A | B |
Brahman | What all the universe is made of |
Atman | Portion of the divine that is in a person, similar to the concepts of a soul |
Dharma | Rules of life that all are to follow |
Karma | How well you follow the rules of life may determine next life |
Samsara | The cycle of life death and rebirth |
Moksha | The escape from samsara you become one with the universe |
Monotheistic | One god applies to Hinduism in the idea all gods are faces of the one god |
Puja | daily prayer usually done at home in the morning |
Murti | Icons religious images used to represent the gods |
Om | Sacred symbol used in Meditation |
Polytheistic | Belief in many gods |
Swastika | Lucky sacred symbol |
Vishnu | Protector god has been to Earth 9 times |
Shiva | Destroyer god |
Ganesh | Remover of obstacles and god of new beginnings |
Lakshimi | Goddess of Wealth and prosperity |
Brahma | Creator god |
Pavarti | Mother goddess wife to Shiva |
Durga | Warrior mother goddess |
Kali | Goddess of good over evil death of the body not soul |
Saraswarti | Goddess of the arts |
Indra | God of thunder |
Hanuman | Monkey god loyal brave ideal friend |
Castes | System used to divide the population based on birth |
Brahmin | Highest Caste Scholars and Priests |
Sudras | Lowest main caste servants |
Untouchables | Caste outside the main system lowest of the low |
Holi | Holiday in Spring thrown colored powder and water on each other. |
Diwali | Holiday in September Festival of lights |
Ganesh Chaturthii | Birthday of Ganesh |
one Billion | Number of Hindus in the world |
Nonviolence | A way to avoid harming Brahman Gandhi is famous for this |
Vegetarian | A way to avoid harming Brahman no animal flesh or products that harm the animal |
Ganges | Sacred river in the north of India |
Mantra | Chanted prayer |
Kshatriyas | Warrior caste they were the protectors and administrators |
Vaishyas | Merchant class Farmers and business men |
Head | body part that represents the Brahmin caste |
Arms | Body part that represents the Kshatriyas caste |
Torso | Body part that represents the Vaishyas caste |
Feet | Body part that represents the Sudras caste |
Vedas | Religious text hymns and prayers to the gods |