Saint Joseph Bible Study
Comparative Religions Why Study Religion? Terms and Definitions
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1.) To prevent an Ethonocentric attitude toward others -"Ethnos" - people, group, or nation, "Centrism," way of thinking, mindset, attitude, etc. Hence, ethnocentrism is when an individual or group feels that they are superior to another person or groups that are unlike themselves.
(Example) The Aryan Myth: Adolf Hitler, in his attempt to depict his own people as the master race called the tall, blond, blue-eyed _people of the world the "Aryan race." To the Nazis, this superior race had historically given the world its strength and civilization other "races," such as the Semitic Jews and Africans, were deemed inferior to the "Aryans."
2.) To be tolerant to the belief systems of others .
3.) To develop an appreciation f or the uniqueness of each religious expression of faith.
4.) For Political Reasons . Many conflicts have religious differences at their roots. (Example) Catholic Christians ware against Protestant Christians, Shia Muslims fight Sunna Muslims, Buddhist battle Hindus Sikhs and Hindus are fighting currently; Muslims are at war with Christians.
If there is to be any form of peace between the many cultures and religions of the world, religious differences must be known and respected, there must be an openness to ecumenicity.
Definitions of Religion
1.) The service and adoration of God or gods as expressed in forms of worship, in obedience to divine commands and in the pursuits of a way of life regarded as incumbent on the true believers. (Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language)
2.) The English Word Religion is derived from the Latin word "religio," which refers to the fear or awe one feels in the presence of a spirit or a god.
3.) Western Cultures tend to define religion in terms of a set of beliefs having to do with the gods and through which one is taught a moral system. However, because some religious tenets of other religions will differ on varying points, one definition will not fit all religious groups. For example, two such groups are Jainism, and Buddhism. They recognize the existence of gods, but actually have very little to do with them. Further, they can be called atheistic religions in some instances, because unlike others who depend on the gods for help; these two believe in the ability of the people to deliver themselves.
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Still further, most religions are more concerned with humanities proper relationship to gods, demons and spirits than they are with ethical relationships among people. One distinctive characteristic of the religion of the early Hebrews was the ethical dimension that their god required of them (these tenets are also found in Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam).
4.) The late Paul Tillich defined religion as that which is of "ultimate concern". We say in a more basic way, that a person's religion is that which is more important than anything else.
5.) Williams James said that there are so many different definitions of the word religion that they should be seen as a collective name. James wrote that religion in the broad sense consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto.
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The Universality of Religion
Occasionally, religion is hard to find or pin down, but from the great metropolitan capitals to the least developed areas of the world, there are temples, pyramids, megaliths, and other monuments that societies have raised at tremendous expense as expressions of their religions. Even when we explore the backwaters of time in prehistoric civilizations, we find altars, cave paintings, and special burials that point toward our religious nature. Indeed, no other phenomenon is so pervasive, so consistent from society to society, as is religion.
Theories of the Origin of Religions
From where does religion come? This is a very basic question, as our answer tends to reflect our view of the very nature of religion. Some say human beings developed religion because they were weak and ignorant about the forces of nature that surrounded them; they were at the mercy of these forces and therefore devised a scheme of gods and spirits to whom they could pray for support. According to this view, when human beings come to fully know and understand their universe, they will no longer need the crutch of religion to support them.
Others say religion was developed by a few as a means of suppressing the masses. The traditional view held by those who are themselves religious is that a god or other spiritual being revealed religion and religious truths to human beings at some point in their development.
Animistic Theories
The most outstanding exponent of one animistic theory of the origin of religion was the English ethnologist Edward Burnett Tylor (1832-1917). Although Tylor held no formal degree, he was a leading figure in anthropology for many years. In the 1850s, Herbert Spencer had theorized that the gods of "primitive" people were based on dreams about the recent dead. According to Spencer, when "primitive" people dreamed of the dead, they came to believe that the former chiefs and heroes were actually alive in another world or another form. Tylor was aware of Spencer's theory, which was called "Manism," but he did not totally accept it. Tylor maintained that "primitive" people developed a sense of other or soul from experiences with death and dreams.
According to Tylor, "primitive" people also believed that these souls (Latin, anima) were to be found not only in people but in all of nature. There were souls in stones, trees, animals, rivers, springs, volcanoes, and mountains. The entire world, the very air itself, was seen as being alive with spirits of all kinds. These spirits could be helpful or harmful to humans and had personalities that could be offended or flattered. Therefore, it became a part of the life of "primitive" societies to pray to these spirits, offer sacrifices to them, seek to appease them, and avoid offending them.
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From the animistic understanding of the world developed the practice of ancestor worship or veneration, in which one attended to the spirits of the dead. An awareness of the existence of spirits in nature led to the worship of various aspects of nature, such as water, trees, stones and so on. Ultimately, this animistic view of the universe produced the polytheistic religions that worshiped sky, earth, and water deities. Finally, monotheistic religions developed.
He took the Melanesian word mana to be the basic of religion. Mana is defined as a supernatural power that belonged to the region of the unseen.
The Nature-Worship Theory
An alternative theory of the origin of religion was developed by another Oxford professor, Max Muller (1823-1900). Muller's interests were mythology and the religions of India, but he entered the debate over origins with Tylor and others. From his studies, he became convinced that human beings first developed their religions from their observations of the forces of nature. According to this theory, "primitive" people became aware of the regularity of the seasons, the ideas, and the phases of the moon. Their response to these forces in nature was to personalize them. Thus they gave a name to the sun, the moon, and so on, and began to describe the activities of these forces with tales that eventually became mythology. An example of this process is found in the Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne. Apollo was in love with Daphne, but she fled from him and was changed into a laurel tree. By searching out the etymology of these names, Muller found that Apollo was the name given the sun and that Daphne was the name given the dawn. "Primitive" people identified the forces in nature, personified them, created myths to describe their activities, and eventually developed pantheons and religions around them.
The Theory of Original Monotheism
A completely different approach to the origin of religion was presented early in the twentieth century by Wilhelm Schmidt (1868 -1954) in Der Ursprung der Gottesidee. Schmidt began his career studying the linguistics of New Guinea and then all of Oceania. From his own work, Schmidt came to disagree with the animistic theories of Tylor and others. He noted that all of the hunter-gatherer cultures he had studied (and which were the oldest form of human society to be observed) held a common belief in a distant High God.
Although the predominant form of religion for these "primitives" was animism or polytheism, there was always the belief that originally there had been one great god above all others. This god may have been the creator of the world or the parent of the many lesser deities. Usually, the High God is understood to have the qualities of eternity, omniscience, beneficence, morality, and omnipotence. Often, the High God is believed to have been the force that gave society its moral codes. After initially establishing the world,
Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Why Study Religion? Terms and Definitions this High God went away and now has little contact with the world.
Schmidt inferred from this phenomenon that "primitive" societies were originally monotheistic but that because the worship of one god was difficult, religion was corrupted into polytheism. Later, more advanced religions recovered the true monotheistic religion. Naturally, Schmidt was accused of allowing his Christian prejudices to influence the formulation of this theory.
The Magic Theory
Between 1890 and 1915, Sir James George Frazer {1854 - 1941) , a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, produced his encyclopedic work on religion, The Golden Bough. Unlike Codrington and Schmidt, Frazer did not personally study contemporary basic religions but constructed his theories by reading the reports of anthropologists, colonial officials, missionaries, and ancient writers. On the basis of his studies, Frazer came to agree with Tylor, that the human mind had developed in a linear fashion in the same way as the process of physical evolution. He taught that human kind had gone through three phases of development regarding the spirit world.
First, people had attempted to a control the world of nature through magic. When humanity realized nature could not be coerced through magic, it turned to the second stage of development - religion - whose premise seems to be that nature can be implored to cooperate. When religion was also seen to fail, humankind, in a third phase, turned to science, in which a more rational understanding of nature is operative. Therefore, the modern farmer who needs rain turns to neither the magician nor the priest. He might note that there is little proof that seeding the clouds produces rain any more frequently than rain dances or prayers.
Theories of Religion as Projections of Human Needs
One of the most influential thinkers of the nineteenth century was the German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872). In his influential books The Essence of Christianity and The Essence of Religion, Feuerbach said religions were essentially projections of the wishes and needs of humanity. He saw religion as a dream or fantasy that expressed the situation of humankind. According to Feuerbach, people tend to see themselves as helpless and dependent when faced with the challenges of life.
Therefore, they seek to overcome their problems through imagination; they imagine or project an idealized being of goodness or power who can help them. Humanity is not created in the image of God, but God is created in the image of idealized humanity. Feuerbach believed people seek in heaven wheat they cannot find on earth. Thus, at its most basic level, religion is a form of wishing. Feuerbach thought that when people become knowledgeable or powerful, religion tends to wither away and be replaced by technology and politics.
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A thinker deeply influenced by the theories of Feuerbach was his younger contemporary Karl Marx (1818 -1883). Marx added his own distinctive touches to Feuerbach's position on the origin of religion. Marx saw the origin and development of religion in terms of his personal view of history and the economic and social struggle between classes. In words that sound a great deal like those of Feuerbach, Marx said: Religion is the sign of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of spiritless conditions. It is the opium of the people .
Marx also believed that religion was used by the ruling classes to suppress the underclass . The social principles of Christianity preach the necessity of a ruling and an oppressed class, and for the latter all they have to offer is the pious wish that the former may be charitable. The social principles of Christianity declare all the vile acts of oppressors against the oppressed to be either just punishment for original sin and for other sins, or trials that the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, ordains for the redeemed.
Sigmund Freud {1856 -1939), the founder of psychoanalysis, gave Feuerbach's ideas a psychological dimension. Freud saw religion as having originated as guilt that men supposedly feel in hating their fathers. Freud saw in the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus a pattern of human experience. Oedipus was a man who, through a long and tragic series of events, killed his father and married his mother. Freud saw that in all males there was a similar tendency to desire their mothers and therefore hate their fathers.
Freud further referred to practices of "primitive" people he believed to be representative of the total human experience. The dominant male/father kept the women of the group for himself and drove the younger males away from his territory . Finally, the younger males joined together in killing the father and eating his flesh.
Because of this subconscious hatred and ensuring guilt, Freud believed human project in the sky a great father image called God . He also thought that religious ideas are "illusions, fulfillments of the oldest, strongest, and most urgent wishes of mankind." The truly healthy and mature person, according to Freud, is content to stand alone and face the problems of life without gods and religions.
Types of Religions
Basic Religions
The term basic religion is generally applied to the religions of contemporary people whose religious ideas are not preserved in written form and to the religions of prehistoric peoples, about whom we know little. This category embraces a great variety of beliefs and practices, including animism, totemism, and polytheism.
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Religions Originating in India
Four of the great religions of the world originated in India: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. India remains the home of Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Buddhism is now found in other Asian nations, such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand. The basic beliefs of these religions are that there are many gods (Sikhism is the exception, taking its belief in one god from Islam) and that one person may lead many lives through a system of reincarnation. The ultimate concern of these religions is release from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Sometimes this goal is achieved through the aid of the gods, but often believers are expected by their actions, or lack thereof, to work out their own release. Religions Originating in China and Japan Religions that originated in China and Japan include Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto. There is some question regarding whether Taoism and Confucianism are truly religions, but because they have at times developed certain religious aspects they usually are listed among the religions of the world. They have in common the belief in many gods and include the worship of nature, the worship or veneration of ancestors, and, in the case of Shinto, a reverence for the nation itself.
Religions Originating in the Middle East
Religions originating in the Middle East include Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha'i . All believe in one Supreme Creator God; they believe each person lives only one earthly life; they regard the material universe positively, hold a linear view of time, and believe in divine judgment of the world. Christianity and Islam have been two of the great missionary religions of the world. Today, their adherents are found all over the globe and number in the billions.
Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Prehistoric Beginnings of Basic Religions
Neanderthal Religion
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0RVWRIWKHHDUO\VRXUFHVDUH reports of Christian missionaries DQG explorers ZKR may or may not KDYH EHHQ sympathetic or objective witnesses )XUWKHUPRUHWKHJUHDWEXONRILQIRUPDWLRQRQ1DWLYH$PHULFDQ UHOLJLRQVKDVEHHQZULWWHQ during the past 100 years DIWHUWKHUHKDGEHHQ contact with European civilization LWV religions DQG its technology
6FKRODUVRIWHQGHEDWHZKHWKHUVRPHDVSHFWRIWKHVHUHOLJLRQV truly reflects "pure" Native American religion RUZKHWKHULW developed in response WRVRPH aspect of Christianity :KLOH none of the Native American religions have survived unchanged PDQ\KDYHLQFRUSRUDWHG elements of European culture and religion LQWRQDWLYHEHOLHIV\VWHPV
Our primary source of knowledge DERXW1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQV prior to the arrival RIWKH(XURSHDQV is archaeology
6FKRODUVRIWHQGHEDWHZKHWKHUVRPHDVSHFWRIWKHVHUHOLJLRQV truly reflects "pure" Native American religion RUZKHWKHULW developed in response WRVRPH aspect of Christianity :KLOH none of the Native American religions have survived unchanged PDQ\KDYHLQFRUSRUDWHG elements of European culture and religion LQWRQDWLYHEHOLHIV\VWHPV Our primary source of knowledge DERXW1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQV prior to the arrival RIWKH(XURSHDQV is archaeology $OWKRXJKDUFKDHRORJ\FDQVKRZPXFKDERXWWKH total culture of a people
+RZHYHU1DWLYH$PHULFDQV did not construct stone monuments RURWKHUODVWLQJ religious images DQG structures %HFDXVHPRVWSUH&ROXPELDQ$PHULFDQSHRSOH were not literate DQG left few religious artifacts RXUNQRZOHGJHRIWKHLUUHOLJLRXVEHOLHIV is very limited
:HFDQGHVFULEHWKHVSHFLILF religion of one tribe DW one period in history RUZHFDQ make general statements DERXWWKH entire field RIWKHVHUHOLJLRQV We will follow the later
Questions:
Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Native American Religions 1.) What relevance GRHV1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQKDYHIRUWRGD\" 2.) :KDWDUH some elements of Native American religion WKDWZRXOGLQWHUHVW³1HZ$JH´UHOLJLRQDQG VSLULWXDOSHRSOH" 3.) :KDWDUH some common parts RI1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQ"
$PHULFDQ5HOLJLRQVDUHGLIILFXOWWRGHILQHEHFDXVHWKHLUFXOWXUHVZHUHVRGLYHUVH hunting-gathering societies, Agricultural societies, Small nomadic bands, Towns, cities, and empires in every section of America ,WLVHVWLPDWHGWKDWWKHUHPD\KDYHEHHQDVPDQ\DV 2,000 different Native American cultures LQ1RUWK$PHULFD7KHUHIRUHZHPXVWPDNHJHQHUDOL]DWLRQVEDVHGRQFHUWDLQ shared religious characteristics VHHQDFURVV1DWLYH$PHULFDQWULEHV
)LUVWSHRSOHFDPHWR$PHULFDV 15,000 to 20,000 years ago VRPH1DWLYHVEHOLHYHWKHLUDQFHVWRUVZHUH FUHDWHGLQ$PHULFDV ,QIRUPDWLRQLVRQO\DYDLODEOHIURPWKH last 400 years. 0RVWVRXUFHVZHUHIURP Christian missionaries DQG explorers. 'LIILFXOWWRXQGHUVWDQGKRZPXFK1DWLYH $PHULFDQUHOLJLRQKDVEHHQLQIOXHQFHGE\FRQWDFWZLWK(XURSHDQV
,V1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQ polytheistic monotheistic RU monistic (henotheistic)? v Monistic - the metaphysical view that all is of one essential essence, substance energy. v Henotheistic - the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods.
Native American Religions - Polytheistic 1.) All nature is alive ZLWKVSLULWV 2.) Spirits take the forms RIDQLPDOVSODQWVDQGDSSHDULQYLVLRQV 3.) Guardian VSLULWV 4.) Spirits of the dead ZKROLYHLQWKH/DQGRIWKH'HDG 5.) Mother Earth ±VKHSURYLGHVWKHERXQW\RIWKH(DUWK 6.) Lightning and thunder DUHLQGLYLGXDOGHLWLHV
Native American Religions - Monotheistic 1.) 7KH Supreme Being or High God LVVHSDUDWHIURPWKHFRQFHUQVRI(DUWK 2.) People pray WRWKH nature spirits RU ancestors IRUPDWWHUVRIGDLO\OLIH 3.) 7KH+LJK*RGLV appealed to only rarely DQGis seldom mentioned LQUHOLJLRXVFRQYHUVDWLRQ
Native American Religions - Monistic 1.) 6RPH1DWLYH$PHULFDQVEHOLHYH the High God is a divine RU sacred power VLPLODUWRWKH7DR
‘TAO’ · 7KH unconditional DQG unknowable source DQG guiding principle RIDOO reality DVFRQFHLYHGE\ 7DRLVWV · 7KH process of nature E\ZKLFK all things change DQGZKLFKLV to be followed IRUD life of harmony.
2.) 'DNRWD6LRX[EHOLHYHLQ Wakan Tanka RU “The Great Mysterious” creative force IRXQG in all beings DQG spirits. 3.) Any object RU being WKDWKDVLQIOXHQFHRYHUWKHFRXUVHRIOLIHLVVHHQDVD manifestation of this divine power.
Native American Religions – Animism continued 1.) $QDQLPLVWLVVRPHRQHZKREHOLHYHVWKDWWKH trees rocks rivers plants DQG animals DUH spiritually alive 2.) 6SLULWVLQQDWXUH have the ability WR help RU harm $QLPLVWVRIIHU some form of worship WRWKHVH VSLULWV 3.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV are thus animists LQDVHQVH
Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Native American Religions 4.) ,IWKH6XSUHPH%HLQJ lives and manifests itself in all creation QDWXUHVKRXOGEH respected and cared for 5.) $GLIIHUHQWYLHZWKDQZKLWH(XURSHDQVHWWOHUVZKR viewed nature as something to be exploited 6.) :KLWH(XURSHDQVZHUH willing to sacrifice WKHEHDXW\DQGOLIHRIWKHODQGWR build a technology WKDWZRXOG make life PRUH comfortable DQG pleasant 7.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVKDGDUHYHUHQWDWWLWXGHWRZDUGQDWXUHDQG sought to live in harmony ZLWKLW
Native American Religions - Hunting
1.) +XQWLQJZDVLPSRUWDQWWR1DWLYH 2.) $PHULFDQVERWKDVD practical DQGUHOLJLRXVH[SHULHQFH 3.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQKXQWHUV often prayed WRWKH spirit of the animal EHIRUHWKHKXQW 4.) 2QO\WKRVH animals absolutely needed ZHUHNLOOHG+XQWHUV asked for forgiveness IURPWKH DQLPDO(YHU\SDUWRIWKHDQLPDO was used 5.) (XUR$PHULFDQKXQWHUV slaughtered herds WRRNKLGHVDQGWRQJXHV leaving the bulk RIWKH DQLPDO to rot
Native American Religions – Agriculture
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVUHYHUHWKH soil plants DQG trees 7KH soil is personified DV Mother Earth 3ODQWVDUHWKRXJKW to have spirits 2.) )RUPDQ\1DWLYH$PHULFDQSHRSOH farming is a religious activity 3.) 7KH+RSLRIWKH6RXWKZHVW continue to farm IRUFRUQHYHQZKHQWKHEXONRIWKHLUIRRG comes from “modern” sources. 4.) (YHQ gathering clay WRPDNHSRWWHU\LVGRQHZLWKDQXQGHUVWDQGLQJRI the life in the soil 5.) 7KH3DSDJRZRPHQRIVRXWKHUQ$UL]RQDVSHDNRIWKHFOD\WKH\GLJIRUSRWV³ I take only what I need ,WLVWRFRRNIRUP\FKLOGUHQ´ 6.) &XWWLQJGRZQDWUHHLVQRWGRQHZLWKRXW making an offering to the tree first 7.) 7UHHV are sacred DQG have feelings WKDW must be respected.
Native American Religions - Contacts With The Spirit World
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQSHRSOH tend not to see WKHXQLYHUVHDV being under the control RI an all- powerful God 2.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV seek to maintain good relationships ZLWK spiritual beings forests streams DQG animals DPRQJRWKHUV WKDW share the world with humans 3.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV are interested LQWKH day-to-day life DPRQJ multiple spirits
Native American Religions - Sacrifice
1.) 0RVWZRUOG religions practice some form of sacrifice WRSOHDVHGHLWLHV$QLPDOVJUDLQZLQH EHHUDQGKXPDQEORRGVDFULILFHKDYH been offered by different religions 2.) Such sacrifices were rare DPRQJWKHQDWLYHSHRSOHVRIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVDQG&DQDGD 3.) Human sacrifice was used E\QDWLYHVRI&HQWUDODQG6RXWK$PHULFD Maya RI*XDWHPDOD Aztecs RI&HQWUDO0H[LFR Inca RI3HUXDQGFRPPXQLWLHVRI American Southwest 4.) Sacrifice LVXVHGWRKHOSKXPDQ obtain assistance IURP spiritual beings 5.) 6RPHULWXDOVVXFKDVWKH Sun Dance RIWKH*UHDW3ODLQV1DWLYH$PHULFDQV involve self-torment RU sacrifice 6.) 7KLVLVVHHQDVDZD\RI obtaining the spiritual power QHFHVVDU\IRU human survival. 7.) Medicinal bundles PDGHIURP animal hides bones plants DQG minerals DUHRWKHUVRXUFHVRI spiritual power 0HGLFLQDOEXQGOHVDUHJUHDWO\YDOXHGE\1DWLYH$PHULFDQV 8.) :K\ do you think WKDWWKHJUHDW blood sacrifices RIRWKHUZRUOGUHOLJLRQVZDVRULV uncommon in 1DWLYH$PHULFDQUHOLJLRQ"
Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Native American Religions Native American Religion- Taboos
Taboo: Interacting With Menstruating Women 1.) 2QHZD\WKDW1DWLYH$PHULFDQV protect themselves IURP possible danger from WKH spirit world LVWKURXJKWDERRV 2.) 7DERRVDUH actions circumstances persons objects HWFZKLFK owing to their dangerousness IDOORXWVLGHWKH normal everyday categories RIH[LVWHQFH 3.) 7DERRLVD kind of religious action WKDW enables people to avoid GRLQJWKLQJVWKDW would offend the spirits RI nature DQGWKH ancestors
Taboo: With Menstruating Women
1.) :RPHQ participate in child production DQGWKXVKDYH special powers 2.) 0HQVWUXDWLQJZRPHQDUHVHHQDV especially powerful 3.) Interacting with RUHYHQ being looked at E\DPHQVWUXDWLQJZRPHQ could ruin DKXQWHU¶V DELOLWLHVIRUOLIHHYHQ weapons could be rendered useless ZLOGJDPHFRXOG be driven away 4.) 0HQVWUXDWLQJZRPHQ were often kept separate
Taboo: Avoidance of The Dead
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV feared WKDW the spirit RIWKH dead would remain IRUDWLPHDQG attempt to take IDPLO\DQGIULHQGV with it 2.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV avoid the dead H[FHSWLQFDVHVRIH[WUHPHHPHUJHQF\ 3.) $PRQJWKH1DYDKRDQGRWKHUWULEHVRI$UL]RQDDQG1HZ0H[LFR dead bodies WKHLU clothing DQG belongings DUH greatly feared 4.) 7KH\DUH reluctant to touch the bodies RIYLFWLPVRIDXWRPRELOHDQGRWKHUDFFLGHQWV
Taboo: Concern About Final Resting Place
1.) Care of the dead LVRIWHQOHIWWR non-native people 2.) 6WHSVDUHWDNHQWR keep bodies away from FRQWDFWZLWKWKHKXPDQZRUOG 3.) 6RPHWLPHV names of dead DUH not spoken IRU many years DIWHUWKHLUGHDWKV 4.) 7KHGHDGDUH buried by special members RIWULEH not the immediate family 5.) 7KHVHSHRSOHZHUH ritually unclean for a time DQGXQDEOHWRSDUWDNHRIWULEDOPHDOV
Controversy - Native Americans and The Scientific Community Regarding The Dead
1.) Archaeologists and scientists RIWHQVWXG\ human remains WROHDUQDERXWWKH diets DQGKHDOWKRI SUHKLVWRULFSHRSOH 2.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV are troubled E\ZKDWWKH\VHHDVD disrespect for the dead 3.) 7KH\ have fought for the return and reburial RIWKHUHPDLQVGLVFRYHUHGE\DUFKDHRORJLVWV
Native American Religions – Ceremonies and Rituals
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVVRXJKWWR control the forces of the spiritual world ZLWKFHUHPRQLHV 2.) 7KH purpose of ceremonies rituals songs DQG dances LV not necessarily WRZRUVKLS 3.) 7KH\DUHD means of renewing WKHSDUWQHUVKLSEHWZHHQ humans DQG the spirit ZRUOG 4.) &HUHPRQLHVDQGULWXDOVLQFOXGH dancing singing fasting ordeals bathing DQG observing taboos
Native American Religions – Ceremonies and Rituals
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVVRXJKWWR control the forces of the spiritual world ZLWKFHUHPRQLHV 2.) 7KH purpose of ceremonies rituals songs DQG dances LV not necessarily WRZRUVKLS
Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Native American Religions 3.) 7KH\DUHD means of renewing WKHSDUWQHUVKLSEHWZHHQ humans DQG the spirit ZRUOG 4.) &HUHPRQLHVDQGULWXDOVLQFOXGH dancing singing fasting ordeals bathing DQG observing taboos
Native American Religions - Dance - A Popular Ritual
1.) 7KH entire community participates LQWKHGDQFH 2.) 8VHGWRSUHSDUHIRUD hunt agricultural season RUIRU celebration WKH\ZHUHDOVRXVHGLQWKH preparation for war 3.) 8VHGDVD rite of passage 4.) 'DQFHLVDFFRPSDQLHGE\WKHEHDWLQJRI drums singing of songs VKDNLQJRI rattles DQG SOD\LQJRI flutes
Native American Religions - Dance - Contact With The Spirit World
1.) 7KH Dance rhythms FDQEH simple RU complex 2.) )URPVHYHUDOSHRSOH banging on a log WRFRPSOH[UK\WKPVEHLQJSOD\HGRQ animal skin drums 3.) 7KH verses of songs FRXOGEH simple and repetitive RU tell detailed stories RI creation RU heroes RIWKHSDVW 4.) Hours RIVRQJDQGVWHDG\UK\WKPDUHK\SQRWLF 5.) /RQJ hours of dancing LQWKLVDWPRVSKHUH prepares WKHSDUWLFLSDQWV to interact ZLWKWKH spirits
Native American Religions – Rituals For Hunting
1.) $QLPDOVZHUHLPSRUWDQWWR1DWLYH$PHULFDQVIRU food DQG raw materials (hides for warmth bones for tools DQG weapons 2.) 5LWXDOV prepared hunters IRUWKHLUZRUN 3.) +XQWLQJ could be unpredictable RQHVHDVRQWKHLUZRXOGEH an abundance of game DQGWKH ZHDSRQVFRXOGEH very accurate DQRWKHUVHDVRQ game could be scarce DQG weapons ineffective. 4.) Spirits of animals DQGWKH hunters DQGZHDSRQVWKHPVHOYHVKDGWR be properly prepared.
Native American Religions – Pueblo Hunting Ritual
1.) 3XHEORKXQWLQJULWXDORIWKHVRXWKZHVW 2.) Men dressed as deer DQG crawled around WRWKH beat of a drum DQGWKH singing of songs 3.) Hunters acted DVLIWKH\ were killing them DQGWKH animal actors DVLI they were dying 4.) Sympathetic or imitative magic ±SHUVRQV imitating the game animals LQWKHFHUHPRQ\ZHUH symbolically called forth and killed LQWKHEHOLHIWKDWWKLV would occur during the real hunt.
Native American Religions – The Vision Quest 1.) 7RJDLQ special power in life 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV often seek visions WKDWSXWWKHP in contact ZLWK WKHVSLULW:RUOG 2.) 9LVLRQVDUHVRXJKWE\ young people DWWKH time of puberty 3.) 2QHGD\WKH\ go alone into the wilderness WROLYHDORQH until a vision is received 4.) 7KH\RXQJSHUVRQ lives without food OLPLWHG water DQGZLWK hardly any possessions 5.) 7KLVLVGRQHWRDSSHDU poor and humble EHIRUHWKHVSLULWV 6.) 6SLULWV may appear DVD man RUD woman 7.) If no vision occurs DIWHUD few days WKHQWKH\RXQJSHUVRQ may cut his/her flesh RUHYHQ cut off a finger DVD sign of sincerity 8.) :KHQ the vision comes WKH\RXQJSHUVRQ returns to the community DVD full member RIWKH JURXSKDYLQJ moved through WKLVULWHRISDVVDJH 9.) 6RPHWLPHVWKH\RXQJSHUVRQ is painted WRUHVHPEOHD famous person IURPWKHWULEH
Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Native American Religions 10.) :KHQWKH vision comes WKHVSLULWVRIWHQ appear in the guise of animals LQD dreamlike RU trancelike state 11.) 7KH animal PD\EHFRPH the person’s special guardian WKHSHUVRQ may change KLVKHU name to include the animal’s name 12.) $ bond is formed ZLWKWKDWDQLPDO that lasts for life.
Native American Religions – Visions Then and Now
1.) 9LVLRQVDUHVRXJKWE\1DWLYH$PHULFDQVDW other times in life ([DPSOH On the eve of a major battle 2.) 9LVLRQVVRXJKWLQ connection with hunting 6XFKDVWKH great buffalo hunts LQWKHWKFHQWXU\ 3.) 7RGD\WKH\DUH sought before making major life decisions VXFKDV marriage UXQQLQJIRU political office RU moving from WKHUHVHUYDWLRQ for employment RU education
Native American Religions – Sun Dance
1.) 7KH6XQ'DQFHRI1DWLYH$PHULFDQVRIWKH*UHDW3ODLQV takes place during the summer RQWKH VROVWLFH7KHGDQFHXVXDOO\ lasts for three days and nights 2.) 'DQFHUV seek to contact the spirits DQG receive a vision 3.) 'DQFHUVJDWKHULQD lodge, especially, built IRUWKHSXUSRVH 4.) $ Sacred pole LVFXWIURPDWUHHFKRVHQIRU this sacred purpose 5.) 7KH6DFUHGSROHLV placed in the center RIWKHORGJH
Native American Religions - Smoking
1.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVVPRNHG strong tobacco IURPORQJ decorative pipes 2.) 7KHVH pipes DUH works of art DQG valued possessions WKDWFRXOG be traded 3.) 0RVWSHRSOH cannot take PRUHWKDQ six puffs IURPWKHSLSH without feeling DOPRVW intoxicated 4.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV men mostly VPRNHGRFFDVLRQDOO\WR enhance bonding EHWZHHQWULEDO OHDGHUVDQG confirm agreements DPRQJWULEDOPHPEHUV 5.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQV did not smoked DVD habit.
