World Religion PDF

World Religion 1 | ISLAM At the age of 40, while meditating in a cave at Mount Hira in about 610 CE, he received his first message from God through a bright ORIGINS AND...

World Religion 1 | ISLAM At the age of 40, while meditating in a cave at Mount Hira in about 610 CE, he received his first message from God through a bright ORIGINS AND SACRED TEXTS presence which Muhammad identified as the angel Gabriel. KAABA Structure at the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca. Considered the first house of worship dedicated to one God built by Abraham and Ishmael. Muslims pray facing the direction of Kaaba. WAHI (REVELATION) The revelation of Angel Gabriel to Muhammad that he is the messenger of Allah, the angels of the scripture, and tasked to preach the oneness of Allah and his teachings to the people as His prophet. SOURCES OF ISLAMIC TEACHING The QUR’AN consists of 114 chapters (or suras), which cover a wide variety of topics which include the spiritual origins of Islam in the persons of the different prophets, values, and specific instructions on how to live an ethical life. ISLAM The HADITH consists of written narrations of Muhammad’s life, which report his words, actions, decisions, and characteristics as a Literal meaning is surrender or submission to God. person. MUSLIM / MOSLEM The SUNNAH discusses and prescribes the traditional customs of the early Islamic community which should either be followed or “One who submits to God” abhorred by the Muslims in the later generations. Thus the followers of Islam are the Muslims (or Moslems). FIQH refers to the Islamic Jurisprudence. Often described as the Muslims refer to God in Arabic as Allah. understanding of the Shariah Law as revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It expands and develops the Shariah through Though most Arabs are Muslims, and the early Muslims were interpretations made by Islamic Jurists or Ulama on the Qur’an and Arabs, the terms Muslims and Arabs are clearly not equivalent. Sunnah. They accept and put into action the fundamental doctrines of Islam, FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM which are contained in the so-called Five Pillars of Islam. They need to also accept that Muhammad is God’s last prophet, among SHAHADA others. A declaration of faith that is considered to be the most important MUHAMMAD part of Islam. Considered in Islam as God’s chosen messenger. They practice whispering shahada to newborns, and dying people and are included in their prayers. Muslims believe that the teachings of Islam all come from God or Allah through the revelations Muhammad (also spelled as The Shahada reads: la’ ilaha’ illah-llah, mu’ammadur-rasulu-llah “Mohammad” or “Mohammed) (570-632 CE) had. (there is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger.) Muslims regard Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, which SALAH (PRAYER) indicates that there will be no further prophets after him, and consequently, there will be no further revelations from God after Defined by rituals such as ablution or a washing which is done those he had. before the prayer, and the performance of prescribed actions, postures, and words during the conduct of prayer. Was born in Mecca in 570 CE. Requires Muslims to pray 5 times a day. ZAKAT (CHARITY) SUNNI ISLAM Means “purification” and “growth”, teaches that all things belong Believes that the Muslim community can elect leaders. to God and wealth is held in trust by human beings. They believe in the Qur’an but have a different collection of Muslims donate 2.5% of any amount they have saved for a Hadiths. complete lunar year. Views that Islamic law should be interpreted based on reason as SAWM (FASTING) well as tradition. The practice involves self-control during the holy month of SHIA ISLAM Ramadan and is considered to be another method of self-purification. Had roots from the followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib. It is the season when all else is reduced, and more time is set aside 3 largest sects of Shia Islam: for devotion. 1. Twelver HAJJ (PILGRIMAGE) 2. Zaidiyyah 3. Isma’ili Pilgrimage to Mecca which must be performed by Muslims once in their life. TWELVER SHIA (ITHNA-’ASHARIYYA) Its lesson is a reminder that all humans are equal before God. Largest sect of the Shia Muslim sects. It creates unity and fraternity among Muslims. Believed that the legitimate Islamic leadership was vested in the first 12 Imams, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. HOLY DAYS AND CELEBRATIONS Their family gained political authority and considered infallible. EID’L ADHA (DAY OF SACRIFICES) ZAIDIYYAH SHIA A four-day festival observed by Muslims starting on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja. Second largest sect of the Shia Muslim sects. All believers are required to offer sacrifices for this day. Reject the belief of Twelvers and 12 imams with their descendants infallible. A family may eat the meat they sacrifice, but a substantial portion must be given to the poor. Also reject the idea that the Imam’s office is passed from father to son. EID’L FITR (FESTIVAL OF BREAKING THE FAST) ISMA’ILI SHIA It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Third largest sect of the Shia Muslim sects. Many Muslims attend communal worship, listen to a khutba Reject acceptance of Musa al-Kadhim as true Imam. (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Considered Imams as their path of salvation to God. Eid’l Fitr. MUHARRAM 2 | BUDDHISM It marks the first month of the Islamic liturgical year. BUDDHISM It portrays the year in which Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Buddhism is a religion and is one of the biggest religions there is Medina. where the believers of Buddhism or Buddhists