Key Features of Indian Religion and Society

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  • Created by: miaakate
  • Created on: 28-02-14 13:40
What is "Atman?"
The belief that every individual has an eternal, unchanging soul. Early Sanskrit texts spoke of the soul as the breath of the divine. Upanishads taught that the divine or Brahman was the soul and was therefore present in each of us.
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What is "Reincarnation?"
'Re' means to happen again and again. According to religious beliefs, the soul is passed on to different existences again and again, and force which drives reincarnation is karma.
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What were the different 'class and caste's' of Indian Society?
The society of India was hierarchial. Ritual Purity meant that some groups were considered to be more ritually pure than others; e.g Brahmin = priest, top of the hierarchy. Caste refers to the type of occupation found within each class.
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What were the four classes in Society?
There are four classes/Varnas. 1, the Brahmins. 2. the Kshatriyas. 3. the Varhyas. 4. the Shudras.
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What is the meaning of Duty?
In the main is to follow the dharma/teachings. Ancient Indian belief maintained that the Universe was ordered, and humans had a specific role in this order.
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According to Hindu tradition,what are the four stages of life?
1, Education, learning the Vedas. 2, Have a house and family. 3, Retirement is upon the man and hands over responsibilities to his son. 4. Renunciation only takes place when all family duties have been fulfilled.
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What is Renunciation?
The fourth stage of life, and is called "Sanyassa." It's option, but the man of the household will renounce all his wordly possessions including his family and his name to journey on a quest for spirtituality.
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What's the purpose of renouncing?
To realize the presence of Brahmin within. The physical self, needed to be firmly controlled, that is a strict ascetism had to be followed in an effort to avoid the distractions of the world and to direct the soul towards liberation.
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Card 2

Front

What is "Reincarnation?"

Back

'Re' means to happen again and again. According to religious beliefs, the soul is passed on to different existences again and again, and force which drives reincarnation is karma.

Card 3

Front

What were the different 'class and caste's' of Indian Society?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were the four classes in Society?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is the meaning of Duty?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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