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WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions

HINDUISM & JAINISM

WEEK 2

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Hinduism cosmology clearly show that the current cycle cannot be assusmed as the beginning of everything and that it is preceded by an infinite number of universes which will be followed by another infinite number of universes. While on the other hand Jainism assume that the loka is an uncreated entity that has existed since infinity with no beginning nor end.

Nature of God/Creator

Hinduism had many Gods named Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva

Jainism believe that as a perfect creature but not as a creator

View of Human Nature

Hinduism believe that afar the experiential human beig there is the human essence known as atman which ic completely equal to the final reality, Brahman. They mostly emphasis on the fact that human nature is highly related to divine nature.

Jainism its believed that the soul is not created and is eternal, also it has its own infinite power and knowledge and thus has inherent likely of divinity.

View of Good & Evil

Hinduism believe that selfish actions are evil while selfless ones and sacrificial activities are taken to be good.

Janism there view of god enables them to clearly explain the evil as well as the suffering that is existing in the world. It is so as if there existed a truly god then there shouldn’t be any evil

View of Salvation

Hinduism salvation is refered as Moksha which means evasion of the cycle of life and rebirth and entering a state of wholeness

Jainsm believe tht salvation is attained through three key ingredients right belief the right knowledge and lastly right conduct

View of After Life

Hinduism afterlife is considered dynamic as well as cyclical the last rest can be attined by only breaking the cycle .

Jainsism depending one’s karma as well as the level of spiritual growth death means being reborn in a completely diffirent physical appearance in the earthly realm, by either s suffering the eight hells or joining other souls in heaven.

Practices and Rituals

Hinduism rituals include puja, sadhu, Namaste, kundalini yoga, Ayurveda and hartha yoga

Jainism believe in Monasticism

Celebrations & Festivals

Hinduism celebrations include Diwali, maker sankranti, maha shivaratri and holi among others

Jainism celebrations include mahamastakabhisheka festival, mahavir jayanti, paryushana and diwali

Week 2 - Sources

Verma, B. R., & Bakshi, S. R. (2005). Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism in ancient India. New Delhi: Commonwealth.

BUDDHISM

WEEK 3

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Buddhists tend to belive that the universe was not created by any powerful god but that it has been creted sevral times and will continue to do so by itself and when time arrives it will break away on its own.

Nature of God/Creator

They do not believe in the notion of a personal god. They believe that the notion of god is a response to fear and frustration. But believe in an enlightened being whose vowed to save them from sufferings,

View of Human Nature

Buddist are neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the concept of human nature but mostly realistic. Buddha came up with decent truths

· Suffering is mostly as a result of ignorance

· Life entails suffering and distress

· Suffering will end when the craving ends

· Only way to end is through the honorable eight fold track

View of Good & Evil

They take good and evil mainly by certain events which acts as the cause and set s another one into motion

View of Salvation

Buddhism raised sentiments on the genuineness of God role in accordance to salvation. They argue that Buddha was the one who recognized that each individual need to purify their soul and mind and encouraged them to solve their issues alone.

View of After Life

After dieing one can either be reborn into another new body known as reincarnation or proceed to nirvana

Practices and Rituals

They include prayer wheels, mudras mantras and meditation

Celebrations & Festivals

Differ in any cultures the common ones include vesak and magha puja

Week 3 - Sources

Humphreys, C.(1962). Buddhism.London: Cassell.

DAOISM & CONFUCIANISM

WEEK 4

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

They co exists and Taoism instills that there exists a power in the universe tht is considered to be higher and truer than any other power, it is known as Tao which means the way

Nature of God/Creator

Only believe in the way or commonly known as Tao

View of Human Nature

Daoism manily emphases on nature’s way as well as immortality

Confucianism mainly entails on the exercise of virtue

View of Good & Evil

People who follow Tao will live in peace and for those who don’t they termed as being evil

View of Salvation

That salvation cannot be assumed as being the escape from the world but to become well affiliated with the natural world as well as the cosmic forces

View of After Life

Daoism hoped to live forever in the human form having supernatural powers of the immortal

Practices and Rituals

Daoism they like recital of sevral sacred tests until they are fully memorized meditated and visualized

Confucianism on the other hand entails ancestor worship and prayer

Celebrations & Festivals

Daoism chinese new year, dragon boat festival, ancestor day, hungry ghost and lantern festival

Confucianism festivals include chinese new year, ancestor and teacher day

Week 4 - Sources

Ching, J., Kingsley, B., Knowledge Products., & Blackstone Audiobooks. (2007). Confucianism & taoism. Ashland, Or.: Knowledge Products.

WEEK 5

SHINTO

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

In this religion Kami which means that which is above is a solitary essence revealing in many places, are spirits that are apparent in the ordinary universe. The kami are believed to have created the universe as it is expressed in the kojiki.

Nature of God/Creator

They are polytheistic

View of Human Nature

Tend to believe that the human beings are also part of a natural dominion which is taken as being sacred

View of Good & Evil

Believe that good and evil is mainly caused by spirits thus the evil activities are as a result of evil spirits and the good ones as areult of good spirits.

