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World Religions

Religion

Religion is a cultural universal

Religion

Definition: A set of beliefs and practices pertaining to the supernatural.

Supernatural is term for those things outside of known science.

Supernatural Mana- impersonal

supernatural forces believed to confer success

Taboo- a prohibition. Violating brings supernatural punishment

Supernatural Beings

Gods = nonhuman originSpirits= human origin

GhostsAncestor Spirits

One God or Many?Polytheism -(Greeks, Baka,

Yanomomo)Monotheism -(Judaism,

Christianity, Islam)Monism – (Hinduism)

Practices pertaining to the Supernatural

Magic- the ability to manipulate the supernaturalSorcery- use of materials Witchcraft – emotion alone

Why does religion exist?

1. Need for Answers

2. Regression to Childhood Feelings

3. Anxiety and Uncertainty

4. Need for Community

Social Complexity

The complexity of a society is related to the number of religious or magical practitioners it will have.

The “Big Five”

ChristianityIslam HinduismBuddhismJudaism

What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions of humanity The religion of the Indian people Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism,

Sikhism Tolerance and diversity: "Truth is one,

paths are many" Many deities but a single, impersonal

Ultimate Reality A philosophy and a way of life – focused

both on this world and beyond

How did Hinduism begin? No particular founder Indus River Valley Civilization >5000

years ago Aryans enter 4000 - 3500 years ago Vedic Tradition 3500 – 2500 years ago:

rituals and many gods (polytheism) sacred texts (Vedas) social stratification (caste system)

Upanishads (metaphysical philosophy) 2800 – 2400 years ago

Vedic Tradition develops into Hinduism

What are the Sacred Texts? Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative:

Four Vedas (“truth”) – myths, rituals, chants Upanishads - metaphysical speculation Plus other texts

Smriti (“remembered”) – the Great Indian Epics: Ramayana Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita) Plus others

What do Hindus believe? One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Brahman Manifest as many personal deities True essence of life – Atman, the soul, is

Brahman trapped in matter (“That art thou”) Reincarnation – atman is continually born into

this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara) Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions

keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and

reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha)

How does Hinduism directlife 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, renunciant

Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)

What are the spiritualpractices of Hinduism? The Four Yogas - seeking union with the

divine: Karma Yoga – the path of action through

selfless service (releases built up karma without building up new karma)

Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge (understanding the true nature of reality and the self)

Raja Yoga – the path of meditation Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion

Guru – a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon

Brahma, the creator god

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon

Vishnu, the preserver god

Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including:Rama (featured in the Ramayana)Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata)

(Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)

Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon

Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer)

Appears as Shiva Nataraj,lord of the dance of creation…

and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha

(the elephant headed remover of obstacles)

What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine

Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort ofBrahma

What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine

Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consortof Vishnu

What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine

Parvati, divine mother, wife ofShiva

What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine

Durga, protectress

Kali, destroyer of demonsPlus about 330 million other deities

All these deities are but

Manifest forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

All these deities are but

Manifest forms (attributes

and functions) of theimpersonal Brahman

And we too are manifest forms of God!

“We are not human beingshaving spiritual experiences;

We are spiritual beingshaving a human experience!”

“That art Thou”Hinduism is about recognizing the all pervasiveness of the divine

JainismJainism is a offshoot of HinduismAhimsa – extreme non-violence

Sikhism Sikhism represents a

blending of culturesWhen Muslim (Islam) Arabs

conquered India their beliefs blended with Hinduism to form Sikhism

Judaism

Judaism-is an ethical monotheism

Abraham’s GeneaologyAbraham’s Geneaology

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Abraham’s Journey from UrAbraham’s Journey from Ur

Canaan The “Promised Land”Canaan The “Promised Land”

Abraham’s JourneysAbraham’s Journeys

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

The TorahThe Torah

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

Ancient PalestineAncient Palestine

Land of Goshen, EgyptLand of Goshen, Egypt

MosesMoses

“Prince of Egypt”

“Prince of Egypt”

“Shepherd of His People”

“Shepherd of His People”

The ExodusThe Exodus

Route of the ExodusRoute of the Exodus

Moses and the 10 Commandmets

Moses and the 10 Commandmets

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

Mount SinaiMount Sinai

St. Catherine’s Monastery

at Mount Sinai

St. Catherine’s Monastery

at Mount Sinai

King David’s EmpireKing David’s Empire

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Recreation of Ancient Jerusalem

Recreation of Ancient Jerusalem

King Solomon’s Temple Floor Plan

King Solomon’s Temple Floor Plan

The First TempleThe First Temple

Inside the Temple Tabernacle

Inside the Temple Tabernacle

The Arcof the

Covenant

The Arcof the

Covenant

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Kingdoms of

Judah

&

Israel

Kingdoms of

Judah

&

Israel

Israelites in CaptivityIsraelites in Captivity

Alexander the Great & the Hellenization of the Near

East

Alexander the Great & the Hellenization of the Near

East

The Great Library at Alexandria.

Egypt

The Great Library at Alexandria.

