REL212

WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions

HINDUISM & JAINISM

WEEK 2

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

HINDUISM

Formed in India over a span of hundreds by of years, starting as early as 2000 B.C.

Consists of beliefs collected from different religions from people of surrounding Countries.

JAINISM

Formed in India

Has similar features as Hinduism, but vastly different

Dates back thousands of years

The universe has no beginning or end

Six million followers

Nature of God/Creator

HINDUISM

Have one true God named Brahman, who is the Supreme Spirit

There are three types of believers

Shaivites – Worship Shiva

Shaktas – Worship _____

Vaishnavites – Worship Vishnu

JAINISM

No belief of a creator

Tirthankaras – Other great teachers Mahavira – Contemporary of Buddha

View of Human Nature

HINDUISM Reincarnation – There is a cycle of life and death (birth → life → death → rebirth). After death, one is becomes born again on earth, but in another physical form and without any recollection of their previous life.

JAINISM Aparigraha – Non-attachment

Ahimsa – Non-violence High degree of expectations for human ethics.

Condemn wars, Cover the human senses, Against killing of animals

View of Good & Evil

JAINISM Having the least amount of effect on the environment as possible

Jain (Jiva) – the freedom of one’s soul

Karma – Doing good deeds in life

HINDUISM God is not responsible for one’s pain and suffering.

PAP – The penalty for bad behavior

PUYA – Credit for good behavior

View of Salvation

HINDUISM

Bhakti – Intense devotion to a personal manifestation of Brahman

Parmatma – If a person has earned enough good deeds (PUYA), their soul (Atma) will be released into the universe and join the sea of other souls who’ve also earned that privilege.

JAINISM

Jina – Having done enough good deeds in one’s lifetime, earning them the highest title of being a “winner”

View of After Life

HINDUISM

Reincarnation – There is a cycle of life and death (birth → life → death → rebirth). After death, one is becomes born again on earth, but in another physical form and without any recollection of their previous life

JAINISM

Also believe in reincarnation, the cycle of life and death

Practices and Rituals

HINDUISM

· Sixteen ancient rites of purification

· Puja – Worship done either in public or at home

· Sacrifices

· Fasting

Prayers

JAINISM

· Twelve limited vows – Non-violence, truthfulness, etc.

· Repent for sinful acts

· Fast

· Daily praying

Meditation and self-control

Celebrations & Festivals

HINDUISM

· Sixteen religious holidays

· Pilgrimages

· Reverence of trees and rivers

Upanishad - Sharing of stories

JAINISM

· Paryushan Mahaparua – Annual festival of atonement

· Hair is plucked once a year

Pilgramages

Week 2 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 71-186

religionfacts.com/human-nature/Jainism

.hinduism.co.za/natureof.htm

BUDDHISM

WEEK 3

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

· Gautama Buddha was the creator

· Peak of Chinese Buddhism was during 589-845 AD

· Has many commonalities as Brahmanism

· The universe and life has no beginning

Nature of God/Creator

· Nontheistic: A personified God does not exist

Buddha was neither optimistic nor pessimistic about human nature but rather realistic.

View of Human Nature

· Five aggregates – Physical forms, feelings or sensations, ideations, mental formations or dispositions, consciousness. These khandas came together at birth to form a human person. A person is a true subject of moral action and karmic accumulation, but not having an unchanging soul.

· Four Noble Truths:

1. Life Inevitably involves suffering, dissatisfaction, and distress

2. Suffering is caused by craving, rooted in ignorance

3. Suffering will cease when craving ceases

There is a way to realize this state: the Noble Eightfold Path

View of Good & Evil

· Good and evil are inseparable;

Relational mentality

View of Salvation

Enlightenment is the road to becoming a superior being.

Nirvana – Free from thinking and feeling, which leads to supreme happiness. It’s neither a place or state but rather the end of rebirth.

A transcendental, blissful, spiritual state of nothingness--you become a Buddha. To reach Nirvana you must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is: right understanding, right resolve, right speech, right action, right Occupation, right effort, right contemplation, and right meditation.

Patheos Library. (2008-2015). Retrieved from http:// www. Patheos.com/Library/Buddhism/Beliefs/Afterlife-and Salvation.html.

One who seeks the Tao can't be deficient in manners

View of After Life

· The wheel of birth and death – one is either reborn into another body or enters nirvana. Nirvana is only achieved by those that reach enlightenment.

There are various views of what happens after death among Buddhist. One aspect that is the same among the differed views is that the cycle of death and rebirth, or reincarnation, is only avoided by reaching Nirvana. (Gray, 2015).

