Hinduism and Related Religions: Key Concepts and Paths to Liberation

Exclusivism

The belief that only one religion, truth or path is valid, and that salvation, enlightenment, or truth can only be attained through that exclusive tradition

Pluralism

The acceptance and peaceful coexistence of multiple religions within a society, recognizing that various belief systems and practices can hold valid truths and make positive contributions to the social fabric

Inclusivism

The belief that while their own religious path is the true one, others can attain salvation or truth through their own religions and practices, ultimately through the salvific grace of the true path

Advaita

Not 2, not 1; highlights the relationship between self and Divine

Krishna

A representation (8th avatar) of Vishnu, the preserver and supreme God

Schruti

Revealed scriptures; these were believed to have come directly from the gods through rishis (holy people)

Smiriti

Traditional Scriptures; these were remembered and passed on from generation to generation

Maya

Cosmic illusion brought about by divine creative power

Atman

The eternal Self, often lowercase to refer to the eternal self or soul of an individual that is reincarnated from one body to the next

Moksha

Liberation or release of the individual self, atman, from the bondage of samsara; salvation; one of the four goals of life

Karma Marga

One of three Hindu paths to salvation, emphasizing performing right actions according to dharma

Bhakti Marga

The most popular of the three Hindu paths to salvation, emphasizing loving devotion to one's chosen god or goddess

Jhana Marga

One of the three Hindu paths to salvation, emphasizing knowing the true nature of reality through learning and meditation

Trimurti

The triple deity; representing creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu) and destruction (Shiva)

Brahman

The eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought

Vishnu

Preserver and protector god

Shiva

God of destruction and transformation

Avatar

An incarnation or living embodiment of a deity, usually of Vishnu, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose; Krishna and Rama (most popular avatars)

Vedas

The most sacred and ancient scriptures of Hinduism, revered as divine revelations of knowledge that guide all aspects of life, from rituals and philosophy to ethics

Mahabharata

Details the Kurushetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas, two warring cousin families; explores themes of duty (dharma), righteousness and morality and includes the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna (Bhagavad Gita)

Bhagavad-Gita

A short section of the epic poem Mahabharata in which the god Krishna teaches the great warrior Arjuna about bhakti marga and other ways to God; Hinduism's most popular sacred text

Arjuna

The central hero in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, embodies themes of duty, righteousness, and morality, particularly through his internal struggle before the great war

Reincarnation

The central belief in the eternal soul's cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, known as samsara

Karma

The moral law of cause and effect of actions; determines the nature of one's reincarnation

dharma

Ethical duty based on the divine order of reality; one of the four goals of life

Bhakti

Devotion, self-forgetting and love

Dhyana

Inner knowledge

Yoga

A system of Hindu philosophy and one approach with jhana marga, 'the path of knowledge,' seeking to free the eternal self from the bondage of personhood

Jnana Yoga

Bhakti Yoga

Emphasizes devotion, self-forgetting and love

Karma Yoga

Selfless action, where one performs duties without attachment to the results

Raja Yoga

The 'royal path', a system of mind control and meditation that aims for self-realization, inner peace and spiritual liberation (moksha)

Shankara

A Hindu philosopher (4th century BCE) developed the key Hindu idea of advaita

dualism

Self and Divine are separate

nondualism

Self and Divine are NOT separate

Caste

Traditional division of Hindu society into various categories; there are four main varnas, or classes: brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra; each class contains numerous subgroups, resulting in more than three thousand categories.

Brahmin

The highest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of priests.

Protest Religions

The rise of Buddhism and Jainism, led to a refashioning the reforming of Hinduism (adopted some but NOT ALL of Buddhist and Jainist concepts).

Kshatriya

The second of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of warriors and administrators.

Vaishya

The third of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of producers, such as farmers, merchants, and artisans.

Upanishads

A collection of over two hundred texts composed between 900 and 200 B.C that provides philosophical commentary on the Vedas.

Shudra

The lowest of the four classes of the caste system, traditionally made up of servants and labourers.

Samsara

The wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs.

Harijan

"Untouchables."

Ganesh

An elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obstacles, the god of wisdom, and the patron of arts and sciences.

Chakras

Energy centers in the body, aligned along the spine, that vitalize the physical and mental body.

Sikhism

Core beliefs include one God, the equality of all humans, and the importance of selfless service, justice, and honest living through hard work.

Sanskrit

The sacred language of Hinduism, serves as the original language for its most important scriptures and continues to be used in religious rituals and chants today.

Diwali

The Hindu "Festival of Lights," a five-day celebration symbolizing the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

Holi

An ancient Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring, the triumph of good over evil, and the love of Radha and Krishna.

Hinduism pluralism

There are multiple religious pathways, many ways to approach God, says all religions are true and false.

Catholicism inclusivism

Vatican II, Nostra Aetate, Catholic truth has the fullest complete truth, but there is other truth in other religions.

Christian fundamentalist exclusivism

They believe they have the one true path, religion, the only way, everyone else is in error, a similar mindset to Atheists.

Atman and Brahman relationship

A close relationship that is not one/not two, they work together to keep the health of the universe.

Christian doctrines and advaita

Advaita=Trinity, Incarnation=Divine God coming down and becoming man, Christ is both divine and human (advaita concept).

Ultimate goal of yoga

To have a union with God (Moksha) and grow closer to God.

Karma and dharma

By explaining an individual's place in society as the result of past actions.

Jesus Christ in Hindu belief

When Christian missionaries went to India, they believed Jesus was an avatar (divine incarnation); Jesus and Krishna are similar, however, Jesus showed up once, while Krishna shows up where there is darkness and ignorance to bring light (multiple Krishnas, one Jesus).

Trimurti gods

Work together to keep the health of the universe, Hindu Trinity (Trimurti), Brahman (creator), Vishnu (preserver, defender, supreme soul), Shiva (destroyer).

Shiva's perception

Shiva is not considered evil because he plays an important role in burning away corruption.

Krishna's appearances

He makes his appearance periodically because he shows up in times of darkness and cruelty to bring light.

Kama

Pursuit of pleasure within the constraints of appropriate morality.

Artha

Worldly success, including fame, wealth, and power.

Brahma

The creator deity in Hinduism.

Kali

Goddess of death and alleviator of fears.

Ganesha

God of prosperity and remover of obstacles.

Durga

Goddess of balance.

Advaita Vedanta

A key Hindu idea of nondualism developed by philosopher Shankara.

Jnana Marga

The way to God through knowledge, involving intense study of sacred scriptures.

Raja Marga

The way to God through meditation, contemplation, and physical exercises.

Chakra

Energy centers in the body, each representing a specific power center.

Bhagavad Gita

A dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna on the nature of existence.