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WORLD RELIGIONS
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Religions of
South Asia
Religion in the Subcontinent
Hinduism
What is Hinduism?
• One of the oldest religions
– About 1500 B.C.E.
– Began in India
• Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
• Tolerance and diversity
– "Truth is one, paths are many“
– “There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and
endless are his names”
– “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences;
We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”
What do Hindus believe?
• Hinduism has no formal theology that defines God
• It is henotheistic (acknowledging many but
worshiping only one)
• Brahman—One impersonal Ultimate Reality
– Manifest as many personal deities
• Atman—The soul, Brahma trapped in matter
• Samsara—Reincarnation – atman is continually born
into this world lifetime after lifetime
• Karma—Spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us
bound to this world (good and bad)
• Moksha—Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman
and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with
Brahman
• Vedas—Truth: myths, rituals, chants
Major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
Vishnu, the preserver god
Shiva, god of constructive destruction
(the transformer)
What are the spiritual
practices of Hinduism?
• Yoga—seeking union with the divine:
• Guru—a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for
Jnana and Raja yoga
• Bhakti Yoga—worship, seeking union with the
divine through loving devotion to manifest deities
• In the home (household shrines)
• In the temples (priests officiate)
How does Hinduism direct
life in this world?
• Respect for all life – vegetarian
• Human life as supreme:
– Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests &
teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class,
servant class
– Four stages of life – student, householder,
retired, wandering philosopher
– Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social
responsibilities, religious responsibilities
(moksha)
Buddhism
The essence of Buddhism
 The “middle way of wisdom
and compassion.”
 The 3 jewels of Buddhism:
 Buddha, the teacher.
 Dharma, the teachings.
 Sangha, the community.
Siddhartha Gautama
(563-483 BCE)
 Born as prince in NE India




