World Religions: Exam Review

The Jewish festival celebrating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt.

A Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and prayer.

The Jewish New Year, a time for reflection, repentance, and hope for the new year.

The holiest day in Judaism, a day of fasting and intense prayer for forgiveness.

A Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Torah (the Ten Commandments) to Moses on Mount Sinai.

The Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

The largest Christian denomination, headed by the Pope in Rome.

The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther, challenged the Catholic Church's authority and practices.

The Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, criticized practices like the sale of indulgences (paying for forgiveness) and church corruption.

Luther believed that salvation comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by human efforts or rituals. It's a gift from God received through faith.

The Arabic word for 'surrender' or 'submission', meaning peace.

The one God worshipped by Muslims, considered eternal and without a beginning or end.

The Prophet of Islam, who received divine revelations that became the foundation of the Quran.

The Angel Gabriel, believed to have delivered Allah's messages to Muhammad in visions.

The holy book of Islam, believed to contain the word of Allah.

The source of the universe, beyond human perception and thought. It is discovered through profound contemplation.

The human soul, aiming to become part of Brahman.

Ethical duty based on the divine order of reality, guiding right and wrong actions.

The principle that determines the nature of each reincarnation. One's actions influence their next life.

The cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. The soul progresses through various life forms until liberation.

Liberation from the cycle of samsara, characterized by infinite awareness and bliss.

The creator god in the Hindu Trinity.

The preserver god in the Hindu Trinity.

The oldest Hindu scriptures, containing fundamental truths that are believed to be unchanging.

The most important Veda, containing hymns and prayers dedicated to various deities.

The last part of each Veda, focusing on philosophical commentary on the Vedas.

The most significant part of Hindu scriptures for many, considered a 'song of the blessed lord'.

The second highest group in Hindu society, composed of warriors and administrators.

The third group in Hindu society, comprising producers like farmers, merchants, and artisans.

The lowest group in Hindu society, traditionally consisting of servants for the other three groups.

Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent leader in India's struggle for independence from British rule. He championed non-violence and dedicated his life to improving the lives of India's impoverished population, advocating against discrimination and injustice. He played a crucial role in uniting Hindus and Muslims, becoming an international symbol of peace and humanity.

Siddhartha Gautama was the historical figure who became known as the Buddha. Born into a wealthy family, he experienced the suffering of old age, sickness, and death, leading him to abandon his privileged life in pursuit of enlightenment. After years of ascetic practice, he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

The Bodhi tree holds immense significance in Buddhism because it was the site where Gautama attained enlightenment. Sitting under the Bodhi tree in a meditative trance, he reached a state of ultimate peace, where he transcended worldly concerns and attained a deep understanding of reality.

The Middle Way is a central tenet of Buddhism, emphasizing that happiness is achieved through moderation. It involves pursuing a balanced path between self-indulgence and self-denial.

Enlightenment in Buddhism refers to "realizing the truth." It's not just acquiring knowledge but a profound awakening of awareness. Each individual has to discover this truth through their own journey.

Nirvana in Buddhism represents the ultimate liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is a state of absolute peace and tranquility, where the individual's life energy is extinguished, leading to an end to suffering.

The Four Noble Truths form the foundation of Buddhist teachings, outlining the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation. They state that life involves suffering, suffering arises from attachment and desire, suffering can be overcome, and the path to overcome suffering is the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path outlines the practical steps to achieve liberation from suffering. It encompasses eight aspects of right conduct, including right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

The eight steps are Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Awareness, and Right Concentration.

It's a state of liberation and peace, free from suffering and rebirth.

This refers to the act of training your mind to focus and avoid bad habits while working hard to do good deeds.

It involves being aware of your surroundings clearly without getting distracted or confused. You train your mind to see things as they are.

It involves practices like meditation, deep breathing, and focused attention to develop calmness and peace.

It's the practice of choosing work that helps others and avoids harm. It encourages ethical work practices that promote well-being.

A religious leader who inspires profound change through their experience with the divine.

These are the key elements that define a major world religion. They include a founder or figure, a sacred text, a set of beliefs, rituals, practices, ethical guidelines, and a community of followers.