RRES Midterms PDF

MODULE 01 : INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUALITY RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “Stop focusing on being busy. Rather, focus on being productive” WHAT IS RELIGION?...

MODULE 01 : INTRODUCTION TO RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES AND SPIRITUALITY RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “Stop focusing on being busy. Rather, focus on being productive” WHAT IS RELIGION? 3. Anthropological Dimension Etymology  While religion teaches us to live together properly, it Cicero also teaches us that there is more than this mundane  Proposed the Latin word “relegere” which roughly world. means “to read or go through again in speech or  It encourages us to seek beyond the finite human thought.” experience and aspire for what is greater which our  On the other hand, the most commonly accepted mind could not comprehend. etymology is the Latin word “religare” which means 4. Symbolic Dimension “to bind.”  Religions have symbols and rituals.  Symbols are signs used for sacred objects or ideas and Cicero and other early etymologists all share in the idea that are used to give meaning to human behavior. religion is a system that binds a human person to a social, moral, and  Religious rituals and practices are prescribed, repeated legal duty or contract, and compels that same person to follow or avoid behaviors with desired and intended outcomes for particular courses of actions. the enrichment of the religion and the person. (*) The etymology of the term religion is a controversial topic. (*) kailangan mong sundan ‘yung rules na nasa religion na ‘yon  Symbols and rituals help in creating a sound tradition and transform through religious tradition (*) e.g. cross for Christians, “om” for Hindus, and male circumcision of Various Definitions of Religion Jews. Immanuel Kant 5. Moral Dimension  German idealist  Every religion provides a moral compass.  “Religion is the recognition of all our duties as divine  All religions have a sense that there is a right way to live commands” and act – morality.  Religion is never separated from ethics as a way of life.  To live a moral life is to live out the precepts of the (*) all of your obligations, sinasabi ng panginoon kapag kasama ka sa isang religion religion. Emile Durkheim  The idea of good and evil has been an effective doctrine  French scholar in providing us with moral guidance.  Described religion from a sociological perspective.  It must be noted, however, that the major religions vary  "A set of ceremonial actions, assembling the group, in their definitions of what constitutes a good life, and heightening its emotion, and focusing its members on the line between moral philosophy and religion is far symbols of their common belongingness.” from clear. Karl Marx 6. Organizational Dimension  Religion is the opium of the masses/people.  All religions recognize an authority.  According to him, religion, just like opium, clouds the  Religious matters are often settled by religious mind of the people to not recognize the oppressions authorities. existing in society.  Most religions today are headed by priests or pastors (*) opium = illegal drugs during the industrial revolution who undergo years of training and education to fulfill (*) religion blinds the person into disregarding the problems either their religious role as leaders. he/she has or the problems that are present in society.  In other religions, the emphasis is placed on an internal authority and personal understanding of how to live In this journey in knowing religion, we must not fall into the in the world. trap of subscribing to only one definition, or else we might just end up imposing the prejudices and biases of the person explaining the concept 7. Theological Dimension rather than knowing the concept for what it is.  Religions introduce the existence and nature of a supreme being. FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES OF RELIGION  This is the defining feature of religion. 1. Cosmological Dimension  A god is the primary object of all religious practice and  Religion is an avenue to answer big questions about our devotion. existence.  The understanding of a particular religion mainly  It provides explanations about our faith, the universe, involves the necessary knowledge and appreciation of creation, nature, meaning, and form of the universe the supreme being or beings. and the place of humanity in it.  All forms of religious devotional systems are considered  Religion tries to put meaning into the world. expressions of the divine.  Religion achieves this through myths, theories and visions of the creation, nature, meaning and forms of the universe, and our place in it. 2. Soteriological Dimension  Religion provides a scheme for salvation.  Most religions, if not all, have their soteriological or salvific dimension.  It tries to give an answer to the question “what happens after death?” and how do we make sure we have a good destination when we die, 1 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 2. Spirituality is not the same as Spiritualism, or the “Religious” belief in the survival of the human personality and in  Divinity and something holy or sacred. communication between the living and the dead. An  Hence, it does not refer to the profane. example of spiritualism is the use of a Ouija board.  It may also refer to a set of beliefs. 3. Spirituality is not mesmerism or animal magnetism. “Experience” Mesmerism is an activity that is performed that makes  Something that occurs in life and often subjective in the subject dazed and be subordinated to the operator. nature or something personal. (*) para siyang hypnotism sa mga animals  “encounter” 4. Spirituality is not hypnotism. “RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE”  Personal experience that pertains to an encounter of 5. Spirituality is not similar to religiosity. Religiosity is the Supreme Being which is understood within a oftentimes confused with spirituality. Religiosity religious framework. concerns itself with religion, traditions, and beliefs.  “Encounter of the divine or sacred” Hence, it is man-made, external, and visible to the eye. (*) religiosity is the outward show of religion. Defining Religious Experience William James What is Spirituality?  Religious experience gives a person a certain kind of  Spirituality is concerned with the problems connected sensation with the spirit or soul. (*) This definition presupposes that we are embodied spirits. It means  He provided a clearer distinction between normal that we are composed of a body and a spirit. experience and religious experience. Sawan Ashram  According to him, what distinguishes religious  "Spirituality… is the science of developing higher experience is that it is transcendental and it blocks consciousness in Man on the level of the soul, and everything away when you experience it. making one transcend from mere body consciousness (*) transcendental = beyond the physical realm into cosmic consciousness, to enable one to  It makes us feel that we are connected to the divine one. understand the working of the divine plan."  