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World Religions

World Religions. ACE Camp 2014 at Lincoln College Taught by Mike Sorice. Introduction – About Me. Michael Angelo Sorice Live in Urbana; from Forest Park (west side of Chicago) Played at Fenwick & Illinois Coach at Champaign Centennial High School ACF & PACE member NAQT writer

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World Religions

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  1. World Religions ACE Camp 2014 at Lincoln College Taught by Mike Sorice

  2. Introduction – About Me Michael Angelo Sorice Live in Urbana; from Forest Park (west side of Chicago) Played at Fenwick & Illinois Coach at Champaign Centennial High School ACF & PACE member NAQT writer First time teaching at ACE About to read the 2006 PACE NSC All-Star Game

  3. Class Topic – World Religions • 4/5ths non-Judeo-Christian religions & topics • 1/5th modern religions (since ~1500) • ~half of questions from these areas • Won’t cover • Judaism • Mainstream Christianity • The Bible • These are good topics that come up, so learn about them, too… elsewhere! (Not a comment on preferred religion – have no personal preference!)

  4. ANSWER 0: typical slide • Easiest/most basic information first • Harder/more abstruse information later • Clues almost all from actual questions • Buzz words underlined • Important, but learn the context, too! • Sometimes information left out because it appears in a later slide • I’ll try to point out– leave yourself space in your notes to fill in

  5. World Religions: Part 1 Ancient Religions of India and East Asia

  6. ANSWER 1: Hinduism • Main religion of India • Many gods & goddesses • Brahma the Creator, part of the Trimurti(Trinity) • Yama (death,) Agni (fire,) Surya (sun,) Chandra (moon) & many others • Scriptures (holy books) • Upanishads (“Sitting Near”) • Mahabharata (Epic of the Children of Bharata) & Ramayana (Epic of Rama) • Puranas (hymns to the gods) • Four goals in life • Artha (wealth & skill) • Dharma (moral living) • Kama (pleasure) • Moksha (ultimate release)

  7. ANSWER 2: The Vedas • Main & oldest Hindu scriptures • 1500-1000 BCE • Four in number (oldest to newest) • Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda • Written in Sanskrit • Upanishads are mainly commentaries on them • Vedanta is the school of philosophy of interpreting them • Masters of the Vedas are called Pandits • Our word pundit comes from that

  8. ANSWER 3: Vishnu • “The Preserver” - one of the three main Hindu gods • In the Trimurti (Trinity) along with Brahma • Wife (consort) is Lakshmi (a.k.a. Sri or Maya,) goddess of wealth • Ten avatars (earthly manifestations) • Matsya the Fish; Kurma the Turtle; Varaha the Boar; Narashima the Lion-Man; Vamana the Dwarf; Parashurama the Axe-Man; Lord Rama; Krishna; and Kalki, who has not yet come • Depicted riding on the eagle Garuda, the Bird King • Carries a conch shell, chakra (discus,) mace, and lotus in his four hands

  9. ANSWER 4: Shiva • “The Destroyer/Redeemer” – one of the three main Hindu gods • Makes up the Trimurti along with Brahma and Vishnu • Takes the form of Nataraja, the Eternal Dancer • Husband of Parvati, a.k.a. Durga or Kali, goddess of death • Father of Kartikeya and Ganesha • Ganesha has an elephant’s head because Shiva knocked his head off! • Rides the bull Nandi • Also called Rudra (in the Vedas) and Mahadeva

  10. ANSWER 5: Indra • Hindu god of war and storms • Main god in the Vedas, but not later Hinduism • Killed the demon Vritra who was stealing all the world’s water • According to the Rig Veda • Lives on Mount Meru in the hall of Svarga • Rides an elephant named Airavata

  11. ANSWER 6: Diwali • The Hindu Festival of Lights • 5 days long • Lamps & candles (called diyas) & fireworks are lit • Celebrates Rama (Vishnu) defeating of the demon Ravana to rescue his wife, Sita (Lakshmi) • Especially sacred to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, who is offered sweets (mithai) to ensure a prosperous year • Celebrates the home & family • House is cleaned on first day (Dhanteras) • Between husband & wife (Padva) • Between sister & brother (Bahu-beej)

