Download Eastern Religions

Eastern Religions
Buddhism
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Nation of Origin- Nepal
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Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
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Place of Worship- Temple
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Holy Book: No one book- sacred texts including
the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra
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Deity: No deity
Basic Tenets of Buddhism
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Impermanence and life
suffering
Complete contentment
through eliminating the
attachment to worldly things
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path to Nirvana
Reincarnation
Buddhism
Wheel of Life
The eight spokes equal
the eightfold path which
points the way to a proper life
The Eightfold Path
Hinduism
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Hindu Sanskrit word
om means the sound
of creation and is used
to signify the divine
nature of everything.
It is especially used as
a meditative chant
Hinduism
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Nation of Origin: India
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Founder: No single founder
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Place of worship: Temple
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Holy Book: No one book
several sacred texts including
the 4 Vedas and the Puranas
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Deity: 3 main gods Shiva,
Brahma, and Vishnu
Siva – The Destroyer
Basic Tenets of Hinduism
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Trinity of gods
Castes based on ritual purity
Unity of all life
Reincarnation (samsara)
Enlightenment when free of
earthly desires (moksha)
Freedom from desire comes
from a lifetime of worship,
knowledge and virtuous acts
Karma and Dharma
Islam
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This symbol was
derived from the
nomadic traders
who roamed Saudi
Arabia and Near
East and saw these
symbols in the clear
heavens as evidence
of divine presence
Islam
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Nation of Origin: Saudi
Arabia
Founder: Muhammad
Place of worship:
Mosque
Holy Book: Qur’ an
Deity: God (Allah)
Basic Tenets of Islam
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People reach salvation
through following the 5
Pillars of Islam
10 Commandments
Belief in life after death
(resurrection)
Heaven and Hell
Monotheistic (only one god)
Kinship with Judaism and
Christianity
The Five Pillars of Islam
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Statement of Faith – “There is no god but
Allah; Muhammad is the Prophet of God.”
Prayer
Almsgiving
Fasting – Ramadan
Pilgrimage – The Hajj to Mecca
Confucianism
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Kung Fu-Tza or
Confucius is the
originator of a
philosophy of social
harmony. He was a
teacher of gentlemanly
behavior
Confucianism
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Nation of Origin: China
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Founder: Kung Fu-tza
(Confucius)
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Place of Worship: none
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Holy Book: The Analects, and
the Five Classics
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Deity: Confucius is viewed as a
god by some followers
Basic Tenets of Confucianism
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Social order, harmony and
good environment
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Respect for parents and elders
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Education is important to both
the individual and society
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Stresses mans relationship
with humankind especially
family and state
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Values an educated elite
Daoism
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Yin and Yang- a longexisting symbol of unity
and interplay in the
cosmos.
The yin and yang are
borrowed by the
Daoists.
Daoism
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Nation of Origin: China
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Founder: Lao Tzu
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Place of worship: temple
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Holy Books: Dao de Ching
(Book of Reason and Virtue)
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Deity: Lao Tzu
Basic Tenets of Daoism
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Search for personal immortality
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A person must harmonize with the Dao.
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The Dao is a natural path of the universe
which is ever changing. It "refers to a
power which envelops, surrounds and flows
through all things, living and non-living.
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The Tao regulates natural processes and
nourishes balance in the Universe. It
embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e.
there would be no love without hate, no
light without dark, no male without
female.)"
Shinto
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Torii Gate- The gate
signifies the location of
a Shinto Shrine and the
holy spirits of Kami.
Shinto
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Nation of Origin: Japan
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Founder: Unknown
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Place of worship: Temple
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Holy Books: None
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Deity: Kami the sun goddess
Basic Tenets of Shinto
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Nature worship and adoration of the sun
goddess with emperor offspring
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Nationalistic in 1920s and 1930s.
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All of humanity is regarded as "Kami's child."
Thus all human life and human nature is
sacred.
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Believers aspire to have "makoto", sincerity or
true heart. This is regarded as the way or will
of Kami.
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Morality is based upon that which is of benefit
to the group.
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"Shinto emphasizes right practice, sensibility,
and attitude."