Toya Toya

Religion

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Nature of God

View of Human Nature

View of Good and Evil

View of “Salvation”

View of After Life

Practices and Rituals

Celebrations and Festivals

Week 2

Hinduism and Jainism

Hinduism: No founder No starting point

Jainism: Founder Mahavira 500 B. C.

Hindus believe that there is one true god, the supreme spirit, called Brahman. Brahman has many forms, pervades the whole universe, and is symbolized by the sacred syllable Om (or Aum). Hinduism: Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva Many gods

Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor, and destroyer of the universe. However, Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator, but as a perfect being. When a person destroys all his karmas, he becomes a liberated soul. He resides in a perfect blissful state in Moksha. Jainism: no gods Worship Siddha, Mukta, Tirthankaras

Hinduism believe that we are all one and thus radically interconnected with all being. The self or soul within all, the Atman, is connected (identical?) with all other selves. We are like spokes all connected to a central hub or, more radically, what we are is identical to all of reality. Cycles: birth, death, re- births.

Jainism believes while souls are the same in all forms, from clay to ant to elephant to human, the human form affords the only opportunity to achieve liberation.

Hinduism asserts that good and evil exists in our minds. That which fulfils our interests is referred to as good while that which brings to us misery or any misfortune is called evil. 

Jainism: remove all Karma to end the cycle and to become Mukti

Hinduism believe

the idea of salvation is called Moksha, which for Hindus means escaping the cycle of life and rebirth and entering a state of completeness. Several denominations exist within Hinduism, and while the exact path to salvation differs, the general principles remain the same and can be divided into four categories. The Way of Action, The Way of Knowledge, The Way of Devotion, and The Royal Way.

Jainism believes Salvation is achieved through three basic ingredients: right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct (also called the three jewels or the three-fold path of liberation)

Hinduism believe that one's status in the afterlife is a reward or punishment for their conduct during life.

Jainism It is depended on your karma; if you have shed all bad karma

then you are set. It is also depended on your spiritual development

and weather you have achieved moksa, or free from his

cycle of rebirth, which is what happens if you don’t achieve it.

Last is you might have to suffer the eight hells, which gets

colder as your soul travels further and after severe torture

you are reborn again to have another chance to reach

liberation. Liberation is reached when moksa is

achieved and you are ready for your place among the

gods. This may take time and time again before

liberation is reached but eventually it will come.

Ayurveda is an ancient Hindu system of medicine and healing that has found new popularity in the west today.

Puja (Pooja)

Puja is a religious ritual which some Hindus perform every morning after bathing and dressing but prior to taking any food or drink. Puja is seen as a way of relating humans to the domain and actions of the divine, and can be performed for anything considered divine, from Vishnu to a holy tree.

Monasticism

An essential aspect of Jainism is the ascetic lifestyle. Monks and nuns undertake the ascetic life full-time and take the "Five Great Vows":

- Non-violence (ahimsa) - Truth (satya) - Non-stealing (asteya) - Celibacy (brahmachanga) - Non-possessiveness (aparigraha)

Worship

Worship occurs publicly at stone temples or at home at wooden shrines resembling the temple. Worship rituals may include chanting mantras, gazing at images of the gods (puja) or anointing such images. Although the prime focus of Jainism is self-discipline, adherents may call upon the deities for assistance on their journey.

Holi (also called Holaka or Phagwa) is an annual festival celebrated on the day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna (early March).

Diwali, from the Sanskrit word Dīpãvali, meaning "row of lights" is a Hindu festival of lights lasting five days. For many Hindus, Diwali is also New Year's Eve.

Paryushana. Occurs in August/September. Considered by some to be the most important festival in Jainism. All Jains are required to fast and the spiritual preceptors read out and explain in detail the Kalpasutra (sacred scripture). The first seven days of the festival are days of attainment, and the eighth and finally day is one of fulfilment and achievement.

Mahamastakabhisheka festival (held every 12 years) The Mahamastakabhisheka festival is held every twelve years to honor Lord Bahubali (Gommatesvara), the son of the 1st Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha.

Week 3

Buddhism

Buddhism was taught as an alternative to the ritual oriented Brahmanism of India. The beginning of life and this world are in inconceivable since they have no beginning or end.

