Sacred Quest: Chapter 3

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Questions and Answers

What is a hierophany?

to reveal the sacred

How was the experience of the sacred for Muhammad, according to the Muslim tradition?

The Angel Gabriel comes to him when he is forty years old and tells him to recite continuously.

How was the experience of the sacred for Siddhartha Gautama, according to the Buddhist tradition?

The Buddha 'sees' through everything.

What are the different channels through which people claim to have experienced the sacred?

Sacred Persons, Sacred Objects, Sacred Time, Sacred Space Signup and view all the answers

What are the three different medias of the sacred?

prophetic, mystical, and sacramental Signup and view all the answers

Define prophetic.

aspects of religious traditions that focus on the appearance of the sacred through words Signup and view all the answers

What is a religious example of the prophetic?

Judaism and Islam, Moses Signup and view all the answers

Define sacramental.

elements of religious traditions that focus on the appearance of the sacred through the medium of material reality Signup and view all the answers

What religions have sacramental elements?

Christianity and Shinto, priest Signup and view all the answers

Define mystical.

aspects of religious traditions that focus on the appearance of the sacred to persons achieving a certain 'enlightened' state Signup and view all the answers

What religions have mystical aspects?

Buddhism and Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

How is the Quran an example of a sacred object?

Memorization of the Quran (hafiz) is a sacred ritual, thus in some sense making it a sacred object. Signup and view all the answers

How is the Zen Tea Ceremony an example of a sacred object?

If a person can put all of their energy into drinking and making tea, giving it all of their immediate attention, they are on the way to enlightenment. Signup and view all the answers

How is the Eucharist Liturgy an example of a sacred object?

The bread and wine are altered in substance, bread and wine to the senses but body and blood in essence. Signup and view all the answers

What historical religious tradition does Cunningham cite as an example of linear sacred time?

Genesis and the story/descendants of Abraham. Signup and view all the answers

What historical religious traditions focus on a cyclical view of time?

Buddhism and Hinduism and samsara Signup and view all the answers

What is 'samsara'?

'migration', implies cycle of birth, death, and rebirth that is characteristic of all beings Signup and view all the answers

Is Nirvana the endpoint or goal of Samsara? Why or why not?

Signup and view all the answers

In ancient Greek myths, sacred reality is mirrored by the movement of what?

the seasons Signup and view all the answers

Why is every mosque considered sacred?

Every mosque is said to be sacred because it is a place of communal worship, a special place for Muslims to pray at any time. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Al-Quds in Jerusalem considered a sacred space in Islam?

It is a holy city and contains the two most important mosques in Islam. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem) a sacred space to Muslims?

Where Abraham almost went and sacrificed his son for God. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the al-Aqsa Mosque (Jerusalem) considered a sacred space to Muslims?

Where the prophet ascended into heaven. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Mecca and Medina considered sacred spaces to Muslims?

Holy cities of Islam on the Arabian Peninsula, where the call of the prophet, the revelation of the Quran, the formation of the prophet. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Shinto sites sacred?

Because they are the dwelling of deities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a stupa?

The 'burial mound' of Buddhism. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cunningham answer the question about the truth of experiences of sacred reality?

To evaluate the truth of each requires that we attend not only to their unity (as claims about sacred appearances) but also to their diversity (as claims about particular appearances and about distinct notions of sacred reality). Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hierophany

A hierophany reveals the sacred, highlighting a moment when the divine is made known.

Muhammad's Experience of the Sacred

According to Muslim tradition, the Angel Gabriel reveals the sacred to Muhammad at age forty, commanding him to "recite," marking the start of his prophethood.

Siddhartha Gautama's Experience of the Sacred

In Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, experiences enlightenment by seeing through the illusion of worldly existence.

Varieties of Media for Experiencing the Sacred

Includes:
- Sacred Persons
- Sacred Objects
- Sacred Time
- Sacred Space

Types of Sacred Media

Three media: prophetic, mystical, and sacramental.

Prophetic Definition

Prophetic aspects focus on the sacred communicated through spoken or written words.

Religious Examples of Prophetic Media

Judaism and Islam exemplify prophetic media, with Moses serving as a key figure.

Sacramental Definition

Sacramental aspects emphasize the sacred experience through tangible, material realities.

Religions with Sacramental Elements

Christianity and Shinto exhibit sacramental practices, often involving priests.

Mystical Definition

Mystical aspects highlight the sacred experienced by individuals reaching a heightened state of enlightenment.

Religions with Mystical Aspects

Buddhism and Hinduism are noted for their focus on mystical experiences.

Quran as a Sacred Object

Memorization of the Quran (hafiz) is a sacred ritual, making it a revered object in Islam.

Zen Tea Ceremony as a Sacred Object

The ceremony emphasizes mindfulness and concentration, serving as a pathway towards enlightenment.

Eucharist Liturgy as a Sacred Object

Bread and wine undergo a transformation, perceived as body and blood in essence while appearing as ordinary substances.

Concept of Linear Time in Religion

Time is seen as a "field" where God acts, with Genesis and the descendants of Abraham cited as examples of linear sacred time.

Concept of Cyclical Time

Cyclical view focuses on repetition, seen in religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, with the concept of samsara being key.

Definition of Samsara

Samsara, meaning "migration," involves the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth experienced by all beings.

Nirvana and Samsara

Nirvana represents liberation from samsara, considered the ultimate goal beyond the cycle of rebirth.

Ancient Greek Myths and Cyclical Time

Sacred reality reflects the cyclical chart of seasons, illustrating the interconnectedness of nature and mythology.

Sanctity of Mosques

Every mosque is sacred as a communal worship space, open for prayer at any time by Muslims.

Al-Quds in Islam

Jerusalem, known as Al-Quds, is significant due to hosting the two most important mosques in Islam.

Dome of the Rock's Sacredness

The Dome of the Rock is sacred as the site where Abraham almost sacrificed his son, central to Islamic belief.

Al-Aqsa Mosque's Sacredness

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is revered as the location where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Mecca and Medina's Sacredness

Mecca and Medina are the holy cities of Islam, marking key events of the prophet's life and revelations.

Shinto Sites and Sacredness

Shinto sites are considered sacred as they are believed to be the dwelling places of deities.

Definition of a Stupa

A stupa in Buddhism is a "burial mound," often serving as a sacred place for meditation and veneration.

Evaluating Sacred Experiences

Assessing the truth of claims about sacred experiences involves recognizing both their unity as universal claims and their diversity as specific appearances of sacred reality.

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Description

Explore the key concepts from Chapter 3 of 'Sacred Quest'. This quiz focuses on the definitions and examples of hierophany and significant experiences of religious leaders, including the story of Muhammad and the Angel Gabriel. Test your understanding of these profound spiritual moments.