Ancient Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Islam

1. Buddhism Hindusim Confucianism Islam Christianity Animism Southeast Asian Religions

2. Hinduism • Beliefs and practices of Vedic age (1500-500 B.C.E) and the Aryan occupation of Indus Valley. • Gods of Vedic pantheon represented forces of nature. Examples: Agni-fire, Indra-war/firmament, Maruts-wind, Varuna – sky. • Brahmin priests emerged who could “control” Vedic gods thru sacrificial rites. • Brahmins became a closed, hereditary order as guardians of the powers of sacred ritual.

3. Hinduism (Cont’d) • Epic Literature • The Mahabharata containing the Bhagavad-Gita spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra • The Ramayana about the adventures of Lord Rama, the 7th incarnation of Vishnu. • Hindu Scripture • Vedas, Brahmanas, Upanishads. Krishna

4. Central Hindu gods: Brahman – the universal spirit. Brahma – the creator. Vishnu – the preserver. S(h)iva – the destroyer. Siva’s wife: Parvati or Uma – goddess of Motherhood. Durga or Kali – goddess of destruction. Major Casts: Brahmins – teachers & priests. Kshatriyas – warriors, kings & administrators. Vaishyas – farmers, merchants, herdsmen & businessmen Shudras – servants and laborers. Hinduism (Cont’d)

5. Hinduism (Cont’d) • Concepts. • Karma – consequences • Dharma – moral law • Atman – soul • Brahman – universal spirit. • Samsara – cycle of rebirth & transmigration • Maksha – union with the divine, release from samsara Equivalent to Nirvana in Buddhism. Rama

6. Hindu Cosmos • The world consists of a circular central continent, Jambudvipa (land of humans), surrounded by seven annular oceans and seven annular continents. • Mount Meru, the center (axis) of the world rises from Jambudvipa. The sun, moon and stars revolve around it. • The city of the gods, Sardasana, is at the summit, surrounded by eight Lakapals (guardian gods).

7. Meru Base

8. Buddhism • The historical Buddha: • Guatama Sakyamuni (Siddhartha of the Shakya clan, a Kshatriya of Mongolian extraction.) • Born a prince in Nepal in 563,died 483 B.C.E • Married at age of 16; had one son, Rahula. • At 29 his life was changed by four visions: An old man, a sick man, a corpse & a holy man. • He renounced his throne & abandoned his family.

9. Buddhism (Cont’d) • Siddhartha became an ascetic recluse for 6 years. • Sought the wisest teachers. • Practiced extremes of asceticism and self-mortification. • Achieved enlightenment while under the Bodhi tree. • The four noble truths: 1. All life is suffering. 2. Suffering comes from yearning. 3. Freedom from suffering lies in the cessation of yearning, Nirvana, the end of rebirth.

10. Buddhism (Cont’d) 4. There is a path to freedom from suffering, the eightfold path of RIGHT: • knowledge (Dharma) • intention (to resist evil) • speech (harmless) • livelihood (harmless) • effort (respect life) • mindfulness (free of evil) • thoughts (control feelings) • meditation (internal quietness)

11. Buddhism (Cont’d) • The three pillars of Buddhism: • The Buddha – enlightened one. • Dharma – Knowledge of middle way. • The Sangha – community or monastery. • Spread after adoption by King Ashoka of India, 218 years after Guatama’s death. • Major schools: • Theravada/Hinayana - Montrayana • Mahayana - Zen • Nicherin • Bodhisattvas belong to the Mahayana school.

12. Confucianism • Kung Fu Zi born in Lu. Lived 551-479 B.C.E., a period of great social and political turmoil. • The Analects and the Spring And AutumnAnnals express his ideas. • Believed man to be inherently good but required refinement. Li (ritual) and music were principal means.

13. Confucianism (Cont’d) • Saw social order as the product of proper relationship: father and son, ruler and minister, husband and wife, elder brother and younger brother, friend and friend. • Idealized the Duke of Zhou as Junzi (true gentleman). A model of the past to be emulated. • Placed great weight on the importance of Ren (human heartedness). • Emphasis on ritual and propriety (which reflected past practices) led to legitimization of ancestor worship. Role of eldest son.

14. Confucianism (Cont’d) • Legalism was the competing system. Strict laws and punishments vs. cultivating love of virtue and self-control. • Still a powerful influence in Asia, particularly Singapore and South Korea.

15. Islam • Founded by the prophet Mohammad in 622 C.E. • The Five Pillars of Islam: • Profession of faith in Allah and in Mohammed, his prophet. • Pray five times a day. • Give alms secretly. • Fast during month of Ramadan. • Make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.

16. Islam (Cont’d) • Faith Pillars: • Believe in Allah • Believe in Angels • Believe in previous Holy Books • Believe in previous Prophets. • Believe in the hereafter. • Believe that the good and bad incidents of life are Allah’s will and accept them.

17. Islam (Cont’d) Taj Mahal

18. Questions • In its earliest form, what did Hindu gods represent? Could they be controlled? • What are the two major epics of the Hindu religion? Which one contains the Bhagavad-Gita? • Who is Shiva’s wife? What are her names? • What are the four major casts? • What is karma? What is samsara? • What is the significance of Mount Meru? • What is Buddha’s name?

19. More Questions • What are the four noble truths? • Who was the first major ruler to adopt Buddhism? • Name two major forms of Buddhism? • During which historical period did Confucius live? • Confucius believed social order was the product of _____ _____. • Confucius believed man required refinement through ______. • What are the five pillars of Islam?

20. The End Film on Islam to follow.