Religious Studies P1 - Hinduism

"What is Brahman?

The ultimate reality or supreme universal spirit in Hinduism — the source of everything that exists."

"What is nirguna Brahman?

Brahman without form or qualities — the formless divine consciousness beyond human understanding."

"What is saguna Brahman?

Brahman with form and qualities — God made knowable to humans through the deities and avatars."

"What are spiritual worlds?

The eternal realms beyond the physical universe where the divine resides."

"What are the three features of the divine in Hinduism?

(1) Everywhere as non-personal Brahman, (2) within the heart of every being, (3) beyond, as a personal loving God."

"What does Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 391 teach?

That Brahman is the inner self of all beings — the same divine reality dwells within every person."

"What is the Trimurti?

The three main forms of God in Hinduism: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer."

"Who is Brahma?

The creator god in the Trimurti, who brings the universe into being."

"Who is Vishnu?

The preserver god in the Trimurti, who sustains the universe and comes to earth as avatars when dharma is in danger."

"Who is Shiva?

The destroyer god in the Trimurti, who destroys to allow new creation — often shown dancing or in meditation."

"Who is Ganesha?

The elephant-headed god, son of Shiva and Parvati, remover of obstacles and god of new beginnings."

"Who is Lakshmi?

The goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, wife of Vishnu."

"Who is Hanuman?

The monkey god, devoted servant of Rama — symbol of strength, loyalty and selfless devotion."

"Who is Saraswati?

The goddess of knowledge, music, art and learning, wife of Brahma."

"What is an avatara?

An incarnation of God on earth — Vishnu coming to earth in a particular form when needed to restore dharma."

"Who is Krishna?

An avatar of Vishnu, central figure of the Bhagavad Gita; teaches devotion, duty and the path to liberation."

"Who is Rama?

An avatar of Vishnu, the ideal king and hero of the Ramayana, who defeated the demon Ravana."

"What is prakriti?

Matter — the physical, material world, which is temporary, unlike the eternal atman."

"What are the three gunas (tri-guna)?

The three qualities of matter: sattva (purity/balance), rajas (activity/passion), tamas (darkness/inertia)."

"What is maya?

Illusion — the false appearance of the material world as separate from Brahman."

"What does Rig Veda 10.129.6-7 teach?

That the origin of the universe is a mystery — even the gods may not know how creation began."

"What is the cycle of four ages?

The four yugas — Satya, Treta, Dvapara, Kali — that the universe moves through repeatedly, each less righteous than the last."

"What does Hinduism teach about many worlds?

That the universe contains many worlds with diverse inhabitants — not just our physical world."

"What is atman?

The individual, eternal inner self or soul — distinct from the material mind and body, and identical in essence to Brahman."

"What is samsara?

The cycle of birth, death and rebirth that the atman passes through."

"What is karma?

The law of moral cause and effect — good actions bring good results, bad actions bring bad results, in this life or the next."

"What is moksha?

Liberation from samsara — the soul's release from the cycle of rebirth and union with Brahman."

"What does Hinduism teach about free will?

Humans have free will and are responsible for their actions; the law of karma means our choices shape our future lives."

"How do Hindus respond to suffering?

By understanding it as the result of past karma, accepting it with patience, and using it as a chance for spiritual growth."

"What is the role of knowledge and ignorance in Hinduism?

Ignorance (avidya) of our true nature as atman keeps us trapped in samsara; knowledge brings liberation."

"What is ahimsa?

The principle of non-violence — not harming any living being in thought, word or action."

"What are key Hindu personal virtues?

Ahimsa (non-violence), respect, empathy, control of mind and senses, humility, and love."

"What are the four aims of human life?

Dharma (duty), artha (wealth/success), kama (pleasure), moksha (liberation)."

"What is dharma?

Religious and moral duty — the right way of living according to one's role and stage in life."

"What is artha?

The pursuit of wealth and material success — but earned in a moral way."

"What is kama?

The pursuit of pleasure, love and enjoyment of life — within the bounds of dharma."

"What is sanatana dharma?

