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Flashcards in World Religions Deck (29)
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1
Q

Sacred writings of Hinduism

A

Vedas - oldest and most sacred
Upanishads - extensions of the Vedas
Bhagavad-Gita - Epic poetry; Most popular Hindu writing

2
Q

Hindu belief about God

A

Brahman - ultimate reality
*People worship manifestations of Brahman
3 primary gods - Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
–330 million gods to choose from

3
Q

3 major gods in Hinduism

A

Brahma - Creator (not the same as Brahman)
Vishnu - Sustainer
Shiva - Destroyer

4
Q

Hindu belief about humans

A

Atman - True self, essence of human life
Four stages of life - Student, householder, forest dweller, renunciation
Caste system

5
Q

Moksha

A

When one renounces all human trappings and discovers truth within deepest self; he finds Atman IS Brahman
-Not the same as christian salvation
3 paths

6
Q

3 paths to Moksha

A

Karma-marga (karma yoga) - way of action (most important for most hindus)
Jnana - marga (jnana yoga) - way of wisdom/knowledge; knowledge transmitted from guru to student
Bhakti-marga (Bhakti yoga) - way of devotion; personal care for image of a deity

7
Q

Hindu beliefs about eternity

A

Closest concept to eternity is ultimate reality (Brahman)

-World is not reality, it is maya (trickery) and lila (God’s play)

8
Q

Founder of Buddhism

A

Gautama Siddhartha - “awakened” at age 30
Buddha - “the awakened one”
Shakyamuni - the wise man of the Shakya tribe

9
Q

Sacred writings of Buddhism

A

Tripitaka (three baskets) - Pali canon from recitations of Buddha’s teachings; not written down for centuries

  • Sutta-pitaka (basket of discourses) - doctrinal teachings
  • Vinaya-pitaka (basket of discipline) - rules and regulations
  • Abidhamma - supplement containing reflection on teachings
10
Q

Buddhist belief about God

A

Buddhists do not believe in one God

Buddhism adapts to the culture it is in, so some forms include worship of divine beings

11
Q

Buddhist belief about humans

A
No self (anatman)
-reincarnation
-no permanent self
Take refuge in 3 jewels
-The Buddha, The Dharma (teaching), and The Sangha (community)
12
Q

Four Noble Truths (Buddhism)

A
  • Life is suffering (Dukkha)
  • cause of suffering is desire (Tanha)
  • cure lies in overcoming attachment
  • overcoming attachment involves 8-fold path
13
Q

8-fold path

A
Right knowledge (4 noble truths)
Right aspiration (seeking enlightenment)
Right speech (truth)
Right behavior (moral precepts)
Right livelihood (monk; role that promotes life)
Right effort (moral exertion)
Right mindfulness (keep mind under control)
Right absorption/meditation
14
Q

Buddhist belief about salvation

A

8-fold path
“Blow out” of desire
Escape from reincarnation

15
Q

Buddhist belief about eternity

A

Cyclical view of eternity; no beginning, no end

Reincarnation until enlightenment

16
Q

Founder of Islam

A

Muhammad

  • Born in Mecca
  • First revelation given to him in cave of Harra by Gabriel
  • -Muhammad was to memorize and preach the text
17
Q

Islam sacred writings

A
Qur'an
-literal, uncreated word of God
-written down after Muhammad's death
Hadith
-traditions concerning sayings and life of Muhammad
18
Q

Islam belief about God

A
Absolute monotheism
-greatest sin is to Shirk (assign partners to God)
Allah is
-transcendent
-All powerful, All knowing
-Creator, sustainer, ordainer, and judge
-Absolutely sovereign
19
Q

Islam belief about Jesus

A
Was the son of the virgin Mary
Great prophet but not the son of God
not crucified
someday return, marry, and rule 40 years with children
will be judged as a man in the end times
20
Q

Islam belief about humans

A
  • People are born innocent
  • We are weak and sinful
  • except for Shirk, people can make up for bad deeds with good deeds
21
Q

5 Pillars of Islam

A

Confession - Public statement
Prayer - 5 times a day in direction of Mecca
Fasting - Month of Ramadan
Giving Alms - giving cleanses Muslim of bad deeds
Pilgrimage - trip to Mecca at least once in a lifetime

22
Q

Islamic belief about eternity

A

Resurrection
God is final judge
Judgement based on good deeds vs evil deeds
One sure way to reach paradise - die in Jihad

23
Q

Rabbinic Judaism

A

Emerged after the destruction of the temple - 70AD
Synagogues as minor sanctuaries
New system of daily public prayer

24
Q

Sacred writings of Judaism

A
Tanakh - Scripture
-Torah - 5 books of Moses
-Nevi'im - The prophets
-Kethuvim - The writings
Talmud 
-Mishna - interpretation
-Gemara - Narratives
25
Q

Judaism belief about God

A
hwhy - Yahweh
God is....
-Sovereign, eternal
-Spirit, personal
-All powerful
-Imminent, transcendant
26
Q

Judaism belief about humans

A

God desires relationship with people
-People live according to commands and in harmony with each other
Israel is the chosen people

27
Q

Judaisms belief about Salvation

A

God’s people must live according to his will
-Halakhah - the path one walks
When people sin, atonement is necessary
-Destruction of the temple ended animal sacrifice

28
Q

Judaisms belief about eternity

A

Resurrection of the dead
Immortality of the soul
Coming Messiah
Much disagreement on details

29
Q

Contemporary forms of Judaism

A

Orthodox Judaism - Strict adherence to Torah, very traditional
Reform Judaism - traditional customs not binding, interpretation influenced by history and cultural changes
Conservative Judaism - middle ground, strong Jewish identity with accomodation