Native American Religions - Peyote
1.) Peyote LVD spineless cactus WKDWJURZVLQ American Southwest DQG Mexico 2.) 1DWLYHVRI&HQWUDODQG6RXWKZHVW$PHULFD ate peyote WR have visions 3.) 3H\RWH has nine (9), narcotic alkaloids including mescaline ZKLFKLV used to make acid 4.) 0RVWVWDWHVKDYH drug regulations banning mescaline. 5.) )HGHUDOFRXUWV have upheld the state laws 6.) 1DWLYH$PHULFDQVFRQWLQXHWRDSSHDOWRIHGHUDOFRXUWVLQFOXGLQJWKH6XSUHPH&RXUWDV they feel that their religious freedoms XQGHUWKH%LOORI5LJKWV are being abridged 7.) :K\LVWKLVDVLJQLILFDQWLVVXH"
Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH Traditional African Religious Beliefs
Africa is the second-largest continent. • Nearly 3,000 ethnic and linguistic groups • Over 700 million people.
Traditional African societies range from small nomadic bands OLYLQJGHHSLQWKHWURSLFDOIRUHVWDQGWKHGHVHUWVRI1RUWKDQG 6RXWK$IULFDWR large-scale kingdoms and empires.
%HFDXVHVRPDQ\$IULFDQVZHUHEURXJKWWRWKH$PHULFDVDVVODYHVDQG struggled for many centuries WRUHJDLQ freedom and dignity, $IULFDQUHOLJLRQVKDYHKDGDQLQIOXHQFH WKDWH[WHQGVIDUEH\RQG the continent's borders.
'XULQJWKHODVWILIW\\HDUVFRORQLDOLVPKDVYDQLVKHGEXWLWVHIIHFWVUHPDLQ7KHQHZ QDWLRQVRI$IULFDKDYH become a vocal and active. 0DQ\RIWKHP control raw materials vital WRWKHLQGXVWULDOL]HGZRUOG
$WWKHVDPHWLPH poverty and disease DUHZLGHVSUHDGDQGPDQ\$IULFDQQDWLRQVDUH WRUQE\FLYLOZDU
$WWKHVDPHWLPH$IULFDQ$PHULFDQVKDYHDFTXLUHGSRZHUIXOYRLFHVLQWKHLURZQ VRFLHWLHVDQGKDYHEHFRPHLQFUHDVLQJO\FRQFHUQHGDERXWDQGLQWHUHVWHGLQWKHLU $IULFDQKHULWDJH,WLVYHU\VLJQLILFDQWWKDW the son of an African was elected president RIWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVLQ8QGHUVWDQGLQJ$IULFDQUHOLJLRQVLVDQHVVHQWLDOSDUWRI GHYHORSLQJDQDWPRVSKHUHRI trust and cooperation with African leaders DQGQDWLRQV DQGXQGHUVWDQGLQJWKHSUREOHPVWKHFRQWLQHQWIDFHV
,WLVDOVRLPSRUWDQWIRUXQGHUVWDQGLQJ the history and cultures of African Americans. $V LVWKHFDVHIRUPRVWRWKHUSHRSOH religion is a keystone RI$IULFDQFXOWXUHV $EDVLFXQGHUVWDQGLQJRI$IULFDQUHOLJLRQVZLOOSURYLGHNQRZOHGJHRIFXVWRPVDQG DWWLWXGHVWRZDUGWKHIDPLO\VRFLHW\DWODUJHWKHHQYLURQPHQWDQGGHDWKDQGWKHOLIH EH\RQG
3HUKDSV no religions have been more confused LQWKHPLQGVRI:HVWHUQSHRSOHDV WKRVHRI$IULFD:HVWHUQ perceptions and understandings of African religions and cultures KDYHEHHQOLPLWHGE\ two quite different stereotypes RI$IULFDQFLYLOL]DWLRQV
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 1 Traditional African Religious Beliefs
7KHILUVWVWHUHRW\SHSUHVHQWV$IULFDDVD land of savagery and superstition, DQGKDV EHHQXVHGDOOWRRRIWHQWRMXVWLI\ZKLWHUDFLVPDQG the mistreatment of African and African American people.
The other stereotype is more positive EXWXQIRUWXQDWHO\ no less inaccurate. It values African symbols, literature, and art EXWWUHDWVWKLVYDVWFRQWLQHQW as a unified whole. :KLOH this positive stereotype KDVKHOSHGWRFRPEDWROGHUQHJDWLYHLPDJHVRI$IULFDLW FRQWULEXWHVYHU\OLWWOHWRWKHXQGHUVWDQGLQJRI Africa, its peoples, and its cultures.
%RWKRIWKHVHLPDJHVDUHEDVHGRQ a combination of half-truths and fertile imaginations. It is necessary to overcome both of these stereo types.
:KHQGLVFXVVLQJ$IULFDQUHOLJLRQV we cannot speak ZLWKDXWKRULW\ about a single religion, theology, worldview, or ritual system. Africa is a huge continent with many varied and ancient cultures. Most African religions H[LVWHGLQSUHPRGHUQWLPHVDQG OHIWIHZZULWWHQUHFRUGV
0RVWRIZKDWLVNQRZQDERXWWUDGLWLRQDO$IULFDQUHOLJLRQV has been collected by anthropologists and missionaries or remembered from the past by Africans.
:KLOHLQWKHSDVWWKHVWXG\RI$IULFDQUHOLJLRQVZDVFRQGXFWHGPDLQO\E\(XURSHDQV DQG$PHULFDQVWRGD\$IULFDQVFKRODUVDQGZULWHUVDUHPRUHDQGPRUHDFWLYHLQWKH VWXG\DQGGRFXPHQWDWLRQRIWKHLURZQWUDGLWLRQV7KHVH$IULFDQYRLFHVKHOSWRSURYLGH DPRUHEDODQFHGDQGDFFXUDWHSLFWXUHRIWKHUHOLJLRXVOLYHVRI$IULFDQSHRSOH
$VZHKDYHFRPHWRXQGHUVWDQGWKHULFKQHVVDQGGLYHUVLW\RI$IULFDQFXOWXUHVLWKDV EHFRPHLQFUHDVLQJO\FOHDUWKDWWKHUHOLJLRXVEHOLHIVDQGFXVWRPVRIRQHJURXSRI $IULFDQVDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\VKDUHGE\RWKHUV(YHQZKHQZHVSHDNRIWKHEDVLF FRQFHSWVRIWKHVHUHOLJLRQVZHPXVWNHHSLQPLQGWKDWWKHVHLGHDVDUHQRWXQLYHUVDOO\ VKDUHGRUHYHQO\GLVWULEXWHGWKURXJKRXWWKHFRQWLQHQW • African Traditional Religions LQGLJHQRXVUHOLJLRQV • Islam LQWURGXFHGWRVXE6DKDUDQ$IULFDLQWKFHQWXU\ • Christianity LQWURGXFHGWR:HVW$IULFDLQWKFHQWXU\ • Folk Christian Groups LQGLJHQRXV&KULVWLDQPRYHPHQWVVLQFHHDUO\¶V
In Africa the three major religions are Traditional Beliefs, Christianity, and Islam. • Traditional beliefs may include worship of: DQFHVWRUVVSLULWVJRGVDQLPDOV ODQGLQDQLPDWHREMHFWVDQGRUQDWXUDOSKHQRPHQD
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 2 Traditional African Religious Beliefs
:HDUHQRWDEOHWRVSHDNZLWKDXWKRULW\DERXWDVLQJOHUHOLJLRQWKHRORJ\RUULWXDO V\VWHP7KHUHDUHIHZZULWWHQUHFRUGVRUDOWUDGLWLRQSDVVHGRQE\JULRWV (singing, story tellers). 7KHUHOLJLRXVEHOLHIVDQGFXVWRPVRIRQHJURXSDUHQRWXQLYHUVDOO\ VKDUHGE\RWKHUV7KHUHDUHD great variety of beliefs and practices LQ$IULFDQWUDGLWLRQ
Before the introduction of Islam and Christianity, Africa had a very developed system of religion. ,WZDVFDOOHG Animism, ZKLFKFDQQRWEHPLQLPL]HGWRDVSHFLILF VHWRIEHOLHIVEXWPRVWHWKQLFJURXSVEHOLHYHGLQ • One supreme god. • Several other gods. • Belief in spirits of ancestors. • Sacrifice (child or animal) to secure protection. • Need to undergo a Rite of Passage which is a “ coming of age ” ceremony or ritual.
7UDGLWLRQDO$IULFDQSHRSOHGHYHORSHGDEHOLHIV\VWHPVWKDW helped them understand DQG organize information DERXWWKHLUZRUOG7KLVEHOLHIV\VWHPZDVGHYHORSHG WKURXJKRXWPDQ\SDUWVRIWKHZRUOG throughout the course of history. 0DQ\HDUO\ $IULFDQVVKDUHG similar religious beliefs DQGVKDUHG common features in the arts DV ZHOO
Examples of Beliefs: • 0DQ\EHOLHYHGWKDW unseen spirits of ancestors stayed near. • 7R honor spirits, IDPLOLHV marked certain places as sacred SODFHVDQGSODFHG VSHFLDOO\ carved statues in LQWKHVFDUHGSODFHV • )DPLOLHVJDWKHUHGWRVKDUHQHZVIRRGZLWKDQFHVWRUV hoping spirits would SURWHFWWKHP
1.) Animism • 0DQ\$IULFDQVDOVRSUDFWLFHGDIRUPRIUHOLJLRQFDOOHG animism - belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, other natural objects have spirits. • $QLPLVPUHIOHFWHG$IULFDQV¶FORVHWLHVWRQDWXUDOZRUOG a.) Rituals and Ceremonies - ([SODLQWKH When Where DQG How WKHJRGV DQGDQFHVWRUVFRPPXQLFDWH b.) Earthly Representatives Sangoma: 7UDGLWLRQDO+HDOHUV'LYLQHUVDQG 3URSKHWV c.) Spiritism Belief that spirit beings , XVXDOO\PDOHYROHQW control all of life
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 3 Traditional African Religious Beliefs
2.) Ancestor Worship Veneration of and communication with the dead.
3.) Fatalism The concepts of limited good and zero sum.
ANIMISM 1.) %HOLHILQRQHUHPRWH6XSUHPH%HLQJ 2.) $ZRUOGRIVSLULWV JRRG EDG LQDOOWKLQJV 3.) $QFHVWRUYHQHUDWLRQ 4.) %HOLHILQPDJLFFKDUPVDQGIHWLVKHV 5.) 'LYLQHUDPHGLDWRUEHWZHHQWKHWULEHDQG*RG
$QLPLVPLVUHWDLQHGWULEDOHWKQLFUHOLJLRQRISHRSOHDURXQGWKHZRUOG7RGD\DGKHUHQWV QXPEHUDWOHDVWPLOOLRQ$QLPLVWVEHOLHYHFHUWDLQLQDQLPDWHREMHFWVSRVVHVVVSLULWV RUVRXOV6SLULWVOLYHLQURFNVULYHUVPRXQWDLQSHDNVDQGKHDYHQO\ERGLHV(DFKWULEH KDVLWVRZQFKDUDFWHULVWLFIRUPRIDQLPLVP A Shaman WULEDOUHOLJLRXVILJXUHXVXDOO\VHUYHVDVWKHLQWHUPHGLDU\ EHWZHHQSHRSOHDQGWKHVSLULWV
The largest population of Animists today LVLQ6XE6DKDUD$IULFD$QLPLVWVVWLOO H[LVWLQ1DWLYH$PHULFDQWULEHVLQ1RUWKDQG6RXWK$PHULFD$ERULJLQHVLQ$XVWUDOLD DUHDOVRFRQVLGHUHG$QLPLVWV
Many Africans believed the spirits of their departed ancestors were still present on Earth. Ancestral spirits would be called upon for help in times of need/trouble.
Animistic Gods DUHRIWHQLPPRUWDOL]HGE\P\WKRORJ\H[SODLQLQJWKHFUHDWLRQRI fire, wind, water, man, animals and other natural earthly things (DFKVHFWRIDQLPLVP YDULHVEXWWKHUHDUHVLPLODULWLHVEHWZHHQJRGVJRGGHVVHVDQGULWXDOV7KHUHDUHKRO\ men or women, visions, trancing, dancing, sacred items, sacred places IRUZRUVKLS DQGWKHFRQQHFWLRQIHOWWRWKHVSLULWVRIWKHDQFHVWRUV
7RVRPHDQLPLVWV objects do not actually possess spirits, EXWDUHYDOXHGEHFDXVH WKH\KDYHDSRWHQF\WR serve as a link EHWZHHQSHRSOHDQGWKHRPQLSUHVHQWJRG
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 4 Traditional African Religious Beliefs
$QLPLVPFDQEHD very complex belief system. Sub-Saharan Africa LVWKHJUHDWHVW VXUYLYLQJ stronghold of animism. $ORQJWKHQRUWKHGJH Islam is rapidly winning converts. Christian missionaries DUHYHU\DFWLYHWKURXJKRXWWKHDUHD
Beliefs in Supreme Beings, Spirits, and Divinities The High God and Lesser Spirits
7KHEHOLHIWKDWWKHUHLV a supreme High God who created the world DQGWKHQ withdrew IURPDFWLYHSDUWLFLSDWLRQLQLWLVFRPPRQLQ polytheistic religions DURXQGWKHZRUOG This belief LVVKDUHGE\ many African people. $OWKRXJK most African religions are polytheistic LQGD\WRGD\SUDFWLFH
7KHUHLVD common belief WKDWEH\RQGDOORIWKH minor gods, goddesses, spirits, and ancestors WKHUHLV one High God ZKRFUHDWHGDQG in some sense still governs the universe.
,QPDQ\$IULFDQUHOLJLRQV the High God DSSHDUVDVD creator ZKR did his work and retired WRD distant place. ,WLVRIWHQEHOLHYHGWKDW he has little contact w LWKWKHZRUOG DQGLWVGDLO\RSHUDWLRQWKRXJK he may be appealed WRDW times of great crisis.
%HOLHILQD6XSUHPH+LJK*RG who created the world and then withdrew from active participation LQLWLV common in polytheistic religions around the world. Belief shared by many African people. Most African religions are polytheistic in day-to-day practice.
%H\RQG all minor gods, goddesses, spirits and ancestors, exists one High God, ZKR FUHDWHGDQG in some sense still governs WKHXQLYHUVH0RVWEHOLHYHWKDWWKLV*RGLVWRR GLVWDQWDQGKDV limited contact ZLWKGDLO\RSHUDWLRQRIKXPDQOLIH&DQEHDSSHDOHGWR LQWLPHVRIJUHDWFULVLV
Yoruba tribe of West Africa – Olorun (High God). +HDVVLJQHGFUHDWLRQWRKLV HOGHVWVRQ Obatala , ZKRIDLOHGWRFRPSOHWHWKHWDVN2ORUXQSDVVHGLWRQWR Odudua, EXWKHIDLOHGWRR Olorun RYHUVDZFUHDWLRQKLPVHOIE\DVVLJQLQJVPDOOHUWDVNVWR YDULRXV orisha , OHVVHUGHLWLHV Olorun WKHQUHWLUHGWRWKHKHDYHQVDQGKDV little contact with people.
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 5 Traditional African Religious Beliefs
0RVW$IULFDQVEHOLHYH the High God is too powerful WREHDSSHDOHGWR for daily problems. He really isn’t interested . Lesser deities or orishas FRQWURO day-to-day occurrences.
The Nuer Tribe of Sudan – Exception with the High God
7KH Nuer tribe has a host RIOHVVHUGHLWLHV7KH+LJK*RG Kwoth Nhial, FRQWLQXHVWR play an active role LQWKH lives of humans. +H rewards the just, punishes the wicked, DQG blesses those who uphold the moral values RIWKH1XHUSHRSOH+H loves and cares IRU+LVFUHDWLRQDQGLV asked for blessing and assistance
7KH(DUWKZDWHUDQGVN\FRQWDLQVSLULWXDOOLIHVLPLODUWRKXPDQNLQG0RXQWDLQV IRUHVWULYHUVDQGVWUHDPVPDQ\SODQWVDQLPDOVVWRUPVOLJKWHQLQJDQGWKXQGHUKDYH VSLULWVWKDWFDQEHEHQHILFLDORUKDUPIXOWRKXPDQV
7KHVHVSLULWVDUHLQIOXHQFHGE\SUD\HUIODWWHU\DQGVDFULILFH7KH\KDYHDGLUHFW LQIOXHQFHRQKXPDQOLIHVR$IULFDQVVHHNWRXQGHUVWDQGWKHPDQGVHHNWKHLUIDYRU
%RRNOHW3DJH Page 6 Traditional African Religion – pt. 2
Water: a Sacred Spirit :DWHULVVDFUHGWRPDQ\FXOWXUHV:KHQOLIHGHSHQGVRQZDWHULQWKHIRUPRIUDLQIDOO ULYHUVDQGVWUHDPVZDWHUWDNHVRQDOLIHRILWVRZQ
$IULFDQVXVHZDWHUIRUULWXDOVVXFKDVWKHZDVKLQJRIWKHQHZERUQDQGWKHGHDG 7KHUHIRUHLWPXVWFRPHIURPDVRXUFHRIVDFUHGOLYLQJZDWHU,WPXVWQRWEHKHDWHG RUERLOHGRUWUHDWHGZLWKFKHPLFDOVDVWKDWZRXOGNLOOWKHVSLULWLQLW
,Q*KDQDWKHUHLVDZDWHUVSLULWFDOOHG0DPL:DWD 0RWKHU:DWHU 6KHLVRIWHQ SRUWUD\HGDVDPHUPDLGDVQDNHFKDUPHURUDFRPELQDWLRQRIERWK7KHILVKHUPHQ FRQVLGHUKHUVRVDFUHGWKH\GRQRWWDONDERXWKHURSHQO\
Ol Doinyo Lengai - “Mountain of God”: 6DFUHG0RXQW/HQJDLLVLQ.HQ\D¶VFUDWHUKLJKODQGVDUHJLRQSRSXODWHGE\0DDVDL SDVWRUDOLVWV7KHLUPDLQJRG/HQJDLLVEHQHYROHQWDVWKHEODFNJRGRIUDLQDQGHYLODV WKHUHGJRGRIWKHVXQ0DDVLSLOJULPDJHKHUHWRSUD\IRUUDLQFDWWOHDQGFKLOGUHQ
Ancestor Worship: 0RVWFRPPRQO\UHFRJQL]HGVSLULWXDOIRUFHVLQ$IULFD7KHDQFHVWRUVFRQWLQXHWROLYHRQ LQWKHVSLULWZRUOG8QOLNHWKH+LJK*RGWKH\WDNHDQDFWLYHLQWHUHVWLQWKHZHOOEHLQJRI WKRVHZKROLYHLQWKHZRUOG
$QFHVWRUVDUHFRQVXOWHGEHIRUHWKHELUWKRIDFKLOGEHJLQQLQJRIDQDJULFXOWXUDO VHDVRQSULRUWREDWWOHRUSROLWLFDOFRQIOLFWV,QVRPHWULEHVQRRQHPD\HDWWKHILUVW IUXLWRIWKHKDUYHVWXQWLOLWKDVEHHQRIIHUHGWRWKHDQFHVWRUV
:KLOHLQ&KLQDDQG-DSDQDQFHVWRUVDUHORYHGDQGUHVSHFWHGLQ$IULFDWKH\DUH IHDUHG7KH\FDQEHFDSULFLRXV GRZKDWHYHUWKH\ZDQWILFNOH DQGXQSUHGLFWDEOH 'HVSLWHPDQ\RIIHULQJVWKH\FDQWXUQRQ\RXRUWKHFRPPXQLW\0D\FDXVHVLFNQHVV GHDWKFKLOGOHVVQHVV DPDMRUFXUVH
$QFHVWRUVPRUHWKDQWKHJRGVDUHWKHHQIRUFHUVRIWKHPRUDOFRGHVRIWKHWULEH*LIWV DQGVDFULILFHVDUHRIIHUHGWRWKHP%HOLHIWKDWDQFHVWRUVRZQWKHODQGDQGLWVSURGXFWV 3RUWLRQRIWKHKDUYHVWPXVWEHRIIHUHGWRWKHP:KHQDQLPDOVDUHERUQVRPHPXVWEH VODXJKWHUHGDQGRIIHUHGWRDQFHVWRUVWRHQVXUHWKHLUEOHVVLQJV
0RGHUQ$IULFDQVOLYLQJLQFLWLHVUHWXUQWRWKHLUQDWLYHYLOODJHVWRRIIHUVDFULILFHV
Traditional African Religions – Religious Leaders: 7KHUHLVQRWDPDMRUQHHGIRUUHOLJLRXVOHDGHUVPDQ\DFWLYLWLHVFDQEHSHUIRUPHGE\ LQGLYLGXDOV H[DPSOHRIIHULQJVRIIRRGDQGGULQNVWRDQFHVWRUV
7KHUHLVQRFRPSOH[WKHRORJ\RUULWXDOVOLNHLQ+LQGXLVP-XGDLVPRU&KULVWLDQLW\
Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Traditional African Religion – pt. 2
1RUHTXLUHPHQWRIDSULHVWKRRGDQGWHPSOHVDUHYHU\UDUH6RPHFRPPXQLWLHVLQ:HVW $IULFDGRKDYHWHPSOHVDQGDOWDUVSHRSOHWUDLQHGLQ$IULFDQP\WKRORJ\WDERRVDQG ULWXDOVWRSUHSDUHWKHP
· Diviners 6HUYHGDVLQWHUSUHWHUV7KHLUMRELVWRH[SODLQPLVIRUWXQH · Shaman 0HGLFLQHPDQRUZRPDQ&RQGXFWVUHOLJLRXVFHUHPRQLHV · Diviners and Healers DUHURRWHGLQ7UDGLWLRQ7KHLUSXUSRVHZDVWRH[SODLQWKH FDXVHRIPLVIRUWXQH([SHUWVLQKHUEDOPHGLFLQH7RGD\GRFWRUVVWXG\WKHURRWV DQGKHUEVXVHGLQWUDGLWLRQDO$IULFDQKHDOLQJ · Healers - +HOSHGIDPLOLHVEHFRPHDZDUHRISUREOHPVDORQJZLWKSURYLGLQJ UHPHGLHV
Diviners: Communication with Ancestors: $QFHVWRUVFDQVSHDNWR\RXLQGUHDPV$QFHVWRUVFDQVHQGVLJQVWR\RXLQQDWXUHWKDW FDQEHLQWHUSUHWHGZLWKWKHKHOSRIGLYLQHUVVSLULWXDOVSHFLDOLVWV6LJQVDUHVRPHWLPHV LQWHUSUHWHGE\ORRNLQJDWWKHRUJDQVRIVDFULILFHGDQLPDOV'LYLQHUVFDQDOVRFRQWDFW DQFHVWRUVIRUKHOSZLWKNQRZLQJWKHIXWXUH
Tallensi Tribe: Example of Pleasing Ancestors: $7DOOHQVLPDQQDPHG3XHQJ\LLOHIWKLVIDPLO\DQGVHWWOHGZLWKDULYDOJURXSWRHDUQ PRUHPRQH\+HKDGDQDXWRDFFLGHQWDQGVHULRXVO\LQMXUHGKLVOHJ$'LYLQHUWROGKLP WKDWDQFHVWRUVZHUHDQJU\WROGKLPWKDWKLVDQFHVWRUVKDGLQWHQGHGWRNLOOKLPEXW IDLOHGWRIROORZWKURXJKRQWKHSODQ6ROXWLRQ+HKDGWRPDNHUHVWLWXWLRQ PRQHWDU\ FRPSHQVDWLRQ IRUOHDYLQJKLVIDPLO\VHYHUHWLHVZLWKQHZO\DGRSWHGIDPLO\DQGUHWXUQ KRPH
Sacrifice: 3RXULQJRXWDELWRIWKHLUGULQNVRUWRVVLQJDZD\ELWVRIWKHLUIRRG VLPLODUWRZKHQ\RX GURSDKRWGRJDWD%%4±DQRIIHULQJWRWKHEDFN\DUGJRGV $VLPSOHDFWWKDWSOHDVHV VSLULWVDQGDQFHVWRUV6DFULILFHRIDQLPDOVIRUPRUHVHULRXVRFFDVLRQV±GRJVELUGV VKHHSJRDWVDQGFDWWOH7KHEORRGLVSRXUHGRXWRQWKHJURXQGRUDOWDU
$VDFULILFHLVRIIHUHGEHIRUHDEDWWOHRUHOHFWLRQFDPSDLJQRUZKHQWKHUH¶VDVHULRXV GURXJKWRULQWLPHVRILOOQHVV$VDFULILFHLVRIIHUHGSULRUWRHQJDJLQJLQDGDQJHURXV KXQW7KHEORRGLVSRXUHGRXWRQWKHJURXQGRUDOWDU
$VDFULILFHLVRIIHUHGEHIRUHDEDWWOHRUHOHFWLRQFDPSDLJQRUZKHQWKHUH¶VDVHULRXV GURXJKWRULQWLPHVRILOOQHVV$VDFULILFHLVRIIHUHGSULRUWRHQJDJLQJLQDGDQJHURXV KXQW$IWHUDQLPDOLVVDFULILFHGDSRUWLRQLVFXWDQGURDVWHGRUERLOHGDQGRIIHUHGWRWKH GHLW\$SRUWLRQLVFRQVXPHGE\WKRVHSDUWLFLSDWLQJLQWKHVDFULILFH7KLVXQLWHVWKHP ZLWKWKHVSLULWV6DFULILFHKDVDORQJWUDGLWLRQZLWKZRUOGUHOLJLRQVWREXLOGVSLULWXDOERQG &RQVLGHU&KULVWLDQLW\DQG+RO\&RPPXQLRQ
Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Traditional African Religion – pt. 2
Rituals and Rites of Passage: Rituals WDNHSODFHRXWGRRUVLQQDWXUH5LWXDOVDUHRUJDQL]HGJURXSDFWLYLW\,PSRUWDQW SDUWVRIOLIHDUHPDUNHGZLWKULWXDOV5HODWLRQVKLSVDPRQJKXPDQVVXSHUKXPDQVDQG QDWXUHJLYHPHDQLQJWRULWXDO
Rites of passage GHILQHVRFLDOUHOLJLRXVSK\VLFDOLGHQWLW\5LWHVRISDVVDJHDUH UHJXODWHGE\UHOLJLRXVIXQFWLRQDULHV
· Adulthood ±UHVSRQVLELOLWLHVDQGSULYLOHJHV · Leaving the family KRPH · Marriage LVYHU\LPSRUWDQWVRLVEHDULQJFKLOGUHQDFKLOGOHVVFRXSOHZLOOJRWR JUHDWOHQJWKVWRGLVFRYHUZK\WKH\DUHFKLOGOHVVZLWK the help of a diviner · Death ±ULWXDOVWRPDNHWKHGHFHDVHGFRPIRUWDEOHIHDUWKDWWKHLUJKRVWVZLOO UHWXUQWRKDXQWWKHOLYLQJZLGRZVIHDUWKDWKXVEDQGVZLOOUHWXUQWRFDXVHWKHLU ZRPEVWRGLH · Birth of child ±WLPHIRUJUHDWUHMRLFLQJJUHDWEOHVVLQJIURPWKHZRUOGRIWKH VSLULWV o Twins ±DUHQRWDEOHVVLQJGDQJHURXVDQGHYLO6RPHWLPHVUHJDUGHG WKDWZRPHQKDGWZRPHQDQGHDFKZHUHWKHIDWKHUV2FFDVLRQDOO\RQHRU ERWKDUHNLOOHG
,QPDQ\$IULFDQVRFLHWLHVLQFOXGLQJWKH$VKDQWLFKLOGUHQDUHQRWQDPHGIRUWKHILUVW ZHHNRIOLIH%HFDXVHRIKLJKLQIDQWPRUWDOLW\$IULFDQWULEHVEHOLHYHWKDWLWPD\EHD WULFNVWHUJRGZKRZDQWVWRWULFNSHRSOHLQWRORYLQJLWRQO\WRKDYHLWOHDYHWKHP$IWHU WKH\PDNHLWWKURXJKDZHHNWKHQPXFKORYHLVODYLVKHGRQWKHFKLOG
$IWHUQDPLQJWKHFKLOGWKHUHLVDFHUHPRQ\RIJHQWO\WKURZLQJWKHFKLOGLQWKHDLUDQG LQWURGXFLQJLWWRWKHPRRQZKLFKLVDGHLW\7KHFHUHPRQ\RIQDPLQJWKHFKLOGLVRIWHQ IROORZHGE\VKRZLQJWKHFKLOGWKHPRRQ
7KH*XSHRSOHRI%HQLQWKURZWKHLUFKLOGUHQJHQWO\LQWRWKHDLUVHYHUDOWLPHV instructing them to look at the moon. The Basuto of South Africa OLIWWKHLUFKLOGUHQ WRZDUGWKHPRRQDQGVD\ “There is your father’s sister.”
