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Hinduism
- Originated over 4,000 years ago in the Indian subcontinent; one of the world's oldest religions.
- Belief in a supreme cosmic spirit known as Brahman, encompassing all deities and existence.
Belief in Brahman
- Brahman is formless, infinite, and transcendent.
- Represents the unity of everything in the universe; often viewed as a source of all reality.
Three Main Gods of Hinduism
- Brahma: The creator god, responsible for the creation of the universe.
- Vishnu: The preserver god, who maintains cosmic order and harmony.
- Shiva: The destroyer god, responsible for transformation and regeneration.
Important Concepts in Hinduism
- Dharma: Duty, morals, and the ethical path in life.
- Karma: The law of cause and effect; actions influence future experiences.
- Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; liberation (Moksha) is the ultimate goal.
Puja and Hindu Worship
- Rituals performed to honor deities; can be personal or communal.
- Involves offerings such as flowers, fruits, and prayers as acts of devotion.
The Sacred Texts of Hinduism
- Composed of Sruti and Smriti texts; include Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas.
Shruti
- Texts considered "that which is heard"; authoritative scriptures.
- Key texts:
- Vedas: Collections of hymns, chants, and mantras.
- Upanishads: Philosophical discussions on spirituality and the nature of reality.
Smriti
- Texts that are remembered; include epics and codes of law.
- Key texts:
- Mahabharata: Epic narrative including the Bhagavad Gita.
- Ramayana: Epic about the life of Lord Rama.
The Four Main Goals of Human Life in Hinduism
- Dharma: Fulfilling one's duty and responsibilities.
- Artha: Pursuing wealth and prosperity.
- Kama: Enjoying love and aesthetic pleasures.
- Moksha: Achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
The Four Major Pathways in Hinduism
- Bhakti: The path of devotion and love towards God.
- Karma: The path of selfless action and duty.
- Jnana: The path of knowledge and wisdom.
- Raja: The path of meditation and discipline.
Holy Places in Hinduism
- Varanasi: A sacred city for pilgrimage and rituals.
- Ganges River: Considered the holiest river, symbolizing purity.
Diwali
- The Festival of Lights celebrated in October or November.
- Symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, with lighting of lamps and fireworks.
Buddhism
- Founded in the 5th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.
- Emphasizes enlightenment through the understanding of the self and reality.
Buddha: His Life and Teachings
- Born into a royal family; renounced worldly life to seek enlightenment.
- Enlightened under the Bodhi tree; shared teachings on suffering, impermanence, and compassion.
Basic Doctrines in Buddhism
- Focus on the alleviation of suffering through ethical living and meditation.
The Three Jewels
- Buddha: The enlightened one and teacher.
- Dharma: The teachings and laws of Buddhism.
- Sangha: The community of practitioners and monks.
Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering (dukkha).
- Suffering is caused by desire and attachment (tanha).
- Suffering can be overcome.
- The path to overcoming suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path
- Right Understanding: Comprehending the nature of reality.
- Right Intent: Cultivating altruistic thoughts.
- Right Speech: Speaking truthfully and kindly.
- Right Action: Acting ethically and compassionately.
- Right Livelihood: Earning a living without harming others.
- Right Effort: Cultivating good qualities and abandoning bad ones.
- Right Mindfulness: Being aware of thoughts and feelings.
- Right Concentration: Developing focused meditation.
Non-Theism
- Buddhism does not center around the worship of gods.
- Focuses on individual spiritual development and practice.
Monastic Living
- Renunciation of worldly life to pursue spiritual practice.
- Monks and nuns play a key role in preserving teachings and community support.
Holy Symbol
- The Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra) represents the Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment.
Buddhism and Mainstream Culture
- Influences art, philosophy, and psychology in various cultures.
The Major Buddhist Traditions
- Primarily divided into Theravada and Mahayana schools.
Theravada Buddhism
- Prevalent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar.
- Emphasizes individual enlightenment and adherence to traditional teachings.
Sacred Texts
- Pali Canon is the primary scripture for Theravada Buddhists.
