AS Level - Hinduism - WJEC

AS Level - Hinduism - WJEC

1. Beliefs about the Deity and Humanity

   • Concepts of God
     • Henotheism
       • Worship of 1 God, and the acceptance of other Gods
     • Monotheism
       • Belief in 1 God who has personal qualities
     • Monism
       • Everything is made of 1 essential essence (atman), God is impersonal (Brahman)
     • Polytheism
       • Worship of many Gods
   • Relationship Between Brahman and Atman
     • Dualism
       • Atman is part of Brahman
     • Non-Dualism
       • Atman and Brahman are separate
   • Brahman
     • Impersonal
     • Supreme/ Ultimate Being
     • Essence of Life
     • Eternal and Indestructable
     • Same as reality as the atman
     • Ultimate Spiritual Reality
     • Universal Spirit and Life Force
   • Vishnu & Avatars
     • Means 'decent'
     • 9 Avatars, 1 yet to come
     • Vishnu's avatars linked to evolution
     • Humans don't deserve God's interventions; He does it becuase he cares
     • When the world is in danger from evil, God uses it to restore moral order
     • Whenever Vishnu's avatar is human, Lakshmi decends as an avatar
     • When Vishnu decends, He takes the most suitable form to help
     • Vishnu
       • Mace=Power
       • Lotus=Glorious Existance
       • Discus=Wheel of Time
       • Lakshmi
       • Preserver
       • Reminds followers to follow religious morals and laws
       • Gandara=Half man/Half bird
       • Dark Blue/Black
       • Dependant of Shakti
       • Vaishnavism
         • Dualism
         • Men often shave hair; leave a tuft at back
         • U Shape drawn on forehead
         • Moksha through Bhakti
         • Largest branch of Hinduism - 50%
         • Monotheistic
         • Ecstatic dancing and chanting of Holy names
         • Vishnu temples and shrines=elaborate
         • Usually Vegetarians
         • Devotional-Personal aspects of God
         • Believe that other Gods serve Him