Eastern Religions Past Paper May 2014 PDF

EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 1' Key words: Reincarnation Karma Dharma Caste...

EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 1' Key words: Reincarnation Karma Dharma Caste Ascetics Polytheism Buddha Veda Nirvana HINDUISM 6 Founded in Indus River Valley (Indu -> Hindu) -No official founder 6 Approximately 2000 BCE (around the same time as Judaism/Abraham 1900 BCE=they are the world’s oldest established religions) 6 Holy books - Vedas written 1500 BCE. (Veda means “knowledge”; it is collection of poems and hymns) 6 1 billion of Hindus (out of 1.3 billion Indians) 6 POLYTHEISTIC religion = believes in more than one god (it is actually MONOTHEISTIC because all gods are part of the ONE BRAHMA) ! BRAHMA: consists of Brahma – the creator; Vishnu – the Preserver; Shiva – The Destroyer/Creator; Shiva’s wife has many forms: Uma – Goddess of motherhood; Kali – Goddess of Destruction. ! all of these gods together create ONE BRAHMA Believe in: o Reincarnation (“Samsara”)! the soul takes a different form of life in each birth. This process has no beginning and no end, but the goal is Enlightenment with the Universe. o Karma ! how you live your life will determine your form in the next life. If you live badly, you come back as something you did not like e.g. Cockroach. If pure of intent: cow #1 o Caste system ! a system of classes in India that you are born into. The caste system is illegal in today’s India, but still followed. There are 4 castes: 1. Brahman – the highest; priests, rulers, teachers ! vegetarians (Sadika/Neel caste) 2. Kshatrias – warriors ! not vegetarians because they hunt (Ahish’s grandma coundnt enter Brahman house) 3. Vaisyas - farmers/merchants (Dahlia’s/Layla’s family b/c Muslims were this) 4. Sudras - laborers " The Outvars (Untouchables – homeless, poor, sick) are not part of the system – ignored. (Gandhi calls them “the children of God”) ! Gandhi fought this system Symbols: o River - symbolizes gifts from the gods and the regeneration of the river is like a soul: endless and being reborn again in another lifetime (=reincarnation). " The Ganges (river in India) is the most important river where you hope to have your ashes scattered when you die. It is VERY polluted in some places, but not near its headwaters in Kashmir. If you bathe in the Ganges all of your sins are washed away (like if you are a Muslim and you go to Mecca=sins away) o Cow – the most sacred animal (it is a symbol of life and wealth) o Gold Coins - put under dead body’s tongue before cremation=kids look in river/body ashes for the coins! o Corneas in eyes taken out for possible transplant as bodies lying on side of river Other Information: 6 Ascetics - devote themselves to fast/meditate/deprivation to become Enlightened 6 Jainism is a branch of Hinduism ie. wear protective face gear so not inhale any life form that would be killed 6 Diwali – main Hindu holiday - celebrates the return of Rama, the rightful King. Celebrated in Nov. Hindus pray for wealth and prosperity 6 Many Hindu marriages are arranged (but this is phasing out as India becomes more western) 6  EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 2' BUDDHISM Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) o Hindu prince in Northern India/Nepal o He disagreed with the caste system o He first encountered misery when he was 29, and was determined to understand its cause/nature o Became Ascetic for 6 years before he was enlighten o People started to follow him because of miracles, which happened around him: " His birth was without pains " Tree branches bended down " He walked right after he was born " Flowers blossomed where he stepped " King cobra protected him from rain instead of killing him " He made a bowl float upstream " He became one with the universe – did not get distracted form meditation o He becomes BUDDHA ! the Enlighten/Awaken one under a Bodhi tree (=> Buddha) th 1 6 Tibetan Buddhists believe that the current 14 reincarnation of the Buddha is the Dalai Lama (Theocratic leader of Tibet in exile in northern India [Dhramasala]) 2 o Tibet was invaded by China in 1950 Believe in: Religious book: Pali Canon http://www.palicanon.org/ 6 Middle way - by controlling mind and spirit you achieve NIRVANA ! a perfect state of happiness & escape reincarnation cycle (“ if you together the sting to much, it will strap, but if you leave it too loose, it wont play” ! it is important to find the middle way) 6 After his enlightenment, Buddha formulated 4 noble Truths: 1. Suffering exists: Suffering is a part of life 2. The Cause of Suffering is Desire; 3. Suffering can be ended by eliminating desire 4. The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path 6 To escape the cycle of reincarnation Eightfold path should be followed (like 10 Commandments, or 5 Pillars of Islam) 1. Right Conduct (no killing, no harming anyone, no stealing) 2. Right Knowledge (understanding of the nature of things, specifically the Four Noble Truths) 3. Right Intentions (avoiding thoughts of hatred and bad intentions) 4. Right Speech (no lying, no bad speech) 5. Right Livelihood (avoiding trades, which directly or indirectly harm others, eg. as selling slaves, weapons, animals for slaughter, intoxicants, or poisons 6. Right Effort (no negative thoughts) 7. Right Mindfulness (connection of mind and body) 8. Right Meditation (concentration) - Buddhists do not believe in Buddha as Christians believe in God. Buddha is a model for good living. - Non-violence – key philosophy to life Symbols: - Temples – place of worship - Statues of Buddha – Chinese Buddhist believe it is good luck to rub his tummy Other Information: 6 Cremation of bodies – smoke symbolizes the release of the sole; after death bodies become stiff as wood, they are to be burned as wood. 6 Chinese depict Buddha as fat – he was never, but it symbolizes the generosity and greatness 6 Millions of people follow Buddhism, but it is hard to say how many exactly, since a lot of them follow unofficially. 6 '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 1 Dalai Lama website for more info: http://www.dalailama.com/biography/from-birth-to-exile 2 Formar Mayor Prague Pavel Bem is trying to ascend Mt. Everest, but was denied access from the China/Tibet side because city of Prague has welcomed the Dalai Lama several times to speak out about human rights/anti-China=had to change plans and go via Nepal).'  EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 3' COMPARISON / SIMILARITIES BUDDHISM HINDUISM Vegetarian – believe it is wrong to kill another living creator Reincarnation and karma Believe world is an imperfect place and suffering All people are equal Caste system Dharma (duty to one’s caste) Any person can achieve Nirvana and can escape the cycle of rebirth Priests and Priestesses No official clergy Numerous rebirths; sinners may be A constant cycle of reincarnation until punished in different levels of hells; the enlightenment is reached. freedom from karmic suffering is nirvana, which is outside the samsara. No God or gods. Salvation is not related God chooses who gets salvation. to Buddhism at all. The Buddha said to Salvation is attained via good deeds and depend on our own to get nirvana (by righteousness (following the "dharma" following the 4 noble Truths or the and avoiding sin) Eightfold Path). OTHER EASTER RELIGIONS: SIKHISM 6 Youngest religion of the major religions th 6 Combination of Islam and Hinduism (developed when Muslims invaded India in 11 cent.) 6 Founded by Guru Nanak in 1469-1539 AD (during Renaissance/Reformation in Europe) in the Punjab region of West India 6 Place of worship – temples. The holiest place is Golden Temple at Amritsar (a lot of horrible massacres happened there; Indira Gandhi was assassinated there by Sikh bodyguards in 1970s) Beliefs and customs: 6 Believe in one God and one heaven, but also in karma and reincarnation 6 Everyone should be treated equally 6 Gurus – spiritual guides and teachers Symbols: 6 Khalsas – the purified and reconstituted Sikh community 6 The Five Ks: the 5 physical symbols worn by Sikhs who have been initiated into the Khalsa. These symbols identify members of Khalsa o Kesh - uncut hair, kept in a turban o Kara - a steel bracelet o Kanga - a wooden comb o Kaccha (also spelt, Kachh, Kachera) - cotton underwear o Kirpan - steel sword  EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 4' Other Information / Comparison: Sikhism and Hinduism http://www.sikhs.org/relig_h.htm Similarities 1. Reincarnation Like Hinduism Sikhism believes in the transmigration of the soul. There are countless cycles of births and deaths. One only breaks this cycle when they achieve mukhti (merger with God) 2. Karma Karma regulates the reincarnation and transmigration of the soul, Sikhism links Karma with the doctrine of Grace. "Mortals obtain a human body as a result of good deeds but he reaches the gate ofsalvation with God's kind grace." (Guru Nanak, Japji) 3. Maya The world is just an illusion and some get enchanted with this illusion and forget God Differences 1. Sikhism rejects polytheism and accepts monotheism. Whereas Sikhism starts with one God and universalizes Him, Hinduism starts with many Gods and occasionally gives glimpses of 'One'. "I do not accept Ganesha as important. I do not meditate on Krishna, neither on Vishnu. I do not hear them and do not recognize them. My love is with the Lotus feet of God. He is my protector, the Supreme Lord. I am dust of his Lotus feet." (Guru Gobind Singh, Krishna Avatar) 2. Authority of the Vedas and the belief that the truth revealed in them is absolute and that reading them one can realize perfection. "I have read all the Vedas, but my mind's separation from God is not