Buddhism teaches us that there is no personal god. Liberation from suffering depends on our own efforts.

Being neither optimistic nor pessimistic about human nature, but realistic. Buddha set up the 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.

4. There is a way to realize this state; the noble Eight-Fold Path.

They view good and evil by events that act as a cause that sets another in motion. Good Karma and Bad Karma being the laws of cause and effect.

You can be free from suffering if you follow Buddha’s teachings.

They believe in multiple rebirths that take on many different forms, creating an interconnected web of life or enters nirvana.

Buddhist practices and rituals include:

1. Prayer wheels

2. Mantras

3 Meditation 4. Mudras

Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")

Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha's Birthday Celebrations).

Magha Puja Day (Fourfold Assembly or "Sangha Day")

Magha Puja Day takes places on the full moon day of the third lunar month (March).

Anapanasati Day

At the end of one rains retreat (vassa), the Buddha was so pleased with the progress of the assembled monks that he encouraged them to extend their retreat for yet another month.

Week 4

Daoism and

Confucianism

Daoism

The founder of Taoism is Lao Tzu ; little of him is known. "Lao Tzu" wasn't his real name. His real name however, was "Li Erh." Lao Tzu meant "Supreme Master."

Confucianism

The philosopher Confucius (or Kongzi, c. 551 to c. 479 BCE) is the recognized founder of Confucianism, also referred to as the Ru-jia doctrine or School of Literati as it is known by Western scholars

Daoism

Taoists were polytheistic; they believed in many gods. There are gods for mostly everything; from walls to frying pans. One of the gods was She. She is the god of land. Another god was Hou Ji; he was the god of agriculture. Some gods Taoist's worship is "borrowed" from other religions. Taoists also worship sun, moon, stars and tides.

Confucianism

There is no God, per se, in Confucianism. Confucius has never been considered a god by his adherents. Confucianism is a socio-philosophical movement aimed at bettering society. Confucius did believe, however, in the Great Ultimate (Tao), which manifests itself in the I, or change.

Daoism

focuses on the way of nature and immortality.

Confucianism focuses on the practice of virtue – setting good examples for others to follow to have a structured society

Daoism

Opinions of good and evil or true and false only happen when people forget that they are all one in the Tao

Confucianism

According to some interpretations of Confucianism, suffering and evil are inevitable in human life, and can promote learning and growth. A mistake is not a "sin," but an opportunity to learn and do better next time. Empathy for the suffering of others also provides motivation to grow morally, but not all humans are capable of empathy.

Daoism

Dao is the ultimate truth and the basis of all living things because it provides a method to live by. Salvation is achieving balance between good and evil.

Confucianism

Do not do unto others what you do not want done to you, doing merciful acts leads to a better life through reincarnation.

Daoism

They believe that the process of death “shijie” (release from the corpse), and after this occurs there is a transformation to immortality or ascension into the heavens.

Confucianism

They believes that Kongzi stated that the afterlife is beyond human comprehension. Humans should live in a way that will promote social relations rather than based on the expectations of rewards or condemnation after they die

Daoism

There are simple rules to act like Taoists. Taoists don't lie, steal, commit adultery, commit murder, drink, steal, or curse. In other words, live in harmony. Taoist use harmony to balance yin and yang. One way Taoists kept harmony was Tai Chi; Tai Chi is an exercise to discipline mind and body.

Confucianism

Ancestor worship (also called ancestor veneration) is a ritual practice that is based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living.

Longevity practices - rituals and lifestyles aimed at gaining a long life or even immortality - have long been a part of Chinese religion. Even before the development of Taoism, several "hygiene schools" were teaching various techniques for achieving longevity.

Daoism

Tomb Sweeping Day is celebrated every 15th day after the Spring Equinox which is where people feed their ancestors cold food. The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month which is when the day is longest and people ride dragon boats because dragons symbolize feminine and masculine energy. The Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of 7th lunar month which is where descendants pay homage to their ancestors.

Confucianism

Most Confucian holidays are taken from other religions. They celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Ghost Festival, among others. The two unique Confucian holidays are the Ching Ming Festival and Confucius's Birthday.

