Unit 3

1. Unit 3 Comparative Religion and Philosophy

4. Hinduism • Oldest organized religion on earth (at least 4000 + years old) • Aryans bring their religion to India when they conquer subcontinent @ 1000BC • political and social organizations of Aryan invaders and native civilizations slowly change and evolve into Hinduism

5. Hinduism • Roots of Hindu thought and philosophy are in the VEDAS • The Vedas are a collection of hymns, legends and epic poems of deeds of Aryan warriors and heroes • Collected and organized by priests and penned in written form of Aryan sanskrit language • Vedas form the basis of Hindu religious practices and social codes • The RIG VEDA is world’s oldest religious text

6. Hinduism – texts (cont) • VEDAS outline the Hindu concept of duty and religious law (DHARMA) • One epic poem in particular, the BHAGAVAD GITA (a.k.a. “Song of the Lord”) expresses that duty through the story of the hero Arjuna • The Vedas also break down Indian society into separate classes, or CASTES • The concept of DHARMA involves living and acting in proper manners for your sex, age and caste

8. Hindu texts (cont) • UPANISHADS – collection of Hindu clergy writings, teachings and interpretations from 800 – 400BC • The UPANISHADS talk of a universal spirit (BRAHMAN) that exists in all living things (animals, people, gods) • The UPANISHADS also recommend the use of self-denial techniques like MEDITATION to reach a state of mental tranquility and union with the BRAHMAN • YOGA is another form of meditative practice designed to bring inner focus on BRAHMAN • OM the “sacred sound”; integral to Hindu meditative prayers

9. Reincarnation • Hinduism believes that the soul is eternal • Souls pass through many lifetimes to learn and develop towards higher wisdom • The ultimate aim of a Hindu is to achieve MOKSHA – the release from the cycle of reincarnation and the reunion with BRAHMAN

10. Hindu concepts • To move towards union with Brahman, a Hindu must fulfill their DHARMA – proper role in life • One must continue to build up good KARMA – the actions and thoughts in this life that determine the form you will take in the next life • Part of building up good KARMA involves living by the concept of AHIMSA – nonviolence to all living things • Many Hindus are therefore vegetarians because animals have a soul too, so eating meat would go against AHIMSA and would build up bad KARMA

11. Hinduism - deities • Hinduism is POLYTHEISTIC in that it has multiple gods, but all gods stem from the ultimate source BRAHMAN • Hinduism contains hundreds of gods and demi-gods (even down to individual family gods) • The main focus of Hindu deity worship is the TRIMURTI – the three major gods BRAHMA, VISHNU and SHIVA (personifications of BRAHMAN) • Each of the TRIMURTI gods has had many AVATARS – earthly forms designed to bring knowledge and wisdom through revelation of the sacred Hindu texts

12. Hindu deities - Brahma • The Creator – personification of Brahman, Brahma created the universe and the earth • Brahma ‘s four heads survey the totality of his created universe • The god of wisdom and fertility • Brahma is the bearer of the VEDAS

13. Brahma (cont) • One of Brahma’s avatars is GANESHA • GANESHA has an elephant head which represents strength and wisdom • Ganesha teaches as divinity is in all things at all times

14. Vishnu • VISHNU is the Preserver of the universe • He is the embodiment of mercy and forgiveness • VISHNU maintains the cosmic order and dharma • Hindus believe BUDDHA was Vishnu’s 9th avatar • Vishnu is protected by ANANTA (giant earth-regenerating snake)

15. Vishnu (cont) • Vishnu’s 8th avatar was KRISHNA • KRISHNA brought the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna (revelation) • Krishna came to earth to topple tyrants and stress the dharma

16. Shiva • The Destroyer • Maintains order among the Trimurti • SHIVA dispels ignorance and grants peace to worthy souls • Four arms represent the complementary power to destroy and remake the universe

17. Shiva (cont) • One of Shiva’s avatars is HANUMAN • HANUMAN has the monkey-like traits of speed and intelligence • Hanuman teaches humans to respect the world of nature and animals

18. Hinduism • Hinduism is practiced differently across India and has spawned three other faiths • BUDDHISM accepts many concepts from Hinduism but rejects the focus on one supreme external god and the Hindu caste system • JAINISM similarly rejects the rigid social structure and self-sacrificial activity of Hinduism; Jainism places special emphasis on the practice of ahimsa • SIKHISM is a relatively new faith (@ 500 years old) and combines elements of Hinduism and Islam; Sikhs are monotheists and believe in equality of the sexes

19. Hinduism • Mohandas Gandhi • Applied concept of Ahimsa to social struggles • Developed SATYAGRAHA movement which combats injustice in society thru use of sit-ins, strikes and other nonviolent protests • Inspiration for Martin Luther King and his nonviolent campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement

21. Buddhism • Stems from teachings of Siddharta Gautama in 5th century BC India • Rejects strict social codes of Hinduism but accepts much of its ethical codes • Four Noble Truths • Life is suffering • Suffering is caused by attachment • Freedom from attachment is cure for suffering • Way out of suffering is by following the 8 Fold Path

