wr midterm hinduism

What is Brahman in Hinduism?

the ultimate, formless, and infinite reality

What are the three main deities of Creation in the Hindu Creation story?  What does each do?

brahma (the creator), vishnu (the preserver), shiva (the destroyer)

According to the video in class, how did the Ganges River come to be and which deity assisted in its creation?  What did the video say it is a reflection of in the sky?

According to Hindu mythology, the Ganges originated as a celestial river in the sky (the Milky Way) and was brought to earth to purify the ashes of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors. To prevent her descent from shattering the earth, Lord Shiva caught the river in his locks.

the cycles/paths of the Atman

cycle: samsara, karma, maya, moksha

path: jnana yoga, bhakti yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga

How does the story The Blind Men and The Elephant reflect Indian philosophy and Indian religions?

The parable of The Blind Men and The Elephant, originating from ancient Dharmic traditions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism), reflects Indian philosophy by illustrating that limited, subjective human perspectives can only grasp fragments of the absolute truth

Why do Hindus bathe in the Ganges River?

or spiritual purification, believing its holy waters wash away sins, cleanse karma, and help break the cycle of reincarnation

Why do ascetics wander?

to cultivate radical detachment, leaving behind material possessions, social status, and comforts to focus entirely on spiritual purification and enlightenment

Why do Brahmin priests not touch the Dalits, or untouchables, in India?

Brahmin priests traditionally avoid touching Dalits due to deeply ingrained, religiously motivated concepts of ritual purity and pollution within the Hindu caste hierarchy. Dalits are considered "impure" by conservative tradition, and Brahmins, as the highest priestly caste, believe physical contact causes spiritual contamination

What are the 8 limbs of yoga?

Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāranā, Dhyāna, and Samādhi

Know Vedas, Upanishads, and The Bhagavata Gita—focus on what they teach. 

veda - there is one supreme reality behind the universe, emphasizing a life of dharma (righteous duty), satya (truth), and ahimsa (non-violence)

upanishades - the individual soul (Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman)

bhagavata gita - one must perform their duty (dharma) selflessly, without attachment to the results (nishkama karma), while maintaining a balanced mind.

What does Veda mean?

"knowledge," "wisdom," or "divine revelation"