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Hinduism:

Religion: an organized system (group of people doing the same thing) of belief in and reverence for a

supernatural being or beings (deity/deities), usually regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

Monotheistic: belief in one god/goddess.

Polytheistic: belief in more than one god/goddess.Sect: part of a religion, ex. Agni is just one sect of the Brahmnan.

Deity: god/goddess.

Brahman: the World Soul, the force in the universe, formless, nameless, everlasting.

Trimurty: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the maintainer), Shiva (the destroyer).

Avatar: A shape that a god/goddess can take.

Some Hindu deities include but are not limited to:

● Ganesh: helps people overcome obstacles.

● Indra: god of war and storms.

● Devi: the goddess with an important role in Hinduism, the central deity (for some).

● Parvati: wife of Shiva, can be Durga and Kali.

● Surya: flies across sky during daytime.

● Chandra: flies across sky during nighttime.

● Agni: god of fire.

● Lakshmi: goddess helps people with money troubles.

● Hanuman: brings medicine to injured soldiers.

Reincarnation: after death, one’s atman (soul) will be reborn into another form.

Karma: a record of past deeds that affect your future life.

Dharma: duties and obligations that all living things have.

Ahimsa: most important dharma for all Hindus, don’t injure or harm anyone.

Atman: soul.

Moksha: when your soul joins with the Brahman’s.

Indus River Valley: where Hinduism began.

Aryans: around 1600 BC, conquered Indus River Valley.

Dravidians: original inhabitants of Indus River Valley.

Hymn: song or prayer.

Vedas: important Hindu religious texts that come from old Aryan oral tradition/hymns and were

eventually written down in Sanskrit.

Sanskrit: a written language developed by the Aryans.Caste System: similar to social classes, social rankings.

Varna: Aryan social classes: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaisyas (merchants, landowners,

farmers), Sudras (servants, peasants), Dalits (untouchables, did the dirty jobs).

Diwali: “Festival of Lights”, Autumn, Mid Oct.-Nov, lasts 5 days, celebrates light over darkness,

decorate with illuminations (lanterns, lights, etc.) so that the lights guide Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and

 property, wife of Vishnu, fireworks, exchange gifts, large feasts, etc.

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Holi: “Festival of Colors”, usually in March, length varies (2-16 days), celebrates the destruction of the

evil demoness Holika, bonfires, great water fights with colored dye powder, no rules.

Arranged Marriage: marriage arranged by parents.

Dowry: gift from woman’s family to man’s family.