Hinduism GCSE

• What is Brahman?


  the ultimate reality/ultimate God most Hindus believe in
• What is Nirguna Brahman?

  impersonal form of God, has no form, worshipped as a spirit
• What is Saguna Brahman?

  personal form of God, has form, worshipped through an individual chosen deity
• What is the Ultimate Reality?


  belief that everything that exists in the world is part of Brahman
• What is the Atman?

  the part of Brahman that has become trapped inside every human body
• Describe Brahman?


  cannot be expressed in words, is unknowable and not able to be understood so Hindus would be better expressing belief through other Gods
• What are the three features of the Divine?

  -Brahman (everywhere / non-personal)

  -Antaryami (within the heart)

  -Bhagavan (beyond/ a personal loving God)
• What are the key 3 aspects to everything that exists?

  -Creation

  -Preservation

  -Destruction
• Who is Brahma?


  -the creator God

  -usually seen with four head and faces to watch over his creation

  -least worshipped, his work is already done

  -holds rosary bead in aid of meditation (he meditates in order to create the universe)

  -holds lotus to symbolise purity

  -consort is Saraswati
• Who is Vishnu?


  -the preserver God

  -normally depicted standing upright on a lotus flower surrounded by an ocean of milk

  -consort is Lakshmi

  -shown with four arms to symbolise that he is all powerful (two arms at the front = physical existence, two arms at the back = spiritual presence)

  -holds conch which produces 'Om' sound

  -holds chakra which is the power that control the Hindu seasons

  -holds lotus flower which is an example of glorious existence

  -holds mace to show mental and physical strength
• Who is Shiva?


  -destroyer and recreation God

  -has different forms:

  -Nataraja = lord of the dance

  -great yogi, Mahayogi and the Lingum

  -usually depicted dancing on a demon dwarf = destroyed human ignorance and pride

  -shown with flames to show powers of destruction

  -shown with hand gestures symbolising 'I will protect as I destroy'

  -shown with cobra necklace to signify his power over the most dangerous creatures

  -consort is Parvati
• Who is Lakshmi?


  -goddess of wealth and purity

  -pray to her for happy family life and financial security

  -is forgiving

  -marriage with Vishnu seen as the perfect union
• Who is Sarawati?


  -goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning

  -pray to her for help in these areas

  -consort of Brahma
• Who is Parvati?


  -goddess fertility, love and devotion

  -consort of Lord Shiva

  -balance of male and female is often represented through images of Shiva and Parvati as halves of one person

  -is caring for others, patient and wise
• Who is Ganesha?


  -has an elephant's head on a human's body

  -known as remover of obstacles
• Who is Hanuman?


  -has a monkey's head

  -worshipped for devotion to Rama

  -remembered because of his selfless dedication to the God
• What is an Avatar?

  -when Vishnu appears of earth in human or animal form

  -appear at times of danger, and when people are forgetting the sacred laws of dharma and turning towards evil

  -come 9 times so far, expecting 10th
• Who is Krishna?


  -pictured entertaining the milkmaids

  -demonstrates how God can be divine and human at once

  -lifted a mountain with one Fieger to protect a village from severe storms, successfully battled wicked uncle to restore peace and security
• Who is Rama?


  -his story is a symbol of Diwali

  -perfect man / husband

  -wife = Sita , represent perfect couple

  -stands with bow and arrow to show how he fights evil

  -battled with multi headed demon - Ravana
• What is Prakriti?


  the ultimate primal matter below human consciousness or the ultimate cosmic energy
• What is the Tri-Guna?

  -3 phases of matter:

  -Rajas = passion creates

  -Sattva = goodness sustains

  -Tamas = ignorance destroys
• What is Maya?


  an illusion that most Hindus believe you should overcome, you should overcome the desires of the world
• Describe the Atman?


  -eternal spirit

  -reborn into a life as a different person

  -can't be killed

  -cannot be ill or damaged in any way
• How are Atman and Brahman related?

  -atman is made of Brahman's spirit

  -atman = Brahman because he is able to be everywhere at the same time

  -contains only part of Brahman - not the same as he would not be supreme
• What is Samsara?


  -process of reincarnation : birth, death, rebirth

  -continuous cycle

  -soul is reborn over and over again according to law of karma

  -every atman goes through samsara to achieve moksha
• What is the Law of Karma?

  -every action has a consequence

  -the way one behaves will bring about good or bad karma

  -if act good to people = reborn into a good life, a higher caste

  - if act bad to people = reborn into lower caste or an animal
• What effect does the Law of Karma have on people?

  -motivate them

  -give them an explanation for suffering

  -makes them more compassionate

  -helps people keep up with commitment to religious traditions

  -they will adhere to the duties/responsibilities of their caste
• What is Moksha?


  -ultimate goal

  -liberation

  -atman is released from cycle of samsara and returning to Brahman
• How is Moksha achieved?

  -detaching yourself from the illusion of the world

  -attaching yourself to your duty
• What do Hindus believe about evil?

  -God does not impose evil on people

  -evil is natural part of life because of law of karma

  -suffering = because of bad karma from past lives
• How does free will link to suffering?

  free will causes suffering and leads to human moral evil
• How does Dharma link to suffering?

  part of dharma to relieve the suffering of others
• What do Hindus believe are the reasons for natural evil?

  -'play of the Gods'

  -necessary for the balance of life on Earth

  -opportunity to gain good karma helping the victims

  -consequence of humanity's bad treatment of the planet
• What do Hindus believe are reasons for suffering?

  -result of previous bad karma

  -free ill = build up bad karma

  -Hindus duty to help those suffering

  -balance of life on earth

  -consequence of humanity's bad actions
• What is Ahimsa?


  respect for all living things and avoidance of evil
• What personal virtues should Hindus hold?

  -Ahimsa

  -Empathy

  -Respect

  -Dama

  -Humility

  -Love
• What are four aims of a Hindus life?

  -Dharma = righteousness

  -Artha = economic development

  -Kama = sensual enjoyment

  -Moksha = liberation
• What is Dharma?


  all the laws and rules that must be followed by everyone to provide a happy, well ordered world to live in
• What is Sanatana Dharma?

  duties which are the same for everyone
• What is Varnashrama Dharma?

  duties one must fulfil according to one's social grouping and stage in life - why Hindus believe the caste system is not chosen by humans