Further, religious experience blocks everything away  It pertains to "self-realization" and "God-realization." wherein you would only want to focus your attention Man has the innate ability to transcend from the physical world and engage only on that particular experience. to a higher dimension of life, which is the spiritual world. It is a personal  Religious experience is just a very distinct and unique quest to seek something beyond the physical world. Thus, self- experience that just takes you out of yourself. transcendence is very essential in understanding one's spirituality. Perhaps, in our modern society where science and technology Example: have greatly advanced, saying that you have encountered something Imagine that you have every material thing that you would religious is more challenging than it was hundreds of years ago. want and need. However, all of these nice things do not guarantee you a It is very hard to express a religious experience to other people. happy and contented life. There is something that goes beyond the material realm because we are embodied spirits. This is perhaps a Religious Experiences are not Obvious manifestation of our spirituality. We always seek something beyond what Rudolf Otto we can see, touch, hear, smell, and feel. We have an inner dimension  Religious experience is not something readily given to where we experience reality. everyone because it is not something that is obvious. Spirituality VS Religiosity  It takes effort and a great deal of remembering to be  Spirituality can exist without religion. conscious of it.  A person does not have to believe in any religion in  Religious experiences are not obvious when they order to pursue spiritual growth. happen. Most of the time they occur when we are  However, we may say that both religiosity and unaware. spirituality would grow more if they are practiced (*) simple life occurrences can be considered as a religious experience as long as maganda ang maidudulot nila sa’tin together.  These religious experiences are important because of “Religious but not Spiritual” their transformative power.  There is a practice of religion but lacks an internalization. WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?  An example of which is a person who attends worships Spirituality Is Not: regularly, but does not embody the teachings of their 1. Spirituality is not similar to spiritism, or the belief religion. that spirits exist apart from matter. It is the conviction “Spiritual but not Religious” that when the spirit splits from the body, the spirit  Everything is possible if spirituality is not guided by haunts the world as ghosts. religion. (*) spirituality is not equal to spiritism or paranormal activities or entities  If spirituality and religiosity will be practiced together, a better outcome would be produced.  Spirituality can give better meaning to religiosity, while religiosity can guide our spirituality. End of Module 01 2 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI  MODULE 02 : HINDUISM: THE MANY WAYS RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great” Philosophical Disposition ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF HINDUISM  3 Great Ancient Civilizations (Greek, Chinese, Indian) INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION  Greek - Where am I?  Chinese - What am I?  According to scholars, the  Indians - Who am I? origin of Hinduism dates back to 2000 BCE in the INTRODUCTION OF HINDUISM Indus Valley.  It is a modern term that was first used in the latter half of the 18th century, although its traditions are ancient.  Hinduism does not only refer to a single religion rather, Indus River it refers to different religions and traditions of Indian  The Indus Valley is Civilization. situated near a  Interpreting the term Hinduism became a general name river called the for the rich and diverse traditions existing in the Indus River. Indus region.  It is through this river that the inhabitants (*) the word Hinduism was not used for thousands of years it was only of the Indus Valley during the latter half of the 18th century. are sustained. (*) despite the term Hinduism was not being used since the 18th century  Two major cities – it doesn’t necessarily mean that it didn’t exist Harappa and  Most modern scholars nowadays have agreed that the Mohenjo-Daro were term Hinduism may still be applied to the time before developed. This civilization was marked by a uniformity its invention. of culture, specifically in terms of engineering and  However, since Hinduism did not exist before the 18th architecture. century, it is unavoidable to encounter some Indus Valley with Present Day Hinduism problems when the term is applied to the period When you conduct a research on the two cities before its creation. (Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro) there are a lot of mysteries pertaining to their civilization because only a few pieces of Analogy: evidence were left due to the fact that this civilization was The concept of labels in relationships. When romantic partners destroyed. However, there were artifacts that link the Indus decide to make their “thing” official, it does not mean that what they felt Valley civilization and present-day Hinduism. before giving their relationship a proper label is invalid or non-existent – Some evidences that support the claim of Hinduism i.e., you were already in love or had feelings for each other even before traditions from the IVC the label. The label just affirms and validates something which was  The Great Bath - Suspected early figurine of the Hindu already existing. This is also true in Hinduism. The beliefs and practices deity Shiva were already there even before the term was created and used.  Artifacts that portray animal sacrifice INDIAN CIVILIZATION (*) These pieces of evidence that they have found related to the emphasis on ritual bathing, goddess worship, and sacrifice,  Theocentric (God-centered) and Anthropocentric which were later practiced in Hinduism. (Man-centered) (*) there is almost little to no clarity when it comes to proving (*) This means that religion and self-discovery play crucial roles in the Hinduism is present in the Indus valley way Indians think and conduct their actions. Alfredo Co EARLY HINDUISM  According to him, the question that would best Aryans characterize the Indian Civilization would be : “Who  Meaning “noble ones” am I?” or “Sino nga ba ako?”  Nomadic herding people who were identified as the How does this question then relate to theocentrism? earliest Hindus.  Indian philosophy is always in a quest of knowing the (*) nomadic - no permanent habitat/home or wanderers Ultimate Truth, which they call Brahman  They spoke Sanskrit (*) considered as the creator of everything.  Scholars believe that they came from Turkey.  According to their beliefs, the best way to know the Two Theories surrounding the development of the Aryan Ultimate Truth is through self-discovery. Tradition.  They pay much attention to self-discovery to be able to 1. The Aryans coming from Central Asia invaded the align themselves in the cosmic order, which is their inhabitants of the Indus Valley and established the access to Brahman. dominant culture.  This also stems from the idea that there is a part of 2. The second theory is that the Aryans just developed the Brahman in all of us. existing culture of the original inhabitants of the Indus “Namaste” Valley.  