Module 5: Sacred Writings PDF

Module 5: Sacred Writings Sacred Writings provide meanings and purpose work deeply in connection with the Divine. SACRED WRITINGs Vedas and Upanishad Tripitaka Tao te ching Analects Bible Talmud Koran VEDAS AND UPANISHADS Vedas...

Module 5: Sacred Writings Sacred Writings provide meanings and purpose work deeply in connection with the Divine. SACRED WRITINGs Vedas and Upanishad Tripitaka Tao te ching Analects Bible Talmud Koran VEDAS AND UPANISHADS Vedas “Books of Knowledge” sacred texts in Hinduism o written in Vedic Sanskrit from the sub-continent of India. o oldest literature of Sanskrit and Hinduism o considered as “apauruseya” (“not of man”) o written in poetic and symbolic form o difficult to read or interpret ▪ Rig veda- made up of 1028 hymns ▪ YaJur veda - explaining rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies ▪ Sama veda- Rigveda text, restructured to be chanted ▪ Collection of melodies & chants ▪ Atharva veda- contains charms and magical incantations. Vyasa - the compiler of the Vedas Upanishads parts of Vedas, over 200 different Upanishads a collection of religious and philosophical texts Upanishads are a sub-category of the Vedas more direct and understandable language keeping a certain poetic tone. Probably the most widely known of all the Vedas sometimes called the Vedanta, “The end portion of Veda.” Etymology: upa- near NI - DOWN shad- to sit  = “sitting down near” Essential Theme: the nature of the world and God a shift from the innumerable gods to the one Infinite major subjects: true knowledge and salvation knowledge of Brahman - What is this world? - Who am I? - What becomes of me after death? TRIPITAKA Buddhist sacred writing A vast collection of writings and commentaries on the Words of Buddha. Pali Canon (Pali-Text) or Three Baskets o Pali canon- standard scripture collection of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. ▪ Pali- Ancient language of North India the "Bible" of buddhist o They don't have a single book written down in the reign of King Vattagāmini o (1st century BCE) in Sri Lanka, at the Fourth Buddhist council 3 sections: Vinaya Pitaka - rules for monastics Sutta Pitaka - discourses of the Buddha and his principal disciples, commentaries and works in verse Abhidhamma Pitaka- “systematic philosophy” basket, Buddhist doctrines about the nature of mind.  o examines consciousness, perception and meditation TAO TE CHING world’s best loved sacred texts, beliefs of Taoism The key book of Taoism Authored by Lao-tzu, the first man to receive the inspiration of the Tao Tao - impersonally guides things on their NATURAL way Lao-Tzu (Laozi) honorary title meaning the 'Old Master' Taoist ethics: 3 Jewels are compassion, moderation and humility OR kindness, simplicity and modesty ANALECTS the most-revered sacred scripture in Confucianism Collection of the daily teachings of Confucius, recorded by his students moral and ethical philosophy of social relationships a socio-philosophical movement aimed at betterment OF A society BIBLE Christian Sacred Texts history of Christianity began with Jesus and his apostles Christianity based on the birth, life, death, resurrection and teaching of Jesus Christ 2 sections: Old Testament  New Testament (gospel or good news) TALMUD Jewish Sacred Texts compilation of the "discussion" on what the Torah means Torah all of the Hebrew Bible, including Joshua, Psalms, Book of Ruth, etc. Star of David a symbol of Judaism and of the Jewish people Yahweh God of Judaism Qur'an (KORAN) the sacred scripture of Islam revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad God's final revelation to humankind The direct word of Allah to Muhammad Jews, Christians, and Muslims share same historical religious story. ❖ The Son of God- the Messiah will save us. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God Jews and Muslims disagree.  ❖ Christ is an important historical figure ❖ They don’t believe He’s the son of God ❖ Prophecy of the Messiah is not yet fulfilled. Videos 1. Quran or Koran 114 chapters Chapter 2 is the longest chapter with 286 verses Chapters 103, 108, and 110 consist of only three verses each Words of Allah to His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) 2. Holy Bible King James Version is the trusted version by Protestants Greek word Biblion, singular- (βῐβλῐ́ον) means strip of papyrus, small book, scroll, tablet, Biblion is from Biblos/Byblos- a Papyrus plant Ta biblia, plural- the books 66 books for Protestants, 73 for Catholics OT has 39 books for Protestants, 46 for Catholics NT has 27 books for both Catholics and Protestants 3. Bhagavad Gita or Gita Song of the Bhagavad, Song of God  Scripture of Hinduism Gita means song, Bhagavad means God Krishna, an avatar (manifestation) of Vishnu is also called Lila avatar Spoken by Krishna to his disciple Arjuna at the battlefield of Kurukshetra o Krishna drives Arjuna’s chariot in the battlefield. Arjuna's heart was troubled before fighting against his relatives and friends. Krishna told him that people’s souls do not die. The eternal soul is reincarnated in another body, so Arjuna should not grieve for his family but instead follow his dharma as a warrior. If he wins the war, Arjuna will rule the earth; if he loses, he will ascend to heaven; but if he refuses to fight, he will disgrace himself. 4. Tripitaka Religious book of the Buddhists From the Sanskrit language, originally written in Pali 3 major sections o Vinaya Pitaka o Sutta Pitaka o Abhidhamma Pitaka 5. Vedas Oldest Hinduism Scripture written almost 2500 years ago Means wisdom, knowledge or vision Known as Shruti or Sruti (from Divine author), its original version was written in Sanskrit Regulated the social, legal, domestic and religious customs of Hindus o Duties of Hindus at birth, marriage, death are guided by Vedic rituals  4 Vedas- known as Chathurveda o Rig Veda- the principal text o Yajur Veda o Sama Veda o Atharva Veda Rig Veda, Sama Veda, and Yajur Veda- similar in form, language and content. 6. Upanishads Part of the Vedas, Ancient Sanskrit texts Philosophical concepts of Hinduism, some are shared with Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. 7. Four Books Confucianism- founded by Confucius, Kongfuzi (K'ung Fu-Tzu) , Kongzi (K'ung-Tzu), or "Master Kong" The 5 Classics (Wujing) and 4 Books (Si shu) - foundation of Confucianism, (Confucian canon) The Five Classics and Four Books- basis of the civil examination in imperial China The 5 Classics - Book of Odes, Book of Documents, Book of Changes, Book of Rites, the Spring and Autumn Annals. o From Han to Song dynasty, the 5 Classics grew into 13 classics. o Early Song dynasty, scholars focused on the original Five Classics again. The 4 Books - Doctrine of the Mean, the Great Learning, Mencius, and the Analects. o Mid-Song dynasty, the 4 books gained importance  o 14th century, the Four Books were the texts for the civil examinations. 8. Tao Te Ching A fundamental text along with the Zhuangzi (Chuang-Tzu) Influenced Legalism, Confucianism, and Buddhism Inspiration of poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners. 9. Talmud Holy book of Judaism Collection of Jewish practices and regulations Collection of writings o Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli) o Jerusalem Talmud (Talmud Yerushalmi)- earlier collection Primary source of Jewish Religious law (halakha) and Jewish theology. Foundational to "all Jewish thought and aspirations" 2 parts/components; o Mishnah (c. 200), a written compendium of Oral Torah o Gemara (c. 500), commentaries on the Mishnah, citing traditions and teachings of Rabbis "Talmud" may refer to either the Gemara alone, or the Mishnah and Gemara together. Also known by the name Shas, Hebrew abbreviation for the expression Shishah Sedarim or the six orders of the Mishnah. 10. The Kojiki Sacred book of Shintoism written in 712 AD Shintoism is the oldest surviving Religion and the national Religion of Japan  2 main scriptures of Shintoism o Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are behind many practices such as the Misogi purification ritual Records of ancient matters or an account of ancient matters o Collection of myths, legends, songs, genealogies, oral traditions and semi- historical accounts of the origin of Japan and about the Kami (holy powers).