View of Salvation

Is mainly relyied on the belief tht every living creature has an essence refered as a Kami and they should be honoured ,

View of After Life

They teaches widely that every human being has an everlasting soul and spirit in which after dieing the spirits takes over the other world

Practices and Rituals

Usually home rituals are conducted everyday they include greeting the sun, placing offering

Celebrations & Festivals

Usually the local shrines tend to have their own festivals to honour their own kami

They include setsubun, hina matsuri, birth of Buddha, tanabata matsuri, new year’s eve among others

Week 5 - Sources

Hartz, P. (1997). Shinto. New York, NY: Facts on File.

WEEK 6

JUDAISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

They belive in only one God who created evrything

Nature of God/Creator

He is one whole and complete but invisible being, cant be divided.

View of Human Nature

That the human beings were created in the image of God and that humanity was designed with only two instinct the good and the evil

View of Good & Evil

Termed as light and darkness which were by God in which the humans can choose between the two.

View of Salvation

From their bible salvation only comes the Almighty God is taken as afavor given to the nation

View of After Life

There is no clear teaching of afterlife

Practices and Rituals

Kosher diet,and cosmetics as well as therapeutic functions

Celebrations & Festivals

Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Tzom Gedalia, Yom Kippur, Sukkot Hanukkah among others

Week 6 - Sources

In Hertzberg, A. (1961). Judaism.

WEEK 7

CHRISTIANITY

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Believe that everything was created by God in nis own infinite wisdom

Nature of God/Creator

He is the most supreme being

View of Human Nature

That human being are the image of God

View of Good & Evil

They believe that Adam and Eve the first humans were persuaded by the serpent to consume the evil fruit hence the existence of the evil and good

View of Salvation

With the trust in the holy bible asn well s jesus the son of God Christians will be able to reach salvation

View of After Life

They believe that heaven is a place where the good or believers will go while hell is for the evil doers

Practices and Rituals

Attend worship on Sundays, have ordination and pray regularly

Celebrations & Festivals

Easter, Christmas as well as lent

Week 7 - Sources

McDannell, C. (1995). Material Christianity: Religion and popular culture in America. New Haven: Yale University Press.

WEEK 8

ISLAM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

That Allah is the creator of everything

Nature of God/Creator

It teaches that their god has 99 attributes he is not part of his own creation, mostly referred with names that tend stress his majesty and dominance.

View of Human Nature

That human beings are utmost among all the other living being

View of Good & Evil

Their Quran emphasizes that God is the main creator of both good and evil and can define it. He created both good and bad things and ensured that they are known to man

View of Salvation

Muslims tend to live in a manner that is fully pleasing to Allah as he may end up gaining paradise

View of After Life

Is that if we do good in our current life then will end up in a garden of paradise after death and we do evil deeds will experience suffering in life after death

Practices and Rituals

Fasting’s during Ramadan and visit to Mecca important right is circumcision for men heald during Muhammad month birthday

Celebrations & Festivals

Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

Week 8 - Sources

Guillaume, A. (1956). Islam. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books.

WEEK 9

SIKHISM

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

It was found by Guru Nanak in Punjab and the same spirit has been inhabited by Guru Nanak together with his successors who are 9 in number.

Nature of God/Creator

Its is uncompromisingly monotheistic they believe that being the creator he is pervasive and considerd the only truth

View of Human Nature

They perceive the human life as being a given opportunity to help merge with the godly will

View of Good & Evil

Evil only occur by being selfish but good is a result of the soul which is belived to be holy

View of Salvation

They do belive in the idea of the path being their idea of salvation those who have continuously lived a good life have nothing to fear

View of After Life

They put a lot of empahis on free from worry life about the afterlife but minly focuses on te individual’s ethical actions as well as piety in the current life.

Practices and Rituals

Invonved in day to dy meditations by continuously reciting as well as chanting their God’s name this also helps in keeping them focused in the normal life. They also share their wealth with those who don’t have

Celebrations & Festivals

Bandi Chhor Divasi, Maghi, Hola Mohalla, Sikh Funeral among others

Week 9 - Sources

Jakobsh, D. R. (2012). Sikhism.

WEEK 10

NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

Cosmogony - Origin of the Universe

Believe that God is the creator of the universe through the Universe prime energy

Nature of God/Creator

He is omnipotent as as the creator of everything that exists also he is the main source of energy and giver of life

View of Human Nature

Both the human beings as well as nature reflect His personality, as well as purpose and nature. And that the main reason for the existence of human is to yield joy to the Almighty God

View of Good & Evil

View of Salvation

That salvation comes in only one way for those who are believers of only one religion and one God

View of After Life

That after death the physical individual dies but the spiritual one proceed to live

Practices and Rituals

Holy Marrieage, holy wine among others

Celebrations & Festivals

True parents day, declaration day of God’s eternal blessing, Foundation day True God’s day….

Week 10 - Sources

Study Centre for New Religious Movements., & Selly Oak Colleges. (1983). Turner collection on religious movements: 8-04-002 FICHE 046. Wolverhampton, England: Advance Micrographics.

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