Circumcision: &LUFXPFLVLRQLVDUHOLJLRXVUHTXLUHPHQWIRU Jews and Muslims DQGLVVLJQLILFDQWWR PDQ\&KULVWLDQV6RPH$IULFDQSHRSOHSUDFWLFHFLUFXPFLVLRQ at birth or shortly after )RUPRVW$IULFDQVFLUFXPFLVLRQLVUHVHUYHGIRU when young men reach puberty
6HYHULW\FDQ vary from a minor cuts WKDWKDYHQRPDMRUWKUHDWWRJHQLWDOPXWLODWLRQ ZKLFKFDQEHOLIHWKUHDWHQLQJ Usually no anesthetic is given 7KHPDQZKR SHUIRUPVWKHFHUHPRQ\PD\ wear a mask representing the ancestors. &LUFXPFLVLRQ UHSUHVHQWVSDVVDJHLQWRDGXOWKRRG7KHLQLWLDWHLV expected not to flinch or cry out LQSDLQ
Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Traditional African Religion – pt. 2
Female circumcision LVSUDFWLFHGLQVRPH$IULFDQVRFLHWLHVDOWKRXJK there is growing opposition DURXQGWKHZRUOG$VZLWKPDOHFLUFXPFLVLRQWKHUHLVQRPDMRU PHGLFDOUHDVRQIRUGRLQJLWEXWLWLV supposed to control their erotic desire.
Marriage Rituals: 9LUJLQLW\LVKLJKO\SUL]HGHVSHFLDOO\DPRQJ\RXQJZRPHQ6RPHWULEHVVHZSDUWRIWKH IHPDOHJHQLWDOLDZKHQWKHJLUOVDUHVPDOOIRUWKHIXWXUHKXVEDQG
)UHTXHQWO\KXVEDQGPD\QRWKDYHVH[XDOUHODWLRQVZLWKZLIHZKLOHVKHLVSUHJQDQW DQGQXUVLQJZKLFKDOWRJHWKHUPD\EHWZR\HDUV
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Rituals for The Dead: )XQHUDOVDUHWRFHOHEUDWHOLIHLQVWHDGRIPRXUQLQJGHDWK%HFDXVHRI$IULFD¶VZDUP FOLPDWHWKHGHDGDUHEXULHGTXLFNO\6RPHWLPHVHPEDOPLQJDQGPXPPLILFDWLRQ RFFDVLRQDOO\RIIHUHGWRK\HQDV7KHGHDGDUHEXULHGZLWKREMHFWVWKDWZLOOPDNHWKHLU WLPHLQVSLULWZRUOGPRUHHQMR\DEOH
,QVRPH$IULFDQVRFLHWLHVLOOQHVVPLVIRUWXQHGHDWKGRQ¶WMXVWKDSSHQ2IWHQWKHUHVXOW RIZLWFKFUDIWRUIRXOSOD\,QSDVWWKHGHDGZHUHDOORZHGWRLGHQWLI\WKHLUNLOOHUV,IWKHLU KDQGVGURSSHGDVWKH\SDVVHGVRPHRQHLQWKHFRPPXQLW\RULIWKH\IHOOQHDU VRPHRQHDVWKH\ZHUHEHLQJFDUULHGWKDWSHUVRQZRXOGKDYHWRGHIHQGKLVKHU LQQRFHQFH
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Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Introduction To Hinduism
7KH:RUOG¶VODUJHVW+LQGX7HPSOH³$NVKDUGKDP´LVORFDWHGLQ1HZ-HUVH\DQGFRVWV PLOOLRQ:KHQWKLVSURMHFWLVILQLVKHGDFFRUGLQJWRDUHSRUWLQ7KH7LPHVRI,QGLDLWZLOOFRVW RYHUPLOOLRQ7KHWHPSOHZLOOHQWHUWKHUHFRUGERRNVIRUEXLOGLQJWKHODUJHVW+LQGX WHPSOHLQWKHZRUOGLQWHUPVRIDFUHDJH$WSUHVHQWWKHELJJHVW+LQGXWHPSOHLVWKH6UL 5DQJDVZDPLWHPSOHLQ6ULUDQJDP7DPLO1DGXZKLFKFRYHUVDFUHV
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What Do Hindu’s Believe: 1.) Brahman WKHHWHUQDOEHLQJFUHDWHGDQGSUHVHUYHVWKHZRUOG(YHU\WKLQJLQWKH ZRUOGLVDQDVSHFWRI%UDKPDQ 2.) Atman WKHVRXO±HDFKSHUVRQKDVRQHWKDWLVDQDVSHFWRI%UDKPDQ&DQQRWHYHU EHGHVWUR\HG 3.) Devas ±PDQLIHVWDWLRQVRI%UDKPDQWKDWDUHDFWLYHLQWKHZRUOGDQGZKRKHOSWR PDLQWDLQRUGHU 4.) 7KUHHRIWKHPRVWFRPPRQ'HYDV Brahma, Vishnu, & Siva 5.) Reincarnation ±EHLQJUHERUQLQWRWKLVZRUOGOLIHWLPHDIWHUOLIHWLPH 6DPVDUD 6.) Karma ±WKHVXPHIIHFWRIDSHUVRQ¶VDFWLRQVJRRGDQGEDGZKLFKKHOSVVKDSHIXWXUH H[SHULHQFHV 7.) Moksha JRDORIKXPDQH[LVWHQFHHVFDSHIURPWKHF\FOHRIUHLQFDUQDWLRQWRMRLQZLWK WKH%UDKPDQ 8.) 'KDUPD±VHWRIVSLULWXDOGXWLHVDQGREOLJDWLRQVWKDWPXVWEHIXOILOOHGWRDFKLHYH PRNVKD
Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Introduction To Hinduism
Hindu society was divided into four castes, or classes, of people:
7KHKLJKHVWFODVV the Brahmins (priests), ZHUHFRQFHUQHGZLWKDVVLVWLQJSHRSOH ZLWKZRUVKLSFDOOHGSXMDDQGZLWKUHPHPEHULQJDQGSDVVLQJRQWKHVDFUHGWH[WV 7KHVHFRQGFDVWH the Kshatriyas ZDVPDGHXSRIVROGLHUVDQGQREOHV 3) 7KHQH[WFDVWHPDGHXSRIIDUPHUVPHUFKDQWVDQGFUDIWVSHRSOHZDVFDOOHG the Vaishyas. The Shudras PDGHXSWKH fourth caste of servants and laborers. A fifth caste, sometimes called the XQWRXFKDEOHVFRQVLVWHGRISHRSOHRXWVLGHDOOWKHRWKHUFDVWHV ZKRGLGWKHGLUWLHVWMREV
Basically, Hindus believed that SHRSOHZHUHERUQLQWRDFHUWDLQFDVWHEHFDXVHRIWKHLUNDUPDIURP WKHLUSDVWOLIHDQGWKH\UHPDLQHGDPHPEHURIWKDWFDVWHWKHLUZKROHOLIHDQGGLGQRWDVVRFLDWHZLWK PHPEHUVRIRWKHUFDVWHV
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+LQGXVEHOLHYHWKDWFHUWDLQDQLPDOVDUHVDFUHG7KHPRVWLPSRUWDQWRIWKHVHLVWKHFRZ7KH FRZLVDVRXUFHRIPLONDQGFKHHVHGRHVZRUNE\SXOOLQJFDUWVDQGSORZVDQGKHUGXQJLV XVHGDVDVRXUFHRIIXHO+LQGXVDUHQRWDOORZHGWRNLOODFRZDQGPRVW+LQGXVZLOOQRWHDW EHHI0DQ\+LQGXVVKRZUHVSHFWIRUDOODQLPDOVE\QRWHDWLQJPHDWRIDQ\NLQG
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Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Introduction To Hinduism
*UDGXDOO\DQRWKHUJURXSRIUHOLJLRXVOHDGHUVHPHUJHG7KHVHZHUHKHUPLWVZKROLYHGD VLPSOHOLIHLQWKHIRUHVWRZQLQJYHU\IHZSRVVHVVLRQVDQGVSHQGLQJWKHLUWLPHLQGHYRWLRQDQG PHGLWDWLRQ0DQ\SHRSOHSODFHGWKHLUWUXVWLQWKHVHIRUHVWKHUPLWVUDWKHUWKDQLQWKHSULHVWV
The Hindu Sacred Texts:
$VHWRIVD\LQJVDQGWHDFKLQJV called the Vedas , ZHUHVDLGWRKDYH been inspired by Brahma and ZHUH passed down by word of mouth IURPRQHJHQHUDWLRQWRWKHQH[W
(YHQWXDOO\WKHVHZHUHZULWWHQGRZQ7KH\VWLOOSOD\DQLPSRUWDQWSDUWLQ+LQGXOLIHWRGD\ 7KH\FRQWDLQK\PQVDQGFKDQWVWREHXVHGLQZRUVKLSDQGLQVWUXFWLRQVIRUULWXDOVDQGSULHVWO\ GXWLHV
%HWZHHQWKHVHYHQWKDQGILIWKFHQWXULHV%&(DQRWKHUVHWRIWHDFKLQJVWKH Upanishads , ZHUHFRPSRVHGE\WKHIRUHVWKHUPLWV7KHWHUP 'Upanishad' OLWHUDOO\PHDQV "sitting down near" RU "sitting close to" DQGLPSOLHV listening closely WRWKHP\VWLFGRFWULQHVRIDJXUXRU DVSLULWXDOWHDFKHUZKRKDVFRJQL]HGWKHIXQGDPHQWDOWUXWKVRIWKHXQLYHUVH
The Upanishads IRUPWKHFRUHRI,QGLDQSKLORVRSK\7KH\DUHDQDPD]LQJFROOHFWLRQRI ZULWLQJVIURPRULJLQDORUDOWUDQVPLVVLRQVZKLFKKDYHEHHQDSWO\GHVFULEHGE\6KUL $XURELQGRDVWKHVXSUHPHZRUNRIWKH,QGLDQPLQG,WLVKHUHWKDWZHILQGDOOWKHIXQGDPHQWDO WHDFKLQJVWKDWDUHFHQWUDOWR+LQGXLVPWKHFRQFHSWVRI
karma (action), samsara (reincarnation), moksha (nirvana), WKH atman (soul), DQGWKH 'Brahman' (Absolute Almighty).
7KH\DOVRVHWIRUWKWKHSULPH Vedic doctrines RIVHOIUHDOL]DWLRQ\RJDDQGPHGLWDWLRQ 7KHVHWRRNWKHIRUPRIGLDORJXHVEHWZHHQDVWXGHQWDQGDWHDFKHUDQGKLJKOLJKWHGVRPHRI WKHPDLQ+LQGXEHOLHIV7KHVHZHUHDOVRKDQGHGGRZQE\ZRUGRIPRXWKHYHQWXDOO\ZULWWHQ GRZQDQGDUHDQLPSRUWDQWSDUWRI+LQGXOLWHUDWXUHWRGD\
$QRWKHUVHWRIWHDFKLQJV the Puranas , DOVRGHYHORSHGDURXQGWKLVWLPH7KHVHFRQWDLQ NQRZOHGJHUHYHDOHGE\%UDKPDQ
1.) 7KHROGHVWPRVWDXWKRULWDWLYHWH[WLV The Vedas ³WUXWK´ ,WZULWWHQLQIRXUSDUWV)LUVW UHFHLYHGLQWKHIRUPRIRUDOKLVWRULHV,WFRQWDLQVWKHVDFUHGK\PQVRISUDLVH 2.) Upanishads %&( ±)RFXVRQWKHPHGLWDWLRQDQGWKHUHOLJLRXVLQVWUXFWLRQZLWK DJXUX,WLVDSKLORVRSKLFDOUHIOHFWLRQVRQWKH9HGDV
Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Introduction To Hinduism
3.) The Great Indian Epics FRPSRVHGE\VDJHV 7HOOVWRULHV that reflect on what it means WROLYHDFFRUGLQJWR Vedic teachings. Ramayana Mahabharata LQFOXGHV Bhagavad-Gita The Bhagavad Gītā %&( ±,VSHUKDSVWKHPRVWIDPRXVDQGGHILQLWHO\ the most widely-read text RIDQFLHQW,QGLD
7KHWZRJUHDWHSLFSRHPVWKH Mahabharata DQGWKH Ramayana , DUHSUREDEO\WKH longest poems LQWKHZRUOG7KH Mahabharata KDVRYHU ninety thousand verses DQGWHOOVDERXWD civil war EHWZHHQWZRIDPLOLHV,WFRQWDLQVDVHFWLRQFDOOHGWKH Bhagavad Gita , ZKLFKWHOOV SRSXODUVWRULHVDERXWWKH god Krishna 7KH Ramayana WHOOVRIWKHH[SORLWVRIWKH god Rama
7KH eighteen Puranas DUHVWRULHVDERXWWKHJRGVDQGJRGGHVVHVIDPRXVKHURHVWKH EHJLQQLQJDQGHQGRIWKHZRUOGDQGWKHKLVWRU\RIKXPDQNLQG$OORIWKHVHYDULHGZULWLQJVDUH LQFOXGHGLQWKH+LQGXVDFUHGWH[WV
7KHVHUHOLJLRXVWH[WVWKDWDUHSDUWRIWKH9HGDVFRQWDLQQDUUDWLYHVDERXWWKHKLVWRU\RIWKH 8QLYHUVHIURPFUHDWLRQWRGHVWUXFWLRQDQGWKHJHQHDORJLHVRINLQJVKHURHVVDJHVDQG GHPLJRGV7KHVHZHUHSRSXODUVWRULHVRIWKHOLYHVRIWKHJRGVDQGJRGGHVVHV7KH\ZHUH HDV\WRXQGHUVWDQGDQGFDSWXUHGWKHLPDJLQDWLRQVRIWKHSHRSOH
Hinduism History:
+LQGXEHOLHIVHYHQWXDOO\VSUHDGWKURXJKRXWWKHHQWLUHVXEFRQWLQHQWRIZKDWLVQRZ,QGLDDQG DOVRWRRWKHUSDUWVRI$VLDDQGODWHUWRRWKHUSDUWVRIWKHZRUOG
,QWKHHLJKWKFHQWXU\&(0XVOLPVPLJUDWHGWR,QGLDDQGDIWHUILYHKXQGUHG\HDUVRIFRQIOLFW WRRNRYHUWKHFRXQWU\$OWKRXJK+LQGXLVPVWLOOH[LVWHGLWZDVQRORQJHUWKHRQO\UHOLJLRQ SUDFWLFHGLQ,QGLD7KH%ULWLVKVHWXSFRORQLHVLQ,QGLDLQWKHHLJKWHHQWKFHQWXU\IXUWKHU GLOXWLQJWKH+LQGXFXOWXUH
$PDQQDPHG5DPPRKDQ5R\ ZDVDNH\ILJXUHLQUHVWRULQJVRPHRIWKHDQFLHQW +LQGXFXOWXUH$QRWKHUPDQ Mohandas Karamch and Gandhi XVHGD+LQGX SULQFLSOHRIQRQYLROHQWUHVLVWDQFHWRHYHQWXDOO\IUHH,QGLDIURP%ULWLVKUXOHLQ+HZDV PRUHFRPPRQO\NQRZQDV Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma LVDWLWOHRIKRQRUPHDQLQJ the great soul .+HZDVRQHRIWKHJUHDWVSLULWXDODQGSROLWLFDOOHDGHUVRIWKHWZHQWLHWKFHQWXU\DQG SHRSOHRIDOOIDLWKVFRQVLGHUKLPWRKDYHEHHQDQH[HPSODU\IRUFHIRUSHDFH
7KHUHDUHYDULRXVVWRULHVDERXWKRZWKHQDPH+LQGXFDPHDERXW,WZDVSUREDEO\ILUVWXVHG E\3HUVLDQVZKRIRXQGLWGLIILFXOWWRSURQRXQFHWKHZRUGVLGKXDQHDUO\QDPHRIWKH,QGXV
Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Introduction To Hinduism
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Hindu Beliefs:
7KHUHLVQRWDVHWFUHHGRUV\VWHPRIEHOLHIVZKLFKRQHPXVWDGKHUHWRLQRUGHUWREHD+LQGX 0RVWSHRSOHRI+LQGXDQFHVWU\FRQVLGHUWKHPVHOYHVWREH+LQGXDQGIROORZ+LQGXSUDFWLFHV DQGULWXDOVWRVRPHH[WHQW
+LQGXVGRQRWDFWLYHO\DWWHPSWWRFRQYHUWQRQ+LQGXVWRWKHLUUHOLJLRQEXWVRPHSHRSOH HVSHFLDOO\LQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVKDYHFKRVHQWRVWXG\+LQGXLVPDQGKDYHHYHQEHFRPH +LQGXWHDFKHUVRUJXUXV
(YHQWKRXJKLWLVQRWUHTXLUHGPRVW+LQGXVGRVKDUHDFRPPRQVHWRIEHOLHIV+LQGXVEHOLHYH WKDWZKHQSHRSOHGLHWKH\FRPHEDFNWRHDUWKDJDLQLQDSURFHVVFDOOHGUHLQFDUQDWLRQ$ SHUVRQ VJRRGRUEDGEHKDYLRUFDOOHGNDUPDGXULQJWKHLUOLIHWLPHLQIOXHQFHVWKHLUVWDWXVLQ WKHLUQH[WOLIH$VDUHZDUGIRUJRRGEHKDYLRUWKH\PLJKWEHUHERUQLQWRDKLJKHUFDVWH$VD SXQLVKPHQWIRUEDGEHKDYLRUWKH\FRXOGEHUHERUQDVDQDQLPDO
7KLVF\FOHRIELUWKGHDWKDQGUHELUWKLVFDOOHGVDPVDUD7KLVF\FOHILQDOO\HQGVZKHQDSHUVRQ DFKLHYHVPRNVKDWKHILQDOVWDJHRISXULW\DWWDLQHGE\UHSHDWHGJRRGGHHGV
What are the religious practices of Hinduism?
1.) 9DU\JUHDWO\EHFDXVHZRUVKLSFDQWDNHSODFHDQ\ZKHUHXVXDOO\DWDWHPSOHRULQWKH KRPH
2.) Spiritual leaders DUHFDOOHG gurus RU sages
3.) Yoga LQWHJUDWHGSK\VLFDODQGPHQWDOH[HUFLVHV7KH\WHDFKSHRSOH to focus their minds and bodies ZKLFKZLOO aid their meditation iQRUGHU to attain moksha.
4.) Pilgrimage to Ganges WKRXJKWLWIORZVWKURXJKWZR 'HYDVVRLWVZDWHULVKRO\ %DWKLQJLQLWZLOOSXULI\WKHPDQGUHPRYHEDGNDUPD
5.) Ultimate goal of life ±WR release Atman DQG reunite with WKHGLYLQH becoming as one with Brahman (Moksha ).
Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism
What do Hindus believe?
1.) Brahman - WKHHWHUQDOEHLQJFUHDWHGDQGSUHVHUYHVWKHZRUOG(YHU\WKLQJLQWKH ZRUOG is an aspect of Brahman 2.) Atman the soul ±HDFKSHUVRQKDVRQHWKDWLVDQDVSHFWRI%UDKPDQ Can not ever be destroyed. 3.) Devas ±PDQLIHVWDWLRQVRI%UDKPDQWKDWDUHDFWLYHLQWKHZRUOGDQGZKR help to maintain order. 4.) Three RIWKHPRVWFRPPRQ'HYDV Brahma , Vishnu , & Siva. 5.) Reincarnation ±EHLQJUHERUQLQWRWKLVZRUOGOLIHWLPHDIWHUOLIHWLPH (Samsara). 6.) Karma ±WKHVXPHIIHFWRIDSHUVRQ¶VDFWLRQVJRRGDQGEDGZKLFK helps shape future experiences 7.) Moksha JRDORIKXPDQH[LVWHQFHHVFDSHIURPWKHF\FOHRIUHLQFDUQDWLRQ to join with the Brahman. 8.) Dharma ±VHWRIVSLULWXDOGXWLHVDQGREOLJDWLRQVWKDWPXVWEHIXOILOOHGWRDFKLHYHmoksha .
Hinduism castes:
Hindu society was divided into four castes, or classes, of people:
1.) The highest class the Brahmins (priests), ZHUHFRQFHUQHGZLWK assisting people with worship FDOOHG puja, DQGZLWK remembering and passing RQWKHVDFUHGWH[WV7KHLQWHOOHFWXDODQGVSLULWXDO OHDGHUV In our society, they would correspond to the philosophers, religious leaders, and teachers 2.) The second caste the Kshatriyas , SURQRXQFHGNVKRWUHH\DKV ZDVPDGHXSRI soldiers and nobles 7KHERUQDGPLQLVWUDWRUV IRUPHUO\QREOHVUDMDKVDQGZDUULRUV 7KH protectors of society In our society, the politicians, police, and the military.
3.) The third caste the Vaishyas , SURQRXQFHGY\V\XV ZDVPDGHXSRI farmers merchants DQG craftspeople. 7KH\DUH producers WKH craftsmen artisans DQG farmers 7KHVNLOOIXOSURGXFHUV RIPDWHULDOWKLQJV In our society, the merchants.)
4.) The fourth caste , the Shudras , SURQRXQFHGVKRRGUUDKV³ZDVPDGHXSRI servants DQG laborers 7KH unskilled laborers RU laboring class 7KHVRFDOOHG menial workers RU hard laborers.
5.) A fifth caste sometimes called the untouchables , FRQVLVWHGRISHRSOHRXWVLGHDOOWKHRWKHU FDVWHV who did the dirtiest jobs
%DVLFDOO\+LQGXVEHOLHYHGWKDW people were born into a certain caste EHFDXVHRI their karma from their past life DQGWKH\UHPDLQHGDPHPEHURIWKDWFDVWH their whole life DQG did not associate ZLWKPHPEHUV RIRWKHUFDVWHV
Hindu Sacred Texts
$VHWRIVD\LQJVDQGWHDFKLQJV called the Vedas , ZHUHVDLGWRKDYH been inspired by Brahma DQGZHUH passed down by word of mouth IURPRQHJHQHUDWLRQWRWKHQH[W(YHQWXDOO\WKHVHZHUHZULWWHQGRZQ 7KH\VWLOOSOD\DQLPSRUWDQWSDUWLQ+LQGXOLIHWRGD\7KH\ contain hymns and chants WREH used in worship DQG instructions for rituals DQG priestly duties
%HWZHHQWKHVHYHQWKDQGILIWKFHQWXULHV%&(DQRWKHUVHWRIWHDFKLQJV the Upanishads, ZHUH FRPSRVHGE\WKHIRUHVWKHUPLWV7KHWHUP 'Upanishad' OLWHUDOO\PHDQV "sitting down near" RU "sitting close Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism to" DQGLPSOLHV listening closely WRWKH mystic doctrines RID guru RUD spiritual teacher ZKRKDVFRJQL]HG WKH fundamental truths of the universe.
The Upanishads IRUPWKH core of Indian philosophy 7KH\DUHDQDPD]LQJFROOHFWLRQRIZULWLQJVIURP original oral transmissions ZKLFKKDYHEHHQDSWO\GHVFULEHGE\6KUL$XURELQGRDV "the supreme work of the Indian mind".
,WLVKHUHWKDWZHILQGDOOWKH fundamental teachings WKDWDUHFHQWUDOWR+LQGXLVPWKHFRQFHSWVRI · karma (action), samsara (reincarnation), · moksha (nirvana), WKH atman (soul), · DQGWKH 'Brahman' (Absolute Almighty).
7KH\DOVRVHWIRUWKWKHSULPH Vedic doctrines RIVHOIUHDOL]DWLRQ yoga and meditation
7KHVHWRRNWKH form of dialogues between a student and a teacher DQGKLJKOLJKWHGVRPHRIWKHPDLQ +LQGXEHOLHIV7KHVHZHUHDOVR handed down E\ word of mouth HYHQWXDOO\ZULWWHQGRZQDQGDUHDQ LPSRUWDQWSDUWRI+LQGXOLWHUDWXUHWRGD\
$QRWKHUVHWRIWHDFKLQJV the Puranas, DOVRGHYHORSHGDURXQGWKLVWLPH7KHVHFRQWDLQNQRZOHGJH UHYHDOHGE\%UDKPDQ 1.) 7KHROGHVWPRVWDXWKRULWDWLYHWH[WLV The Vedas ³WUXWK´ ,WZULWWHQLQIRXUSDUWV)LUVWUHFHLYHGLQ WKH form of oral histories ,WFRQWDLQVWKH sacred hymns RISUDLVH 2.) Upanishads %&( ±)RFXVRQWKH meditation DQGWKH religious instruction ZLWKDJXUX,WLV D philosophical reflections RQWKH9HGDV
3.) The Great Indian Epics FRPSRVHGE\VDJHV 7HOOVWRULHV that reflect on what it means WROLYH DFFRUGLQJWR Vedic teachings. · Ramayana · Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad- Gita). · 7KH%KDJDYDG*ƯWƗ (400 BCE) – Is perhaps the most famous, and definitely WKHPRVW ZLGHO\UHDGWH[W of ancient India.
7KHWZRJUHDWHSLFSRHPVWKH Mahabharata DQGWKH Ramayana , DUHSUREDEO\ the longest poems LQ WKHZRUOG
7KH Mahabharata KDV over ninety thousand verses DQGWHOOVDERXWD civil war EHWZHHQWZRIDPLOLHV,W FRQWDLQVDVHFWLRQFDOOHGWKH Bhagavad Gita, ZKLFKWHOOVSRSXODUVWRULHVDERXWWKH god Krishna 7KH Ramayana WHOOVRIWKHH[SORLWVRIWKH god Rama
7KH eighteen Puranas DUHVWRULHVDERXWWKH gods and goddesses IDPRXVKHURHVWKHEHJLQQLQJDQG HQGRIWKHZRUOGDQG the history of humankind.
$OORIWKHVHYDULHGZULWLQJVDUHLQFOXGHGLQWKH+LQGXVDFUHGWH[WV . 7KHVHUHOLJLRXVWH[WVWKDWDUH part of WKH Vedas contain narratives DERXWWKH history of the Universe IURP creation to destruction DQG the genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods. 7KHVHZHUHSRSXODU stories of the lives of the gods and goddesses 7KH\ZHUHHDV\WRXQGHUVWDQGDQGFDSWXUHGWKHLPDJLQDWLRQVRIWKHSHRSOH
7KHUH is not a set creed RU system of beliefs ZKLFKRQHPXVWDGKHUHWRLQRUGHUWREHD+LQGX0RVW SHRSOHRI+LQGXDQFHVWU\FRQVLGHUWKHPVHOYHVWREH+LQGXDQGIROORZ+LQGXSUDFWLFHVDQGULWXDOVWR VRPHH[WHQW Hindus do not actively attempt to convert non-Hindus to their religion EXWVRPHSHRSOH HVSHFLDOO\LQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHVKDYHFKRVHQWRVWXG\+LQGXLVPDQGKDYHHYHQEHFRPH+LQGXWHDFKHUV RU gurus .
(YHQWKRXJKLWLVQRWUHTXLUHG most Hindus do share a common set of beliefs +LQGXVEHOLHYHWKDW Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism
ZKHQ people die WKH\ come back to earth again LQDSURFHVVFDOOHG reincarnation . $SHUVRQ VJRRGRU EDGEHKDYLRUFDOOHG karma , GXULQJWKHLUOLIHWLPHLQIOXHQFHVWKHLUVWDWXVLQWKHLUQH[WOLIH$VD reward for good EHKDYLRUWKH\PLJKWEH reborn into a higher caste $VD punishment for bad EHKDYLRUWKH\FRXOG EH reborn as an animal
7KLVF\FOHRI birth, death , and rebirth is called samsara .
7KLVF\FOHILQDOO\HQGVZKHQDSHUVRQDFKLHYHV moksha, WKHILQDOVWDJHRISXULW\ attained by repeated good deeds.