Week 5

Shinto

Shinto is one of Japan's most prestigious ancient religions, tracing back to around 500 BCE. It encompasses the methods of ancient Japan with the practices of today's modern Japanese society. The word Shinto is derived from the Chinese word "shin tao" meaning "The Way of Gods." The Shinto religion is unlike any other as it has no real founder

Belief in kami, sacred or divine beings, although also understood to be spiritual essences, is one of the foundations of Shinto. Shinto understands that the kami not only exist as spiritual beings, but also in nature; they are within mountains, trees, rivers, and even geographical regions. In this sense, the kami are not like the all-powerful divine beings found in Western religion, but the abstract creative forces in nature. There was no one deity supreme over all, but some gods were raised to higher ranks, and the one who held the most exalted position was the sun goddess, known as the Ruler of Heaven.

When people respond to the silent and provocative beauty of the natural order, they are aware of kannagara. When they respond in life in a similar way, by following ways “per the kami,” they are expressing kannagara in their lives. They are living per the natural flow of the universe and will benefit and develop by so doing.

Belief that humans are born good. Anything bad are created by humans and their actions later in life. Usually to rid someone from this is by purification.

In Shinto, the concept of salvation is based on the belief that all living things have an essence, soul or spirt known as “kami”. Kami lives among us rather than in a glorified heaven.

People who die violently, lead unhappy lives. Or have no family to care for their kami become hungry ghost, causing troubled for the living. The focus is on immortal kami, and death is not directly addressed.

Purification practices are done by washing with water, and this symbolically removes the dust and impurities that covers one’s inner mind. The Shinto religion does not have weekly religious services, they instead visit shrines, some visit daily, and some on the 1st and 15th of each month. Shrines are the home of kami.

The national holidays are New Year's Day (1 January)

Coming of Age Day (15 January)

National Foundation Day (11 February)

Vernal Equinox (20 or 21 March)

Greenery Day (29 April)

Constitution Memorial Day (3 May)

Children's Day (5 May)

Respect-for-the-Aged Day (15 September)

Autumnal Equinox (23 or 24 September

Week 6

Judaism

Jewish history begins with the stories recounted in the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. Biblical history begins with the creation of the world by a supreme deity, or God, and progresses through the patriarchs, matriarchs, and Moses who spoke with God and led the people per God’s command-ments.

There is a special covenantal relationship between the Jewish people and God. In this contract, both are accountable. On the people’s side, obedience to God is expected. On the divine side, God grants special favors and is also bound by his own ethical agreements to the people.

Humans were created in the image of God, meaning in his nature and essence. Humanity was formed with two impulses: a good impulse and an evil impulse. People can choose which impulse to follow: the yetzer tov or the yetzer ra. That is the heart of the Jewish understanding of free will. The Talmud notes that all people are descended from Adam, so no one can blame his own wickedness on his ancestry. On the contrary, we all have the ability to make our own choices, and we will all be held responsible for the choices we make.

Good and evil are spoken of as light and darkness in Judaism. Both were created by God. Humans have the capacity to make that choice for either good or selfless acts or the evil which is the desire to meet one’s own selfish needs and desires.

In the Jewish Bible salvation comes from the Lord and is a favor bestowed upon the nation. In Deuteronomy 28:23 and following, Moses reminds the children of Israel of the consequences of disobedience: dispersion and bondage among the nation, a desolate land, sufferings and hunger. Conversely, the following chapter states that if they repent their blessings shall be restored (Deut. 30:1-10)

Jewish teachings about afterlife are sparse: The Torah, the most important Jewish text, has no clear reference to afterlife at all.

In Judaism, rituals and religious observances are grounded in Jewish law (halakhah, lit. "The path one walks." An elaborate framework of divine mitzvot, or commandments, combined with rabbinic laws and traditions, this law is central to Judaism.

March 14 Purim (The ²estival of Lots) This celebrates the time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from death by the courage of Queen Esther April 13-20 Pesach (Passover) This marks the freedom of the Children of Israel from Egypt. These people were slaves who were set free by Moses. Because they left so quickly their bread did not have time to rise, so it is traditional to eat matzah (unleavened bread).

Week 7

Christianity

God created everything in his infinite wisdom. Creation was purposeful, not arbitrary, and therefore the universe is not morally neutral, but fundamentally good. In this purposeful creation, everything and everyone is intrinsically valuable. God's design or purpose for creation reflects God's intention that all creatures enjoy perfect love and justice.