  12. ANSWER 7: Holi • Hindu Festival of Colors • Believers throw colored powder on each other • Celebrates love – of Krishna (Vishnu) for Radha (Lakshmi) • Radhais one of the gopis, girls whom Krishna loved to frolic with • A bonfire the night before commemorates the burning of Holika, a demoness • She was trying to kill Prince Prahlada • Celebrates the defeat of the seemingly invulnerable demon king Hiranyakashipu, who demanded to be worshipped • Vishnu (as the Lion-Man Narashima) slew him for Prince Prahlada, a devotee of Vishnu

  13. ANSWER 8: Bhagavad Gita • Part of the 6th book of the epic poem Mahabharata • The advice of Krishna (Vishnu,) who is serving as charioteer to the hero, King Arjuna • Arjuna is wavering because he’s in a bloody war with his own relatives. Krishna explains that duty and destiny (dharma) trump even family ties • Each of 18 chapters describes one yoga (discipline) • Bhakti yoga, or devotion to the gods, is paramount • Takes place during the Battle of Kurukshetra

  14. ANSWER 9: the castes • Hinduism divides people in to rigid classes, called castes (or varnas) • Brahmins – priests and scholars • Kshatriyas – warriors and earthly kings • Vaishyas – merchants, farmers, and makers of things • Shudras – laborers • People outside the varnas are Dalits (or untouchables) • Vishnu’s avatar Parashurama hates the Kshatriyas • He killed every Kshatriya 21 times with his axe! • Described in the Laws of Manu (Manusmriti) • Manu is the first human being in Hinduism

  15. ANSWER 10: Buddhism • Basic scriptures are the Tripitaka, a.k.a. Three Baskets or Pali Canon • Spread by Ashoka, emperor of India, in the 300’s B.C.E. • Various sects contain many schools • Theravada (sometimes called Hinayana) is the older, most orthodox sect • Temples are known as stupas • Each stupa should contain a relic of the Buddha, like a hair or tooth

  16. ANSWER 11: Buddha • A prince of Shakyanamed Siddhartha Gautama • Buddha is a title meaning “Awakened One” • Some forms of Buddhism use Buddha only to refer to the Buddha; others use it to refer to many different Buddhas • Meditated under the Bodhi tree to realize Four Noble Truths • Existence is suffering (dukka), and how to deal with it: the Eightfold Way • Expounded his ideas in the Deer Park Sermon • His mother, Queen Maya, had a vision of a white elephant with 6 tusks before giving birth • 9th avatar of Vishnu

  17. ANSWER 12: reincarnation (samsara) • Central concept in Buddhism & Hinduism (et al.) • Good karma, gained by following dharma, determines the soul’s next life • Also called metempsychosis or transmigration of souls • The soul (jiva or atman) takes a new form based on its actions in this life (or maybe not!) • Quasi-eternal cycle of birth, death and reincarnation is called samsara

  18. ANSWER 13: nirvana (moksha) • “Enlightenment” and escape from the cycle of samsara • Technically, nirvana is the bliss resulting from moksha, the escape from rebirth, but they’re used interchangeably • People who have achieved this are called arhats; those who put it off to help others are called bodhisattvas • Different schools have different ideas which is better • Means “extinguishing (of a candle)” (probably) • Four stages • Sotapanna (Wader,) Sakadagami (Once-Returner,) Anagami (Non-Returner,) Arhat (Perfect)

  19. ANSWER 14: Mahayana • Largest sect of Buddhism • Name means “Greater Vehicle” • Supposed to enlighten many people at once through group practice, as opposed to individual enlightenment through individual meditation • Venerates bodhisattvas • Saints who have achieved nirvana, but remained in the world to help others do so as well • Many sub-schools • Pure Land • Nichiren • Tendai • Tibetan/Tantric/Vajrayana (sort-of)

  20. ANSWER 15: Zen • Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism • Derived from Chinese Chan Buddhism • Sub-sects include Rinzai and Soto, founded by Dogen • Meditative practice called zazen • To achieve satori, temporary enlightenment • Paradoxical riddles called koans subdue the mind • Blue Cliff Record and Gateless Gate, collections of koans • Founded by Bodhidarma, an Indian monk

