WC- Final- Hinduism
Monism
all things in existence are part of the same unified oneness
Brahman
Ultimate reality
Atman
individual essense or soul (part of brahman)
Samsara
the cycle of death and rebirth in the material world
Karma
destiny or fate, based on someone's actions (from multiple lives)
Caste system
4 levels of Hereditary social classes
1) Brahmin
2) Kshatriya
3) Vaishya
4) Shudra
Brahmins
Hindu Priests, scholars, teachers (1)
Kshatriya
Rulers, Warriors, administrators (2)
Vaishya
Farmers, Merchants (working class) (3)
Shudra
laborers, servants (4)
Untouchables
lowest class, rejected from society
Deities
gods or goddesses
Four goals of life
- Kama
- Artha
- Dharma
- Moksha
Kama
The pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure
Artha
Pursuit of political and material wealth
Dharma
the basic principles (laws) of cosmic or individual existence; determines karma
Moksha
Liberation from samsara
Karma Marga
Active- "Path of Works"- Unselfish concern for the world shown through selfless social services
Bakti Marga
Philosophical- "Path of Knowledge"- meditation, learning and experiencing subjects
Jnana Marga
Emotional- "Path of Devotion/love" (of god)- devotion to Brahman above everything else
Upanishad
sacred hindu text
Vedas
religious hindu text
3 Paths to Liberation
- Karma Marga
- Jnana Marga
- Bahkti Marga
Avatars
Incarnation of deity
Shiva
- Destroyer
- one of the main three
Vishnu
- Preserver
- one of main three
Krishna
- Dod of love
- blue skin
- very popular
Brahma
- god of creation
- first of the three main gods