5.3 Hinduism Key Practices: Worship (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
1/570Still learning
Know0
Define puja.
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (57)
Define puja.
Hindu worship — 'giving respect and honour' to the deity, who is treated as an honoured guest.
Define bhakti.
Loving devotion to God, a way of connecting with Ultimate Reality (Brahman).
Define mandir.
A Hindu temple — a sacred place for worship.
Daily home puja uses which of the senses?
All five senses — bell (hearing), food (tasting), murti (seeing), incense/flowers (smelling), kum-kum powder (touching).
What is the arati lamp, and how is it used?
A lamp (often ghee-fuelled with many wicks) circled in front of the murti, symbolising the light and love of the gods.
What does a worshipper do on entering a mandir?
Removes their shoes as a sign of respect, then rings a bell at a shrine.
What is the purpose of worship in the mandir ('to have darshan')?
To see, and be seen by, the gods and goddesses (the divine).
Who leads the daily arati ceremonies in a mandir?
A Brahmin priest.
Define prashad.
Blessed food offered to the gods and then shared with worshippers or given to those in need.
Name a natural place where Hindus worship outdoors.
Hills or rivers — e.g. the Himalayas (Himavat) or the Ganges River (Goddess Ganga).
True or False?
Hindus must worship in a temple for it to be meaningful.
False.
Because of the 'space of the heart' (Brahman within all), worship can take place anywhere.
What is the 'space of the heart'?
The belief that Brahman is within people, so worship can happen wherever they are (dahara akasha).
A worshipper marks their forehead with ______ powder as a sign of honour and devotion.
A worshipper marks their forehead with kum-kum powder as a sign of honour and devotion.
Which river is most sacred in the Hindu tradition?
The Ganges (the personification of the Goddess Ganga).
According to the Bhagavad Gita, it is not the cost of the offering but the ______ of the devotee that pleases the gods.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, it is not the cost of the offering but the love of the devotee that pleases the gods.
What are the four main types of Hindu worship?
Puja
Aarti
Darshan
Havan
Define aarti.
A worship ceremony where a lamp is passed around; worshippers waft their hands over the flame and over their heads to gain blessings.
Define darshan.
'To be seen by God' — a ceremony where Hindus touch the feet of a deity to show honour and hope for blessings.
Define havan.
A traditional fire sacrifice (originally to Agni); offerings symbolise giving something up for Brahman — used today in weddings.
How many steps do couples walk around the fire at a Hindu wedding (havan)?
Seven steps.
Which prayer beads are used to chant mantras during darshan?
Malas.
Who do Shaivites worship, and what is this form of Hinduism called?
Shiva (the Destroyer); it is called Shaivism.
Who do Vaishnavas worship, and what is this form called?
Vishnu (the Preserver); it is called Vaishnavism.
True or False?
Shaivas and Vaishnavas hold the same belief about the atman and Brahman.
False.
Shaivas believe the atman and Brahman are one; Vaishnavas believe the atman is separate from the Supreme Being.
On which form of Shiva do Shaivas focus their worship?
Nataraja (Shiva's dancing form).
On what do Vaishnavas focus their worship?
The ten incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu, including Rama and Krishna.
Define japa.
Repetitive prayers or mantras said in Vaishnava worship (bhakti / personal devotion).
The main aim of all Hindu worship is to show ______ — loving devotion to God.
The main aim of all Hindu worship is to show bhakti — loving devotion to God.
Why can Hindu worship take place anywhere?
Because Hindus believe Brahman is omnipresent (everywhere), connected to all through the atman.
During aarti, the lighted wick provides light and chases away ______, symbolising keeping away the material world.
During aarti, the lighted wick provides light and chases away darkness, symbolising keeping away the material world.
Define deva / devi.
A god (deva) or goddess (devi) in Hinduism — a representation of the One Supreme God, Brahman.
Name three focuses of Hindu worship.
The Supreme (God), the gods and goddesses, the guru/teacher, family elders, the cow and bull, sacred rivers and plants, and all living beings.
Why can many different things be a focus of worship in Hinduism?
Because all are representative of the One Supreme God (Brahman).
Define Ishvara.
A Hindu's personal god or chosen deity for worship.
How is a murti understood in worship?
As a symbolic representation of God — not as an idol.
Why do Hindus worship Brahman through different deities?
Because Brahman is too complicated to understand, so they comprehend Him through the deities.
What does Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, remove?
Obstacles — he is worshipped at the beginning of important ventures.
What does Hanuman, the monkey god, represent?
Courage, power and faithful, selfless service.
True or False?
Worshipping many deities makes Hinduism polytheistic.
False.
All the deities are manifestations of the one Supreme God, Brahman — Hinduism is monotheistic.
Which family members are a focus of worship, representing the divine?
Family elders (like the mother and father), and the cow (as mother) and bull (as father).
Sacred rivers such as the ______ are a focus of Hindu worship.
Sacred rivers such as the Ganges are a focus of Hindu worship.
What is Saraswati revered as the goddess of?
Knowledge, learning, wisdom and music.
Hindus may choose which ______ to worship depending on their needs at a particular time.
Hindus may choose which deity to worship depending on their needs at a particular time.
What is Diwali, and how long does it last?
The festival of lights ('full of light'), lasting five days in October or November.
In Northern India, which story does Diwali celebrate?
Rama and Sita defeating the demon king Ravana.
Why do Hindus light diva lamps at Diwali?
To light the way home for Rama and Sita after Rama defeated Ravana.
Which goddess is honoured at Diwali in some parts of India?
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Define rangoli.
Colourful patterns placed on doorsteps at Diwali to welcome visitors and good fortune (Lakshmi).
What does Diwali celebrate the victory of?
Good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
What is Holi known as, and when is it celebrated?
The festival of colours, celebrated in spring at new moon over two days.
Which story of good over evil is linked to Holi?
The story of Prahlad and Holika — Holika was burned, and Prahlad was saved by Vishnu for his devotion.
True or False?
The colour-throwing of Holi is thought to come from stories of Lord Krishna.
True.
Stories of the mischievous young Krishna throwing coloured water are thought to be the origin of Holi's paint fights.
Define Holika Dahan.
The first night of Holi — when a bonfire is lit and an effigy of Holika is burned.
On the main day of Holi (Rangwali Holi), people throw colourful ______ and water at one another.
On the main day of Holi (Rangwali Holi), people throw colourful powder and water at one another.
What season does Holi signify the beginning of?
Spring (the end of winter).
Diwali translates as '______ of light' and is known as the festival of lights.
Diwali translates as 'full of light' and is known as the festival of lights.
Who was saved from the fire by Lord Vishnu in the Holi story?
Prahlad (a prince who worshipped Vishnu).
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or