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World Religion Owner Person Instructor Person Subject Psychology Date Lecture #1: Nature of Religion ​Being Spiritual Vs Being Religious Religion ​ “An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used...

World Religion Owner Person Instructor Person Subject Psychology Date Lecture #1: Nature of Religion ​Being Spiritual Vs Being Religious Religion ​ “An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods” Formal belief systems and tenants ​ Linked to man’s search for the real meaning of life and death. ​ Religio (Latrin) – “something done with overanxious or scrupulous attention to detail” (Bowker 1997) ○​ “To Tie Together, to Bind Fast” ​ Philosophy:  ○​ Studying the “concepts and belief systems of the religions as well as the prior phenomena of religious experience and the activities or worship and meditation on which these belief systems rest and out of which they have arisen” (Hick 1990). ​ Common characteristics of religion: ○​ Belief in a deity’s relationship with the world ○​ Belief in a deity ○​ Places and people believed to be holy and sacred ○​ Rules followed as a result of beliefs ○​ Ways to worship a deity Spirituality ​ Spiritus (Latin) – to breathe ​ Spirituality is something an individual can have without being implicated in the ambivalent complexity of human societies and institutions (Grassie, 2010) ​ Theology: ○​ It can be described as one’s integrative view of life and involves a quest for meaning and ultimate value instead of an instrumentalist or materialist attitude to life. ​ One can be spiritual without being religious OTHER: Worldview -​ A collection of beliefs about life and the universe being held by people -​ Social environment and upbringing are critical in the development of a religious life -​ Monoism (god and the universe are the same), polytheism (many gods), monotheism (only one supreme god), atheism (denial of the existence of a personal god), agnosticism (god cannot be known) 1.​ Edward Burnett Tylor (1832 - 1917) English anthropologist; belief in spiritual beings. 2.​ Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski (1884 - 1942) Polish anthropologist; a body of self-contained acts being themselves the fulfillment of their purpose, an affair of all, in which everyone takes an active and equivalent part.  3.​ James George Frazer (1854 - 1941) Scottish social anthropologist (founding figures of modern anthropology); a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to control and direct the course of nature and of human life 4.​ David Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917) French sociologist (father of sociology); a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things. Date Lecture #2: Positive and Negative Effects of Religion ​Correlation with current-day situations Positive | Has supported social stability and cohesiveness ​ social harmony ○​ Participation in rituals promotes social cohesiveness ○​ Brings people together with a shared purpose to glorify God. ​ moral values ○​ Helps distinguish right from wrong ○​ Administers a system of rewards and punishments that standardizes behavior in society ​ social change ​ explains the unknown ○​ Provides answers for phenomena that science or reason cannot explain ​ positive life goals ​ sense of belonging ○​ Shared beliefs and rituals gain a sense of belonging and security within their community Negative ​ Fundamentalism ○​ Strict adherence to orthodox beliefs can lead to religious conflicts ex:  ​ social hierarchy (Roman Catholic Church adopted a hierarchical structure similar to Rome, Confucianism emphasizes ruler-subject relationships, and India’s caste system) ​ causes discrimination ○​ Catholicism's stance on homosexuality ○​ Islamic head-covering practices ○​ Some religions view themselves as the “only way” to salvation ​ triggers conflicts and fights ○​ Jews and Muslims in Palestine ○​ Muslims and Hindus in Kashmir ○​ Christians, Muslims, and Animists in Sudan ​ serves as an economic tool for controlling the masses ​ impedes scientific success and development ○​ connecting points of science and religion: ​ faith in the God they believe in ​ obstruct the use of reason Lecture #3: Judaism ​Scripture ​Worship Scripture: 1.