hindu beliefs

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eden !!

Cards (40)

when and where did Hinduism begin?
India, Indus River, over 4000 years ago
what is Sanatana Dharma?
eternal truth: doing what is right; Hindu religion/way of life
what are examples of Sanatana Dharma?
remembering God in your heart and mind, trying to reach moksha, showing respect for elderly and caring for the needy, feeding animals, offering worship to God in temple/at home
what is “aum” or “om”?
a sacred symbol and sound. It is Brahman, and the first sound in the universe
In what two ways do Hindus see Brahman?
Naguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman
what is Vaikuntha?
the perfect world; the spiritual realm
what are Hindu’s personal virtues?
ahimsa, respect, empathy, humility, love
what is Varhshrama Dharma?
an important idea developed in classical Hinduism that dharma refers especially in to a person’s responsibility regarding caste and stage of life.
what are yugas?
hindus believe that time is separated into 4 long periods of time called yugas totalling 4320000 years, broken into gold, silver, copper, iron.
what do Hindus believe about yugas?
each age gets shorter and is believed to be more corrupt.
what do Hindus believe will happen at the end of this age?
Vishnu will appear as Kalki (10th avatar) on a white horse, kills all evil and start a new birth of the golden age.
how can Hindus escape samsara?
when they have gained good karma and lived their dharma.
what is dharma?
your own path in life. Hindus must only love their dharma and mustn’t do good deeds for praise/reward.
what is karma?
the consequences of actions, it can be good/bad. Hindus aim to gain good karma which leads to inner peace and salvation.
what is atman?
(inner self or soul) it gains good karma, transmigrated during reincarnation, escapes samsara and achieves moksha.
what is the story of Gajendra?
south Indian king was turned into an elephant after not visiting a wise man, his leg was seized by a crocodile while bathing so he prayed and Vishnu took him to Vaikuntha.
what does the story of Gajendra teach Hindus?
shows how souls are saved by God’s grace. Human effect, good conduct and devotion to God is the way to achieve moksha.
what is Hindu’s ultimate aim in life?
achieving moksha, being one with Brahman.
how can Hindus achieve moksha?
if they transmigrate through reincarnation into being one with Brahman.
when is Holi celebrated?
february/march
who is commemorated during Holi?
Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity) is remembered and welcomed home and Rama and Sita when Sita was kidnapped by the demon king Ravvana but she remained chaste.
what does the story of Rama and Sita teach Hindus?
be loyal to one and other in the same way Rama and Sita were and be faithful in your relationships.
who is Hanuman?
monkey warrior, born from Shiva and Parvati but adopted by the wind God, Vayu. He’s a patron of sportsmen and soldiers and remembered for devotion to duty.
What is Diwali?
festival of light, constant noise of firecrackers marks the victory of light over darkness / truth over falsity.
when is Diwali celebrated?
October/November for 5 days
what is Holi?
festival of colour and spring. The most fun festival; people wear clothes and smother each other in colourful powders or liquids.
what are avatars?
incarnations of Hindu Gods in human or animals forms on Earth
who is Ganesha?
elephant headed God, son of Shiva and Parvati, was born while Shiva was away. When Parvati was bathing, Ganesha was guarding the door, Shiva returned and didn't recognise him and cut off his head. God of good luck, worshipped before weddings.
what phase are ages 1-25?
bachelor, student phase
what phase are ages 26-50?
married life, household owner.
what phase are ages 50-75?
retirement, handing responsibility over.
what phase are ages 75+?
preparing for death
what do Hindus believe about life?
life is circular (cyclical)
how do Hindus see Brahman(God) ?
Unknowable. There are no adequate ways to explain God. Hindus see Brahman in different ways: naguna Brahman and saguna Brahman.
who are the 3 members of the Tri Murti?
Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, Shiva, the destroyer.
what do Hindus believe about the nature of Brahman?
Brahman: everywhere/non-personal
Antaryami: within the heart
Bhagaun: beyond/a personal, loving God
wht do Hindus believe about matter (prakriti)?
it is everchanging/temporary and its one of the 2 energies in which Brahman projected itself in
how does the belief in a personal, loving God impact Hindus?
as they feel God loves them they show love to others and they will feel they should worship God and teach this to their family.
what do Hindus believe about free will?
people's own choices generate good/bad karma which is expressed in future lifetimes and free will isnt complete freedom as you must follow your dharma.
who are some of Vishnu's avatars?
matsya (fish), kurma (tortoise), varaha (boar)