Traditional greeting (*) Because of the lack of artifacts or evidence, there is very little  The word “namaste” means “The Brahman in me greets certain information about the background of the Aryans who the Brahman in you” were the first believers of Hinduism. 3 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI MANY GODS, ONE ESSENCE; CASTE SYSTEM Brahman Is : (characteristics)  330 Million gods but only 1 in total  Considered as unchanging and infinite and immanent and  Trimurti - Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma transcendent.  Idea of reality  The divine ground of all matter in the universe and  The Hindus, arguably, may have the most complex concept beyond. of the sacred.  Supreme Force and the Absolute Reality – omnipresent, MANY GODS, ONE ESSENCE omnipotent, omniscient, and indescribable. Hinduism is Theistic and Monistic at the same time.  Genderless. This is how Brahman is described in their  It is Theistic because the Hindus have a concept of deities. sacred scriptures.  Monistic because of their belief that everything goes back to one ultimate source. The Three Deities : Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma  This means that HINDUISM IS MONOTHEISTIC. Trimurti  However, its monotheism is often questioned because of  Meaning : Trinity their practice of worshipping different deities.  Cosmic Function of creation, maintenance, and destruction personified. To understand better:  The three deities emerged as the supreme divinity of There was a man who traveled through India and Hinduism known as the Trimurti documented all the deities he encountered on his way. At the end 1. Shiva - Created by Brahman of his journey, the man, returned home and listed 330 million 2. Vishnu - Created by Shiva deities. 3. Brahma - From a lotus flower associated with the navel If this was the case, it is then more proper to consider of Vishnu (created by Vishnu) Hinduism as a polytheistic religion. (*) note that Brahman and Brahma are not the same But the confusing part is that at the bottom of the list, the man wrote as a total “one.” CASTE SYSTEM Brahman - One Supreme God  Although it is true that in Hindu Worship they worship 330M gods. Avatars - Different Forms of Brahman  Hinduism allows its believers to worship Brahman in many different forms and persons called avatars.  They recognize the fact that there is only one God, but it is conveyed in many different faces.  These forms, known as devas and deities are not supposed to be confused with one god. Hinduistic Perspective  They believe that there is one reality, but we see it in different forms. Analogy: To give an analogy of what this means, think of another person in front of you and a box separating the two of you. Both of you know that there is a box. However, you see the same box differently. It is because you  Brahmins - Head of Brahma have your side of the box, which only you can see and which the other  Kshatriyas - Arms person cannot.  Vaishyas - Thighs  Shudras - Feet Sacred Scriptures  Dalits - Untouchables. The Vedas - Knowledge.  Most Valued scripture The Caste System  These are written texts that are recited by priests  This system provides a social stratification among Hindus.. Upanishads - “to sit nearby”.  It classifies people in terms of their roles which gives  Refers to students sitting at the feet of their spiritual them their status in society. teachers as they receive instructions  This social stratification is not just politically and  Basis for all Hindu religious philosophy economically determined, but also has a religious  Consistently speaks of one supreme reality from which implication. all other realities come - Brahman  This kind of social sanctification is found in the teachings of the Rig Veda and the laws of Manu These scriptures talk about the singular God as the only one, without a second, without parents or lords, and. Manu. - A Collection of ethical and religious without likeness to anyone or anything that cannot be seen. guidelines for individuals and societies which stand at the heart of the Hindu caste system 4 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI The History Of The Caste System The Laws in the Caste System  The history of the caste system goes back during the. The Brahmins. - Scholars of society who created time of the Aryans. the laws in the implementation of the detailed caste system. Ganges River. - The place where the Aryans  One of the laws they had created is the prohibition of extended their area of control (eastwards) due to there social interaction and marriage among the different social having more fertile plains classes.  Socialization was limited to the same Jati because  The pre-existing civilization around the Ganges River is interacting or touching, even if accidental, is considered relatively more urbanized, politically centralized, and ritual impurity, especially to the person who has a economically developed than that of the Aryans. higher status.  Because of these attributes, Hindu societies became  However, because of the Jati, the caste system did not stratified wherein people were identified based on stay significant because of its effects. their occupations.  Because of the lack of social mobility and narrow occupational specialization, it was necessary to The Origin of the Word “Caste” (Casta & Varna) disregard the practice.. “Casta”.  In short, the practice declined because it was an  Portuguese word which means “pure” impediment to progress.  Casta refers to the importance of not mixing colors.  It came only in the 16th century during the Portuguese Problems caused by the Jati occupation in India.  At some point, the Jati were thought to be so polluting to. “Varna”. society.  Means “color”  An example of the problems it has caused to society is  It is the Sanskrit word used to refer to this kind of the emergence of the “untouchables,” or today known stratification. as the dalits, or oppressed.  Evolved in meaning from “color” to “class” to refer to the. Harijan. - what Mahatma Gandhi called the social stratification system’s early stages untouchables which means “Children of God”  And then “caste” for what the system later evolved into.  These people were excluded from the society because of the nature of their works, which are most prone The are four classes in society according to the Rig Veda. to ritual impurity. 1.. Brahmins. - Priests and the sages make up this social class. The brahmins formulated laws to preserve the caste 2.. Kshatriyas. - Warriors of the society system for future generations.  They invoked the Upanishads to declare that attempting 3.. Vaishyas. - In charge of producing goods in the society to change one’s social class will result in bad karma and (e.g. bankers, merchants, and farmers) possibly a reincarnation to an even worse life. 4.. Shudras. - Servants  Thus, there is an inflexible social stratification that exists in most Indian societies today.  Hindu teachings believe in the idea that the cosmos  One’s social, economic, and religious future is determined as follows a certain order. early as birth.  