Hinduism. Glossary of Key Terms 12:00

Transcription

1 Hinduism Glossary of Key Terms 12:00

2 Hinduism Glossary Ahimsa Arti Ashramas Atman Avatar Bhakta Bhagavadgita Bindis Brahma Brahman Brahmin Burfi Castes Diety Diwali Diva Dharma Guru Ganesha Gayatri Mantra Ghee Hanuman Holi Ishtadev Non-injury to living things Form of Hindu worship/prayer in which burning lamps are waved before the statues of the gods to invoke their presence. The four stages of life the individual self or soul The incarnation of a deity, sometime in human form; most commonly used is Vishnu the Preserver God Love and devotion (to a personal God) The Hindu holy book; the Song of the Lord A red sport or mark worn on the forehead of Hindus. Usually the mark is placed on worshippers forehead after a Puja service The Creator God one of the members of the Trimurti Supreme power in the Universe; ultimate reality; God The priestly caste Milk sweets often give out during worship Social divisions of Hindu society A god or goddess Hindu festival of Lights (sometimes Divali or Deepavali) A small lamp Religious and moral conduct appropriate to a person s status in Hindu society A religious teacher and spiritual guide The elephant-headed God; god of good beginnings; symbol of luck A very important verse from the Vedas which is said each day in particular by the Brahmins (Priests) Clarified Butter The monkey God; Hero of the Ramayana, God of strength Festival of Colours; also of Fire and Water A personally chosen God

3 Janamashtami Janen Jati Karma Krishna Lakshmi Mahabharata Mahashivratri Mandir Mantra Moksha Murti Namasti Om Prashad Puja Puja Tray Puranaa Rama Krishna Ramayana Ravana Rig Veda Rishis Birthday of Krishna Sacred thread worn by Hindus studying under the guru Birth or Caste Literally actions which determine the nature of future rebirth, ie good actions bring a good rebirth, bad actions a bad rebirth. A cumulative influence on the cycle of life and death An avatar of Vishnu which is worshipped widely The goddess of prosperity and wife of Vishnu the Preserver God. Popular at the time of Diwali when lamps are put in windows to attract her attention One of the two epic poems of India which includes the Bhagavad Gita The Great Shiva Night. Shiva, one of the most important gods in Hinduism, has the power to create and to destroy. This is a time of fasting. A Hindu temple or shrine A sacred verse from the ancient scriptures which is repeated before and during worship; usually written in Sanskrit Freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth; liberation; ultimate union with God The image or statue of a God/Goddess A greeting, usually said with hands clasped in front of the body; literally I bow to God as you A sacred syllable; said to be the first word ever lettered; the most sacred mantra (sometimes Aum) Food offered to the gods and shared with the congregation Prayer/worship of the gods; offerings A special tray used during worship which carries several symbolic items used within worship, eg small bell, water pot, diva lamp and incense burner Ancient books containing stories do the gods/sages A world famous Hindu teacher much influenced by other faiths One of the two great epics of India which tells the story of Rama The demon king who depicts evil in the Ramayan The oldest of the Hindu scriptures, literally royal knowledge Hindu holy man

4 Samsara Samskara Sanskrit Saraswati Satsang Shiva Sita Trimurti Upanishads Upanayana Varna Vedas Vishnu Yoga The constant change of the world through a process of dying and being reborn reincarnation Ceremonies which are rites of passage Language of the ancient scriptures The goddess of music, art and learning and wife of the god Brahma. Worshipped on the last three days of Navaratri A gathering for devotional singing/worship The most ancient Hindu deity, the Destroyer God a member of the Trimurti Wife of Rama and found in the story of the Ramayan which is told at the time of Diwali The three major aspects of the Brahman, the Absolute Bing; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer Hindu scriptures; final section of the Vedic scriptures Sacred thread ceremony One of the four main groups in traditional Hindu society The oldest Hindu scriptures which reveal knowledge The Preserver God member of the Trimurti a discipline or path by which a person seeks union with god; the path to salvation

5

6