Learning a few key words makes it much easier to understand Hindu ideas, texts and festivals. Use the search to find a term, or switch to flashcards to test yourself.
- Brahman Ideas
- The ultimate reality that underlies everything, as described in the Upanishads.
- Atman Ideas
- The true, inner self. Many schools of Hindu thought teach that atman is one with Brahman.
- Dharma Ideas
- Right conduct and duty, which can depend on a person’s stage and situation in life.
- Karma Ideas
- Action, and the principle that actions have consequences, in this life or a future one.
- Samsara Ideas
- The cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
- Moksha Ideas
- Liberation from the cycle of rebirth; often seen as the highest goal of life.
- Bhakti Practice
- Loving devotion to God, described in the Bhagavad Gita as one path to liberation.
- Puja Practice
- Worship, at home or in a temple, often with offerings such as flowers, light, incense and food.
- Murti Practice
- A sacred image or statue of a deity, used as a focus for worship.
- Mandir Practice
- A Hindu temple: a place of worship and community.
- Mantra Practice
- A sacred sound, word or phrase that is spoken, chanted or repeated silently.
- Japa Practice
- Repeating a mantra many times, often while counting on a mala.
- Mala Practice
- A string of beads, traditionally 108, used to count repetitions of a mantra.
- Yoga Practice
- A family of disciplines for uniting body, mind and spirit; classical yoga is described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
- Vedas Texts
- The oldest Hindu scriptures, revered across traditions.
- Upanishads Texts
- Philosophical texts that explore the self and ultimate reality.
- Bhagavad Gita Texts
- A conversation between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, found within the Mahabharata.
- Ramayana Texts
- An epic telling the story of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman.
- Mahabharata Texts
- A vast epic about the Pandava and Kaurava families and the great war between them.
- Diya Festivals
- A small oil lamp, lit especially at Diwali, the festival of lights.
- Rangoli Festivals
- Colourful patterns made on the floor, often at the entrance of a home, especially at festival time.
