Hinduism Flash Cards

“the right way, the cosmic order”, philosophical foundation for the concept of dharma. The more developed concept of dharma is now used in place of Rta

“the end of the Vedas”, synonym for the part of the Vedas called the Upanisads. Also one of
the six ‘darsanas’ or schools of thought based on the interpretation of the Upanisads. Focuses on the

“to sit down beside a spiritual mentor”. The last portion of the Vedic texts, concerning
philosophical matters: nature of reality, the self, and their relationship.

“righteousness, duty, social obligation”. The way things should be if properly aligned with
rta ‘the cosmic order’, and how one should behave in relation to the cosmic order.

“vedic sacrificial rights”. Performed for the benefit of the social or cosmic good, thought to
maintain the very order of the cosmos by providing nourishment for the gods.

The priestly class, genre of Vedic ritual texts. The texts are concerned with the recitation of
sacred verses and with ritual practices of the Brahmin class.

“action”. Concept of causality in moral action, good deeds are rewarded vs. bad deeds are
punished both in this life and the next. All actions have consequences.

Four classes in Hindu society: upper three ‘privileged’ classes of Brahmin (priests),
Ksatriyas (warriors), and Vaisyas (merchants) and the lower servant class of sudras.

Class of priests in the Hindu varna system, considered the highest in the social hierarchy.
Fundamental duty is the protection and support of dharma. All other classes’ duties are defined in
relationship to the Brahmins.

Warrior class in the Hindu varna system. Duty is to offer protection to people, commission
sacrificial rituals; right to bear arms and to study the Vedas.

Merchant class in the Hindu varna system. Duty is to trade, deal with commerce, offer sacrifices;
right to study the Vedas.

The servant class, lowest in the Hindu varna system. Duty to serve the upper three classes, not
allowed to study the Vedas.

“oppressed, an Untouchable”. Outside the varna system. Their ritual pollution is thought to
transfer temporarily to the higher castes through contact, requiring a series of actions to return to one’s
original purity.

“birthgroup”. Smaller groups within the varnas. Usually based on occupation but also on family,
geography, etc. There are thousands of them.

Hindu rites of passage. Each stage of life is marked by a life-cycle ritual ‘samskara’ according
to one’s varna and gender. Stages include: reaching man/womanhood, marriage, death/cremation, etc.