To achieve that order, everything must be put into  In Filipino, “kung ipinanganak ka nang ganyan ay ganyan their proper place that includes the social system, ka na rin mamamatay.” which sets people into their proper places in a society. (*) ipinanganak kang bobo, mamamatay kang bobo CHARROT!! HAHAHHAHA naalala ko lang  This system carried an inherent religious hierarchy – the higher your social class, the closer you are to  Many scholars blame this system to India’s continuing the gods, the more purposeful your life is. demise as a third world country. Jati - Birth groups or occupational groups  After some years with the caste system in place, Jati began to develop within the varna system.  Preserving the family occupation was the driving force that developed the jati.  This emphasized the hereditary nature of labor (*) example: If your father was a carpenter, then you would also be a carpenter.  In the rural parts of India today, Jati is the basis for the presence of the multi-level and sub-caste system. 5 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI YOGA DHARMA, KARMA, SAMSARA, AND MOKSHA  It is commonly understood as a physical activity which one Dharma does inside the gym or even in the comfort of one’s  Meaning = “Duty” own home.  Belief that there is a natural flow of things  It is also the activity of conscious stretching that is  According to Hindu belief, this dharma determines accompanied by mindful breathing. people’s role in life and society.  The dharma of a person is determined by birth and by  Yoga is a spiritual activity and even a major school of caste. thought in Hinduism.  When the dharma is not observed, chaos ensues.  A public school district in California was sued for teaching 6 to 11-year-old students yoga because Karma according to the complainants, yoga is a religious  Hindus believe that in every living being’s lifetime, he, activity that is prohibited in public schools. she, and it acquire karma.  Karma is like the law of cause and effect.. Hatha Yoga. - The exercise involving complex  It can be both positive and negative depending on the contortions and postures of the body action of a person.. “To yoke” or “To join”. - The Sanskrit term yoga,  There is good karma and bad karma. which means “to yoke or to join,” refers to the union of the  This karmic cycle will determine the fate of the atman. atman, the individual soul, the Brahman, the ultimate soul, and the attainment of liberation from the cycle of rebirth.. Atman. - Hinduism teaches that the true nature of the human person is the eternal and unchanging soul. The Atman and the Brahman cannot reconnect  Every living being has an atman, including plants and  Because the Atman is clouded by anger, envy, fear, and insects. other negative things.  What this means is that Hindus believe that every living  The Hindu believes that the goal of practicing yoga is to being has a soul and a body. help the atman reconnect with the Brahman.  Our physical body is the house of the atman.  The physical body is not eternal because it is subjected. “Marga”. - Another term for yoga that the to death. Hindus sometimes use which means “path”  Whereas, the atman is eternal and unchanging.. “Yogi”.- A person who practices yoga.  The physical body dies, but the atman stays. The three widely recognized practices of yoga are as Samsara follows:  Meaning: “flowing on”  Concept of the cycle of rebirth or the afterlife of the 1.. Karma Yoga (the way of action). Hindus.  It is the most common path for the Hindus.  This is also like the idea of heaven and hell of the  It is duty-based. Christians.  It is living in accordance with the proper order of things that  The view of Hindus of life is cyclical, which means that is determined by gender, caste, and stage of life. you die only to be born again.  To be able to practice karma yoga, the practitioner needs  Hinduism does not believe in the saying that you only to follow the Laws of Manu wherein everything is live once because you will continue to be prescribed. reincarnated only in a different physical form until you  According to the Bhagavad Gita, practitioners of this pass your mission. form of yoga must always keep in mind that everything they do is a form of sacrifice to God.. After the Point of death.  This is considered the easiest yoga to perform.  Consequences of one’s karma will be combined and the atman will receive a new body commensurate to the 2.. Bhakti Yoga (the way of devotion). good and bad karma in that person’s life.  A worship of a personal deity, but the believer has the  For instance, you have been a murderer in your past life, freedom to choose which deity they want to worship. it is possible that you will become an ant or a  Unlike most religions, Hinduism does not have a cockroach in your next life specific day in a week when to worship.  Hindus believe that if you have been bad in your past life,  The expression of devotion is considered a daily activity. there is a great possibility that you will be  Also, each deity has a temple where devotees make reincarnated into a lower form of being such as pilgrimages. insects, small animals, etc. 3.. Jnana Yoga (the way of knowledge).  Gives emphasis on knowledge as a way to reconnect with the Ultimate Reality.  Meditation is the tool of the practitioners where they engage in a strict physical, spiritual, mental, and moral discipline.  Involves the repetition of mantras and a sacred word.  The Om is the most famous mantra and is the representation of Brahma through sound. 6 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI Moksha  This religion recognizes the human need for material  Meaning = Liberation and sexual pleasure as long as they are in accordance  The liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth. with the dharma and practice at the right time and  A reincarnation means that you have failed to reunite place. with the Brahman.  The classical Hindu teachings prescribe that the proper  In order to attain moksha, Hindus must renounce artha time and place for sexual pleasure and material gain is and kama by distancing themselves from the human when a person is already married and has familial world to be near to the divine world responsibilities. (*) Artha and kama only rank below moksha in terms of the hierarchy of life goals. Four Aims of Life according to Hinduism  Dharma Maybe you are wondering why Hindus are desperate to be  Artha - Material gain  Kama - Sexual desire with Brahman.  Moksha  Hindus believe that the only truth that is real is that of Brahman. Teachings and Misconceptions in Hinduism  Everything else in the universe is false. Everything is just an illusion. What you see, hear, touch and feel are  Another misconception about Hinduism is that it only illusions. practices the extremes and denies its followers of the pleasures of the world. End of Module 02 MODULE 03 : BUDDHISM: THE MIDDLE WAY RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “Don’t study until you get it right. Study until you can’t get it wrong” BUDDHISM SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA AND SPREAD OF BUDDHISM  An unorthodox school of thought/religion in India ORIGIN AND HISTORY  It tried to deviate from the ways of Hinduism and  According to scholars, Buddhism began in India in the provided a new solution to human suffering 6th century BCE.  Lacks an idea of a God. But what lacked in theology, it  During that time, India was experiencing radical social made up for in its solution on how to overcome and political change. Samsara.  Also, Hinduism was the prevalent religion during that time.  