​ Tanakh or Mikra (Hebrew Bible) a.​ Torah i.​ Teachings ii.​ Foundational text iii.​ History, religious statues, moral regulations b.​ Nevi’im i.​ Prophets ii.​ Spokespersons who criticze the hypocritical practices of jewish rituals c.​ Ketuvim i.​ Writings ii.​ Poetry, temple ritual, private prayer, philosophical explorations, and other canonical works 2.​ Talmud (oral Torah) a.​ Elaborates and interprets the Torah i.​ Mishnah – 6 books  ii.​ Gemara – 63 sections Worship: 1.​ Sabbath a.​ The most important day in the Jewish calendar is the Sabbath (or Shabbat) b.​ Commemorates God’s completion of the creation of the universe and his rest after the six-day toil c.​ Jews abstain from work and must study the Torah 2.​ Days of Awe a.​ Tshri is the 7th month of the ecclesiastical year of the Jewish calendar i.​ 1st 10 days - Tishri is called Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) 1.​ The first 2 days compromise the New ​ Year (Rosh Hashanah) and 2.​ 10the day as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ii.​ Rosh Hashanah - the day of judgment where God assesses one’s deeds and decides what lies ahead of them in the following year iii.​ Yom Kippur - the most sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar that brings the period of repentance to its conclusion 3.​ Synagogues a.​ Jewish temples of worship Beliefs: 1.​ One everlasting god who created the universe in its entirety and remains the master of it 2.​ Actions are more significant than beliefs – no dogma, there is definitely a place for belief within the religion since it focuses on the worship of one god, the practice of good deeds, and the love of learning 3.​ All humans are created equal 4.​ Human beings were created by God who provided them the capacity to decide what is right and wrong, Lecture #4: Christianity ​Roman Contributions ​Early Symbols - History  ​Sacred Scripture Roman Contributions Early Symbols -​ Cross – symbol of jesus’s victory over sin -​ Ichyts (fish) Sacred scripture -​ Lecture #5: Islam ​Centrality of Worship ​Life of prayer and fasting ​Scripture Worship 1.​ Mecca a.​ Meteoric stones fell and became objects of veneration 2.​ Kaaba a.​ The “Black Stone” b.​ Muslims must visit at least once in their life c.​ Walk counterclockwise 7 times 3.​ Muhammad a.​ The last prophet sent by God b.​ Would retreat to Mount Hira in search of the truth about God i.​ Eventuall,y God spoke to him in Arabic & he experienced divine delivered by the angel Gabriel c.​ He united the Medinian tribes under one constitution – Muslims became a United religious community Sacred Scripture  1.​ Quara’n a.​ Revelation from God of his speech (Kalam) and foundation of Islam religion b.​ Supreme authority in faith theology, & law c.​ Copy of eternal scripture written in heaven but made known to Muhammad i.​ Chapters = Surans (114 chapters) ii.​ Verses = Ayahs (evidence or sign) d.​ A person who memorizes the Quran is called Hafiz (“Guardian”) 2.​ Hadith a.​ Collections of deeds and sayings of Muhammad and his followers (second course of Shari’a law) b.​ Second authority after the Qur'an Beliefs 1.​ Din a.​ Way of life (judgment, custom & religion) i.​ God has sent prophets (Musa (Moses, Isa (Jesus)) back to the din. 2.​ Shahada a.​ The profession of faith/creed i.​ “I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the apostle (messenger) of God.” 3.​ Ummah a.​ Advocates for one single community 4.​ A Muslim must not fight a fellow Muslim 5.​ 5 pillars of Islam a.​ Hajj i.​ Pilgrimage to Makkah/Mecca at least once b.​ Sawm i.​ Fasting Ramadan 30 days dusk - dawn c.​ Zakan i.​ Almsgiving 2.5% to poor d.​ Salah i.​ 5x daily prayer facing Mecca e.​ Shahadah i.​ Faith in Allah, His Messenger. Aka. the Creed 6.​ Mosques a.​ Place of worship 7.