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RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT INDIA. HINDUISM. Also known as “Sanatana Dharma” Roots in the Indus Valley Influenced by “Aryan” Indo-European tribes Tolerance of other religions “The truth is One, but different sages call it by different names” Dominant religion pre and post Mogul rule
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HINDUISM • Also known as “Sanatana Dharma” • Roots in the Indus Valley • Influenced by “Aryan” Indo-European tribes • Tolerance of other religions • “The truth is One, but different sages call it by different names” • Dominant religion pre and post Mogul rule • Currently 80% of Indians are Hindu
SACRED TEXTS • Mahabharata Epic • Credited to the sage Vyasha • Contains the Bhagavad Gita (Divine Song) • Vedas Texts – Contain hymns, incantations, and rituals • Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda
Structure • Polytheistic or Monotheistic? • Belief in one supreme being, but recognizes other gods as facets, manifestations, or aspects of that supreme being. • Brahma- Creator • Vishnu (Krishna)- The preserver, appears in one of ten incarnations • Shiva- The Destroyer
Core Beliefs • Samsara – Transmigration of the soul (Reincarnation) • KARMA- actions in life will determine the conditions of your next life • Four aims of Hinduism • Dharma- Righteousness in religious life • Artha- success in economic life • Kama- gratification of the senses • Maksa- liberation from samsara
BUDDHISM • Founder – Sadartha Guatama (Buddha) • Hindu prince who sought enlightenment • Belief that everything is imperfect and nothing lasts • Enlightenment holds the answer • Samsara-Continual cycle of birth, old age, illness, death, and rebirth (Suffering) • Nirvana (Enlightenment) is the only way to end the cycle • No sacred text, all traditions are passed orally
The Four Noble Truths • Dukkha: Existence is a realm of suffering • Samudaya: Desire is the cause for suffering • Nirodha: Achievement of Nirvana (Enlightenment) ends suffering • Magga: To end suffering you must follow the Eightfold path
Eightfold Path Panna: Discernment, Wisdom 1. Samma Ditthi – Right Understanding 2. Samma Sankappa – Right Thinking Sila: Virtue, Morality 3. Samma Vaca – Right Speech 4. Samma Kammanta – Right Conduct 5. Samma Anjiva – Right Livlihood Samadhi: 6. Samma Vayama – Right Effort 7. Samma Sati – Right Mindfulness 8. Samma Samadhi – Right Concentration
Sacred Places • Lumbini – Sadartha Guatama’s birthplace • Bodh Gaya – Place of enlightenment • Sarnath – Place of his first discourse • Kushinara – Place of his death
ISLAM • Belief in one God—Allah • Allah is all wise and knowing • Creator of all things • Allah has sent prophets to Earth • This is the only way that humans can know of Allah • The Prophet Muhammad • Received the Qur’an
Five Pillars of Islam • The Shahadah - the Declaration of Faith • Said to newborns, twice a day at awakening and before sleep, just before death • Salat - prayer five times a day facing Mecca • Zakat - “giving to charity” • Sawm – “fasting” • Muslims fast in times of daylight during the month of Ramadan • Hajj – The pilgrimage to Mecca. • Each Muslim tries to make it once in their lifetime
Places of Worship • General place of worship is a Mosque • Major places of worship • The Kaaba • Shrine in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca • The Black Stone • Sits in a corner of the Kaaba, meteorite from ancient times • The Mosque of The Prophet • Located in Medina, hold the tomb of Muhammad • The Mosque of the Dome of the Rock • Located in Jerusalem, the rock is said to be the place where the call to Judgment will be sounded
Islam in Ancient India • Originally brought by traders from Arabia during the 7th and 8th centuries. • Moguls began to take over India and impress Islam • Qur’an states that no one can be forced to be Muslim • Non-Muslims had to pay special taxes • Other religions were tolerated as long as they did not interfere with the Muslim way of life • Moguls ruled for 1,000 years
Christianity • Monotheistic • Jesus Christ – Son of God sent to save the world • Arose out of Judaism • Holy Trinity • Father, Son, Holy Spirit • Believe in Heaven and Hell • Evangelism • Aim to convert other people and religions • Brought to India on a large scale during Imperialism
Basic Tenants • Beliefs based on teachings of Christ through the Bible • New and Old Testaments • Compassion and Forgiveness • Sin separate people from God • Goal is to Reconcile with God • Ten Commandments • There will be a day of Judgment • Christ will return to earth
Major Religious Places • Place of Worship • Churches, Cathedrals • Holy Places • Jerusalem – Home of the Jews • Bethlehem – Birthplace of Jesus • Nazareth – Jesus’ home • Rome – Home of the Vatican (Pope