Central teaching is to overcome suffering  These were the conditions where Buddhism introduced itself in India. SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA  Popularly known as Buddha – the founder of Buddhism.  Most Buddhist teachings are derived from the personal reflections and realizations of Siddhartha on his own life experiences. WHO IS SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA?  He was a prince belonging to the warrior caste in a place that we now know as Nepal.  He was born in 563 BCE  Does not involve any metaphysical speculation, religious  According to this prophecy, Siddhartha was destined to ritual , and images. The solution was straightforward be either of two things – a great political leader or a and rational. homeless monk.  Focuses on self-discovery, but without a concept of the divine.  It is anthropocentric, but not theocentric. (*) anthropocentric = regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence  What it lacks on theology, however, makes up for in its analysis on how one could end the cycle of rebirth.  Buddhism did not rely much on Hindu religious practices  It advocated a change of lifestyle to solve the problem of rebirth.  It provides a new and different solution to the endless cycle of the rebirth of the soul. 7 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI  How Siddharta Gautama grew up Meditation  His father, belonged warrior caste, preferred that  Through that meditation, he was able to realize what he Siddhartha should become a great political leader to truly desired, and through that, he felt a sense of preserve the family’s status. awakening.  His father provided him with much luxury and secluded  This experience gave him the answer that he was him from all the harsh realities of life. looking for, an answer to the problems of suffering,  All of the poor and the suffering were all put away from aging, and death. the sight of Gautama.  He even got married to a beautiful princess and had a. He is now Buddha. – the enlightened one, and his son. state was marked by a lack of craving – nirvana. His father’s efforts were wasted… After his awakening…  However, all the efforts of his father were wasted when  Buddha was again faced with another problem by the Siddhartha, for the first time, saw the harsh realities of question : “Was he supposed to tell others that he had life while he was walking around the place that his discovered the dharma?” father prevented him from seeing.  Buddha chose to share what he discovered and this is  While walking, he saw a man afflicted with illness. This the reason for the existence of Buddhism. man is aging, dead, and a monk walking alone in a yellow robe. Buddha’s twilight years…  These truths about the human condition severely bothered  Buddha preached the Middle Way for 45 years. Siddhartha.  He died at the age of eighty near Varanasi in  For the first time, he realized that life is not just about Northern India. happiness and that human suffering was more common than happiness. The Buddhist tradition  Believes that Buddha overcame the cycle of rebirth or He secretly left… samsara, and entered the state of parinirvana.  Siddhartha secretly left everything he had to search for the answer to his existential problems.. Parinirvana. = occurs upon the death of  He chose to become a monk and opened his mind about someone who has attained nirvana during his or her lifetime the Hindu brahmins.  For six years, he followed the teachings of the  “Work out your own liberation with diligence,” were Upanishads about meditations. his last words to his followers.  He also practiced extreme asceticism for five years,  These words may mean that liberation is a personal wherein it came to the point that he only ate a single journey that they must patiently strive to achieve. grain of rice that made him faint. (*) asceticism = severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of SPREAD OF BUDDHISM indulgence KING ASHOKA  After his revival, he realized that severely depriving  From the Mauryan Empire he caused the major turning himself of worldly pleasures would not lead him to point of Buddhist history. the answers that he longs to see.  This king ruled Northern India for 35 years.  Using the authority that he had, he commanded all his HOW SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA BECAME BUDDHA people to follow the teachings of Buddha. Bodh Gaya  He was determined to really spread Buddhism.  Located in the northeast of India  Where Siddhartha found the answers while meditating The beginning of the spread of Buddhism under a Bodhi tree.  The successful expansion of Buddhism began when ambassadors reached Sri Lanka, where Buddha’s Mara - The God of desire and death teachings were greatly accepted.  Later on, countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia,  Attempted to tempt Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam were also reached by the Siddharta while he was Buddhist missionaries. meditating.  The god encouraged him Sri Lanka on the Buddhist religion to go home and  Today, Sri Lanka remains one of the centers of preservation continue living his of early Buddhist history. luxurious life.  Most countries that have been largely under the spell of  Siddhartha was firm with his Buddhism have chosen to be under its more decision to search for conservative branch, Theravada Buddhism. the answer 8 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI BUDDHIST TRADITIONS AND NON-GOD THE FOUR NOBLE THUTHS : THE TRADITIONS OF BUDDHISM DUKKHA, SAMUDAYA, NIRODHA, MAGGA THERAVADA BUDDHISM “the way of the elders” After Buddha reached Nirvana or enlightenment, he  Translates to “the way of the elders,” chose to communicate the dharma to his followers so that  Spread throughout Sri Lanka and other neighboring they can also follow the path that has led him to his countries through the efforts of King Ashoka. awakening.  It is the purest form of Buddhism because it stayed faithful to the teachings of Buddha; thus, making it the Deer Park - Located in Sarnath, Varanasi. The conservative school of Buddhist thought. place where Buddha made his first public preaching.  This form of Buddhism developed from the series of debates and splits concerning the authenticity of the He continued to preach the Middle Way – the path that lies teachings of Buddha. between denial and indulgence. This Middle Way is what led  The earliest records of the Buddhist tradition became Buddha to the state of enlightenment and attainment of truth. their basis for reconstructing Buddha’s life and teachings. What he discoursed with his followers has come to be known as the “Four Noble Truths” that form the very MAHAYANA BUDDHISM “large vehicle” core of the teachings of Buddhism.  Developed after the death of King Ashoka.  Means “large vehicle,” was given birth after smaller FIRST NOBLE TRUTH: DUKKHA schools of Buddhism chose to unite.  The first noble truth that Buddha identified is that life is suffering. Mahayana Buddhism from the Indian worldview  To exist is to suffer. To die is to suffer. To be ill is to  This worldview uses the river as a metaphor for the suffer. To be separated is to suffer. To need is to cycle of rebirth and the riverbank on the other side suffer. as the liberation of the soul.  Indian thought sees that the function of religion should be Theravada Buddhism perspective like a vehicle that carries the human person towards the  Even in the things where we find joy and pleasure, there riverbank of the liberation of the soul. is suffering.  