Gray, J.D. (2015). The Immortality Project. Retrieved from http:// www. Sptimmoralityproject.com/background/Buddhist-views-of-the-afterlife/

Practices and Rituals

Meditation, mantras, mudras, prayer

Meditation, mantras, mudras, prayer wheels, and pilgrimages are some of the ritualistic practices incorporated by traditional Buddhists.

Buddhist.org. (2015). Retrieved from http:// buddhist.org/buddhist-symbols/buddhist-rituals-from-mantras-to-mudras/.

Celebrations & Festivals

Buddhist New Year, Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day"), Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day"), Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day"), Uposatha (Observance Day), Kathina Ceremony (Robe offering ceremony), Anapanasati Day, Abhidhamma Day, Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls), The Elephant Festival

The most important Buddhist festival is Vesak, which marks the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death, which is said to have all happened on the same day.

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River. NJ: Pearson.

Week 3 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 137-220

theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/07/Dalai-lama-neuroscience

aboutbuddhism.org

DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM

WEEK 4

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Developed in China in 6th Century BCE

Nature of God/Creator

Earthly expressions of the natural cosmic order.

Ren (Jen) should be ruler

View of Human Nature

Developing a just and orderly society

People should respect those who are superior to them

Mistakes are only seen as opportunities to learn and improve one's abilities.

View of Good & Evil

Suffering and evil is inevitable, which should motivate learning and growth.

View of Salvation

One who seeks the Tao can't be deficient in manners

View of After Life

Ancestor should be worshipped

Practices and Rituals

· Practice Jing Zuo - "Quietsitting"

Visit temples to pay homage to Tien -"God or heaven"

Celebrations & Festivals

On Chinese New Year, temples are filled with worshipers who burn incense sticks to pay homage to the spirits

Week 4 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 188-220

WEEK 5

SHINTO

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

· Shin (divine being) and do (way)

· Started in Japan, inheriting many aspects from Buddhism during the 6th century CE.

· There was no single founder. There’s also no sacred literature and no code of ethics.

Nature of God/Creator

· Kami – A single essence manifesting in many places. This is the main defining factor of Shinto.

· Inari – The god of rice

Hachiman – The Kami of war

View of Human Nature

· Kannagara – Being in communion with The Spirit of Great Nature and thus having the highest level of experiences in life.

· All lives are seen positively and are sacred to Kami.

View of Good & Evil

· Humans are viewed as naturally good beings but evil spirits make them do evil things.

· Seen in aspect of living in purity or impurity

Oni – demons

View of Salvation

· A life of purity, virtue, fulfillment, and harmony with the world will earn your Kami salvation

Living an impure life will leave your spirit to linger in the natural world.

View of After Life

· There’s no single answer to what happens in the afterlife.

· Death is often viewed as the road to apotheosis.

Yoji – A legend by Izanami and Izanagi that said the dead travel to the underworld.

Practices and Rituals

· Rituals are meant to be occasions where you can communicate with the Kami.

Purification – The cleansing of one’s self to keep away evil spirits.

Celebrations & Festivals

New Years – Bamboos and pine trees are placed in homes to invite the Kami for blessings and good will. It also symbolizes the escape from ones problems and frustrations to bring anew

Week 5 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 222-241

EBchecked/topic/540856/Shinto/8493/Nature-of-man-and-other-beliefs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/purity.shtml

http://www.tsubakishrine.org/kaminomichi/Kami_no_Michi_Appendix_B.html

WEEK 6

JUDAISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

*There’s no single creator of the religion.

*The universe and life has no beginning.

Nature of God/Creator

· Monotheistic - single God called Yahweh

· God created the universe and all of its creatures in 6 days. God also is the bringer of good and evil.

· Life is an on-going interaction with God

· Patriarch is Abraham

No human can be divine

View of Human Nature

· Humans were created in the image of God.

· God expects you to do the best you can with what you have. This includes upbringing, innate abilities, and the situations you find yourself in

· You have the power to perfect yourself

· Family is most important

· View suffering as an everyday part of life

Love thee with heart, mind, and soul

View of Good & Evil

· Seen as light and darkness

· Free-will – Choosing to follow the will of God or against it.

There are various types of evil that exist. One is created by man against the will of God. The second is brought forth by nature. The third is brought by the human’s limited view of the world as a whole.

View of Salvation

· Through personal morality, obedience, and study.

Torah – Summarized as the Ten Commandments following the will of God.

View of After Life

· The Torah has no clear message of what is to come after life.