​ Jihad – Holy War Lecture #6: Dharmic religions Emerged from the vast subcontinent of India. -​ Central belief: DHARMA -​ Hindus: An individual’s appropriate behavior or duty to be fulfilled in observance of a custom or law -​ Buddhists: universal law or order (or the Buddha’s teaching itself) Lecture #7: Hinduism ​The cycle of birth/re-birth ​Sacred Texts ​Caste System Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Religion) -​ Believers refer to this when they refer to Hinduism -​ Hinduism is a religion of Dharma, which is the timeless order of all life Dharma -​ Means: duty; correct practice; truth -​ That which is “what holds the universe together” Arya Dharma or “Aryan Way” -​ The original name of Hinduism. -​ Hinduism (the name) was given to describe the wide array of belief systems in India. -​ Aryan conquerors moved to the Indus Valley and brought with them their own set of beliefs that eventually mingled with the religion of the natives. -​ This resulted in Classical Hinduism -​ Aryans brought with them their beliefs based on oral texts known as Vedas. Fundamental Assumptions about the Aryan Religion 1.​ Aryans brought with them a polytheistic religion 2.​ Sacrifice was the principal form of worship to the Aryan gods. Hinduism has pre-Aryan and Aryan elements that date back to ancient times. Sacred Texts: 1.​ Shruti - “that which is heard”  a.​ Eternal truths were passed orally until the beginning of the present age wherein there came the need to write them down b.​ Samhitas, Barahamanas, Upanishads, and a few Sutras form the shruti and are primary sources and the most authoritative texts of the Hindu Faith. 2.​ Vedas - “knowledge” “sacred lore” a.​ Earliest known Sanskrit literature i.​ Rig-Veda 1.​ The most important and oldest book (1500 B.C.E.) 2.​ Collection of over a thousand hymns and verses dedicated to the Aryan pantheon of gods ii.​ Sama - Veda 1.​ “Knowledge of Chants” a.​ Collection of verses from the basic hymns recited by priests during sacrifices iii.​ Yajur - Veda 1.​ “Knowledge of rites” 2.​ Compilation of material recited during rituals and sacrifices to deities iv.​ Atharva - Veda 1.​ “Knowledge given by the sage Arthrava” 2.​ Contains numerous spells and incantations for medicinal purposes and magical aids to victory in battle among others. Four Main Parts of Vedas 1.​ Mantras a.​ Hymns and chants for praising god 2.​ Brahamanas a.​ Explanations of the mantras with detailed descriptions of the sacrificial ceremonies related to them 3.​ Aranyakas a.​ meditations that explicate their meaning 4.​ Upanishads a.​ Secret teachings transcend rituals to elucidate the nature of the universe and human’s connectedness to it b.​ “Sitting down near” “sitting close to” i.​ Listening intently to the mystic teachings of a spiritual teacher who has fully understood the universal truths c.​ Also means “Brahma-knowledge” whereby ignorance is totally eliminate d.​ “Supreme work of the Indian mind” - Sri Aurobindo All fundamental teachings and concepts about Hinduism are found in these profound treatises  -​ Karma (action) -​ Samsara (reincarnation) -​ Moksha (nirvana) -​ Atman (soul) -​ Brahman (Absolute Almighty) The great epic Mahabharata, Brahma was said to have created the Vedas. Important (?) Literature Shmriti -​ “That which has been remembered” -​ These writings serve to reinforce shruti and are interpreted by sages and scholars alike. -​ Ex: Epics like Ramayana, and Mahabharata, which contains the philosophical poem Bhagavad Gita are part of Shmriti Ramayana -​ “Story of Rama” -​ “Rama’s Journey” Sanskrit epic poem written by the poet Valmiki The story is danced and acted out in Southeast Asia. Mahabharata -​ Composed of around 1 hundred thousand verses (the world’s longest poem) -​ Tells the great struggle among the descendants of King Bharata. Bhagavad Gita -​ Celebrated episode within the Mahabharata -​ “The Lord’s Song” -​ One of the holiest books by the Hindus -​ It instructs any person that one may reach god through devotion, knowledge, or selfless action Beliefs and Doctrines  1.​ Bhakti stands for the soul’s longing for and clinging to god (Brown, 1975). 2.​ Believes in three high deities who fulfill different functions in the universe a.​ Trimurthi (Trinity) i.​ Brahma is the Creator ii.​ Vishnu is the Preserver iii.​ Shiva is the destroyer 3.​ The heart of Hinduism is the idea of “human beings’ quest for absolute truth so that one’s soul and the Brahman or Atman (Absolute Soul) might become one) 4.