History of World Religions

Specific numbers of each religion

Religion is a systematic set of expressions which reflect the ultimate order, meaning, and possible transformation of existence for people.

Three elements in ALL religions:1. Verbal (stories)

2. Practice (baptism, communion, meditation...)

3. Social ( prayer service, bible study, parties...)

Three attributes/characteristics of god1. omnipotent: has unlimited

authority and influence

2. omniscient: has infinite awareness, understanding and insight

3. omnipresent: is in all places at all times

Deism: god does NOT care

Theism: god IS caring and personal

Anthropomorphic: humans look like god

Monolotry: one main god, with lots of lesser gods

Western Religions: focus on morals of individuals, based on the history of humanity. (Traditions)

Islam Judaism Christianity

Eastern Religions: focus on moral living

of each individual’s life journey.

Hinduism Buddhism Shinto

Daoism Confucianism

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Athiest One who is without belief in god

or gods Will not deny gods exist because

in denial it actually confirms the possibility that a god may exist

Agnostic One who believes that a god

exists Does not practice a religious

doctrine Undecided, wants proof

Ignostic One without belief in god or gods Avidly denies the existence of a god

Polytheism

Belief in more than one god

MonotheismBelief in the existence

on ONLY one god

Hinduism

“Hinduism is not a religion, but a way to live your daily life.”

Hinduism Symbol is the AUM Monotheistic-Monolotry (viewed as

polytheistic) Worship takes place in home, in a

temple, or near water Sacramental food (prasad) is blessed

& eaten during puja (worship)

Hinduism Has no one founder or single

founding event, no prophets named: all people are prophets; mystics

Began approx. 4000 B.C.E. Began in the Indus Valley in India Followers are called Hindu The word “hindu” means “Indian”

Hindu Holy Book- Vedas ( means “knowledge”)

Rigveda (oldest of books) 1500-1200 B.C.E. Includes warrior legends, hymns or songs

Samaveda, Yajurveda, Athraveda All 4 books together make up the

Samhitas

More Holy Books: Brahmanas (explanations of ceremonies) Aranyakas (stories) Upanishads (“sitting near”- advice from

mystics) Bhagavad Gita (an epic poem:

conversation between Prince Arjuna & Lord Krishna)

Religious Symbol Called the

“AUM” Symbol of

supreme reality Water, infinite

life, lamp (learning, life, enlightenment…)

Monotheistic/Polytheistic/Monolotry Mono- One God: Brahman Poly- Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna,

Rama, Shakti, and about 2,000 others Monolotry: Brahman: 3 parts: Brahma,

Vishnu, & Shiva; Other gods are different ways their one

God made appearances on earth.

Practice: Yoga Janana yoga- summons the power of the

mind; meditation Bhakti yoga- encourages dedication to

Brahman Karma yoga- service to others Raja yoga- combines all 3 (Hatha yoga)

helps to develop complete control over the body

Caste System (Social Order) Brahmin- scholarly elite (priests) Kshatriya- ruling & military class Vaisyas- merchants & farmers Sudras- peasants Untouchables

Hindu Beliefs Vedas are divinely

inspired Brahman is personal

& impersonal Brahman is reached

through many paths What we think of as

reality is only the temporary world

Karma ensures full accountability for every thought, action, and word in this life & all past lives

Reincarnation- one is trapped in the cycle of life & death (samsara) until full realization is reached

Four Stages of Life The Student The Householder The Seeker The Ascetic

Four Goals of Life Righteousness Earthly prosperity & success Pleasure Spiritual Liberation

Hindu Celebrations Duhsehra/Durga Puja- to celebrate the

triumph of good over evil (autumn) Rama Navami- holy day to celebrate the

god Rama (spring) Krishna Janmashtami- birthday of

Krishna (summer) Shiva Ratri- all night celebration of the

divine god Shiva (winter)

Hindu Celebrations Infant welcoming ritual- when an

infant can consume solid food Marriage- arranged; 5 ceremonies:

verbal contract between parents, give-a-way of the bride, welcoming ceremony for the couple, hand-holding ritual, walking rite.

Hindu Celebrations Funeral- Cremation ritual

(nukhagni) Shradda- Period of mourning

is over & the soul departs

Questions?????

