World Religions in Broad Strokes Spiritual Care Partners

1. World Religions in Broad Strokes Spiritual Care Partners

2. Objective To provide volunteers with an overview of major world religions and offer practical guidance for ministry.

3. Disclaimer The purpose of this module is to provide a general overview of some of the major world religions. In no way is this overview comprehensive, nor does it cover the detailed differences that exists within religions. The primary goal is to provide volunteers with some basic information that may serve them in caring for patients. Volunteers are encouraged to research these religions in greater detail if they feel so inclined.

4. Important Notes 1) Volunteers are not expected to know everything about other religious traditions. 2) The most important skill is sensitivity to the particularities of religious traditions in order to provide appropriate spiritual support or make a referral to a chaplain.

5. Basic Religions This applies to the religions of contemporary people whose religious ideas are not preserved in written form and to the religions of prehistoric peoples, about whom we know little. This category embraces a variety of beliefs and practices, including Animism and Polytheism. Examples: Native American & African Religions

6. Religions Originating in India Four of the great religions of the world originated in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The ultimate concern of these religions is release from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

7. Religions Originating in China & Japan Taoism, Confucianism, and Shintoism originated in China and Japan. They have in common the belief in many gods, and include the worship of nature, the worship or veneration of ancestors, and in the case of Shintoism, a reverence for the nation itself.

8. Religions Originating in the Middle East Religions originating in the Middle East include Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, and Zoroastrianism. All believe in one Supreme Creator God. They believe each person lives only one earthly life; hold a linear view of time, and believe in divine judgment of the world.

9. Hinduism

10. Hinduism • One of the oldest religions evolving over time • Does not have a founder, but God manifested himself or herself in several forms • Monotheistic yet Polytheistic • One God called Braham-the supreme, universal spirit • 330 million gods • “There can be as many Hindu Gods as there are devotees to suit the moods, feelings, emotions, and social backgrounds of the devotees.” Sri Ramakrishna, 19th Century Hindu mystic and saint

11. Hinduism Trinity of God • Brahma – The Creator • Vishnu – The Preserver • Shiva – The Destroyer Other Popular Gods • Rama – 7th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu • Krishna – 8th avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu • Hanuman – an ape-like god known for assisting Rama • Surya – God of the sun

12. Hinduism Basic Beliefs • Wide range of beliefs held together by an attitude of mutual tolerance • The goal of humankind is to break free of this imperfect world and reunite with God. • The soul reincarnates and transmigrates until reunion with God. • One must perform duties to God, parents, teachers, and society. • Existence is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by karma (action). • Karmaoperates not only in this lifetime, but across lifetimes. • The process of reincarnation, called samsara is a continuous cycle in which the soul is reborn over and over again according to the law of action and reaction. • Worship occurs in a temple or at home, but is an individual act.

13. Hinduism Scriptures • The Four Vedas – Each focus on themes of hymns in praise of the gods, divine chants, sacrificial rituals, and incarnations • The Upanishads – Recounts the oral teachings of the Hindu sages • The Mahabharata – Recounts the war between two families, symbolizing good and evil • The Bhagavad Gita – recounts the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna: knowledge, work, and devotion are all paths to salvation • The Ramayana – the most popular book telling the story of good overcoming evil

14. Hinduism Basics for Ministering to Hindus: 1) Presence: - Visits demonstrate care and concern - Assurances of prayer are appreciated - Facilitate connecting with family and friends, if needed 2) Sacraments/Rituals: If someone requests a sacrament/sacred ritual, refer the request to a chaplain who can either provide direct assistance or call local religious leaders.

15. Buddhism

16. Buddhism Founder • Siddhartha Gautama c. 563/480 - c. 483/400 BCE • Born into a royal family in present-day Nepal • Lived a life of luxury until he encountered for the first time-an old man, a sick man, and a dead man • Disturbed, he adopted the harsh poverty of Indian asceticism. • Neither life satisfied him, so he decided the Middle Way-life without luxury, but also without poverty. • He sat under a tree in meditation and reflection of life until he became enlightened. • By finding the path to enlightenment, Siddhartha was led from the pain of suffering and rebirth towards the path of enlightenment. • He became known as the Buddha or “awakened one.”

