IB Hinduism Key Terms

IB World religions KT

Sanatana

eternal, everlasting

Dharma

duty, law, way

Brahman

ultimate reality, a Hindu expression of monism (single reality)

Avatar

incarnation (in the flesh) of a God

Brahmin

the highest priestly caste, most spiritually pure

Trimurti

consists of Brahma (the deity responsible for creation), Vishnu (the deity responsible for the preservation of creation), Shiva (the deity responsible for destruction)

Murti

the manifestation of the deity in a particular form

Darshan

the state of seeing and being seen by the deity

Dharma (religious context)

religious or moral duty as ascribed by caste, gender, and age (varna/shrama/dharma)

Ahimsa

non-violence

Samsara

the cycle of life, death, and rebirth/reincarnation

Maya

the illusory forms of the created world (delusion)

Gunas

the qualities of the created world (5 senses)

Moksha

liberation, ending samsara

Yoga/Marga

the paths or ways to moksha

Bhakti Yoga/Marga

the path of devotion to the God

Jhana Yoga/Marga

the path of knowledge/wisdom

Karma Yoga/Marga

the path of ethical action

Karma

the law of action (every action and thought has a consequence, karma is 'paid' in the next life)

Atman

the self or soul, sometimes seen as identical with Brahman

Pap

Sin - anything that causes mental, spiritual, or physical harm to other beings

Punya

holiness/spiritual excellence, good deeds

Shakti

divine feminine creative power

Henotheism

belief in one god while accepting the possible existence of other deities