23. Buddhism • 8 Fold Path • 1. right speech • 2. right action • 3. right livelihood • 4. right concentration • 5. right mindfulness • 6. right effort • 7. right understanding • 8. right thought

24. Buddhism • Accepts Hindu concepts of karma and reincarnation • Rejects idea that individuals have a specific role to fill • Karma demands nonviolence and compassion towards others; “civic-mindedness” • Buddhist dharma – “the three jewels” of buddhist life • “six degrees of separation”? • Impermanence (the “three marks of impermanence” and the concept of “no-self”) • Buddhist sects: • Theravada • Mahayana • Zen

25. Boddhisativas • Compassionate beings who forego nirvana to help others • 14th Dalai Lama • This concept helps Buddhism meld with other religions in the East Asian world

26. The “Religions of the Book” • Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition stems from ancient Middle East • Religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam share many major figures and historical events • All are monotheistic religions focusing on the role of a supreme God and the duty of believers to obey • “The Book” is the writings of the Old Testament from which each of the three religions draw theology, ethical ideas and historical foundations

27. Judaism • Religion of the “chosen people”; Jews secured a COVENANT between God and the Jewish people • Sources of Judaism stem from history of the ISRAELITES and their efforts to keep hold of and return to CANAAN (modern day Israel / Palestine) • Many PROPHETS continue to renew the covenant and receive the words of God

28. Sources of Judaism • The TORAH is the central document of Hebrew religious and historical foundations • The TORAH consists of the 1st 5 books of the OLD TESTAMENT of the BIBLE (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) • Hebrew bible consists of the TORAH, the Book of PROPHETS (NEV’IM), and the Book of WRITINGS (KETUVIM) and is called the TANAKH • The TALMUD is a collection of interpretations of the Hebrew texts by Jewish scholars and RABBIS

29. Major figures of Judaism • ADAM is 1st man, created in the beginning chapters of GENESIS • He and EVE are guilty of 1st sin and are cast out of paradise • Chain of disasters for mankind continues till the flood and God’s 1st covenant with NOAH • Noah is 1st of 6 to secure God’s covenant with the Jewish people

30. Major figures of Judaism • ABRAHAM is the “father of the chosen people”; at command of God he leaves Mesopotamia to settle in Canaan (1900 BC) • God’s covenant with Abraham promises a great nation for the Hebrews if they remain faithful • Covenant renewed with Abraham’s son ISAAC • JACOB is Abraham’s grandson and his 12 sons goes on to form the 12 Tribes of Israel • severe famine sends Israelites to Egypt where they live peacefully until they are enslaved by the Egyptians

31. Major figures of Judaism • 1200 BC sees prophet MOSES lead Jews out of Egypt in a mass movement called the EXODUS into the Sinai Desert • During this trek, God renews his covenant with Moses and reveals the TEN COMMANDMENTS • Hebrews return to Canaan and fight 200 years to establish Kingdom of ISRAEL • DAVID rules as king of unified Israel and is the last to renew God’s covenant; establishes capital in JERUSALEM

32. David’s son SOLOMON spends huge sums to create temples to God and expand Jerusalem Solomon’s harsh taxes and labors split Israelites after his death Split sees creation of Kingdom of Israel in north and Kingdom of Judah in south (from where we get the word “JEW”) Split seen as breaking of the covenant… so what happens next???

33. History of the Jews (cont) • Dual kingdoms too weak to hold off invaders from Mesopotamia • Invaders capture Jews and move many in exile to Babylon; during exile prophets like JEREMIAH condemn the abuses of Jewish society and say the exile is divine retribution for forgetting their duties to God and each other • Persians control area in 500’s BC and allow Jews to return to Israel; Jews rebuild Jerusalem • 400’s BC sees writings collected and formed into the TORAH • Jews see their history as having a God-directed purpose and continue to study and examine it for meaning

34. Sects of Judaism • Orthodox Judaism – majority of followers of the Jewish faith follow this branch that focuses on rabbinical tradition and historical precedence with some adjustment towards secular life • Conservative Judaism – focuses on the “positive historical” tradition and opposes changes in practice • Reform Judaism – seeks more liberal reforms in Jewish practice, more political / secular involvement and ordination of women / acceptance of gay / lesbian community • Hasidic Judaism – most conservative and stringent form; stemming from Eastern European nations; ultraconservative social customs and little / no flexibility to practice

35. The Holocaust • Stems from centuries of ANTI-SEMITISM in Europe and around the world • Nazi Germany takes advantage of that anti-Semitism and fear to develop the systematic extermination of some 6,000,000 men, women and children • Various nations aside from Germany share in the blame • World War II era sees growth of support for a ZIONIST movement which calls for an independent Jewish homeland • Israel becomes that nation in 1948 and has experienced repeated conflict since

