RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES NOTES Copy these down into your notes. Be sure you know them! PART I: RELIGIONS

HINDUISM • Polytheistic • Multiple gods are variations of the one supreme god, Brahman • Cannot be traced back to a founder • Holy texts are the vedas and Upanishads • Goal is moksha- a state of perfect understanding of all things and therefore being one with god • Believe in reincarnation- a cycle of birth and rebirth- until one is freed from the cycle • Believe in karma • Main gods are Vishnu (the protector), Shiva (the destroyer), and Brahman (the creator). • May choose which gods to worship. • Strengthened the caste system- how you carry out your tasks in this life will determine the life you are reborn into • Began in India • Followers are still mainly in India • View the world as cyclical- nothing is ever destroyed (what is destroyed goes on to create something else) • Beliefs were outlined in Sanskrit scriptures

BUDDHISM • Does not recognize any deity/deities (gods) • Instead of worshipping a god or gods, the focus of spiritual practice is on oneself • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama • Holy texts are sutras • Goal is nirvana- a supreme state of enlightenment • Four noble truths- (1) Life is filled with suffering; (2) We are the cause of our own suffering (selfish desires); (3) The way to end suffering is to end all desires; (4) The way to overcome desires is to follow the Eightfold Path • Believe in karma • Four sights- old age, sickness, death, and peace (a monk)- this influenced the quest to end suffering • Eightfold Path- Have the right: view, mindfulness, intentions, speech, action, livelihood, effort, and concentration • Buddha- “Enlightened one” or “one who has awakened.” • First sermons preached to disciples, who spread the word • View the world as cyclical- nothing is ever destroyed • Began in India • Mauryan emperor Ashoka spread it • Sangha- religious order- those that devote themselves to the practice of dharma and guiding others

BUDDHISM (continued) • Spread by missionaries, mainly along trade routes across Asia • Theravada Buddhism- traditional practice- found mainly in South Asia • Mahayana Buddhism- “Great vehicle”- focus on the ability to help others enlighten themselves- found mainly in East Asia • Vajrayana Buddhism- physical and spiritual (mind and body)

JUDAISM • Monotheistic • One god, referred to as Yahweh • Founded by Abraham • Holy text is the Tanakh, or collection of holy scripture, which includes the Torah (Old Testament) • Jews believe Abraham spoke with God, who told him to lead his people to Canaan (Israel) • Covenant with God- If people live in accordance with God’s laws (obey God), then they will receive protection • Holy land is Israel • Moses is the prophet- Jews believe he led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments. • Holiest site is the Western Wall, the last remaining part of Solomon’s Temple • Ten Commandments outline God’s laws to be followed • Jesus is not believed to be the messiah, but instead a prophet • Does not believe in the Holy Trinity • Began in the Middle East • Reflected Mesopotamian cultural and legal traditions (ex: an eye for an eye) • Followers were persecuted by the Romans and dispersed across the Mediterranean in an event called the diaspora

CHRISTIANITY • Based on the core teachings of Jesus of Nazareth • Holy text consists of the Old Testament (5 books of Moses) and New Testament (teachings of Jesus) of the Bible • Core teachings were spread by disciples • Drew on Judaism and Roman and Hellenistic influences • Spread through merchants and missionaries through many parts of Afro-Eurasia • Though hostile at first, eventually gained Roman imperial support by the time of Emperor Constantine • Monotheistic • Followers believe that Jesus was the messiah (savior) • Today it is the most widely followed religion with followers all around the world • Began in the Middle East

CHRISTIANITY (continued) • Follow the Ten Commandments • Pax Romana made transmission of religious ideas safe • Featured a hierarchy with bishops and a pope at the top

ANIMISM • Belief that things in nature have spirits

ZOROASTRIANISM • Taught that the Earth is a battleground between the spirit of good and the spirit of evil • Prophet was Zoroaster • Teaches a belief in one god- Ahura Mazda • People will be judged at the end of time for how well they fought for the battle of good • Influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam • Found in Ancient Persia • Today, followers in Iran and India are called Parsis • Declined after the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 600s CE

JAINISM • Monks wear face masks and sweep the ground to avoid killing bugs • Founded by Mahavira • Believe everything in the universe has a soul, and should not be harmed (nonviolence) • Began in India

PART II: PHILOSOPHIES

CONFUCIANISM • Based on the teachings of Confucius • Desired a restoration of the order and moral living of earlier times • Social order, harmony, and good government could be restored if society were governed around proper relationships • Children should practice filial piety (respect for parents and ancestors) • Chinese philosophy • Proper conduct regulates relationships between people • Hoped to reform Chinese society by showing rulers how to govern wisely • Teachings recorded in Analects • Believe that education could transform a humbly born person into a gentleman • Adopted by the Han dynasty as the foundation for government and social order • Not a religion, but a system of ethics • Detailed ethics in relationships between: (1) ruler and subject, (2) husband and wife, (3) father and son, (4) older brother and younger brother, and (5) friend and friend. • Teachings were elaborated on by key disciples DAOISM • Laozi is credited with founding this philosophy, but it is questioned whether he existed • Belief that government should do as little as possible and leave the people alone • Chinese philosophy • Emphasized the natural order- involves relations among all living things • A universal force called the Dao (dow), which means “the way,” guides all things. • Of all creatures of nature, only humans fail to follow the Dao • Emphasizes harmony with nature • Followers seek balance with nature through meditation

LEGALISM • A highly efficient and powerful government was the key in restoring order in society • Chinese philosophy • Government should use the law to end civil disorder and restore harmony • Those that break laws should be harshly punished • Believed in controlling ideas as well as actions

GRECO-ROMAN PHILOSOPHY • Emphasized logic, reason, observation, and the nature of political power and hierarchy • The universe has order and is subject to absolute and unchanging laws • Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle • Urged people to seek truth through intentional questioning