· 9DU\JUHDWO\EHFDXVH worship can take place anywhere - XVXDOO\DWDWHPSOHRULQWKHKRPH · 6SLULWXDOOHDGHUVDUHFDOOHG gurus RU sages · Hindus are polytheistic. Many Hindus believe in many deities (gods). 0RVW+LQGXVEHOLHYHWKDW there is one creator-god Brahma ,ZKRLVUHSUHVHQWHGE\ thousands of other gods and goddesses 7KHWKUHHPRVWSRSXODUDUH Brahma himself Vishnu , the preserver DQG Shiva , the destroyer 9LVKQXLV EHOLHYHGWRDSSHDULQWHQIRUPVRU avatars. Shiva , a god of opposites LVEHOLHYHGWREHUHVSRQVLEOHIRU destroying creation EXWDOVRIRU re-creating it 6KLYD¶VZLIHWDNHVPDQ\IRUPVLQFOXGLQJWKH gentle Parvati WKHZDUULRU Durga RUWKH fierce Kali 2WKHUSRSXODUJRGVLQFOXGH Krishna and Rama ZKRDUHGLIIHUHQW forms of Vishnu %RWKRIWKHPKDYHKDGPDQ\LQWHUHVWLQJVWRULHVWROGDERXWWKHLU OLYHV7RGD\ their stories are passed RQWKURXJKSRSXODUPHGLDVXFKDV comic books DQG television shows. Brahma - The Creator Siva - The Destroyer Vishnu - The Preserver 7KHUHLVRQHELJ*RG7KH9HGDVGHSLFW Brahman DVWKH8QLYHUVDO6RXO · Brahma LVWKH+LQGX*RGRI&UHDWLRQ · %UDKPDLVWUDGLWLRQDOO\GHSLFWHGZLWK four heads DQG four faces DQGIRXUDUPV · Shiva LVWKH Destroyer o (YHQWKRXJKKHUHSUHVHQWVGHVWUXFWLRQ6KLYDLVYLHZHGDVDSRVLWLYHIRUFH o 6KLYDLVWKHVXSUHPH*RGLQ6KDLYLVP · 9LVKQXLVWKH Preserver KHLVPRVWIDPRXVO\LGHQWLILHGZLWKKLVKXPDQDQGDQLPDOLQFDUQDWLRQV (AKA, avatars). )RU9DLVKQDYDVKHLVWKH8OWLPDWH5HDOLW\RU*RG7KH Brahman. 9LVKQX PDQLIHVWHG+LPVHOIDVDOLYLQJEHLQJLQWHQDYDWDUV7KH\DUH LQRUGHURIDYDWDU 1.) Fish Turtle Pig/Boar Lion man IURPWKHWRUVRXSZDUGVDVDOLRQEHORZDVKXPDQ 2.) First fully human form DVDGZDUIVDJHZKRKDVWKHDELOLW\WRJURZYHU\YHU\WDOO 3.) )LHUFHPDQ Hunter Greatest Warrior Ideal man Mentally advanced PDQ Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism 4.) Sage ZKRLVFRPSOHWHO\VWLOO 3URSKHVLHGZKDWZDV\HWWRWDNHSODFH 5.) .DOLLVWKH goddess of destruction .DOLZHDUVD necklace made from men's skulls. 6.) *DQHVKDLVRQHRIWKHPRVWZHOONQRZQDQGYHQHUDWHGUHSUHVHQWDWLRQVRI*RG*DQHVKD7KH Lord of Good Fortune. $IWHUWKLVWRSWLHURIJRGVWKHUHLVDYLUWXDOO\HQGOHVV list of second-string deities $OORI these deities DUHEXW different Aspects RIWKH impersonal Brahman $V+LQGXLVPLVWKHROGHVWVXUYLYLQJUHOLJLRQRIWKHZRUOGLWKDVPRUHQXPEHUVRIV\PEROVWKDQRWKHU UHOLJLRQV1RUHOLJLRQLVVRILOOHGZLWKV\PEROVDV+LQGXLVP$OO+LQGXVDUHWRXFKHGE\V\PEROVDOOWKURXJK WKHOLIHLQVRPHZD\RUWKHRWKHU(DFKV\PEROKDVDGLIIHUHQWPHDQLQJDQGLVXVHGIRUGLIIHUHQWSXUSRVH 6RPH Gods and goddesses DUHUHSUHVHQWHG in pictures DQG in statues RU sculptures 7KH\DUHRIWHQVKRZQWR have many faces or arms LQGLFDWLQJWKHLU special qualities )RUH[DPSOH Brahma has four faces WRVKRZWKDWKH rules over the four points of the compass DQGKDV four arms LQ ZKLFKKHKROGV the sacred books DQG the beads DQG flask RIDKRO\PDQ (DFKJRGRUJRGGHVVKDVDSDUWLFXODUNLQGRIDQLPDOWRULGHRQ · Brahma rides on a goose. · Vishnu usually rides on an eagle RUD snake. · Shiva rides on a bull QDPHG Nandi. Om - LVWKH most sacred RIDOOVRXQGV · ,WLVPDGHXSRIWKUHH6DQVNULWOHWWHUV , aa , au DQG ma . · 20UHSUHVHQWV%UDKPDQWKH$OPLJKW\ · ,WLVVDLGWKDW “Om was the sound heard during the time of the creation of the universe.” ,WRFFXUV in every prayer. Invocation to most deities EHJLQVZLWKLW As the Cross is to Christians, Om is to Hindus 2PLVRIWHQIRXQGRQ pendants, rings DQGHQVKULQHG in every Hindu temple. 7KH flower of lotus UHSUHVHQWV culture SROLWHQHVV . 7KHORWXVLVDVVRFLDWHGZLWK several Hindu deities Hindu gods and goddesses DUHW\SLFDOO\GHSLFWHGZLWKORWXVHV7KH\ sit on lotus flower WKH\ hold lotus DQGVRPHWLPHVWKH\ emerge from lotus .ULVKQDLVGHVFULEHG DVWKH "Lotus-Eyed One," UHIHUULQJWRKLV divine beauty. Brahma and Lakshmi DUHRIWHQ VHHQZLWKWKHORWXVV\PERO2WKHUGHLWLHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHORWXVLQFOXGH Vishnu and Sarasvati Swastika LVWKH second most important +LQGXV\PERO 7KHWHUP 6ZDVWLND LVEHOLHYHGWREHDIXVLRQRIWKHWZR6DQVNULWZRUGV 'Su' (good) DQG 'Asati' (to exist), ZKLFKZKHQFRPELQHGPHDQV 'May Good Prevail’ . 6ZDVWLNDLVDQDQFLHQW +LQGXV\PEROWKDWGHQRWHV well-being DQG auspiciousness ,WPHDQV "Everything is Good." 7KHDXVSLFLRXVV\PERORIWKHVZDVWLNDLVYHU\FRPPRQO\XVHGLQ Hindu art architecture and decoration ,WLVXVXDOO\D major part of the decoration for festivals DQGVSHFLDO ceremonies like weddings Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism Trishul (English: Trident), WKHWULKHDGHGVSHDULVRQHRIWKHPRVWSRSXODUV\PEROV DVVRFLDWHGZLWK/RUG6KLYDDQG*RGGHVV'XUJD7KH7ULVKXOV\PEROL]HVWKHEDODQFHRIWKH WKUHHIRUFHVRI preservation creation DQG destruction ,WDOVRUHSUHVHQWVWKHWKUHHDVSHFWVRI FRQVFLRXVQHVV cognition conation DQG affection 7LODNLVDOVRNQRZQDVWLNDRUWLODND7KH7LODNLVDYHUWLFDOOLQHPDGHZLWK.XPNXP 5HG OHDG between the eyebrows on the forehead. ,WFDQEHZRUQGDLO\RURQO\RQUHOLJLRXV RFFDVLRQLQVRPHFXVWRPV7LODNPDUNVDUH applied by hand or with a metal stamp 7LODNLV XVXDOO\PDGHIURPUHGOHDGEXWFDQEHPDGHIRUPDUDQJHRIPDWHULDOVXFKDVDVKIURPD VDFULILFLDOILUH sandalwood paste turmeric cow dung clay RU charcoal 7KHPDQZHDUVWKH WLODNLQGLIIHUHQWOLQHVGHSHQGLQJRQWKHFXVWRPRILVUHOLJLRXVDIILOLDWLRQ 6DLYLWHV (followers of Shiva) ZHDUDWLODNRI three horizontal lines DFURVVWKHIRUHKHDGZLWK RU without a red dot $PRQJ9DLVKQDYLWHV (followers of Vishnu), WKH0DQ\WLODNYDULDWLRQV XVXDOO\LQFOXGHWZRRUPRUHYHUWLFDOOLQHVUHVHPEOLQJ the letter U ZKLFKV\PEROL]HVWKHIRRW RI9LVKQX $SDUWIURPWKHVSLULWXDOV\PEROLVPWKHWLODNKDVD cooling effect on the forehead DQGDUHDO medicinal significance 6DQGDOZRRGSDVWHKDVJUHDWPHGLFLQDOYDOXH Hinduism Review and Comparison To Christianity Hinduism & FOUNDED, LOCATION ± No one founder o (YROYHGDVDPL[RIUHOLJLRXVLQIOXHQFHVLQ,QGLDDURXQG%& ± Main types o 9DLVKQDYLVP o 6KDLYLVP o 6KDNWLVP & KEY WRITINGS ± 0DQ\ZULWLQJVLQFOXGLQJ o The Upanishads o The Vedas ROGHVWDERXW%& o The Bhagavad-Gita . & WHO IS GOD? ± *RGLV “The Absolute,” D universal spirit ± (YHU\RQHLVSDUWRI*RG (Brahman), EXWPRVWSHRSOHDUHQRWDZDUHRILW ± 3HRSOH worship manifestations of Brahman (gods and goddesses). & WHO IS JESUS ? ± Jesus Christ LVFRQVLGHUHGD teacher, a guru, or an avatar LQFDUQDWLRQRI9LVKQX ± He is a son of God as are others ± +LVGHDWK does not atone for sins a QG he did not rise IURPWKHGHDG Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Hinduism & WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? ± The Holy Spirit LVQRWSDUWRIWKH+LQGXEHOLHI ± Release from the cycles RIUHLQFDUQDWLRQLV achieved through yoga and meditation ± 7KLVUHOHDVH requires spiritual evolution WKURXJK many lifetimes. ± Final salvation is absorption RU union with Brahman OLNHDUDLQGURS IDOOLQJLQWRWKHRFHDQ & WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH? ± Reincarnation into a better status E\PHDQVRI good karma LIDSHUVRQ KDVEHKDYHGZHOO ± $SHUVRQZKR has lived badly FDQEH reborn and pay for past sins bad karma E\VXIIHULQJ & OTHER BELIEFS, PRACTICES ± 0DQ\+LQGXV worship stone and wooden ± Idols LQWHPSOHVKRPHV ± Disciples meditate on a word, phrase, or picture PD\ wear orange robes DQG have shaved heads & OTHER BELIEFS, PRACTICES ± 0DQ\XVHDPDUNFDOOHGD tilak RQWKHIRUHKHDGWRUHSUHVHQWWKHVSLULWXDO ³WKLUGH\H´ ± Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH The Rise of Buddhism and Jainism: Why? 7KHUHZDVUHOLJLRXVXQUHVWLQ,QGLDLQWKHWK FHQWXU\%&7KHFRPSOH[ULWXDOVDQGVDFULILFHV DGYRFDWHGLQWKH/DWHU Vedic SHULRG %&( ZHUHQRWDFFHSWDEOHWRWKHFRPPRQ SHRSOH 7KHVDFULILFLDOFHUHPRQLHVZHUHDOVRIRXQGWREHWRR H[SHQVLYH7KHVXSHUVWLWLRXVEHOLHIVDQGPDQWUDV FRQIXVHGWKHSHRSOH7KHWHDFKLQJVRI8SDQLVKDGVDQDOWHUQDWLYHWRWKHV\VWHPRI VDFULILFHVZHUHKLJKO\SKLORVRSKLFDOLQQDWXUHDQGWKHUHIRUHQRWHDVLO\XQGHUVWRRG E\DOO 7KHUHIRUH what was needed LQWKHODUJHULQWHUHVWVRIWKHSHRSOHZDVD VLPSOHVKRUWDQG intelligible way to salvation for all people. 6XFK religious teaching should also be in a language known to them 7KLVQHHGZDVIXOILOOHGE\WKH teachings of Buddha and Mahavira 2WKHUWKDQWKHUHOLJLRXVIDFWRU social and economic factors DOVR contributed to the rise RIWKHVH two religions (Buddhism and Jainism). The rigid caste system, of Hinduism, SUHYDOHQWLQ,QGLDJHQHUDWHGWHQVLRQVLQ WKHVRFLHW\ Higher classes enjoyed certain privileges ZKLFKZHUH denied to the lower classes $OVR the Kshatriyas had resented WKH domination of the Brahmins , priestly class ,WVKRXOGDOVRWREHQRWHGWKDW both %XGGKDDQG0DKDYLUD EHORQJHG WR Kshatriya origin The Kshatriyas , kshot-ree-yahs ZDVPDGHXSRI soldiers and nobles (politicians) 7KH growth of trade OHGWRWKH improvement in the economic conditions RI the Vaisyas $VDUHVXOW they wanted to enhance their social status EXWWKH orthodox Varna system GLGQRWDOORZWKLV The Vaishyas , Y\V\XV ZDVPDGHXS RIfarmers merchants DQG craftspeople. 7KHUHIRUHWKH\EHJDQWRH[WHQGVXSSRUWWR%XGGKLVPDQG-DLQLVP,WZDVWKLV merchant class that extended the chief support WRWKHVH new religions (Buddhism/Jainism) Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH THE FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM ZDVDPDQQDPHG Siddhartha +HZDV DPHPEHURIWKH*DXWDPDFODQ+HZDV born in 567 B.C LQ/XPELQL *DUGHQQHDU.DSLODYDVWX7KHGDWHVXVXDOO\JLYHQIRUKLVOLIHDUH EHWZHHQ%&( +RZHYHU the life of Gautama DVKHKDVFRPHWREHNQRZQ is surrounded by legend DQGWKHH[DFWGDWHVRIKLVOLIHDUHVXEMHFWWRTXHVWLRQ1HYHUWKHOHVVKH SUREDEO\OLYHGGXULQJWKH sixth century B.C.E. DQGZDVDFRQWHPSRUDU\RI 0DKDYLUD Gautama ZDVWKHVRQRID.VKDWUL\D± Raja NLQJ FDOOHG6XGGKRGDQDDQGKLV ZLIH0D\D*DXWDPD VPRWKHUGLHGVRRQDIWHUKLVELUWKDQGKHZDVUHDUHGE\KLV PDWHUQDODXQW Prajapati Gautami. She EHFDPH his father's second wife :KHQ*DXWDPDZDVERUQ it was predicted WKDWKHFRXOGEHFRPH a great king but that if he ever saw WKH sights of human misery RUWKH tranquility of a monk KH ZRXOGJURZXSWREHD religious teacher +LVIDWKHU did not wish him WRJURZXSWREH a religious teacher +HVRXJKWWR SURWHFWKLPIURPWKH ugliness and distress RIKXPDQLW\7KH5DMD .LQJ VSHFLILFDOO\ VRXJKWWRNHHSWKH\RXQJSULQFH from seeing four sights · a dead body · an aged person · a diseased person · an ascetic monk $WWKHDJHRIVL[WHHQKHPDUULHG Yasodhara KDGDVRQ Rahula. *UDGXDOO\RQHE\ RQHKHEHJDQ to see the things his father had forbidden. 7KHVLJKWRIDQ old man D diseased man D corpse DQG an ascetic WXUQHGKLP away from worldly life. He left home DWWKH age of twenty nine LQ search of Truth +HZDQGHUHGIRU seven years DQG met several teachers EXWFRXOGQRWJHWHQOLJKWHQPHQW $WODVW he sat under a Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya DQG did intense penance DIWHU ZKLFKKHJRW Enlightenment (Nirvana). 7KHQ he became known DV the Buddha RU ‘the Enlightened One’. THE BUDDHA EHFDPHHQOLJKWHQHGZKHQKHZDVDERXW thirty-five years old The first step the Buddha took DIWHUKLVHQOLJKWHQPHQWZDVWRWUDYHOWRWKHKRO\ city of Banaras DQGORFDWH five ascetic friends who had spurned him. He found them in Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Deer Park WKRXJKDWILUVWWKH\KDGFRQWHPSWIRUKLPWKH\OLVWHQHGDVKHSUHDFKHG He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath QHDU%DQDUDV ,QKLVILUVWVHUPRQWKH Buddha taught WKDWQHLWKHU the extreme of indulgence QRU the extreme of asceticism ZDVDFFHSWDEOHDVDZD\RIOLIH One should avoid extremes DQG seek to live in the middle way . The five ascetics noted the change WKDWKDGFRPHRYHU the Buddha DQGWKH\ accepted his teachings. 7KHVHILYH formed the first Sangha Buddhist monastic order 7KHQH[WIRUW\ILYH\HDUVKHOHGWKHOLIHRIDSUHDFKHU+HVSHQW the remaining years RIWKLVOLIH teaching his growing band RIGLVFLSOHV Unlike orthodox Hindus KHWDXJKWWKDW any person of any caste or sex FRXOG find the same enlightenment KHNQHZ7KHUHIRUHKLVIROORZHUVLQFOXGHGD wide variety of persons When women asked to join KLVJURXSWKH%XGGKD was at first reluctant EXWKH eventually relented and allowed them WRIRUPDQRUGHURIQXQV He did not involve KLPVHOILQIUXLWOHVV controversies UHJDUGLQJ metaphysical questions OLNHJRGVRXONDUPDUHELUWKHWFDQGFRQFHUQHGKLPVHOIZLWK the practical problems confronting man +HGLHGDWWKHDJHRIHLJKW\DW.XVLQDJDUD7KH%XGGKDUHSRUWHGO\GLHGDIWHU eating spoiled pork curry $FFRUGLQJWRWUDGLWLRQKLVILQDOZRUGVZHUH "Subject to decay are all component things. Strive earnestly to work out your own salvation . “ THE NATURE OF BUDDHIST WORSHIP 7KHUHDUHGLIIHUHQWW\SHVRIZRUVKLS:KHQVRPHRQH worships a god WKH\ praise KLPRUKHU making offerings DQG ask for favors EHOLHYLQJWKDWWKHJRGZLOO hear their praise receive their offerings DQG answer their prayers %XGGKLVWVGRQRW LQGXOJHLQWKLVNLQGRIZRUVKLS . 7KHRWKHUNLQGRIZRUVKLSLVZKHQZH show respect WRVRPHRQHRUVRPHWKLQJ we admire :KHQDWHDFKHUZDONVLQWRDURRP we stand up ZKHQZHPHHWDGLJQLWDU\ we shake hands ZKHQWKHQDWLRQDODQWKHPLVSOD\HG we salute 7KHVHDUHDOO gestures of respect DQG worship DQG indicate our admiration IRUSHUVRQVDQG WKLQJV7KLVLVWKHW\SHRI worship Buddhist practice Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH 7KHSHUIXPHRILQFHQVHUHPLQGV%XGGKLVWVRIWKH pervading influence of virtue 7KHODPSUHPLQGVXVRI light of knowledge 7KHIORZHUVZKLFKVRRQIDGHDQGGLH UHPLQGVXVRI impermanence (temporariness) :KHQZHERZZH express our gratitude WRWKH%XGGKDIRU what his teachings have given us The teachings of the Buddha EHFDPHWKHEDVLVIRUDQRUJDQL]DWLRQWKDW took on many of the components of a religion. +LVIROORZHUVRUJDQL]HGWKHPVHOYHVLQWRD PRQDVWLFRUGHU (Sangha). +LVWHDFKLQJVEHFDPH codified in the laws of that order DQGLQ various forms of scripture. 7KH%XGGKDKLPVHOIFDPHWREH regarded as the greatest of beings 7KHUXOHV XQGHUZKLFKHDUO\%XGGKLVWPRQNVZHUHH[SHFWHGWROLYHDUHQRWHZRUWK\EHFDXVH WKH\GHPRQVWUDWHWKHSUDFWLFDORXWZRUNLQJRIWKH%XGGKD VWHDFKLQJV The Teachings of Buddha THE PALI SERMONS (PALI, "FIRE SERMON DISCOURSE")LVDGLVFRXUVHIURP WKH Pali Canon SRSXODUO\NQRZQDVWKH Fire Sermon ,QWKLVGLVFRXUVHWKH %XGGKDSUHDFKHVDERXWDFKLHYLQJOLEHUDWLRQIURPVXIIHULQJWKURXJKGHWDFKPHQW IURPWKHILYHVHQVHVDQGPLQG(QJOLVKVSHDNHUVPLJKWEHIDPLOLDUZLWKWKHQDPHRI WKLVGLVFRXUVHGXHWR76(OLRW VWLWOLQJWKHWKLUGVHFWLRQRIKLVFHOHEUDWHGSRHP The Waste Land "The Fire Sermon." THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA $PRQJWKH unique teachings of the Buddha ZDVWKDW the soul did not exist $FFRUGLQJWR%XGGKDSHRSOHOLYHLQDVWDWHRI anatman (the absence of enduring souls). :KDWLVFDOOHGDVRXOLVDFWXDOO\D combination of five mental or physical aggregates WKHSK\VLFDO body, feelings, understanding, will, and consciousness. 7KLVFRPELQDWLRQZKLFK makes up the human personality LV bound up in the endless cycle RI birth death DQG rebirth WKDWLVW\SLFDOLQ,QGLDQUHOLJLRQV 7KH Buddha's understanding of humankind's plight LVSUHVHQWHGLQWKHFODVVLF %XGGKLVWVWDWHPHQWRI the Four Noble Truths. 7KH Buddha's understanding of humankind's plight LVSUHVHQWHGLQWKHFODVVLF %XGGKLVWVWDWHPHQWRI the Four Noble Truths. Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH 1st Noble truth of pain : The World (Life) Is Full of Suffering . (YHU\WKLQJLQOLIH LVVXIIHULQJDQGVRUURZ · %LUWK6LFNQHVV2OG$JH'HDWKDUHSDLQIXO · 6RUURZDQG/DPHQWDWLRQDUHSDLQIXO · 'HMHFWLRQDQG'HVSDLUDUHDOOSDLQIXO · 'HMHFWLRQDQG' espair DUHDOOSDLQIXO · &RQWDFWZLWKXQSOHDVDQWWKLQJVLVSDLQIXO · 1RWJHWWLQJZKDWRQH¶VGHVLUHVLVSDLQIXO ,QVKRUWWKHILYHJURXSVRIJUDVSLQJ (hearing, smelling, eating, touching, and thinking) DUHSDLQIXO 2nd Noble truth of the cause of pain: The Cause of Suffering is Desire . 7KH FDXVHRIDOOWKLVSDLQLVSHRSOH¶VVHOIFHQWHUHGFUDYLQJVDQGGHVLUHV3HRSOH VHHNSOHDVXUHV that cannot last DQGWKDW leads only to rebirth DQG more suffering 7KH cravings FRPELQHGZLWK pleasure DQG lust finding pleasure KHUHDQG WKHUH namely the craving for passion WKH craving for existence WKHFUDYLQJ IRUQRQH[LVWHQFHOHDGVRQO\WR rebirth DQG more suffering.) 3rd - The noble truth of the cessation of pain If Desires Are Gotten Rid (purged) Of, Suffering Can Be Removed. 7KHZD\WRHQGDOOSDLQLVWRHQGDOO GHVLUHV (Abandonment, forsaking, release, and non-attachment.) Suffering comes from desire and worldly things. :KLFKPHDQV\RXVXIIHU PRUHZKHQ\RXGHVLUHWKLQJVWKDW\RXUHDOO\\RXZDQW 4th - The noble truth of the way that leads to the cessation of pain This Can Be Done By Following The Eightfold Path. 3HRSOHFDQRYHUFRPHWKHLU GHVLUHVDQGDWWDLQHQOLJKWHQPHQWE\IROORZLQJWKH(LJKWIROG3DWK THIS IS THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD WAY (PATH). The Middle Path Two extremes to be avoided: Hedonism ±OLYLQJDQGEHKDYLQJLQZD\VWKDWPHDQ\RXJHWDVPXFKSOHDVXUHRXW Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH RIOLIHDVSRVVLEOHDFFRUGLQJWRWKHEHOLHIWKDWWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWWKLQJLQOLIHLVWR HQMR\\RXUVHOI Asceticism - WKHGRFWULQHWKDWDSHUVRQFDQDWWDLQDKLJKVSLULWXDODQGPRUDOVWDWH E\SUDFWLFLQJVHOIGHQLDOVHOIPRUWLILFDWLRQDQGWKHOLNH By avoiding these two extremes: :HGLVFRYHUD Middle Path DSDWKZKLFK opens the eyes ZKLFK bestows understanding DQGZKLFK leads to peace RIPLQG to wisdom to full enlightenment WR1LUYDQD 1.) Right View: 2XU actions have consequences death is not the end DQGRXU actions and beliefs have consequences after death. 7KH%XGGKD followed and taught D VXFFHVVIXO path out RIWKLVZRUOGDQGWKHRWKHUZRUOGV (heaven, the underworld, and hell) 2.) Right Resolve (to follow the path): 7KHJLYLQJXSRIKRPHDQGDGRSWLQJWKHOLIHRIDUHOLJLRXVPHQGLFDQWLQRUGHU WRIROORZWKHSDWK7KLVFRQFHSWDLPVDWSHDFHIXOUHQXQFLDWLRQLQWRDQ HQYLURQPHQWRIQRQVHQVXDOLW\QRQLOOZLOO WRORYLQJNLQGQHVV DZD\IURP FUXHOW\ WRFRPSDVVLRQ 3.) Right Speech : QRO\LQJQRUXGHVSHHFKQRWHOOLQJRQHSHUVRQZKDWDQRWKHU VD\VDERXWKLP6SHDNLQJWKDWZKLFKOHDGVWRVDOYDWLRQ 4.) Right Conduct: QRNLOOLQJRULQMXULQJQRWDNLQJZKDWLVQRWJLYHQQRVH[XDO DFWV 5.) Right Livelihood : EHJWRIHHGRQO\SRVVHVVLQJZKDWLVHVVHQWLDOWRVXVWDLQ OLIH 6.) Right Effort : JXDUGDJDLQVW sensual thoughts. 7KLVFRQFHSWDLPVDW SUHYHQWLQJXQZKROHVRPHVWDWHVWKDWGLVUXSWPHGLWDWLRQ 7.) Right Mindfulness : QHYHUEHDEVHQWPLQGHGEXWEHLQJFRQVFLRXVRIZKDW RQHLVGRLQJ7KLVHQFRXUDJHVWKHPLQGIXOQHVVDERXW body feelings DQG mind. 8.) Right Concentration (Samadhi): SUDFWLFLQJIRXUVWDJHVRIPHGLWDWLRQ Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH GK\DQD FXOPLQDWLQJLQWRXQLILFDWLRQRIWKHPLQG([SHULHQFLQJ regeneration FKDQJHLQWRDQHZFUHDWXUHZKR experiences the world in different way. 7KH0LGGOH3DWKRIZKLFKWKH7DWKDJDWDKDVJDLQHGHQOLJKWHQPHQWZKLFK SURGXFHV insight DQG knowledge DQG tends to calm WR higher knowledge, enlightenment, Nirvana " 7KH%XGGKDUHIHUUHGWRKLPVHOI DQGWRRWKHU%XGGKDV DVWKH Tathagata. 7KLVZRUGKDVLWVEDVLVLQWKHZRUG7DWKDWDZKLFKPHDQV Thusness, Suchness, as-is-ness “There is nothing, yet there is something“ %XGGKD neither accepts God QRU rejects the existence of God. +HHPSKDVL]HG Ahimsa $KLPVDPHDQV 'not to injure‘, DQG have ‘compassion‘ DQG do no harm Ahimsa LVDOVRUHIHUUHGWRDV nonviolence DQGLWDSSOLHVWR all living beings LQFOXGLQJ all animals %\KLVORYHIRUKXPDQEHLQJVDQGDOOOLYLQJFUHDWXUHV%XGGKD HQGHDUHGKLPVHOIWRDOO (YHQXQGHUWKHJUDYHVWSURYRFDWLRQ he did not show WKHOHDVWDQJHURU hatred DQG LQVWHDG conquered everyone E\KLV love and compassion +HODLGJUHDWHPSKDVLV RQ the law of karma +HDUJXHGWKDWWKHFRQGLWLRQRIPDQLQWKLVOLIH depends upon his own deeds He taught that the soul does not exist . 