​ Human Beings have dual nature: the spiritual and immortal essence (soul) which is considered real; and the empirical life and character 5.​ Hindus generally believe that the soul is eternal a.​ But is bound by the law of Karma (action) to the world of matter, which it can escape only after spiritual progress through an endless series of births. 6.​ Humanity’s basic goal in life is the liberation (moksha) of spirit (jiva) 7.​ Life is a continuous cycle (samsara) where the body goes through a transmigratory series of birth and death, even though the spirit is neither born nor dies. 8.​ Ultimate liberation – freedom from rebirth a.​ Achieved the moment the individual attains the stage of life emancipation. 9.​ View of reality a.​ Emphasis on the attainment of self-knowledge 10.​The goal of human life a.​ Overcome congenital ignorance 11.​ True knowledge (vidya) consists of an understanding and realization of the individual’s real self (atman) as opposed to lower knowledge that is limited to an interpretation of reality based solely on the data offered bya sense of experience. 12.​FOUR PRIMARY VALUES: a.​ Wealth b.​ Pleasure c.​ Duty d.​ Enlightenment 13.​To understand enlightenment, one must understand the law of karma, the law of sowing and reaping 14.​LAW OF KARMA a.​ When a person dies, a person is reborn as another being in the future depending on his/her actions CASTE SYSTEM ​ Social Classification System/Social Rank 1.​ Brahmins a.​ Highest in the hierarchy and the purest among all castes  b.​ Serve as ritual experts or priests and handle sacred writings (Vedas) 2.​ Kshatriyas a.​ rulers, administrator,s and warriors; also called Rajanyas 3.​ Vaishyas a.​ artisans, merchants, tradesmen, and farmers 4.​ Shudras a.​ Manual laborers b.​ Impure because of the nature of their job Lecture #8: Buddhism ​Middle Path ​Between self-indulgence and self-denial ​Dependent Origination (Dharma - 8-fold path) ​4 Noble Truths Buddhism is one of the most practical among the world’s great religions because its belief system intends to meet basic human needs and solve humankind’s spiritual problems without depending on supernatural forces. 1.​ I take refuge in the Buddha 2.​ I take refuge in the Dharma (teaching)  3.​ I take refuge in the Sangha (community) Theravada Buddhism -​ School of elder monks; school of the ancients -​ Southern School of Buddhism – based on the Pali Canon, the oldest recorded texts of Buddhist teachings -​ Preserved the original teachings of Siddhartha with pristine -​ Siddhartha Gautama’s life serves as a constant source of inspiration. -​ Born a Kshatriya: his father, Suddhodana, was an aristocratic chieftain, and his mother, Mahamaya, was a Koliyan princess. -​ At birth, he declared: “I have been born to achieve awakening (bodhi) for the good of the world: this is my last birth.” -​ Means: “he who achieves his aim” -​ Buddha means “the awakened one” or “the enlightened one” 4 encounters 1.​ The beggar a.​ Illness is unavoidable 2.​ The old a.​ aging is inevitable 3.​ The monk a.​ Tranquility in renouncing worldly pleasures 4.​ The corpse a.​ Death is inevitable Sacred Scripture 1.​ The Pali Canon or Tipitaka/Tripitaka (“three baskets) a.​ The standard collection of scriptures of Threvada Buddhists b.​ Complete extant early canon of Buddhist writings 2.​ Sutta Pitaka (Discourse) a.​ Buddha’s doctrinal discourses; short poems to long prose narratives about Siddhartha’s previous lives 3.​ Vinya Pitaka (Discipline) a.​ Rules of DISCIPLINE b.​ Moral principles 4.​ Abhidhamma Pitaka (Ultimate Doctrine) a.​ Systematic analysis of the categories of Buddhist thought The 4 Noble Truths 1.​ Dukkha a.​ Life is suffering  2.​ Niroddha a.​ End desire, end suffering 3.​ Samodaya a.​ Desire causes suffering 4.​ Magga a.​ Follow the Eightfold path EIGHTFOLD PATH: 1.​ View 2.​ Intention 3.​ Speech 4.​ Action 5.​ Livelihood 6.​ Effort 7.​ Mindfulness 8.​ Concentration | Explains karma, interconnection, and the pathway to nirvana 5 uncontrollable processes 1.​ Aging 2.​ Sickness 3.​ Death 4.​ Decay 5.​ Dying The Four Noble Truths -​ They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.