  21. ANSWER 16: sutras • Buddhist (and Hindu, etc.) aphoristic scriptures • Many thousands of different books • Buddhist ones contain sayings of the Buddha • They form the first “basket” of the Tripitaka • Name means “sewn (together)” • Mahayana Buddhist schools often based on one • Diamond Sutra: Vajrayana • Platform Sutra: Zen • Lotus Sutra: Tendai • World’s oldest printed book: 9th-C. copy of Diamond Sutra

  22. ANSWER 17: Jainism • Indian religion centered on ahimsa (non-violence) • The Universe is eternal, uncreated & subject to laws, as are the gods. • Leaders/founders are the 24 Tirthankaras (“Ford-Makers”) • Only the last two are historical; the 23rd, Parsva, lived ~900 B.C.E. • Two major sects, differ on who can be clergy, who can achieve nirvana, and what monks should wear • Digambara (“Sky-Clad”) – Male-only, naked • Svetambara (“White-Clad”) – Men and women, robed • Major scriptures are the Agamas (Agamasutra) • Paryushana/Das Lakshana is major holiday (along w/ Diwali) • 8-day festival – gods (devas) celebrate Tirtankaras • Believers fast and dedicate themselves to study

  23. ANSWER 18: Mahavira • 24th (last) Jain Tirthankara & central figure of Jainism • Lived ~500 B.C.E. • Symbolized by the lion • Each Tirthankara has a symbolic animal • Originally named Prince Vardhamana • Mahavira is a title meaning “Great Warrior” • Preached Five Laws of Trust • Ahimsa, or Non-Violence • Satya, or Truthfulness • Asteya, or Non-Theft • Bramhacharya, or Chastity • Aparigraha, or Renunciation of the World

  24. ANSWER 19: Sikhism • Indian (mainly Punjabi) monotheistic religion • Founded by Nanak c. 1500 C.E. • Centered on the Golden Temple of Amritsar • Scripture is called the Granth (or AdiGrath) • Sikhs practice the Five K’s • Kesh, non-cutting of hair • Sikhs usually wear a turban to hold their long hair • Kangha, carrying a small wooden comb • Kara, wearing an iron bracelet • Kacchera, wearing a particular undergarment • Kirpan, carrying a dagger • Sikhs may be baptized in holy water (Amrit) to join the Khalsa

  25. ANSWER 20: Gurus • The Gurus are the leaders of Sikhism • Nanak (“Light,”) founder of Sikhism; Angad; Amar Das; Ram Das; Arjun;HarGobind; HarRai; HarKrishan; TeghBahadur; and Gobind Singh • The 11th Guru is eternal: it’s the Sikh scripture, the Granth • Called Guru Granth Sahib in this context • In the same fashion, the Khalsa is sometimes also considered a Guru • Called Guru Panth(“Embodied Guru”)

  26. ANSWER 21: Shintoism • Japanese native animism (worship of nature spirits) • Gods/spirits known as kami • Shinto also called kami-no-michi (“Way of the Kami”) • Major kami • Susanoo, god of sea and storm • Izanami (1st woman) and Izanagi (1st man,) made the world • Shrines have gates called torii and maidens called miko • Myth collection called the Kojiki (“Ancient Record”)

  27. ANSWER 22: Amaterasu • Sun goddess and chief kami of Shinto • Name means “Heaven Shiner” • Ancestor of the emperors of Japan • She gave them her sacred mirror, jewel, and sword • Sword is named Kusanagi, or “Grass Cutter” • Born from the left eye of Izanagi • After he washed it following a visit to the underworld, Yomi • Chief shrine is at Ise is razed and rebuilt every 20 years

  28. ANSWER 23: Confucianism • Chinese philosophy/religion founded in the 6th C. B.C.E. • Four Books (Si Shu) are its scriptures • Analects – life and sayings of Confucius • Mencius – dialogues of namesake scholar • Ethical principles are the Wuchang (“Five Eternals”) • Ren, “Humaneness;” Yi, “Justice;” Li, “Piety;” Zhi, “Knowledge;” Xin, “Integrity” • Also “Four Virtues” (Sizi) • Zhong, “Loyalty;” Xiao, “Respect for Ancestors;” Jie, “Continence;” Yi, “Justice”

  29. ANSWER 24: Confucius • Philosopher born in Lu state during the Chinese Spring and Autumn period, c. 550 B.C.E. • Believed to have written or edited the Five Classics • I Ching, Book of Songs, Book of History, Book of Rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals • Central idea: Rectification of Names • Words must correspond to reality, or nothing can succeed • 72 disciples • Ziyuan, Zilu, Zichang, Zigong, etc.