believe in reincarnations and that souls are immortal. They also believe that if The Islamic New Year is celebrated with invocations, fasting and they follow the teachings of Buddha they will reach an enlightened prayers. state called nirvana that will end their reincarnation. MAWLID AL-NABI 4 NOBLE TRUTHS Muhammad’s birthday, fixed as the 12th day of the 3rd month of The 4 noble truths or the truths of the noble one (buddha) are the Islamic Calendar. first teachings of buddha and these are the truth of suffering or Dukkha (1), the truth of the cause of suffering or Samudāya (2), the The day is commemorated with the recollection of Muhammad’s truth of the end of suffering or Nirodha (3), and the truth of the life. path that leads to the end of suffering or Magga (4). MAJOR BRANCHES OF ISLAM Basically, there is suffering (1) and it has a cause (2) and an end (3) and as well as a cause for it to end (4). NIRVANA Hinduism: Nirvana is the goal of Buddhists where they believe that Nirvana is 1. Founded the liberation from suffering and reincarnation or samsara and as well as freedom from earthly desires. It is the highest and final Ancient religion, originating in the Indian subcontinent state that they believe one attains. around 1500 BCE or earlier. EIGHTFOLD PATH 2. Core Beliefs The eightfold path has 8 practices or ways to follow the path of Concepts of dharma (duty), karma (action and enlightenment or liberation from samsara and these are Right View, consequence), samsara (reincarnation), and moksha Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, (liberation). Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. 3. Sacred Text The eightfold path is presented in the circle of the dharma wheel. Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Ramayana. MAIN BRANCHES OF BUDDHISM 4. Major Branches The main branches or schools of Buddhism are commonly known Polytheistic (with many deities) but also includes beliefs to be 3 and these are Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, in a supreme, unifying force. and Vajrayana Buddhism. They are also known as the 3 vehicles because they represent different ways of ‘carrying the practitioner Buddhism: across the ocean of samsara to the shore of enlightenment’. 1. Founded 3 | RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS 5th–6th century BCE in ancient India by Siddhartha Christianity: Gautama (the Buddha). 1. Founded 2. Core Beliefs Around the 1st century CE, based on the life and The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the goal teachings of Jesus Christ. of reaching enlightenment (nirvana) to end suffering. 2. Core Beliefs 3. Sacred Text Belief in one God, salvation through Jesus Christ, Tripitaka (Pali Canon), Mahayana Sutras. resurrection, and the importance of love, compassion, and forgiveness. 4. Major Branches 3. Sacred Text Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism. The Bible (Old and New Testaments). Judaism: 4. Major Branches 1. Founded Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Around 2000 BCE, originating with the covenant between God and Abraham in ancient Israel. Islam: 2. Core Beliefs 1. Founded Belief in one God, following the Torah's commandments, 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula by the Prophet and the importance of ethical behavior and justice. Muhammad. 3. Sacred Text 2. Core Beliefs Torah, Talmud. Belief in one God (Allah), the Quran as the final revelation, and the Five Pillars of Islam (faith, prayer, 4. Major Branches fasting, charity, pilgrimage). Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism. 3. Sacred Text The Quran. 4. Major Branches Sunni and Shia Islam. 4 | HINDUISM MOKSHA HINDUISM “Cycle of birth and rebirth.” It’s the oldest religion among all of the religions. It refers to the end of the cycle of birth and rebirth. Monesthic Religion. PUJA BRAHMAN “Hindu worship.” Universal soul. It’s a Hindu religious ritual or act of worship, where devotees offer prayers, offerings, and reverence to a deity, a spirit, or an important Formless, Genderless source of all reality. symbol of the divine. Brahman in Hinduism refers to the supreme, unchanging reality, SACRED TEXTS the source and essence of all that exists. Brahman is not a personal god but rather the ultimate, formless, and infinite principle that SHRUTI transcends the physical world and is the foundation of all existence. “Sacred text.” SHIVA Though most Arabs are Muslims, and the early Muslims were Shiva is often referred to as the destroyer or transformer in the Arabs, the terms “Muslims” and “Arabs” are clearly not equivalent. cosmic cycle, as he is responsible for the dissolution and The primary and most revered Shruti texts are the Vedas, which regeneration of the universe, enabling its renewal and consist of four collections. transformation. VISHNU RIG VEDA “Veda’s.” Vishnu's role in the cosmic cycle is to maintain order, protect creation, and ensure the welfare of the world by restoring balance “Knowledge of the verses.” whenever it is disrupted by chaos or evil. The oldest of the four Vedas and considered the most important. CONCEPTS IN HINDUISM Consist of 1,028 hymns containing praises to gods. DHARMA YAJUR VEDA “Moral laws that govern all people’s actions.” “Veda’s.” The Dharma instructs Hindus to follow a path of righteousness, proper conduct, morality, and justice. “Knowledge of the sacrifice.” AVATAR Focuses on the rituals and sacrifices to be performed by priests during religious ceremonies. “Incarnation of a Deity in various forms.” SAMA VEDA Avatars have appeared throughout time in order to ensure that humans do not ultimately succumb to evil forces. “Veda’s.” KARMA “Knowledge of the song.” “Law of cause and effect.” Contains melodies and chants used in ritualistic worship, particularly for chanting. Avatars have appeared throughout time in order to ensure that humans do not ultimately succumb to evil forces. ATHARVA VEDA SAMSARA “Veda’s.” “Reincarnation.” “Knowledge of the Fire priest.” It’s a Hindu phenomenon of the atman’s immortality. Includes hymns, spells, and incantations for healing, protection, and everyday life. After the death, the soul will repeatedly undergo birth and rebirth taking a new form of body until it finally attains liberation. SMRITI 5 | BUDDHISM “Sacred text.” BUDDHISM a category of sacred texts in Hinduism that are considered human Buddhism is another major religion that originated in india. compositions or traditions. 