hinduism—

• What do many Hindus believe is the ultimate reality?

  Brahman
• How do Hindus conceptualize Brahman?

  They believe Brahman can take many forms.
• Why do Hindus break Brahman into smaller gods?

  To focus on parts of his personality more easily.
• Who is Brahma in Hinduism?

  The creator god.
• What role does Vishnu play in Hinduism?

  He is the preserver.
• What is Shiva known for in Hinduism?

  He is the destroyer.
• What is the relationship between Brahman and the Trimurti?

  • Brahman is the ultimate reality.
  • The Trimurti consists of three important gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).
• What do Hindus believe all living things possess?

  An atman (soul).
• What happens to the soul when a body dies according to Hindu belief?

  The soul moves into a new body.
• What is the cycle of existence that souls go through called?

  Reincarnation.
• What is the Hindu Cycle of Life also known as?

  • The Hindu Cycle of Life is known as Samsara.
  • It represents the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
• How does karma influence the next life a soul will have?

  The next life depends on the karma built up in the last life.
• What happens if a person accumulates good karma?

  They will have a good life in their next incarnation.
• What happens if a person accumulates bad karma?

  They will have a bad life in their next incarnation.
• What is the Hindu understanding of God?

  Many Hindus believe in Brahman as the ultimate reality - one Ultimate God, but this one God can take many forms.
• Why do Hindus "break up" Brahman into smaller gods?

  Because Brahman is too big to understand as a whole, so Hindus break him up into smaller gods so they can focus on parts of his personality easier.
• What are the three important gods in the Hindu Trimurti?

  • Brahma - the creator
  • Vishnu - the preserver
  • Shiva - the destroyer
• What is the Hindu belief about the soul (atman)?

  Hindus believe that all living things (including plants) have an atman (soul).
• What happens to the soul after death according to Hinduism?

  When a body dies, the soul moves into a new body and passes through a long cycle of existence in different bodies, experiencing repeated births, deaths and rebirths.
• What is the Hindu concept of karma?

  • Doing good things leads to good karma, doing bad things leads to bad karma
  • Everything comes back - your next life will depend on the karma you built up in the last life
• How does karma affect a person's next life according to Hinduism?

  If you were a good person and did lots of good things, you will have good karma and will have a good life in your next reincarnation. If you were a bad person and did lots of bad things, you will have bad karma and the life you get next will be bad.
• What is the Hindu symbol for the cycle of birth, death and rebirth (samsara)?

  The symbol for the endless cycle of samsara
• What are some examples of different types of rebirth in the Hindu cycle of samsara?

  You can come back as a human or a pig; as a god or a ghost; in heaven or in hell. Some Hindus even believe you can come back as a flower!
• What are the main objects used in Hindu worship?

  • Bell - to alert the deity that they are being worshipped
  • Lamp/Arti Lamp - to bring light and symbolize God's presence
  • Incense Stick - to purify the air and bring a pleasing aroma
  • Fruit, food, flowers and water - offered as symbols of gratitude
• What is the meaning and significance of the Hindu concept of ahimsa?

  Ahimsa means avoiding harming any living thing, whether physically, mentally or emotionally. It is not just about non-violence, but avoiding any desire to harm.
• How did Gandhi interpret the concept of ahimsa?

  Gandhi did not equate ahimsa with non-killing - he accepted that killing because it was a person's duty and doing so in a detached way without anger or selfish motives, would be compatible with ahimsa. Gandhi came up with the idea of satyagraha, which means holding firmly to the truth and was a method of non-violent protest.
• What did Gandhi say about the source of ahimsa?

  "Ahimsa, non-violence, comes from strength, and the strength is from God, not man. Ahimsa always comes from within."