1. Moksha is release from this ordinary, finite limited
realm of existence into the infinite ocean of the divine. It is characterized
by infinite bliss, being and awareness. Once a Hindu has attained moksha, they
will never be reincarnated.
2. Monism says that all reality is ultimately one. This
can be explained through an analogy. Although rivers, ponds, and lakes appear
to be distinctive, they all share the same essence; water.
3. Brahman is the essence of all things. Atman is the
ultimate reality within, the eternal Self. Brahman and Atman are one.
4. Hinduism’s many deities function as extensions of
one ultimate reality. They provide points of contact with the divine.
5. Samsara is the “wheel of rebirth.” This means that
the individual is reincarnated from one life-form to another. What is actually
reincarnated varies from person to person, but the atman, the “self” or “soul”,
is reunited with its source.
6. Hinduism’s most popular text is the Bhagavad-Gita.
7. Karma and dharma connect the divine with this world.
Karma says that every action produces an outcome that is justified by the
action’s moral worthiness. Therefore, it determines the particular
circumstances and situations of one’s life. Dharma is ethical duty based on the
divine order or reality. It is the complete rule of life. When seeking guidance
about dharma, Hindus turn to divine revelation, sacred tradition, practices and
examples of the wise in society, and conscience.
8. The first caste is brahmin, consisting of priests.
The second caste is kshatriya, consisting of warriors and administrators. The
third caste is vaishya, made up of farmers, merchants and artisans. The fourth
caste is shudra, consisting of servants and laborers.
9. Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war because
it is his sacred duty. Not fighting in the war would be abandoning his duty,
gaining evil in the process.
10. The first
stage is of the student. This lasts until marriage. The second stage is the
householder, in which pursuing and career and raising a family are important.
The next stage is the forest dweller stage, marked by the birth of the first
grandchild. The fourth stage is sannyasin, or wandering ascetic. This stage is
composed of forest dwellers who remain detached from the normal attractions and
distractions of social life.
11. The first goal of life is kama, or pleasure. Kama is
to be embraced by whosoever desires it. Artha, or material success and the
social power that comes with it is another life goal. Once sensual pleasure and
material success runs dry, the third goal of life comes to play, dharma. As a
life goal, it is the most desired duty. The fourth life goal is the infinite
being, awareness and bliss of moksha.
12. The first path is Karma Marga, or “The Path of
Works.” This is best suited for the active, for those whom physical activities
come naturally. The second path if Jnana Marga, or “The Path of Knowledge.”
This path is best suited for those with talent for philosophical reflection.
The third path to liberation is Bhakti Marga, or “The Path of Devotion.” This
is best suited for those to whom emotional attachments comes naturally.
13. The three most important schools of Hindu philosophy
are Vedanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. They all strive to attain knowledge over the
ignorance that binds the self to samsara.
14. Three important gods and goddesses are Brahma, the
Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer.
15.An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiment,
of a deity, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose. Krishna an
avatar of Vishnu is an important Hindu figure who is identified as an avatar.
Rama is another popular avatar of Vishnu.
16. The Bhagavad-Gita is most closely associated with
bhakti marga.
17. Three aspects of Hindu devotional life are household
and village rituals, holy places, and cow veneration.
18. Mahatma Gandhi influenced Hinduism with his insights
including his tendency to accept all wisdom as lighting the way to the divine.
In addition, his efforts to stand up to oppression through nonviolence and
civil disobedience influenced Hinduism.
19. In the twentieth century, the Indian government
officially forbade discrimination against outcastes. There are governmental
programs that seek to promote the economic and social rights of those people.
20. Sati is the burning of a widow. Since 1829, sati has
been officially forbidden. However, it sometimes does still occur.
21. In 1947, the Muslim community forced the
partitioning of India to form the divided nation of Pakistan, providing a
Muslim homeland.
