RE hinduism

• nature of brahman


  - the divine

  - supreme spirit

  - ultimate reality
• importance of brahman


  - presented in every person as their atman

  - the truth, pure and wise

  - understanding brahman leads to the highest point in life
• nirguna brahman


  - brahman without form

  - an object of meditation

  - living conscious energy that works universe
• saguna brahman


  - personal, with form

  - represented by different deities

  - worshipped through male and female forms
• vaikuntha


  - the spiritual world

  - place of no anxiety, death or hatred

  - purpose is long service to the supreme soul
• aspects of divine - brahman

  - all pervading

  - cause of all existence

  - everything in the world
• aspects of divine - antiyarmi

  - residing in our hearts

  - controller within

  - known through atman
• aspects of divine - bhagavan

  - resides beyond material world

  - creates a direct relationship with god

  - helps experience ananda (spiritual pleasure)
• divine in hindu scriptures

  - 6 men feel different parts of an elephant, none of them have the same experience but they are all correct. helps understand how to view brahman
• avatars


  -vishnu on earth

  - animals or human form

  - 10 forms on earth
• murtis


  - statues and images

  - located in shrines at home / in mandir

  - helps focus of worship
• vishnu


  -preserver and sustainer

  - reminds hindus of moral laws

  - comes to earth as avatars in times of trouble
• shiva


  - in charge of destruction and recreation

  - worshipped through yoga and smoking marajuana

  - alone governs the world
• lackshmi


  - personification of wealth and eternal prosperity

  - linked to the woman of the house

  - worshiped when hindus think of wealth
• parvarti


  - symbol of power

  - brings balance to shivas wild personality

  - gives hindus strength and courage
• nature of individuals - atman


  -infinite and indestructible

  - gives us a second quality

  - transmigrates from body to body
• nature of individuals - karma

  - actions consequences

  - shows power of brahman

  - encouragement to do good
• nature of individuals - samsara

  - affects all living beings

  - judgement and justice of brahman

  - rebirth of soul
• nature of individuals - moksha

  - hindus life purpose

  - gains ultimate knowledge of truth

  - gives reward to hard work
• pursharthas - kama

  - desire for pleasure that drives human behaviour

  - sensuality in art, beauty and love

  - excessive kama can lead to overindulgence
• pursharthas - artha

  - security of material comfort

  - everything that allows one to lead a fulfilling life

  - knowledge, friendship, career and health
• pursharthas - dharma


  - duty and truth

  - brings stability and order

  - helping others
• pursharthas - moksha


  - release from life's illusion

  - achieved by living like through purshartha

  - ultimate goals
• sanatana dharma


  - eternal truth

  - following the perfect life

  - reflects 'hinduism
• varnashrama dharma

  - rules of each varna and ashrama

  - helps individuals and society

  - controlled by god
• cause of dukka (suffering)

  - mental / physical harm

  - attachment

  - loss
• response to dukka


  - accepted as a part of life

  - acceptance allows hindus to move forward

  - attempt to overcome it to achieve moksha
• importance of dukka


  - ahimsa teaches to avoid violence

  - meditation can control mind and control

  - shows love through caring and compassion actions
• hindu cosmology


  - study of origins

  - the fate of the universe

  - brahmans responsibility of the multiverse
• nature of the 4 yugas

  - cycle on earth, followed by cosmos

  - samsara for the world

  - satya, truth. treta, war. dwapara, disease. kali, darkness
• prakriti


  - matter

  - things that can be seen and touched

  - material world
• maya


  - illusion

  - only reality is brahman

  - everything other than brahman is impermanent
• triguna


  - tamas, ignorance . rajas, passion . sattva, goodness

  - consciously alter levels of guna

  - controlled by brahman, vishnu and shiva
• mature of justice


  - criminals pay for crimes as victims did

  - criminals must be given opportunity to reform

  - retribution for a crime, punishment restores justice
• importance of justice


  - part of dharma

  - bhagavan gita encourages concern for others

  - gurus and swamis teach that souls are improved if treated justly
• atheist views of punishments

  - important to victims

  - system protects society

  - punish and rehabilitate offenders
• humanist views of punishments

  - important for peace and happiness

  - to ignore justice is moral failure

  - cant stand to see people denied civil and human rights
• causes of crime


  unjust laws, hate, addiction, upbringing, greed, mental illness, poverty
• hindu response to crime

  - breaks atman

  - leads to bad karma...

  - one may suffer from lowest guna, however still worthy of compassion as its dharma
• nature of good actions

  - act according to ahimsa

  - bhagavan gita encourages all to 'detatch from world' and appreciate eternal cycle

  - rewarded with good karma...