This concludes Hinduism,

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Buddhism

Buddhism Symbol is the “Wheel of Life” Began in India Shares many main beliefs

with Hinduism Founder: Prince Siddhartha Gautama Higher being: Buddha ( when you achieve

individual spiritual growth-enlightenment) **Hindu Gods DO exist, but do not hold dominion over human life**

Buddhist Commitments Not to Steal Not to Kill Not to act in unchaste manner Not to speak falsely Not to take intoxicants

Buddhist Monks & Nuns Vow: Not to eat at times not appointed Not to view “secular” entertainment Not to wear perfumes or bodily ornaments Not to sleep in beds that are too high or

wide Not to accept money

Buddha Taught Deer Park Sermon- laid out the “roadmap”

to Nirvana (State of final liberation from the cycle of life & death)

The Four Noble Truths 1. Life is Suffering 2. Suffering has a cause: craving &

attachment 3. Craving & attachment can be overcome 4. The path toward the cessation of craving

& attachment is following the Eight Fold Path:

The Eight Fold Path 1. Right Understanding 2. Right Purpose & Thought 3. Right Speech 4. Right Conduct & Action 5. Right Livlihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Alertness & Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration

Two Schools of Buddhism Theraveda ( found today in Sri Lanka & SE

Asia)-focuses on compassion & service to others

Mahayana(Japan, Korea, Mongolia, China)-founded by philosopher Nagarjuna. Focuses on individual disciple & solitary practice. ***Tibetan Buddhism is Mahayana & Hinduism mix*** ***Zen Buddhism means “meditation” and is used in all above**

Buddhist Celebrations Nirvana Day- 2/15 when Buddha’s

passing is observed Buddha Day- 4/8 when Buddha’s birth is

celebrated Bodhi Day- 12/8 the day when Prince

Gautama sat under a Bodhi Tree, not to leave until he reached enlightenment

Confucianism

Confucianism Confucianism is: A religion A philosophy An ethical system A social tradition A scholarly discipline

Confucianism Tidbits Begun by K’ung Fu-tse which means “Master K’ung. (Confucius) Confucius born in 551 B.C.E. in Lu, China There is no specific name for the followers Worship in Buddhist & Hindu temples or

in the home

Six Relationships of Confucianism

Parent & Child

Ruler & Minister

Government Officials

Husband & Wife

Older & Younger Sibling

Friend & Friend

Analects Lun Yu ( Analect of

Confucius are the “Holy Book”)

It is a list of sayings (Aphorisms/Epigrams)

Analects deal with: Courtesy Etiquette Reverence Humane

benevolence Conduct of the ruler Moral patterns Social roles

There are 9 books: Five Classics an the Four Books

Other Holy Books: Book of Changes I Ching

Confucianism is a way of life. It is used with other religions to show people how to live a good life.

Taoism/Daoism

“The Way”

Taoism Founded by Lao-Tzu about 520

B.C.E. Began in China Symbol is the Yin and Yang. Worship takes place in nature Is practiced along with other

religions. It is a way of life.

Tao Te Ching Holy Books include the Tao Te Ching

and the I Ching ( inspired) Tao Te Ching tells how to live life. Written in poetic form, it includes vague

stories and fables for a person to figure out how it relates to life, on their own.

“Keep it Simple” From the Tao Te Ching As to dwelling, live near the ground. As to thinking, hold to that which is

simple. As to conflict, pursue fairness &

generosity. As to governance, do not attempt to

control. As to work, do that which you like doing. As to family life, be fully present.

Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river." Lao Tse"Different Chinese philosophers, writing probably in 5-4 centuries B.C., presented some major ideas and a way of life that are nowadays known under the name of Taoism, the way of correspondence between man and the tendency or the course of natural world." Alan Watts, from his book: "Tao: The Watercourse Way.""We believe in the formless and eternal Tao, and we recognize all personified deities as being mere human constructs. We reject hatred, intolerance, and unnecessary violence, and embrace harmony, love and learning, as we are taught by Nature. We place our trust and our lives in the Tao, that we may live in peace and balance with the Universe, both in this mortal life and beyond." Creed of the Western Reform Taoist Congregation 1

ShintoNature-Focused Religion of Japan

Shinto An ancient (prehistoric)

mythological religion Similar religions in Manchuria,

Korea, and Siberia Belief in spirits (not gods) called

kami Nature

Totemism- kami rest in totem poles

Shinto affirmations ( Beliefs) Family & tradition Reverence torward nature Physical cleanliness Matsuri (festivals) to honor

kami

Main kami: Amaterasu Sun goddess Source (mother) of dynastic Japanese

emperors

Shinto “Holy Books” Ainu Texts- stories of Shinto practitioners

throughout history Scriptures- ideas on how to live a good

life, to live a good life is honor to the spirits

Shinto Worship takes place in nature, a shrine,

or a temple. Wherever there is nature & humans,

that is where kami live