Download World Religions

World Religions
• Religion is at the core of the
belief system of a region’s
culture.
– Shape how people interact
with another, dress and eat.
• Diffusion of religion is caused
by a variety of factors.
• Some major religions spread
their religion through
missionary activities.
• In most religions, most
followers are born into their
beliefs.
Buddhism
• The followers of Buddhism adhere to the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
– Also known as Buddha, or “the Awakened,” after his enlightenment.
– He was born in what it is now Nepal over 2,500 years ago.
• His teachings are known as dharma, meaning “divine law”, are aimed to end
suffering in the world.
– This goal of Nirvana can only be achieved by following the Four Noble
Truths and by following the 4th truth.
– Says that freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold
Path.
– Through the Buddha’s teachings, his followers can reach the end of
ignorance and unhappiness.
• As Buddhism has spread throughout Asia, several branches have emerged.
– Theravada Buddhism- is monk- centered and dominant in Sir Lanka,
Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
– Mahayana Buddhism- is a more complex, liberal variety that has been
traditionally dominate in Tibet, Central Asai, Korea, China and Japan.
Sacred Symbols
Statue of Buddha
This is the Great Buddha Statue in Bodhgaya,
India. It was unveiled in November 1989 and
is 80 feet tall.
The Dharmachakra
“wheel of the law”
It signifies the overcoming of obstacles, and
the 8 spokes represent the Eightfold Path
which is essential for all Buddhists.
Sacred Text and Sites
The Bodhi Tree
Is located in Bodh Gaya and is believed to
the spot were Siddhartha achieved
enlightenment. Many people visit this spot
in search of their own awakening.
• The early teachings of
Buddhism were transmitted
orally.
• For Theravada Buddhists, a
collection of Buddhist texts
is the Tripitaka (“three
baskets”).
– Were first written on palm
leaves in a language called
Pali.
Christianity
• Christianity has more members than any other religion
in the world.
• The beginning of Christianity dates back to the death of
Jesus in A.D. 33.
– Took place in what is now Israel.
• Based on the belief in one God, and on the life and
teachings of Jesus.
– Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and is fully divine and
human.
– Jesus is regarded as the Messiah, or savior, who died for
humanity’s sins.
• Feel that people are saved and achieve eternal life by
having faith in Jesus.
Sacred Symbol and Site
The statue Christ the Redeemer,
located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
symbolizes the belief that Jesus
died for human sin.
Bethlehem, the birth place of
Jesus, is very important to
Christians.
Sacred Text and Worship and
Celebration
The Bible is the spiritual text for
all Christians and is considered to
be inspired by God.
Christians celebrate many events
commemorating the life and death
of Jesus.
• Christmas- the day of Jesus
was born.
• Good Friday- the day Jesus
was crucified.
• Easter- the day Jesus was
resurrected.
Confucianism
• Began more than 2,500 years ago in China
• It is actually a philosophy, although it is considered to
be a religion.
• Based on the teachings of Confucius which are
grounded in ethical behavior and good environment.
– Focus on three areas:
• Social philosophy, political philosophy and education.
– Taught that relationships are based on rank.
• Those of higher rank are responsible for caring for people of lower
rank
• People of lower rank should respect and obey those of higher rank.
• Eventually spread from China to other East Asian
societies.
Sacred Symbol and Site
Yin- Yang
It symbolizes the harmony offered by the
Confucius philosophies. Yang, the light
half, represents the creative, firm, strong
elements in all things. Yin, the dark half,
represents the receptive, yielding, weak
elements. When acting together the two
balance each other.
The temple at Qufu
It is group of buildings that are
dedicated to Confucius, and are
located on his ancestral land.
Followers gather here to celebrate
Confucius’s birthday every year.
Worship and Celebration and Sacred
Text
Confucius was famous for his sayings
and proverbs. Theses teachings of
Confucius were gathered into a book
called the Analects. Were gathered
after his death.
• There are temples
dedicated to the spiritual
leader, Confucius, even
there is no god or clergy.
• Followers see Confucianism
as a way of life and a guide
to ethical behavior and a
good environment
Hinduism
• Of the world’s major living religions, Hinduism is the oldest.
• It has no single founder or founding date, but has many different
sects and many different divinities are honored.
– Some of the most famous are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
– They represent creative, sustaining and destructive forces in
the universe.
– Reincarnation, karma and dharma are the major beliefs of
Hinduism.
• They believe that the universe contains several heavens and
hells.
– And souls are continually reborn, but in what form is
determined by the good and evil performed in the past lives. –
acts of karma
– A soul will continue in this cycle until release is achieved.
Sacred symbols
Statue of Vishnu
Is the Supreme God in the tradition of
Hinduism.
Sacred symbol of “Om”
Is an important symbol for a sound.
Om is a sound that Hindus often
chant during prayer, mantras and
rituals.
Sites, celebration and text
• The Vedas are the sacred texts of
Hinduism.
– Consists of four books: Rig Veda,
Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva
Veda
– Contain hymns, prayers and
speculation composed in ancient
Sanskrit.
• Many Hindus bathe in the Ganges rivers
to purify their soul and to be released for
rebirth.
– This is their belief in reincarnation
• Holi is an important Hindu festival
– Celebrates the triumph of good over
evil, and also the beginning of spring.
