Flashcards in Chapter 2: Asian Religions and Their Cultures Deck (26)
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1
Q
Jainism
A
- Mahavira founded Jainism as an ascetic faith
- Reasserted the Hindu veneration of all living things
- Jains wear masks to avoid insects, worrying they’ll hurt them
- In modern age, many Jainism have gone into business
- Used the swastika symbols
2
Q
Daoism
A
Dao - “the Way”
- Refers to people’s obligations and their social roles
- Dao De Jing - chief text of Daoism (“Classic of the Way”)
- Their teachings focus on living life as it is and go with the flow
- Grew under the influence of Buddhism
3
Q
Shinto
A
“the way of the gods”
- Traditional Japanese animism or nature worship
- Inspired by the Buddhist example
- Cult oriented
- Believed that various bodily functions were “polluting” and had to be cleansed
- Shinto shrines are located in beautiful areas
4
Q
Shiva
A
“Near perfect God”
- Believed to be to pure to be approached
- Blue skinned deity
- Celebrated as the “lord of both death and life and the genius of procreation”
5
Q
Brahma
A
Creator of the universe
- First goddess of the trinity
- Four headed goddess
- Has a caste called the “Brahmins” which is known as the highest case
- Present in various rituals of life
6
Q
Vishnu
A
Preserver and protector of the universe
- Second god of the Trinity
- Blue skinned god
7
Q
Agni
A
Hindu god of fire
- Aryan god
- Two-faced god
- Also known as the messenger of the gods
8
Q
Vedas
A
World’s oldest religious texts
- 1500-600 B.C.E
- Composed of hymns, spells, rituals, and poems
- Last of the Vedas talks about the nature of the universe and human’s role in it
9
Q
Upanishads
A
Last of the Vedas (chronologically)
- Talks about the universe and human’s role in it
- Talks of asceticism and mysticism
- Also deals with good and evil, morality, and human duty
10
Q
asceticism
A
- A lifestyle that denies the pleasures and luxuries of life
- Done to achieve spiritual wisdom
11
Q
Dharma
A
Selfless execution of one’s earthly duties
- Prince Arjuna is told by the god Krishna that physical death is not important and that duty and the proper execution of it is important
12
Q
karma
A
Consequence of one’s actions
- If one stays true to their dharma, they will have good karma
13
Q
ahimsa
A
Non-violence / reverence for all life
- May have originated in Jainist teachings
- Would later spread to Hinduism and Buddhism
14
Q
samsara
A
Reincarnation
- Hindu belief that life is a never ending cycle
- What you reincarnate as is a result of your karma through life
- Most Hindus are vegetarians because of this
15
Q
Mahayana Buddhism
A
“The greater vehicle”
- Offered a new approach to Buddhism
- For those who did not want to become monks or nuns
- Bodhisattva
- Saintly beings who delayed their journey to nirvana to help others
- Stressed the power of good deeds and works
16
Q
Four Noble Truths
A
- Life is filled with pain, sorrow, frustration, impermanence, and dissatisfaction (dukha)
- Desire is the root of all this as well as the urge for existence
- To end suffering, one must become desireless
- Desirelessness can be gained by the eightfold path of “Right Conduct”
17
Q
varna
A
Roles in society
- Four varna
- Brahmin (priests or teachers)
- Kshatriya (noble warriors)
- Vaishya (commoners)
- Shudra (servants and laborers)
18
Q
jati
A
- Similar to roles in society, but is comprised of hundreds of groups
- Defined by their job
- People in their respective jati were expected to interact only with others in their jati
19
Q
Confucious
A
- Common man
- No political power or powerful background
- Believed ideal social order was achieved during the Zhou Dynasty
- Was born during the Warring States Period which caused him to go into a philosophical occupation
- From Lu; an important state during the WSP
20
Q
Mencius
A
Confucious’ most famous follower and commentator
- Believed people are born naturally good but need education to keep the status
- Encouraged rebelling against those who did not live up to their roles or responsibilites
21
Q
Laozi
A
“the Old One”
- Contributed to the development of the Dao De Jing
- Supposedly disappeared and became an immortal
22
Q
Dao de Jing (Tao Te Ching)
A
Chief text of Daosim
- Contains text that is mystical in nature and purpose is unclear
- Although the text is mystic, the message of the Daoists is to relax and take things as it comes
23
Q
diaspora
A
- Dispersion of a small population of Jews abroad in India that resulted in intercultural mixing, spread of Judaism
24
Q
Sufism
A
“Mystic” version of Islam
- Taught that salvation could only be achieved through prayer and meditation
- Studied the Qur’an
- Grew in popularity in India
25
Q
Mahavira
A
Founder of Jainism
- The great solds one (?)
- Practiced non violence
26
Q
Theravada
A
“way of the elders”
- Was very traditionalistic and followed the original faith closely
- Slowly recognized good works as a soure of “merit”
- This form of Buddhism was the one that was spread more to Southeast Asia