World Religions Vocabulary: Hinduism

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the god of fire; the link between gods and humans

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agni

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the doctrine of non violence toward all living creatures

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ahimsa

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a reformed version of Hinduism that rejects the worship of images and the caste system

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Arya Samaj movement

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the human soul; part of the innermost self that is identical to Brahman, the universal soul

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Atman

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an incarnation, or manifestation, of a deity in earthly form

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avatar

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intense devotion to a particular deity

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bhakti

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a deity who is considered the creator of the universe; hindu holy trinity

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brahma

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the universal soul of supreme being; the eternal spirit from which all things originate and to which they return

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brahman

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a member of the highest Hindu caste

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brahmin

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the organization of hindu society into four groups, each with its own duties and expectations

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caste system

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religious or moral duty

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dharma

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the hindu festival of lights that takes place at the end of October/beginning of November; celebrates the triumph of good over evil

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Diwali

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a spiritual teacher or guide who can help one achieve moksha, or salvation

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guru

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a concept that unites the gods Brahman, Vishnu, and Shiva into one entity

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Hindu Trinity

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a ritual that involves the burning of offerings in a fire that has been blessed by a priest

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homa

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the totality of one's actions

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karma

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the eight incarnation of the god Vishnu

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Krishna

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a member of the military caste

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Kshatriya

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a hindu epic poem comprising about 100 000 verses

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Mahabharata

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a sacred word or phrase that is chanted during worship or meditation

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mantra

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a word used to refer to the temporary and imperfect nature of the physical world

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maya

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deep contemplation that leads to a trance-like state in which the individual tries to become one with the Brahman

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meditation

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liberation of the soul from the endless cycle of rebirths; attained by uniting the Brahman with the atman; ultimate goal for Hindus

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moksha

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a sacred syllable that invokes the essence of Brahman when chanted; believed to be the sound of all reality

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om

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a mother goddess who represents female energy

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parvati

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a practice that involves redistributing to devotees food that has been offered to other deities

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prasad

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a common thanksgiving ritual that involves offerings of flowers, food, and other articles to the deities

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puja

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the seventh incarnation of God Vishnu

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Rama

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a hindu epic of about 24 000 verses

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Ramayana

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the endless cycle of rebirths

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samsara

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the generic name for all the manifestations of female energy, which may be represented as gentle or fierce

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Shakti

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a deity who is considered the destroyer and restorer of the universe; part of the Hindu trinity

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Shiva

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a sect of Hinduism whose followers worship the god Shiva

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Shivism

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knowledge that is revealed to, or discovered by the wise men of Hinduism (eg. content of Vedas)

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shruti

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human-made literature of knowledge that is remembered (eg. Mahabharata)

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smriti

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a member of the lowest hindu caste

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sudra

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the holy men of hinduism

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swami

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a sect of hiduism whose followers worship the god Vishnu

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Vaishnavism

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hiduism's earliest sacred writings

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vedas

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a deity who is considered the preserver of the universe

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vishnu

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a practice or discipline combining philosophy with physical exercises and meditation

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yoga

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a spiritually evolved individual who practices meditation

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yogi