3HRSOH who seriously joined the Buddha DV monks shaved their heads DQG wore coarse yellow robes 7KHLURQO\SRVVHVVLRQZDV a bowl they carried ZKHQWKH\ begged for food 7KHLUFUHHGLVVDLGWRKDYHEHHQ,WDNH refuge in the Buddha ,WDNH refuge in the Dharma (law) DQG,WDNH refuge in the Sangha . “ /D\%XGGKLVWVVXSSRUWHGWKH6DQJKDZLWK gifts of food, clothing DQG other necessities RIOLIH Lay Buddhists DOVRZHUHH[SHFWHGWRREVHUYHILYHEDVLFUXOHVRIPRUDOFRQGXFW · Abstain from killing. · Abstain from stealing. · Abstain from lying. · Abstain from engaging in improper sexual conduct. · Abstain from partaking of intoxicants . Page 7 %RRNOHW3DJH BUDDHIST MONKS – MORAL CONDUCT The monks sought WRREVHUYHWKHUXOHVRIFRQGXFWDV GHVFULEHGLQWKH Pali Sermons $%XGGKLVWPRQN abandons the killing of living things and refrains from killing OD\LQJDVLGHWKHXVHRIDVWLFNRUD NQLIH+H dwells modest dwellings LVIXOORI kindliness DQG LVFRPSDVVLRQDWHIRUWKH welfare of all living things This is his behavior of a Buddhist monk in morality. · Abandoning the taking of what is not given. +H UHIUDLQVIURPWDNLQJZKDWLVQRWJLYHQ+HWDNHVDQGH[SHFWVRQO\ZKDWLVJLYHQ +HGZHOOVSXUHO\DQGZLWKRXWVWHDOLQJ · $EDQGRQLQJLQFRQWLQHQFH being undisciplined and addicted to life's pleasures · +HSUDFWLFHVFRQWLQHQFH (self-restraint or abstinence). · +HOLYHVDSDUWDYRLGLQJWKHYLOODJHDQGWKH practice of sexual intercourse · Abandoning falsehood ...... · Abandoning slanderous speech ...... · Abandoning harsh speech ...... · Abandoning frivolous speech ...... · He refrains from injuring VHHGVDQGSODQWV · He eats only within one meal time DEVWDLQLQJIURPIRRGDWQLJKWDQGDYRLGLQJ XQWLPHO\IRRG · He refrains from seeing GDQFLQJVLQJLQJPXVLFDQGVKRZV · He refrains from the use of garlands scents unguents DQG objects of adornment IURPDKLJK large bed IURP accepting gold DQG silver IURP DFFHSWLQJ raw grain DQG raw meat · He refrains from accepting women girls male DQG female slaves goats DQG rams fowls DQG pigs elephants oxen horses mares DQG farm-lands · He refrains from going on PHVVDJHVDQG errands IURP buying DQG selling IURP cheating LQZHLJKLQJ false metal DQG measuring IURPSUDFWLFHVRI cheating trickery deception DQG fraud IURP cutting killing binding robbery pillage DQG violence 7KHUHOLJLRQRI%XGGKDZDVLGHQWLILHGZLWKPRUDOLW\DQGLWHPSKDVL]HGSXULW\RI WKRXJKWZRUGDQGGHHG%XGGKDZDVDUDWLRQDOLVWZKRWULHGWRH[SODLQWKLQJVLQWKH OLJKWRIUHDVRQDQGQRWRQWKHEDVLVRIEOLQGIDLWK7KRXJK%XGGKDGLGQRWPDNHD GLUHFWDWWDFNRQWKHFDVWHV\VWHPKHZDVDJDLQVWDQ\VRFLDOGLVWLQFWLRQVDQGWKUHZ RSHQKLVRUGHUWRDOO Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH 7KHUHIRUH%XGGKLVPZDVPRUHDVRFLDOWKDQUHOLJLRXVUHYROXWLRQ,WWDXJKWWKHFRGHRI SUDFWLFDOHWKLFVDQGODLGGRZQWKHSULQFLSOHRIVRFLDOHTXDOLW\ Terms To Remember World/Term Definitions/Meanings Anatman 7KHDEVHQFHRIHQGXULQJVRXOV The soul does not exist). followed the Eightfold Path and arrived at Arhat (saint) 2QHZKRKDV (achieved) Nirvana provide help for humans Bodhisattvas $FODVVRIEHLQJVZKRFRXOG struggling with problems of life. Buddha 7KH(QOLJKWHQ2QH Dalai Lama Leader of the Yellow Hat Buddhist of Tibet. Dharma The law. Jatakas 6WRULHVFRQFHUQLQJ the former lives of Buddha Gautama. Karma +LQGXWHDFKLQJDFFHSWHGE\ %XGGKD The expansive way Mahayana 7KHPRUHOLEHUDOVHJPHQWRI %XGGKLVP To eliminate all desires or cravings DQGLQWKLVZD\HVFDSH Literally means Nirvana VXIIHULQJ7KHILQDOOLEHUDWLRQLQ%XGGKLVP “blowing out,” like a candle flame. (extinction) 7KHHQGRIDOOSHUVRQDO H[LVWHQFH Sangha Buddhist monastic order. desire, thirst, wanting, longing, yearning, Tanha 7UDQVODWHDV craving, RUHWF An enlightened one . A Tathagata ILQGHURIWUXWK 2QHZKRKDVDWWDLQHG SHUIHFWLRQ Theravada Following the tradition of the elders. Esoteric Buddhism ( WKH Diamond Vehicle IDPLO\RI Vajrayana %XGGKLVWWHDFKLQJVIRXQGSULPDULO\LQ7LEHWDQG-DSDQ ZKLFKFRPELQH0DKD\DQDLGHDOVZLWKHVRWHULFNQRZOHGJH DQGSUDFWLFHV Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH BUDDHIST THEISM BUDDHISM IS NON-THEISTIC. 'LIIHUVRQEHOLHIVDERXWDJRGRUJRGV 0RVWFRPPRQYLHZWKHUHLVQ WDJRGRUVHWRIJRGVWKDWJRYHUQWKHXQLYHUVHEXW PDQ\JRGVOLYLQJLQDQXQVHHQZRUOG 7KLVXQVHHQZRUOGLVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHKHUHDIWHU IS BUDDHISM A RELIGION? · 'LFWLRQDU\FRPGHILQLWLRQVRIUHOLJLRQ o By first definition, No, Buddhism is not a religion , but rather a philosophy · By second definition, Yes, Buddhism is a religion o 0RUHRUOHVVLW¶VRSHQWRLQWHUSUHWDWLRQ7KHUHLVQRULJKWDQVZHU FOUNDED, LOCATION · )RXQGHGE\ Gautama Siddhartha ±%& DOVRNQRZQDV Buddha (“ Enlightened One ”). · )RXQGHGLQPRGHUQGD\ Nepal and India DVDUHIRUPDWLRQRI+LQGXLVP · Main types: O Theravada O Mahayana O Vajrayana. KEY WRITINGS · The Mahavastu (“Great 6WRU\ ” DFROOHFWLRQFRYHULQJWKH%XGGKD¶VOLIHVWRU\ · The Jataka Tales , VWRULHVRIWKHIRUPHUOLYHVRIWKH%XGGKD · The Tripitaka (“Three Baskets”) 1.) 9LQD\D3LWDND - PRQDVWLFUXOHV 2.) 6XWWD3LWDND - WHDFKLQJVRIWKH%XGGKD 9HUVLRQVRIWKH/DZ 2WKHU/LYHV 3.) $EKLGKDPPD3LWDND - VXSSOHPHQWWRWKHGRFWULQHV HVRWHULF The Tantras , DVUHFRUGHGLQ7LEHWDQ%XGGKLVP Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH WHO IS GOD " 7KH%XGGKDKLPVHOI did not believe in the existence of God 2WKHUVVSHDNRIWKH%XGGKDDVa universal enlightened consciousness RU as a god WHO IS JESUS " Jesus Christ LV not part of the historic Buddhist worldview %XGGKLVWVLQWKH:HVWWRGD\ generally view Jesus DVDQ enlightened teacher. %XGGKLVWVLQ$VLDEHOLHYH Jesus LV an avatar RUD bodhisattva EXW not God. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit LV not part of this belief. Buddhists do believe in spirits, and some practice deity yoga and invite spirit possession. Deity yoga LVDSUDFWLFHZKLFKKHOSVWRLGHQWLI\ZLWKDSDUWLFXODUIXOO\ HQOLJKWHQHGEHLQJRU%XGGKD WRUHDOL]HRXULQQDWH%XGGKDQDWXUH o 8VLQJ visualization chanting mantra recitation DQG meditation IRFXVLV SODFHGXSRQDSDUWLFXODUGHLW\,QPDQ\SUDFWLFHV\RXYLVXDOL]H\RXUVHOI DVWKDWGHLW\ HOW TO BE SAVED Goal of life is nirvana WR eliminate all desires RU cravings DQGLQWKLVZD\ HVFDSHVXIIHULQJ NIRVANA PHDQLQJ³H[WLQFWLRQ´ 7KHILQDOOLEHUDWLRQLQ%XGGKLVP/LWHUDOO\ PHDQV³EORZLQJRXW´OLNHDFDQGOHIODPH7KHHQGRIDOOSHUVRQDOH[LVWHQFH The Eightfold Path LVDV\VWHPWRIUHH%XGGKLVWVIURPGHVLULQJDQ\WKLQJDQG HYHQWXDOO\DFKLHYHQRQH[LVWHQFH WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH? 3HRSOH do not have WKHLURZQLQGLYLGXDO souls or spirits +RZHYHU one’s desires and feelings may be reincarnated LQWRDQRWKHU SHUVRQDIWHUGHDWK OTHER BELIEFS AND PRACTICES 6RPH%XGGKLVWJURXSVWDONDERXWDQ “eternal Buddha” (life-force). 7KURXJKWKH “Doctrine of Assimilation” WKH belief systems RI other religions DUHEOHQGHGLQWR their form of Buddhism Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH VIEWS OF THE BUDDHA: Buddha – LVDKXPDQEHLQJZKRKDVH[SHULHQFHGHQOLJKWHQPHQWDQGWKHQ WDXJKWRWKHUVKRZWRGRWKHVDPH Buddha - LVPRUHWKDQRQHKLVWRULFDOSHUVRQ Buddha -LVIRUHYHUEH\RQGKXPDQUHDFKDVKHKDVSDVVHGLQWRWKHHWHUQDO SHDFHRIQLUYDQD The Buddha’s teachings - QRWWKHILJXUHRIWKH%XGGKDDUHFHQWUDO Buddhas H[LVWHGEHIRUHDQGZHOOH[LVWDIWHU*DXWDPDDQGDUHFRQVLGHUHG GLYLQHEHLQJV Buddhahood LVHYHUODVWLQJDQGFUHDWHVQHZ%XGGKDVIURPLWVSRZHU Every person is a potential Buddha DHARMA WHEEL The Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel ‘Dharma -chakra' V\PEROL]HVWKH%XGGKD VWXUQLQJWKH:KHHORI 7UXWKRU/DZ Dharma WUXWKODZ Chakra ZKHHO 7KH'KDUPDFKDNUDKDV eight spokes V\PEROL]LQJWKH Eight-fold Noble Path 7KHWKUHH VZLUOLQJVHJPHQWVLQWKHFHQWHUUHSUHVHQWWKH Buddha Dharma WKH WHDFKLQJV DQG Sangha WKHVSLULWXDOFRPPXQLW\ 7KHZKHHOFDQDOVREHGLYLGHGLQWRWKUHHSDUWVHDFKUHSUHVHQWLQJDQDVSHFWRI %XGGKLVWSUDFWLFH the hub (discipline), the spokes (wisdom), DQG the rim (concentration). Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH $VFHWLF5HOLJLRQV 7KHSUDFWLWLRQHUVRI Ascetic religions eschewed worldly pleasures DQGOHG an abstinent lifestyle LQWKHSXUVXLWRI redemption, salvation or spirituality Origins of Jainism v -DLQLVPLVDQDQFLHQWUHOLJLRQIURP,QGLDWKDWWHDFKHVWKDW the way to liberation and bliss LVWROLYHOLYHVRI harmlessness and renunciation. v 7KHHVVHQFHRI-DLQLVPLV concern for the welfare of every being LQWKH XQLYHUVHDQGIRUWKH health of the universe itself. v -DLQLVP doesn't have a single founder v 5HOLJLRXVWUXWKKDVEHHQUHYHDOHGDWGLIIHUHQWWLPHVE\D tirthankara ZKLFK PHDQV a teacher who “shows the way”. v 2WKHUUHOLJLRQVFDOOVXFKDSHUVRQD 'Prophet'. $VJUHDWRPQLVFLHQWWHDFKHUV tirthankaras DFFRPSOLVKHG moksha DQGWKHQ teach others how to achieve it Jainism LVDQ ascetic religion RI,QGLDWKDWWHDFKHV the immortality DQG pilgrimage RIWKHVRXO denies the existence of a supreme being DQG HPSKDVL]HV the art of non-violence. Jainism is a response to Hinduism and rejection of castes system . -DLQLVPLVRQHRIWKHROGHVW living religions 7KHWHUP-DLQPHDQV “follower of the Jinas.” 7KH Jinas RU spiritual victors DUH human teachers ZKRDWWDLQHG omniscience 7KHH[DFWSODFHZKHUH-DLQLVPVWDUWHGLVQRWFRQILUPHG but India is most commonly referred WRDVWKHSODFHRIRULJLQ -DLQLVPDVDUHOLJLRQZDVDWYDULRXVWLPHV found all over South Asia LQFOXGLQJ Sri Lanka DQGZKDWDUHQRZ Pakistan Bangladesh Burma DQG Afghanistan Jainism started out LQWKHVL[WKFHQWXU\%& as a protest DJDLQVWWKH overdeveloped rituals RI+LQGXLVP 7KHDFWXDOGDWHLVVWLOOTXHVWLRQHGEXWLWLVEHOLHYHGWKDWLWVWDUWHGQRHDUOLHUWKDQ Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH 850 B.C. 7th - 5th Century B.C. ,WLVGLIILFXOWWRGHWHUPLQHSUHFLVHO\WKHRULJLQRI -DLQLVP Nataputta Vardhamana, ZKREHFDPHNQRZQWRKLVIROORZHUVDV Mahavira ("great hero"), KDVWUDGLWLRQDOO\EHHQLGHQWLILHGDV the founder of Jainism. Mahavira ZDV the last LQDORQJOLQHRIIRXQGHUV Timeline Religion Founder/Leader 2,085 B.C. Judaism Abraham gave him and his people a covenant. 0RVHV*RGFRYHQDQWVZLWKDFKRVHQSHRSOH %& PDNLQJDQDWLRQXQGHUKLVOHDGHUVKLSWKHRQO\ 1,500 B.C. Hinduism NoWKHRFUDF\LQWKHZRUOG specific founder (some say it was earlier). %& =RURDVWULDQLVP )RXQGHGE\=DUDWKXVKWUD =RURDVWHU LQ3HUVLD 560 B.C. Buddhism Gautama Buddha %& 7DRLVP /DR7]X 599 B.C. Jainism Mahavira Twenty-three religious figures SUHFHGHG0DKDYLUDLQWKHHVWDEOLVKPHQWRI -DLQLVP The Tirthankaras Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH 7KHVHUHOLJLRXVILJXUHVWRJHWKHUZLWK Mahavira DUHFDOOHG Tir-than-ka-ras, RU "crossing builders." 7KH\DUHEHOLHYHGWREH those ideal persons ZKR forged a bridge EHWZHHQWKLV life and Nirvana $WRWDORI twenty-four Tirthankaras UHFHLYHWKH veneration of Jains LQWKHLU WHPSOHV 7KH\DUHFDOOHG Tirthankaras (ford-makers), because they help others escape the cycle RI birth and death. 7KHWZHQW\IRXU Tirthankaras (“ford maker”), the great teachers. 7KHVHJUHDWWHDFKHUV go back countless thousands of years EHIRUH recorded history RIPDQNLQG 7KH twenty-fourth Tirthankara FDOOHG Mahavira ZDVERUQLQ%& The Twenty Four (24) Tirthankara: Tirthankara Symbol Tirthankara Symbol 1) Risabhdeva Bull 13) Vimala Boar 2) Ajita Elephant 14) Ananta Hawk 3) Sambhava Horse 15) Dharma Thunderbolt 4) Abhinandana Ape 16) Shanti Deer 5) Sumati Partridge 17) Kunthu Goat 6) Padmaprabha Lotus 18) Ara Nandyaavarta 7) Suparsva Swastika 19) Malli Water jar 8) Candraprabha Moon 20) Munisuvrata Tortoise 9) Suvidhi Crocodile 21) Nami Blue lotus 10) Sitala Sirvatsa 22) Nemi Conch shell 11) Sreyansa Rhinoceros 23 ) Parsva Cobra 12) Vasapujya Buffalo 24) Mahavira Lion Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH THE TIRTHANKARAS: • $SSHDUVLQWKHZRUOG to teach the way to moksha RUOLEHUDWLRQ • Not an incarnation RIWKH*RG • Great omniscient teachers ZKROLYHGDWYDULRXVWLPHVLQPDQ V FXOWXUDOKLVWRU\ • $FFRPSOLVKHG the highest spiritual goal RIH[LVWHQFH • (DFKQHZWLUWKDQNDUD preaches the same basic Jain philosophy • 24, tirthankaras GXULQJWKLVSUHVHQWDJH • S-ve-tam-bar-a Jains EHOLHYHWKDWWLUWKDQNDUDV can be men or women • Dig-am-bar-a Jains - EHOLHYHWKDW women can't be tirthankaras. Life and Teachings of Vardhamana Mahavira Vardhamana Mahavira LVWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWILJXUHLQ-DLQLVP+HZDVWKHODVWLQ OLQHRIWKH Tirthankaras +HZDVERUQLQ%&DQGGLHGLQ%&+LVELUWKSODFHZDV Kundalpur, India +LVOLIHDQGWHDFKLQJVZHUHGHGLFDWHGWR the art of ahimsa RU non-violence ZKLFKLVWKHFHQWUDOEHOLHIRI-DLQLVP +HJUHZXSLQ,QGLDZKHUH+LQGXLVPZDVWKHGRPLQDQWUHOLJLRQ+HDFFHSWHGWKH DVSHFWVRI+LQGXLVPEXWIHOWWKDWVRPH changes needed to be made ,WZDVKHZKR built up the Jain Church DQGODLGVXFKDILUPIRXQGDWLRQIRULWWKDW it has existed almost unchanged IRUPRUHWKDQ twenty-five centuries 0RVWVRXUFHVVXJJHVWWKDW Mahavira OLYHGEHWZHHQDQG%&( . 6RPHDXWKRULWLHVSODFHKLVGHDWKDVODWHDV 467 B.C.E. +H $VFRQWHPSRUDU\ZLWK Siddhartha Gautama Confucius Lao-tzu DQGWKH great Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Hebrew prophets RIWKHVL[WKFHQWXU\%&( (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the anonymous author or authors of Isaiah 40-66) At the age of 30 KHOHIWKRPHRQDVSLULWXDOTXHVW +HVSHQW twelve and a half years VXEMHFWLQJKLPVHOIWR extremely long arduous periods of fasting and meditation . He attained omniscience. He attained enlightenment SHUIHFWDEVROXWHNQRZOHGJH 7KHUHIRUHZDVODWHUFDOOHG Mahavira WKHQDPHLVIURP maha µ great’ DQG vira µhero’ • +HKDGEHFRPHD jina VSLULWXDOFRQTXHURU • Eleven men EHFDPHKLV ganadharas RU chief disciples. • )URPWKDWGD\IRUZDUG Mahavira taught the path KHKDGGLVFRYHUHGWR RWKHUVHHNHUV • $IWHUDILQDOSHULRGRILQWHQVLYHIDVWLQJKHDWWDLQHG nirvana DEVROXWHEOLVV DQGWKH Moksha UHOHDVHIURPVDPVDUD • $W0DKDYLUDGLHGDQG attained nirvana WKDWEOLVVIXOVWDWHEH\RQGOLIH DQGGHDWK . He consolidated the religious faith E\GUDZLQJWRJHWKHU the teachings RIWKH previous Tirthankaras SDUWLFXODUO\WKRVHRIKLVLPPHGLDWHSUHGHFHVVRU Parsva ZKROLYHGDERXW 250 years earlier. 0DKDYLUD added the principle of chastity WRPDNHWKH Five Jain principles: (No violence No lying No stealing No possessions DQG Chastity) 0DKDYLUDZDV not the founder of Jainism +HLVWKHZRUOG VPRVWUHFHQW WLUWKDQNDUD DQGZLOOEH the last one in this age +HOLYHGWKHOLIHRIDQDVFHWLFRUD sadhana +HHQGXUHGH[WUHPHO\ORQJDUGXRXV periods of fasting and meditation 0DKDYLUDDWWDLQHGHQOLJKWHQPHQWDQGWDXJKW WKHSDWKKHKDGGLVFRYHUHGWRRWKHUVHHNHUV Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH 0DKDYLUDHVWDEOLVKHGDFRPPXQLW\RI 14,000 monks DQG 36,000 nuns EHIRUHKHGLHG ,QLWLDOO\WKHIROORZHUVRI-DLQLVPOLYHGWKURXJKRXWWKH Ganges Valley in India $URXQG%&PRVW-DLQVPLJUDWHGWRWKH city of Mathura RQWKH /DWHUPDQ\WUDYHOHGZHVWWR Rajasthan DQG Gujarat DQGVRXWKWR Maharashtra DQG Karnataka ZKHUH-DLQLVPUDSLGO\JUHZLQSRSXODULW\ 7KH-DLQSRSXODWLRQWKURXJKRXWWKHZRUOGLVOHVVWKDQ 10 million RIZKLFKDERXW 100,000 KDYHVHWWOHGRYHUVHDVLQ North America WKH United Kingdom Kenya Belgium Singapore Hong Kong DQG Japan Jainism • 7KHUHDUHDERXWPLOOLRQ-DLQVWRGD\ • Most of them are “lay people”. • ,QJHQHUDO , they do NOT accept the Hindu Scriptures or rituals EXWWKH\ GRVKDUHDEHOLHILQWKH transmigration of souls • 7KHPRVWREYLRXVFKDUDFWHULVWLFRIWKHPLV their devotion to the principle of ahimsa RUQRQLQMXU\ • 0RQNVZHDUDYHLO • (YHQOD\SHRSOHIRUELGGHQWRGULQNDIWHUVXQVHW 7KH-DLQFRPPXQLW\LVFRPSRVHGRI monks, nuns, laymen DQG laywomen 7KHUHDUHWZRGLVWLQFWUHOLJLRXVJURXSVWKH Digambaras the sky-clad DQGWKH Svetambaras the white clad 7KLVGLYLVLRQSUREDEO\RFFXUUHGDURXQG%&RYHUWZRLVVXHVWKHQDWXUHRI Mahavira DQG monastic nudity Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH The Digambaras (the sky-clad ) and the Svetambaras (the white clad ) 7KRXJKWKH\ERWKEHOLHYHLQWKHVDPHGRFWULQHVWKDWDUHLPSRUWDQWWR-DLQLVP their practices are different ,WLVZRUWKZKLOHWRVHHZKDW the exact differences between WKH'LJDPEDUDDQG 6YHWDPEDUDVHFWVRI-DLQLVPDUH /LWHUDOO\ the monks of the Dig-am-bar-as are naked, ZKLOHWKRVHRI the S-ve-tam-bar-as wear white clothes ,QIDFWWKHUHDUH no fundamental doctrinal differences EHWZHHQWKHWZRVHFWV )RUH[DPSOH the most authoritative sacred text RIDOO-DLQDVLV the Tatt-vart- had-hi-gam-a-sutra E\8PDVYDWL +RZHYHUWKHUHDUHVRPHPDMRUDVZHOODVPLQRUSRLQWVRQZKLFKWKHWZRVHFWV DUHRSSRVHGWRHDFKRWKHU Some Points of differences Practice of Nudity 'LJDPEDUDV VWUHVVWKHSUDFWLFHRI QXGLW\ DVDQDEVROXWHSUHUHTXLVLWHWR %XW WKH6YHWDPEDUDVDVVHUWWKDWWKHSUDFWLFHRI WKH PHQGLFDQW VSDWKDQGWRWKH FRPSOHWH QXGLW\LVQRWHVVHQWLDOWRDWWDLQOLEHUDWLRQ DWWDLQPHQWRIVDOYDWLRQ Liberation of Woman 'LJDPEDUDV EHOLHYHWKDWDZRPDQ ODFNV WKHDGDPDQWLQHERG\DQGULJLG %XW WKH6YHWDPEDUDVKROGWKHFRQWUDU\YLHZDQG ZLOO QHFHVVDU\WRDWWDLQPRNVDLH PDLQWDLQ WKDWZRPHQDUHFDSDEOHLQWKHSUHVHQWOLIH OLEHUDWLRQ KHQFHVKHPXVWEHUHERUQ WLPH RIWKHVDPHVSLULWXDODFFRPSOLVKPHQWVDVPHQ DV DPDQEHIRUHVXFKDQDWWDLQPHQWLV SRVVLEOH Page 7 %RRNOHW3DJH Food for Omniscient $FFRUGLQJ WRWKH'LJDPEDUDVRQFH D VDLQW EHFRPHVDkevali RUKevala-jnani, %XW WKLVYLHZLVQRWDFFHSWDEOHWRWKH6YHWDPEDUDV WKDW LVRPQLVFLHQWKHQHHGVQRPRUVHO RIIRRG Minor points of Differences /HDYLQJ DVLGHWKHWULYLDOGLIIHUHQFHVLQULWXDOVFXVWRPVDQGPDQQHUVWKHIROORZLQJDUHVRPHRI WKH PLQRUSRLQWVRQZKLFKWKHWZRVHFWVRI'LJDPEDUDVDQG6YHWDPEDUDVGRQRWDJUHH Embryo of Mahavira 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDVEHOLHYHWKDW0DKDYLUDZDVERUQ RI D.VDWUL\DODG\7ULVDODWKRXJKFRQFHSWLRQWRRN 7KH 'LJDPEDUDVKRZHYHUGLVPLVV WKH SODFH LQWKHZRPERID%UDKPDQODG\'HYDQDQGD ZKROH HSLVRGHDVXQUHOLDEOHDQG 7KH FKDQJHRIHPEU\RLVEHOLHYHGWRKDYHEHHQ DEVXUG HIIHFWHG E\*RG,QGUDRQWKHHLJKW\WKLUGGD\DIWHU FRQFHSWLRQ Marriage of Mahavira 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDVEHOLHYHWKDW0DKDYLUDPDUULHG 3ULQFHVV 7KH 'LJDPEDUDVVWDWHWKDW0DOOLQDWKD 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDVFRQVLGHU0DOOLQDWKDWKHWK ZDVDPDOH 7LUWKDQNDUDVDIHPDOHE\QDPH0DOO Idols of Tirthankars 7KH 'LJDPEDUDWUDGLWLRQUHSUHVHQWV WKH 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDWUDGLWLRQGHSLFWVWKHLGROVRI LGROV RI7LUWKDQNDUVDVQXGH 7LUWKDQNDUV DVZHDULQJDORLQFORWKEHGHFNHGZLWK 8QDGRUQHG DQGZLWKGRZQFDVWH\HV LQ MHZHOV DQGZLWKJODVVH\HVLQVHUWHGLQWKHPDUEOH WKHFRQWHPSODWLYHPRRG Canonical Literature :KLOH WKH'LJDPEDUDVKROGWKDWWKH RULJLQDO DQGJHQXLQHWH[WVZHUHORVW ORQJ DJR7KH'LJDPEDUDVDOVRUHIXVH 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDVEHOLHYHLQWKHYDOLGLW\DQG WR DFFHSWWKHDFKLHYHPHQWVRIWKHILUVW VDFUHGQHVV RIFDQRQLFDOOLWHUDWXUHWKDWLVWKHWZHOYH FRXQFLO ZKLFKPHWXQGHUWKHOHDGHUVKLS angas DQGsutras, DVWKH\H[LVWQRZ RI Acharya 6WKXODEKDGUDDQG FRQVHTXHQWO\ WKHUHFDVWLQJRIWKH angas. Page 8 %RRNOHW3DJH Charitras and Puranas 7KH 'LJDPEDUDVPDNHXVHRIWKHWHUP 'Purana' IRUWKHELRJUDSKLHVRIJUHDW 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDVXVHWKHWHUP'Charitra'. WHDFKHUV Food of Ascetics 7KH 'LJDPEDUDPRQNVWDNHIRRG VWDQGLQJ DQGZLWKWKHKHOSRINQRWWHG 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDPRQNVFROOHFWWKHLUIRRGIURP XSWXUQHG SDOPVDQGLQRQHKRXVHRQO\ GLIIHUHQW KRXVHV ZKHUH WKHLUsankalpa SUHFRQFHLYHG LGHD LVIXOILOOHG Dress of Ascetics 7KH 'LJDPEDUDPRQNVRIWKHLGHDO 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDPRQNVZHDUZKLWHFORWKHV nirgrantha W\SHDUHQDNHG Possessions of Ascetics 7K H'LJDPEDUDDVFHWLFLVDOORZHGRQO\ WZR SRVVHVVLRQV YL]DWKHpichhi, D 7KH 6YHWDPEDUDDVFHWLFLVDOORZHGWRKDYHIRXUWHHQ SHDFRFN IHDWKHUZKLVNEURRP DQGD SRVVHVVLRQV LQFOXGLQJORLQFORWKVKRXOGHUFORWKHWF kamandalu DZRRGHQZDWHUSRW Key Practices and Beliefs of Jainism • Meditation (samayika) WKHSURFHVVRIHOLPLQDWLQJVHOIFHQWHUHGWKLQNLQJ DQGEHFRPLQJXQLWHGZLWKWKHVSLULWWKDWJRYHUQVWKHXQLYHUVH • Mantras WKH)LYH+RPDJHV SDQNDQDPDVNDUDLV DUHUHFLWHGRQDGDLO\ EDVLVXVXDOO\LQWKHPRUQLQJDQRWKHUPDQWUDFDOOHGDKLPVDYLNDVKHOSV -DLQVWRSXUVXHDOLIHZLWKRXWYLROHQFH • Worship WDNHVSODFHDWVWRQHWHPSOHVRUDWZRRGHQVKULQHVQHDUWKH KRXVHZKLFKUHVHPEOHWKHWHPSOHLWVHOI • Fasting RFFXUVDWPRVWO\IHVWLYDOVDQGKRO\GD\V Page 9 %RRNOHW3DJH • Small brooms - DUHFDUULHGWRVZHHSLQVHFWVDZD\IURPWKHLUSDWK • Jain nuns and monks - do not accept food WKDWLV not cooked by themselves WKH\ do not physically touch people of the opposite sex DQGWKH\ wear simple white clothes RU even nothing at all • A disciplined life - LVH[SHFWHGIURPDOOEHOLHYHUVRI-DLQLVPQRWRQO\WKH PRQNVRUWKHQXQV • Sacred Rituals - performed at the temple. • These are some of the rituals: § Puja § Samayik § Namokar Mantra These are some of the rituals: Ø Puja - LVWKHDFWRIVKRZLQJUHYHUHQFHWRD JRGDVSLULWRUDQRWKHUDVSHFWRIWKHGLYLQHWKURXJKLQYRFDWLRQV SUD\HUVVRQJVDQGULWXDOV Ø Samayik - LPSRUWDQWULWXDOSUDFWLFHRI-DLQLVP to come closer to our soul 6LWGRZQLQRQHSODFH for forty-eight minutes of isolating IURP DFWLYLWLHV Read UHOLJLRXVERRNV pray worship recite mantras RU do meditation 5HPRYHUHJXODUFORWKHVDQGZHDUVLPSOHEXWFOHDQZKLWH FRWWRQFORWKHVZKLFKDUHNHSWIRUVDPD\LNRQO\ Ø Namokar Mantra EHFDXVHZHDUHERZLQJGRZQ 7KH1DYNlU0DQWUD FRQWDLQVWKHPDLQPHVVDJHRI-DLQLVP7KHPHVVDJHLVYHU\FOHDU,IZH ZDQWWREHOLEHUDWHGIURPWKLVZRUOGWKHQZHKDYHWRWDNHWKHILUVWVWHSRI UHQXQFLDWLRQE\EHFRPLQJDPRQNRUDQXQ7KLVLVWKHEHJLQQLQJ,IZH VWD\RQWKHULJKWSDWKWKHQZHZLOOSURFHHGWRDKLJKHUVWDWH$ULKDQWDQG XOWLPDWHO\SURFHHGWR6LGGKDDIWHUQLUYDQD OLEHUDWLRQIURPWKHF\FOHRI ELUWKDQGGHDWK 7KHJRDORIHYHU\-DLQLVRUVKRXOGEHWREHFRPHD VLGGKD Page 10 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism Christian Encounters With World Religions by Reverend James A. Jamison 1.) Introduction to Jainism - Basic Beliefs The universe is constructed from many layers ZKLFKDUHKHDYHQVDQGKHOOV7KH XQLYHUVH has no beginning and no ending 7KHXQLYHUVHKDVOLYLQJEHLQJV -LYD DQG QRQOLYLQJEHLQJV $MwYD .DUPDLVEDVHGRQD-LYD¶VLQWHUDFWLRQZLWKRWKHU-LYDDQG$MwYDThe endless cycle of reincarnation LVRQO\DFKLHYHGDIWHUKDYLQJUHDFKHGHQOLJKWHQPHQW 7KH8QLYHUVHLVHWHUQDOEXWJRHVWKURXJKDF\FOHFRQWLQXRXVO\7LPHFRQVLVWVLQ SHULRGV (cycles), DVFHQGLQJ (Utsarpinee) DQGGHVFHQGLQJ (Avasarpini). :HVWHUQFRQFHSWRIWLPHLVOLQHDU DEHJLQQLQJDQGDQHQG ,QHDFKRIWKHVHWZRF\FOHV ZKLFKDUHUHSHDWHGRYHUDQGRYHUDJDLQ 24 Jinas KDYH FRPHLQWRH[LVWHQFH7KHILUVW Jina LVEHOLHYHGWRKDYHDSSHDUHGDERXW six trillion years ago 7KHKLVWRU\RI-DLQLVPFDQEHWUDFHGEDFN through the 24 Jinas. The first Jina ZDV VXSSRVHGWREHDJLDQWZKROLYHG 8.4 million years ago 5HFHQWDQG last Jina was Vardhamana ZKRZDVERUQ%&( Everyone is bound to the universe E\NDUPDWKHDFFXPXODWHGEDGGHHGVD SHUVRQKDVGRQH 2.) Jainism: Key Beliefs § Ahimsa 7KHFHQWUDO-DLQEHOLHILVDQDJUHHPHQW to avoid physical violence DQGFRQGXFWWKDWFDQEHPHQWDOO\DQGHPRWLRQDOO\GDPDJLQJWRRQHVHOIRURWKHUV ,WDOVRLQYROYHV commitment to all life forms on earth DQG not engaging in practices which may bring harm § Atomism -DLQVEHOLHYHWKDWHYHU\OLYLQJWKLQJRQWKHSODQHWSRVVHVVHVDVRXORU “Jiva”. 