Hinduism

Atman

immortal, traverses through samsara in life, death and rebirth, accumulating karma to determine the next rebirth. Hindu concept of self, immortal soul.

Karma

positive, negative, neutral consequences associated from ones actions (dharma). Determines future rebirths and life circumstances.

Dharma

duty of the Hindu. Overarching cosmic order that determines guidelines for proper righteous conduct by Hindus. Outlines a persons responsibilities. 2 types (personal and universal/societal)

Samsara

cycle of life, death and rebirth which all people are bound. Atman linked with Karma. Recognizes that people can be reborn as humans or animals (depending on karma)

Moksha

freedom from samsara and the limitations of oneself and the ultimate goal of human life. possible when one realizes that the atman is actually a part of Bahraman

reincarnation

process by which the atman will pass form the physical body of the person upon death to a new person or animal.

ultimate goal

to attain moksha, liberation from the constant cycle and experience reunification of the atman with the Brahman.

karmic consequences

law, ethics and life tied together due to a belief in karma and dharma. certain actions may be provisional in accordance with ethical standards that are cognitively available to the individual, but they may be ultimately ill-advised, given the highest ethical ideals. Thus, ethical thinking in Hinduism must take account of two things: moksha – thinking directed towards the eternal; and samsara – thinking directed at the temporal or mundane.

law of karma

moral law intended to motivate societal responsibility

Brahman

not just transcendent but also immanent in all aspects of the world (living and non-living), hence, all life is sacred, particularly human life (best way to achieve moksha)

Varna

hierarchal system of where each person has a part (dharma) to fulfill and keep the society running. all are important parts of the body of Brahma

worldview

cyclical

varnas

key aspect of Hinduism and influence of society controlling and liberating adherents.

sacred texts

sruti and smriti texts

srutri texts

heard directly from the divine, include the Vedas (and therefore Upanishads - the final part of the Vedas). only adult males from the three upper casts are worthy of reding the texts according the Law of Manu

Smirit Texts

“that which is remembered”. products of the minds of great sags. includes the Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas and Dharmasurras)

Truth

Vedas are ultimate authority and are without beginning and end

3 ways (yoga’s) of liberation

way of knowledge, way of devotion, way of action

Way of knowlage

overcome ignorance of the real self and requires total abandonment of the sense of the individual self

the way of devotion

become close to a particular god/ess through divine grace

way of action

overcome attachment to yourself and your desires and actions. renounce all attachment to their own actions and intentions not seeking rewards for behavior

saintly, good people (Grurs) as a source of ethics

outstanding persons of virtue leave examples to be emulated, provide wise advice for modern life, stated in Laws of Manu that the opinion of the wise can be regarded as an authorititative source of ethical behavior

4 stages of Hindu life

describe the 4 duties pertaining to each (25-year increments)

Golden Rule

behave to others in a way which is agreeable to oneself. all other actives are duet to selfish desire