(Nepal)
At 29 rejected luxurious
life to seek enlightenment
and source of suffering
Lived a strict, ascetic
life for 6 yrs
Rejecting this extreme, sat in
meditation and found nirvana
Became “The Enlightened One,” at
35
What is the fundamental
cause of all suffering?
Desire!
 Therefore, extinguish the self,
don’t obsess about oneself.
Four Noble Truths
1. There is suffering in the world.
To live is to suffer.
2. The cause of suffering is selfcentered desire and attachments.
3. The solution is to eliminate desire
and attachments.
4. To reach nirvana, one must follow
the Eightfold Path.
Eightfold Path
Nirvana
 The union with the ultimate
spiritual reality.
 Escape from the cycle of
rebirth.
Buddha –
19c Thailand
Buddha
2c Pakistan
–
Mandala: Wheel of Life Motifs
Types of Buddhism
 Therevada Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism.
Found in southern Asia.
Focus on wisdom and meditation.
Goal: is to become a “Buddha,” or
“Enlightened One.”
 Mahayana Buddhism
Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).
Buddhism “for the masses.”
Goal: Not just individual escape from the
wheel, but the salvation of all humanity
through self-sacrifice of those enlightened
few.
Types of Buddhism
 Zen Buddhism
Seeks sudden enlightenment through
meditation, arriving at emptiness
Use of meditation masters
Beauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens &
calligraphy
 Tibetan Buddhism
Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.
A mix of Theravada and Mahayana
Include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama
Growth of Buddhism
Hinduism
only
Caste system
Both
Reincarnation
Cyclical view of history
Belief in a state of
enlightenment (Hindu
moksha, Buddhist
nirvana)
Buddhism
only
The Middle Way
(Eightfold Path)
Four Noble
Truths
Confucianism
* 551 – 479 B.C.E.
* Born in the feudal
state of Liu
* Became a teacher
and editor of books
Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding
force of an enduring stable society)
Ren --> humaneness, benevolence,
humanity
Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy
Do not do unto others what you would
not want others to do unto you.
Yi --> Righteousness
Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)
* Status
* Age
* Gender
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
4. Older
Brother
Younger
Brother
5. Older
Friend
Younger
Friend
* The single most important Confucian
work.
*Knowing what he knows and knowing what
he doesn’t know, are characteristics of the
person who knows.
*Making a mistake and not correcting it, is
making another mistake.
*The superior man blames himself; the
inferior man blames others.
*To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
* The emperor is the example of
proper behavior --> “big daddy”
* Social relationships are based on
“rites” or “rituals”
* Even religious rituals are
important for SOCIAL, not
religious reasons
INDIA
CHINA
1. Brahmin
1. Scholar-Gentry
2. Kshatriyas
2. Peasants
3. Vaishyas
3. Artisans
4. Shudras
4. Merchants
Untouchables
Domestic Slaves
Legalism
* 280? - 233 B.C.E.
* Late Warring States
period
* Legalism became
political philosophy of
Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty
1. Human nature is naturally selfish.
2. Intellectualism and literacy is
discouraged.
3. Law is the supreme authority and
replaces morality.
4. The ruler must rule with a strong,
punishing hand.
5. War is the means of strengthening
a ruler’s power.
One who favors the principle
that individuals should obey
a powerful authority rather
than exercise individual
freedom.
Daoism
*604 B.C.E. - ?
* His name means
“Old Master”
* Was he Confucius’
teacher?
1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the
universe. It is a force that flows through
all life.
2. A believer’s goal is to become one with
Dao; one with nature.
3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.”
--> “The art of doing nothing.”
--> “Go with the flow!”
4. Man is unhappy because he lives according
to man-made laws, customs & traditions that
are contrary to the ways of nature.
To escape the “social, political, & cultural
traps” of life, one must escape by:
1. Rejecting formal knowledge and
learning.
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.
3. Discovering the nature and
“rhythm” of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.
* Masculine
* Feminine
* Active
* Passive
* Light
* Darkness
* Warmth
* Cold
* Strong
* Weak
* Heaven;
Sun
* Earth;
Moon
How is a man to live in a world
dominated by chaos, suffering, and
absurdity??
Confucianism --> Moral order in society
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order
Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and
less government to avoid
uniformity and conformity
Judaism
5
Judaism
Monotheistic, believing in one true God
Omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent
Unity and singularity of God as He is
revealed though Torah
Sh’ma–cornerstone of all Jewish belief.
Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord
our God, the Lord is one.”
Israelites believed they were God’s “chosen
people.”
They believed that God would lead them to
“promised land.”
Judaism
Born in grace, live in grace, and die in grace
 Sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice
Olam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come”




Messiah will reign
Jewish temple will be rebuilt
Nation of Israel will be fully restored
World order of justice and compassion.
5
Teachings on Law and Morality
Jewish prophets, or spiritual leaders,
preached code of ethics, or moral standards of
behavior
Torah—laws that addressed all aspects of
life, from cleanliness and food preparation to
criminal matters
Ten Commandments
Significant Jewish “Holy” Days
Shabbat – Sabbath–day of rest
Friday sundown through Saturday sundown
Prohibited: work, travel, commerce
Yom Kippur –"Day of Atonement"
Atone for sins of past year – sins between man and God
On Yom Kippur, judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed
Rosh Hashanah –New Year, plan better life and
introspection
 Passover –commemorate Israelites’ escape from
Personal journey from slavery to freedom
begin
Egypt
Christianity
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
• Roots
– Judaism
– Teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and
apostles
• Earliest converts were Jews who did not
think they were breaking away from
Hebrew Law
– Early Christians wished to be considered
Jews
• Jewish religion officially recognized by Roman
government and its adherents had certain
privileges
BELIEFS
• Based on belief that Jesus is the
Christ/Messiah, the son of God
– One of Trinity
• God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit
– Teachings
• In Gospels
• 12 disciples
– Death at 33
• By believing in Jesus, his followers will
go to Heaven at their death
• Bible is Word of God
• Holy days—Christmas & Easter
Islam
An Abrahamic Religion
Strict