Olam Ha Ba - "The world to come"

Practices and Rituals

· Marriage is more sacred because it is not just a vow, but a covinance

· Sabboth

Kosher -

Celebrations & Festivals

· Sabbat – A day of rest where Jews spend time with family and leave behind their problems.

· Yom Kippur - A Day of Atonement and self-denial (cleansed from sin).

Passover – The festival of the Exodus.

Week 6 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 246-298

bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/

religionfacts.com/judaism

WEEK 7

CHRISTIANITY

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Similar to Judaism in that God created the universe and all its creatures.

Nature of God/Creator

· Monotheistic – A single God (Heavenly Father).

· Holy Trinity – God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.

Holy Bible – Sacred text

View of Human Nature

· Humans are created in God’s image.

“Love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

View of Good & Evil

· God is the embodiment of good and the devil is the embodiment of evil.

· Good is the will of God while evil exists in free-will and makes you do acts of wrongdoing.

View of Salvation

· Salvation was made possible when Jesus sacrificed his life by crucifixion.

· Accepting Jesus as their savior.

· Renouncing sins and asking for forgiveness will cleanse their sins.

Living an honest life that tries to emulate the life of Christ

View of After Life

Those who accept Jesus as their savior and remorse for their sins will be accepted into Heaven eternally. Everyone else is subject to eternal damnation in Hell.

Practices and Rituals

· Rituals vary between denominations, individual churches, and certain Christians.

· Almost all attend worship services on Sundays. These includes singing, praying, and a sermon.

· Baptism

Communions

Celebrations & Festivals

· The common celebrations are Christmas and Easter.

Others include mass, lords supper, offering of sacraments

Week 7 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 302-372

www.religionfacts.com/christianity

1.

2.

www.christianity.com

WEEK 8

ISLAM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Allah, the supreme being created everything and everyone

Nature of God/Creator

Islam teaches that Allah, the one god, has 99 attributes. Although we can understand some of His attributes, His essence cannot be comprehended by a human's limited mental capacity

http://www.al-islam.org/articles/nature-of-allah-yasir-al-wakeel

He is transcendent and not a part of his creation, and is most often referred to in terms and with names that emphasize his majesty and superiority. Among the 99 Beautiful Names of God (Asma al-Husna) in the Qur'an are: the Creator, the Fashioner, the Life-Giver, the Provider, the Opener, the Bestower, the Prevailer, the Reckoner, and the Recorder. Allah is a God of justice, who expects righteous behavior and submission to the divine will (the word Islam means "submission," and a Muslim is literally "one who submits") and punishes unrighteousness.

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/god.htm

View of Human Nature

Humans are the greatest of all creatures, created with free will for the purpose of obeying and serving God

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/human.htm

View of Good & Evil

Islam offers a complete picture in explaining good and evil. To understand the Islamic teachings on good and evil, however, one first needs to understand that Islam views life as a test of deciding between good and evil. The Qur’an clearly states that God is the only authority in defining good and evil. Therefore our perceptions of good and evil may be misleading

The Islamic definitions of good and evil are based on the purposes of creation and the meaning of human life. As mentioned above, the ultimate goal of human life is to become perfected spiritually through belief in God (iman), the knowledge of God (marifatullah), the love of God (muhabbatullah), and the worship of God (ibada). Accordingly, whatever brings a person closer to God and will benefit him in the Next World is good, and whatever takes a person away from God, and thus incurs His anger is evil.

http://www.fountainmagazine.com/Issue/detail/Good-and-Evil-in-Islam

In Islam, God created good things and bad things and made them known to man through successive revelations, but He left it for human free will to use its power of choice to make its way between the two paths, and be responsible for the choice.

http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-about-islam/faith-and-worship/islamic-creed/168612-how-does-islam-view-the-nature-of-good-and-bad.html

View of Salvation

For a Muslim, the purpose of life is to live in a way that is pleasing to Allah so that one may gain Paradise. It is believed that at puberty, an account of each person's deeds is opened, and this will be used at the Day of Judgment to determine his eternal fate. The Qur'an also suggests a doctrine of divine predestination. The Muslim doctrine of salvation is that unbelievers (kuffar, literally "those who are ungrateful") and sinners will be condemned, but genuine repentance results in Allah's forgiveness and entrance into Paradise upon death. The Qur'an teaches the necessity of both faith and good works for salvation

