World Religions Flashcards
MONOTHESITIC (4)
JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM, SIKHISM
Hebrew (Jewish) Bible
Tanakh
Pentateuch
Torrah
The Five Pillars of Islam
- Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith
- Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day
- Zakat: paying an alms tax to benefit the poor and the needy
- Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan
- Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca
SIKHISM
Sikhism is religion and philosophy founded in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent in the late 15th century.
The Sikhs call their faith Gurmat (“the Way of the Guru”).
According to Sikh tradition, Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak and subsequently led by a succession of nine other Gurus.
The soul goes through cycles of births and deaths before it reaches the human form.
The goal of our life is to lead an exemplary existence so that one may merge with God. Sikhs should practice living a virtuous and truthful life while maintaining a balance between their spiritual obligations and temporal obligations.
Sikhism condemns blind rituals such as fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship etc.
POLYTHEISTIC (3)
TAOISM, SHINTOISM, SANTERIA
TAOISM / DAOISM
Taoism (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE) which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. It emphasizes doing what is natural and “going with the flow” in accordance with the Tao (or Dao), a cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases them.
Taoism eventually fell out of favor as the Tang Dynasty declined and was replaced by Confucianism and Buddhism
SANTERIA
Santería was brought to Cuba by the people of the Yoruban nations of West Africa
Santería is based upon the development of personal relationships through divination, sacrifice, initiation, and mediumship (see medium) between practitioners of the religion and the orisha deities, who provide their devotees with protection, wisdom, and success and who guide devotees in times of crisis.
It is believed that access to the orishas can be achieved through various types of divination. Most Ifá consultations prescribe some form of sacrifice to one or several of the orishas. These offerings may range from simple presentations before home altars to elaborate feasts in the orishas’ honour.
SHINTOISM
Japanese cult and religion, originating in prehistoric times.
During its early period, the body of religious belief and practice called Shinto was without a name and had no fixed dogma, moral precepts, or sacred writings. Worship centered on a vast pantheon of spirits, or kami, mainly divinities personifying aspects of the natural world, such as the sky, the earth, heavenly bodies, and storms.
Rites included prayers of thanksgiving; offerings of valuables, such as swords and armor and, especially, cloth; and ablutionary purification from crime and defilement.
In the late 6th century AD the name Shinto was created for the native religion to distinguish it from Buddhism and Confucianism, which had been introduced from China.
HENOTHEISTIC (2)
HINDUISM, ZOROASTRIANISM
HINDUISM
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years.
Roughly 95 percent of the world’s Hindus live in India. Because the religion has no specific founder, it’s difficult to trace its origins and history.
Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a “way of life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.
Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses. Followers believe there are multiple paths to reaching their god.
One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute soul.
One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s actions and thoughts directly determine their current life and future lives.
Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality. Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal. Food is an important part of life for Hindus. Hindus don’t eat beef or pork, and many are vegetarians.
dharma
Hindu code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality.
HINDU DEITIES
- Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the world and all living things
- Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe
- Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to recreate it
- Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
- Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love.
PHILOSOPHY (2)
CONFUCIANISM, BUDDHISM
CONFUCIANISM
Confucius lived from roughly 551 to 478 B.C.E. His life was devoted to teaching, and he traveled through many parts of China preaching his ideas of political virtue and good government.
He was a social philosopher concerned with the need to reestablish order and harmony in China; he thought that if people were taught self-restraint, respect for wisdom, and appreciation for a natural social hierarchy, solid political life would follow: people should honor the emperor, family members should honor fathers, and so on.
These natural leaders in turn ought to exemplify the specific leadership qualities of moral rectitude, kindness, and humility. Such men would understand that their personal happiness only lies in the common good; they would gain their wisdom through an education emphasizing ethics and literature and, in principle, they could be from any social class.
BUDDHISM
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C.
Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world. He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty.
After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how to achieve this spiritual state.
When Gautama passed away around 483 B.C., his followers began to organize a religious movement. Buddha’s teachings became the foundation for what would develop into Buddhism.
Buddha’s teachings are known as “dharma.” He taught that wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion were important virtues.
Followers of Buddhism don’t acknowledge a supreme god or deity. They instead focus on achieving enlightenment—a state of inner peace and wisdom. When followers reach this spiritual echelon, they’re said to have experienced nirvana.
The Dalai Lama is the leading monk in Tibetan Buddhism. Followers of the religion believe the Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama that has agreed to be born again to help humanity.
