re hinduism

• Give 2 quotes about Brahman.

  Explain what they could suggest.

  "In truth Brahman is all." - Mundaka Upanishad 2.2

  - suggests that Brahman is everywhere

  
  

  "He moves, and he moves not. He is far, and he is near. He is within all, and he is outside all." - Isa Upanishad 1.5

  - this quote seems incomplete and contradictory, suggesting that Hindus believe that Brahman is a limitless, universal soul or consciousness

  - suggests that he is beyong human understanding
• What is 'Brahman'?


  - the Hindu name for God or Supreme Being
• What is the difference between the two understandings of Brahman?

  - nirguna Brahman = God/the Supreme Being as spiritual prescence only, without form or shape (ultimate reality in divine consciousness)

  - saguna Brahman = God/the Supreme Being shown in form as in pictures (manifestation of a physical God)
• What representation is used to understand or explain nirguna Brahman?

  Why is it important to Hindus?

  the om or Aum symbol

  - it is considered as the first sound at the start of all creation

  
• What is 'bhagavan'?


  - the Supreme Being existing in the world of spirits and deities

  
• What are the three ways in which Hindus think of God?

  - existing everywhere, not as a personal God, called Brahman

  - being within the heart of everyone, called antaryami

  - asa person God or Lord, called bhagavan and approached through many different deities, living in the spirtiual worlds called vaikuntha
• What does 'antaryami' mean?

  - the Supreme Being existing within the heart of all living beings
• What does 'vaikuntha' mean?

  - the perfect world; the spiritual realm
• What does 'tri-murti' mean?

  - the three main hindu deities or aspects of God

  
• What are the three gods that form the tri-murti, and what are their roles?

  - Brahma (the Creator)

  - Vishnu (the Preserver, responsible for sustaining the universe)

  - Shiva (the Destroyer)
• Why is Brahma typically depicted with many heads (usually four)?

  - Brahma is usually shown in pictures with four heads which suggests that he is looking north, east, south and west at all times

  - he is responsible for the created world and he is looking over his creation

  
• What does the book, which is held by Brahma, symbolise?

  - the Vedas (the earliest Hindu scriptures)

  - shows that he is guided by the Vedas (some even think Brahma is responsible for their originin)

  
• What does the spoon, which is held by Brahma, symbolise?

  - represents a sacrifical ladle used in worship

  - shows that Brahma is responsible for offerings during worship

  
• What does the string of beads, which is held by Brahma, symbolise?

  - represents a 'mala' which is used during meditation
• What is a 'mala'?

  - string of beads

  - used to help count chanted mantras during meditation
• What does the water pot, which is held by Brahma, symbolise?


  - represents the water of life, which was responsible for the beginning of creation
• Why is Brahmaoften pictured on a lotus flower?

  - the lotus is a symbol of purity as it emerges pure white from the mud of a river

  - it is said that Brahma was born sitting on a lotus flower emerging from the navel of Vishnu

  - one of Brahma's names is 'self-born' because he had no mother
• Why are Brahma and Vishnu linked specifically?

  - many Hindus believe that Vishnu was responsible for bringing many universes ino being and that he created Brahma to continue his work of creation in all the different worlds

  - Brahma is still the creator because he brough to these worlds: space and light, the moon, the rain, plants and all living beings
• Give a quote that shows that Brahma was the Creator.


  "Brahma was [...] the Creator of all, the Guardian of the Universe [...] From him comes all life and mind [...] space and light, air and fire and water, and this earth that holds us all." - Mundaka Upanishad 1 and 2
• Who is the consort (wife) of Brahma?

  Saraswati
• Describe Saraswati.


  - goddess of music and knowledge, art and learning

  - also sits on a lotus flower

  - often pictured riding a swan

  
• What is the significance of a swan in Hinduism?

  - a symbol of spiritual perfection

  - the swan is believed to be able to separate milk from water when they are mixed, and drink only the milk

  => for Hindus, this represents the ability to discriminate and how justice is given to everyone

  
• What does the Sanskrit word 'Vishnu' mean?

  'one who enters everywhere
• How is Vishnu usually depicted?

  - many Hindus think of Vishnu as the preserver and sustainer of the universe, and the spirit present everywhere in the universe

  - usually pictured as a royal figure living in vaikuntha, a spiritual world of great beauty and richness

  
• How is Vishnu usually worshipped?

  - worshipped mainly through his incarnations, especially Rama and Krishna
• What are 'avatars'?


  - the ten animal or human forms in which Vishnu appears on Earth

  
• In what four ways is Vishnu special?

  - he represents the soul of the entire universe

  - he gave birth to Brahma who created the universe

  - he enters the heart of every living being to become 'the lord within'

  - he is worshipped through avatars
• What are images of Vishnu meant to do?

  - all images of him are meant to remind Hindus to follow religious and moral laws, and that Vishnu steps in when necessary to restore moral order

  - Vishnu has the power to prevent suffering and disaster when things go wrong in the world
• What is the denomination of Hinduism that focuses on Vishnu and what are followers of the denomination called?

  Vaishnavism (followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas)
• What is the role of Vaishanavas?


  - worship is based on the Upanishads, the Vedas and the Puranas, especially the Bhagavad Gita

  - concentrates on the concept of bhakti (personal devotion)

  - worship often consists of praying specific mantras (eg 'Hare Krishna') and the practice of repetitive prayer, known as 'japa'

  - Vaishnavas consider that Vishnu is within them as the 'antaryami' or God within, and their aim in life is to serve Vishnu or one of his avatars in the spiritual realm of vaikuntha
• Give a quote that shows Vishnu has the power to prevent suffering when things go wrong.

  "Whenever there appears on earth decline of Righteousness, uprising of Unrighteousness, I send Myself to birth."

  "For protection of the good, the wicken put to flight, I come into being age by age establishing the Right." - Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8
• Who is the consort of Vishnu? What is her role?

  Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and good fortune, prosperity and love)
• Why is Shiva known as the most complex god?

  - he has different qualities that could all be present at the same time

  - Shaivites select the quality that appeals to them most, or is mot relevant to their situation in life at that time
• What name was Shiva known as in the earlierst Hindu scriptures?

  Rudra
• Why is Shiva's symbol the 'linga'?

  - 'linga' is the male sex organ

  - represents his ability to recreate after destruction
• What does 'Nataraja' mean?

  Lord of the Dance
• Who is Shiva's consort and what other three names is she less commonly known by?

  Parvati (a gentle goddess of fertility, love, beauty, marriage, children, and devotion)

  - aka Shakti

  - aka Durga or Kali in her wild and fierce aspects
• What are 'ascetics'? Why do they link with Shiva?

  - people who live austere and simple lives

  - Shaivites are often ascetics aiming for liberation through complete detachment

  - the naked holy men always present at the Kumbh Mela pilgrimate are Shaivites who practise astanga yoga

  - some Shaivite ascetics smoke marijuana as an aid to meditation
• What is one contrast between Shaivites and Vaishnavas?

  - many Shaivites believe that there is only one reality, that the atman, or self, and Brahman are one

  - Vaishnavas, however, are less sure of this 'oneness'

  - Vaishnavas are sometimes described as 'dualists' because they believe the atman is separate from the Supreme Being who is the Lord Vishnu
• Why might Hinduism be seen as not an inclusive religion in accepting other beliefs?


  - Shaivites and Vaishnavas disagree about which dety is superior (Shiva or Vishnu)