Asian 101 Exam #1 Flashcards

Concepts and Definitions

• Dharma: Represents religion, ethics, duty, and law; essential for upholding society and the cosmos.
• Dravidian: Indigenous people of India known for complex urban settlements along the Indus River, featuring standard weights, writings, and a fertility goddess.
• Varna: Refers to the Hindu caste system, also associated with the concept of color.
• Samsara: The cycle of life, death, and rebirth; signifies the suffering associated with reincarnation and includes the concept of imperishable atman (soul).
• Yuga: Cycles of time that dictate the phases of existence; currently in the Kali Yuga, the age of destruction.
• Soma: A deity and plant in Hinduism known for its intoxicating effects, used specifically in worship.
• Agni: The Vedic god of fire, symbolizing illumination and transformation, emerged from Purusha (the cosmic man).
• Dalits (Harijan): Historically referred to as untouchables or pariahs; their actions in life determine caste mobility in future lives.
• Shiva: Known as the destroyer and restorer of worlds; often associated with phallic symbols.
• Lingum: Symbol of Shiva representing masculinity; viewed as an uncircumcised penis.
• Yoni: Symbol for feminine divine attributes as represented by Shiva; interpreted as the vagina.
• Harappa-Mohenjo Daro: A key civilization founded by Dravidians, known for advanced urban planning, regional trade, and public infrastructure.
• Vedas: Ancient religious texts comprising knowledge and revelations in Sanskrit; corruption of these texts is viewed as a significant offense.
• Aryan: Indo-European tribes who introduced the Vedic system and caste hierarchy to India.
• Krishna: Central figure in Hindu doctrine; acknowledged as the supreme personality of Godhead, advocating for multiple paths to spiritual liberation in the Bhagavad Gita.
• Kali: A fierce goddess associated with destruction; linked to the cycle of creation emerging from destruction.
• Durga: Mother goddess depicted as a powerful figure who slays demons, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Life Goals and Stages

• Four Goals of Life:

  • Kama: Pursuit of pleasure.
  • Artha: Engagement in politics and material wealth.
  • Dharma: Commitment to duty and service.
  • Moksha: Spiritual liberation sought through guidance of gurus.

• Four Life Stages:

  • Student: Initial stage focused on education.
  • Householder: Adult phase involving family responsibilities.
  • Hermit: Withdrawal from worldly attachments.
  • Sannyasin: Final stage where one teaches and prepares for transcendence.

Ascetic Practices and Social Structures

• Sadhus: Ascetic practitioners who engage in extreme rituals to alter their perception of reality, sometimes involving nudity and challenges like walking through fire.
• Aghori: Extreme ascetic followers of Shiva, known for inhabiting cremation grounds and engaging in radical practices that defy societal norms.
• Lawbook of Manu: Legal text that enforced patriarchy and codified Hindu beliefs.
• Sati: A historical practice where a widow self-immolates on her husband's funeral pyre, reflecting deep-rooted cultural norms.
• Karma: The belief that every action has ethical repercussions, impacting present and future lives, with the ultimate goal of achieving moksha (release from the cycle of rebirth).
• Reincarnation: Concept that the soul is eternal, returning in different physical forms across lifetimes.

Deities and Historical Civilizations

• Brahma: Creator deity in Hinduism, associated with the duality of creation and destruction, revered by some Tantric practitioners.
• Vishnu: The preserver god in Hinduism, crucial for maintaining cosmic order.
• Pan Gu: In Chinese cosmogony, the first living being who created the world from his own body, symbolizing the link between mythology and cosmology.
• Yellow River: A vital 3,000-mile river in China recognized for both its fertile contributions and catastrophic floods; seen as the cradle of early Chinese civilization.
• Xia Dynasty: Dates back to 2200 BCE, characterized by a hereditary monarchy and early flood control efforts; debated as a mythological entity or historical reality.
• Shang Dynasty: Significant Chinese dynasty lasting from 1766 to 1122 BCE, noted for advancements in bronze metallurgy and state-controlled industries.