Hinduism Concepts and Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, concepts, deities, and practices in Hinduism.

Hindu

A person who belongs to Hinduism.

Hinduism

A religion with the majority of believers in India.

Polyteism

The belief in many gods.

Helig

Something that is important in a religion.

Vedaböckerna

The oldest books in Hinduism.

Upanishaderna

Scriptures concerning the thoughts and philosophies in the Vedaböckerna.

Bhagavadgita

One of Hinduism's holy books.

Brahman

The world soul that exists in everything.

Brahma

The creator of the universe; the god who creates the world.

Atman

Exists in everything and is a part of the world soul Brahman.

Karma

The sum of everything that a person does in life.

Samsara

A long series or cycle of rebirths.

Moksha

Becoming free from being reborn again.

Yoga

Different exercises designed to reach knowledge and be able to break the cycle of rebirth.

Monoteism

Believing in only one god.

Sarasvati

Protects learning and culture; married to the god Brahma.

Vishnu

The god who protects the world.

Lakshmi

The goddess of beauty and wealth; married to Vishnu.

Shiva

Usually friendly, but also the one who destroys the world.

Parvati

Married to Shiva; as Durga she is a warrior goddess, and as Kali she threatens to destroy the world.

Ganesha

Son of Shiva and Parvati.

Tempel

A worship building or designated premises.

Avatar

A god who takes the form of a human or an animal on Earth, for example.

Offra

To give something to a god, such as fruit and flowers.

Puja

A worship service celebrated every day at home or in a temple.

Rit

An action that carries symbolic meaning.

Gudstjänst

A gathering in a church for joint devotion, featuring text reading, prayer, and songs.

Altare

Usually a table with images of the god or gods where candles are lit and flowers and food are placed.

Rökelse

Sticks that release a pleasant fragrance when lit.

Pilgrimsfärd

A journey to a sacred or holy place.

Diwali

A holiday celebrated when the rainy season has ended.

Holi

A joyful festival celebrated in the spring.

Kremeras

When a deceased body is burned.

ahimsa

A Hindu rule of life preaching non-violence.

ghats

Broad stone stairs leading down to the Ganges River in the holy city of Varanasi.

indoarier

People who immigrated from the northwest to the Indian subcontinent.

kastsystem

A system of dividing the population by class; outlawed since 1947, yet still governs much of society today.

sanatana dharma

The eternal doctrine (Hinduism, the teaching followed by Hindus).

sanskrit

Sacred language in which the ancient Indian scriptures are written.

reinkarnation

Rebirth.