alpha hinduism gandhi

Harijan

Harijan was a term used by Gandhi for Dalits. Gandhi said it was wrong to call people 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, which means children of God. It is still in wide use especially in Gandhi's home state of Gujarat.

4 Elements of Religion

Sacred Writings, Ethics, Rituals, Beliefs and Believers

Samskaras

Samskaras are rituals and sacrifices practiced at significant junctures in a Hindu's life. There are 16 Samskaras.

Raj Ghat

The cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. It is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

Examples of Hindu gods/goddesses

There are millions of Hindu gods/goddesses. Typical examples are: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi and Ganesh.

Ashram

Traditionally, an ashram is a religious hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo. The residents of an ashram regularly performed spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of Yoga. Other sacrifices and penances, such as Yajnas were also performed.

4 Castes

o Brahmin o Kshatriya o Vaishya o Shudra

4 Aims of Life: (known as the Purusharthas)

o Dharma (righteousness) o Artha (wealth) o Kama (desire) o Moksha (salvation)

4 (Cardinal) Virtues

o Non-violence o Truth o Purity o Self- control

4 Stages of Life

o Student o Householder o Retirement o Asceticism (people in this stage are known as Sannyasi or Sadhus)

The Most Significant Places of Hindu Pilgrimage

12 Jyotirlingas, the 4 Dhams, the 52 Shaktipeeths

Deity

A deity is a recognised preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers, often religiously referred to as a god. Deities are depicted in a variety of forms, but are also frequently expressed as having human form. Some Hindu believers believe (some) humans are deities.

Ahimsa

Ahimsa is a term meaning to do no harm (literally: the avoidance of violence - ahimsa). Ahimsa means kindness and non-violence towards all living things including animals; it respects living beings as a unity, the belief that all living things are connected. Avoidance of verbal and physical violence is also a part of this principle, although ahimsa recognizes self-defense when necessary, as a sign of a strong spirit.

Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi

Compilation of Gandhi's writings

Puja

Is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. An essential part of puja for the Hindu devotee is making a spiritual connection with the divine. Most often that contact is facilitated through an object: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print. Pujas have 27 steps.

4 Yoga's

Karma, Bhakti, Raja, Jnana

Brachmachanya

Originally, this meant self-control in ones deeds. Gandhi transformed this concept to move beyond self-control in ones deeds to self-control in ones thoughts, words and deeds.

Satyagraha

Satyagraha, loosely translated as "Soul Force," "truth force," or "holding on to truth," is a philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed and conceived by Gandhi . Gandhi deployed Satyagraha in the Indian independence movement and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa. Someone who practices Satyagraha is a satyagrahi.

Swadeshi

Self sufficiency

Swaraj

Self-rule

Sadhana

Sādhanā is spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.