hinduism

polytheism

belief in many gods

puja

act of worship, ceremony

karma

cause and effect, what goes around comes around

moksha

ultimate spiritual goal of life

being liberated from cycle of life/ death

yoga

removing karmic residue

mantra

sacred word/ sentence said on repeat

believed to have spiritual power

samsara

cycle of life / death that continues

atman

the enternal, true, unchanging core

sepearte from mind, body and ego

untouchables

group sperated from the caste system

belived to be polluting spiritually and physically

diwali

festival of lights

happens in the fall

holi

festival of colours and new begginings

mahatma

a beautiful soul

ex: Ghandi

murti

physical representation of a diety

harijans

children of God

avatar

A god appearing on earth in a different form

saddu

a holy person, monk

vedas

oldest sacred hindu text

mandir

sacred hindu temple

Where is hinduism widespread?

india

belief in non violence

ahimsa

how many gods and godesses are there?

33 million

salvation through worship or devotion

Bhakti yoga

complex design used to focous while meditating

mandala

holiest river in india

ganga

hindu temple

mandir

when did india acheive independence

1947

rama

the 7th incarnation of the god Vishnu

when does diwali take place

fall

who is permitted to follow bhakti yoga

everyone

4 paths to salvation (4 types of yoga)

bhakti, karma, jnana, raja

bhakti yoga

the path of devotion

karma yoga

the path of action

jnana yoga

path of knowledge

raja yoga

path of meditation

who is in the great trinity

brahma, vishnu, shiva

creator, preserver, destroyer

brahma

the creator

responsible for creating all living things

vishnu

the preserver

role is to protect universe, maintain moral order, restore balance when evil threatens the world

shiva

destroyer

destroys old to make room for new

destroys evil, ego and ignorance

kali

goddess of time, change, and destruction

lakshmi

goddess of wealth, prosperity and good fortune

krishna

avatar of vishnu

ganesh

remover of obstacles

hanuman

the monkey god

saraswati

goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom

name for hindu teacher

guru

what do elephants symbolize

good fortune

non violence is known as

ahisma

The early invaders responsible for the Vedas are the

aryans

peasants/ servants in the caste system

sudras

why are cows sacred animals?

• Cows are viewed as a mother figure since they have provided products such as milk, butter, and yogurt which have fed generations of indians. Even her waste is often used as fuel, and fertilizer. Because she generously gives so much to humanity without asking for anything in return, she represents selflessness.  

• The cow is also closely  linked to several hindu gods

• They can be symbols of ahimsa (non-violence) , because they are gentle, non aggressive animals

5 levels of the caste system

brahmins (preists), kshatryias (warriors/rulers), vaishyas (farmers and merchants), sudras (peasents/servants), dalits (untouchables)

brahmins (preists)

the highest caste. responsible for learning the sacred vedas, teaching, and performing religious rituals and sacrifices

Kshatriyas (warriors/rulers)

governing caste. Responsible for protecting society, maintaining law, and ruling kingdoms.

Vaishyas (farmers and merchants)

backbone to the economy. Includes traders, landowners, agricultural workers.

Sudras (peasants and servants)

duty was to serve the top 3 castes and perform manual labor and farming

Dalits (untouchables)

outside caste system entirely, forced to do unclean jobs (cleaning waste, touching dead animals) they faced severe discrimination.