7KH\DOVREHOLHYHWKDWSHRSOHDUHERXQGWRDFWPRUHFRPSDVVLRQDWHO\LI WKH\DFNQRZOHGJHWKDW everything is composed of a spirit or soul § Karma ±WKHEHOLHIWKDW for every action WKHUHLVDFRQVHTXHQFH Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism § Moksha - 5HVXOWVLQWKHHOLPLQDWLRQRIWKHHIIHFWVRINDUPDLQRQH¶VOLIH (achieved through meditation). § Reincarnation ±2QH¶V soul that is reborn into different bodies RYHUWKH FRXUVHRIPDQ\OLYHV § No absolutes - 1RSHUVSHFWLYHRIDQ\SHUVRQLVZURQJ-DLQLVPWHDFKHV that each person perceives truth and reality differently DQG no single view is complete This doctrine is commonly communicated through the story of the blind men and the elephant. Each blind man touches a part of the elephant and makes a decision about what the animal is based on his perspective. No single blind man could determine the true reality on his own and each had his own perspective. The idea is thus promoted that no one human can know absolute truth. 3.) Key Practices and Rituals § Meditation (samayika) WKHSURFHVVRIHOLPLQDWLQJVHOIFHQWHUHGWKLQNLQJDQG EHFRPLQJXQLWHGZLWKWKHVSLULWWKDWJRYHUQVWKHXQLYHUVH § Mantras WKH)LYH+RPDJHV SDQNDQDPDVNDUDLV DUHUHFLWHGRQDGDLO\EDVLV XVXDOO\LQWKHPRUQLQJDQRWKHUPDQWUDFDOOHGDKLPVDYLNDVKHOSV-DLQVWRSXUVXH DOLIHZLWKRXWYLROHQFH § Worship WDNHVSODFHDWVWRQHWHPSOHVRUDWZRRGHQVKULQHVQHDUWKHKRXVH ZKLFKUHVHPEOHWKHWHPSOHLWVHOI § Fasting RFFXUVDWPRVWO\IHVWLYDOVDQGKRO\GD\V § Small brooms - DUHFDUULHGWRVZHHSLQVHFWVDZD\IURPWKHLUSDWK § Jain nuns and monks GRQRWDFFHSWIRRGWKDWLVQRWFRRNHGE\WKHPVHOYHV WKH\GRQRWSK\VLFDOO\WRXFKSHRSOHRIWKHRSSRVLWHVH[DQGWKH\ZHDUVLPSOH ZKLWHFORWKHVRUHYHQQRWKLQJDWDOO § A disciplined life - LVH[SHFWHGIURPDOOEHOLHYHUVRI-DLQLVPQRWRQO\WKHPRQNV RUWKHQXQV § Sacred Rituals - SHUIRUPHGDWWKHWHPSOH 3.) Key Practices and Rituals (continued) Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism § These are some of the rituals: 1.) Puja - 2.) Samayik – 3.) Namokar Mantra - Ø Puja - LVWKHDFWRIVKRZLQJUHYHUHQFHWRDJRGD VSLULWRUDQRWKHUDVSHFWRIWKHGLYLQHWKURXJK LQYRFDWLRQVSUD\HUVVRQJVDQGULWXDOV Ø Samayik - LPSRUWDQWULWXDOSUDFWLFHRI-DLQLVP to come closer to our soul 6LWGRZQLQRQHSODFH for forty-eight minutes of isolating IURPDFWLYLWLHV Read UHOLJLRXVERRNV pray worship recite mantras RU do meditation 5HPRYHUHJXODUFORWKHVDQGZHDU VLPSOHEXWFOHDQZKLWHFRWWRQFORWKHVZKLFKDUHNHSWIRUVDPD\LNRQO\ Ø Namokar Mantra EHFDXVHZHDUH bowing down 7KH1DYNlU0DQWUDFRQWDLQV WKHPDLQPHVVDJHRI-DLQLVP7KHPHVVDJHLVYHU\FOHDU If we want to be liberated from this world WKHQZHKDYHWRWDNHWKHILUVWVWHSRIUHQXQFLDWLRQE\ EHFRPLQJDPRQNRUDQXQ This is the beginning ,IZH stay on the right path WKHQZHZLOOSURFHHGWRDKLJKHUVWDWH$ULKDQWDQGXOWLPDWHO\SURFHHGWR6LGGKD DIWHUQLUYDQD OLEHUDWLRQIURPWKHF\FOHRIELUWKDQGGHDWK 7KHJRDORIHYHU\-DLQLV RUVKRXOGEH to become a siddha Namokar Mantra 1.) Namo Arihantânam 5.) Namo Loe Savva Sahûnam I bow in reverence to the Prophets I bow in reverence to the Teachers (Arihantâs). (Upadhyâya). 2.) Namo Siddhânam 6.) Eso Panch Namokkaro, Savva I bow in reverence to the Liberated Pâvappanâsano Mangalanam Cha Souls (Siddhâs). Savvesim, Padhamam Havai Mangalam 3.) Namo Âyariyânam This fivefold bow destroys all sins and I bow in reverence to the Preceptors or obstacles and of all auspicious Spiritual Leaders (Âchâryas). mantras, is the first and foremost one. 4.) Namo Uvajjhâyanam I bow in reverence to all the Saints (Sadhûs). Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism 4.) Jainism – Key Beliefs § Proper Conduct -DLQVDUHHQFRXUDJHGWR make the Five Great Vows and to conduct themselves DFFRUGLQJWRWKHSULQFLSOHVRI Non-violence – Ahimsa Truthfulness – Satya Non- Stealing (Greed) – Asteya Celibacy (Chasity) - Brahmacariya Non-possession (Earthly attachments) - Aparigraha 5.) Jainism Beliefs : § Supreme abode - where liberated souls live, DWWKHYHU\WRSRIWKHOD\HUVRIWKH XQLYHUVH § Upper world ZKHUH celestial beings live DOVRNQRZQDV the 30 heavens § Universe space WKH cloud layers DURXQGWKHXSSHUZRUOG § Middle world FRQVLVWVRI the Earth DQGWKHUHVWRIWKHXQLYHUVH § Nether world ±WKH seven (7), Hells § The Nigoda ZKHUHDOOWKH lowest forms of life live 7KHEDVHRIWKHXQLYHUVH 6.) The Seven Hells: 7KLVWKFHQWXU\FORWKSDLQWLQJGHSLFWLQJ seven levels of Jain hell DQGYDULRXV tortures suffered LQWKHP 7KHORZHUZRUOGFRQVLVWVRI seven hells ZKLFKDUHLQKDELWHG E\%KDYDQSDWL GHPLJRGV DQGWKHLUKHOOLVKEHLQJV /HIWSDQHOGHSLFWVWKH demi-god DQGKLV animal vehicle SUHVLGLQJRYHUWKHHDFKKHOO Hellish beings reside in the following hells: 1.) Ratna prabha-dharma. 2.) Sharkara prabha- vansha. 3.) Valuka prabha-megha. 4.) Pank prabha-anjana. 5.) Dhum prabha-arista. 6.) Tamah prabha-maghavi. Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism 7.) Mahatamah prabha- maadhavi 7.) Symbol of Jainism The 2500th anniversary RIWKHOLEHUDWLRQRI the last Jina, Mahāvīra ZDVFHOHEUDWHGLQ2QWKLVGDWHWKHZRUOGZLGH-DLQ FRPPXQLW\ selected this emblem WRUHSUHVHQWWKHLUIDLWKVLQFHLW LQFRUSRUDWHVVHYHUDOLPSRUWDQWUHOLJLRXVV\PEROV 8.) The universe in the Jain description ,WLVVXSSRVHG to resemble a person standing RQKLVIHHWZLWKKLV feet apart DQG the arms DUHUHVWHGR n the hips. v The swastika UHSUHVHQWVWKHVRXOLQZKLFKLW FDQEHUHERUQDQGUHLQFDUQDWHGLQWRGXULQJWKH WLPHLWLVLQWKHXQLYHUVH v 7KHUHDUH three dots DERYHWKHVZDVWLND 7KH\UHSUHVHQW Right Faith Right Knowledge DQG Right Conduct v 7KHWKUHHGRWVDUH the three jewels of Jain philosophy LQZKLFKWKH\EHOLHYH OLEHUDWLRQFDQEHIRXQG v The half-moon LVZKHUH the liberated soul LVEHLQJNHSWDQG the dot inside RI LWLVWKH liberated pure soul v 7KHKDQGEHORZWKHVZDVWLNDLV a gesture of blessing and protection v ,QVLGHWKHKDQG there is a wheel of 24 spokes DQGWKLV represents Jinas v ,QWKHPLGGOHRIWKHZKHHODZRUGLVLQVFULEHGZKLFKVD\V : “ahimsa”. 9.) Jainism in the 21st Century -DLQLVPKDVEHHQDQLQIOXHQFHIRUWKH,QGLDQFXOWXUHIRURYHU\HDUVDQGKDV FRQWULEXWHGWR,QGLDQSKLORVRSK\DQGORJLFDUWDQGDUFKLWHFWXUHPDWKHPDWLFV DVWURQRP\DQGDVWURORJ\DQGOLWHUDWXUH-DLQLVP¶VFXOWXUHSRVVLEO\LQIOXHQFHGWKH UHOLJLRQRI%XGGKLVPWRGD\ 7KHUHLVOLWWOHTXHVWLRQWKDW Jainism influenced WKHJUHDW+LQGX Mohandas Gandhi Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism $IULFDQ$PHULFDQ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr DQG6RXWK$IULFDQ Nelson Mandela (YHQWKRXJKLWLVQ¶WZHOONQRZQ-DLQLVPKDVDIIHFWHGWKHVSLULWXDOGHYHORSPHQWRI WKHZRUOG 10.) The Peaceful Nature of Jainism -DLQLVPLVRIWHQGHVFULEHGDVRQHRIWKHPRVWSHDFHIXOUHOLJLRQV7KHUHKDYHEHHQ QRZDUVIRXJKWLQWKHQDPHRI-DLQLVP-DLQLVPKDVEHHQDPDMRUFXOWXUDO SKLORVRSKLFDOVRFLDODQGSROLWLFDOIRUFHVLQFHWKHGDZQRIFLYLOL]DWLRQLQ$VLD7KH -DLQDWUDGLWLRQKDVH[LVWHGLQWDQGHPZLWK+LQGXLVPLQ,QGLDVLQFHDWOHDVW %&(7RGD\WKHUHOLJLRQFRQWLQXHVDWSHDFHZLWKRWKHUZRUOGUHOLJLRQV 11.) FOUNDED, LOCATION § The Mahavira LVPLVWDNHQO\FRQVLGHUHGDIRXQGHURI-DLQLVPE\RXWVLGHUV7KH 0DKDYLUDLV the most recent of WKHVHULHVRIWZHQW\IRXUWLUWKDQNDUDV § 7ZHQW\IRXU7LUWKDQNDUDV (ford-crossers), RUJinas (victors), KDYHWDXJKW-DLQ GKDUPD § Founded in India DVDUHIRUPDWLRQRI+LQGXLVP § 0DLQVHFWV Digambara and Svetambara 12.) KEY WRITINGS § 7ZRH[WHQVLYHFDQRQVH[LVWDVWKH Digambara DQG Svetambara VHFWVHDFK GHYHORSHGWKHLURZQVFULSWXUHV § Scriptures are not understood to be divinely revealed EXWUDWKHUHWHUQDOO\ existent truths WKDW individual souls may access WKURXJK correct viewpoint knowledge DQG conduct § 7KHWH[WVFRQWDLQLQJ the teachings of Mahavira DUHFDOOHG the Agamas DQGDUH WKHFDQRQLFDOOLWHUDWXUHWKH scriptures RI Svetambara Jainism 0DKDYLUD V GLVFLSOHVFRPSLOHGKLVZRUGVLQWRWH[WVRU sutras DQG memorized them WRSDVV RQWRIXWXUHJHQHUDWLRQV Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism 13.) WHO IS GOD ? § +RZHYHU Jainism does believe in God, not as a creator EXWDVDSHUIHFWEHLQJ :KHQDSHUVRQ destroys all his karmas KH becomes a liberated soul +HUHVLGHV LQDSHUIHFWEOLVVIXOVWDWHLQ Moksha +HSRVVHVVHV infinite knowledge infinite vision infinite power DQG infinite bliss 7KLVOLYLQJEHLQJLVD*RGRI-DLQUHOLJLRQ 14.) WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH " § Every living being KDVD potential to become God +HQFH-DLQV do not have one God EXW-DLQ*RGVDUH innumerable and their number LV continuously increasing as more living beings attain liberation 15.) WHO IS JESUS ? § Jesus Christ LVQRWSDUWRIWKHKLVWRULF-DLQVZRUOGYLHZ 16.) WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ? § 7KH+RO\6SLULWLVQRWSDUWRIWKLVEHOLHI § -DLQVGREHOLHYHLQVSLULWV 17.) HOW TO BE SAVED AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH § )ROORZLQJOLEHUDWLRQ one's jiva ascends WRWKHDSH[RIWKHXQLYHUVHWR join other siddhas § One can ascend to a heavenly realm due to good karmas DFFUXHGEXWPXVW UHWXUQWRDKXPDQLQFDUQDWLRQLQRUGHUWRDFKLHYHILQDOOLEHUDWLRQ § 'HSHQGLQJRQ one's karma DQG level of spiritual development GHDWKPD\ PHDQ 1.) Being reborn in another physical appearance LQWKHHDUWKO\UHDOP 2.) -RLQLQJRWKHUOLEHUDWHGVRXOVLQWKHKLJKHVWOHYHORIKHDYHQ 3.) 6XIIHULQJSXQLVKPHQWLQRQHRIHLJKWKHOOV § 8QOLNHKHOOLPDJHU\LQPRVWRWKHUV\VWHPV the levels of hells of Jainism EHFRPH progressively colder DVWKH\JRGRZQ6XIIHULQJLQWKHVHKHOOVLVQRW HWHUQDO2QFHDVRXO has been severely punished KHRUVKHLVUHERUQLQWR DQRWKHUIRUP Page 7 %RRNOHW3DJH Jainism 18.) OTHER BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Fasting To Death: Sallenkhana LVDSURFHGXUHLQZKLFKD Jain stops eating ZLWKWKH intention of death. ,WZDVSHWLWLRQHGWKDW Rajasthan High Court VKRXOG declare the practice illegal ,QUHVSRQVHWKH-DLQFRPPXQLW\VDLGWKDWWKHSUDFWLFH was a religious activity ZKLFK ZDV protected under DUWLFOHRIWKH,QGLDQFRQVWLWXWLRQ ,Q$XJXVW Rajasthan High Court cited WKDWWKHSUDFWLFHLVQRWHVVHQWLDOWHQHWRI -DLQLVPDQG banned the practice making LWSXQLVKDEOHXQGHUVHFWLRQDQG,3& $EHWPHQWRI6XLFLGH %XWDIHZGD\VODWHU The Supreme Court of India stayed the High Court's order In 2016 a 13 year-old girl GLHGDIWHU fasting for 68 days FDXVLQJDSROLFHLQYHVWLJDWLRQ DJDLQVWWKHSDUHQWVDIWHUD child rights organization filed a complaint. Page 8 %RRNOHW3DJH CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTERS WITH WORLD RELIGIONS by Reverend James A. Jamison SIKHISM Sikhism originated LQWKH sixteenth century C.E. in the Punjab LQQRUWKZHVWHUQ,QGLD 6LNKVEHOLHYHWKHLUIDLWKWREHDQHZDQGLQGHSHQGHQWUHOLJLRQ based on the insights of their first teacher, Nanak. 6FKRODUVKDYHORQJKHOGWKDW Sikhism developed in the context RIDUHOLJLRXV FRQYHUVDWLRQ between devotional Hinduism and Islamic mysticism /LNH Buddhism DQG Jainism Sikhism WDNHVPXFKRILWVZRUOGYLHZIURPDQG seeks to reform certain elements of Hinduism 8QOLNHRWKHU reform movements in Hinduism KRZHYHU Sikhism endeavors to accommodate HOHPHQWVIURP another major world religion, Islam. 0DQ\6LNKVSLULWXDO leaders have also been warriors. 6LNKLVPKDV always been a minority religion LQ,QGLD7RGD\6LNKVQXPEHURQO\DERXW 19.1 million ZRUOGZLGH 6LNKVDUH found mainly in the Punjab $OWKRXJKVXEVWDQWLDOFRPPXQLWLHVDOVRDUH IRXQGLQRWKHUUHJLRQVRI India, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. )URPWKHWHQWKFHQWXU\RQZDUG various Muslim groups invaded India 7KHVHLQYDVLRQV HYHQWXDOO\ resulted in the domination RI,QGLDE\ the Moghul rulers The Mughal dynasty, 0XJKDODOVRVSHOOHG Mogul, Arabic Mongol or Muslim dynasty of Turkic- Mongol origin UXOHGPRVWRI northern India IURPWKHHDUO\WKWRWKHPLG WKFHQWXU\ $OORI,QGLDIDFHG0XVOLPFRQTXHVWDWRQHWLPHRUDQRWKHU The northwest section was invaded most IUHTXHQWO\+HUH,VODP made its greatest number of converts and established its strongest bases. %HFDXVH Islam and Hinduism ZHUH basically so different LQVRPDQ\DUHDVWKH HQFRXQWHUVEHWZHHQ0XVOLPVDQG+LQGXV were often hostile and violent )URPWKH HDUOLHVWGD\VKRZHYHU there were teachers who did not believe WKH two religions KDG WREHDQWDJRQLVWLF and thought a synthesis could be reached. Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH 7KHUHIRUPHUEHVWUHPHPEHUHGIRUDWWHPSWLQJWREULQJ+LQGXLVPDQG,VODPWRJHWKHU ZDV Kabir &( By this time, Hinduism and Islam had grown closer WKDQWKH\KDGEHHQDWWKHWLPHRI WKHLQLWLDO0XVOLPFRQTXHVW+LQGXVDQG0XVOLPV revered many of the same holy men and sometimes shared shrines and other places of religious devotion. 7KLVZDVSRVVLEOHEHFDXVH Hinduism teaches that gods appear in many forms ZKLOH Sufism WKH mystical branch of Islam EHOLHYHVLQVDLQWVZKRVH tombs become objects of veneration 7KHUHZHUHVRPH+LQGXDQG0XVOLPDOLNHZKRWRRNWKHVHVLPLODULWLHV DVDVLJQWKDWWKH two religions pointed to a common sacred reality. Kabir was born a Muslim EXWKHIRXQGLWSRVVLEOHWRZRUVKLSZLWK his Hindu neighbors :KLOHZRUVKLSLQJWKH+LQGXGHLWLHV Kabir ZDVDOVRWHDFKLQJWKDW the true God was one. The oneness of God LVWKH most basic Muslim teaching. .DELUZDVODWHUDFFHSWHG DVDKRO\PDQRUVDLQWE\+LQGXVDQG0XVOLPVDQGPDGHDSURIRXQGLPSUHVVLRQRQ WKH6LNKVDQGWKHLUOLWHUDWXUH The founder of Sikhism ZDVDPDQQDPHG1DQDN &( DODWHU contemporary of Kabir 1DQDNZDVERUQLQWRD+LQGXKRPHLQWKH3XQMDEDERXWIRUW\PLOHVIURPWKHFLW\RI /DKRUH%HFDXVHRIWKHPL[HGQDWXUHRIWKHUHJLRQ1DQDN VVFKRROPDVWHUZDVD 0XVOLPDQGVXUHO\KHKDGLQIOXHQFHGKLP+LVIDWKHUWULHGWRSODFHKLPLQDYDULHW\RI RFFXSDWLRQVEXW1DQDNIDLOHGDWDOORIWKHP He was betrothed WRD\RXQJZRPDQZKHQKHZDVWZHOYHDQGWKHLUPDUULDJHZDV FRQVXPPDWHGZKHQKHZDVQLQHWHHQ Two sons were born RIWKLVPDUULDJH1DQDN eventually left his wife and sons DQGZHQWWRWKHFLW\RI6XOWDQSXUWRHDUQKLVOLYLQJ 'XULQJKLVVWD\LQ6XOWDQSXU when he was about thirty years old Nanak received a vision from God WKDWZDVWRFKDQJHKLVOLIH $FFRUGLQJWRVRPHVWRULHV God spoke to him while he was meditating in the forest 7KHPHVVDJHRIWKHYLVLRQZDVWKDW1DQDNKDGEHHQVLQJOHGRXWDVDSURSKHWRIWKH WUXHUHOLJLRQ+LVPHVVDJHZDVWREH "There is no Muslim and there is no Hindu." 7KXVKHZDVWREHFRPHDQHYDQJHOLVW preaching a gospel of unity EHWZHHQWKHVHWZR UHOLJLRQV $ORQJZLWKKLVFRQVWDQWFRPSDQLRQ Mardana 1DQDNEHFDPHD wandering preacher Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH RIWKLVQHZPHVVDJH7KHWZRWUDYHOHGZLGHO\LQ,QGLDRYHUWKHQH[WGHFDGHV SUHDFKLQJWKHHVVHQWLDOXQLW\RI,VODPDQG+LQGXLVP7RHPSKDVL]HKLVPHVVDJH Nanak wore a mixed costume PDGHXSRIWKHFORWKLQJRIERWK+LQGXVDQG0XVOLPV :KHUHYHUKHZHQWKHVRXJKWWRRUJDQL]HFRPPXQLWLHVRISHRSOHZKRDFFHSWHGKLV WHDFKLQJV(DFKRIKLVIROORZHUVEHFDPHNQRZQDVD6LNKD3XQMDELZRUGIRU "disciple . “ ,QKLVWUDYHOV1DQDN made the pilgrimage to Mecca. +HDQWDJRQL]HGWKHSHRSOHWKHUH EHFDXVHRIKLVXQZLOOLQJQHVVWRGLVSOD\WKHSURSHUUHVSHFWIRU0XVOLPVKULQHV $IWHUPDQ\\HDUVRIZDQGHULQJ Nanak returned home to northwest India ZKHUHKH FRQWLQXHG to teach DQG form communities of Sikhs The Teachings of Nanak Nanak OLNH Kabir DQGRWKHUV endeavored to synthesize elements of Islam and Hinduism Nanak WRRNIURPHDFKUHOLJLRQZKDWKHEHOLHYHGWREHRIPRVWLPSRUWDQFH From Islam - KHWRRNWKHWHDFKLQJWKDW there is but one God $OWKRXJK+LQGXVPD\ VHHWKLV*RGDWZRUNLQPDQ\ZD\VDQGLQYDULRXVGLVJXLVHVVWLOO God is basically one 6LNKVUHIHUWRWKLV*RGDV ‘The True Name’. 1DQDNDOVRWDXJKWWKDW he True Name LV the creator of the entire universe DQGWKDW human beings are God's supreme creation 7KXV1DQDN rejected the teaching of ahimsa , ZKLFKLVVRLPSRUWDQWWR PDQ\,QGLDQUHOLJLRQV Ahimsa DQDJUHHPHQW to avoid physical violence.) %HFDXVHSHRSOHDUHWKHSULPDU\FUHDWLRQWKH\ are free to kill and eat animals 6LNKV DUHDPRQJ the few Indians who may legitimately eat meat 1DQDN did adopt several elements RI+LQGXLVP +HDFFHSWHG the principle of reincarnation ZKLFKLVEDVLFWRPDQ\,QGLDQUHOLJLRQV 6LNKVFDPHWREHOLHYHWKDW the spirit of Nanak ZDV reincarnated in WKHERGLHVRI those gurus ZKRVXFFHHGHGKLPDVWKHOHDGHUVRI6LNKLVP 1DQDNDOVRWDXJKW the Indian principle of karma DQGEHOLHYHGWKDW people continue to acquire karma DQGOLYHDJDLQDQGDJDLQ until they are freed IURPWKLVF\FOH by The Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH True Name 1DQDN rejected the ceremonialism and rituals RIERWK Hinduism and Islam +HWDXJKWD YHU\SODLQDQGVLPSOHIRUPRIUHOLJLRQWKDW distrusted and rejected ritual $QRWKHUHOHPHQWLQWKHUHOLJLRQRI Nanak was his Pacifism +HQHYHUVWUXFNRXWDWKLV HQHPLHVDQGDSSDUHQWO\ taught his disciples to follow this pattern. In contrast to the teachings of Nanak Sikhs LQWKHLUODWHUKLVWRU\ became known as the most militant RIZDUULRUV0DQ\ Sikh spiritual leaders KDYHDOVREHHQZDUULRUV 8SRQWKHGHDWKRI1DQDNWKHOHDGHUVKLSRIWKHQHZPRYHPHQWZDVWDNHQRYHUE\ Angad who ruled until 1552 1DQDNDQG$QJDGZHUHWKHILUVWWZRLQDVHULHVRI ten gurus ZKROHG6LNKLVPXQWLOWKHHLJKWHHQWKFHQWXU\ 8VXDOO\WKHZRUG guru LQ,QGLDQUHOLJLRQVFDUULHVWKHFRQQRWDWLRQRI "teacher," EXWWR WKH6LNKVLWPHDQV "leader." 7KHILUVWIRXURIWKHWHQJXUXVRI6LNKLVPWHQGHGWR follow the teachings of Nanak DQG EHUDWKHUSDFLILFWRZDUGWKHLUHQHPLHV $QJDGLVUHPHPEHUHGEHFDXVHKH devised a new script DQGEHJDQWR compile the Sikh scriptures 2WKHUJXUXVIROORZHGVLPLODUSDWKV:LWKWKHDVFHQVLRQRI the fifth guru, Arjan Dev ERWKWKHRIILFHRI*XUXDQGWKHUHOLJLRQXQGHUZHQW VLJQLILFDQWFKDQJHV$UMDQLVUHPHPEHUHGIRUEHJLQQLQJWKHFRPSLODWLRQRIWKHRIILFLDO VFULSWXUHVRI6LNKLVP the Adi Granth. 6LQFHWKHGD\VRIWKHJXUXV7KH*UDQWKKDV EHFRPHLQFUHDVLQJO\LPSRUWDQWLQ6LNKLVP %DVLFDOO\ it is a collection of hymns DODUJHSRUWLRQRIZKLFKFDPHIURP1DQDN 7KHUHPDLQGHURIWKHK\PQVWKDWPDNHXS the Granth came from Kabir and other gurus. The Granth contains 3,384 hymns DQGLVURXJKO\WKUHHWLPHVWKHVL]HRIWKH Rig-Veda. ,QDGGLWLRQWRKLVFRQWULEXWLRQDV the compiler of the Granth, Arjan LVUHFRJQL]HGIRU JLYLQJ6LNKLVP its militant aspect, in direct contrast to the pacifism of Nanak DQGWKH HDUOLHUJXUXV %HWZHHQWKHWLPHRI Nanak and Arjan, WKH6LNKPRYHPHQWKDGJURZQDQGZDV EHJLQQLQJWREH recognized as a threat by the Muslim authorities. Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH The Muslim emperor RUGHUHG$UMDQWR remove from the Granth DQ\ doctrine that was contrary to the teachings of the Qur'an. Turning Point Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb · ,Q$XUDQJ]HEKDG imposed Islamic laws demolished infidel schools and temples DQG enforced new taxes RQQRQ0XVOLPV · +HWULHGWR impose strict Sharia Law RQWKHSHRSOHZKLFKLQFOXGHGD campaign of forced conversions · $VDUHVXOW6LNKLVPFKDQJHGIURPDUHOLJLRQRISHDFHDQGXQLW\WRD militant community actively fighting DJDLQVWWKH0XJKDO(PSLUHDQG DQ\ZKRWKUHDWHQHGWKHP :KHQ Arjan refused WRUHPRYHIURPWKH Granth DQ\GRFWULQHWKDWZDVFRQWUDU\WRWKH WHDFKLQJVRIWKH4XU DQKH was jailed and tortured WRGHDWK %HIRUHKLVGHDWKKRZHYHU he instructed his son, Har Gobind ZKRZDVWREHFRPHWKH VL[WKJXUX to arm and surround himself ZLWK bodyguards The advice of Arjan was accepted DQGKHQFHIRUWKWKH Sikhs were more militant and aggressive LQWKHLUDWWLWXGHWRZDUGWKHLUHQHPLHV The 10 th and final human Guru. The last of the Sikh gurus was Gobind Singh +HDVVXPHGWKH OHDGHUVKLSRIWKH6LNKV when he was only a boy EHFDXVH his father the ninth guru KDG been imprisoned and executed E\WKH0XVOLPV ,WZDV*RELQG6LQJKPRUHWKDQDQ\RWKHUJXUXZKR organized and prepared the Sikhs for self-defense and war +HLQWURGXFHGLQWR6LNKLVP the worship of the terrible Hindu goddess of death 'XUJD +HDOVR established the Granth as the final word IRU6LNKV%HFDXVH Sikhs were to be governed by the Granth , G XUXV did not exist after *RELQG6LQJK¶VGHDWK %HFDXVHRIKLVORYHRIZHDSRQVKHLVVDLGWRKDYH introduced the baptism of the sword DVDUHOLJLRXVULWXDO Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH 7RVWUHQJWKHQKLVSHRSOHIXUWKHUDQGSUHSDUHWKHPIRUZDU he developed an elite class of Sikhs ZKRPDGHXQXVXDOO\ILQHZDUULRUV7KLVFRUSV was known as Singhs (Lions) DQGZDVGLVWLQJXLVKHGLQWKHIROORZLQJZD\V · 7KH\ZRUH The Kes - ORQJKDLURQWKHLUKHDGVDQGIDFHV · The Kangha - FRPEDGRUQHGWKHLUKDLU · 7KH\ZRUH Kachk - VKRUWWURXVHUV · 7KH\ZRUHD Kara - DVWHHOEUDFHOHW · 7KH\ZHUHHTXLSSHGZLWKD Kirpan - VWHHOGDJJHU 7KHPHPEHUVRIWKLVFRUSVZHUH not allowed to use wine tobacco RU any other form of stimulant 7KH\ZHUH encouraged to eat meat 7KHRUGHURIWKH6LQJKVZDV open to men of all castes 7KHVHIDFWRUVFRPELQHG ZLWK the theology of reincarnation PDGHWKH6LQJKV incredible warriors (DFK6LNKPDOHLVUHTXLUHGWRZHDUV\PEROLFFORWKLQJDQGDFFRXWUHPHQWVWRPDNH PDQLIHVWKLVPHPEHUVKLSLQWKHFRPPXQLW\ · Kesh (hair) · Kanga (comb) · Kara (Bracelet) · Kirpan (Dagger) · Kachera (Shorts) Gobind Singh, the last of the gurus was assassinated in 1708 )URPWKDWWLPH XQWLOWKHSUHVHQW the Sikhs have been governed E\ their scripture the Granth , DQGWKHLUKLVWRU\KDVEHHQ full of strife $WFHUWDLQWLPHVWKH6LNKV have been the victims RIYLROHQFHDWRWKHUWLPHVWKH\ have been the aggressors %\WKHHDUO\QLQHWHHQWKFHQWXU\ they controlled most of the Punjab region :KHQWKH%ULWLVKVRXJKWWRHQWHUWKDWDUHDWKH6LNKVIRXJKWEORRG\ZDUVDJDLQVWWKHP but were finally subdued %HFDXVHRI the Sikhs' valor as warriors WKH%ULWLVK FDPHWRDGPLUHDQG use the Sikhs as soldiers DQG policemen throughout India Sikhism The first sect NQRZQDV the Udasis LVEDVLFDOO\DQRUGHURIKRO\PHQ7KHVH6LNKV IROORZPDQ\RIWKHVDPHSULQFLSOHVDQGUXOHVWKDWJRYHUQ the ascetics of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. 7KH\DUHFHOLEDWHDQG wear coarse yellow garments OLNHWKH %XGGKLVWPRQNV or they go naked OLNH-DLQPRQNV7KHLU only possession is a begging bowl. 8QOLNHRWKHU6LNKVWKH8GDVLV frequently shave their heads and beards. 2IWHQ they are active missionariesVHHNLQJ to convince nonbelievers RIWKHPHULWRIWKHLU Page 6 %RRNOHW3DJH UHOLJLRQ The second sect of Sikhs LVNQRZQDV the Sahajdharis FRQVHUYDWLYHVORZJRLQJ 7KHLUGHYHORSPHQWDV6LNKVVHHPVWRKDYHVWRSSHGDWVRPHSRLQWEHIRUH*RELQG 6LQJKThey reject the militant characteristic RIPXFKRI6LNKLVPWRGD\DQGSUHIHUWREH FOHDQVKDYHQ The third sect, the Singhs KDYHDOUHDG\EHHQGHVFULEHG SIKH RELIGIOUS LIFE 7KHUHOLJLRXVOLIHRIWKHPRGHUQ6LNKWHQGVWREHVLPSOH They distrust of elaborate ceremonies WKDWPRYHGWKHHDUO\IRXQGHUVRIWKLVUHOLJLRQ 2QHMRLQVWKH6LNKV not by being born into a Sikh family EXW by undergoing a ritual of baptism ZKHQRQHLVPDWXUHHQRXJKWRDFFHSWLW ,QWKLVULWXDO a bowl of sweetened water is stirred by a dagger ; WKH water is then sprinkled on the initiate DVWKHLQLWLDWHLV instructed in the truths and prohibitions of the faith -XVWDVWKHLQLWLDWRU\FHUHPRQ\RI6LNKLVPLVVLPSOHVRDUHWKHFHUHPRQLHV VXUURXQGLQJPDUULDJHDQGGHDWK Period of Period # Name Born Guruship of Guruship (yrs .) 1 Guru Nanak 1469 1469 to 1539 70 2 Guru Angad 1504 1539 to 1552 13 3 Guru Amar Das 1479 1552 to 1574 22 4 Guru Ram Das 1534 1574 to 1581 7 5 Guru Arjan 1563 1581 to 1606 25 6 Guru Hargobind 1595 1606 to 1644 38 7 Guru Har Rai 1630 1644 to 1661 17 8 Guru Har Krishan 1656 1661 to 1664 3 9 Guru Tegh Bahadur 1621 1665 to 1675 10 10 Guru Gobind Singh 1666 1675 to 1708 33 11 Sri Guru Granth Sahib 1604? 1708 - forever Eternity BELIEFS OF SIKHISM Page 7 %RRNOHW3DJH · Sikhism FRPHVIURPWKHZRUG “Sikh” - Disciple · Guru LVPDGHIURPWZRZRUGV Gu (dispeller of ignorance) DQG ru (bringer of enlightenment). · Gurdwara - House of worship (Sikh Temple ). · Waheguru - One of the Name of God/Almighty. · Khalsa - Belonging to the divine, ‘Pure’. A legion of the pure with Saint/Soldier qualities to protect anyone from oppression and injustice. · Guru Granth Sahib ji The Spiritual Scripture of Sikhs. 7KH+RO\%RRNRI 6LNKLVPLV Guru Granth Sahib Guru Gobind was MOOL MANTAR – Basic Tenet(s) of the final Guru in Sikhism human form. Before his death, · 7KHUHLVEXWRQH*RG he made the · 7UXHLVKLVQDPH Guru Granth Sahib the · 7KH&UHDWRUZLWKRXWIHDUZLWKRXW ultimate and final HQPLW\ Sikh Guru. · 7LPHOHVV:LWKRXW%LUWKLH8QERUQ DQG6HOILOOXPLQHG AMRIT - Baptism Ceremony established in 1699. SIKHISM REVIEW AND COMPARISON THE SIKH EMBLEM - KHANDA, CONTAINS: · $ ring of steel UHSUHVHQWLQJWKH Unity of God · $ two edged sword V\PEROL]LQJ God's concern for truth and justice · Two crossed swords curved around the outside to signify God's spiritual power. FOUNDED, LOCATION: · )RXQGHGE\*XUX1DQDN'HY-L ± LQZKDWLV Page 8 %RRNOHW3DJH QRZWKH3XQMDELQ3DNLVWDQ · 1LQHPRUHJXUXVIROORZHGIURP± . · Guru Nanak · 0DLQSODFHRIZRUVKLSLV the Golden Temple LQ$PULWVDU,QGLD KEY WRITINGS: · Sri Guru Granth Sahib (“the master book,” DOVRFDOOHG Adi Granth ), ILUVW FRPSLOHGLQ · ,WLVZRUVKLSHGE\6LNKVZKRFRQVLGHULW their final and perpetual guru. · 2WKHUNH\ZRUNVLQFOXGHWKH Dasam Granth , Varan Bhai Gurdas , DQG Sikh Reht Maryada WHO IS GOD: · 2QHRPQLSUHVHQWJRG Waheguru “Wondrous Teacher” LVNQRZQWRWKH spiritually “awakened” RQO\WKURXJKPHGLWDWLRQ · 6LNKLVPLVDOVR pantheistic FRQVLGHULQJWKH universe itself part of God · 5HSUHVHQWLQJ*RG by pictures or idols LVIRUELGGHQ WHO IS JESUS: · Jesus is not VSHFLILFDOO\SDUWRIWKLVEHOLHIDOWKRXJK the Adi Granth VSHFLILFDOO\ denies the Trinity DQGGHVFULEHV*RG as “beyond birth” and incarnation WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? · The Holy Spirit is not part of this belief. HOW TO BE SAVED · +XPDQVDUHLQERQGDJHWRWKHPDWHULDOUHDOPDQG the “ five evils ”: ego, anger, greed, attachment, and lust. 7KLVERQGDJHFRQGHPQVWKHVRXO to 8.4 million reincarnations HOW TO BE SAVED · 7KRVHZKRVXFFHVVIXOO\ overcome these evils through proper behavior and devotion ZLOOEH released from karma DQG the cycle of rebirth ( samsara ). Page 9 %RRNOHW3DJH WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH? · 8SRQGHDWK those who escape samsara ZLOOEH absorbed into God DQG lose their individuality OLNHD raindrop falling into the ocean · The Adi Granth ERWK affirms and denies H[LVWHQFHRI a literal heaven and hell OTHER BELIEFS, PRACTICES: · Adult males wear a turban DQG include “Singh” in their names. · (PSKDVLVRQ full equality of men and women · /RFDORULQGLYLGXDO meeting places DUH called gurdwaras BAPTIZED (KHALSA) SIKHS DUHNQRZQE\WKHLUXVHRIWKH “five K’s”: · kirpan (a small ceremonial sword) · kes (uncut hair) · kanga (a small wooden comb) · kachera (knee-length shorts) · kara (steel bracelet) OTHER BELIEFS, PRACTICES: · ,QWKH6LNKWHPSOHVWKHFHQWUDOREMHFWRI ZRUVKLSLVDFRS\RIWKH sacred Adi Granth . CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP INVOLVES: · Prayers WRWKH Granth Their holiest site is the Golden · VDULRXV hymns Temple in Amritsar. · $ sermon · $ communion meal · 7KHUHDUH no Sikh priests DQGWKHJURXSVHUYLFHV may be led by any member RIWKHFRPPXQLW\ · ,QDGGLWLRQWKHUHDUHQRFDVWHRUJHQGHUGLIIHUHQWLDWLRQVLQZRUVKLS Page 10 %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism Christian Encounters With World Religions Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest living religions. ,WPD\EH \HDUVROG8QOLNH&KULVWLDQLW\DQG,VODP=RURDVWULDQLVPWRGD\LVVPDOOZLWK RQO\DERXWDGKHUHQWV ,WFDQQRWEHRYHUORRNHGLQDQ\VWXG\RIWKHZRUOGUHOLJLRQVEHFDXVHRILWVJUHDW FRQWULEXWLRQVWR-XGDLVP&KULVWLDQLW\DQG,VODP,WZDVWKHUHOLJLRQRIWKHDQFLHQW 3HUVLDQ(PSLUHZKLFKRQFHFRQWUROOHGWKHHQWLUH0LGGOH(DVWDQGDWWHPSWHGWR FRQTXHUWKH*UHHNFLW\VWDWHVLQWKH WK FHQWXU\%&( 7KH founder of this religion, Zarathustra 7KHRULJLQVRI=RURDVWULDQUHOLJLRQDUH shrouded in mystery. 7KHPDMRUOLWHUDU\VRXUFHVWKDWGHDOZLWKWKLVSHULRGDUHWKH *DWKDV K\PQV RIHDUO\=RURDVWULDQLVP7KHVHK\PQVDUHFRQVLGHUHGWKHYHU\ZRUGV RIWKHSURSKHW=RURDVWHU 7KHDQFLHQWLQKDELWDQWVRIWKHODQGWKDWODWHUEHFDPHWKH3HUVLDQ(PSLUHZHUHD JURXSRISHRSOHJHQHUDOO\NQRZQDV Aryans QREOHRQHV $SRUWLRQRIWKH$U\DQ SRSXODWLRQ migrated into the Indus DOOH\DQGODLGWKHIRXQGDWLRQVIRU the Indian peoples and their religion. Other Aryans continued to live LQWKHUHJLRQHDVWRI0HVRSRWDPLD DQGEHFDPHWKHEDVLVRIWKH0HGR3HUVLDQ(PSLUH Originally, both WKH$U\DQVZKR PLJUDWHGWR,QGLDDQGWKRVHZKRUHPDLQHGSUREDEO\ worshiped the same deities. 7KH Aryans were nature worshipers ZKR venerated a series of deities 0DQ\RIWKHVHJRGV DUHDOVRPHQWLRQHGLQWKH,QGLDQ9HGLFOLWHUDWXUH 7KH\ZHUHJHQHUDOO\NQRZQDV daevas DQGZHUHDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKH sun, moon, earth, fire, and water $ERYHWKHGDHYDVZHUHKLJKHUJRGVVXFKDV lntar WKH god of war Asha WKH god of truth and justice DQG Uruwana , D sky god 7KHPRVWSRSXODU DQGPRVWLPSRUWDQWRIDOORIWKHVHJRGVZDV Mithra . 0LWKUDZDVNQRZQ as the giver and benefactor RIFDWWOHD god of light DQGWKHUHSUHVHQWDWLYHRI loyalty and obedience $OWKRXJK=RURDVWHUDWWHPSWHGWRGLVFRXQWDOOJRGVEXWRQH0LWKUDFRXOGQRWEH GLVSODFHG LQ WKH PLQGV RI WKH $U\DQ SHRSOH +H UHDSSHDUV DV D MXGJH LQ WKH =RURDVWULDQ-XGJPHQW'D\$OVRKHLVVHHQDV Mitra in the Indian Vedic OLWHUDWXUH,Q WKH 5RPDQ (PSLUH D UHOLJLRQ EDVHG RQ WKH P\WK RI 0LWKUD EHFDPH SRSXODU DPRQJ 5RPDQVROGLHUVDQGPHUFKDQWV 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism $ERYHDQGEH\RQGWKHORFDOQDWXUHJRGV one Supreme Lord was recognized DV WKHRQHUHDOLW\FDOOHG Ahura Mazda (The Wise Lord). 2QH6XSUHPH'HLW\ZDV UHFRJQL]HGEXWWKHDFWXDO day-to-day worship VHHPHGWRUHYROYHDURXQGOHVV LPSRUWDQWORFDOL]HGJRGV %HFDXVHWKHSUHGHFHVVRUVRI=RURDVWHUZHUHQRPDGLFLWLVOLNHO\WKDW they worshiped WKHQDWXUHJRGVRQDOWDUVZLWKEORRGVDFULILFHV7KH\DOVRIDYRUHGWKH VDFUDPHQWDOXVHRIWKHMXLFHRIWKHVDFUHG haoma SODQW The reason for this is not clear EXWVRPHVXJJHVWWKDWWKHMXLFH may have been drunk E\WKHZRUVKLSHU for its psychedelic qualities 7KH worship of fire and water PD\DOVRKDYHEHHQSDUWRIWKH UHOLJLRQRIWKHDQFLHQW$U\DQV 7KH pre-Zoroastrian Aryans DOVREHOLHYHGWKDW whenever religious practices strayed IURPWKHWUXWK prophets or reformers called Saoshyants WKRVHZKREHQHILW WKHFRPPXQLW\ ZRXOGUHVWRUHWKHSXULW\RIWKHUHOLJLRQ7KH\EHOLHYHGWKDW before Zoroaster WKHUH had been a series of Saoshyants ZKRKDGUHVWRUHGSXUHUHOLJLRQDQG VRPHVDZ=RURDVWHUKLPVHOIDV one of the last and greatest of these reformers. Pre-Zoroastrian Persian Religion The Gathas reveal many of the events RI=RURDVWHU¶VOLIH,QDGGLWLRQ writings of many ancient Greek and Roman authorities ZKRVKRZHGDJUHDWLQWHUHVWLQ =RURDVWHU VOLIH6XFKZULWHUVDV Plato, Pliny, DQG Plutarch PDGHPDQ\UHIHUHQFHVWR =RURDVWHU6RPHRIWKHPDWHULDOLQWKHVHVRXUFHV is obviously legendary EXWVRPH EHDUV the mark of authenticity. Zoroaster's birth date is uncertain 0RGHUQLQYHVWLJDWLRQLQWRWKH*DWKDVVHHPV WRLQGLFDWHDGDWHEHWZHHQDQG%&( %LRJUDSKLFDOPDWHULDOVDUHVFDQW\DQGPDQ\DUHKHDYLO\ODFHGZLWKOHJHQG +LVQDPH Zarathustra Spitama LQGLFDWHVWKDWKHZDVERUQLQWRDZDUULRUFODQ FRQQHFWHGWRWKH royal family of ancient Persia 7KHQDPH=DUDWKXVWUDPD\PHDQ "possessor of camels" DQGLVWDNHQE\VRPHWRLQGLFDWHWKDWKHFDPHIURPDQRPDGLF IDPLO\ Little is known about his early life. /HJHQGDU\PDWHULDOVWDWHVWKDW demons attempted to kill the infant Zoroaster VHYHUDOWLPHVEHFDXVHWKH\UHFRJQL]HGKLPDVDSRWHQWLDOHQHP\ Each attempt on the infant's life was thwarted E\WKHSRZHUVWKDWZDWFKHGRYHUKLP 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism :HKDYH no information about Zoroaster's childhood beyond WKHIDFWWKDW at age fifteen KHSXWRQ the kusti , WKH sacred string belt V\PEROLFRIKLV passage into manhood DVDPHPEHURIKLVUHOLJLRQ /DWHU Zoroaster became a priest LQKLVUHOLJLRQ+HZDVWKHUHIRUH the only founder of a world religion to be trained as a priest =RURDVWHUKDGWKUHHZLYHVDQG ZDVWKHIDWKHURIVL[FKLOGUHQ $WWKLVPRVWFULWLFDOWLPHLQKLVOLIHKHZDVZDQGHULQJDERXWVHHNLQJDQVZHUVWR UHOLJLRXVTXHVWLRQVWKDWWURXEOHGKLP%\WKHEDQNVRIDULYHU he had a vision of the angel Vohu Mana ZKRDSSHDUHGQLQHWLPHVWKHVL]HRIDPDQ,QWKLVPHHWLQJ the angel told Zoroaster WKDW there was only one true God , Ahura Mazda DQGWKDW Zoroaster was to become his prophet 'XULQJWKHQH[WWHQ\HDUV=RURDVWHUKDGRWKHUYLVLRQVLQZKLFK each of the archangels of Ahura Mazda appeared DQGUHYHDOHGIXUWKHUWUXWKWRKLP +HEHJDQWRSUHDFKKLVQHZUHYHODWLRQDWRQFHEXWZLWKDEVROXWHO\QRVXFFHVV )RUWHQ\HDUVQRRQHFRQYHUWHGWRWKHPHVVDJHRIWKLVQHZSURSKHW +HZDVFRQGHPQHGE\KLVSHRSOHDVDKHUHWLFDQGVRUFHUHUDQGZDVWHPSWHGE\HYLO VSLULWVWRFHDVHKLVSUHDFKLQJ)LQDOO\ he converted his cousin Maidhyomah . 7KHWXUQLQJSRLQWLQWKHFDUHHURI=RURDVWHUFDPHZKHQKHDQGKLVFRXVLQ MRXUQH\HGWR%DFWULDWRWKHFRXUWRI the monarch Vishtaspa =RURDVWHUVWD\HGDWWKH FRXUWRI9LVKWDVSDIRUVHYHUDO\HDUV'XULQJWKDWWLPH rival priests conspired against him DQG had him thrown into prison )LQDOO\KRZHYHU he converted the prince to his new religion. The monarch Vishtaspa DQGKLVHQWLUHFRXUWDQGNLQJGRPEHFDPH IROORZHUVRIWKHSURSKHW ,QWKHHQVXLQJ\HDUV=RURDVWULDQLVPVSUHDGUDSLGO\LQWKHODQGVRIWKH$U\DQ SHRSOH6RPHWLPHVWKHFRQYHUVLRQUDWHVZHUHVSHHGHGXSE\KRO\ZDUV'XULQJDZDU ZLWKWKH7XUDQLDQV 7XUNV WKHFLW\LQZKLFK=RURDVWHUOLYHGZDVLQYDGHG$QHQHP\ VROGLHUIRXQGWKHVHYHQW\VHYHQ\HDUROGSURSKHW tending the sacred flame in the ‘Fire Temple’ and killed him . The Nature of God $VLWZDVZLWKWKHOLIHRI=RURDVWHUVRLWLVZLWKKLVRULJLQDOWHDFKLQJV7KH VRXUFHVDUHGLVWDQWDQGFRQIXVHG7KHSUREOHPLVFRPSRXQGHGE\WKHIDFWWKDWRYHU WKH\HDUVRWKHUWHDFKLQJVDQGOHJHQGVKDYHEHHQDGGHGWRWKHRULJLQDOPHVVDJHRI 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism WKHSURSKHW +RZHYHUWKHFHQWUDOWHDFKLQJRI=RURDVWHUVHHPVFOHDU There is only one true God in all the world and his name is Ahura Mazda ,WLV+HZKRFUHDWHGWKH ZRUOG :LWKWKLVSRLQW=RURDVWHUEHJDQ All the many gods of nature (daevas) WKDWKLV SHRSOHZRUVKLSHGDQGWKHJRGVWRZKRPWKH\RIIHUHGVDFULILFLDODQLPDOV were declared false gods For its time, Zoroaster's monotheism must have been revolutionary. %HIRUHKLP ZHUHIHZZKREHOLHYHGWKDWWKHUHZDVRQO\RQH*RG0RVHVZKRSUREDEO\OLYHGLQWKH WKLUWHHQWKFHQWXU\%&(LVVDLGWRKDYHWDXJKWWKH,VUDHOLWHVWKDWWKH\ZHUHWRKDYH QRRWKHUJRGVEHIRUH<+:+EXWKHQHYHUGHQLHGWKHH[LVWHQFHRIRWKHUJRGV ,WLVQRZRQGHUWKDW=RURDVWHU VDVVHUWLRQWKDWWKHUHZDVRQO\RQH*RGZDVVR FRQWURYHUVLDO7KHRQHWUXH*RGLQ=RURDVWHU VUHOLJLRQ Ahura Mazda ZDVWKHVDPH *RGZKRKDGEHHQ worshiped by the Aryans IRUFHQWXULHV as the distant High God =RURDVWHUVLPSO\GHFODUHGWKDWKHZDVWKHRQO\*RG7KHQDPH Ahura, "lord," LQGLFDWHVRQHZKRFUHDWHGDQGJRYHUQVWKHXQLYHUVH7KHQDPH Mazda PHDQV "all wisdom." 7KXV$KXUD0D]GDLVXVXDOO\WUDQVODWHG:LVH/RUG =RURDVWULDQVFULSWXUHDWWULEXWHVDQRWKHUWZHQW\QDPHVWRWKLV*RGVXFK He of Whom Questions Are Asked Giver of Herds 6WURQJ2QH Perfect Holiness 8QGHUVWDQGLQJ Blessing 7KH8QFRQTXHUDEOH Healing, 7KH&UHDWRUDQGVRRQ $KXUD0D]GDLVXQGHUVWRRGWREHWKHLQYLVLEOHDQGLQWDQJLEOHFUHDWRUDQGUXOHU RIWKHXQLYHUVH,Q=RURDVWHU VXQGHUVWDQGLQJ$KXUD0D]GDUHYHDOHGKLPVHOIWR KXPDQNLQGWKURXJKWKHDJHQF\RIWKH Amesha-Spenta XVXDOO\WUDQVODWHG+RO\ ,PPRUWDOV :HVWHUQVFKRODUVKDYHWHQGHGWRHTXDWHWKHVH+RO\,PPRUWDOVZLWKWKH DUFKDQJHOVLQ&KULVWLDQWKHRORJ\ Three of the immortals bear masculine names DQG FDUU\PDVFXOLQHTXDOLWLHVDQG the three bear feminine names DQGUHSUHVHQWIHPLQLQH TXDOLWLHV 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism 7KH:LVH/RUG Ahura Mazda FRQQHFWVZLWKWKHPDWHULDOZRUOGWKURXJKWKH Amesha Spentas 7KH$PHVKD6SHQWDV has guardianship over a human virtue and a sector of Creation They are comparable to Archangels =RURDVWULDQVGRQ¶WZRUVKLSRUSUD\WRWKHVHLPPRUWDOV they pray through them WR FRPPXQHZLWK*RG)DLWKIXO=RURDVWULDQVSUD\WKDWWKHVHLPPRUWDOVPD\FRPHLQWR WKHLUKRPHVDQGEOHVVWKHP 7KH total nature of Ahura Mazda LVDQHTXDOEDODQFHRIWKHPDOHDQGIHPDOH The three masculine or father types of these immortals are: 1.) Asha (knowledge of the law of God and the law itself) 2.) Vohu-Mana (love) 3.) Kshathra (loving service). The three feminine immortals are: 1.) Armaiti (piety) 2.) Haurvatat (wholeness or perfection) 3.) Ameretat (immortality). 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism 2WKHUEHLQJVZKRVHUYH$KXUD0D]GDDQGPD\EHKHOSIXOWRKXPDQEHLQJV 7KHVHDUHWKHPXOWLSOH Yazata (Adorable Ones). 