Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems PDF

**INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS Quarter 2-- Module 1-4** **Comparative Analysis: Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism** In Hinduism and Buddhism (Mahayana and Theravada), dharma is an integral concept. In Hinduism, dharma refers to the religious and moral law gov...

**INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS Quarter 2-- Module 1-4** **Comparative Analysis: Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and Mahayana Buddhism** In Hinduism and Buddhism (Mahayana and Theravada), dharma is an integral concept. In Hinduism, dharma refers to the religious and moral law governing a person's conduct. It is also one of the four Hindu goals of life. For the two Buddhist schools, it may pertain to the cosmic law and order or to Buddha's teachings. Apart from the Buddha and the sangha, the dharma is one of the "Three Jewels" to which Buddhist followers go for refuge. Hinduism and Buddhism both originated in India. Hindu followers comprise 80% of India's population of more than a billion or about 14% of the world's population. Meanwhile, there are more than 370 million Buddhists around the world that represent about 6% of the entire population. Quite interestingly, while Buddhism began in India, it almost died out as a living religion in its place of origin. Majority of its followers can be found in China Japan, Korea, and Indochina Peninsula. The major sects of Buddhism include Theravada and Mahayana schools of thought. **Concept Map of the Comparative Analysis** **Origin** Both Hinduism and Buddhism, two of the world's great religions, trace their origin in India. Believed to be the oldest living religion in the world, the early beginnings of Hinduism with its forms and themes may have begun around the third millennium B.C.E. A timeless religion as it is and a way of life for its adherents, Hinduism has no precise moment of origin and no one specific founder or prophet unlike most other world religions. Throughout its long history, Hinduism became the source of three other religions, namely, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Buddhism also traces its origins in northern India around the sixth century B.C.E. as another interpretation of the Hindu belief. This religion is closely linked to its founder Siddhartha Gautama who is also referred to as the Buddha or the "Enlightened One." About 500 years after Buddha's enlightenment, a schism within the Buddhist religion resulted in the emergence of two major branches around the first century C.E, namely, the Theravada and Mayahana schools of tradition. Both schools owe their fundamental teachings to the Buddha whose life has become an inspiration to millions of followers all over the world. Around the third century B.C.E., Buddhism reached neighboring Asian countries as a result of the missionary zeal of Indian rulers. A different outlook to salvation attracted many Asian people to embrace the tenets of Buddhism as it reached China, India, Korea, and Indochina Peninsula. However, while Buddhism was successfully converting people in faraway places, Buddhist fervor gradually waned in native India as a result of resurging Hinduism. The resurgence in Hinduism is due to how Hinduism absorbed the rising challenge of other new religions as it incorporated their elements into the Hindu belief. **Activity 1** **Instructions**: Fill out the table by supplying or researching the needed information in the internet. Religion Estimated Date of Origin Founder Sources of what New Religions Countries widely followed at ---------- -------------------------- --------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Hinduism Buddhism **Morality** **Hinduism** Hinduism is said to be the most tolerant of all religions as there are numerous ways to manifest one's set of Hindu beliefs (Hopfe 1983). In short, the Hindus themselves differ in the manner of practicing their religion. However, while Hinduism may seemingly lack a cohesive system of beliefs and practices, most of its adherents hold several key moral values such as karma and dharma. **Buddhism (Theravada and Mahayana)** While the Buddha embraced the general framework of Indian ideas, he radically altered many of them. Here are some of the altercations and the defining moral laws of Buddhism. - Like in Hinduism, the cycle of rebirth persists in Buddhism and succeeding lives may be affected by the moral laws of cause and effect or karma. Until one has achieved enlightenment, one's deed in the present lifetime will affect the course of future rebirths. - Buddhist moral thoughts and actions are principally guided by the "Four Noble Truths" formulated by the Buddha, along with the basic guide called the "Eightfold Paths" that are divided into three categories, namely, right view, right conduct, and right practice. - Unhappiness of life (dukkha) is principally caused by people's unending desires. - People are advised to scrutinize their motivations and ponder upon the outcome of their actions keeping in mind Buddha's teachings. Anything harmful to others, in deed and in thought, must always be avoided. The two major schools of Buddhism, the Theravada and Mahayana sects, follow the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Noble Eightfold