  30. ANSWER 25: Taoism (Daoism) • Chinese philosophical religion centered on the Tao (“Way”) and founded c. 500 B.C.E. • Central idea is Wu Wei (“Non-Action,”) • Representing harmony with nature’s opposites, yin and yang • Differing pantheons of gods • Jade Emperor • Three Pure Ones • Pangu, god of creation • Zuganzi (or Zhuang Zhou) is a major Taoist thinker

  31. ANSWER 26: Laozi (Lao-tzu) • Central figure of Taoism • Name is a title meaning “Old Master” • Real name may have been Li Er • Author of Tao To Ching, central text of Taoism • “The Tao that can be spoken of is not the Tao” • “Spokes join to form a wheel, but the central hole moves the wagon” • Legendarily fathered by a star and gestated for 62 years • Deified as TaisahngLaojun (“Supreme Old Master”) • Head of the Three Pure Ones

  32. End of Part 1

  33. World Religions: Part 2 Ancient Religions of the Near East

  34. ANSWER 27: Zoroastrianism • Dualistic (world divided into good & evil) religion of Persia • Chief good god Ahura Mazda; evil, AngraMainyu/Ahriman • Also called Mazdaism for that reason • Still exists among Parsis of India & Iran • Leave the dead exposed in Towers of Silence to be eaten by vultures • Human flesh is bad and would pollute the world • Worship in Fire Temples (Dar-e-Mehr) • New Years’ Festival Nowruznear Spring equinox • Stories of an evil dragon named Azi-Dahaka • Chained up by the hero Fredon in the AlborzMtns.

  35. ANSWER 28: Zoroaster • Founded Zoroastrianism c. 2000-500 B.C.E. (?!) • Also called Zarathustra • Wrote parts of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian holy book • Specifically, the hymns called the Gathas and Yasna • Saw life as a struggle between asa (truth) and druj (lies) • Converted King Vistaspa to spread his religion • Biography of him called the Spend Nask(lost)

  36. ANSWER 29: Islam • Centers of worship are called mosques or masjids • Priests are known as imams • Dietary code called Halal • Creed is the shahada • “God (Allah) is the only God and Muhammad is his messenger” • Savior known as the Mahdi will signal end times • Devout Muslims pray 5 times per day toward the qibla • The direction to the holy city of Mecca • The misbaha is a rosary used to pray • 99 beads count the 99 Names of God

  37. ANSWER 30: Muhammad • Founder of Islam, which considers him the last messanger • Thus called Seal of the Prophets • Fled from Mecca to Medina in 662 C.E. • The Hijra (or Hegira) is the start of the Muslim calendar (A.H.) • Biography & sayings (sunnah) are collected in the Hadith • First prophetic vision in the cave of Hira in 610 C.E. • Member of the BanuHashim, a branch of the Quraysh tribe of Arabia

  38. ANSWER 31: Koran (Quran) • Holy book of Islam – name means “Recitation” • Revealed (wahy) to Muhammad by Angel Gabriel (Jibril) • Text perfect & co-eternal with God • Chapters are called Suras • “The Cow” (Baqara) • “The Night Journey” (Isra) • “The Cave” (Kahf) • “Romans” (Rum) • Verses called ayahs; Arabic recitation called tajwid • A hafez is someone who can recite the whole from memory

  39. ANSWER 32: Shiism (Shia Islam) • Smaller of two major sects of Islam (majority in Iran & Iraq) • Believe Muhammad’s son-in-law, Imam Ali, was proper 1st Caliph (successor of Muhammad) • Lost the First Fitna (Islamic Civil War) over this issue • Supreme leaders called Imams • Sub-sects based on #: Twelver, Sevener/Ismaili & Fiver/Zaidi • Twelvers believe 12th Imam (Mahdi) on Earth in Occultation • Important holiday of Ashura • Commemorating death of Imam Hussein (son of Ali) at Karbala

