Post on 16-Dec-2015
transcript
EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS
HinduismBuddhismConfucianismLegalismDaoismJudaismChristianity
(Islam will be in the next unit)
What is Hinduism? • One of the oldest religions
– About 1500 B.C.E. – Began in India
• Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
• Tolerance and diversity– "Truth is one, paths are many“– “There is only one God, but endless are his
aspects and endless are his names”– “We are not human beings having spiritual
experiences;We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”
What do Hindus believe?• Hinduism has no formal theology that
defines God• It is henotheistic (acknowledging many but
worshiping only one)• Brahman—One impersonal Ultimate Reality
– Manifest as many personal deities
• Atman—The soul, Brahma trapped in matter • Samsara—Reincarnation – atman is
continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime
• Karma—Spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)
• Moksha—Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman
• Vedas—Truth: myths, rituals, chants
Major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
Vishnu, the preserver god
Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer)
What are the spiritualpractices of Hinduism?• Yoga—seeking union with the divine:• Guru—a spiritual teacher, especially
helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga• Bhakti Yoga—worship, seeking union
with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities
•In the home (household shrines)•In the temples (priests officiate)
How does Hinduism direct
life in this world?• Respect for all life – vegetarian• Human life as supreme:
– Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class
– Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, wandering philosopher
– Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)
The essence of Buddhism
The essence of Buddhism
The “middle way of The “middle way of wisdom and wisdom and compassion.”compassion.”
The 3 jewels of The 3 jewels of Buddhism:Buddhism:
BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. DharmaDharma, the , the
teachings.teachings. SanghaSangha, the , the
communitycommunity..
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born as prince in NE India Born as prince in NE India
(Nepal)(Nepal) At 29 rejected luxurious At 29 rejected luxurious
life to seek enlightenmentlife to seek enlightenmentand source of sufferingand source of suffering
Lived a strict, ascetic Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrslife for 6 yrs
Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation and found meditation and found nirvananirvana
Became Became “The Enlightened “The Enlightened One,”One,” at 35 at 35
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
What is the fundamental cause
of all suffering?
Desire!Desire! Therefore, extinguish the Therefore, extinguish the
self, don’t obsess about self, don’t obsess about oneself.oneself.
Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering in the world. There is suffering in the world.
To live is to suffer. To live is to suffer.
2.2. The cause of suffering is self-The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and centered desire and attachments.attachments.
3.3. The solution is to eliminate The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments.desire and attachments.
4.4. To reach nirvana, one must To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.follow the Eightfold Path.
Eightfold PathEightfold Path
NirvanaNirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of
rebirth. rebirth.
Types of BuddhismTypes of
Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhismThe oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia.Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation.Goal: is to become a Goal: is to become a “Buddha“Buddha,” or ,” or “Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.”
Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhismFounded in northern Asia (China, Japan).Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.”GoalGoal: Not just individual escape from the : Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.few.
Types of BuddhismTypes of
Buddhism Zen BuddhismZen BuddhismSeeks sudden enlightenment through Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptinessmeditation, arriving at emptinessUse of meditation mastersUse of meditation mastersBeauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens & Beauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens & calligraphycalligraphy
Tibetan BuddhismTibetan BuddhismDeveloped in Tibet in the 7c CE.Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.A mix of Theravada and MahayanaA mix of Theravada and MahayanaInclude Lamas, like the Include Lamas, like the Dalai LamaDalai Lama
Both
Reincarnation
Cyclical view of history
Belief in a state of enlightenment (Hindu
moksha, Buddhist nirvana)
Caste system
Animal sacrifice
The Middle Way (Eightfold Path)
Four Noble Truths
Hinduismonly
Buddhismonly
Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society)
Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity
Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy
Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.
Yi --> Righteousness
Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
4. Older Brother
YoungerBrother
5. Older Friend
YoungerFriend
* Status
* Age
* Gender
* The single most important Confucian work.
*Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows.
*Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake.
*The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.
*To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
* The emperor is the example of proper behavior --> “big daddy”
* Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals”
* Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons
INDIA 1. Brahmin
CHINA 1. Scholar-
Gentry 2. Kshatriyas
2. Peasants 3. Vaishyas
4. Shudras
3. Artisans 4.
Merchants Untouchab
les Domestic
Slaves
* 280? - 233 B.C.E.
* Late Warring States period
* Legalism became political philosophy of Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty
1. Human nature is naturally selfish.
2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged.
3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality.
4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand.
5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.
One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.
1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.
2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature.
3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!”
4. Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.
1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.
3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.
To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:
* Masculine
* Active
* Light
* Warmth
* Strong
* Heaven; Sun
* Feminine
* Passive
* Darkness
* Cold
* Weak
* Earth; Moon
How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??
Confucianism --> Moral order in society
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order
Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less government to avoid uniformity and conformity
JudaismMonotheistic, believing in one true God
Omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent Unity and singularity of God as He is revealed though Torah
Sh’ma–cornerstone of all Jewish belief.Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord
our God, the Lord is one.”Israelites believed they were God’s “chosen people.” They believed that God would lead them to “promised land.”
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JudaismBorn in grace, live in grace, and die in grace
Sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice
Olam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come” Messiah will reign Jewish temple will be rebuilt Nation of Israel will be fully restored World order of justice and compassion.
Teachings on Law and Morality
Jewish prophets, or spiritual leaders, preached code of ethics, or moral standards of behaviorTorah—laws that addressed all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal mattersTen Commandments
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Significant Jewish “Holy” Days
Shabbat – Sabbath–day of rest Friday sundown through Saturday sundown
Prohibited: work, travel, commerceYom Kippur –"Day of Atonement"
Atone for sins of past year – sins between man and GodOn Yom Kippur, judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed
Rosh Hashanah –New Year, plan better life and begin introspection Passover –commemorate Israelites’ escape from Egypt
Personal journey from slavery to freedom
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
• Roots– Judaism– Teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and
apostles
• Earliest converts were Jews who did not think they were breaking away from Hebrew Law– Early Christians wished to be considered
Jews • Jewish religion officially recognized by Roman
government and its adherents had certain privileges
BELIEFS
• Based on belief that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the son of God– One of Trinity
• God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit– Teachings
• In Gospels • 12 disciples
– Death at 33• By believing in Jesus, his followers will
go to Heaven at their death• Bible is Word of God• Holy days—Christmas & Easter