EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS

1. EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS • Hinduism • Buddhism • Confucianism • Legalism • Daoism • Judaism • Christianity

2. Religions of South Asia

3. Religion in the Subcontinent

4. Hinduism

5. One of the oldest religions About 1500 B.C.E. Began in India Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism Tolerance and diversity "Truth is one, paths are many“ “There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names” “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences;We are spiritual beings having a human experience!” What is Hinduism?

6. Hinduism has no formal theology that defines God It is henotheistic (acknowledging many but worshiping only one) Brahman—One impersonal Ultimate Reality Manifest as many personal deities Atman—The soul, Brahma trapped in matter Samsara—Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime Karma—Spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) Moksha—Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman Vedas—Truth: myths, rituals, chants What do Hindus believe?

7. Major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma,the creator god Vishnu,the preserver god Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer)

8. Yoga—seeking union with the divine: Guru—a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga Bhakti Yoga—worship, seeking union with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities In the home (household shrines) In the temples (priests officiate) What are the spiritualpractices of Hinduism?

9. Respect for all life – vegetarian Human life as supreme: Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests ,nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, wandering philosopher Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha) How does Hinduism directlife in this world?

10. Buddhism

11. The Essence of Buddhism • The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.” • The 3 jewels of Buddhism: • Buddha, the teacher. • Dharma, the teachings. • Sangha, the community.

12. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) • Born as prince in NE India (Nepal) • At 29 rejected luxurious life to seek enlightenmentand source of suffering • Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs • Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation and found nirvana • Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35

13. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire! • Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

14. Four Noble Truths There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

15. Eightfold Path Nirvana • The union with the ultimate spiritual reality. • Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

16. Buddha – 19c Thailand Buddha –2c Pakistan

17. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motifs

18. Types of Buddhism • Therevada Buddhism • The oldest school of Buddhism. • Found in southern Asia. • Focus on wisdom and meditation. • Goal: is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.” • Mahayana Buddhism • Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan). • Buddhism “for the masses.” • Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

19. Types of Buddhism • Zen Buddhism • Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness • Use of meditation masters • Beauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens & calligraphy • Tibetan Buddhism • Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE. • A mix of Theravada and Mahayana • Include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama

20. Growth of Buddhism

21. Hinduismonly Buddhismonly Both Reincarnation Cyclical view of history Belief in a state of enlightenment (Hindu moksha, Buddhist nirvana) The Middle Way (Eightfold Path) Four Noble Truths Caste system Animal sacrifice

22. Confucianism

23. Confucius • 551 – 479 B.C.E. • Born in the feudal state of Liu • Became a teacher and editor of books

24. Major Confucian Principles • Li--> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society) • Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity • Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you. Yi--> Righteousness Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

25. 5 Principle Relationships 1.Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife • Status • Age • Gender 4. Older Brother YoungerBrother 5. Older Friend YoungerFriend

26. Confucian Temple Complex

27. The Analects • The single most important Confucian work. • Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. • Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. • The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. • To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

28. Confucius' Tomb

29. Social Cohesion is Paramount! • The emperor is the example of proper behavior --> “big daddy” • Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals” • Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons

30. Differences in Cultures INDIA CHINA 1.Brahmin 1.Scholar-Gentry 2.Kshatriyas 2.Peasants 3.Vaishyas 3.Artisans 4.Shudras 4.Merchants Domestic Slaves Untouchables

31. Legalism

32. Han Fei • 280? - 233 B.C.E. • Late Warring States period • Legalism became political philosophy of Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty

33. Major Legalist Principles 1. Human nature is naturally selfish. 2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged. 3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality. 4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand. 5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.

34. Authoritarian One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.

35. Daoism

36. Lao Zi [Lao-Tzu] • 604 B.C.E. - ? • His name means “Old Master” • Was he Confucius’ teacher?

37. Major Daoist Principles 1.Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. 3.Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

38. The "Dao" [Tao] Toescape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

39. The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin • Masculine • Active • Light • Warmth • Strong • Heaven; Sun • Feminine • Passive • Darkness • Cold • Weak • Earth; Moon Yang

40. The Uniqueness of Daoism How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity?? Confucianism--> Moral order in society Legalism--> Rule by harsh law & order Daoism--> Freedom for individuals and less government to avoid uniformity and conformity

41. Judaism

42. Monotheistic, believing in one true God Omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent Unity and singularity of God as He is revealed though Torah Sh’ma–cornerstone of all Jewish belief. Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Israelites believed they were God’s “chosen people.” They believed that God would lead them to “promised land.” 5 Judaism

43. Judaism • Born in grace, live in grace, and die in grace • Sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice • Olam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come” • Messiah will reign • Jewish temple will be rebuilt • Nation of Israel will be fully restored • World order of justice and compassion.

44. Jewish prophets, or spiritual leaders, preached code of ethics, or moral standards of behavior Torah—laws that addressed all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal matters Ten Commandments 5 Teachings on Law and Morality

45. Significant Jewish “Holy” Days • Shabbat – Sabbath–day of rest • Friday sundown through Saturday sundown • Prohibited: work, travel, commerce • Yom Kippur –"Day of Atonement" • Atone for sins of past year – sins between man and God • On Yom Kippur, judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed • Rosh Hashanah –New Year, plan better life and begin introspection • Passover –commemorate Israelites’ escape from Egypt • Personal journey from slavery to freedom

46. Christianity

47. EARLY CHRISTIANITY • Roots • Judaism • Teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and apostles • Earliest converts were Jews who did not think they were breaking away from Hebrew Law • Early Christians wished to be considered Jews • Jewish religion officially recognized by Roman government and its adherents had certain privileges

48. BELIEFS • Based on belief that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the son of God • One of Trinity • God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit • Teachings • In Gospels • 12 disciples • Death at 33 • By believing in Jesus, his followers will go to Heaven at their death • Bible is Word of God • Holy days—Christmas & Easter

49. EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS • Hinduism • Buddhism • Confucianism • Legalism • Daoism • Judaism • Christianity