Path." **Purpose** **Hinduism** ***Purusharta -- Four Desirable Goals of Life*** In Hinduism, there are four desirable goals of life (purushartha). All Hindus aim to achieve the four-fold purpose of life that includes: - *[Dharma]* means to behave appropriately and act righteously. In essence, dharma is a path toward a pleasant rebirth through fulfillment of one's destiny that is often defined by class, family, social status, age, and gender. It also involves paying de\]bts to gods, fellow humans, and other living beings during their lifetime. - *[Artha]* pertains to the pursuit of legitimate worldly prosperity or material well-being. Wealth must be gained by way of lawful measures. As one pursues success, dharma must always be kept in mind. - *[Kama]* refers to the pursuit of legitimate pleasure as one obtains enjoyment in life, such as those related to arts, music, and dance. This could also include satisfaction of one's desire or sexuality. - *[Moksha]* is the final meaning of life that involves enlightenment, self-realization, or union with god. For the Hindus, this is the most difficult goal of life to accomplish. While some can accomplish moksha in just one lifetime, others may take several reincarnations in another physical form just to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth. While ignorance and illusion hinder the enlightenment of sentient beings, they can still escape these bondages. In essence, the main purpose of their life is to obtain release from the cycle of reincarnation or at least a better rebirth. ***Ashramas -- Four Stages of Life*** In addition to the four goals of life, traditional Hindus often pass the four stages of life (ashramas). - The first stage of Hindu life is that of being a student (*[Brahmacarya]*). As a bachelor, he lives in the house of a guru and studies sacred scriptures under his guidance. - The second stage is that of being a householder (*[Grihastha]*) wherein he takes in a wife, raises children, and contributes to the well-being of society (Brown 1975). - During the third stage (*[Vanaprastha]*), he withdraws to the forest with his wife as he undergoes meditation to understand the meaning of life. - Finally, the fourth stage (*[Samnyasin]*) involves renouncing the world and all its attachments as he now becomes a holy sage. The first three stages are obligatory in nature while the fourth is only optional and not all men attain it. In Buddhism, the principal purpose of one's life is to terminate all forms of suffering caused by attachment to impermanent entities, such as material things, friends, and health. All these do not offer enduring happiness but sorrow. When one recognizes the impermanence of all these things, an individual begins to free one's self from attachment thereby reducing suffering and ending the cycle of rebirth. Buddha's teachings on the "*[Four Noble Truths]*" and the "*[Noble Eightfold Path]*" form the basic tenets of all Buddhist sects. In *[Theravada Buddhism]*, the monastic way of life ensures the path toward enlightenment. For the Buddhist laity, they must first be reborn as monks for them to be eligible for enlightenment. As members of the laity perform good deeds, positive karma may bring forth a pleasant condition in the next life. In contrast, *[Mahayana Buddhism]* offers enlightenment to anyone, not only for the members of the monastic order, but also for those with families and secular careers. Moreover, the Mahayana branch of Buddhism attracts followers because it offers a faster route to enlightenment than the Theravada sect. **Destiny** **Hinduism** Simply put, the destiny of all Hindus involves reincarnation until such time they gain ultimate enlightenment. - Hinduism believes that within the human is an eternal soul (atman) that is being reborn millions of times and in many forms subject to the moral law of karma. - While the soul is immortal and naturally blissful, it could plunge into darkness because of ignorance and delusion concerning reality. - Moral law enables souls to create their own destiny leading to a pleasurable or repulsive state of existence. - Hindu practices to achieve enlightenment involves yoga, meditation, proper worship, rituals, devotion to gods and goddesses, pilgrimage to sacred shrines, and performing one's duties. For the Hindus, the idea of an eternal heaven or hell is unfounded as it does not uphold genuine moral behavior. In fact, the concept of heaven and hell can be exploited by religious groups just wanting to lure or scare people. **Buddhism** Meanwhile, Buddhism holds that no soul is being reborn because there is no permanence in anything. - The Buddha preached to his followers to achieve their own salvation conscientiously because external forces have no control over their life and circumstances. - They control their own fate as they are bound to the law of causality. This is the direct result of natural law or dharma and one's accumulated deeds or karma. - In contrast to Hinduism and other religions, the Buddhist goal is neither absorption into Brahman nor union with God. Instead, Buddhists aspire to reach nirvana or the extinguishing of fires of longing and suffering. - When one has achieved nirvana, one has attained the state of perfect peace wherein attachment, aversion, and ignorance have ceased once and for all. In the *Theravada