Festival and Holy Days
- Vesak: Celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
Mahayana Buddhism
- Practiced in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.
- Focuses on the Bodhisattva path, where individuals aspire to help others attain enlightenment.
Sacred Texts
- Include the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra.
Festival and Holy Days
- Various celebrations including Parinirvana Day, marking Buddha's passing.
Confucianism
- Based on the teachings of Confucius, focusing on morality, social relationships, and justice.
Development
- Evolved notably during the Han dynasty; serves as a guiding philosophy for Chinese society.
Sacred Texts of Confucianism
- The Analects: A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius.
Confucian Doctrines and Beliefs
- Emphasizes virtue, filial piety, and social harmony.
- Key teachings include:
- Ren: Humaneness and compassion.
- Li: Ritual and proper conduct.
- Xiao: Filial piety.
- Zhi: Wisdom.
- Xin: Trustworthiness.
Holy Days and Celebrations
- Confucius’ birthday is celebrated on September 28.
Taoism
- Philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao (the Way).
History of Taoism
- Established in the 4th century BCE, attributed to Laozi.
Doctrines and Beliefs of Taoism
- Focus on simplicity, spontaneity, and naturalness.
- Emphasizes Tao as a universal principle governing all aspects of life.
Holy Days and Celebrations
- Lunar New Year: Celebrated with various traditional festivities.
Shintoism
- Indigenous spirituality of Japan focusing on kami (spirits).
Development of Shintoism
- Evolved through various traditions, integrating animistic and ancestor worship.
Doctrines and Beliefs of Shintoism
- Deep respect for nature and a belief in the existence of kami.
Core Ethical Teachings
- Emphasizes purity, harmony, and respect.
The Four Affirmations
- Tradition and the family.
- Love for nature.
- Physical cleanliness.
- Matsuri (festivals) and rituals.
Shinto Shrines and Rituals
- Shrines dedicated to kami, where rituals and offerings take place.
Celebrations and Festivals
- Matsuri: Various local festivals celebrating the kami and seasonal changes.
Hinduism
- Originated over 4,000 years ago in the Indian subcontinent; one of the world's oldest religions.
- Belief in a supreme cosmic spirit known as Brahman, encompassing all deities and existence.
Belief in Brahman
- Brahman is formless, infinite, and transcendent.
- Represents the unity of everything in the universe; often viewed as a source of all reality.
Three Main Gods of Hinduism
- Brahma: The creator god, responsible for the creation of the universe.
- Vishnu: The preserver god, who maintains cosmic order and harmony.
- Shiva: The destroyer god, responsible for transformation and regeneration.
Important Concepts in Hinduism
- Dharma: Duty, morals, and the ethical path in life.
- Karma: The law of cause and effect; actions influence future experiences.
- Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; liberation (Moksha) is the ultimate goal.
Puja and Hindu Worship
- Rituals performed to honor deities; can be personal or communal.
- Involves offerings such as flowers, fruits, and prayers as acts of devotion.
The Sacred Texts of Hinduism
- Composed of Sruti and Smriti texts; include Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas.
Shruti
- Texts considered "that which is heard"; authoritative scriptures.
- Key texts:
- Vedas: Collections of hymns, chants, and mantras.
- Upanishads: Philosophical discussions on spirituality and the nature of reality.
Smriti
- Texts that are remembered; include epics and codes of law.
- Key texts:
- Mahabharata: Epic narrative including the Bhagavad Gita.
- Ramayana: Epic about the life of Lord Rama.
The Four Main Goals of Human Life in Hinduism
- Dharma: Fulfilling one's duty and responsibilities.
- Artha: Pursuing wealth and prosperity.
- Kama: Enjoying love and aesthetic pleasures.
- Moksha: Achieving liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
The Four Major Pathways in Hinduism
- Bhakti: The path of devotion and love towards God.
- Karma: The path of selfless action and duty.
- Jnana: The path of knowledge and wisdom.
- Raja: The path of meditation and discipline.
Holy Places in Hinduism
- Varanasi: A sacred city for pilgrimage and rituals.
- Ganges River: Considered the holiest river, symbolizing purity.