The name Mahayana was used to portray that this form  All aspects of life and human experience have the of Buddhism is like a large vehicle or a raft, which possibilities of suffering they can use to reach the riverbank of liberation.  It is also for this same reason that Buddhists, just like  In addition, Mahayana Buddhism considers the Hindus, want to end the cycle of rebirth because Theravada as Hinayana, which means a small to live another life is to suffer once again. vehicle or a raft.  This is the most fundamental problem of human existence which Buddha called dukkha or suffering. VAJRAYANA BUDDHISM “thunderbolt or diamond vehicle”  A sub-branch of Mahayana Buddhism  According to Buddha , we can only begin our spiritual  Means “thunderbolt or diamond vehicle,” journey when we start to accept that suffering is part of  It is today known as Tibetan Buddhism or Zen the human condition. Buddhism.  This kind of Buddhism is regarded as an esoteric school “Problems need to be solved, not dissolved” because only a few people with specialized knowledge of this Buddhism would understand it. SECOND NOBLE TRUTH: SAMUDĀYA  Origin NON-GOD  Buddha blamed the desire for sensual pleasure, the desire  Apparent in Buddhism is that it does not recognize the role to be born again, and the desire for life to end as the of a personal god or gods, therefore, usually considered source of human suffering. as an atheistic religion Tanha (meaning desire) = causes a person to Theravada on non-god suffer because it leads to attachment.  Theravada Buddhism does not really say that a god does not exist.  In the Buddhist thought, suffering is caused by the  Their position on the existence of a god can be best desire that leads to attachment. described by agnosticism because they claim to have  In this religion, spiritual desires are not exempted. This no knowledge of the existence of such. kind of desire also leads to attachments that  Also, the existence of a god would not matter to them eventually lead to suffering. because they believe that whether or not a god  Theravada Buddhism teaches that to desire for existence exists, it would not affect the mechanics of the to end will only lead to existence never coming to an end. cycle of rebirth.  The focus should remain on the more important matter, “Clinging too much on the idea of liberation will only which is overcoming suffering. cause more rebirth and suffering.” 9 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI  Buddhism perspective & modern-day psychology Eightfold Path:  The reason why we desire is because of our sensory 1. Right Belief faculties, because through them we get in contact of  right understanding or right view. the material world.  Implies having a wide and proper perspective of reality.  When what we perceive is good and pleasing to us, we  It also includes belief in the dharma, the acceptance of eventually develop feelings and attachments; thus, the Four Noble Truths, along with the recognition of causing us to suffer because we let these things the three marks of existence: control us. a. Anatta - no permanent identity because  According to Theravada Buddhism, the key is to stop people change every moment trying too hard and let things happen. b. Annica - impermanence because everything  Buddhism tells us to stop trying too hard. changes c. Suffering - suffering because it is part of THIRD NOBLE TRUTH: NIRODHA human existence.  Suffering does not have to end in suffering.  The end of suffering 2. Right Aspiration  It is only possible when a person reaches the state of  Having the right purpose or right thought. nirvana, which means extinguishing.  One should liberate himself or herself from the desires of  In simple words, when a person experiences the same the senses such as malice and greed. form of enlightenment as what Buddha experienced,  It is not just showing compassion to a particular person, liberation follows. but exhibiting goodness to everyone. Two Types of Nirvana: Naturalistic & Metaphysical 3. Right Speech 1. Naturalistic Side of Nirvana  Refraining from using one’s speech for useless purposes.  Happens here and now.  Bearing false witness to others, spreading gossip, and  Liberation that followers of Buddhism can attain while using harsh words are some examples of the things they are still alive. that one should avoid.  A person who has reached this first state of nirvana does not immediately disappear to a heavenly realm. 4. Right Conduct  This is the liberation from the worldly desires that cause  One should not perform an action if it would hurt other a person to suffer. living things 2. Metaphysical Side of Nirvana  It is promoting peaceful, honorable, and moral conduct.  Happens after the person dies.  Liberation that is concerned with the phenomenon of 5. Right Means of Livelihood samsara.  Do not pursue a profession that would cause harm to others.  If attained, then that person would not experience a  There are occupations that one should avoid doing such rebirth. as occupations that involve killing, involve commerce  Once a person achieves naturalistic nirvana, or services for hire, involve trickery and deception, metaphysical nirvana is guaranteed and anything involving astrology. A person who has attained nirvana – someone 6. Right Endeavor who is not controlled by his desires. An enlightened person is  One should pursue meaningful and beneficial actions. someone who has successfully broken away from the  It is also known as the right effort and avoiding any form shackles of desires. He is someone who is in full control of his of action that will cause a negative karmic influence. life. Arhant - a person who follows the teachings of 7. Right Mindfulness Buddha and has achieved enlightenment.  Being aware, observant, and contemplative of one’s self and of others. Lotus Flower  Contemplation is started by focusing on breathing and  The image that is usually associated with Nirvana. becoming aware of the body and its impermanence.  A lotus flower grows in marshy and murky waters. This is followed by checking on the flowing of However, the lotus flower still manages to grow as a emotions, mental activities, and the objects of the lovely and immaculately white flower that symbolizes mind. purity.  “Like the lotus flower, a person in a state of nirvana is 8. Right Meditation not tainted by the stains of life.”  Right concentration acquired only when the mind is properly focused. FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH: MAGGA  When meditations are performed, the person noticeably  The way to end suffering becomes calm and peaceful as they enter the state of  Ending suffering is not a ritual to be performed, but absorption into the spiritual or samadhi. more of a manual or a guideline for living. Buddha  In this stage, nirvana is at hand. called it “The Middle Way or the Eightfold Path.”  It is all about moderation – the place between too much and too little. 10 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI Categories of the Eightfold Path: The word “Right” in the Eightfold Path Sila (Morality)  The word right implies that the following word after it  Right Speech must be done with a justifiable and sufficient amount.  