7KH\DUHWKHKRVWVRIDQJHOV VXUURXQGLQJ the throne of God 7KH\DUHOLPLWOHVVLQQXPEHU2QO\IRUW\DUHPHQWLRQHG LQWKH=RURDVWULDQWH[WV2QO\WKUHHUHFHLYHDQ\UHJXODUPHQWLRQ These angels are: 1.) Sraosha the guardian of humanity ZKRVKRZVREHGLHQFHWRWKHODZRI*RG 2.) +LVVLVWHUDQGIHPLQLQHFRXQWHUSDUW Ashi Vanguhi WKH rewarder of good deeds 3.) $QGWKHHYHUSRSXODU Mithra WKHDQGWKHLGHDORIVROGLHUV strongest of these beings. THE GOD OF EVIL 3HUKDSV=RURDVWHU VJUHDWHVWFRQWULEXWLRQWRWKHUHOLJLRQVRIWKHZRUOGZDVLQWKH DUHDRIWKHSUREOHPRIHYLO7KHZRUOGLVIXOORIERWKJRRGDQGHYLO ,W LV HDV\ HQRXJK WR DVFULEH WKH JRRG LQ WKH ZRUOG to the good God ZKR KDV FUHDWHGWKHZRUOGEXWZKRLVUHVSRQVLEOHIRUWKHHYLO",IWKHFUHDWRU*RGLVUHVSRQVLEOH IRUWKHHYLORIWKHZRUOGWKHQZKHUHLVKLVJRRGQHVVDQGMXVWLFH" 0DQ\UHOLJLRQVKDYHWKHLUSRZHUVRIGDUNQHVVWKHLUGHPRQVEXWLWUHPDLQHGIRU =RURDVWHUWRV\VWHPDWL]HDQGGHOLQHDWHWKHIRUFHVEHKLQGWKHZRUOG VHYLO =RURDVWULDQLVPLVRIWHQUHIHUUHGWRDVGXDOLVWLFUHOLJLRQ7KDWLVDVDUHOLJLRQWKDW VHHVWZRVXSUHPHIRUFHVFRQWHQGLQJZLWKHDFKRWKHUIRUFRQWURORIWKHXQLYHUVH =RURDVWULDQLVPLVWKDW it recognizes a good God and his angels ZKRDUHLQFKDUJHRI WKHJRRGWKDWKDSSHQVLQWKHZRUOG $OVR it recognizes an evil god and his demons ZKRDUHUHVSRQVLEOHIRUDOOWKHZRUOG V HYLO %XWLIWKLVZHUH=RURDVWHU VXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIWKHXQLYHUVHWKHQKHZRXOGQRWEH WHDFKLQJDPRQRWKHLVPEXWDGXDOLVP,QWKHVDPHYHLQRQHPLJKWVD\WKDWEHFDXVH &KULVWLDQLW\UHFRJQL]HVD6DWDQILJXUHLWWRRLVQRWPRQRWKHLVWLF7KLVLVQRWWKHFDVHLQ WKHWHDFKLQJVRI=RURDVWHU$FFRUGLQJWRKLP , two spirits emanate from Ahura Mazda RQHLV Spenta Mainyu the Beneficent Spirit WKHRWKHULV Angra Mainyu the Evil Spirit 7KHVHWZRKDYHFRH[LVWHGVLQFHWKHEHJLQQLQJRIWLPH 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH Zoroastrianism The Nature of Humankind =RURDVWHUVDZWKHIRUFHVRIJRRGVWUXJJOLQJZLWKWKHIRUFHVRIHYLOLQWKHZRUOG 7R=RURDVWHUPHQDQGZRPHQZHUHERUQLQDSXUHVLQOHVVVWDWHDQG could choose to serve either good or evil. Their lives and ultimate destiny depended on the exercise of their free will .,IWKH\ZLVKHGLQGLYLGXDOVFRXOGVHUYHWKHIRUFHVRIHYLO FRRSHUDWHLQOLHVKDWHFRUUXSWLRQDQGHYHU\RWKHUVRUWRIHYLO7KH\FRXOGDOVRFKRRVH WREHDSDUWRIJRRGDFWVWKDWZRXOGLPSURYHWKHZRUOG7KH choice of conduct was entirely up to the individual 6RPHUHOLJLRQVVHHDGHLW\FRQWUROOLQJWKHFKRLFHVSHRSOHPDNHRWKHUVVHH KXPDQFRQGXFWGHWHUPLQHGE\HFRQRPLFRUVRFLDOIDFWRUV8QOLNHWKHVHSKLORVRSKLHV RIKXPDQQDWXUH=RURDVWULDQLVPWDXJKWWKDW men and women were genuinely free to decide LIWKH\ZRXOGGRJRRGRUHYLODQGZRXOGEHKHOGDFFRXQWDEOHIRUWKHLUFKRLFHV The Destiny of Humankind %HFDXVHSHRSOHKDYHIUHHGRPRIFKRLFHWKH\PXVWVWDQGUHVSRQVLEOHIRUWKHLU FKRLFHV(DFKGHHGHLWKHUJRRGRUHYLOZLOOEHDULWVRZQIUXLWV 7KHUHIRUH=RURDVWULDQLVPVHHVDODZRIUHWULEXWLRQDWZRUNLQWKLVOLIH7KDW ZKLFKLVFDOOHG karma LQ+LQGXLVPDQGWKDWZKLFKLVVWDWHGE\6W3DXODV "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,“ LVDOVRWDXJKWLQ =RURDVWULDQLVP "Evil to Evil, Good to Good." )DOVHKRRGEULQJVRQDJHORQJSXQLVKPHQW$QG7UXWKOHDGVRQWRIXOOHUKLJKHUOLIH . $QRWKHURI=RURDVWHU VJLIWVWRWKHZRUOGRI:HVWHUQUHOLJLRQVZDVKLVRUJDQL]HG VFKHPHRIHVFKDWRORJ\ (belief concerning the end of the world). ,QUHOLJLRQVSULRUWR=RURDVWULDQLVPHODERUDWHSUHSDUDWLRQVZHUHVRPHWLPHV PDGHIRUOLIHEH\RQGWKHJUDYHDVZLWKWKHDQFLHQW(J\SWLDQV $FFRUGLQJWR=RURDVWULDQLVPWKHVRXOVWD\VZLWKWKHERG\ for three days after death and meditates RQWKHGHHGVWKDWZHUHGRQHLQOLIH2Q the fourth day WKHVRXO MRXUQH\V WR WKH SODFH RI MXGJPHQW 7KHUH 0LWKUD MXGJHV WKH VRXO DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH GHHGV SHUIRUPHG GXULQJ OLIH 7KHVH GHHGV DUH EDODQFHG RQ D VFDOH ,I WKH ZHLJKW SUHGRPLQDQFH RIDSHUVRQ VOLIHKDVEHHQJLYHQRYHUWRHYLOWKDWSHUVRQ V soul will be sentenced to hell. ,IWKHVFDOHWLSVHYHQVOLJKWO\WRZDUGJRRGWKDWSHUVRQ VVRXOZLOOJR WRSDUDGLVH7KHVRXORQLWVZD\WRSDUDGLVHFURVVHV the Chinvat Bridge ZKLFKLVD ZLGHHDV\SDWK 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH 7KHVRXOLVJUHHWHGE\EHDXWLIXOPDLGHQVZKRHVFRUWLWLQWRKHDYHQ=RURDVWULDQ paradise is a place of beauty, light, pleasant scents, and noble souls ZKRKDYHOLYHG OLIHDFFRUGLQJWR=RURDVWULDQHWKLFV )RUWKHSHUVRQZKRVHEDODQFHLVZHLJKWHGGRZQE\HYLO deeds and thoughts WKH&KLQYDW%ULGJHEHFRPHVDQHQWLUHO\GLIIHUHQWH[SHULHQFH2QFHFRQGHPQHGWKH VRXOLVIRUFHGRXWRQWKLVEULGJHZKLFKWXUQVXSRQLWVHGJHDQGEHFRPHVDVKDUGWR ZDONRQDV the edge of a sword 0RUHRYHUWKHVRXOLVWRUPHQWHGE\DQROGKDJDQGHYHQWXDOO\IDOOVRIIWKHEULGJH LQWRKHOO=RURDVWULDQKHOOLVRQHRIWKHPRVWWHUULEOHKHOOVRIDOO ,WLVYLYLGO\GHVFULEHGLQDZRUNFDOOHGWKH Vision of Arda Viraf ( ZULWWHQ &( ,QWKLVZRUNWKHKHURLVDOORZHGWRWUDYHOWRERWKKHDYHQDQGKHOODQGVHHVWKH GHOLJKWVDQGPLVHULHVRIWKHLULQKDELWDQWV Zoroastrian Ethics 7KHEDVLVIRUPXFKRI=RURDVWULDQHWKLFVDQGZRUVKLSLVWKHXQGHUVWDQGLQJRI the sacredness of the elements of earth ILUHZDWHUDQGDLU:KDWHYHUYLRODWHVRU SROOXWHVWKHVHVDFUHGHOHPHQWVLVZLFNHG7KXVLQWKH=RURDVWULDQKHOOWKRVHZKR KDYHSROOXWHGWKHHDUWKRUZDWHUZLWKWKHLUH[FUHPHQWDUHVXEMHFWWRXQXVXDOO\KDUVK SXQLVKPHQWV7KHFRQFHUQIRUWKHHOHPHQWVLVVHHQDJDLQDQGDJDLQLQ=RURDVWULDQ OLIH Zoroastrianism also teaches a concern for: 1.) Humata - Good Thoughts 2.) Hukhta - Good Words 3.) Hvarshta - Good Deeds Pre-Zoroastrian Aryan worship GHSHQGHGKHDYLO\ on blood sacrifices WRWKH YDULRXVGHLWLHV Zoroastrian worship consists mainly of prayers RIIHUHGWR Ahura Mazda UHTXHVWLQJDVVLVWDQFHLQ living a righteous life DQGLQ avoiding temptations 7KH RQO\IRUPRIVDFULILFHWKDWFXUUHQWO\H[LVWVLVWKHRIIHULQJRIVDQGDOZRRGWRWKHVDFUHG IODPHV that burn eternally LQ=RURDVWULDQ)LUH7HPSOHV 7KHVHILUHVDUH tended by priests ZKR wear surgical masks RYHUWKHLUIDFHV lest their breath contaminate the sacred flames ,QDGGLWLRQ=RURDVWULDQULWXDOVH[LVWIRUHDFKRIWKHSRLQWVLQOLIHQRUPDOO\ DVVRFLDWHGZLWKULWHVRISDVVDJH$WDJHVHYHQLQ,QGLDDQGDJHWHQLQ,UDQ\RXQJ 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH =RURDVWULDQER\VDQGJLUOVDUHUHFHLYHGLQWRWKHLUUHOLJLRQZLWKWKHLQYHVWLWXUHRID sacred shirt (sadre) DQG sacred thread (kusti). ([FHSWZKHQEDWKLQJWKH\ must wear WKHVHWZRLWHPVIRU the rest of their lives 7KHNXVWLLVWREHWLHGDQGXQWLHGRQDWOHDVWILYHRFFDVLRQVGXULQJHDFKGD\DVDIRUP RISUD\HU This sacred belt LVPDGHXSRI seventy-two threads WKDWUHSUHVHQWWKH seventy-two chapters RIWKH Zoroastrian scripture the Yasna 2IFRXUVH=RURDVWULDQFHUHPRQLHVDOVRRFFXUDWRWKHULPSRUWDQWSRLQWVLQOLIHVXFKDV PDUULDJHSHULRGVRISXULILFDWLRQDQGLQLWLDWLRQLQWRWKHSULHVWKRRGIRUWKRVHZKR FKRRVHLW 7KHPRVWGLVWLQFWLYHULWXDORIDOOKRZHYHURFFXUVDWGHDWK,IRQHEHOLHYHVWKDW earth, fire, water, and air DUH the most sacred elements in life DQGLIRQHEHOLHYHVWKDW WKHFRUSVHLVWKHPRVWFRQWDPLQDWLQJHOHPHQWRIDOOKRZLVRQHWRGLVSRVHRIWKH GHDG"The body cannot be buried OHVWLWFRQWDPLQDWHWKHVRLO it cannot be cremated OHVWLWFRQWDPLQDWHWKHVDFUHGILUHDQG it cannot be buried at sea OHVWWKHZDWHUEH SROOXWHG 7KH=RURDVWULDQVROXWLRQWRWKLVSUREOHPKDVDWWUDFWHGZLGHVSUHDGDWWHQWLRQ :KHQD=RURDVWULDQGLHVWKHFRUSVHLVZDVKHGDFOHDQVXLWRIFORWKHVLVSODFHGRQLW DQGWKHNXVWLRIWKHGHFHDVHGLVZUDSSHGDURXQGWKHERG\$IWHUFHUWDLQSXULILFDWLRQ FHUHPRQLHVWKHERG\LVFDUULHGRXWRIWKHKRXVHE\FRUSVHEHDUHUV7KHFRUSVH EHDUHUVDORQJZLWKWKHPRXUQHUVWDNHWKHERG\WRDQHQFORVXUHFDOOHGD dakhma, RU WRZHURIVLOHQFH ,WLVDURXQGVWUXFWXUHRSHQWRWKHVN\,QVLGHWKH dakhma DUHRSHQ FRPSDUWPHQWVDQGLQWKHFHQWHUDGU\ZHOO7KHERG\LVSODFHGLQRQHRIWKH FRPSDUWPHQWVDQGLWVFORWKLQJLVHLWKHUUHPRYHGRUWRUQRSHQ7KHPRXUQHUVOHDYHWKH VLWHDQGZLWKLQDIHZPRPHQWVYXOWXUHVGHVFHQGRQWKHERG\DQGEHJLQWRVWULSLWRILWV IOHVK,QDQDUHDZKHUHWKHUHDUHIDLUO\IUHTXHQWGHDWKVDODUJHQXPEHURIYXOWXUHV XVXDOO\VWD\QHDUWKHGDNKPDV within thirty minutes, they can strip the body clean. $IWHUDWLPH when the bones are dried out E\WKHVXQ they are washed down LQWRWKHFHQWUDOZHOORIWKHGDNKPDThus, the body of the Zoroastrian is disposed of without (risking contamination of soil, fire, or water. 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH COMPARISON CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM, ZOROASTRIANISM: ADHERENTS Christianity Islam Zoroastrianism ELOOLRQ ELOOLRQ HISTORY Christianity Islam Zoroastrianism %DVHGRQWHDFKLQJVRI /LIHDQGWHDFKLQJVRI-HVXVRI =RURDVWHULQWKFHQW%&( %DVHGRQWHDFKLQJVRIWKH 1D]DUHWK ERUQF%&( D-HZ 3HUVLD2IILFLDOUHOLJLRQRI 3URSKHW0XKDPPDGIRXQGHG IURP3DOHVWLQHXQGHU5RPDQ DQFLHQW3HUVLD0D\KDYH &(LQ0HFFD6DXGL$UDELD UXOH LQIOXHQFHG-XGDLVPDQG9HGLF UHOLJLRQ GOD Christianity Islam Zoroastrianism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hristianity Islam Zoroastrianism 5HVXUUHFWLRQRIERG\DQGVRXO -XGJPHQWIROORZHGE\KHDYHQRU HWHUQDOKHDYHQRUKHOO PRVW KHOO+HOOLVWHPSRUDU\XQWLOILQDO (WHUQDO3DUDGLVHRU(WHUQDO+HOO GHQRPLQDWLRQV WHPSRUDU\ SXUJDWLRQDQGUHWXUQWR$KXUD SXUJDWRU\ &DWKROLFLVP 0D]GD PRACTICES Christianity Islam Zoroastrianism )LYH3LOODUV)DLWK3UD\HU$OPV 3LOJULPDJH)DVWLQJ0RVTXH 3UD\HU%LEOHVWXG\EDSWLVP SUD\HUVWHQGLQJWKHVDFUHGILUH VHUYLFHVRQ)ULGD\V$EOXWLRQV (XFKDULVW &RPPXQLRQ FKXUFK FRPLQJRIDJHULWXDOVEXULDOE\ EHIRUHSUD\HU1RDOFRKRORU RQ6XQGD\VQXPHURXV H[SRVXUHLQWKH7RZHURI SRUN+ROLGD\VUHODWHGWRWKH KROLGD\V 6LOHQFH SLOJULPDJHDQGIDVWRI 5DPDGDQ TEXTS Christianity Islam Zoroastrianism %LEOH +HEUHZ%LEOH1HZ 4XU DQ VDFUHGWH[W +DGLWK =HQG$YHVWD 7HVWDPHQW WUDGLWLRQ 3DJH %RRNOHW3DJH What is Islam? $FFRUGLQJWR:HEVWHU¶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e hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys. >Quran 2:285 @ %RRNOHW3DJH What is Islam? Continued 6D\ZHEHOLHYHLQ*RGDQGWKDWZKLFKZDV UHYHDOHGXQWRXVDQGWKDWZKLFKZDVUHYHDOHG XQWR $EUDKDP DQG ,VKPDHO DQG ,VDDF DQG -DFRE DQGWKHWULEHVDQGWKDWZKLFKZDV EHVWRZHGXSRQ 0RVHV DQG -HVXV DQGWKH SURSKHWVIURPWKHLU/RUG:HPDNH QR GLVWLQFWLRQ EHWZHHQDQ\RIWKHPDQGXQWR +LPZHKDYHVXUUHQGHUHG [The Holy Qur'an 3:84] Who are Muslims? $0XVOLPLVRQHZKRVXEPLWVWRWKHZLOORI*RG 5IFUFSNA.VIBNNBEBOJTNJTMFBEJOHBOEPGGFOTJWF 7KH\FRPSULVHRQHILIWK %LOOLRQ RIWKHZRUOG QPQVMBUJPO 7KHUHDUHDERXWWRPLOOLRQ0XVOLPVLQWKH86 $ERXWPLOOLRQ0XVOLPVLQ(XURSH %RRNOHW3DJH What is the Quran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hat are the Basic Islamic Beliefs? 1 One, Unique, Incomparable God, Who has no son or partner Allah is the proper name of god. “The God” 2 Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Torah, Injil (Bible) & Quran 3 Belief in prophets of God: Adam, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and the Final Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon them) 4 Belief in the Day of Judgment: When all of humanity will be held accountable for their deeds. 5 Belief in the Angels of God. 6 Belief in ‘Qadar’. Predestine and Due Measure. Innocence of Humankind at Birth. No Intermediary between God and Humans. What are the Five Pillars of Islam? 1 Testimony of Faith: There is no deity but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God 2 Prayer: Daily at Dawn, Noon, Mid-Afternoon, Sunset and Night. Each prayer takes a few minutes. 3 Poor Due (Zakat): An annual payment of 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth which is distributed among the needy. Optional charity is encouraged. 4 Fasting: Total abstinence from food and liquid from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. 5 Hajj: Annual pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are physically and financially able. %RRNOHW3DJH Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ? %RUQLQ0DNNDK $UDELDQ3HQLQVXOD LQ$' /LNHDOOWKHSURSKHWVEHIRUH0XKDPPDGKHZDV D KXPDQEHLQJ VHQWE\*RGWR UHPLQGSHRSOHRI WKHLU2QH7UXH&UHDWRU DQG HVWDEOLVKDV\VWHPRI SHDFHDQGMXVWLFHIRUDOO 7KHSUDFWLFHDQGH[DPSOHRIWKH3URSKHWLVWKH VHFRQGVRXUFHRIJXLGDQFHIRU0XVOLPV $KDGLWKLVDUHOLDEO\WUDQVPLWWHGUHSRUWRIZKDW WKH3URSKHWVDLGGLGRUDSSURYHGHJ7KH 3URSKHWVDLG 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for otheothersrs.' ‘Whoever believes in God and the Day of Judgment should do good to his neighbor’ 'God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.' %RRNOHW3DJH Abrahamic Connection? *HQHVLV 1RORQJHUZLOO\RXEHFDOOHG $EUDP\RXUQDPHZLOOEH$EUDKDPIRU, KDYHPDGH\RXDIDWKHURIPDQ\QDWLRQV 4XUDQ4X $QG UHPHPEHU ZKHQKLV/RUGG H H EH ZH V RG WULHG$EUDKDPZLWK +LV FRPPDQGVDQGKH IXOILOOHGWKHP+HVDLG/R,KDYHDSSRLQWHG WKHHDOHDGHURIPDQ\QDWLRQV $EUDKDP VDLG $QGRIP\RIIVSULQJ ZLOOWKHUHEHOHDGHUV " +HVDLG0\FRYHQDQWGRHVQRWLQFOXGHWKH XQMXVW ,WLVKHUHLQ0DNNDKWKDW3URSKHW$EUDKDP DQGKLVVRQ,VKPDHOEXLOWDKRXVHRIZRUVKLS IRU*RG %RRNOHW3DJH What do Muslims believe about Jesus? Quran confirms his virgin birth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hat does the Quran say about Creation? The Quran encourages humankind to use the powers of intelligence and observation. Ø Origin of Universe: Do the unbelievers not realizeli thtthhthat the heavens and dth the earth th used dt to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe? [Qur’an 21:30] Ø Expanding Universe: "The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily. We are expanding it. [Qur’an 51:47] Ø Embryology: ... Subsequently, we reprodu ced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well protected repository. Then we developed the dropp into a hangin g g (e ( mbryo),y), t h en developepd the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator. Then, later on, you die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected. [Qur'an 23:12-16] %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity Introduction Judaism (Hebrews) introduce monotheism LQWRDZRUOGRISRO\WKHLVPLQWKHIRUPRID *RGDERYHQDWXUHDQGIUHHIURPFRPSXOVLRQDQGIDWH+HEUHZVWRRNQDPH “Judaism” LQKRQRU of Judah DSURSKHWDQGWKHLUKRPHODQG-XGDHD Christianity emerged from Judaism Judaism ± named after tribe of Judah. Jew ± shorten form of Judean or a member of the tribe of Judah. Jehovah ± God of the Jews. Hebrew – originally Habiru - “they who crossed over” the desert and were respected. Also, now it applies to the name of the language of the Jews. Early scriptures NQRZQFROOHFWLYHO\ as TaNaKh. Torah )LYH%RRNVRI0RVHV Nevi’im %RRNVRIWKH3URSKHWV Ketuvim +LVWRULFDOSRHWLFDQGSKLORVRSKLFZULWLQJV &KULVWLDQVDFFHSWDOORIWKH7D1D.KDVWKH “Old Testament”. -HZVDQG&KULVWLDQVORQJ UHJDUGHGWKHVHERRNVDVWKHOLWHUDO “Word of God”. -XGDLVPFDQQRWEHGHILQHGSULPDULO\ in terms of religious beliefs. 6RPHSHRSOH are called Jews but consider themselves atheists $GROI+LWOHUIRXQGLWH[SHGLHQWWRGHILQH-XGDLVPLQWHUPVRIUDFH-HZLVKSHRSOH GLVSOD\WKHSK\VLFDOFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRI nearly every race 7KHUHDUH(XURSHDQ-HZV$IULFDQ-HZV (such as, The Falasha of Ethiopia) DQG $VLDQ-HZV Nor can Judaism be defined in linguistic or ethnic terms -HZLVKSHRSOHKDYHVSRNHQDQGZULWWHQPDQ\ODQJXDJHVDQGKDYHDFTXLUHGPXFKRI WKHFXOWXUHVRIWKHODQGVLQZKLFKWKH\KDYHGZHOW:KRPLJKWEHFDOOHG-HZV":H FDQRQO\VSHDNRIWKRVHSHRSOHZKRLGHQWLI\WKHPVHOYHV with the religion of Judaism. 7KRXJKUHOLJLRXVSUDFWLFHVGLIIHUJHQHUDOO\WKHXQLI\LQJIHDWXUHDPRQJ all Jews is a belief in the oneness of a God. ,V³-HZLVK´D5HOLJLRXVRU(WKQLF,GHQWLW\" Page 1 %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity +RZHYHU the great majority RI -HZV become a part RIWKHUHOLJLRXVPRYHPHQW WKURXJKELUWKDQGQRWGXHWRWKHLUEHOLHIVRUDFWLRQV,QWKLVZD\EHLQJ-HZLVKLVOLNH being a citizen of a religious movement $-HZLVK identity is automatically EHVWRZHG RQWKHEDELHVRI-HZLVKPRWKHUV7KLVLGHQWLW\VWD\VZLWKWKHPWKURXJKRXWOLIH no matter what they believe RUKRZWKH\DFW 7UDGLWLRQDOO\D-HZLV anyone whose mother is a Jew 7KH$QFLHQW,VUDHOLWHV¶ was passed on by the mother LQVWHDGRIWKHIDWKHUEHFDXVH \RXDUH always sure who the mother is $SHUVRQZKRZDVQRWERUQWRD-HZLVK PRWKHURUKDVQRWJRQHWKURXJKWKHFRQYHUVLRQSURFHVV is not FRQVLGHUHGD-HZ 7KXV the conversion process LVDYHU\PHDQLQJIXOEHFDXVH it is the only way IRUD QRQ-HZWREHFRPH-HZLVK +DYHD monotheistic belief in God. God is FDOOHG -XGDLVPLVFRQFHUQHGZLWK*RG VDFWLYLW\LQKLVWRU\ It is God who works in and through historical events and who has in some manner chosen the Jewish people as His agents. $FFRUGLQJWRWKH%LEOH God found it necessary to call out one man DQGKLVIDPLO\ IURPDOOWKHSHRSOHRQ(DUWK -XGDLVPEHJDQEHIRUHKLVWRU\LQWKHHDVWHUQ0HGLWHUUDQHDQZDVHYHQZULWWHQ -XGDLVPZDV founded by Abraham DURXQG 1750 B.C.E 7KHIDWKHURIWKH³ Jewish people ´ZDV$EUDKDP+HZDV the first person who entered into a covenant RU FRQWUDFWZLWK*RG+HZDVZLOOLQJWRVDFULILFHKLVRQO\VRQZLWK6DUDKLI*RGWROGKLP WR%XWLWWXUQHGRXWWKDW God did not want him to sacrifice his son DQG sent a ram instead 7KHUHVSHFWIRU*RG¶VZLVKHVVHDOHGWKHFRYHQDQW $OWKRXJK Abraham is seen as the founder RI-XGDLVP his grandson Jacob ZKR¶V QDPHFKDQJHGWR,VUDHOZDVWKHIDWKHURIWZHOYH FKLOGUHQZKREHFDPHNQRZQDV WKH “children of Israel”, RU,VUDHOLWHV Page 2 %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity $EUDKDPZDVWKHILUVW3DWULDUFKZKLFKPHDQV “male power figure”. 0DWULDUFK PHDQV “female power figure”. 7KLVLVZKHUH ‘Ma ’ DQG ‘Pa ’ FDPHIURP7KH calling of Abraham LVUHFRUGHGLQ Genesis 12 +LVFDOOFDPHDIWHUDVHULHVRIGLVDVWURXV GHDOLQJVZLWKDOOKXPDQNLQG Adam and Eve Cain and Abel the Flood the Tower of Babel DQGVRRQ %HFDXVHRIWKHVHGLVDVWHUV*RGFKRVHWR communicate with only one nation WKH GHVFHQGDQWVRI$EUDKDP $EUDKDPZDVSURPLVHGWKDWKHZRXOG become the father of a great nation possess a land DQG become a blessing to all people LIKHZHUHIDLWKIXOWRKLVSDUWRIDFRYHQDQW ZLWK*RG $EUDKDPLVVXFFHHGHGLQWKLVFRYHQDQW by his son Isaac, KLV grandson Jacob (or Israel), DQG Jacob's twelve sons 7KHVHILJXUHVDUHFDOOHGWKHSDWULDUFKVRIWKH-HZLVKSHRSOHEHFDXVHWKH\DUHWKH physical fore bearers of the nation (Genesis 12-50). 7KHELEOLFDOQDUUDWLYHVSUHVHQWWKHSDWULDUFKVDVQRPDGVIROORZLQJWKHLUIORFNVIURP SODFHWRSODFH Judaism – Introduction 7KH%LEOHGRHVQRWJLYHWKHUHDGHUDV\VWHPDWLFSUHVHQWDWLRQRI the religious beliefs DQG practices of the patriarchs EXWLWGRHVUHYHDOD great deal about their theology 7KH\ZRUVKLSHGRQH*RGZKRJXLGHGWKHLUGHVWLQLHV7KHJHQHULFQDPHIRU*RG DPRQJDQFLHQW6HPLWLFSHRSOHVZDV(O9DULRXVFRPELQDWLRQVRIWKLVQDPH is used in the patriarchal literature WRUHIHUWRWKHLU*RG 7KH*RG in the patriarchal literature LVFDOOHG 1.) El Shaddai (God of the mountains). 2.) El Elyon (God Most High). 3.) El Olam (God Everlasting). $QGPRVWIUHTXHQWO\(ORKLP *RGV 7KLV*RGZDVZRUVKLSHGE\EXUQLQJDQLPDOVDFULILFHVRQDOWDUVEXLOWLQWKHRSHQ 7KHUHDOVRDUH indications of basic animistic practices LQWKHZRUVKLSRIWKHSDWULDUFKV $EUDKDPPDGHDFRYHQDQWZLWK$ELPHOHFKLQ%HHUVKHEDDQGFDOOHGXSRQWKHQDPH RI*RG7RVHDOWKHFRYHQDQW Abraham planted a grove LQ%HHUVKHED (Genesis 21:32, 33). Page 3 %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity )URPYHU\HDUO\RQLQWKHZRUVKLSRIWKHSDWULDUFKVFLUFXPFLVLRQRIWKHPDOH was practiced. *HQHVLVWUDFHVWKHULWXDORIFLUFXPFLVLRQEDFNWRDFRPPDQGPHQWRI*RG WR$EUDKDP (Genesis 17:10, 11). +RZHYHU circumcision is a very ancient and widespread religious custom ZKLFKSUREDEO\GLGQRWRULJLQDWHZLWK$EUDKDP (A borrowed practice from the Africans and the Egyptians.) 7KHVWRULHVRIWKHSDWULDUFKVH[LVWLQ*HQHVLVWRSURYLGHWKHUHDGHUZLWKDUHDVRQIRU WKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWHYHQWLQ-XGDLVP *RGSURPLVHG$EUDKDPWKDWDJUHDWQDWLRQZRXOGDULVHIURPKLVVHHGWKDWWKLVQDWLRQ ZRXOGKDYHDKRPHODQG &DQDDQ DQGWKDWWKHHQWLUHZRUOGZRXOG be blessed by this nation 7KH%RRNRI*HQHVLVFORVHVZLWKDJUHDWQDWLRQVSULQJLQJXSIURPWKHGHVFHQGDQWVRI $EUDKDPEXWWKH\ were not in Canaan 7KH\ZHUHLQ(J\SWZKHUHWKH\ZHUHERXQG LQVODYHU\ 7KHHYHQWVDQGFKDUDFWHUVRI the Exodus became the heart and soul RIWKH-HZLVK UHOLJLRQ7KHVHHYHQWVDUHUHPHPEHUHGDQQXDOO\LQWKHYDULRXVPDMRUKROLGD\VRI -XGDLVP7KHOHJDOPDWHULDOZKLFKLV attributed to the Sinai experience EHFDPHWKH PRVWLPSRUWDQWPDWHULDOLQWKH+HEUHZ%LEOH Jewish History: The Patriarchs Moses and Sinai Land of Canaan And The Judges United Monarchy Divided Monarchy Hasmonean Kingdom Destruction of The Temple Rabbinical Judaism Fall of Rome Early Middle Ages The Crusades Expulsion Enlightenment Holocaust Page 4 %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity Jewish Beliefs: God Exists. God is one and unique . God is incorporeal (spirit) . *RGLV eternal Prayer is to be directed to God alone and to no other. 7KH words of the prophets DUH true. Moses was the greatest of the prophets and his prophecies are true. The Torah was given to Moses 7KHUHZLOOEHQRRWKHU7RUDK God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. *RGZLOOUHZDUGWKHJRRGDQGSXQLVKWKHZLFNHG The Messiah will come 7KHGHDGZLOOEHUHVXUUHFWHG The Shema ³+HDU2,VUDHOWKH/RUGLVRXU*RGWKH/RUGLVRQH´LV the most important confession of faith LQ-XGDLVP -HZLVKPRUQLQJDQGHYHQLQJSUD\HUVDUHEXLOWDURXQGWKLVSUD\HU,WVXPVXSWKH -HZLVKVFULSWXUHVRU7DQDNK 7KH7DQDNKKDVWKUHHSDUWV 1.) Torah - the Teaching 2.) Neviim - the Prophets 3.) Ketuvim - the Writings. Rituals: Keeping Kosher -HZVNHHS.RVKHU by eating certain foods DQGQHYHUHDWLQJGDLU\ DQGPHDWWRJHWKHU Kosher ±GLHWDU\ODZVVHWLQWKH/DZRI0RVHVQRPL[LQJRIGDLU\DQGPHDWQRSRUN RUSRUNSURGXFWVQRVKHOOILVK Keeping the Sabbath Every Friday when the sun sets -HZVKDOWIURPZRUN FRPSOHWHO\7KH\ do all work before the Sabbath VRWKH\GRQRWKDYHWRZRUNGXULQJ WKH6DEEDWK7KH6DEEDWKHQGVDWVXQVHWWKHQH[WGD\ Rites of Passage: Bar/Bat Mitzvah - -HZLVKJLUOVDQGER\VFHOHEUDWHWKHFRPLQJRIDJHZKHQWKH\DUH RU7KLVLVWKHILUVWWLPHWKH\PD\UHDGIURPWKH7RUDK Baby naming ceremony for girls :KHQ-HZLVKJLUOVDUHILUVWERUQWKHSDUHQWVKROG DVSHFLDOFHUHPRQ\WRQDPHWKHLUEDE\JLUO Page 5 %RRNOHW3DJH Judaism and Christianity High Holy Days – Jewish Holidays The Jewish Day begins at sunset DQG ends sundown next day *HQHVLV±³$QGWKHUH ZDVHYHQLQJDQGPRUQLQJWKHILUVWGD\´ Shabbat ± The Sabbath RU6KDEEDWDVLWLVFDOOHGLQ+HEUHZ LVRQHRIWKHEHVW NQRZQDQGOHDVWXQGHUVWRRGRIDOO-HZLVKREVHUYDQFHV,WLVSULPDULO\DGD\RIUHVW DQGVSLULWXDOHQULFKPHQW Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. ,WLVWKHRQO\ULWXDOREVHUYDQFHLQVWLWXWHGLQWKH7HQ&RPPDQGPHQWV Hanukkah 6\PEROL]HVWKH winning of battle against the Greeks 7KHHLJKWFDQGOHV RQWKHPHQRUDKUHSUHVHQWVWKHFDQGOHVWKDWEXUQHGIRUHLJKWGD\VDQGHLJKWQLJKWV Rosh Hashanah ± Beginning of new year ILUVWDQGVHFRQGGD\VRI7LVKUL ±-HZLVK KROLGD\VDUHRIWHQDGD\ORQJHUWKDQPHQWLRQHGLQWKH+RO\6FULSWXUHV Days of Awe Yom Kippur ± "Yom Kippur" PHDQV "Day of Atonement .” ,WLVDGD\VHWDVLGHWRDIIOLFWWKHVRXOWR atone for the sins RIWKHSDVW\HDU±VLQV EHWZHHQPDQDQG*RG2Q