removed and the five demons of my house (body) are stilled not even for an instant." (Guru Arjan Dev, Ashtpadis, pg. 687) 3. Sikhism does not recognize any priestly class and Rejection of the Ashrama Dharma theory of dividing man's life into four stages. Instead the Gurus emphasized living the householders life. Rejection of the Varna distinction of division of human society into higher and lower castes. "There are four castes of the literates, warriors, cultivators and menials and the four stages of life. He who meditates on the Lord is the most distinguished amongst men." (Guru Ram Das, Gond, pg. 861) 4. Worship of idols and images. "The blind ignorant ones stray in doubt and so deluded, deluded they pluck flowers for worship. They worship the lifeless stones and adore tombs. Their service all goes in vain." (Guru Ram Das, Malar, pg. 1264) "They who say the stone is a god; in vain is their service. He who falls at the feet of the stone; vain goes his labour. My Lord ever speaks. The Lord gives gifts to all the living beings. The Lord is within, but the blind one knows not. Deluded by doubt, he is caught in a noose. The stone speaks not, nor gives anything. In vain are the ceremonies of the idolater, and fruitless his service." (Guru Arjan Dev, Bhairo, pg. 1160) Sikhism and Islam http://www.sikhs.org/relig_m.htm Similarities 1. Fatherhood of God Gurus believed that not only is God our Father, but He is Mother, Brother, Husband and Friend. "Thou art my father, Thou art my mother, Thou art my kinsman and Thou art my brother. In all the places Thou art my protector. Then why should I feel fear and anxiety?" (Guru Arjan Dev, Majh, pg. 103) **Emphasis on the Will of God in Quran is similar to the idea of Hukam in Guru Granth Sahib. 2. Theory of creation of the world by the mere will of God. "The night and day, the Lord created, for the world to do the deeds. Through the Guru's instruction, the mind is illuminated and the darkness is dispelled. In His will, He creates all and pervades all the woods and grass blades." (Guru Amar Das, pg. 948) 3. Encouragement of alms for the needy and poor 4. Condemnation of idol worship. 5. Concept of Holy War, but in Sikhism it is only limited to fighting injustice. Differences: 1. Sikhism does not believe that any Holy Book takes precedence over all others or any religions prophet is the final messenger of God. -"Say not that the Vedas and Muslim books are false. False is he, who reflects not on them." (Bhagat Kabir, Parbhati, pg. 1350) -"The followers of the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran, standing at Your Door, meditate on You. Uncounted are those who fall at Your Door." (Guru Arjan Dev, pg. 518) 2. Sikhism believes that people of different religions are equally capable of achieving salvation while still following their own religion. -"The temple or the mosque are the same, the Hindu worship or the Musalman prayer are the same; all men are the same; it is through error they appear different. Deities, demons, Yakshas, heavenly singers, Musalmans and Hindus adopt the customary dress of their different countries. All men have the same eyes, the same ears, the same body, the same build, a compound of earth, air, fire, and water. Allah and Abhekh are the same, the Purans and the Quran are the same; they are all alike; it is the one God who created all. The Hindu God and the Muhammadan God are the same; let no man even by mistake suppose there is a difference." (Guru Gobind Singh, Akal Ustat, pg. 275) 3. Sri Guru Granth Sahib places greater emphasis on love of God as the main motivation for man rather than fear of God. -"Within my heart, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and celebrate the Word of the Lord's Shabad. The Lord Himself is pervading and permeating the world; so fall in love with Him!" (Guru Nanak Dev, pg. 790) 4. Sikhism does not believe in the idea of Gods name being only those authorized in a religious tradition or Holy Book. -"Many are Thy Names and infinite Thine forms and it cannot be told how many merits Thou hast." (Guru Nanak, Asa, pg. 358) 5. Non-Sikhs are allowed to visit and enter the most sacred shrine of the religion, The Golden Temple at Armritsar. -"Blessed is the place, and blessed are those who dwell there, where God's Name is meditated upon. The sermons and songs of God's praises are sung there and there is nothing but peace, poise and tranquillity." (Guru Arjan Dev, Raga Bilaval, pg. 816) 6. Attitude towards women. Sikh women are allowed to lead congregations of men at the temple or administer all religious ceremonies involving either men or women. Sikhism does not believe in women wearing veils. "Stay, stay, O daughter-in-law - do not cover your face with a veil. In the end, this shall not bring you even half a shell." (Bhagat Kabir, Asa, pg. 484)  EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 5' TAOISM 