World Religions
World
Religions
Unit
Mrs. Eckert
Eastern Religions
Hinduism
Founded: Unknown (but it is the oldest)
Buddhism
Founded 500 B.C.E.
Hinduism
• Several gods represent different forms of Hinduism
– Brahma
– Vishnu
– Shiva
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Sacred Text- Vedas- originally oral
Strive for EnlightenmentBeliefs
Samsara
(Freedom from earthly
Sacred Symbols
desires)
Meditation important (Yoga)
Reincarnation until
Caste System approved
by religion
Moksha
is attained
(perfect understanding)
Karma
(Good or bad deeds that
affect reincarnation)
Buddhism
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Creator - Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
All living beings have the potential
Forms
for spiritual growth
(try not to kill)
Sacred Text- Tripitaka
All living things can be reborn
Beliefs
(Reincarnation)
Constant change
Everything
in life
Three Marks of Reality
(Impermanence
of is
life)
Lack of and
Permanent
suffering
sorrow
is identity
caused by selfish
Three Cardinal Fault Suffering
Existence
ofspirit
suffering
(the
body
and
change)
desire for temporary
pleasure
The (life
way
to
end
suffering
can never be fully
Four Noble Truths
is tobecause
end desire
satisfying
of constant
(Accept
what by
occurs)
change)
Overcome
desire
attaining
Eightfold Path
Enlightenment (Nirvana)
Sacred Symbol
Similarities Between
Eastern Religions
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Polytheism
Mostly found in Asia
Seeking Enlightenment
Reincarnation
Western Religions
Judaism
Founded 1900 B.C.E.
Christianity
Founded C.E. 33
Islam
Founded C.E. 610
Judaism
• One God- Yahweh
• Sacred Text- Torah
– Talmud
• Beliefs– Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith
– 10 Commandments
Christianity
• One God- Yahweh
– Jesus
• Sacred Text- The Holy Bible
– Old Testament
– New Testament
– 4 Gospels
• Beliefs– 10 Commandments
– Holy Trinity
• Sects– Catholic
– Eastern Orthodox
– Protestant
Islam
• One God- Allah
– Mohammed is his prophet
• Sacred Text- Quran (Qur’an)
• Beliefs
– 5 Pillars of Faith
• Major Sects
– Shiite
– Sunni
• Jihad
Shahadah
Salah
Zakah
Sawm
Hajj
Similarities Among
Western Religions
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Monotheism
Abraham
Sacred text written down
Prophets
Jerusalem
Belief in afterlife (heaven)
Similarities Among All Religions
Importance of Religion
Where Religion is “Not Important.”
World Religion Membership
Religion
Member World Population
Christianity
2 Billion +
Islam
1.2 Billion +
Hinduism
785 Million
Buddhism
350 Million
Judaism
17 Million
(WHY?)
Caste System
Br ahmans
pr iests and scholar s
Kshatr iyas
r uler s and war r ior s
Vaisyas
mer chants and pr ofessionals
Sudr as
labor er s and ser vants
Untouchables
Split
Buddhism
Theraveda
Hinayana
"Lesser Vehicle"
Zen
Mahayana
"Greater Vehicle"
older tradition
nirvana from personal works
nirvana from divine intervention and grace
less ritual
meditation
nirvana mainly for
monks and nuns
more ritual
prayer
nirvana for anyone
Talmud
• “Oral Law”- commentary of ancient rabbis that
elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday
life through:
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Dietary rules (Kosher)
Dress and other symbols
The Temple and Temple rites
Observance of Holy days
Proper social relations between male and female, in
business, judicial rulings, etc.
– Adherence to rituals (Bar/Bat Mitzvah – Rites of Passage)
Creed/Profession of Faith
“There is no God but Allah, and
Muhammad is the prophet of
Allah.”
This basic creed is found in the first book of the Koran.
Prayer
• Muslims have two types of prayer:
personal (devotional) and
congregational (ritual).
• Leader of prayer faces Mecca from
front of the mosque.
• Muslims are to pray five times per
day and each prayer is made up of
units (chants and positions).
Branches of Islam
Shiite Muslims
Sunni Muslims
• Followed Ali, son-in-law
of Muhammad.
• Believe only the
descendants of
Muhammad possess
true spiritual power.
• Live in present day Iran
and Iraq.
• Follow the traditional
Islamic faith.
• Believe that any devout
Muslim can hold spiritual
and political authority.
• Believe that Muhammad
was a perfect man and
that they should try to
imitate his actions.
Jihad
A struggle or effort to strive “in the path of God”
Greater Jihad
Lesser Jihad
• Inner Struggle for true
submission to God
• Battle to preserve Islam
– Jihad of the Heart
– Jihad of the Tongue
– Jihad of the Hand
– Sometimes referred to as
Holy War or
– War to kill the infidels