Hinduism f

Platonism

Any reflection of Plato's philosophy, particularly the belief in the eternal reality of ideal forms, of which the diversities of the physical world are but transitory shadows.

\
The ideal notion of an eternal, unchangeable form of the world (intellectual and spiritual world), which is separate from the material world.

Vedanta

A system of Hindu philosophy and one approach within jnana marga, "the path of knowledge," holding that all reality is essentially Brahman; most notable advocate is the medieval Hindu philosopher Shankara.

\
The unity of existence, atman is Brahman, all things are Brahman.

Upanishads

The Upanishads, also called Vedanta, "end of Veda," have been for thousands of years the main inspiration of Hindu religious philosophy. The Upanishads came to serve as a "primary philosophy,"

\
Contains the highest spiritual and mortal truths, which all of us can practice in daily life.

\
Accepted as "Shruti," as part of Vedic revelation, the Upanishads are not only seen as conveying wisdom but as providing liberating truth (free from death and reincarnation).

Brahman

supreme greatness." Brahman connotes the highest universal principle, the Ultimate Reality of the Universe. The fundamental power in all of reality. Brahman is eternal truth, intelligence, consciousness, power, and bliss which does not change, and is genderless, pervasive, and infinite. Yet, it is the cause of all changes.

Mahavakyas

Some of their utterances in the Upanishads, "Great sayings." Considered as verbal expressions of ultimate freedom.

Turiya

Fourth stage of consciousness and knowledge : the highest condition, which can no longer be described in terms of "empirical" reality.

\
Pure Awareness (no objects or images in the mind). Consciousness of Consciousness (pure awareness).

\
Complete emancipation from all limitations which the "body" imposed on the self.

\
When "subject-object" duality disappears (the "I" as different from the "world" disappears); "I" and the "Brahman" are one.

Prajapati

creator figure in Hinduism

Atman

the individual soul

\
Atman is Brahman—this is the "profoundest" insight the Upanishads teach.

Mystical Knowledge

The Knowledge of the "ultimate." It is NOT an infinite sum of detailed knowledge about the "world" but the transcending of it.

\
This knowledge is Intuitive and Experiential (or MYSTICAL)—it is known through ==meditation== and contemplation.

Revelation

Testimony of the Upanishads, which were revealed to the rishis.

\
see what is going on behind the scenes, beyond what the fives senses can reveal

Yoga

A spiritual discipline; a method for perfecting one's union with the divine. Yoga is evenness of mind—peace

Yagna

Fire sacrifice

Uddalaka

a sage who's son goes off to study the Vedic tradition for 12 years. Upon the sons return this sage teaches his sun the most profound learning consisted of realizing the subtle essence of all things. Text from the Chandogya Upanishad)

Jiva

The Hindu term for "soul" is JIVA atman (the individual lifeforce, personality, memory, experience).

Karmic body

Another word for Jiva, which is an component of the Human Being that includes life-force, soul, mind, memory, and ego.

Maya

The universal illusion that veils the "minds of humans" It causes to think what is "real" is as things appear. The "illusion" of Maya covers the reality of Brahman and Atman

Samsara

the cycle of life and rebirth in Hinduism

Karma

The belief that actions in this life, whether good or bad, will decide your place in the next life.

Moksha

The Hindu concept of the spirit's 'liberation' from the endless cycle of rebirths. It is the REALIZATION of a condition (the Real Self=Atman), which always existed,

Viveka

Discrimination between the real and unreal.

\
Being able to tell the "difference" between the Self and the not-self.

Vidya

knowledge, wisdom. The knowledge of our "true condition," of our being eternal and free. The oneness of knowing and being.

Darshana

different points of view

Vishista advaita

There is difference between the Supreme Person (Ishvara) and individual persons, and it is real, and remains so, even after liberation. Even though both are eternal. The person retains its "individuality,"

Advaita Vedanta

Non-dualistic Hindu philosophy, in which the goal is the realization that the self is Brahman

\
The Upanishads teach absolute monism: there is only "one" reality, Brahman/==Atman==, and it is identical with our depth-consciousness.

Shankara

A Hindu reformer and philosopher in the Advaita Vedanta school

\
Two Birds story: (Shankara) Liberated soul (ISHVARA or Atman)

Ramanuja

A Hindu Philosopher who followed the Bhagavagita. He believed bliss came from salvation and identification of individuals with their gods. His philosophy serves as the foundation of popular Hinduism.

\
Two Birds story: (Ramanuja) GOD (the constant companion)

Nirguna Brahman

The eternal structure and meaning of the world. The essential reality underlying the flux of appearances. A universal consciousness

\
Brahman without attributes - impersonal

Saguna Brahman

God with attributes, understood devotionally and philosophically in personal relationship or through human imagination or representation

Trimurti

"Three forms" of the divine; the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Consciousness

It is "separate" from the physical organ of the brain. Consciousness is not material, but spiritual. It cannot be perceived by the senses. It exists in a different space untouched by the world and universal.

Vaishnavism

System of beliefs and rituals for the worship of the god Vishnu.

Krishna

one of the most popular gods, the eighth and most important avatar or incarnation of Vishnu.

Samkhya

one of the major Hindu philosophical systems, in which human suffering is characterized as stemming from the confusion of Prakriti(matter) with Purusha (spirit)

\
The philosophical system that seeks to define the material manifestation (world) from the "distinctive identity~~"~~ of the individual soul (spirit) in all beings.

Gunas

qualities or properties of matter

Mahabharata

the longest single poem in the world, about a war fought between two branches of the same family. One of India's greatest epics written between 1000 and 700 BC

Moksha Shastra

Salvation coming from God. To be saved from drowning in the sea of samsara

Dharma

the religious and moral duties of an individual

Nishkama Karma

work that is free from selfish motives; literally "action without selfish desire"

\
DESIRELESS ACTION

Avatar

A representation of a Hindu god or goddess in human or animal form.

\
divine descent. Avatars have only "apparent" bodies, or seem to have bodies, But not real bodies; they are not really born and do not really die.

Hinduism Monotheism

God is an essential "part" of the world. The one God doesn't just exist on a domain distinct from the world. God is the essential nature of the "various aspects" of the world around us. He is not only the creator but also present within the world as invisible sustaining principle. The universe is the body of God.

Grace

God's gift of friendship and life that enables us to share his life and love

Avyakta Murti

invisible presence of God or incomprehensible form

Vishva Rupa

the vision of the ALL FORM of God. God's universal form.

\
"all things" as its form.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods

Bhakti

love of God

Pandavas

Literally "The Sons of Pandu". The five sons of the king Pandu, led by Yudhisthira, who fight the Kauravas in the Mahabharata.

Kauravas

The Pandava brothers' cousins

100 brothers

Led by the evil Duryodhana

Henotheism

the belief that acknowledges a plurality of gods but elevates one of them to special status