Egypt

Jerusalem: Reading the Torah

Jerusalem: Reading the Torah

Herod the Great’s Kingdom

Herod the Great’s Kingdom

Christianity The world’s largest religion

Roman PalestineRoman Palestine

The Beginnings of Christianityin Bethlehem

The Beginnings of Christianityin Bethlehem

Jesus’ MissionJesus’ Mission

Agony in the Garden

Agony in the Garden

CrucifixionCrucifixion

BaptismBaptism

The Resurrection:The Church Triumphant

The Resurrection:The Church Triumphant

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

The Spread of Christianity

The Spread of Christianity

The Jewish Revolt (66-70 C. E.)

The Jewish Revolt (66-70 C. E.)

Dead Sea Scrolls Museum

Israel

Dead Sea Scrolls Museum

Israel

The Jewish Diaspora

The Jewish Diaspora

Constantine Council of Nicaea

Schisms in Christianity As time passed Church leaders began to

disagree on interpretations of the Bible and the role/ teachings of Jesus

Eastern Orthodox Church Centered around Constantinople as

opposed to Rome Greek Orthodox Russian Orthodox

German Monk 95 Thesis Protestant

Reformation “Each man his own

priest”

Protestantism

Predestination Calvinists Pilgrims/ Puritans

Reformation/ Counter ReformationChristianity Protestants

Evangelicals (US) Baptists Lutherans Calvinists Presbyterians Adventists

Catholics Roman Catholics Greek Orthodox Russian Orthodox Syrian Orthodox

Bible Old Testament scripture was extremely

fluid until its canonization around A.D. 100. Full dogmatic articulations of the canons

were not made until the Council of Trent of 1546 for Roman Catholicism

Translations ?/ Non-canon

Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

The essence of Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism

The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”

2,500 year old tradition. The 3 jewels of

Buddhism: Buddha, the teacher. Dharma, the teachings. Sangha, the

community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born in NE India

(Nepal). Raised in great luxury

to be a king. At 29 he rejected

his luxurious life toseek enlightenmentand the source ofsuffering.

Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.

Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found nirvana.

Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths1. There is suffering in

the world. To live is to suffer. (Dukkha)

The Buddha found this out when he was young and experienced suffering and death in others.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

2. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. (Tanha)

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

3. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. (Nirvana = “extinction”)

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths4. To reach nirvana, one

must follow the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

NirvanaNirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.

Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha’s

head :

2c Pakist

an

Buddha’s

head :

2c Pakist

an

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Buddhist AltarBuddhist Altar

Types of BuddhismTypes of

Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.

The “Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.”

Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best way

to achieve nirvana. Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or

“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.

The oldest school of Buddhism. The “Way of the Elders” or the

“Small Vehicle.” Found in southern Asia. The monastic life is the best way

to achieve nirvana. Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or

“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle.”

Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).

Buddhism “for the masses.” Seek guidance from

Boddhisatvas, wise beings. Goal: Not just individual escape

from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

boddhisatvaboddhisatva

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan

Buddhism The “Diamond Vehicle.” [Vajrayana]

Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.

A mix of Theravada and Mahayana.

Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead[Bardo Thodol].

The Dala

iLam

a

The Dala

iLam

a

zen Buddhismzen Buddhism The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment

[satori] through meditation, arriving at emptiness [sunyata].

Use of meditation masters [Roshi].

Beauty, art, and aesthetics: Gardens. Archery. Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.

Distribution of Buddhism Centers

in the US, 2001

Distribution of Buddhism Centers

in the US, 2001

The World’s fastest growing The World’s fastest growing religionreligion

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion

IslamAn Abrahamic Religion Muslims are strict monotheists.

They believe in the Judeo- Christian God, which they call Allah.

Muslims believe that the Torah and the Bible, like the Qur’an, is the word of God.

Peoples of the BookPeoples of the Book

The Prophetic Tradition

The Prophetic Tradition

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Origins of the Qur’an

The Origins of the Qur’an Muhammad received his first

revelation from the angel Gabriel in the Cave of Hira in 610.

622 Hijrah Muhammed flees Mecca for Medina. * The beginning of the Muslim calendar (1 A.H.)

Muhammad’s revelations were compiled into the Qur’an after his death.

The Qur’anThe Qur’an Muslims believe it contains the word of God.

114 suras (chapters).

In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful. Written in Arabic.

1. The Shahada1. The Shahada

11

The testimony.

The declaration of faith:There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed

Wash before praying.

Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat2. The Salat

22

The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret.

Pray in the mosque on Friday.

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat

33

Almsgiving (charitable donations).

Muslims believe that all things belong to God.

Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.”

About 2.5% of your income.

4. The Sawm4. The Sawm

44

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Considered a method of self- purification.

No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

Eid MubarakEid Mubarak

End of the Ramadan holiday.

5. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

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. The Hajj5. The Hajj

55

Those who complete the pilgrimage can add the title hajji to their name.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

Other Islamic Religious Practices

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.

The Spread of IslamThe 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”).

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population1. Indonesia 183,000,00

06. 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

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000

* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the

world.

Muslims in AmericaMuslims in America