Hinduism

Term	Definition
moksha	“Release” Release from this ordinary, finite, limited realm of existence into the infinite ocean of the divine Our illusions of an individual existence are replaced with a perfect unity with ALL Takes MANY lifetimes to achieve - reincarnation
monism	The doctrine that all reality is ultimately ONE
Brahman	The common essence of all reality
Upanishads	Upanishads are the main scriptures for Jnana Marga
Atman	The eternal Self, the ultimate reality within
samsara	Samsara: “wheel of rebirth”, the individual is reincarnated from one life-form to another
Bhagavad-Gita	The scripture most connected to Bhakti Marga
sannyasin	“Wandering Ascetic- Someone who has returned to society, but not attached to it
ascetic	One who renounces material & physical comfort for the sake of spiritual perfection.
kama	sensual, physical pleasure
artha	material success
Karma Marga	“The Path of Works” Centered on drama aka ethical duty to others Main scriptures vedas Where one does good deeds without concern of what they’ll receive in return
Jnana Marga	“The Path of Knowledge” Shortest but hardest Upanishads are main scripture True nature focus specifically on oneness w Brahman Schools of phil ( vedanta, sankhya, and yoga see slide 22)
Vedanta	All reality is one
maya	illusion / the world is an illusion
Sankya	Reality is 2 parts: matter and eternal selves, selves are bound to the world by matter
Yoga	Deep meditation w intention of true nature
samadhi	experience of ONENESS while in DEEP meditation
Diwali	The festival of lights Celebrated w/:festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts, prayer, and sharing sweets. Celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kārtika, which is between mid-September and mid-November Last 5-6 days

Multiple Choice (2 points each)

Match the Hindu scripture with most appropriate Path to Salvation

Vedas	Karma Marga
Bhagavad Gita	Bhakti Mara
Upanishads	Jnana Marga

Which are the two principles that connect the divine to this world?

A: Dharma and Karma

Put the following Hindu castes in the correct order, with the top caste first and the bottom caste last. KNOW THIS!!!

Shudra B. Brahmin C. Vaishya D. Kshatriya

Caste	Definition/Description
Brahmin	Priest
Kshatriya	Warriors & administrators
Vaishya	Producers
Shudra	Servants

Short Answers

List and explain the Four Stages of Life: .

Brahmacharya	Student, begins after puberty +initiation, task to study vedas+ remain celibate, ends at marriage
Grihastha	Housholder, starts at marriage, career and family, ends at first grandchild
Vanaprastha	Forest Dweller, disengage from the world for spiritual quest
Sannyasin	Wandering Ascetic, returns to the world but has no attachment

List and explain the Four Goals of Life. How are these a PROCESS? How do these demonstrate the temporary nature of desires? How does it show that way to limit desires and find the truth of things?

A: In Hinduism, the Four Goals of Life are Kama (pleasure and desires), Artha (wealth and success), Dharma (duty and righteousness), and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). These are a process because they guide individuals through different stages of life, from fulfilling desires and responsibilities to ultimately seeking spiritual freedom. They demonstrate the temporary nature of desires by showing that material and emotional pursuits (Kama and Artha) are fleeting, and true fulfillment comes from higher purpose (Dharma) and ultimate liberation (Moksha). By gradually shifting focus from worldly attachments to self-realization, one learns to limit desires and uncover the deeper truth of existence.

Explain completely one of the Paths to Liberation. How does this path lead to moksha? Upon mastering this path, how are you also a master of ALL of the Paths to Liberation?

A: Jnana Marga, the Path of Knowledge, leads to moksha by guiding individuals to realize the unity of the Atman (soul) with Brahman (ultimate reality) through deep study, meditation, and self-inquiry. Upon mastering this path, one gains profound wisdom that encompasses Karma Marga (selfless action) and Bhakti Marga (devotion), as true knowledge dissolves ego, inspiring both righteous action and pure devotion.

How does samsara demonstrate how Hindus view time differently than Christians? How is this view of time connected with Karma, reincarnation, and moksha

A: In Hinduism, samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) reflects a cyclical view of time, unlike Christianity’s linear perspective, which sees time as having a definite beginning and end. This cyclical view is deeply connected to karma, as one's actions determine future rebirths, with the ultimate goal being moksha, or liberation from this endless cycle.

How does dharma relate to karma in the goal of achieving moksha?

A: Dharma guides individuals to perform righteous actions, and through good karma accumulated by following dharma, one moves closer to achieving moksha, the liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

ESSAY

Explain completely the idea of Tat tvam asi. What is the correlation between Brahman and Atman? (Be sure to demonstrate how this concept impacted all aspects of Hinduism studied in this unit.)

A: "Tat Tvam Asi" ("Thou art That") is a fundamental Hindu concept from the Upanishads, meaning that the individual self (Atman) is ultimately identical to the universal reality (Brahman). This expresses the idea that beyond physical existence and ego, all beings share the same divine essence. The correlation between Brahman (the infinite, absolute reality) and Atman (the inner self) is that they are not separate—realizing their unity leads to Moksha, or liberation. This idea influences Hindu beliefs in dharma (duty aligned with cosmic order), karma (actions shaping spiritual progress), and meditation or yoga practices aimed at transcending the illusion (Maya) of separateness. Understanding Tat Tvam Asi shifts focus from external desires to self-realization, shaping Hindu ethics, rituals, and philosophies.