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World religions

This four-hour didactic course provides an overview of various world religions, discussing their definitions, types, founders, nature, basic beliefs, modes of worship, and scriptures. It aims to integrate knowledge and encourage application of the learned concepts.

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World religions

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  1. Overview of World religions

  2. Overview Vs. Semester course Refresher Didactic-Four-hour didactic Discuss Definition, Types, Overview of selected world religions with focus on its Founder, Nature of Religion, Basic Beliefs, Mode of Worship, and Scriptures Integration of Knowledge and Application OBJECTIVES

  3. The English word religion is derived from the Latin word religio, which refers to the fear or awe of one in the presence of a spirit or god. Etymology

  4. Sociological Emile Durkheim: Religious beliefs are the representations, which express the nature of sacred things and the relations which they sustain, either with each other or with profane things. DEFINING rELIGION

  5. Theological Paul Tillich: Religion is the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern, a concern as preliminary and which itself contains the answer to the question of the meaning of our life. Defining religion

  6. Psychological Sigmund Freud: Psychology is the key to illuminate the nature of religion. Defining religion

  7. Theistic Ian Markham: Religion, is a way of life (one which embraces a total world view, certain ethical demands, and certain social practices) that refuses to accept the secular view that sees human life as nothing more than complex bundles of atoms in an ultimately meaningless universe. Defining religion

  8. An All-Inclusive General: Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, and a philosophy of life. Defining religion

  9. Summary: * Set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency, * Usually involves devotional and ritual observances, and often contains a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. Defining religion

  10. 1. 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 TYPES OF RELIGION

  11. 2. 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. Types of religion

  12. 3. 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. Types of religion

  13. 4. 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. Types of religion

  14. * 1800s – Scholars recognized Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism - “Big Five” * Five more were added to the list-Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, Shintoism, and Zoroastrianism * 1900 Religion scholars added Sikhism * Baha’i - the most recent entrant to the list. 150 years old, established in 235 countries with over 5 million adherents worldwide Classical List of World religions

  15. EXERCISE Reflect on an Encounter with a person from another religion/faith tradition 5 Minutes

  16. Sharing • Individual Responses

  17. HINDUISM

  18. FOUNDER • Hinduism does not have a founder • One of the oldest religions

  19. NATURE OF RELIGION • Monotheistic yet Polytheistic

  20. CONCEPT OF GOD Trinity of God 1. Brahma – The Creator 2. Vishnu – The Preserver 3. Shiva – The Destroyer

  21. CONCEPT OF GOD • Brahma – The Creator Saraswati – Goddess of knowledge and Music

  22. CONCEPT OF GOD 2. Vishnu – The Protector Lakshmi – Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity

  23. CONCEPT OF GOD 3. Shiva – The Destroyer Parvati – The Divine Mother

  24. OTHER POPULAR GODS Rama Krishna

  25. OTHER POPULAR GODS Hanuman Surya

  26. 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

  27. MODE OF WORSHIP • Worship occurs in a temple or at home, but is an individual act • One must be barefoot during religious worship or any kind of religious celebration • One must sit at a lower elevation than where the image of the deity has been placed

  28. SCRIPTURES • The Vedas • The Upanishads • The Mahabharata • The Bhagavad Gita • The Ramayana

  29. BUDDHISM

  30. FOUNDER Siddhartha Gautama 539 B.C.

  31. 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

  32. BASIC TEACHINGS The Four Noble Truths 1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha) Three types of suffering: Physical Impermanence Mental Suffering

  33. BASIC TEACHINGS The Four Noble Truths • The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudaya) Suffering caused by an ignorant state of mind.

  34. BASIC TEACHINGS The Four Noble Truths 3. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha) Suffering is ended by renouncing the negative mind, developing loving kindness and compassion for all beings. This causes personal liberation from suffering and lasting peace of mind.

  35. BASIC TEACHINGS The Four Noble Truths 4. The truth of the Path to the cessation of suffering (Magga) Embracing the teachings of Lord Buddha Only method by which one can attain liberation from suffering is to follow the path of Buddhism. This requires mental discipline and the actual practice of Buddha’s teachings.

  36. BASIC TEACHINGS The Eight-Fold Path Wisdom • Right View • Right Intentions Ethical Conduct 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Means of Livelihood Meditation 6. Right Effort 7. Right Concentration 8. Right Mindfulness

  37. BASIC TEACHINGS Five Precepts Body • Abstention from killing • Abstention from stealing 3. Abstention from sexual exploitation Speech 4. Abstention from lying Mind 5. Abstention from all drugs and intoxicants which alter the mind

  38. MODE OF WORSHIP • Worship takes place both at home or at a temple • Chants, Mantras and Prayer wheel

  39. WORSHIP PLACES • Pagodas: Temples in China and Japan • Stupas: Stone structure built over what are thought to be relics of the Buddha

  40. SCRIPTURES • Two major schools: Theravada & Mahayana • Scriptures are divided into Theravada & Mahayana canons • Scriptures are collected in a work called PaliTipitakaor Pali Canon • This is divided into three parts: Sutras, Discipline and Special teachings • Sanskrit Canon, Tibetan Canon, Mongolian Canon • Sanskrit translated into Chinese Canon-Korean Canon-Japanese Canon

  41. EXERCISE Pick a partner of another faith/denomination and have a pastoral care conversation regarding faith/religion 5 Minutes

  42. SHARING • How did it go? • How did it feel? • What did you learn?

  43. SIKHISM

  44. FOUNDER • Guru Nanak (1469-1539)

  45. NATURE OF RELIGION • Monotheistic • Emphasis on Good Actions rather than rituals • The three duties of a Sikh: Pray, Work and Give.

  46. NATURE OF RELIGION • Sikhs believe that the way to lead a good life is to: • keep God in heart and mind at all times • live honestly and work hard • treat everyone equally • be generous to the less fortunate • serve others • Sikhs believe that God is visible in their congregation and that God is pleased by the act of serving the congregation

  47. BASIC BELIEFS • There is one God, whose name is truth eternal • God is the supreme Guru • Humankind by nature is ignorant, misguided and dominated by evil • Only God’s grace can turn a person from self to God • Salvation is liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth • The equality of all people is expressed by the common name “Singh” for men (meaning Lion) and “Kaur” for women (meaning Princess or Lioness.

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