""Eternal duty"" — the universal moral laws that apply to all people at all times (e.g. honesty, non-violence, compassion)."

"What is varnashrama dharma?

Specific duties based on one's varna (social class) and ashrama (stage of life — student, householder, retired, renunciant)."

"Where do Hindus worship?

At home (at a shrine), at the temple (mandir), outdoors at sacred sites, and inwardly in the ""space of the heart"" through meditation."

"Why is the home important for Hindu worship?

Most daily worship happens at the home shrine; it is where family religious life and values are taught and lived."

"Why is the mandir (temple) important?

It is the house of the deity, a place for darshan, festivals and community worship."

"What is havan?

A fire ritual — offerings (ghee, grains) are made into a sacred fire while mantras are chanted; used at home and for special occasions."

"What is puja?

Worship of a deity — usually offerings of flowers, food, light and incense to a murti."

"What is arati?

A ritual of waving a lit lamp before the deity in a circle while singing — the highlight of many puja ceremonies."

"What is darshan?

""Seeing and being seen by"" the deity — visiting a murti is a spiritual experience of the divine presence."

"What is bhajan?

Devotional songs sung in praise of God."

"What is kirtan?

Call-and-response devotional singing or chanting of God's names."

"What is japa?

The repetition of a mantra, often using a mala (string of 108 prayer beads) to count."

"What is a mantra?

A sacred word, sound or phrase repeated in prayer or meditation (e.g. ""Om"")."

"What is a mala?

A string of 108 prayer beads used to count mantras during japa."

"What is Shaivism?

The Hindu tradition that worships Shiva as the supreme God."

"What is Vaishnavism?

The Hindu tradition that worships Vishnu (and his avatars Krishna and Rama) as the supreme God."

"What is a murti?

A sacred image or statue of a deity — not the deity itself, but a focus for worship through which the divine becomes present."

"Why are guru and elders honoured in Hinduism?

They pass on spiritual wisdom and tradition; respecting them is part of dharma."

"Why are holy land, hills and rivers sacred in Hinduism?

They are believed to be infused with divine presence — places where heaven and earth meet (e.g. Ganges, Himalayas)."

"Why are some plants and animals sacred in Hinduism?

All life shares in the divine; particular plants (tulsi, lotus) and animals (cow, monkey) are linked to deities or virtues."

"What is Diwali?

The festival of lights — celebrating Rama and Sita's return to Ayodhya, and Lakshmi; lights symbolise the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance."

"What is Holi?

The spring festival of colours — celebrating the triumph of good over evil (Prahlad and Holika) and the playful love of Krishna."

"Why are festivals important for Hindus in Britain today?

They keep tradition alive in a non-Hindu country, bring families and communities together, and pass faith on to children."

"What is yoga (in Hinduism)?

Union with the divine — the spiritual path that leads to moksha."

"What is karma yoga?

The path of selfless action — doing one's duty without attachment to the results."

"What is jnana yoga?

The path of knowledge — using study, reflection and meditation to realise the truth that atman and Brahman are one."

"What is astanga yoga?

The ""eight-limbed"" path of meditation — ethical rules, postures, breath control, withdrawal of senses, concentration and meditation."

"What is bhakti yoga?

The path of devotion — loving worship of a personal God through prayer, singing, and ritual."

"What is pilgrimage in Hinduism?

A journey to a sacred place (tirtha) to gain spiritual merit, purify oneself or progress towards moksha."

"What is Varanasi?

A holy city on the river Ganges — Hindus believe dying or being cremated there leads to moksha."

"What is the Kumbh Mela?

A vast Hindu pilgrimage and festival held every 12 years at one of four sacred river sites — the largest religious gathering on earth."

"What is cow protection?

The Hindu practice of caring for cows — seen as sacred, motherly and a symbol of ahimsa; many gaushalas (cow shelters) exist."

"Why do Hindus protect the environment?

All life is sacred and contains the divine; harming nature breaks dharma and creates bad karma."

"What Hindu charities exist?

Organisations promoting well-being, social inclusion and women's rights, based on the dharmic duty to serve others (sewa)."