HINDUISM

HINDUISM

1. HINDU DHARMA; duty, obligation, law, ethic

2. SANATANA DHARMA; timeless/eternity

3. GOAL:Unity of ATMAN with BRAHMAN

4. VARNA (CASTE)

   • VAISHYA (merchant)
   • SHUDRA (slaves)
   • KSHATRIYA (warrior)
   • BRAHMIN (priest)
   • DALIT (untouchable)

5. ASHRAMA (STAGES OF LIFE)

   • BRAHMACARIN (student)
   • VANAPRASTHA (retiree)
   • SANNYASA (renunciate)
   • GRIHASTHA (householder)

6. GODS

   • TRIMURTI ("FORM")
     • BRAHMA (the creator) <-> SARASWATI (wisdom)
     • GANESHA (remover of obstacles)
     • VISHNU (the preserver) <-> LAKSHMI (wealth/fertility)
     • SHIVA (the destroyer) <-> PARVATI (energy/Shakti) <-> KALI (death)

7. SCRIPTURES

   • SMRITI ("REMEMBERED")
     • VEDA "KNOWLEDGE"
       • RIG VEDA; hymn knowledge & mythology
       • YAJUR VEDA; ceremonial knowledge (for Brahmins)
       • SAMA VEDA; chant knowledge (for ritual singers)
       • ANTHARVA VEDA; knowledge from the teachers (priest/shaman)
     • UPANISHAD "SITTING NEXT TO YOU TEACHER
   • SHRUTI ("HEARD")

8. DHARMAS

   • VISHESHA DHARMA (specific)
   • SADHARANA DHARMA (universal)
     • KARMA YOGA; path of action/selfless service
     • RAJA YOGA; path of meditation
       • HATHA YOGA; "force yoga"
     • BHAKTI YOGA; path of devotional worship (puja)
     • JHANA YOGA; path of spritual knowledge

9. BRAHMAN; world soul

10. ATMAN; individual soul

11. MAYA; illusion/everyday world

12. SAMSARA; cycle of rebirth

13. KARMA; "to do", determines the direction of rebirth

14. MOKSHA; liberation from samsara (become one with BRAHMAN)

15. TRANSMIGRATION OF THE SOUL (REINCARNATION)

16. NAMASTE; "the divine in me dwell in you"

17. Om/Aum; divine sound, symbol of the SUPREME GOD

18. AVATAR (incarnation)