Hinduism and Native American Faith Traditions

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering concepts, scriptures, rituals, and terminology from Hinduism and Native American faith traditions.

Henotheistic

A form of worship where a person worships one main god while recognizing others; Hinduism is often described as henotheistic.

Brahman

The ultimate divine or sacred reality from which everything originates.

Ganges (Ganga) River

The most important river in India, called Ganga Ma ('Mother Ganges'), associated with security, protection, and care.

Vedas

Ancient scriptures and earliest sacred books of Hinduism, consisting of four main collections.

Rig Veda

A main collection of Vedic scriptures consisting of chants.

Yajur Veda

A main collection of Vedic scriptures containing material used during sacrifice.

Sama Veda

A main collection of Vedic scriptures containing musical versions of Vedic chants.

Atharva Veda

A main collection of Vedic scriptures containing prayers and charms, including protection from sickness.

Karma

The moral law of cause and effect where every action has a moral consequence and helps determine the direction of a person's rebirth.

Samsara

The wheel or cycle of life and constant rebirth into different forms.

Moksha

Freedom or liberation from the cycle and suffering of rebirth, considered the ultimate human goal.

Brahmin

The traditional Hindu caste group made up of priests.

Kshatriya

The traditional Hindu caste group made up of warriors and nobles.

Vaishya

The traditional Hindu caste group made up of merchants and landowners.

Shudra

The traditional Hindu caste group made up of manual laborers.

Dalit

The social group historically treated as 'untouchable' in the caste system.

Trimurti

The 'triple form' of three major Hindu gods: Brahma (creation), Vishnu (preservation), and Shiva (destruction).

Atman

The deepest self, individual soul, or divine spirit within oneself, identified at its deepest level with Brahman.

Raja yoga

A path of yoga focused on meditation that may use a mantra to clear the mind.

Hatha yoga

A path of physical exercises, breathing, stretching, and balancing that originally prepared the body for long periods of meditation.

Jnana yoga

A path of yoga focused on knowledge.

Karma yoga

A path of yoga focused on action and work.

Bhakti yoga

A path of yoga focused on devotion.

Pranayama

Breath-control or breathwork practices used alongside yogic and meditative practices.

Ayurveda

A traditional Indian health and wellness system emphasizing balance and prevention through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and remedies.

Ahimsa

The principle of nonviolence toward living things, considered fundamental by Gandhi.

Lacto-vegetarian

A vegetarian diet that permits dairy products.

Dharma

Duty, correct action, or religious and social responsibility, which includes protecting the environment.

Pancha Mahabhutas

The five great elements in Hindu environmental teaching signifying that life is interconnected.

Ishavasyam

The Hindu environmental teaching that divinity is present everywhere.

Sanyasa

The Hindu teaching of renunciation or simple living.

Animism

The concept that everything in the universe is alive or possesses a life force, blurring boundaries between natural and supernatural.

Sacred time

A concept connecting people to the holy or ancient past, allowing rituals to recreate or reconnect people with sacred events and ancestors.

Sacred space

Specific natural places like mountains, lakes, forests, or trees that connect people with spiritual power and the spirit world.

Vision Quest

A ritual associated with early maturity or major decisions, which may involve fasting, cleansing, and a sweat bath.

Sweat Lodge

A structure used in some Native American traditions for cleansing, purification, and spiritual purposes.

Powwow

A Native American gathering involving community, dance, music, culture, and tradition.

Potlatch

A ceremonial gathering associated particularly with Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

Calumet

A ceremonial peace pipe described as an object that bestows protection upon the person carrying it.

Shaman

An intermediary between the ordinary world and the spirit world who serves roles such as priest, healer, oracle, or spiritual guide.

Totems

Animal figures (such as bear, beaver, thunderbird, owl, raven, or eagle) that symbolize ancestors or kinship groups.

Environmental Racism

A condition in which environmental hazards and pollution disproportionately affect racial or ethnic minority communities.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA 1978)

Federal legislation passed in 1978 that allowed Native parents to raise their own children again after historical forced assimilation practices.