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Early Religions

Delve into the complexities of early religions, comparing polytheistic belief systems like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Judaism. Uncover the diverse practices, doctrines, and cultures of these ancient faiths.

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Early Religions

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  1. Early Religions Comparing Belief Systems

  2. Polytheistic Religions: Hindu • Vedic Religions of India • Brought by the Aryans • Hinduism • Belief in a single force of ultimate reality (Brahma) • Created a Caste System • Castes are a class system where each person is born into a particular caste and cannot move outside of it for marriage, employment, etc. • Reincarnation: Become one with single force • Cycle of Birth, Life, Death, Rebirth • Karma: force generated by a person’s actions • Get what you deserve

  3. Hinduism • Dharma • Divine Law states that all people must perform their duties • Legal and religious enforcement of Caste System • Castes are a class system where each person is born into a particular caste and cannot move outside of it for marriage, employment, etc. • Yoga • Achieve oneness with Brahman • Gods are an expression of Brahma

  4. Polytheistic Religions: Buddhism • Buddha (Enlightened One) • Siddhartha Gautama 6th century prince • Nirvana • Enlightenment comes from achieving wisdom • Once enlightenment is achieved, reincarnation cycle ends • Appealed to lower class more than Hinduism • Rejected the Caste System • All were =

  5. Polytheistic Religions: Buddhism • 4 Nobel Truths: • Life is Suffering • Cause of suffering is greed and/or desire • All suffering can be overcome • Follow the Eightfold Path to end suffering • Follow the 8 Fold Path (Middle Path)

  6. Polytheistic Religions: Jainism • VardhamanaMahvira “Great Hero” • Last teacher • Died of starvation • 3 Jewels to gain enlightenment and purity of soul • Right Belief • Right Knowledge • Right Conduct • Mental, physical and verbal actions towards all living things • Satya • Truthfulness • Speak harmless truth • Asteya • Non-stealing • Do not take anything not properly given • Brahmacharya • Chastity • Do not indulge in pleasure • Ahimsa • Non-violence • Do not eat meat, fish, eggs, root vegetables or animal ingredients

  7. Polytheistic Religions: Jainism • VardhamanaMahvira “Great Hero” • Last teacher • Died of starvation • 3 Jewels to gain enlightenment and purity of soul • Right Belief • Right Knowledge • Right Conduct • Mental, physical and verbal actions towards all living things

  8. Polytheistic Religions: Jainism • Satya • Truthfulness • Speak harmless truth • Asteya • Non-stealing • Do not take anything not properly given • Brahmacharya • Chastity • Do not indulge in pleasure • Ahimsa • Non-violence • Do not eat meat, fish, eggs, root vegetables or animal ingredients • 2 Gods • Arihants: Perfect human beings guiding during life • Siddhas: Perfected souls living forever in bliss • Arihants become Siddhas in death

  9. Monotheistic Religions: Judaism • People of the Kingdom of Judah (Jews) • founded around 2000 BC in Israel (Canaan). • Teaching • Based on the Teachings of Abraham • Covenant with a single God • God promised Abraham he would protect him and his descendants and give them the land of Israel. In return for this they promised to obey God • Law • Ten Commandments from God • Written down – Torah (Old Testament) 9

  10. Monotheistic Religions: Judaism • Moses created the Torah around 1250 B.C. • The Torah contains the laws of God. • freed Jews from slavery in Egypt. • Protected the Jews from the wrath of God, negotiated on their behalf.  • The symbol or emblem of the Jewish people is the Magen David (Shield of David), also known as the Star of David. • Worship in Synagogues. • Men and women usually sit separately in the Synagogues. • Men must cover their heads. • The Jewish spiritual leaders are called Rabbis. 10

  11. Monotheistic Religions: Judaism • The most important day of the week is the Sabbath (Shabbat) • refraining from weekday work. • Including driving and cooking • Starts at sunset on Friday and continues until sunset on Saturday. • At the beginning of Shabbat families share a meal. 11

  12. Monotheistic Religions: Zoroastrianism • Original Persian religion • Zoroaster (Zarathustra) –Persian Prophet • Unclear dating (1500-1000 BCE) • Belief that his birth was predicted and evil forces tried to kill him as a child • Official religion of the Persian Empire until the 7th century CE (Islam replaced it) • Recorded in the Avesta • Supreme god • Evil spirit • Heaven and Hell 12

  13. Monotheistic Religions: Zoroastrianism • Ahura Mazda? • Does not have form; transcendent • Fravashi – The good part of the human soul given by Ahura Mazda at birth. • One hand upwards – striving for constant spiritual improvement • Ring in hand – loyalty and faithfulness • Circle – immortality of the soul; repercussions of our actions • Three rows of wing feathers – good thoughts, words, and deeds • Three sections tail feathers – the opposite • Two streamers – SpentaMainyu and AngraMainyu – spirits of good and evil – Figure faces one and turns from the other 13

  14. Christianity • Jesus, a Jew, began to preach during the conflict. Taught: • Love God and each other • Values: humility, charity, love of others- shaped W. Civ. • Opponents handed him to Romans. • Crucified • Followers believed he overcame death. • Jewish followers believed he came to save Israel. • Recorded in the New Testament 14

  15. Islam • Muhammad went to the hills to meditate about gap b/w rich and poor. • Built upon Judaism (Moses) & Christianity (Jesus). --- third prophet • Sacred text – Qur’an (Koran) • Name of God – Allah (Arabic for God) • Islam means “surrender” and “peace” • Muslims practice Islam 15

  16. Five Pillars of Islam • Faith in One God • “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet” • Formal Periods of Worship • Prayer 5 times daily; directed toward Mecca • Almsgiving (Charity) • Usually 2.5% of one’s wealth • Fasting during Ramadan • Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca 16

  17. CHART • Create a chart in your notebook w/ the following: • 6 Rows • Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam • 6 Columns • Origin (date), god(s), afterlife, beliefs, texts, impact* • Create another chart in your notebook w/ the following • 3 Rows • Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism • 4 Columns • Origin (date), beliefs, texts, impact* 17

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