What is the difference between Brahman and the trimurti?

Brahman is the ultimate, formless reality that is beyond human comprehension. The trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) are three major gods who represent aspects of Brahman: Brahma creates, Vishnu preserves, and Shiva destroys. Hindus often worship one of these or other deities as a way to connect with Brahman.

Do Hindus believe in heaven and hell?

Hindus believe in temporary heavens (svarga) and hells (naraka) where souls experience the results of their karma before being reborn. However, the ultimate goal is moksha, which is liberation from all rebirth, not an eternal heaven. This differs from the Christian concept of permanent heaven or hell.

Why do Hindus not eat beef?

Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism because they are seen as gentle, giving creatures that provide milk, dung (used as fuel), and labour. Many Hindus believe the cow symbolises selfless giving and is associated with Krishna. Killing a cow is seen as a violation of ahimsa (non-violence).

What is the significance of the Ganges River?

The Ganges (Ganga) is considered a goddess who descended to Earth to purify souls. Hindus believe bathing in the river washes away sins and helps achieve moksha. Cremated ashes are often scattered in the Ganges to free the soul from samsara. Pilgrimage to Varanasi is especially important.

How do Hindus worship at home?

Many Hindus have a home shrine with images of deities. Daily puja may include lighting a lamp, offering flowers, incense, and food (prasad), and chanting mantras. This is a form of bhakti yoga, expressing love and devotion. Worship can be simple or elaborate, depending on the family.

What is the caste system and is it still followed?

The caste system (varna) originally divided society into four groups: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (labourers). Over time, it became a rigid hierarchy with many subcastes (jati). While officially outlawed in India, caste still influences social life, especially in rural areas. Many Hindus today reject caste discrimination as contrary to dharma.

Hinduism

OCR

GCSE

The study of Hinduism as a major world religion, focusing on core beliefs, teachings, and practices, including the nature of the divine, the cycle of samsara, karma, and the four aims of human life (purusharthas).

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, with roots dating back over 4,000 years to the Indus Valley. For OCR GCSE Religious Studies, you'll explore its core beliefs, practices, and diversity. Hinduism is not a single unified tradition but a family of traditions, often described as Sanātana Dharma ('eternal duty'). Key concepts include Brahman (ultimate reality), the trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), and the cycle of samsara (rebirth). Understanding Hinduism helps you grasp how millions of people find meaning through devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and action (karma).

This topic matters because Hinduism offers a unique perspective on God, the self, and the purpose of life. You'll study how Hindus express faith through worship (puja), festivals (like Diwali and Holi), and pilgrimage (e.g., Varanasi). The OCR specification expects you to compare Hindu beliefs with other religions and evaluate their impact on daily life. For example, the concept of ahimsa (non-violence) influences diet (vegetarianism) and ethics. Mastering this topic will help you answer both part (a) knowledge questions and part (d) evaluation questions, which require reasoned arguments.

Hinduism fits into the wider subject of Religious Studies by illustrating how religion can be both polytheistic and monotheistic. It challenges Western assumptions about God and morality. You'll also see connections to other Indian religions like Buddhism and Jainism. The OCR course emphasises diversity within Hinduism, so be ready to discuss different interpretations of scripture (Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita) and practices across regions. This topic builds your ability to analyse beliefs critically and empathetically.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Brahman: The ultimate, formless reality that is the source of all existence. Hindus believe Brahman can be understood through personal gods (saguna) or as impersonal (nirguna).
→Atman: The eternal self or soul, which is identical with Brahman. Liberation (moksha) comes from realising this unity.
→Samsara and Karma: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma (actions and their consequences). Good karma leads to better rebirth; bad karma leads to suffering.
→Dharma: Moral and religious duties that vary by caste, gender, and stage of life (ashrama). Following dharma maintains cosmic order.
→Moksha: Liberation from samsara, achieved through paths like bhakti (devotion), jnana (knowledge), or karma (selfless action).

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Hindu beliefs, teachings, and practices.
Analyze and evaluate the importance of these beliefs and practices for individuals, communities, and societies.
Reference relevant sources of wisdom and authority, including scripture and sacred texts.
Consider common and divergent views within Hindu traditions.
Explain the influence of Hindu beliefs on daily life and ethical decision-making.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Hindu beliefs, teachings, and practices.
Analyze and evaluate the importance of these beliefs and practices for individuals, communities, and societies.
Reference relevant sources of wisdom and authority, including scripture and sacred texts.
Consider common and divergent views within Hindu traditions.
Explain the influence of Hindu beliefs on daily life and ethical decision-making.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can define key terms like Atman, Brahman, Samsara, Maya, and Moksha clearly.
💡Practice linking abstract concepts like Karma to practical daily life and ethical choices.
💡Use the command words (Name, Describe, Explain, Discuss) to structure your answers according to the mark tariff.
💡Always consider both common and divergent perspectives when discussing Hindu beliefs or practices.
💡Use specific examples: When discussing worship, mention puja (with aarti, prasad) or festivals like Diwali (festival of lights). This shows detailed knowledge and gains higher marks.
💡Evaluate diversity: In part (d) questions, acknowledge that Hindus disagree (e.g., on whether God has form). Use phrases like 'some Hindus believe... while others...' to show depth.
💡Link to key concepts: Always connect practices to beliefs. For example, explain that puja expresses bhakti (devotion) and helps focus the mind on Brahman. This demonstrates understanding, not just recall.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to reference specific sources of wisdom and authority.
Ignoring the diversity of views within Hinduism by treating it as a monolithic tradition.
Confusing different yogas or failing to explain their specific approaches to liberation.
Lack of critical analysis in AO2 responses, providing only descriptive accounts.
Misconception: Hindus worship many gods. Correction: Hindus believe in one ultimate reality (Brahman) but worship many deities as manifestations of Brahman. This is polytheistic in practice but monotheistic in philosophy.
Misconception: The caste system is a religious requirement. Correction: While traditional Hindu texts mention varna (social classes), the rigid caste system is a social construct, not a religious mandate. Many modern Hindus reject caste discrimination.
Misconception: All Hindus are vegetarian. Correction: Many Hindus are vegetarian due to ahimsa, but not all. Dietary choices vary by region, caste, and personal belief. Some Hindus eat meat (except beef, as cows are sacred).

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of world religions: Knowing that religions have beliefs, practices, and ethics helps contextualise Hinduism.
•Concept of the soul: Familiarity with ideas like 'soul' or 'afterlife' from other religions (e.g., Christianity) makes atman and samsara easier to grasp.
•Critical thinking skills: The ability to compare and evaluate different viewpoints is essential for exam success.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Name

Describe

Explain

Discuss

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Hinduism

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Religious Studies

Buddhism

Christianity

Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes

E2E stub topic

How to Revise Hinduism — OCR GCSE Religious Studies

Examiner Tips for Hinduism

Common Mistakes in Hinduism

Key Marking Points

Hinduism

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Brahman and the trimurti?

Do Hindus believe in heaven and hell?

Why do Hindus not eat beef?

What is the significance of the Ganges River?

How do Hindus worship at home?

What is the caste system and is it still followed?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR GCSE Religious Studies

Buddhism

Christianity

Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes

E2E stub topic