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Importance of the Present Life and Afterlife - Hindusim > Ashrama > Flashcards

Flashcards in Ashrama Deck (10)
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1
Q

What are the Ashramas?

A
the 4 stages in life
1) student - formal education
2) married / family (householder) - considered most important of all stages
3) retirement
4) ascetic
only applies to humans
2
Q

Why is it important for Hindus to follow Ashramas?

A

following dharma

3
Q

What happens in the first Ashrama (student)?

A
birth until between age of 12 and 25
study Vedic scriptures 
celibate
he is called a  brahmachari
aim = make him a useful and mature member of society, prepare for future profession and for family, social and religious life
4
Q

What happens in the second Ashrama (householder)?

A

called grhastha
marriage + family - regardless of poverty have many children, at least until have a boy
man should work at a trade or profession - support family + contribute to welfare of community
goals = wealth + pleasure (kama)

5
Q

What happens in the third Ashrama (forest hermit)?

A

called vanaprastha

retire from family + social life, give up work, wealth, possessions and celibate and retreat to forest

6
Q

What happens in the fourth Ashrama (wandering ascetic)?

A

called sannyasin
renounce, world, wife, social duties + religious obligations
desires, hopes, fears + responsibilities abandoned
concentrate on merging with God
will often burn an effigy of their bodies signify that they have died to the world

7
Q

Why is the Ashrama system not practiced by many people in India today?

A

excludes certain groups - Sudras (1/3 population) + women

3rd + 4th not practice - withdraw from life

8
Q

When is it believed that the Ashrama system came about?

A

5th Century BCE - seen in Hindu society

6th Century BCE - ideal of renunciation

9
Q

What was the reason behind the system?

A

fitted with ideals of society e.g. renunciation

clear path to achieving Moksha

10
Q

Once a Hindu has progressed to the next Ashrama stage what are they not allowed to do?

A

regress back to previous stages