  40. ANSWER 33: Sunniism (Sunni Islam) • Larger of two major sects of Islam (larger than Shiism) • Believe Abu Bakr was proper 1stCaliph & that the body of Muslims should choose the leader • Won the First Fitna (Islamic Civil War) over this issue • Consider the first 4 Caliphs Rashidun (“Rightly Guided”) • Name means “Traditionalists” (from Sunnah, the traditions of Muhammad’s life)

  41. ANSWER 34: Sufism • The mystical tradition within Islam • Possibly named for their simple woolen clothes • “Whirling Dervishes” are Sufis who worship by spinning • The poet Rumi founded an order of Sufis • Orders of Sufis are called turuqs • Alevi • Mevlevi • Chishti

  42. ANSWER 35: the Five Pillars • The basic practices of Islam • Recite the Shahada (creed) • Pray 5 times each day (Salat) • Give alms to the poor (Zakat) • 2.5% of ones wealth is to be donated • Fast during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) • Make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) • Delineated in the Hadith of Gabriel • Known in Arabic as the arkan al-din

  43. ANSWER 36: Hajj (Haj/Hadj) • Pilgrimage to Mecca • All able-bodied Muslims must go at least once (it’s a Pillar!) • Commemorates the lives of Abraham (Ibrahim) and Hagar (Hajar) • Central rite: circling (Tawaf) the Kaabaat Masjid al-Haram (“Forbidden Mosque”) • Some believe the Black Stone of the Kaaba absorbs Hajjis’ sins • Many other rituals • Visiting the Well of ZamZam • Running (Sayi) between the hills of Safa and Marwah • Throwing stones at pillars representing Satan (“Stoning the Devil”/Ramy al-Jamarat) • Happens during final month of the Islamic calendar • Dhu al-Hijjah (“Hajj Month”) • Ends with the feast holiday Eid al-Adha

  44. ANSWER 37: Ramadan • Able-bodied Muslim practice sawm (fasting from sunrise to sunset) • One of the Pillars • 9th month of the Muslim calendar, name means “Hot/Dry” • Commemorates the Hijra • Determined by sightings of the crescent moon over sunset • Ends with the feast holiday Eid al-Fitr • Fast is broken with a meal called iftar & begun after a dawn meal called suhor • Extra night prayers called tarawih are said • Contains the holiday Laylat al-Qadr (“Night of Power”)

  45. ANSWER 38: Druze • Egyptian (now Lebanese/Syrian )offshoot of Ismaili (Sevener) Shia Islam • Begun in the 11th C. C.E. • Have reserved political positions in Lebanon • Revere al-Hakim, a Fatimid Caliph • May believe he was manifestation of god • Represented by a five-pointed, multicolored star • Practice taqiya, the hiding of their faith from outsiders • Named for Muhammad ad-Darazi • Though they consider him a heretic • Founded by Hamzaibn Ali

  46. End of Part 2

  47. World Religions: Part 3 Modern & New World Religions

  48. ANSWER 39: Voodoo • Afro-French syncretic offshoot of Catholicism • Uses Fon, Ewe, Bakongo & Yoruba practices • Believe in spirits called loas • Bondye (“Good God” – chief deity) • Papa Legba • Shango • Baron Samedi • Priests known as houngans & priestesses mambos • Worship places called Sosyetes or Hounfours

  49. ANSWER 40: Santeria • Afro-Spanish syncretic offshoot of Catholicism • Mainly uses Yoruban traditions, including chief god Olurun • Name means “Way of the Saints” • Gods syncretized/disguised as Catholic saints • Also called Regla de Ocha or Lucumi • Lucumi is also the name of the language of worship • Deities/saints known as Orishas (or Orichas) • Divination ceremony known as Ifa • Temples called Iles (or Casas de Santos)

  50. ANSWER 41: Quakers • 17th C. English offshoot of Christianity • Also called Religious Society of Friends • Name may come from tremors of ecstatic worshippers (or fear at persecution) • Founded by George Fox • Established in America by William Penn in Pennsylvania • Worship in Meeting Houses • Believe in the Inner Light • Force of god may inspire anyone at any time, so no clergy • First members called the Valiant Sixty

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