Hinduism

Key Terms:

 

avatar -- manifestation of the Supreme Being

dharma -- sacred path

karma -- cause and effect; ethical and moral; transcends the physical form

atman -- individual spirit/soul

Brahman -- universal or collective soul

samsara -- the cycle of rebirth

nirvana -- the end of samsara; union with Brahman; freedom from the material world; understanding; etc.

 
 

Gods:

Brahma -- creator god

Devi -- wife of Shiva, goddess who takes many forms—both kind and fierce

Ganesha -- god of good fortune and wisdom

Indra -- god of storms and rain

Shiva -- avenging and destroying god

Varuna -- originally a creator god and ruler of the sky, later became god of water

Vishnu -- preserver god and protector of life