India Vocabulary

Major religion that developed in ancient India. The main belief is that all souls are part of one universal spirit.

• Hinduism

• Brahman

• Buddhism

The universal spirit worshipped by Hindus.

• Hinduism

• Brahman

• karma

The idea that the soul is reborn into many different forms.

• nirvana

• karma

• reincarnation

A person's personal duty, based on the individual's place in society.

• Jainism

• dharma

• Brahman

A good (or bad) force created by a person's actions. This determines whether a person's soul will be reborn into a higher or lower form of life.

• Karma

• nirvana

• reincarnation

This religion was founded by Siddhartha Gautama. The main belief is that inner peace comes from ending desire.

• Hinduism

• Jainism

• Buddhism

The state of perfect happiness is achieved after giving up all desires.

• Brahman

• Dharma

• Nirvana

A religion that does not believe in a supreme being. It emphasizes nonviolence and respect for all things.

• karma

• Jainism

• dharma

A large landmass that is smaller than a continent.

• subcontinent

• monsoon

• Vedas

Seasonal wind. It happens especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia.

• Sanskrit

• monsoon

• Vedas