36. Ethics of Judaism • Every human being is made in the image of God; therefore every human life has infinite worth • Humans are to work in partnership with God to create a perfect world on earth and make people responsible for what happens in the world • All segments of society have ethical obligations of equal value • God is both metaphysical and personal (both of all things and involved with each thing) • Nature is “amoral” and should not be a focus of worship • Good and evil actions will receive their just rewards • All humans are of one family (community focus) • Observe the rules and practices of the faith

37. Menorah – seven branched candelabrum created by Moses; represents the wisdom of God and may represent seven days of week and / or astronomical representations Star of David – symbol said to be on David’s shield when facing Goliath; represents seven days of week and interlocking equilateral triangles symbolize reconciliation of fire and water, woman and man, flesh and the soul

38. Christianity • with over 1.5 billion followers, it is the largest faith in the world today • split between Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and various Protestant sects • Christian theology is based on the shared source of the Old Testament, the teachings of JESUS CHRIST and the writings of the NEW TESTAMENT

39. Christianity • BIBLE is the collected work of Christian holy scripture • Suggests God exists as a HOLY TRINITY whose three parts include the 1. Father (God); 2. Son (Christ) and 3. Holy Spirit • Originated as sect of Judaism; through Roman persecution and Judaic rejection of Christ as the prophesized messiah it grew and developed on its own • Becomes official religion of Rome in 300’s AD • Theology develops over time under the Catholic Church headed by the Bishop of Rome (POPE)

40. Christianity / divisions • EASTERN ORTHODOXY forms from divisions within Roman Empire • Orthodox Church does not recognize Pope and will take on different character as Byzantium and Western Europe diverge • Eastern Orthodoxy prevalent today in Greece and Eastern Europe (Russia) • Eastern Orthodox and Catholics do share most religious traditions and share the 7 sacraments

41. 7 Sacraments • Catholicism and Orthodoxy demand these seven acts of faith and obedience of its followers • 1. Baptism 2. Penance • 3. Eucharist 4. Confirmation • 5. Matrimony 6. Holy Orders • 7. Extreme Unction

42. Protestantism • MARTIN LUTHER is a Catholic monk who writes in objection to what he sees as corruptions of catholic practice • With his 95 THESES he initiates a movement that will grow into the Protestant Reformation • Lutheranism rejects the Pope, emphasis on clergy and tells followers to interpret the Bible themselves • Only 2 sacraments to Luther: baptism and “the Lord’s Supper” (communion); some Protestant sects include penance as well • Luther stresses “faith alone” as most important prerequisite of a Christian

43. Christian sects • Roman Catholic • Eastern Orthodox • Russian Greek • Multiple other sects include • Anglicanism/Episcopal Church • Baptists Presbyterian • Methodists Congregationalists • Mormons Adventists • Amish / Mennonites • … and many, many more….

44. Islam • Stems from the teachings of Muhammad and the KORAN (QURAN) as revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel • Incorporates Judeo-Christian ideas from Torah and Old Testament with understanding that those faiths had “lost the way”; Muhammad is last and greatest prophet • Islam stresses obedience to ALLAH and reconciliation of religious and political ideals and systems

45. Five Pillars • FAITH – affirms the oneness and all-powerful mercy of the one god Allah • PRAYER – involves reciting passages from the Quran five times a day in position facing Mecca with actions that represent submission to Allah; mosque – Muslim church; holy day is Friday • ALMS – charity to the poor and disadvantaged; done through both private contributions and public tax • FASTING – during month of Ramadan; no food, drink from sunrise to sunset • PILGRIMAGE – also know as the HAJJ; every Muslim is to travel to Mecca and do three days of ceremony and prayer at holy shrines and especially at the Kaaba (built by Abraham)

46. Islamic Ethics • The SHARIAH is the Islamic moral code; a collection of passages from the Quran and the HADITH (examples from the life of Muhammad) • Many similarities to Judeo-Christian ideals expressed in 10 Commandments • Islam prohibits gambling, alcohol, pork • Strict regulation of business, marriage and property/inheritance laws; divorce allowed but infrequent • Blurred separation between political and religious law in Islamic states

47. Divisions in Islam • Soon after Muhammad’s death comes split over who should rule • Sunni Muslims say next ruler should be chosen by community; focus on leadership skills and not as a religious figure; Sunnis are majority (70%) of Muslims today – traditional practice of the faith • Shi’a (Shiite) Muslims believed only descendants of Muhammad should rule (Ali 4th caliph); Shi’a are minority of Muslims; close to 30% on Muslims today; practice of faith varies between two main sects • Sufism – 3rd sect that focuses on strict and pious lifestyle; includes meditation, fasting and missionary work • Wahabbism – extremist Sunni sect that seeks a return to older practice of Islam – rejects modernization and western influence and stresses radical interpretation of “JIHAD”

48. Fundamentalists • - someone who believes in strictly following the exact words of the sacred texts of their faith. • - they exist in all religions • - they tend to get pretty angry when they feel like someone is dissing their faith • - examples?