515.7 million Buddhists around the world as of 2015. PURANAS Buddhism is a religion that is centered on ending suffering by The Puranas are a genre of ancient Hindu texts that contain a vast renouncing material desires and attaining enlightenment. array of mythological stories, cosmology, genealogies of gods, goddesses, heroes, and sages, as well as teachings on ethics, BUDDHA: HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS philosophy, and devotion. Buddhism was founded by Siddharta Gautama, who would become The Four Major Pathways: the Buddah. 1. Karma Yoga It is believed that he was born between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE in Lumbini. This is the act of selfless deeds and service. Siddharta Gautama was born as a Hindu (Hinduism). 2. Bhakti Yoga BASIC DOCTRINES IN BUDDHISM This path of vocally expressing one’s love and devotion towards God. The central doctrine of Buddhism revolves around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which together outline the path to 3. Jnana Yoga liberation from suffering. These teachings, attributed to Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), provide a framework for understanding the This is the path of learning more about one true self. nature of existence and achieving enlightenment (nirvana). 4. Raja Yoga These doctrines guide Buddhists in their spiritual practice and daily This is the path of spiritual psychology. life, aiming to reduce suffering and ultimately reach nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). Stages of Life (Ashramas): THE THREE JEWELS 1. The Life of the Celibate Student The most important beliefs of Buddhism are enriched in the The Hindu become educated in the Hindu faith. three jewels of Buddhism. 2. The Life of the Married Family Man The Jewels refer to the core concepts and beliefs to which all Buddhists take refuge in order to attain happiness, enlightenment, The Hindu expected to raise a family and support it by and perfection. earning a living and practice contemplation. 3. The Life of Retreat Hindu finally retires from his career. 4. The Life of Renunciation Hindu primary duty is to devote his life to Brahman and being free to the cycle of birth. CATER SYSTEM FOUR NOBLE OF TRUTHS The Four Noble of Truths are part of the core of Buddhist doctrine, they focus on suffering as an inevitable part of life. They also identify the reason behind suffering and the possible solution to it. THE TRUTH OF DUKKHA FIVE PRECEPTS Life includes pain, dissatisfaction, and discomfort. This applies to Aside from the Noble Eightfold Path, the Five Precepts serve as a physical pain, emotional distress, and even the frustration of guide to Buddhists on how to lead a life of virtue and morality. impermanence. Five Moral Precepts: THE TRUTH OF SMUDYA 1. Refrain from the misuse of the senses or sexual This truth identifies the root cause of suffering: craving or misconduct. attachment. 2. Refrain from taking what is not given. 3. Refrain from taking life. We suffer because we desire things, pleasures, possessions, or 4. Refrain from wrong speech. permanence. When reality doesn't match our expectations, we feel 5. Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind. pain. LAW OF DEPENDENT ORIGINATION THE TRUTH OF NIRODHA “Everything exists because of something else. If the cause is there, This truth offers hope: Suffering can end. the effect will arise. If the cause is removed, the effect will cease.” If we let go of craving and attachment, we can achieve peace and freedom from suffering. This state of liberation is called nirvana, THE TRUTH OF MAGGA This truth explains how to end suffering through the Noble Eightfold Path. The path is a set of guidelines for ethical living, mental discipline, and wisdom. It helps us reduce suffering and find lasting happiness. THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH The Eightfold Path is a practical guide for living a balanced, ethical, and mindful life. It’s not about perfection but about making NON-THEISM progress toward inner peace and freedom from suffering. Buddhism is often considered non-theistic. Its follower do not believe in a god or a set of deities acting as the forces behind the creation of all entities and phenomena in the universe. HOLY SYMBOL DHARMACHAKRA (DHARMA WHEEL) It is regarded by Buudhists as a symbol for numerous beliefs and elements of Buddhism. Its eight spokes are said to be a representation of Eightfold Path. THERAVADA BUDDHISM Theravada Buddhism (The way of the elders) is mostly practiced in southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia. Theravada practitioners make up 22.5% of the Buddhist population, or nearly 130 million people. Theravada beliefs can be traced to the original teachings of the Buddha. MAHAYANA BUDDHISM Mahayana is the more widely practiced Buddhist tradition. Mahayana practitioners make about 71.5% of the Buddhist population. Its followers are mostly found in East Asian Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, as well as Vietnam in SouthEast Asia. They believe that everyone can become a Buddha.