Introduction to Hinduism

Hinduism originated in India around 1,500 BCE, possibly influenced by Aryan invaders and other cultures, and has no single founder.

Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (pleasure), and Moksha (liberation) are the four main objectives in Hindu life.

The ultimate, formless, divine reality in Hinduism, the source of everything.

The individual soul that is part of Brahman.

Hinduism has many deities, but three are frequently worshipped as primary – Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver) and Shiva (destroyer).

Hindu scriptures containing hymns, rituals and prayers. The Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Veda, and Atharva-Veda are considered primary.

Liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism. Desirable goal.

Paths or practices for achieving liberation, including Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Karma Yoga (action), and others.

A Hindu spiritual path focusing on mental discipline, meditation, and self-control to connect with the divine.

A Hindu spiritual path emphasizing knowledge and introspection to lead to self-realization.

The historical figure who became the Buddha, the enlightened one.

A term meaning 'Enlightened One', title given to Siddhartha Gautama.

The oldest surviving Buddhist tradition, emphasizing the original teachings and monastic practice.

Non-violent resistance, a concept central to Gandhi's philosophy.

A sacred sound representing the universe and Brahman in Hinduism.

A traditional Hindu greeting that acknowledges the divine within another person.

The most complete collection of early Buddhist writings, written in the Pali language. It contains the Buddha's teachings, monastic rules, and philosophical analysis.

One of the three sections of the Pali Canon, containing the Buddha's discourses, including teachings and stories of his past lives.

A core Theravada belief stating that humans do not have a permanent, unchanging soul.

The belief that all things are transitory, including the five aggregates of human existence: form, feelings, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.

The fundamental teachings of Buddhism, outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to end suffering.

A period in Chinese history (475 B.C.E. to 221 B.C.E.) marked by conflict between various states.

A classic Chinese text that documents rituals and ceremonies practiced in ancient China.

Rituals in the Book of Rites focused on stages of a person's life, like coming of age.

A societal structure emphasizing hierarchy and respect for elders, with fathers, husbands, and rulers holding more power.

A rigid system where social positions are predetermined and not easily changed.

A lower or less powerful position within a hierarchy, often associated with women in Confucian society.

A society where men hold greater power and authority than women.

Morals and principles emphasized by Confucius, including respect, filial piety, and social harmony.

An ethnic religion of Japan focusing on nature worship, ancestor veneration, and spirits (kami). It emphasizes purity and harmony with nature and is a way of life that can coexist with other religions.

Spirits in Shintoism that inhabit natural elements, ancestors, and exceptional human beings.

A core concept in Shinto emphasizing physical, external, and material cleanliness.

Viewed as physical rather than moral in Shinto. Rituals like 'Misogi' (water purification) and 'Harai' (exorcism) cleanse impurities.

Places where kami are worshipped in Shinto, often located in nature.

Symbolic gates in Shinto, marking the transition from the human world to the sacred realm of kami.

Small altars in Shinto homes for personal worship and offerings to kami.

A Shinto purification ritual involving cleansing with water.

The virtue or power attained by aligning oneself with the Dao. It's achieved through passive inaction and contentment.

The concept of 'Action through Inaction' in Daoism. It advocates minimal interference and embracing the natural flow of life.

The balance of opposing forces, interconnected and interdependent. It symbolizes complementary aspects of existence.

Ceremonies and practices within Daoism, including initiations, exorcisms, purification, and festivals like the New Year.

Achieving longevity and immortality through practices like meditation, breathing techniques, and herbal remedies.