Download WORLD RELIGIONS

WORLD RELIGIONS
INDIAN RELIGIONS TEST REVIEW
I.
HINDUISM
A. Henotheism
 Belief if one supreme Ultimate Reality (supergod?) and that other
gods (Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu) are manifestations of the supreme
god; these manifestations have their own unique appearance and
powers
 Different than monotheism (one god) and polytheism (many gods)
B. Reincarnation
 Repeated cycle of life on this earth after death
 Rebirth is dependent on karma – actions in your lifetime
 In Hinduism, reaching moksha or liberation from the cycle is
dependent on reaching the highest caste – Brahmins.
C. Caste system
 Division of Hindu people different groups in terms of religious purity
 Brahmins (priestly group), Kshaytriyas (warrior group), Vaisyas
(merchant and skilled worker group), Sudras (unskilled workers,
peasants). There is also the Pariah or Untouchable group.
 Hindus may not rise about their caste in the present life; must be
reincarnated to higher caste through good karma.
D. Moksha
 The ultimate goal for devout Hindus. It refers to liberation from
samsara or the continuous cycle of death, rebirth, and suffering (a.k.a.
reincarnation).
E. Shiva as Nataraja
 Shiva is part of the Hindu Triad of deities along with Vishnu and
Brahma.
 Shiva is depicted as Lord of the Dance. His dance symbolizes
destruction and creation, which is represented by the fire in one
hand and the drum in the other. The other two hand form a “fear
not” mudra or hand gesture. Shiva stands on a dwarf representing
his conquest of ignorance.
 The statue represents the actual deity and is treated as if it is living.
F. Puja
 Rituals and acts of devotion performed by Hindus toward their gods
(ex. Making food offerings to Shiva prior to eating).
 Washing in the Ganges is another type of Puja.
G. Yoga

The practice of clearing the mind and focusing the body to attain
higher spiritual awareness. Yoga refers to the Hindu attempting to
yoke his Atman or soul with the Ultimate Reality.
H. The Ganges
 A holy river for both Hindus and Buddhists. Hindus bathe in the
Ganges on certain religious holidays. After death, the cremated
remains of Hindus and thrown into the Ganges. Siddhartha Gautama’s
witnessing of a such a funeral was the prince’s first encounter with
death and inspired him on his spiritual journey.
II.
Buddhism
A. Siddhartha Gautama
 Founder of Buddhism
 Eschewed his extravagant lifestyle as a Indian prince after becoming
aware of suffering and death
 Began as an ascetic with five other ascetics
 Discovered that the Middle Way or a life of moderation is the best
path toward spiritual understanding
 Reached nirvana (enlightenment – symbolized by third eye in
forehead) at 35; became Buddha “The Awakened One”
 Spread his teachings for the next 45 years of life until his death
B. Four Noble Truths
 Life is suffering
 Suffering is caused by desire
 Extinguish desire and end suffering
 You can learn to extinguish desire by following the Eightfold Path
(right ways of thinking and acting)
C. Stupa
 Buddhist reliquary mound which contains buried relics of Buddha.
 The most famous stupa is called the Great Stupa and is located in
Sanchi, India.
 Buddhists make pilgrimages to stupas to pray. They also make ritual
circumambulations or walks around the structure.
D. Schools of Buddhism
 Theravada Buddhism – oldest school, originated in India, belief that
one has to become a monk and dedicate life to spirituality in order to
reach nirvana (enlightenment)
 Mahayana Buddhism – most popular type of Buddhism in Asia, belief
that any spiritual people may experience nirvana


Tibetan Buddhism – a blend of traditional animist or spirit beliefs of
Tibetans with the teachings of Buddha; leaders are known as lamas
(ex. Dalai Lama)
Zen Buddhism – followers focus extensively on meditation as the way
to nirvana and believe that it will occur in a sudden flash (popular in
Japan)
E. Dhammapada
 “The Way of Teaching”
 Collection of Buddha’s teachings
F. Buddhist popularity
 China – highest number of Buddhists
 Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
 East Asia – Korea, Japan
 Central Asia – Tibet
 Ironically, Buddhism is least popular (even less than Christianity)
in India, the place of its beginnings
III.
Jainism
A. Mahavira
 Founder of Jainism; experienced enlightenment (nirvana) and
eventually moksha
 Fasted to death in order to sacrifice himself for his teachings
B. Jinas/Tirthankars
 “Those who overcame” or conquerors
 24 great spiritual leaders who influence Jains
C. Three Ratnas or Jewels of Jainism
 Right action
 Right faith
 Right knowledge
D. Ahimsa
 Strict observance of nonviolence toward living things
 This leads Jains toward a vegetarian diet. Some Jains are so strict that
they will use a very soft broom to clear away insects from their path so
as not to crush them. Strict Jains might also wear a cloth over their
mouths and noses so as not to inhale and possible harm insects.
E. Samsara and Moksha
 Jains believe in samsara (reincarnation) and hope for liberation
(moksha). However, they do not believe in the caste system.


IV.
Karma determines rebirth into either an angel, human, animal/plant, or
demon. These four beings are represented by the Swastika.
Leading an ascetic life (self denial) and living by the five principles of
Jainism.
Sikhism
A. Guru Nanak
 Founder of Sikhism
 Expressed his personal experience with God; revealed that there is
only one God.
 Leaders of Sikhism are called Gurus
B. Beliefs
 Monotheism – one god with many names (different than Hinduism,
similar to Islam); no worshipping idols
 Following the teachings of the famous gurus – spiritual leaders
 Daily prayers
 Abstaining from intoxicating substances
 Reincarnation – God decides what you will be reborn as based on
karma or he may decide if you are pure enough for your soul to reside
with him.
C. Khanda
 Symbol of the Sikhs
 Demonstrates their warrior tradition (they had to develop into a
warrior culture, rearing their young men to use weapons) in order to
prevent from being forced to convert to Islam or Hinduism.
V.
Short Response
A. Consider the practices, beliefs, etc. of the religions we have studied. Be
prepared to discuss at least four that stand out, interest, and/or disturb you.
Be ready to explain why you feel this way.