The doctrine that reality is ultimately made up of only one essence.
What is monism?
100
The creator God who is highly thought of but rarely worshiped anymore.
Who is Brahma?
100
Stage for forest dwellers who are ready to return to society, but remain detached from the normal attractions and distractions of social life. "One who neither hates nor desires."
What is a wandering ascetic or sannyasin?
100
Hinduism's oldest sacred text, which declares, "God is one but men call him by many names."
What is the Rig Veda?
100
Priests
Who are the Brahmin?
200
The eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought.
What is Brahman?
200
The Preserver, with four arms and various symbols of power and goodness, is regarded by his devotees as their supreme protector and example of moral perfection.
Who is Vishnu?
200
Goal of the pursuit of love in a physical form.
What is kama (sensual pleasure)?
200
The ultimate reality within. "The eternal self."
What is Atman?
200
"Children of God"
Who are the Untouchables?
300
The wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs.
What is samsara?
300
The Destroyer whose destruction makes way for new creation.
Who is Shiva?
300
Retreat from worldly bonds in order to engage fully in a spiritual quest.
What is a forest dweller?
300
Hinduism's most popular sacred text.
What is the Bhagavad-Gita?
300
Producers, such as farmers, merchants, and artisans.
Who are the Vaishya?
400
A collection of over two hundred texts composed between 900 and 200 BC that provide philosophical commentary on the Vedas.
What is the Upanishads?
400
Number of Gods and Goddesses.
What is over 330 million?
400
Ethical duty.
What is dharma?
400
This determines the nature of reincarnation. Literally means, "action" or "deeds."
What is Karma?
400
Unskilled laborers and servants.
Who are the Shudra?
500
Liberation or release of the individual self, atman, from the bondage of samsara; salvation; one of the four goals in life.
What is moshka?
500
Remover of obstacles, with an elephant head.
Who is Ganesha?
500
This goal comes with infinite being, awareness, and bliss. Analogized as "The great ocean into which all rivers eventually flow."
What is moshka?
500
This phrase is frequently cited in Hindu literature which describes that all reality shares one essence.