Chapter 5 Hinduism Directed Reading
The word Hindu comes from the Sanskrit word "___" meaning ___ (specifically the ___ River in northwest India).
"Sindhu", river, Indus
Nature shows its cycle every year of ___, ___, and ___.
Birth, death, rebirth
Mother Theresa of Calcutta?
Catholic nun that founded missionaries of charity; began her work by caring for the sick, poor, starving and helpless
For Hindus, life is ___, not linear.
Cyclical
What are the four major pursuits of life?
Dharma- a person's duties in life Artha- the pursuit of both material and political wealth Kama- the pursuit of artistic, recreational, and sensual pleasure Moksha- the pursuit of liberation from the cycle of rebirth through actions, thoughts, and devotions
Exactly 59% of the world's Hindus still live in India. True/False?
False
Hindus are very tolerant of individual beliefs and straying from one's social group. True/False?
False.
In addition, how one acts now determines one's _______.
Fate for the future.
How do most Indians identify themselves?
What caste they belong to
___ is a sign of divine love.
Honoring
Why are temples dedicated to one god?
It is often the god of a caste in that region
Where do Hindus believe Brahman is?
It is transcendent and beyond reach; it is in all things.
How did the tension between Hindus and Muslims generate great creativity?
Kabir wrote poems influenced by Muslims, and Nanak started the religious tradition of Sikhism.
The Hindu concepts of ___ and ___ emerged during this time. ___ meaning "to flow together," was a belief in an ongoing migration between life and death and new life.
Karm, reincarnation, Samsara
Under ___, who one is and how one now acts is determined by deeds in the person's previous lives.
Karma
Hindus believe there is liberation, ___, from this ___.
Moksha, Samsara
What are the five occasions or rites of passage of childhood?
Name-giving- welcomes the infant into the Hindu community of the family. Takes place between three and six weeks after birth. Feeding- the first time the child eats solid food (usually rice) is marked. Ear-piercing- boys and girls have both ears pierced and gold earrings inserted. First hair cutting- this is a rite of passage for boys only. Formal education- the child marks his or her entry into formal education by writing the first letter of the alphabet in uncooked rice.
How do the Hindu people imagine God?
One that is best for each person
Describe the structure of a Hindu temple.
Outer hall, the temple proper, and the "womb chamber"
Who are some of the female Hindu goddesses?
Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi
Name and describe the three paths of liberation.
Path of Action- karma yoga; in which selfless service to others brings liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth Path of Knowledge- jnana yoga; learning, thinking, and viewing oneself in the third person Path of Devotion- bhakti yoga; a pure, long devotion to Brahman can bring liberation
What are some social issues that Catholics and Hindus have in common?
Poverty and the lack of basic necessities
Smriti, is a word that means ______.
That which is a word to remember.
Where is the most sacred place for Hindus?
The Ganges River
What is Sikhism?
The blending of Hinduism and Islam; a monotheistic religion founded in Punjab in the 15th century by Guru Nanak.
Define Vedas
The book of knowledge that contain the basic beliefs of Hinduism; ancient scriptures that are the foundation of Hinduism
What is a murti?
The image or statue of a family's god or goddess, usually in a home shrine
How old is Hinduism and who was its founder?
Hinduism is about 6,000 years old and is founded by no single person by was established by the Indus Valley Civilization. It is the oldest religion of the five. Hinduism is also the oldest religion followed by all of the others.
What is an avatar?
An incarnation of a Hindu god
Hindus believe that the sruti have been revealed to ____________________________.
Ancient seers by the gods and not one symbol is to be changed.
Name some sacred places for Hindus.
Temples, home shrines
How many seasons does the Hindu calendar have?
6 seasons; Spring, Summer, Monsoon, Autumn, Winter, and Dewey
What evidence, found by archeologists suggests that the Indus Valley civilization could have been the beginnings of the Hindu faith tradition?
A large public bath in the middle of the city
What is Transcendental Meditation?
A technique derived from Hinduism that promotes deep relaxation through recitation of the mantra.
How many gods and goddesses are there in Hinduism?
About 330 million gods and goddesses
What are the four occasions or rites of passage of adulthood?
Fit or proper season- for girls, this is a purification after the first menstrual period. There is a home blessing marking their coming-of-age into adulthood Beard-shaving- this home blessing ceremony marks the boy's first beard shaving and maturation into adulthood. Settlement of aim or word-giving- this is a betrothal ceremony where the man and woman pledge themselves to each other for marriage. A ring is given and presents are exchanged. Marriage- an elaborate ceremony that lasts for days. A ceremonial fire is present throughout, the gods are called upon, and vows are exchanged.
The ___ is a symbol of love.
Flower
What are some of the other offerings in a Puja?
Flowers, fruits, candles, oils, and food
Who was M. Gandhi?
He advocated the equality of all religions, non-violence, and passive resistance to British rule.
What are the three occasions or rites of passage of a funeral rite?
Preparation of body- the eldest son usually washes, dresses, and adorns the body with flowers. Cremation- the body is laid on a funeral pyre, usually located near a holy river. The fire is set and ghee is poured on the fire. Prayers are recited and people usually stay until the fire is out. Scattering of ashes- the ashes are usually scattered over a sacred river near the funeral pyre. The Ganges is the most popular river for this ceremony.
Of all the other world religions, Hinduism has a reputation for tolerating ___ over the centuries.
Religious adversity
Name and describe the four Vedas.
Riga Veda- oldest and most sacred Soma Veda- collection of hymns chanted at the Soma sacrifices Yajur Veda- a prose form instructing the priests in the proper manner of fire and Soma sacrifices Atharva Veda- collection of hymns intended for domestic use
Who are the two most popular avatars?
Vishnu and Brahma
What are Upanishads?
They are dialogues between a student and teacher made to interpret the Vedas. They explain how a person can achieve liberation from desires and suffering.
How do the Hindu people use the banyan tree as an analogy of their faith?
To explain Hinduism to non-Hindus
How long is a person bound to their caste?
Until death
What are the four occasions or rites of passage of birth?
Womb placing- rite of conception where the physical union between the husband and wife is consecrated with the intention of bringing into the world a child with an advanced soul. Male rite- rite during the third month of pregnancy in which there are prayers for a male child and for good health to mother and child. Hair parting- between the fourth and seventh months of pregnancy, the husband combs the wife's hair as a sign of love and support. Rite of birth- at birth, the father welcomes and blesses the infant and gives the newborn a taste of ghee (a clarified butter used in temple lamps) and honey.
Is discrimination against the lowest castes illegal for Hindus? Does this work?
Yes, No