Right Action  In simpler words, it must be done with moderation and  Right Means of Livelihood not going over or under. This is why it is very important that the followers of Buddha pay attention Samadhi (Concentration) to what they are doing.  Right Effort  Right Mindfulness  Right Meditation Prajna (Wisdom)  Right Belief  Right Aspiration End of Module 03 MODULE 04 : CONFUCIANISM: THE WAYS OF VIRTUE RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” INTRODUCTION TO CONFUCIANISM THE ZHOU DYNASTY China – Confucianism and Taoism.  1,575 years after the establishment of the Chinese Civilization “WHAT AM I?” - Chinese Thinking  Reigned around 1046-256 BC  Dr. Alfredo Co. - Venerable Master, Filipino-Chinese  This country experienced socio-political-economic philosopher confusion  Implies that the Chinese are more concerned about the discovery of what it means to be a human. CHAOS IN THE ZHOU DYNASTY  500 years, chaos ensued.  Chinese thinking is concerned with practical truth that they  States were trying to conquer one another can use in their day to day lives to achieve ideals such as  There was a breakdown of the divisions of social classes harmony, cohesion, righteousness, propriety, wisdom,  The country was severely divided and struggled for peace, and prosperity. supremacy.  This is what historians called the: THE ANCIENT CHINESE CIVILIZATION  Chun Qiu period - 722-481 BCE, Spring,  Where China began and Autumn Period  Western historians claim that Chinese civilization did not  Zhan Guo period - 481-221 BCE, Period of originate in China; rather, they contend that Chinese civilization might have originated in one of the Warring States following countries: Mesopotamia, America, and Egypt. CHUN QIU & ZHAN GUO CHINESE CIVILIZATION  Considered as the Classical Age of the Chinese and  Can be considered advanced for its time in terms of the Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy.  It is during this time that the most remarkable prose technology and socio-political systems. and poetry were composed.  This civilization was run by an emperor wherein the right to rule was determined by dynasties.  The monetary economy was also invented.  The methods of production became advanced.  Great Chinese Scholars like Kong Zi, Lao Zi, Sun Zi, HUANGHE RIVER Meng Zi, etc., sprung.  Also known as the Yellow River  Where the Chinese Civilization was born This era eventually paved the way for the birth of two philosophical systems that later on became major religions: CONFUCIANISM AND TAOISM. 11 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF CONFUCIANISM TRADITIONS CONFUCIUS THE ANALECTS OR THE LUN YU  The most influential thinker in  Among all the books that are attributed to Confucius, China the Lun Yu or the Analects is the most famous.  It comprises 20 books of aphorisms and politico-moral. Zhu Yi. - A country in the discourse between Confucius and his disciples. Shadong province where Confucius was  After his death, his disciples made an effort to collect all born during the year 551 BCE. his wise sayings which were the product of his intense and sensitive observation of life.  Existed at around the same time  The content of the Analects was instructive, but not with Siddhartha Gautama, and dogmatic or imposing. Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher and mathematician. “Correct thinking and nobility of actions are the only  Confucius was a sage, master, and the most revered way to true happiness” teacher. REN 仁. Lionel Giles. - A western sinologist who said that  Has been translated to mean so many things like Confucius is the noblest representative of the greatest and highly benevolence, goodness, virtue, compassion, and civilized people on earth. human-heartedness. “CONFUCIUS” AND OTHER NAMES ASSIGNED TO HIM. According to Dr. Alfredo Co. (2009) there is more to the concept of Ren than mentioned above and can be. “Confucius”. - Latin translation of his Chinese name deciphered only by looking at its characters. “Kong Fu Zi” by Catholic missionaries in the 16th century REN 人 & EHR 二  He was better known as. Kong Zi. by the Chinese.  Ren 仁 is a compound ideogram that is taken from two  His name was. Qiu. Chinese characters:  His courtesy name was. Zhong Ni.  Ren 人 - means man  Ehr 二 - Signifies "two" or "second". CONFUCIUS AS A TEACHER  Confucius was a teacher  If we combine these two, we can get "man and a second"  According to records, he had more than 3,000 students for the meaning of Ren 仁. and 70 of whom became his best disciples.  After his death, his teachings also taught most, if not all, "Consciousness-of-human-others" of China, which spread throughout the world.  Suggested by Dr. Alfredo Co  Meaning : a person becoming morally aware of the fact HIS PHILOSOPHY WAS CENTERED ON MAN; that he is not alone. HE WANTED TO ACHIEVE HIS IDEAL SOCIETY THAT  This means that man must be conscious of the existence of PROMOTES THE FOLLOWING: other human beings.  Harmonious relationships among individuals with well- trained morality  For Confucius, the existence of another human being is  Society that has a well-ordered structure. very important because they censure our behavior.  Confucius' ideas also put emphasis on:  This idea of existing with other people is an important  Ren (Benevolence) principle of human conduct.  Yi (Righteousness)  Li (Propriety), Zhi (Wisdom). GOLDEN RULE. = Do unto others what you wish  Xin (Trustworthiness) others do unto you and do not do unto others what you do  It is also for this reason that the importance of filial not want others to do unto you. piety, good governance, virtue, and rituals were given importance in his teachings. Confucianism  Originally his ideas were secular - means he never proposed a religion.  Confucianism was just a school of thought, but during the time of Kang Youwei of the late Qing Dynasty, the Confucian tradition was performed as a state religion.  As a result of this, reverence to Confucius was made part of the state's religious activity. 12 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI SPIRITUALITY TU WEI MING JUNZI - Superior man or Gentleman  Neo-Confucian  Confucianism is unclear on its identity as a religion.  Confucian spirituality can be examined through the Since this religion was never intended to become one integration of the four dimensions of humanity: by its leader, it is hard to determine Confucian  Self spirituality  Community  It was more concerned with socio-political transformation  Nature rather than the spiritual reality.  Heaven  If we look deeper into the idea of Confucianism, we can  In this sense, we can understand Confucian spirituality conclude that it turns into a spiritual religion in its aim to by not only leaning on the concept of heaven but by change the force that undergirds man and society through how this perspective on the relation of heaven and virtue. humans leads to a moral sense of mission.  One way to find Confucian spirituality is to see how Confucianism relates its way of living with the process of learning.  Learning leads man to perfection and self-transformation.  The learned man is closer to perfection and self- transformation  The goal of Confucianism is to achieve the state of junzi, which means the superior man or gentleman. End of Module 04 MODULE 05 : TAOISM: THE WAY OF NATURE RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” INTRODUCTION TO TAOISM TAOISM IS ALSO KNOWN AS DAOISM CONFUCIANISM VS TAOISM  There is no crucial difference between the two, but  Grand Historian Sima Qian, made obvious on the everything is just a matter of phonetics or difference between the ideas of Confucius and Lao Zi pronunciation.  