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Religions and Philosophies

Religions and Philosophies. What is the function of religion? What does it do for the people who believe?.

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Religions and Philosophies

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  1. Religions and Philosophies

  2. What is the function of religion? What does it do for the people who believe?

  3. Scientific – Explanation for natural phenomena in terms of supernatural causes. Often led to various forms of ritual sacrifice in order to placate the gods of the harvest, fertility, etc.

  4. Moral– serves as a moral purpose by providing codes of conduct for appropriate behavior, which are usually punished through divine threats

  5. Political– religion used to legitimize and consolidate their power. Used to be called the “divine right of kings” and the religiously privileged status of the upper-class What message is this portrait trying to convey to the audience?

  6. Military– political interests often use religion to further military aims; “God is on our side” propaganda

  7. Ethnic– an ethnic group will identify themselves as a certain religion to foster group unity and to strengthen the group bonds

  8. Economic– used to give an air of divine sanction and legitimacy to economically privileged groups; the wealthy have God’s blessing

  9. Psychological– Freud thought that all religion was a form of mental illness; the individual will project parental qualities on God to feel unconditional love and protection

  10. Emotional– purpose of religion is wish fulfillment and the belief that there is another world where all our dreams can come true and we will be happy and satisfied.

  11. What is Hinduism? • A philosophy and a way of life – focused both on this world and beyond • Emphasis on individuals carrying out their obligations/duties

  12. How did Hinduism begin? • No particular founder • Indus River Valley Civilization

  13. What are the Sacred Texts? • Shruti (“heard”) – oldest, most authoritative: • Upanishads - metaphysical speculation • Plus others • Smriti (“remembered”) – the Great Indian Epics: • Ramayana • Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita) • Plus others

  14. What do Hindus believe? • Ultimate goal of life (Moksha) • True essence of life – Atman • Reincarnation (Samsara) • Karma – spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)

  15. How does Hinduism directlife in this world? • Respect for all life – vegetarian; non-violent • Human life as supreme • Caste system – ensured spiritual purity & orderly society • The Four Yogas

  16. Symbolism in Hinduism

  17. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god

  18. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Vishnu, the preserver god Incarnates as ten avatars (descents) including: Rama (featured in the Ramayana) Krishna (featured in the Mahabharata) (Each shown with his consort, Sita and Radha, respectively)

  19. Who do Hindus worship? – the major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Shiva, god of constructive destruction(the transformer) Appears as Shiva Nataraj,lord of the dance of creation… and with his wife, Parvati, and son Ganesha(the elephant headed remover of obstacles)

  20. What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, consort ofBrahma

  21. What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine Lakshmi, goddess of good fortune, consortof Vishnu

  22. What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine Parvati, divine mother, wife ofShiva

  23. What about the goddesses?Devi – the feminine divine Durga, protectress Kali, destroyer of demons Plus about 330 million other deities

  24. All these deities are but Manifest forms (attributes/functions) of the impersonal Brahman

  25. And we too are manifest forms of God! “We are not human beingshaving spiritual experiences;We are spiritual beingshaving a human experience!” “That art Thou” Hinduism is about recognizing the all pervasiveness of the divine

  26. Buddhism… • The “middle way of wisdom and compassion” • A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 300 million people

  27. Who was the Buddha? • Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E. • Became the Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35 • Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved

  28. What are some Buddhist texts? • Tripitaka (the Pali Cannon) – the “Three Baskets”: • Vinaya (“discipline”) – rules for monastic life • Sutta (“discourse”) – sermons of the Buddha • Abhidhamma (metaphysical “teachings”) • Dhammapada – collected sayings of the Buddha • Other texts used by specific schools

  29. What did the Buddha teach? • Ultimate goal = Nirvana • The Four Noble Truths: • To live is to suffer • The cause of suffering is self-centered desire & attachments • The solution is to eliminate desire and attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”) • The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”

  30. What is the Eightfold Path? • Wisdom: • Right understanding • Right motivation • Moral discipline: • Right speech • Right action • Right livelihood • Mental discipline: • Right effort • Right mindfulness • Right meditation

  31. What do Buddhists believe? • Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma) • Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind • Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being • Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher

  32. The Spread of Buddhism • Within two centuries after the Buddha died, Buddhism began to spread north and east into Asia • By 13th century Buddhism had disappeared from India

  33. Theravada Buddhism The “Way of the Elders” (a.k.a.: the “small vehicle”) • Oldest school of Buddhism • Focus on wisdom and meditation • Goal is to become a Buddha

  34. Mahayana Buddhism The “Great Vehicle” • Lay Buddhism – Buddhism “for the masses” • Focus on compassion • Goal is to become a bodhisattva and assist others toward enlightenment (the “Bodhisattva Ideal”)

  35. Tibetan Buddhism Vajrayana – the “Diamond Vehicle” • A mix of Theravada & Mahayana • BardoThodol -Tibetan Book of the Dead

  36. Zen Buddhism The “meditation” school: • Lay and monastic • Beauty, arts & aesthetics – gardens, archery, the tea ceremony, calligraphy, etc.

  37. How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism? Buddhism rejects… • Authority of the ancient Vedic texts • The Vedic caste system • The Vedic and Hindu deities • The efficacy of Vedic worship and ritual • The concept of Brahman • The seeking of power

  38. Review What is the difference between the Eastern view of Karma and the Western view of Karma?

  39. Confucianism A political and social philosophy seeking social harmony on all levels: Within the self …the family …the community ...the state …the nation …the world …the cosmos Learning from the past to improve the future – hierarchical society to ensure social order

  40. Confucianism - Founder Kung-Fu-tzu (Confucius) “Master Kung” The “greatest teacher who ever lived” Meng-Tzu(Mencius) (4th century) continues to develop teachings of Confucius

  41. Confucianism - Texts The “Five Classics” (of the past): I-Ching The Book of History The Book of Poems The Spring and Autumn Annals The Book of Rituals The “Four Books” (Confucian) Analects Doctrine of the Mean The Great Learning The Book of Mencius

  42. Ultimate Goal To provide HARMONY IN SOCIETY & To develop one’s Jen (Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanity) Jenis developed through intentionally living by Confucian virtues…

  43. Confucian Virtues Respect for the five constant/key relationships: Parent & child Husband & wife Older & younger sibling Ruler & Subject Friend & Friend Filial Piety is the most important duty

  44. More Confucian Virtues Rectification of names – a person or thing should be true to its name Shu (Reciprocity) – the Golden Rule “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you” Li (rites, ritual) – the inherent “pattern” in things For Confucius, Li is especially significant in a social context – propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behavior

  45. Confucianism Affects Society Part of the Social Structure Government leaders should lead by virtue – lead a virtuous life thus becoming an example for people

  46. Confucianism as a Religion? Confucian Temples – honoring Confucius, but it would be considered non-theistic Combined with Chinese folk religions Veneration of the ancestors – ancestor worship Rituals within… the household the village the state the nation

  47. 法家 Legalism • Utilitarian political philosophy that does not serve the scientific function of religion or the ethnic function of religion • What does that mean?

  48. 法家 Legalism - Founder • Hanfeizi • “Nature of man is evil. His goodness is acquired.”

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