Islam
• The followers of Islam, known as Muslims, believe in one God.
– Called Allah, Arabic for “the god.”
• Muhammad is the spiritual founder of Islam.
– He began his teachings in Makkah(Mecca) in A.D. 610.
– Has spread throughout much of Asia and Africa.
• Muslims believe that their holy book, the Quran, contains the direct word
of God.
– It was revealed by Muhammad sometime between 610 and 632 A.D.
• Believe that God serves four functions: creation, sustenance, guidance
and judgment, and without him there would be nothingness.
• There are two main branches within Islam: Sunni and Shia
– Shia believe that the Islamic rulers should descend from Muhammad
– Sunni believe that the ruler only needs to be a follower of
Muhammad.
• Most Muslims are Sunni.
Sacred Symbol
• The Five Pillars are central to
Islamic belief.
– Affirmation of the belief in
Allah and his prophet
Muhammad
– Group prayer
– Tithing or the giving of money
to charity
– Fasting during Ramadan
– a pilgrimage to Makkah once
in a lifetime if physically and
financially able.
Crescent Moon
Islam is often symbolized by the
crescent moon. It is an important part
of Muslim rituals, which are based on
the lunar calendar.
Sacred Text and Site
The Quran
The Quran is the sacred text of Islam.
Makkah
Makkah is a sacred site for all
Muslims. One of the Five Pillars
of Islam is to make a pilgrimage to
Mekkah. Practicing Muslims are
required to pray facing Makkah
five times a day.
Judaism
• Is a monotheistic religion, and was the first major religion to
believe in one God.
• Trace their national and religious origins back to God’s call to
Abraham.
– They believe they are expected to pursue justice and live
ethical lives.
– Believe God will one day usher in an era of universal peace.
• Judaism has separated into different branches including:
– Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionists.
– Orthodox Jews are the most traditional.
Sacred Text and Site
The Torah
The Torah is the five books of Moses,
which tell the story of the origins of
the Jews and explain Jewish.
Western Wall
Is all that remains of the structure
surrounding the Second Jerusalem
Temple. It is considered a sacred spot
in Jewish religious tradition.
Sacred Symbol and Celebration
Menorah
It is used in the celebration of
Hanukkah. It is a nine-branched
candelabrum lit during the eightday holiday of Hanukkah
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish
calendar. The purpose is to reflect on the
past and gain forgiveness from God for
one’s sins.
It is ten days after Rosh Hashanah. Service
ends with the blowing of the ram’s horn.
Sikhism
• Rose from the experience and teachings of Guru Nanak in the
mid-1500’s.
– Emerged in the Punjab in north west India
– It exhibits influences from both Islam and Hinduism, but is still
distinct.
• Teaches that Nanak encountered God directly and he had
been commissioned by God to His servant.
– They believe in one almighty god, who is formless and without
qualities, but can be known through meditation and heard
directly.
• Sikhism forbids discrimination.
• 80 percent of the 20 million Sikhs in the world live in Punjab,
but Sikhism has managed to spread widely.
Sacred Sites and Text
Adi Granth
It is the great authoritative text for
Sikhs. It includes contributions from
Sikh gurus and those claimed to be
saints.
The Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, the spiritual
capital of Sikhism, the Golden Temple
is the most sacred of Sikh shrines.
Sacred Symbols and Worship
Khanad
The Khanad is the sacred symbol of
Sikhism. It is composed of four
traditional Sikh weapons.
-the Khanad, or a double edged sword
-the cakkar (disk)
-two curved daggers
Vaisakhi
Is a significant festival in April celebrating
the new year and the beginning of the
harvest season. In Sikhism, celebrations
typically take place on the banks of rivers,
and participants usually wear brightly
colored clothes.
Indigenous Religions
• Many religious beliefs are limited to a particular ethnic
group.
– These local religions are found in Africa as well as parts of
Japan, Australia and the Americas.
– Most reflect a close relationship with the environment, and
teach that people are part of nature.
– Animism is a characteristic of many of these indigenous
religions.
– Usually natural features are sacred, and stories about how
nature came to exist are important.
– These stories were originally passed on orally, now they have
been written down.
Indigenous Religions
• Africa
– This continent is home to a variety of Indigenous religions
– Despite their differences, they usually always recognize the
existence of one creator.
• However, also recognize the spirits that inhabit the all aspects of life.
– Their religious ceremonies are celebrated with singing and
dancing.
• Japan
– Shinto, the world’s largest indigenous religions, was founded
in Japan.
– It has no formal doctrine even though it dates back to
prehistoric times.
– The Shinto Gods are known as kami.
• Ancestors are also revered and worshiped.
– Has 4 million followers
Indigenous Religions
• Australia
– The Australian Aboriginal religion has no deities, but is based upon
a belief known as the Dreaming.
– Followers believe that their ancestors sprang up from the Earth and
created all people, plant and animal life.
• Also believe that their ancestors continue to control the natural
world.
• Native Americans
– Most Native American beliefs center around the spiritual world.
– Most believe in a Great Spirit who influence all aspects of life.
• The spirits make their presence known through acts of nature.
– Health, good harvest and good hunting are the center of Native
American rituals, prayers and ceremonies.
– Rituals are also used to mark the passage through stages of life.
– Religious ceremonies and prayers concentrate on agriculture and
hunting themes.