Both represent the same old religious philosophy.. Lao Zi. - Founder of Taoism BUDDHA, CONFUCIUS, LAO ZI (STORY)  All of them were tasting the same water. CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO GREAT SAGES OF CHINA  Confucius found it to be sour, much like how he found Confucius Lao Zi the world full of inferior people.  Buddha found it bitter, much like how he found the Focuses mainly on the here Was more interested in the world to be full of suffering. and now or the mundane hereafter or the world  But Lao Zi found the water to be sweet. world. beyond the physical realm – the metaphysical. What should this tell us about Taoism? Did not pay much attention Preoccupied with the to something beyond the problem of mysticism. physical world Main concern was to address Wanted to develop a person the problems of ethics who is one with nature and the world of the spirit. Confucius wanted to form a conscientious leader, a good citizen, and a benevolent family man. 13 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF TAOISM TRADITIONS LAO ZI DAO DE JING / TAO TE CHING  The ideas of Taoism are attributed to Lao Zi.  The work attributed to Lao Zi.  Lao Zi is at the level of myth. There is no enough  This little book has about 5,250 Chinese characters that evidence to support his existence. are distributed into 81 poems.  It is considered as one of the books that have the most THE NAME “LAO ZI” influence over its readers.  When translated into English, Lao (old) Zi (master) just  There are over fifty translations available. means "old master"  It is a title of endearment and respect. DAO  The character Dao is the central theme of Dao De Jing. It is possible that the ideas in the Dao De Jing,  Dao can mean: which is the work attributed to him, are just a collection of  Truth the philosophy of ancient people which is signed by his name.  Absolute  Nature Is Lao Zi just a myth?  Way of Nature  According Dr. Alfredo Co, this issue is irrelevant  Way because if Lao Zi is a myth, then he is the greatest myth that China has ever created. “Truth,” it means that it is the “Absolute” – the all- pervading Reality. WHO IS LAO ZI?  According to traditions, Lao Zi existed between the year The term “Nature” signifies that Dao is the totality 566 and 470 BCE which makes him an early of nature – how things work and flow. contemporary of Confucius. Dao as the “Way” means the path a person should. Chu. - Known today as the Hunan province. It is take in life – the law of morality. believed to be where Lao Zi was from according to Sima Qian  Dao is the Absolute, the Way of the Absolute, and the Way to the Absolute.  He is said to have served as a custodian in the Imperial  Take note that the Dao is not a god. It is not even a Archives. being. According to the Taoist, everyone and  He retired to the West, where he wrote the Dao De Jing at everything is a manifestation of the Dao. the request of a gatekeeper.  The ironic thing about it is that while it is a non-being, it is the source of all being. TAOISM AS A RELIGION  Just like Confucianism, Taoism was never meant as a We can simplify the philosophy of the Dao religion. in this definition:  It was more of a philosophical system.  Due to several events, the Taoist philosophical tradition Dao is Dao slowly faded and was transformed into teaching that Dao is the Dao of Dao involves the worship of deities and atonement of Dao can only be reached if the Dao to the Dao is the Dao of spirits through rituals carried out by Taoist priests Dao  The religious practice of Taoism only took form in the second century. or Taoism, as a religion, mainly focuses on rituals and Dao is Absolute cosmic renewals to uplift the relationship between the community and their deities spirit. The Absolute is the Way of Nature The Absolute can only be reached if The Way to the Absolute is the Way of Nature 14 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI  EXPLAINATION: In a nutshell, the philosophy of Dao just encourages “Dao is Dao” everyone to go with the flow. The idea of Lao Zi is for the Or individual to live as close to nature as possible and be one “Dao is Absolute” with it.  Implies that Dao is the "Ultimate Reality" that governs Everyone is eager to know the “Ultimate Reality” everything. because everyone is part of it. But the only way to know it is  It is portrayed as the power that sustains all things and to be one with it. is the source of order in the universe. (*) We commonly associate this order with the word "Nature." There is water to The Concept of Dao moisturize everything. There is air for every living being to breathe.  Is very important for the Taoist because they believe There is the sun to provide heat. that man experiences it in his or her very existence.  Taoism believes that all of these exist and function the  According to them, man is part of the cosmic process way they are because of Dao. which he or she considers as Dao.  If a man lives his or her life yielding to the working of the Dao, then his or her life will be harmonious. “Dao is the Dao of Dao” Or “The Absolute is the Way of Nature” SPIRITUALITY  Taoist spirituality can be found in the experience of Dao,  The “Absolute” is itself the only way to reach the which is about living a naturally simple life. “Ultimate Reality.”  According to Lao Zi, knowing the Dao is not as hard as  This is the “Way of Nature.” This means that a person one thinks. does not have to search for anything other than the  The way to know Dao just requires simplicity and Dao to know what it is. pureness of the heart, sincerity in intention, and being  The Dao will provide the answer and it will only unveil unaffected by artificialities. itself to the person who is seeking to find it. WU WEI  Describes Taoist spirituality. “Dao can only be reached if the Dao to the Dao is the  Means non-action or non-purposiveness. Dao of Dao”  The way to Dao does not require grand gestures. Or Instead, it is through Wu Wei or not doing anything “The Absolute can only be reached if The Way to the that the meaning of Dao is unveiled. Absolute is the Way of Nature”  Perhaps, the reason why non-action is the way to  This “Ultimate Reality” can only be reached by following knowing the Dao is because it teaches the person to the “Way of the Absolute.” stop, look, and observe the things surrounding him.  The Dao will not unveil itself if the laws of morality are  A person's life can get too busy to the point that he or not observed. she loses grip of nature.  According to the Taoist idea, the law of morality only suggests that a person should let nature take its course.  The harder a person tries to know what Dao is, the  Therefore, the “Way of the Dao” is by being one with more that its meaning becomes elusive. nature.  That is why Taoism has the paradoxical concept of Wei Wu Wei, which means doing by non-doing. This means that we accomplish more things when we do not do anything or when we become passive. End of Module 05 15 RELIGIONS, RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCES & SPIRITUALITY | BSOT LILI