Hinduism – National 5 Revision Guide
BELIEFS
♦Nature of
♦ Nature of
♦ Samsara

Brahman
human beings
Nirguna B’man – Atman - the soul The eternal
‘The one’
ultimate reality
which pervades
all existence.
Saguna B’man –
‘The many’
worshipped in
different
forms.
or ‘divine spark’
within human
beings. aka Jiva
The permanent,
eternal part of
living beings
within Samsara.
Maya – the
illusion of
‘duality’ or
separation from
Brahman which
characterises
Samsara
cycle of birth,
death and
reincarnation.
Circumstances
of rebirth and
human
personality are
determined by
the law of
karma.
♦ Dharma
♦ Karma

Sanatana Dharma The eternal law
- acting in
harmony with the
laws of the
universe
Varnashrama –
dharma – the
duties and
customs
associated with
one’s caste or
varna and stage
of life or
ashrama
Additional goals
of kama and
of cause and
effect wherein
one’s actions
determine the
circumstances
of rebirth.
The importance
of free will.
Good actions
are those done
out of duty and
without selfish
attachment to
consequences.
♦ Samadhi

The attainment
of bliss via the
experience of
‘oneness’ with
reality.
The realisation
of the true
nature of
reality and self.
The highest
state of
consciousness a
human being can
attain.
♦ Moksha
The ultimate goal
of Hindus.
Release or
escape from
samsara after
death of the
body.
Jivanmukti
Reunion with
Brahman.
artha.
PRACTICES
♦ Puja
Worship at home
Worship at the Mandir
♦ Festivals
Holi
Navaratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra
Divali
♦ Sanatana Dharma
♦ The Three Margas (Yogas)
Righteous living…
Ahimsa – non-violence, Satya – truthfulness
Asteya – not stealing, Sauca – purity of mind and body
Pathways to Moksha
1. Bhakti Yoga - Devotion
2. Karma Yoga – Unselfish action,
fulfilling one’s dharma.
3. Jnana Yoga – Knowledge and
understanding, esp meditation.
Raja Yoga combines all three and is
the highest form of yoga. Aim is
self-control, detachment, and
♦Varnashramadharma
Varna or caste duties, rules and customs
Ashramas - life stages
Samskaras – rites of passage
Samadhi
SOURCES
♦ Stories from Scripture
Rama and Sita
Krishna’s childhood
Bhagavad Gita (Krishna and
Arjuna)
♦ Images and statues
(Murtis)
Tirmurti
Vishnu
Shiva
Goddesses
♦ Stories from Scripture
Story of Purusha – Origins of Caste System
Laws of Manu – Varnashramadharma rules
Rama and Sita
Bhagavad Gita (Krishna and Arjuna)
♦ Stories from Scripture
Bhagavad Gita (Krishna and
Arjuna)
♦ Images and statues (Murtis)
Krishna
Shiva – Nataraj and Shankar