Diwali
- The Festival of Lights celebrated in October or November.
- Symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, with lighting of lamps and fireworks.
Buddhism
- Founded in the 5th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.
- Emphasizes enlightenment through the understanding of the self and reality.
Buddha: His Life and Teachings
- Born into a royal family; renounced worldly life to seek enlightenment.
- Enlightened under the Bodhi tree; shared teachings on suffering, impermanence, and compassion.
Basic Doctrines in Buddhism
- Focus on the alleviation of suffering through ethical living and meditation.
The Three Jewels
- Buddha: The enlightened one and teacher.
- Dharma: The teachings and laws of Buddhism.
- Sangha: The community of practitioners and monks.
Four Noble Truths
- Life is suffering (dukkha).
- Suffering is caused by desire and attachment (tanha).
- Suffering can be overcome.
- The path to overcoming suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Noble Eightfold Path
- Right Understanding: Comprehending the nature of reality.
- Right Intent: Cultivating altruistic thoughts.
- Right Speech: Speaking truthfully and kindly.
- Right Action: Acting ethically and compassionately.
- Right Livelihood: Earning a living without harming others.
- Right Effort: Cultivating good qualities and abandoning bad ones.
- Right Mindfulness: Being aware of thoughts and feelings.
- Right Concentration: Developing focused meditation.
Non-Theism
- Buddhism does not center around the worship of gods.
- Focuses on individual spiritual development and practice.
Monastic Living
- Renunciation of worldly life to pursue spiritual practice.
- Monks and nuns play a key role in preserving teachings and community support.
Holy Symbol
- The Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra) represents the Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment.
Buddhism and Mainstream Culture
- Influences art, philosophy, and psychology in various cultures.
The Major Buddhist Traditions
- Primarily divided into Theravada and Mahayana schools.
Theravada Buddhism
- Prevalent in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar.
- Emphasizes individual enlightenment and adherence to traditional teachings.
Sacred Texts
- Pali Canon is the primary scripture for Theravada Buddhists.
Festival and Holy Days
- Vesak: Celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.
Mahayana Buddhism
- Practiced in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.
- Focuses on the Bodhisattva path, where individuals aspire to help others attain enlightenment.
Sacred Texts
- Include the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra.
Festival and Holy Days
- Various celebrations including Parinirvana Day, marking Buddha's passing.
Confucianism
- Based on the teachings of Confucius, focusing on morality, social relationships, and justice.
Development
- Evolved notably during the Han dynasty; serves as a guiding philosophy for Chinese society.
Sacred Texts of Confucianism
- The Analects: A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius.
Confucian Doctrines and Beliefs
- Emphasizes virtue, filial piety, and social harmony.
- Key teachings include:
- Ren: Humaneness and compassion.
- Li: Ritual and proper conduct.
- Xiao: Filial piety.
- Zhi: Wisdom.
- Xin: Trustworthiness.
Holy Days and Celebrations
- Confucius’ birthday is celebrated on September 28.
Taoism
- Philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Tao (the Way).
History of Taoism
- Established in the 4th century BCE, attributed to Laozi.
Doctrines and Beliefs of Taoism
- Focus on simplicity, spontaneity, and naturalness.
- Emphasizes Tao as a universal principle governing all aspects of life.
Holy Days and Celebrations
- Lunar New Year: Celebrated with various traditional festivities.
Shintoism
- Indigenous spirituality of Japan focusing on kami (spirits).
Development of Shintoism
- Evolved through various traditions, integrating animistic and ancestor worship.
Doctrines and Beliefs of Shintoism
- Deep respect for nature and a belief in the existence of kami.
Core Ethical Teachings
- Emphasizes purity, harmony, and respect.
The Four Affirmations
- Tradition and the family.
- Love for nature.
- Physical cleanliness.
- Matsuri (festivals) and rituals.
Shinto Shrines and Rituals
- Shrines dedicated to kami, where rituals and offerings take place.
Celebrations and Festivals
- Matsuri: Various local festivals celebrating the kami and seasonal changes.
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