Download An Historical Introduction to Religion Us your Atlas and your

An Historical Introduction to Religion
Us your Atlas and your textbook to answer questions about the following religions:
Judaism
Buddhism
Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Confucianism
1. Places of origin – use your Textbook to identify each religions place of origin
and label it on your world map.
2. Timeline – In chronological order, use your book to accurately portray the
time of each religion’s origin.
3. Use your knowledge of the Roman Empire, the map (p. 44, Atlas) and the
Byzantine excerpt below to answer the following questions.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman
State and maintained Roman traditions. Byzantium is today distinguished
from ancient Rome proper insofar as it was oriented towards Greek culture,
characterized by Christianity rather than Roman paganism.
a. Based on your previous knowledge – did the development of the
“Muslim Empire” occur before, during or after the reign of the Roman
Empire? Give some reasons to support your answer.
b. Why do you think Islam did not spread into the Byzantine Empire?
4. Read the excerpt about the Crusades and the map (p. 62 Atlas) to answer the
following questions:
Crusades:
The Crusades were a series of religiously sanctioned military campaigns
waged by much of Roman Catholic Europe, and the Holy Roman Empire,
with the intent to restore Christian control of the Holy Land. The initial
Crusades were fought over a period of nearly 200 years, between 1095 and
1291. Other campaigns in Spain and Eastern Europe continued into the 15th
century.
The Crusades were fought mainly by Roman Catholic forces against
Muslims who had occupied the Holy Land since the 600s. Crusader
campaigns were also waged against pagans, Jews, Russian and Greek
Orthodox Christians and political enemies of the various popes.
a. What was the intent of the Crusades?
b. When did the Crusades occur? (Put this on your timeline)
c. According to the map, what was the final destination of the
Crusaders?
d. Are the Crusades hypocritical?
5. Answer the questions using the chart below. The chart shows the number of
people who adhere to the Hindu religion.
a. Which area has the largest percentage of Hindus? Why do you think it
is the largest?
b. Which area has the smallest percentage of Hindus? Why do you think
it is the smallest?
c. Label this information on the map (Hindu)
Area
Africa
Adherents Population Percentage
1,475,000
0.2%
Asia
728,118,000
22.5%
Europe
704,000
0.1%
Latin America
884,000
0.2%
1,269,000
0.5%
360,000
1.3%
2,000
0.0%
732,812,000
13.4%
Northern America
Australia
Eurasia/Middle East
World
6. Read the Buddhist excerpt. Label the appropriate places on the map
(Buddhism) using the appropriate numbers.
Buddhism
Buddhism became a missionary religion during Asoka's reign. From his capital city
(1), Asoka sent out Buddhist missionaries. After Indians began trading along the
Silk Roads, Buddhist monks traveled the roads and converted people along the way.
Buddhist monks from India established their first monastery in China in A.D.
65, and many Chinese became Buddhists. From China, Buddhism reached Korea in
the fourth century and Japan in the sixth century.
Today, Buddhism is a major religion in East and Southeast Asia. The Theravada
school is strong in Myanmar (2), Cambodia (3), Sri Lanka (4), and Thailand (5). The
Mahayana school is strong in Japan (6) and Korea (7).
7. Read the excerpts about Judaism.
On the map (Moses), label the journey that Moses led.
Judaism
One of the oldest religions, Judaism (ethnic), emerged before 2,000 B.C. Its religious
traditions lie in the teachings of Abraham, who united his people. Jewish history is
filled with upheavals. Jews believe that Moses led the Israelites from Egypt across
the Red Sea into Canaan, where an internal conflict developed and the nation split
into two branches – Israel and Judah. The Romans destroyed their capital,
Jerusalem, around A.D. 70 and their scattering after this event is known as the
Diaspora.
8. A. According to the data on page 38 in your Atlas, describe the relationship
between the Jews and the Romans.
B. Why do you think the Jews were treated this way?
9. The following is an excerpt from the Mahabharata, an Ancient Indian Epic from about
400 BCE
Enjoy the pleasure bestowed on you,
and bear the pain bestowed on you,
wait patiently for what time brings,
as does the farmer with the fruit.
Let us overcome the angry man
with gentleness,
the evil man with goodness
the miser with generosity
the liar with truth
A. List two lessons “The Mahabharata” teaches about Hindu life.
B. What characteristic of an advanced civilization is evident in the excerpt?
10. The following is the 4 Noble truths taken from a Chinese Buddhist canon text.
I. The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha): "This is the noble truth of suffering: birth
is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow,
lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is
displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to
get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to
clinging are suffering."
II. Suffering's Origin (Samudaya): "This is the noble truth of the origin of
suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by
delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual
pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."
III. Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha): "This is the noble truth of the cessation of
suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same
craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, nonreliance on
it."
IV. The Way (Mārga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering: "This is the noble
truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold
Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right
livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration."
A. According to the 4 Noble truths what is the cause of suffering and how does
one end it?
11. The following is a quotation attributed to Confucius, a Chinese teacher in ancient
China who lived around 551 BCE – 479 BCE
“In his (the leader) personal conduct,
He was respectful. In his serving of his superiors
He was reverent.
In his nourishing the people
He was kind. In governing the people
He was righteous.”
A. According to Confucius how should a leader behave?
12. The following is an excerpt from the essay, “On the Nature of Man,” which was written
by Zong Mi. He was a leading Buddhist scholar during the Tang dynasty in the early ninth
century C.E.
“Confucius, Laozi, and the Buddha were perfect sages.
They established their teachings according to the demands of the age and the needs
of various beings. They differ in their approaches in that they encourage the
perfection of good deeds, punish wicked ones, and reward good ones;
all three teachings lead to the creation of an orderly society and for this they must be
observed with respect.”
A. According to Zong Mi, why should Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha be respected?
B. How does this excerpt connect to other religions?