This religion, like Judaism, is monotheistic. There is one God and he sent his son, who part of him and part human to save The world.

I would say that Christianity is pantheism because, like Judaism, God created everything and is in everything even our bodies as a soul.

There is a belief in good and evil and it is hugely shown in Heaven and Hell. Heaven is where a very loving God resides and Hell is where Satan resides. Satan is a fallen angel who is opposite of God and is shown in the stories of Adam and Eve. Satan was a serpent who tempted Eve To eat The forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Christians believe that by their trust and belief in the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ, the son of the Supreme Being they will reach salvation. According to Christian belief, salvation is made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, which in the context of salvation is referred to as the "atonement."

Christian beliefs about the afterlife vary slightly between denominations and individual Christians, but the vast majority of Christians believe heaven is a place where believers go upon dying in order to enjoy the presence of God as well as other believers. In heaven, people are also freed from sin and all its various manifestation, like suffering and pain.

Christian churches are known to have many rituals, ceremonies, and practices in the conduct of Christianity. This Bible list of Christian practices and rituals include baptism, communion, worship services, prayer, Bible study, evangelism, ordination, marriage, and healing.

The most important holiday for Christians is Easter, festival that celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is preceded by Holy week, which include Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Another important holiday is Christmas which is the day Jesus was born. They also celebrate Lent – Lent begins two months after Christmas and last for forty days, ending with Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent on his journey. Lent is a time of fasting and prayers. On Ash Wednesday, the Christians are marked on the forehead with ashes to remind them that they are mortal and will return to dust upon their death.

Week 8

Islam

Like Jewish and Christian views, God is our creator and created all things.

There is a monotheistic creed of Islam, the Shahada, there is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger”

Like Jewish and Christian views, human nature is pantheism because God created everything and is in everything even our bodies our soul is considered a part of God.

An angel called Satan who tempts Adam’s descendants to follow him instead of God. Those who do follow him go to hell in the afterlife. those that stay with God and love God go to Heaven.

Salvation comes in the afterlife where those who are believers and one with God go to Heaven.

For the just and merciful, the state after death is a Garden of Bliss, but for sinners and nonbelievers, they will experience the torments of hell. Although, hell is not a permanence for sinners, if they believe then Allah will eventually raise them from hell into paradise, for his mercy outweighs his wrath.

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. Fasting means to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. 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, also known as the Hajj where the term “Hajji” came from. These names just a few of practices and rituals of a Muslim.

The Islamic New Year, is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622AD. Ramadan is not a holy day to Muslims but a holy month. It is the ninth month of the Muslim year, in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people. “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast” is one of Islam's two major festivals. It marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of the month of Shawwal. "Festival of the Sacrifice" is a major Islamic festival that takes place at the end of the Hajj.

Week 9

Sikhism

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. Per 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.

The concept of God in Sikhism is uncompromisingly monotheistic, 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 realization that all creation is one.

Sikhs perceive human life as an opportunity to merge with the divine will. However, the core problem is that a false sense of self occludes human judgment.

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

The idea of the path or the way or a lifeway is their main idea 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

Sikhs do not believe in an afterlife in either Heaven or Hell. Sikhism teaches that the soul reincarnates when the body dies. Sikhs believe that good, or bad actions, in this life, determine the life form into which a soul takes rebirth.

Guru Nanak emphasized three teachings as path to God. ³irst was working hard in society to earn one’s own honest living.

Second would be sharing from one’s earnings with those who are needy. Third would be remembering God always as the only Doer and the only Giver.

Guru Nanak encouraged people to stay and participate in world and help others rather than renounce it in search of spiritual fulfillment.

Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday - January 5

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, was born in 1666. His birthday is celebrated in December or January. Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa and nominated the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book, as his successor Guru.

Hola Maholla - March 26

Hola (or Holla) Maholla is a mela celebrated in Anandpur on the Indian festival of Holi in memory of Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru instituted this day for military exercises and mock battles, followed by music and poetry contests. The holiday is still celebrated with mock battles and displays of horsemanship and skills with the sword. There are also processions with the Sikh flag and the Guru Granth Sahib.

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan - June 16

Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, was tortured and killed by the Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1606. His martyrdom is commemorated in May.

Week 10

New Religious Movements