monotheists
Believe:
Allah,
the Judeo-Christian God
The
Torah and the Bible, like the
Qur’an, is the word of God
Peoples of the Book
Abraham’s Genealogy
HAGAR
ABRAHAM
Ishmael
SARAH
Isaac
12 Arabian Tribes
Jacob
Esau
12 Tribes of Israel
The Prophetic Tradition
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Jesus
Muhammad
The Origins of the Qur’an
 Muhammad received first revelation
from angel Gabriel in the Cave of
Hira in 610.

622  Hijrah  Muhammed fled
Mecca for Medina.
* The beginning of the Muslim
calendar

Muhammad’s revelations were compiled
into the Qur’an after his death.
The Qur’an
 Muslims believe it contains word of

114 suras (chapters).
In the name of Allah,
the compassionate,
the merciful.


Written
in Arabic.
God
1. The Shahada
 The testimony

The declaration of faith:
There is no god worthy of
worship except God, and
Muhammad is His
Messenger [or Prophet].
1
2. The Salat
 The mandatory prayers
performed 5 times a day:
* dawn
* noon
* late afternoon
* sunset
* before going to bed

Wash before praying

Face Mecca and use prayer rug
2
2. The Salat
 The call to prayer by muezzin
in minaret

Pray in mosque on Friday
2
3. The Zakat
 Almsgiving (charitable donations)

Muslims believe that all things
belong to God

Zakat means both “purification”
and “growth”

About 2.5% of your income
3
4. The Sawm
 Fasting during the holy month
of Ramadan


Considered a method of selfpurification
No eating or drinking from
sunrise to sunset during
Ramadan
4
5. The Hajj
 The pilgrimage to Mecca

Must be done at least once in a
Muslim’s lifetime

2-3 million Muslims make the
pilgrimage
every
year
5
5. The Hajj
 Those who complete pilgrimage
can add the title hajji to
their name
5
The Dar al-Islam
The World
of Islam
1
2
3
4
5
The Mosque
 The Muslim place of worship
The Dome of the Rock Mosque in
Jerusalem
Mount Moriah Rock
where Muhammad ascended into heaven
Other Islamic Religious Practices
 Up to four wives allowed at once

No alcohol or pork

No gambling

Sharia  body of Islamic law to
regulate daily living

Three holiest cities in Islam:
* Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem
Essential Question:
Why was Islam able
to spread so quickly
and convert so many
to the new religion?
The Spread of Islam

Easy to learn and practice

No priesthood

Teaches equality

Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the
Book,” were allowed religious freedom,
but paid additional taxes

