ANTH 222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Trimurti, Ganesha, Shakti
Document Summary
Spirits are beings without bodies (i. e, disincarnate) There are many differences in spiritual beings among religions but. The range of spiritual beings found cross-culturally is fairly narrow. Cultures have classification systems of spiritual beings, just as they do for plants, animals, and other types of incarnate beings. These can be detailed as taxonomies, showing differences in beings" characteristics or our proper relationship to them. Animals and plants (agni, the hindu god of fire) Ancestors and ghosts: ancestors: souls of dead family members; protect their descendants, ghosts: often specific to a location, rather than a family; return to right a wrong, settle unfinished business. Some particularly powerful ancestors or founders of traditions may eventually become like deities. Spirits with superhuman powers who are worshipped by hymans. Supreme deity: superhuman being who created cosmos and other beings; often seen as remote or ineffable. Lesser gods: can acquire human attributes and preside over a set of qualities.
