduism?

One's duty or obligation in life, which varies based on societal roles.

What are the four main classes in the Caste System?

1. Brahmin (priests), 2. Kshatriya (warriors), 3. Vaishya (producers), 4. Shudra (servants).

What does the Indian Constitution say about untouchability?

Untouchability is abolished and its practice is forbidden.

What are the three main paths to liberation in Hinduism?

1. Karma (action), 2. Bhakti (devotion), 3. Jnana (knowledge).

What are the Four Stages of Life for men in Hinduism?

1. Student, 2. Householder, 3. Forest-dwelling hermit, 4. Renouncer (sannyasi).

What is the significance of the Vedas in Hinduism?

They are the oldest texts, teaching about divine beings and rituals.

What is darshan in Hindu worship?

The interlocking gaze between the deity and the devotee, allowing for a relationship.

What is a murti in Hinduism?

An image of a deity that is consecrated to hold divine presence.

What does puja involve?

Making offerings to a deity, which may include fruit, incense, or flowers.

What is arati in Hindu worship?

Offering light to a deity using a lamp, symbolizing the removal of evil.

Who typically performs puja in Hindu households?

Women are often centrally tasked with performing puja.

What is the role of karma in the cycle of rebirth?

Karma determines the actions that lead to the atman's rebirth in the physical world.

What is the relationship between dharma and the caste system?

Dharma is often determined by one's caste status, influencing social roles.

What does the term 'monistic' refer to in Hinduism?

The belief that Brahman is everything and the source of all reality.

What is the significance of the concept of 'samsara'?

It refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that the atman undergoes.

What role do women often play in traditional beliefs?

Women are often seen as custodians of traditional belief and hold important roles in culturally significant festivals.

What is the third gender in Hindu society called?

Hijra

What evidence exists for the existence of hijras in Hindu society?

Their existence can be found in Hindu holy texts like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

What is the estimated population of hijras in India?

Approximately 3 million.

What is the significance of the Mughal Empire to the hijra community?

Muslim rulers of the Mughal Empire were generous patrons of third gender Indians.

What is the cultural context in which Buddhism arose?

Buddhism arose in a cultural context where Hindu practices and beliefs were significant.

What are the Four Sights that led to the Buddha's Great Going Forth?

1. Frail old man 2. Sick person 3. Corpse 4. Wandering ascetic.

What does the term 'Great Going Forth' refer to in Buddhism?

It refers to the Buddha leaving the palace and rejecting the life his father had set up for him.

What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?

The Middle Way is the discovery of a path between indulgence and self-mortification.

What is the root of suffering according to Buddhism?

Desire or craving.

What does Dharma refer to in Buddhism?

Dharma broadly refers to nature and nature's laws, and narrowly to the body of the Buddha's teachings.

What is Interdependent Origination in Buddhism?

It is the concept that the coming-into-existence of all things depends upon other things, with no thing having an identity independent of others.

What are the Marks of Existence in Buddhism?

1. Impermanence 2. Suffering (dukkha) 3. No-Self (anatman) which includes the 5 Skandhas.

What is the analogy used to explain karma and rebirth?

The analogy of a candle's flame.

What does Nirvana represent in Buddhism?

The extinguishing of desire and suffering, described as bliss and beyond description.

What are the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism?

1. Suffering is inherent in life. 2. The cause of suffering is desire. 3. There is a way to end desire and suffering. 4. The way is the Noble Eightfold Path.

What is the Tripitaka in Theravada Buddhism?

The Tripitaka, or Pali Canon, consists of three baskets: Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutra Pitaka (teachings of the Buddha), and Abhidharma Pitaka (teachings about the Dharma).

What is Theravada Buddhism known as?

The 'Way of the Elders' or Hinayana ('Lesser Vehicle').

What is Mahayana Buddhism known for?

Mahayana Buddhism is known as the 'Greater Vehicle' and encompasses many forms of Buddhism, emphasizing compassion for others.

What is the Bodhisattva Vow in Mahayana Buddhism?

The vow to subject oneself to rebirth in Samsara until all beings have been liberated.

What are the six perfections of a Bodhisattva?

1. Generosity 2. Morality 3. Patience 4. Energy 5. Meditation 6. Wisdom.