5.2 Hinduism Key Beliefs: Nature of Human Life (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
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Define atman.
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Define atman.
The 'real self' or inner self — the eternal soul, made of spirit (Brahman), present in all living beings.
Is the atman mortal or eternal?
Eternal — it is never born and never dies (Katha Upanishad).
What do Hindus believe the atman is made of?
Spirit (Brahman) — a little part of Brahman is in each living being.
Which analogy shows the atman is present but unseen?
Salt dissolved in water — you cannot see it, but it is truly there (Chandogya Upanishad).
True or False?
Only humans have an atman.
False.
All living beings have an atman inside them.
When a Hindu achieves ______, the atman is united with Brahman.
When a Hindu achieves Moksha, the atman is united with Brahman.
What are the two Hindu views on the relationship between the atman and Brahman?
Some believe the atman is the same as Brahman; others believe it contains only part of Brahman.
The word 'atman' is a ______ word meaning 'real self'.
The word 'atman' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'real self'.
How does belief in the atman make Hindus value all life?
Because God (Brahman) is within every living thing, so all life is respected.
Define samsara.
The cycle of life, death and rebirth (the wheel of life).
Define karma.
The law that all good and bad actions have consequences, in this life or the next.
Define moksha.
Liberation from the cycle of samsara — the atman is united blissfully with Brahman.
What determines the body an atman is reborn into?
Its karma from the previous life.
Into what kinds of body can an atman be reborn?
Any living thing — a plant, animal or human.
What most determines the karmic weight of an action?
The intention behind it — pure intentions generate good karma.
How does the law of karma explain why some people suffer more?
They are paying the price for bad actions in a previous life; those with better lives are reaping rewards of good actions.
How is moksha achieved?
By overcoming ignorance and desire, over many reincarnations, doing dharma and gaining good karma.
True or False?
Moksha can only be achieved after death.
False.
Hindus believe moksha is possible to achieve within life, not just in death.
What must a Hindu paradoxically overcome to achieve moksha?
The desire for moksha itself.
Hindus aim to escape samsara by doing their dharma and gaining good ______.
Hindus aim to escape samsara by doing their dharma and gaining good karma.
What is 'Sayujya', one of the types of liberation?
Merging one's existence with Brahman.
Define kriyamana karma.
The karma collected now, which leads to consequences in the next life.
Hindus believe the material world is an ______ and full of suffering, which everyone should escape.
Hindus believe the material world is an illusion and full of suffering, which everyone should escape.
Why do Hindus respect all living creatures?
Because karma can lead to reincarnation into a human or other living creatures — all contain an atman.
Define ahimsa.
Harmlessness or non-violence — living without inflicting pain on others.
Name three personal virtues a Hindu should develop.
Ahimsa (non-harming), respect, empathy, self-control, humility and love.
Why do Hindus respect all living beings?
Because all living beings have an atman (a part of Brahman) within them.
Which animal do Hindus regard as sacred, and why?
The cow — vital to life, as it works the land and provides milk and butter.
What does the virtue of humility mean for a Hindu?
Helping others because they need help, not to boast about it.
Why do Hindus practise self-control of the mind and senses?
To stop wanting material possessions and focus on spiritual thoughts, which are more important.
True or False?
Hindus should perform virtues in order to earn moksha as a reward.
False.
They should act compassionately because it is the right way to live, not to gain a reward — doing so for reward brings bad karma.
Ahimsa means ______, and is something all Hindus should follow.
Ahimsa means non-violence, and is something all Hindus should follow.
How can a Hindu show ahimsa in a practical way?
By showing compassion, e.g. giving to charity to help those in need.
Define empathy (as a Hindu virtue).
Considering how others are feeling and how you would feel in their situation.
Acting with the personal virtues helps a Hindu gain good ______ and move towards moksha.
Acting with the personal virtues helps a Hindu gain good karma and move towards moksha.
Define Purusharthas.
The four aims of human life in Hinduism: dharma, kama, artha and moksha.
What are the four aims of human life?
Dharma (duty)
Kama (pleasure)
Artha (wealth)
Moksha (liberation)
Define dharma.
A person's duty — leading a righteous life and doing what is right.
Define kama.
Love, desire and pleasure — including cultural, sporting and sexual pleasure.
Define artha.
Prosperity or wealth, pursued lawfully and without becoming attached to it.
Which of the four aims is the ultimate goal?
Moksha — freedom from samsara, uniting the atman with Brahman.
True or False?
Karma and kama mean the same thing.
False.
Kama is sensual pleasure or desire; karma is the law that every action has a consequence.
What are the four ashramas (stages of life)?
Brahmacharya (student)
Grihasta (householder)
Vanaprastha (retirement)
Sannyasin (holy man)
Define sanatana dharma.
'Eternal truth (law)' — the universal dharma that applies to all people at all times; many Hindus call their religion this.
What is varnashrama dharma?
The personal duties a Hindu follows depending on their stage of life and caste.
What does the Grihasta (householder) stage begin with?
Marriage.
The four aims are dharma, kama, artha and ______.
The four aims are dharma, kama, artha and moksha.
Who are the Dalits?
A group excluded from the caste system (over 15% of India's population); 'Dalit' means 'the broken' or 'the oppressed'.
The student stage (Brahmacharya) begins with the ______ thread ceremony (upanayana).
The student stage (Brahmacharya) begins with the sacred thread ceremony (upanayana).
What should a Hindu be led by, rather than material possessions or pleasure?
Their duty (dharma) to do the right thing.
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