6 Mostly in China 6 Tao is a system of guidance 6 Lao Tzu (Laozi) 500-400 BCE, old master, is considered as the founder of Taoism (might be a legendary figure ! might be a symbol of the accumulated wisdom of elders) 6 Tao Te Ching – collection of writings by many different wise people – like a Biblical Book of Proverbs. Believe in: 3 6 There is no omnipotent (almighty) being beyond the cosmos, who created and controls the universe 6 The One – essence of Taoism. The essential energy of life, the possession of which enables things and beings to be truly themselves and in accord with the Tao. Taoist texts sometimes refer to the Tao as the mother and the One as the son. 6 Immortality - doesn't mean living for ever in the present physical body. The idea is that as the Taoist draws closer and closer to nature throughout their life, death is just the final step in achieving complete unity with the universe. 6 The Taoist body - Taoists view the body as a miniature of the universe, filled with the Tao. The parts of the body have their counterparts in physical features of the universe, and: "The body, as much as the larger universe, is ruled and lived in by the gods-the multifaceted manifestations of spirit, the visible and accessible aspect of the Tao on earth." Livia Kohn, The Taoist Experience: An Anthology, 1993 6 Ch'I - is the cosmic vital energy that enables beings to survive and links them to the universe as a whole. Symbols: 6 Yin Yang – the principle of natural and complementary forces, patterns and things that depend on one another and do not make sense on their own. o The yin-yang symbol, a circle with balanced halves of black and white o These may be masculine and feminine, but they could be darkness and light (which is closer to the original meaning of the dark and light sides of a hill), wet and dry or action and inaction. o These are opposites that fit together seamlessly and work in perfect harmony. You can see this by looking at the yin yang symbol. o The yin yang concept is not the same as Western dualism, because the two opposites are not at war, but in harmony. o This can be seen very clearly in the symbol: the dark area contains a spot of light, and vice versa, and the two opposites are intertwined and bound together within the unifying circle. o Yin and yang are not static, the balance ebbs and flows between them - this is implied in the flowing curve where they meet. Following from Diane Dreher’s Tao of Inner Peace: 6 The Tao teaches that life is composed of complimentary opposites: YIN AND YANG. o YANG is active, dynamic, assertive; o YIN is quiet, yielding, receptive. o In nature, YIN and YANG combine in patterns of highs and lows, mountains and valleys, turbulence & tranquility. o BALANCE is vital. Pools too far from the rushing waters of the sea become stagnant, excessively YIN. Too close to the YANG of the turbulent surf, other pools hold only sand and water, too unsettled to sustain life. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' 3'Other Taoist concepts: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/concepts.shtml#yinyang '  EASTERN'RELIGIONS'(May,'2014)' 6' o Nature renews itself by balancing these forces, but too often modern lives drive us to exhaustion with continuous frenetic YANG activity. We all need more time for YIN=quiet reflection o Men and women were often stereotyped: men YANG: strong, active, aggressive; women were YIN: passive, yielding, nurturing. But not all subscribed to this tradition. 25 centuries ago, the Tao condemned rigid roles as unnatural and unhealthy. Lao Tzu cut against the grain when he advised masculine leaders to embrace the YIN, the valley, the traditional way of women. But we know the Tao transcends extremes, affirming the wisdom of wholeness. 6 We develop greater wisdom and strength by integrating both forces in our lives. If we are TOO YANG— active, outspoken, and goal-oriented—we can become impatient and uncentered. Too busy doing, we make mistakes because we don’t take time to listen and evaluate a course of action. 6 If we are TOO YIN—listening, waiting, nurturing, putting others needs before our own—we become timid, passive, and weak. 6 The Tao person knows when to speak up, when to listen, when to act, and when to wait. ARE YOU MORE YIN OR YANG? 6 Look at the 2 columns and compare each quality, circling which one you are more like, the add up your results to see if you are in balance, or more YIN/YANG. 6 YIN YANG YOU! 6 Darkness Light Moon Sun Night Day Winter Summer Earth Heaven Valley Mountain Water Stone Closed Open Soft Hard Deficiency Excess Interior Exterior Contracting Expanding Passive Aggressive Contemplative Active Feminine Masculine Nurturing Achieving Feeling Thinking Listening Speaking Intuition Reason Unconscious Conscious Repose Action Knowing Doing RESULT: # ____________ YIN, # ____________ YANG. RESULT: ________________