17. Buddhism Nature of Religion • Study of the mind to attain liberation from suffering, enlightenment, and the state of Buddhahood • No belief in a personal God • No belief in any form of permanence • Nothing is fixed-change is always possible • “I teach suffering, its origin, cessation, and path. That’s all I teach.” Buddha

18. Buddhism Basic Teachings 1. Four Noble Truths • The truth of suffering • Three types of suffering-physical, impermanence, and mental suffering • The truth of the origin of suffering • Cause of suffering is desire or attachment, which comes in three forms-greed, ignorance, and hatred • The truth of the cessation of suffering • Suffering is ended by renouncing the negative mind and developing compassion for all beings • The truth of the Path to the cessation of suffering • The only way to attain liberation from suffering is to follow the path of Buddhism

19. Buddhism 2. The Eight-Fold Path • Also known as the Wheel of the Dharma, they can be grouped into Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, and Meditation • No belief in a personal God 3. Five Precepts • The precepts deal with all aspects of life-body, speech, and mind

20. Eight-fold Path • Wisdom: • Right view of things • Right intentions • Ethical Conduct: • Right speech • Right action • Right means of livelihood • Meditation: • Right effort • Right concentration • Right mindfulness

21. 5 Precepts • Body: 1) Abstaining from killing; 2) Abstaining from stealing; 3) Abstaining from sexual exploitation; • Speech: 4) Abstaining from lying. • Mind: 5) Abstaining from all drugs and intoxicants that alter the mind.

22. Buddhism Branches of Buddhism 1. Theravada • Dominant in Southeast Asia-Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar • Human being are freed by self-effort • Wisdom is the key virtue • Minimizes ritual 2. Mahayana • Developed out of the Theravada tradition • Compassion is the key virtue • Emphasizes rituals 3. Vajrayana • Tantric Buddhism that developed in India and Tibet

23. Modes/Places of Worship • At home or a temple • Chanting mantras • Prayer wheels • Pagodas • Stupas

24. Scriptures • Theravada and Mahayana Canons Pali Canon Divided into: • Sutras • Discipline • Special teachings

25. Buddhism Basics for Ministering to Buddhists: 1) Presence: - Visits demonstrate care and concern. - If possible, find out what tradition the patient belongs to. - Ask if they are affiliated with a local temple or community. - Inquire if their monk, nun, teacher knows of their illness and could come to visit. -Ask what they would like to fulfill their spiritual needs. 2) Sacraments/Rituals: If a patient requests a monk, nun, teacher to be contacted, refer the request to a chaplain who can call local religious leaders.

26. Islam

27. Islam Founder • Muhammad c. 540 - c. 633 BCE • Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia • The religion of Islam was revealed through Muhammad.

28. Islam Nature of Religion • Monotheistic • In Arabic, Islam means peace, purity, obedience and total submission and commitment to the one and only God and to his laws. • Islam describes an attribute: submission to the will of God. • A Muslim is anyone who has this attribute of “Islam” • The word “Allah” is the proper name of God in Arabic.

29. Islam Basic Beliefs I. The Five Pillars of Islam • Declaration of Faith (Shahadah) To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet and messenger to all human beings until the day of judgment • Prayer To pray five times daily as duty towards Allah • Observance of Ramadan To observe the Fast during the Holy month of Ramadan • Charity (Zakaah) To pay annual charity of 2.5 percent of one’s annual net savings • Pilgrimage (Hajj) To perform pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca once in a lifetime, if one can afford the journey

30. Islam Basic Beliefs II. The Seven Articles of Faith • Belief in the Oneness of Allah • Belief in the Angels of Allah • Belief in the Revelations • Belief in the Prophets of Allah • Belief in the Day of Judgment • Belief in Predestination • Belief in Resurrection after Death

31. Islam Divisions Shia and Sunni • Muslims belong to one of the two main schools of Islam • Shi’ites-They believe in the necessity for a spiritual leader and strong authoritative powers • Sunnis-They do not necessarily require structure

32. Islam Scriptures • The Quran-Revealed through angel Gabriel to the last prophet and messenger of God, Muhammad, for the guidance of all humankind • The Hadith-Teachings, sayings, and actions of prophet Muhammad

33. Islam Basics for Ministering to Muslims: 1) Presence: - Visits demonstrate care and concern. - Ask if they are affiliated with a local mosque. - Inquire if their imam knows of their illness and could come to visit. -Ask what they would like to fulfill their spiritual needs. 2) Sacraments/Rituals: If a patient requests an imam to be contacted, refer the request to a chaplain who can call local religious leaders.