school of Buddhism*, by following the "Middle Path" and practicing the basic doctrines of Buddhism, there is a realization that desire can be terminated and suffering reduced. In the end, a perfected state of insight can be accomplished and they will be called an *[arhat]* or a "worthy person" who must be emulated by Theravada Buddhists. Adherents can reach an enlightened status through their own ways without any assistance from any divine beings, such as gods or goddesses. Meanwhile, the *Mahayana sect* devotes much attention to the *[bodhisattvas]* or "enlightened beings" who delay their own enlightenment for them to benevolently aid other beings to reach their ultimate end. All beings can follow the path of the bodhisattvas which is the ideal way for all Buddhists to live. Here lies the glaring difference of Buddhism as a dharmic religion when compared to other world religions that teach the concept of fate or predestiny. *For Buddhist followers, life and events are not controlled by an all-powerful creator or universal force., it is controlled by their deeds and actions.* **Views on Women** The status of women in ancient India leaves much to be desired as they are always seen as inferior to men in all aspects of life. Restrictions abound with regard to their daily activities; tending household chores would be their primary role. Women are to be cared for by their parents in their childhood days, by their husbands when they marry, and by their sons when they reach old age. Religious and educational liberties for women are severely lacking. **Hinduism** Honoring women in Hindu society as a fundamental teaching has been laid down in one of the supplementary arms of the Vedas, the Manusmriti or the "Laws of Manu." - Women must attend ritualistic practices despite the fact that they had no roles to play in these activities - As a married woman, she must become a good wife and treat her husband as a god. She must serve and follow him, and pray for him. She often eats when her husband has finished eating. In return, a husband must also revere his wife as a goddess. The sacred text adds that the happiness of the wife is crucial in the stability of the family. - Cases of having several wives also exist in Indian society that naturally breed hatred and jealousies among the wives. - Women are not allowed to remarry after the death of their husbands. Shaving their head is a requirement to make them unappealing to other interested men. The most difficult chores are given to widows and they are forbidden to eat alongside family members. - Widows are personification of all the negative characteristics of a woman, ill-fated and wretched. Widows are brought to the Indian city of Vrindavan by their families who eventually abandon them there. - A widow can opt to commit *sati* or the act of killing herself by jumping into the funeral pyre of her husband. It is believed that immolating one's self assures immense rewards for the family and gives a chance to the wife to be with her husband in the next life. - The practice of sati has now been banned in India especially with the passage of Sati (Prevention) Act of 1988 that criminalized any type of involvement in sati. **Buddhism** On the other hand, women have enjoyed considerable freedom in their religious life in Buddhism as compared to Hinduism. - The Buddha himself allowed the full participation of women in all major Buddhist rites and practices. - Buddha allowed women to join the monastic order and attain enlightenment in equal footing with men. Fully-ordained Buddhist female monastic members are bhikkunis. - For the Buddha, men are not always wise and women can also be wise. - In Buddhism, women should not be treated as inferior to men because both are equally valuable in society. - Women as wives and mothers have roles to fulfill in the family and society. Husbands and wives must equally share responsibilities in the family with the same zeal. - Wives must also familiarize themselves in trade and business dealings so that they can also handle these affairs. - Men and women have equal status in Buddhist societies. in Buddhism **Activity 2** Express your own views on Hinduism and Buddhism teachings using the template below. ASPECT HINDUISM BUDDHISM ---------------- ---------- ---------- Morality Purpose Destiny Views on women **Direction:** Research about famous people who are believers of the discussed religions -- Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. While doing so, take note and present the current and most common effects of the three religions, Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism, to prove that they have largely influenced the world today. Activity 3 ---------- +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Famous Believers of | Famous Believers of | | | | | HINDUISM | BUDDHISM | +===================================+===================================+ | 1. | **1. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | | | | | 2. | **2. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | | | | | 3. | **3. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ Activity 4 ---------- +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Common Influences of | Common Influences of | | | | | HINDUISM to the world today | BUDDHISM to the world today | +===================================+===================================+ | 1. | **1. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | | | | | 2. | **2. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | | | | | 3. | **3. | | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\ | | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | _\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ | | \_\_\_ | \_\_\_** | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **Assessment** A. Matching Type. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the letter on the space provided before each number. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 10. comprises 14% of the world's | j. Artha | | population | | +===================================+===================================+ | 1. a widow killing herself to | a. Buddhism followers | | join her dead husband | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 2. being a student, living in | b. Laws of Manu | | the house of the guru and | | | studying the sacred | | | scriptures | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 3. pursuit of worldly prosperity | c. Nirvana | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 4. supplementary arms of the | d. Karma | | Vedas | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 5. unhappiness in life that is | e. Buddhism | | caused by unending desires | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 6. female Buddhist monks | f. Sati | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 7. Ultimate enlightenment | g. Bhikkunis | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 8. believes that no external | h. Dukkha | | force or creator controls | | | events in our lives | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 9. universal law of causality | i. Brahmac arya | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS Quarter 2-- Module** **5-7**  **Purpose** Confucianism - Everyone should reach one's highest potential as an individual. Should be mindful about the five senses and every action and feelings is based on **li** or the ritual. Kung Fuzi the ideal person of junzi who exemplifies the ren (concern for fellow human) and **yi** (righteousness)Cultivation through the proper observance of **qi** (vital energy). - *Daoism* - Every individual should be capable in reacting in a natural and spontaneous way. Spontaneity is for immortals so people should aim the long and healthy lif. - Shintoism - The importance of rituals to maintain natural state of existence. Avoidance of pollution or anything that they consider impure (death, blood, or disease) is seen as a way to maintain purity. Pollution is inevitable but can be washed away by misogi or purification rituals. **Views on Women** Confucianism - Hierarchy to women that subservient to men. Women's life only revolves on obeying men-father-husband-son. If a woman is widowed it is said not to be remarry for it is considered as a disgrace. If they don't remarry, they lose their virtue. They have the positive views on women, they emphasize the balanced view when it comes to the opposites in terms of achieving harmony, not only as in body but to the world also. *Daoism* - *Dao* is the "mother of all things" feminine is constant. Men are encouraged to play female role and vice-versa because of the balance of yin and yang. The women are allowed to be priest. And they believed because of the numerous female deities. Shintoism - The men are more in advantages than the women. Priesthood has accepted women but just substitute by the men. However, if a man is allowed to commit adultery women must still be loyal to her husband. In the last century, women can divorce her husband. **Activity 1** - **Instructions**: Fill out the table by supplying or researching the needed information in the internet. Religion Estimated Date of Origin Founder Sources of what New Religions Countries widely followed at -------------- -------------------------- --------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Confucianism Daoism Shintoism **Activity 2** Express your own views on Confucianism, Daoism and Shintoism teachings using the template below. ASPECT Confucianism Daoism Shintoism ---------------- -------------- -------- ----------- Origin Morality Purpose Views on women Assessment ---------- **TRUE or FALSE.** **Write the word TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if the statement is false.** \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_1. Confucianism started as a philosophy that would provide a solution to China's chaotic society during the Shang dynasty. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_2. Confucianism was adopted by the Han dynasty as an instrument for its political legitimacy. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_3. Daoism believes that nature should be allowed to take its natural course for the attainment of social order. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_4. Shintoism emphasized the core values of family, tradition, nature, ancestors, purity, and ritual practices. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_5. Laozi believed that what makes us human is our feeling of sympathy for other's suffering, but what makes us virtuous is our cultivation of this inner potential. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_6. In Shinto, pollution is inevitable but can be washed away by proper meditation. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_7. In Confucianism, destiny can only be achieved when one has cultivated oneself to the highest potential that one's actions go effortlessly with the way of the universe. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_8. The *Dao* is considered as the "mother of all things" and playing the feminine part is a constant theme in Daoism. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_9. A normative interpretation of ming sees destiny as a distant force beyond human control. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_10. In Confucianism, a woman's life revolves around obeying men\-\--her father, her husband, and her brother **World Religions and Their Basic Beliefs** **Animism-** the belief that natural objects, phenomena, and the universe itself have desires and intentions **Babi or Babism**- a pantheistic Persian religious sect, founded in 1844 by the Bab, forbidding polygamy, concubinage, begging, trading in slaves, and indulgence in alcohol and drugs **Baha\'ism**- a religious system founded in 1863 by Baha\'ullah, based on Babism and emphasizing the value of all religions and the spiritual unity of all humankind **Buddhism**- a religious teaching propagated by the Buddha and his followers, which declares that by destroying greed, hatred, and delusion, which are the causes of all suffering, people can attain perfect enlightenment **Christianity**-the Christian religion **Confucianism**-the ethical system of Confucius, emphasizing moral order, the humanity and virtue of China\'s ancient rulers, and gentlemanly education **Druidism**-the beliefs and religious system of the ancient druids **Heliolatry**- worship of the sun **Hinduism** - the complex of beliefs, values, and customs comprising the dominant religion of India, characterized by the worship of many gods, including Brahma as supreme being, a caste system, belief in reincarnation, etc **Islam**- the religion of Muslims, having the Koran as its sacred scripture and teaching that there is only one God and that Mohammed is his prophet; Mohammedanism **Jainism-** an ancient Hindu religion, which has its own scriptures and believes that the material world is eternal, progressing endlessly in a series of vast cycles **Judaism**- the religion of the Jews, based on the Old Testament and the Talmud and having as its central point a belief in the one God as transcendent creator of all things and the source of all righteousness **Macumba**- a religious cult in Brazil that combines Christian and voodoo elements **Manichaeism or Manicheism**- the system of religious doctrines, including elements of Gnosticism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc, taught by the Persian prophet Mani about the 3rd century ad. It was based on a supposed primordial conflict between light and darkness, or goodness and evil **Mithraism or Mithraicism**- the ancient Persian religion of Mithras. It spread to the Roman Empire during the first three centuries ad **Orphism**- a mystery religion of ancient Greece, widespread from the 6th century bc onwards, combining pre-Hellenic beliefs, the Thracian cult of (Dionysius) Zagreus, etc **Rastafarianism**- an originally Jamaican religion that regards Ras Tafari (the former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (1892--1975)) as God **Ryobu Shinto**- a fusion of Shinto and Buddhism, which flourished in Japan in the 13th century **Santeria**- a Caribbean religion composed of elements from both traditional African religion and Roman Catholic. **Satanism**- the worship of Satan **Scientology(trademark)**- the philosophy of the Church of Scientology, a nondenominational movement founded in the US in the 1950s, which emphasizes self-knowledge as a means of realizing full spiritual potential **Shamanism-** the religion of certain peoples of northern Asia, based on the belief that the world is pervaded by good and evil spirits who can be influenced or controlled only by the shamans **Shango-** a W African religious cult surviving in some parts of the Caribbean **Shembe-** (in South Africa) an African sect that combines Christianity with aspects of Bantu religion **Shinto-** the indigenous religion of Japan, polytheistic in character and incorporating the worship of a number of ethnic divinities, from the chief of which the emperor is believed to be descended **Voodoo or voodooism**- the system of voodoo beliefs and practices **Yezidis**- a religious sect found in the Kurdish areas of Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, whose beliefs combine elements of Zoroastrianism, Islam, Christianity, and other religions; in addition to believing in a Supreme God, the Yezidi worship seven angels, among whom is the devil, who is believed to have repented and been pardoned and reinstated as chief angel **Zoroastrianism or Zoroastrism-** the dualistic religion founded by the Persian prophet Zoroaster in the late 7th or early 6th centuries bc and set forth in the sacred writings of the Zend-Avesta. It is based on the concept of a continuous struggle between Ormazd (or Ahura Mazda), the god of creation, light, and goodness, and his arch enemy, Ahriman, the spirit of evil and darkness, and it includes a highly developed ethical code