Download World Religions

World Religions
Hinduism
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Polytheistic: Gods represent different forms of
Brahman
– Brahma: The Creator
– Vishnu: The Preserver
– Siva: The Destroyer
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Beliefs:
– People reach true enlightenment and happiness
after they free themselves from their earthly
desires.
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Enlightenment: achieved through worship,
attainment of knowledge, lifetime of virtuous acts.
– Reincarnation: the atman (soul) is born in another
being after death.
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The Atman (soul) may progress up or down from
plants to animals based on good or bad Karma
(Actions) and Dharma (living the right way).
When the Atman (soul) becomes completely pure, it
can leave the cycle of rebirth and return to
Brahman.
Sacred Texts:
– The Vedas
– The Upanishads
– The Bhagavad Gita
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Religious Leaders: Guru, Holy Man, Brahmin
Priest
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Buddhism
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama
– Sought to find a release from suffering
– Buddha “ The Enlightened One”
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Enlightenment: A state of perfect wisdom in which one
understands basic truths about the universe.
Nirvana: Release from selfishness and pain
The Path to Enlightenment:
– The Four Noble Truths
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Life is filled with suffering and sorrow
The cause of all suffering is people’s selfish desire for the temporary
pleasures of the world
The way to end all suffering is to end all desire.
The way to overcome such desires and attain enlightenment is to
follow the Eightfold Path.
– The Eightfold Path (Middle Way)
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Right Views
Right Resolve
Right Speech
Right Conduct
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Belief in Reincarnation
Religious Leaders: Monks and Nuns
Sacred Texts:
Sutras (means aphorisms or “original thoughts”)
Tripitaka (means 3 baskets)
- the scriptures of the 3 major variants
- Theravada, Tibetan, and Mahayana
Daoism (Taoism)
• Founder: Laozi
• Sacred Text: Dao De Jing
• Symbol: Yin and Yang
– Unseen forces found in everything,
balance each other harmoniously.
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– Dao: “the way” a universal force,
guides all things
– Nature is more important than social
order
– People should live a simple life close
to nature, reflect on the Dao to keep
harmony, this eventually leads to a
perfect balance in life.
– Daoists must help other and be good
and everything they do.
– Daoists must not yearn for power
and wealth or being “first in the
world”
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Judaism
Hebrews came to be called Jews, religion Judaism
Monotheistic- Yahweh (God)
Founder: Abraham
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Holy Book: Torah (First five books of the old testament)
Sacred Writings: Talmud (written versions of Jewish law and interpretations)
Symbols: Star of David, Menorah (7 branch candlestick)
Exodus:
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One God
God created world and created Man in his image
The Jews are God’s chosen people
Promised Land: Cannan (God promised this land to the Jews through a covenant with Abraham)
All people are equal and should be treated with respect and love.
Laws:
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Jews migrate out of slavery in Egypt
Moses led the out of slavery
• Received the 10 Commandments from God on Mt. Sinai
Beliefs:
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Promised to obey Yahweh
Covenant: mutual promise between God and Abraham
All meat must be Kosher (prepared in a certain way and drained of blood)
Some foods prohibited
Meat and milk should not be used together
No work on the Sabbath (Friday evening – Saturday evening)
Religious Leader: Rabbi
Place of Worship: Synagogue
Judaism
Christianity
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Monotheistic
Share some beliefs, teachings, texts of Judaism
Founder: Jesus Christ
Holy Trinity: Father (God), Son (Jesus), Holy Ghost (God’s presence in the world)
Teachings/Beliefs:
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Holy Book: Bible
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Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Protestant
Symbols: Cross, Fish
10 Commandments
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New Testament: The life and teachings of Jesus
Divisions of Christianity:
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Jesus is the son of God, born of the Virgin Mary
Apostles/Disciples: Followers of Christ, help spread the teachings
Parables: Stories used by Jesus to teach
Important Teachings: Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness
Love God and love your neighbor
Humans are born into sin, saved from sin through Jesus
The crucifixion of Jesus was meant as a sacrifice to atone for human sins
Resurrection: Jesus rose from he dead three days after crucifixion, showing he was
divine, symbolizing new life, the dead will rise again (eternal life).
Ordinary people were just as important and worthy as the rich and powerful
1. One God
4. Sabbath
7. No Adultery
2. No False Idols
5. Father/Mother
8. No Stealing
3. No Lord’s Name in Vain
6. No Murder
9. No “False Witness” 10. No Covetting
Religious Leaders: Priests, Ministers, Monks, Nuns
Islam
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Monotheistic: Allah (God)
Founder: Muhammad
Islam = Religion, Muslim = follower of Islam
Holy Book: Qur’an (Koran)
Beliefs:
– Muhammad was the last of the prophets (Abraham,
Moses, Noah, Jesus Christ, Muhammad)
– Life after death, this life prepares one for the next
– Following the Five Pillars of Islam leads to salvation
• Affirmation of Faith in Allah
• Prayer five times a day
• Gifts to the poor
• Fasting during Ramadan (Holy Month)
• Pilgrimage to Mecca (Holy City)
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Religious Leaders: Imams
Temple: Mosque
Prayers are said facing Mecca
Symbols: Crescent and Star
Divisions of Islam:
– Sunnis
– Shi’ites