Figures and Terms: Hinduism (Unit 2-a)

Person/Term	Identify	Religious Importance
Atman	The human soul, which is part of our innermost self that is identical to the Brahman (the universal soul).	A Hindu’s goal in life is to reunite with the Brahman (supreme being). The Sanskrit phrase, “tat twam asi” means “you are that”, referring to the idea that the atman and the Brahman are inseparable. “You” refers to the atman and “that” refers to the Braham. The atman is eternal and immortal. So, when one dies, the atman lives on shedding the lifeless body to enter a new one.
Brahman	The universal soul and supreme being that is the eternal spirit from which all things originate and to which they return. Brahman is an entity without form or quality.	Brahman is everything and everywhere. Since Brahman is an entity without form, Hindus imagine Him/Her in any way that is meaningful to them. Thus, Hindus worship different deities that they consider expressions of Brahman.
Om	A sacred syllable that invokes the essence of the Brahman when chanted. It is believed to be the sound of all reality.	This is an important symbol (symbol of Om) Hindus use this syllable as a sound to please the essence of Braham. Om is believed to contain the secrets of the universe and is chanted at the beginning of prayers, blessings, and meditation. Om symbolizes the first three Vedas—the present, the past, and the future—and the three states of consciousness—walking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Om is not worshipped, but meditated as a means to gain enlightenment.
Samsara	The endless cycle of rebirths (reincarnation) is known as samsara.	The goal of Hindu life is to achieve Moksha (salvation from samsara) and to unite the atman with the Brahman. By one’s accumulation good karma, samsara is stopped for them and salvation is reached.
Milk Miracle	Incident (“miracle”) where Shri Ganesha, son of Shiva (statues throughout the world) were ‘drinking’ milk fed to them in a spoon.	Many different religions and cultures fled to temples around the world to witness this ‘miracle’. This gave Hindus a stronger sense of faith and a stronger belief in a higher power.
Hindu Trinity	A concept that unites the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva into one entity.	The most worshipped manifestations of Brahman are the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. These three gods are united together as a concept called the Hindu Trinity. Each of these gods also has a female counterpart. The most prevalent, being the counterpart of Shiva, known as Parvati.
Moksha	Salvation of the soul from the endless cycles of rebirths, attained by uniting the atman with the Brahman. It is the ultimate goal of all Hindus.	Hindus believe that the soul does not die with the body, but enters another body to carry on its existence. Hindus think that the physical world that we live in is temporary, constantly changing, and artificial (meaningless). Therefore the goal of all Hindus is to achieve Moksha, or liberation from the endless cycle of rebirths, by uniting the atman with the Brahman.
Diwali	The Hindu festival of lights that takes place at he end of October or the beginning of November celebrating the triumph of good over evil.	In India, Diwali is celebrated over 5 days, opposed to the western world that usually only celebrates Diwali as one day. At this time, Hindus set off fireworks, decorate their houses with lights, give gifts, and wear new clothes to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Huge vegetarian dinners are prepared. Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune, and Vishnu, who defeated the demon Naraka. Diwali also commemorates Rama’s return to his kingdom after defeating Ravana, an evil king who abducted his wife, Sita, in the Ramayana.
Vedas	Hinduism’s earliest sacred writing, composed around 1500 BCE.	The four Vedas are considered the oldest and most authoritative Hindu scriptures. Each Veda has the following types of compositions: Mantras: psalms of praise (majority of Veda) Brahmanas: prose-written manual for priests about prayers and rituals Aranyakas: “forest books” for the hermits and saints Upanishads: philosophical commentaries that are at the end of each Veda Since the Mantras consist of the majority of the Vedas, worship and praise is evidently the key to Hinduism.
Yoga	A practice or discipline combining philosophy with physical exercises and meditation, to achieve unity with God.	Hindus believe that yoga and meditation are spiritual disciplines. Yoga means “yoke”, which is the atman in union with the Brahman. Meditation is needed, along with yoga to achieve this union with God.
Caste System	The organization of Hindu society into four groups, each with its own duties and expectations.	There are 4 traditional castes, known as varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. People are born into each varna according to the karma that they have accumulated in their past lives. There is a fifth group outside the traditional 4 castes, known as the untouchables, which must engage in “unclean” occupations.
4 Goals of Life	The Four Goals of Life give Hindus a personal value system, incorporating his/her material desires and spiritual needs. The goals are known as Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.	Dharma means to conduct one’s duties with compassion, and kindness. Artha means earning money by honest means, and acquiring power though their earned wealth. Kama means pursuing love and physical pleasures and balancing life with marriage. Moksha means leading the soul to salvation though a good karma.
Mahatma Gandhi	Gandhi is probably the best known Hindu, mostly for his fight against colonial laws, about discriminating against Indians, showing much admiration, discipline, and tolerance for all religions.	His religious inspirations are from dharma (duty), satya (truth), ahimsa (non-violence) and Moksha (spiritual liberation). All of his missions we based on tolerance, self-control, and non-violence. By practising spiritual values, he changed the governance of India as well as influenced many peoples’ lives as a huge Hindu role model.
4 Paths to Salvation	With Hindus, there are 4 paths to salvation. The path that a Hindu follows depends on his/her nature and inclinations. Each path can lead to salvation if the follower is sincere and consistent. The four paths are: The Path of Devotion, The Path of Action, The Path of Wisdom, and The Path of Meditation.	Bhakti Yoga (The Path of Devotion) is a simpler path of salvation, involving devotion and love towards a personal deity (Shiva, Vishnu, or Lakshmi). This path provides Hindus with an opportunity of worship Brahman in a more concrete way. Karma Yoga (The Path of Action) involves good deeds and thoughts, which leads to accumulation of a good karma. Jnana Yoga (The Path of Wisdom) is a complex path involving a teacher (guru). Followers learn about the relationship between the Brahman and atman, the nature of the universe, all explained by the scriptures. Following all teachings, meditation is performed. Raja Yoga (The Path of Meditation) is a path achieving salvation through meditation, on Brahman.
4 Stages of Life	These four stages reflect the caste system and represent the social aspect of karma, because they define actions that people are responsible for in society.	The four stages consist of: Student, Householder, Forest Dweller, and Ascetic. These four stages have certain religious and social responsibilities based on their caste. The most religious stage is the Ascetic sage, which requires one to give up worldly life and devote their life to meditation and salvation.
Puja	A common thanksgiving ritual that involves offerings of flowers, food, and other articles to the deities.	A traditional puja follows 16 steps, and is usually performed by worshippers on special occasions. It is concluded by waving a lamp (arati). This common worship is usually done at home and shows the faith of Hindus towards the deities that they consider expressions of Brahman.