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/salvation.htm

View of After Life

Islam teaches the continued existence of the soul and a transformed physical existence after death. Muslims believe there will be a day of judgment when all humans will be divided between the eternal destinations of Paradise and Hell. Until the Day of Judgment, deceased souls remain in their graves awaiting the resurrection. However, they begin to feel immediately a taste of their destiny to come. Those bound for hell will suffer in their graves, while those bound for heaven will be in peace until that time. http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/afterlife.htm

Practices and Rituals

Prayers, fasting and the pilgrimage. It is also common to hear about the various restrictions Islam imposes such as prohibition of alcohol and pork, and the requirement for women to dress modestly. The Muslim prayer is a combination of physical actions, verbal sayings, and an internal feeling in the heart. Muslims are required to be in a state of calmness, serenity and humbleness while performing their prayers. Once the prayer is started, a series of sayings and actions are performed. The sayings include reciting parts of the holy Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, as well as other sayings glorifying God and thanking Him for all of His blessings upon us. It also gives Muslims the opportunity to ask God for anything they desire. Muslims are required to pray at least five times every day, and are encouraged to pray extra prayers if they can. The required prayers have specific times that they are to be performed at. These are dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset and at night. Fasting means to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. Muslims are required to fast during the month of Ramadan every year. Ramadan is a month based on the lunar cycle, as opposed to the solar calendar used today by most people. Therefore, the start and end of the month of Ramadan change each year according to the lunar cycles. Ramadan can be either 29 or 30 days. Muslims are also encouraged to fast on other optional days. It is viewed as a way to cleanse the soul of all worldly desires and devout oneself completely to the obedience of God. Pilgrimage: Also known as the Hajj, the pilgrimage is a physical and spiritual journey that every financially and physically able Muslim is expected to make at least once in their lifetime. Muslims travel to the holy city of Makkah, located in what is known today as Saudi Arabia, to perform the required rites of the pilgrimage. There, they are expected to spend their days in complete devotion to worship and to asking God for forgiveness and for anything else they wish to ask for. They also perform specific rituals, such as walking around the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped building located in Makkah. A very important aspect of Islam is giving charity to the poor. Muslims are required to give certain percentages of any type of wealth that they have accumulated. For example, Muslims must give 2.5% of the money they have saved each year. It is important to note that this is not based on income, it is based on savings. A small portion of the money that is sitting in the bank accounts of wealthy people and not helping anyone is used every year to help the poor. This ensures some re-distribution of wealth among Muslims. Before performing certain rituals, most importantly before prayers, Muslims are expected to perform a form of purification, known as ablution or "wudu" in Arabic. This involves washing the hands, face, arms and feet with water. Since Muslims are required to pray at least five times every day at various times throughout the day from dawn until the night, this ensures that Muslims maintain a high level of hygiene. Five Pillars of Islam

http://www.questionsaboutislam.com/faith-beliefs-practices/main-practices-rituals-of-islam.php

Celebrations & Festivals

Week 8 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg. 377-431

www.religionfacts.com/islam

www.islam-guide.com

WEEK 9

SIKHISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

The Sikh tradition was founded by Guru Nanak in the late 15th century C.E. in the Punjab region of what are today India and Pakistan. According to Sikh beliefs, the same revelatory spirit inhabited Guru Nanak and his nine successors. Today, this spirit can be found in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, the foundational scripture of the Sikh tradition.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/Library/Sikhism.html#ixzz3CVHDbHxS

Nature of God/Creator

The concept of God in Sikhism is uncompromisingly panentheistic, as symbolized by "Ik Onkar"(one Creator), a central tenet of Sikh philosophy. Sikhs believe that the Creator is all pervasive and is the only truth, that all creation is illusory and the route to enlightenment is the realisation that all creation is One.

View of Human Nature

Sikhs perceive human life as an opportunity to merge with the divine will. However, the core problem is that human judgment is occluded by a false sense of self. http://www.patheos.com/Library/Sikhism/Beliefs/Human-Nature-and-the-Purpose-of-Existence.html

View of Good & Evil

Evil only exists when people place themselves at the center of everything by being selfish, but good exists because their sould is believe to be a part of the divine world of the higher being.

View of Salvation

In Guru Nanak's conception, worldly actions, no matter the religious allegiances, are accounted for by a divine process beyond human understanding. Those who have lived good lives, whether Sikhs or non-Sikhs, have nothing to fear hereafter. http://www.patheos.com/Library/Sikhism/Beliefs/Afterlife-and-Salvation.html

View of After Life

The Sikh tradition emphasizes a life free of worry about the afterlife, but focused on one's ethical actions and piety in this life. "Liberation" (mukti) is the metaphor for the best result possible in the afterlife, and Sikhs envision that as finding unification with the creator at his court. Doing well in the cycle of birth and death ("coming and going," or reincarnation) have brought about the specific human life that must now use the opportunity to reach the divine court. That is to say, the Sikh belief system combines the idea of "reincarnation" (which brings a human life) with the idea of an afterlife in a paradise-like court of God. http://www.patheos.com/Library/Sikhism/Beliefs/Afterlife-and-Salvation.html

Practices and Rituals

The Sikh is required to undertake the following observances:

Wake up early in the morning.

