Matter (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
What is Matter?
Hindus believe that there are two realities: spirit (purusa) and matter (prakriti)
Spirit is things that cannot be seen or touched whereas matter is things that can
Hindus have different ideas about the relationship between the two
Hindus believe that spirit is more important than matter because matter can be destroyed and spirit cannot
Matter refers to everything within the universe that can be seen
Due to the temporal nature of the world, Hindus should try to avoid attachment to material things (matter)
When a soul reaches enlightenment, the world ceases to have matter (substance) and it is shown to be an illusion (maya)
Hindus believe that Maya is a veil that stops people from seeing the truth of everything around them
Hindus strive to reach enlightenment so that they can clear their minds of concern with material and temporary things
Worked Example
Give two beliefs about matter (prakriti)
[2 marks]
Answer:
Hindus believe that all matter goes through 3 stages known as the Tri-guna (1 mark)
All Hindus believe that matter is a temporary illusion which will cease to exist when they achieve enlightenment (1 mark)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Some Hindus known as ascetics will give up all worldly items to avoid attachment to physical possessions. Ascetics are respected because of the sacrifices they have made
However, an ascetic lifestyle is quite extreme and is not the lifestyle chosen by the majority of Hindus but all Hindus should recognise the dangers of worldly attachment due to the temporal nature of the world
Be mindful that the Hindu experience is likely to be different depending on where someone lives and their chosen lifestyle
What are the Three Qualities
The Three Qualities
Hindus believe that everything (matter) is created, remains in existence and then is destroyed
This links to the Trimurti, as Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer
Hindus believe that all matter will go through different stages, known as the Tri-guna which are:
Sattva – a state of harmony (also known as goodness)
Rajas – a state of energy, action, change and movement (also known as passion)
Tamas – darkness (also known as ignorance)
Gunas literally means qualities and they are present in every part of maya
They can be seen in the day, seasons, food, thoughts, and action
In human life these are seen as passion, goodness and ignorance, and explain how humans behave
Everything and everyone will have these three qualities, living and non living
The behaviour of everyone is shaped by which of the qualities are most prominent at a given time
The three gunas affect everyone’s thoughts and actions, habits and activities and they make us who we are
Prakriti is important as many Hindus believe that the soul’s preference for goodness, passion or ignorance will affect how that person is reincarnated
People who are in the cycle of samsara need to be mindful of the gunas in order to attain moksha and end the cycle of reincarnation
Worked Example
Explain two ways in which belief in Tri-guna influences Hindus today
[4 marks]
Answer:
Hindus will be aware that the 3 qualities relate to everything they do and be mindful that they influence how they behave and also what happens to them when they die (2 marks)
Hindus would also recognise that the 3 qualities are related to maya and therefore should ensure that they are not attached to or influenced by the feelings they have because it is based upon an illusion (2 marks)
Reasoning:
Both responses are developed and relate Tri-guna to Hindu beliefs and practices in the modern world and provide a detailed explanation of a relevant and accurate influence
Illusion
The Distraction of Maya
Hindus believe that all everything material is an illusion (maya) and that humans are constantly distracted by this
Maya refers to the ways in which a person’s existence and self-centeredness stop them from seeing the truth
Hindus believe that maya can exert a powerful influence on people
Humans often feel that the most important things in life are relationships, family and what they own
Many Hindus believe that these things are simply an illusion, or maya, that distracts from the spiritual truth:
One becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life’s illusions and thinks in terms of ‘I and mine’ (Bhagavata Purana 5.5.8)
The Aim of Hinduism
Hindus believe that their task in this life is to seek reunion with Brahman instead of obsessing over material objects
Hindu scripture teaches how Hindus can be freed from maya through spiritual practice and discipline:
What the religious texts say | What it means |
|---|---|
‘The senses are so strong … they can forcibly carry away the mind even of a person endowed with discrimination and practising self-control. They are established in perfect knowledge, who subdue their senses and keep their minds ever absorbed in me. While contemplating on the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them’ (Bhagavad Gita 2.60–3) | A person's senses, such as sight and hearing, can distract the mind, so they need self-control to concentrate on the divine, rather than being attached to what they see or hear |
‘Attachment leads to desire, and from desire arises anger. Anger leads to clouding of judgement, which results in bewilderment of the memory. When the memory is bewildered, the intellect gets destroyed; and when the intellect is destroyed, one is ruined’ (Bhagavad Gita 2.60–3) | The way that it works is that the mind desires that which is an illusion resulting in anger, frustration and dissatisfaction, which can be destructive for people |
Cosmology
Hindu Cosmology
Cosmology refers to ideas about the nature of the universe and how it works
There is not a single account of creation; instead, there are many interrelated stories
Descriptions of the universe are often depicted as an infinite egg, referred to as Brahmanda
The cosmos exists within the egg and was forged by Brahman
Hindus believe that the material world is not everything and that there is a spiritual reality that is bigger and more important than what can be seen, heard and touched
Hindus believe that time is cyclical, meaning that the material world is repeatedly created
This is also known as the cosmic cycle or the cycle of Samsara
The universe is one of many bubbles floating in space
There are three tiers of our universe
The heavenly planets
The earthly realm
The lower worlds
Cosmology and Hindu Beliefs and Practice
Hindu cosmology is marked by emphasis on dharma (duties) towards creation, forming the basis of the moral and ethical conduct prescribed in Hindu scriptures
The concept of Karma revolves around the belief of cause and effect
It states that every action, thought, or deed has a consequence which could be in this life or in future lifetimes
The ultimate aim as per Hindu cosmology is Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of Samsara
This is achieved through realisation of one’s oneness with Brahman, and marks the end of individual existence and one’s reunion with the divine Ultimate Reality
The knowledge of cosmology is believed to arouse a consciousness about the temporal world and guide towards attaining Moksha
Worked Example
Explain two teachings about the Hindu cosmology
[4 marks]
Answer:
Hindus believe that the physical world is an illusion (maya) and that the spiritual world is more important (2 marks)
Hindus believe time to be cyclical meaning that the universe is part of a cycle that has no absolute beginning or end (2 marks)
Reasoning:
Both responses are developed and explain the Hindu view of cosmology
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The nature of the universe (cosmology) influences the way that Hindus live their life. Just as the universe is part of a cycle, so is life. Humans die and are reborn, just as the universe dies out and begins again
This is all part of the cycle of samsara which Hindus are trying to break away from to achieve moksha. Hindus live their lives with an awareness of the fragile and temporal nature of the universe and everything in it
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