34. Christianity

35. Christianity Core Tenants: • Incarnation: God became flesh through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Christ was crucified and rose from the dead, defeating the power of death. • Grace: Resulting from Christ’s victory over death, God bestows forgiveness for sins through faith in Christ. • Sacred Text: The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, provides inspiration, guidance for living, and the foundations for Christian doctrine. • Sacraments: Visible signs of God’s grace, instituted by Jesus Christ. Examples: Baptism, Eucharist *While some differences exist between traditions, as a whole, all Christians believe in the same core doctrines.

36. Christianity Branches of Christianity Western Tradition: Protestantism: The Bible is the ultimate authority over matters of faith and doctrine. Catholicism: The Pope is the ultimate authority regarding matters of faith and doctrine. Anglicanism: Began when King Henry VIII defected from the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself Pope. Shares elements of both Protestantism and Catholicism. Eastern Tradition: Eastern Orthodox Church: Greek, Coptic, Ethiopian, Russian, etc. Shares similarities with Catholicism but is led by Bishops (Patriarchs) instead of Pope. Result of Great Schism of 1054.

37. Christianity Especially in Catholic hospitals, it is common for Catholic patients to receive support specific to the Catholic tradition: *The principle Sacraments received by Catholic patients in hospitals are Eucharist (Communion) and the Anointingof the Sick (Sacrament of the Sick) - The Sacramentof the Sick is a Sacrament for healing. All Catholic patients can receive it, no matter what level of sickness. It is commonly administered at the end of life as well. -Must be provided by an ordained Catholic priest. *Eucharist is often provided by Eucharistic Ministers. - A Eucharistic Minister is a volunteer commissionedby a local Catholic churchto provide Eucharist to people outside the church walls, such as in hospitals.

38. Christianity Basics of Ministering to Christians: 1) Prayer: - You are welcome to pray or read scripture if the patient wants to. - Keep prayers short and simple. 2) Sacraments/Rituals: If someone requests a sacrament/sacred ritual, such as Communion, refer the request to a chaplain who can either provide direct assistance or call local clergy.

39. Jehovah’s Witnesses

40. Jehovah’s Witnesses Founder • Charles TazeRussell; 1852 - 1916 • Initially they were known as “Bible Students” • Adopted the name “Jehovah’s Witnesses” in 1931

41. Basic Beliefs 1. God is the Father, while Jesus is His Son, the highest of all creatures and a separate person. 2. The Holy Spirit is the name given to God’s motivating force. 3. Don’t participate in nationalistic ceremonies or celebratetraditional Christian days (e.g. Christmas). 4. World will be restored to a state of paradise. 5. Only 144,000 of Jesus’ faithful witnesses will reign with Him in heaven.

42. Basic Beliefs 6. Other faithful witnesses will be resurrected with healthy, perfected physical bodies and will live forever in paradise on the restored earth. 7. Place high importance on daily prayers and daily reading of scriptures. 8. There is one God and His proper name is Jehovah.

43. Jehovah’s Witnesses Basic Beliefs • God is the Father, while Jesus is His son, the highest of all creatures and a separate person. • The Holy Spirit is the name given to God’s motivating force. • There is one God and His proper name is Jehovah. • Only 144,000 of Jesus’ faithful witnesses will reign with him in heaven. • Other faithful witnesses will live forever in paradise on the restored earth.

44. Jehovah’s Witnesses Basics for Ministering to Jehovah’s Witnesses: 1) Presence: - Visits demonstrate care and concern. - Ask if they are affiliated with a local congregation. - Inquire if their elder knows of their illness and could come to visit. - If offering a prayer, end the prayer without using the name of Jesus. 2) Sacraments/Rituals: If a patient requests an elder to be contacted, refer the request to a chaplain who can call local Jehovah Witnesses leaders.

45. Integrating Knowledge and Practice 1. Give respect. 2. Show tolerance. 3. Be present. 4. Dialogue in order to learn and provide care. 5. Make referrals to chaplains as needed.