Bathing and cleansing of the body should be performed.

Cleanse the mind by meditating on God!

Engage in family life and address your responsibilities within the family.

Attend to a work or study routine and earn a living by earnest means.

Undertake to help the less well off with monetary and/or physical help.

Exercise your responsibilities to the community and take active part in the maintenance and safeguard of the community. Wear the 5Ks

Kesh – long and uncut hair and a turban to protect the hair on the head.

Kanga – small comb to be used twice daily to keep the hair in clean and healthy condition.

Kacchera – worn in the form of shorts to exercise self-control.

Kara – a steel slave bangle on the dominant arm to remind the Sikh to always remember the Guru before undertaking any action.

Kirpan – a short, often dagger-sized sword to remind the Sikh that he is to defend against repression of the weak.

Meditate by reciting his Gurbani and by singing his Kirtan (music based hymns) and remember Him always.

Wash your mind clean with Sewa, selfless service to the community by doing manual work at the Gurdwara by cleaning the dishes, washing the floors, painting the walls; working in Community Centres; in old peoples homes, etc.

Practice Truth at all times: To live by the Gurus instruction to practice Truth thus: "Those who practice Truth reap the profits, abiding in the Will of God. With the Merchandise of Truth, they meet the Guru, who does not have a trace of greed. (6)" (SGGS page 59 (2)) and also "O Siblings of Destiny, follow the Guru's Teachings and dwell in truth. Practice truth, and only truth, and merge in the True Word of the Shabad. ||1||Pause||" (SGGS page 30 (3))

Be kind and merciful to others: Kindness is a virtue that the Sikh have been asked to exercise at all times. The Gurus have shown on many occasion how to practise and live a life of kindness and mercy and have the following message for the keen devotee: "Become 'Jivan-Mukta', liberated while yet alive, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, O mind, and maintaining faith in Him in your heart. Show kindness and mercy to all (sentient) beings, and realize that the Lord is pervading everywhere; this is the way of life of the enlightened soul, the supreme swan. ||7||" (SGGS page 508 (4))

Become a Gurmukh by doing Good deeds: The Sikh Gurus repeatedly ask the dedicated Sikh to always do good deeds as shown by this verse from the Guru Granth Sahib - "The Gurmukh practices doing good deeds; thus he comes to understand this mind. The mind is like an elephant, drunk with wine. The Guru is the rod which controls it, and shows it the way. Organise Gurdwaras: As a community Sikhs set up local places of worship called Gurdwara. Services are held in the morning and evening including:

Asa-di-war kirtan

Sukhmani sahib paath

Akhand Paath

Ardas and Hukamnama

Kirtan programs

Naming Ceremony

Marriage Ceremony

Antam Sanskar

Amrit Sanskar, etc.

Celebrations & Festivals

Week 9 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg.434-455

fateh.sikhnet.com/s/sikhintro

https://www.washingtonpost.com/.../americans-are-still-attacking-sikhs-because-they-thin..

WEEK 10

NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

There is a higher being of some form

Nature of God/Creator

Most believe that God is a higher being that is benevolent and all seeing

View of Human Nature

Most believe that human nature is that of a multitude of choices in life and choices are made based on one’s beliefs

View of Good & Evil

Most modern religions believe that good and evil exist everywhere, and choices are where we make the choice between good and evil based on our life’s choices

View of Salvation

Salvation can be achieved in most of these religions by attempting to live a modest, humble life and doing as much good as possible.

View of After Life

Afterlife is extremely varied amongst these religions. Some do not believe and others believe in a place similar to the heaven described in Christianity and some also believe in a hell like place

Practices and Rituals

Practices and rituals are very different from religion to religion. Some believe in meditation, smoking marijuana, wearing certain colors,

Celebrations & Festivals

The celebrations are small and commonly unheard of.

Week 10 - Sources

Fisher, M.P. (2014). Living Religions (9th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Pg.458-515

www.oxfordscholarship.com/view/10.1093/.

www.religioustolerance.org/cultmenu.htm

altreligion.about.com › ... 

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