Easily “portable”  nomads & trade routes

Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and
other non-believers (“infidels”)
Muslims in the World
Today
Countries with the Largest Muslim
Population
1. Indonesia
183,000,000
6. Iran
62,000,000
2. Pakistan
134,000,000
7. Egypt
59,000,000
3. India
121,000,000
8. Nigeria
53,000,000
4. Bangladesh
114,000,000
9. Algeria
31,000,000
10. Morocco
29,000,000
5. Turkey
66,000,000
* Arabs make up only 20% of the total
Muslim population of the world.
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Stemmed
Dates
Who
from political differences
back to death of Muhammad
should lead Muslim nation?
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Sunni
Muslims
Leader
should be elected from among
those capable of the job
This
is what was done
"Sunni"
in Arabic comes from word
meaning "one who follows the traditions
of the Prophet"
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Shia
Muslims
Leader
from Prophet's family
Appointed
by him, or among Imams
appointed by God Himself
Leadership
should have passed to his
cousin/son-in-law, Ali
Follow
line of Imams appointed by
Muhammad or God Himself
"Shia"
in Arabic means supportive group
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Other
differences touch all
detailed aspects of religious life:
prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Sunni
Muslims believe there is no basis in
Islam for hereditary privileged class of
spiritual leaders
Believe
no basis for veneration or
intercession of saints
Believe
leadership is not birthright, but
a trust that is earned
May
be given or taken away by
people themselves
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
Shia
Muslims believe that Imam is sinless
by nature
His
authority is infallible as it comes
directly from God
Often
venerate Imams as saints and
perform pilgrimages to their tombs and
shrines hoping for divine intercession
Split in Islam—Sunni & Shia
From Umayyad to Abbasid Empires
ARAB
ISLAMIC
Rise of Abbasid Party
• The party traced its descent from Muhammad’s
uncle, al-Abbas.
• Al-Abbas’ great great grandson, Abu al-Abbas
led his forces against Umayyads
• His allies were
– Shi’a
– Mawali (Islamic converts) to gain acceptance in
community of believers
• Captured Umayyad capital in Syria
• At “Reconciliation Banquet” al-Abbas
slaughtered remaining Umayyad family
Early Abbasid Era
• Began to reject Shi’a and Malawi allies…and
defended Sunni Islam
• Built centralized, absolutist imperial order
• New capital: Baghdad “The Round City” (2km in
diameter) on Tigris River
– Baghdad became richest city in the world (only
Constantinople came close)
• Had palace with jeweled thrones and harems
– Image of elitism was important
• For more than a century, able to collect revenue and
preserve law over much of empire
Islamic Conversion
• Mass conversions to Islam were
encouraged throughout empire
• Most converts were won over peacefully
because of appeal of Islamic beliefs and
advantages they enjoyed:
- didn’t have to pay head tax
- educational opportunities
- jobs as traders, administrators, judges
Town & Country: Commercial
Boom and Agrarian Expansion
• Abbasid Era was a great time of urban
expansion and growth of merchant and
landlord classes.
• Tang & Song Dynasties in China were also
reviving middle merchant class. (results of
falls of Rome/Han)
• Arab DHOWS - trading vessels with
triangular (lateen) sails were used from
Mediterranean to South China Sea
– Later influenced European ship design
Town & Country: Commercial Boom
and Agrarian Expansion, cont..
• Muslim merchants formed joint ventures with
Christian and Jewish traders
– Each merchant had different Sabbath so they
could work 7 days a week
• Merchants grew rich supplying cities with
goods throughout the empire
• Much wealth went to charity (required by
Qur’an)
– Hospitals and medical care of Abbasid Empire
surpassed those of any other civilization of that
time
Town & Country: Commercial Boom
and Agrarian Expansion, cont..
• Much unskilled labor was left to slaves
• Some slaves were able rise to positions of
power and gain freedom
• Huge estates might have slaves,
indentured servants or sharecroppers
The First Flowering of Islamic Learning
• Early contributions from Abbasid were great
mosques and palaces. Ex: Dome of the Rock
• Advances in religious, legal and philosophical
discourse
• Science and Math!
– preserved Greek works of medicine, algebra, geometry,
astronomy, anatomy, and ethics
• Arabic traders in India carried Indian number
system across Mediterranean and into Northern
Europe
– What’s the impact?
Global Connections:
Early Islam & the World
• Abbasid Empire was “go-between” for
ancient civilizations of Eastern
Hemisphere
– Role grew as Arab trade networks expanded
• Islam pioneered patterns of organization
and thinking that would affect human
societies in major ways for centuries
• 5 Centuries = Spread of Islam played
dominant role in the Afro-Eurasian World
Global Connections:
Early Islam & the World…cont.
• In the midst of achievement, Muslims had some
growing disadvantages, especially to Europeans
• Muslim divisions would leave openings for
political problems
Growing intolerance and orthodoxy led to the
belief that the vast Islamic world contained all
requirements for civilized life, which caused
Muslim people to grow less receptive to
outside influence and innovations…led to
isolation at a time when Christian rivals were
in a period of experimentation and
exploration
WORLD RELIGIONS
Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam