IBWR vocab (Hinduism)

Ahimsa

non-violence

Ascenticism

the ideas, beliefs and lifestyle one who shuns the pleasure of the world in an effort to pursue spiritual goals

Atman

the self or soul, sometimes seen as identical with Brahman

Avatar

The incarnation of a god or God on earth. Can be human or animal. Example: Vishnu as Krishna

Brahman

ultimate reality- a Hindu expression of monism

Brahmin

the highest castle

Darshan

the state of seeing and being seen by the deity

Dharma

religious or moral duty

Gunas

the quallities of the created world

Guru

a teacher, particularly in Sikhism

Karma

the law of actions

Mahabharata

a great indian epic about the Pandava brothers, contained within it is the Bhagavad-Gita

Mantra

sound,, phrase or idea that focuses the mind

Maya

The illusory forms of the created world

Monism

The understanding of the Absolute as the origin of various manifestations and the universe

Moksha

liberation

Murti

the manifestation of the deity in a particular form

Om

common mantra used to focus meditation

Pap

Sin

Prakriti

nature/natural order

Puja

Daily prayer or offering

Punya

holiness/ spiritual excellence

Ramayana

indian epic about Ram and his allies rescuing Sita from the cluthes of Ravana (a demon)

Samsara

the cycle of life, death and rebirth

Shakti

divine feminine creative power

Sutra

religious text

The Trimurti, consisting of:

Brahma (the deity responsible for creation)

Shiva (the deity responsible for destruction)

Vishnu (the deity responsible for the perservation of creation)

Varna system

system of social groups based on the Vedas that Hindus are born into; caste system

Varnashramadharma

a person’s responsibility regarding class

Vedas

One of the few sacred Hindu texts composed of four books

Yoga (the paths to Moksha)

Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion)

Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge)

Karma Yogar (the path of ethical actions)

6 schools/ systems (Darshans)

1. Samkhya

2. Yoga

3. Nyaya

4. Vaisheshika

5. Mimamsa

6. Vedanta