| A | B |
|---|
| Aryans | Early, warrior-like settlers that had a large influence on Hinduism |
| Upanishads | Explains vedas |
| Vedas | Holy book, read by priests |
| Brahman | The spiritual essence of the universe |
| Atman | The spiritual essence of all individual human beings |
| Karma | moral law of cause and effect that determines the direction of rebirth |
| Samsara | Cycle of rebirth |
| Bhagavad Gita | A religious literary work about Krishna, discuss proper living |
| Rama | A god and mythical king; a form of Vishnu |
| Dharma | One's duty |
| Om/ Aum | Sacred symbol representing god |
| Swastika | Symbol for good luck |
| Cow | Sacred animal because it is a giving animal and asks for little in return |
| Ahimsa | Non-violence |
| Caste System | One of the major social classes sanctioned by Hinduism |
| Brahmin | Member of the priestly caste |
| Kshatriya | Member of the warrior caste |
| Vaishya | Member of the merchant and landowner caste |
| Shudra | Member of the peasant caste |
| Dalit | Untouchable |
| Guru | Spiritual teacher |
| Ashram | A spiritual community |
| Puja | Offerings and rituals in honor of a deity |
| Bhakti yoga | The spiritual discipline of devotion to a deity or guru |
| Hatha yoga | The spiritual discipline of postures and bodily exercises |
| Jnana yoga | The spiritual discipline of knowledge and insight |
| Karma yoga | The spiritual discipline of selfless action |
| Raja yoga | The” royal” discipline of meditation |
| Trimurti | “Three forms” of the divine- the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva |
| Brahma | God of creation |
| Vishnu | A god associated with preservation and love |
| Shiva | A god associated with destruction and rebirth |
| Ganges River | Sacred river, many rituals take place in the river, Hindus believe it flows from heaven |
