Religions

1. Religions

2. Circumstantial Each child is born into a pre existing social structure dictated by parents and family. This social structure gives him a social identity and a sense of social guilt. What is right or not!. However, it conceals the naked truth of universal social principles. We see world through a parental harness based strictly on parental/family discretion. We as children growing up, most likely adapt our parental religious beliefs and many manifest these beliefs without questions. In other words, our God (i.e., religious manifesto of right and wrong) is simply offered to us by just being born!

3. Major distinctions God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image of, by ourselves. Therefore, human try to achieve God by revealing some form of truth or knowledge through supposed communication with a someone or something, such as a person, a divine being, or a philosophy an idea etc... There are three aspects under which the nature of God has been conceived. He is omnipotent Being, Ruler and Creator of the world, the Father and Judge of men He becomes incarnate for the salvation of mankind- or is specially manifested in some teacher or Guru. He is Immanent Spirit, the Life and Soul of aAAALLLll that is. (Immanent; existing operating or remaining within, inherent)

4. Examples: In Judaism the unity and omnipotence of God receive most emphasis, (God has spoken and offered must to do-Ten Commandments before you are accepted) Muhammadanism (islam)—Quran dictates right and wrong. Also, here with Islam, the importance of the Prophet stands out immediately. Christianity belief is that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human and the savior of humanity. Christians commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah Three largest groups of Christianity are Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and various denominations of Protestantism.

5. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, referred to as the "Old Testament" in Christianity. These professions state that Jesus suffered, died, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead in order to grant eternal life to those who believe in him and trust him for Salvation. They further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father. Most denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead, and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the model of a virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God.

6. One of the oldest aspects of Hinduism is as much social as religious, and that is the caste system. There are four basic castes, or social classes; Brahman, or priest caste. Kshatriyas, or warriors and rulers, Vaisyas, or merchants and farmers. Shudras, or laborers.  Outside the caste system are the untouchables. Though outlawed in India in the 1940s, the untouchables are still a very real part of India.

7. Virtually all Hindus believe in: The three-in-one god known as “Brahman,” Brahma (the creator) vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer).  The Caste System. Karma: Every action, thought, or decision one makes has consequences – good or bad – that will return to each person in the present life, or in one yet to come. Reincarnation. Also known as “transmigration of souls,” This is a journey on the “circle of life,” where each person experiences as series of physical births, deaths, and rebirths. With good karma, a person can be reborn into a higher caste, or even to godhood. Bad karma can relegate one to a lower caste, or even to life as an animal in their next life. Nirvana. This is the goal of the Hindu. Nirvana is the release of the soul from the seemingly endless cycle of rebirths. Hinduism is both polytheistic, and pantheistic. (pantheism:A doctrine identifying the Deity with the universe and its phenomena; belief in and worship of all gods)

8. Sikhism The essence of Sikh teaching is summed up by Nanak (1st Guru) in these words: “Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living” Outstanding Feature of Sikhism: The One God. "There is but one God, the true," is the constant reiteration of the hymns. He is the only Reality, He is formless, great, all-powerful, absolutely holy, without limits of any kind, and He cannot be grasped by the finite mind.

9. Guru Nanak's 3 Simple rules Vand Chakna: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need Kirat Karna: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud Naam Japna: Remembering and thanking God at all times Nank says; One should follow the direction of awakened Individuals (Gurmukh or God willed) rather than the mind (state of Manmukh- being led by Self will and ego)- leading only to frustration. “If you want to make god smile, make a plan” But realize, “Passion cultivates path” Try your best with an honest intent and take a step toward that goal, God will take 1000 steps toward you to help you achieve that goal.

10. 5 Virtues: Sat - is truthful living, which means practicing "righteousness, honesty, justice, impartiality and fair play Santokh- is contentment, it' is freedom "from ambition (stepping on other's toes), envy, greed and jealousy. Without contentment, it is impossible to acquire peace of mind. Nanak says, “Practice truth, contentment and kindness; this is the most excellent way of life” Daya- is compassion, it involves "considering another's difficulty or sorrow as one's own and helping to relieve it as far as possible. Compassion also includes the overlooking of imperfections and mistakes of others Nimrata- translated as "humility", "benevolence" or "humbleness", is the fourth virtue. Pyar- (love) requires Sikhs to be filled with the love of God.

11. 5 Vices (similar to 7 sins) Kaam: means (Lust). Lust is a barrier in meditation and becoming one with God. After getting rid of lust, one can focus his or her entire energy to become One with God. Krodth: means Anger. You are at your weakest when you are angry. You make poor decisions in anger and act on these decisions and later you regret. Anger takes you to trouble and pride keeps you there. One can control anger by meditating on God and by living a peaceful life. Nanak preached "Do not meet or even approach people whose hearts are filled with horrible anger" The ancient Sages (Hindu Rishis who supposedly had complete knowledge of earth and heaven) would only speak if their words passed thru 3 gates. At the 1st gate, Sages would question if the words are truthful/honest. If so, at the 2nd gate “are these words necessary now”? if so, at the 3rd gate “are these words kind as to not hurt other intentionally. “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and help them become what they are capable of being” German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

12. Lobh: means Greed. Greed keeps you entangled in materialistic things, and as you remain entangled in worldly possessions, you wander away from God. Moh: means Emotional Attachment. Emotional Attachment to things and worldly objects is a hindrance in the path to meet God. Family life is encouraged in Sikhism and in no way Sikhism states not to love your husband, wife, kids or family. However, one should be aware of the fact that all of this is temporary and will wash away as everyone who takes birth also dies. Ahankaar: means Ego. People with ego think they are the ones in control and they have the power to do things. As long as one remains in ego, he or she cannot be One with God. Nanak says"Acting in egotism, selfishness and conceit, the foolish, ignorant, faithless cynic wastes his life. Salvation is attained by meditating on the Naam with a pure mind"

13. The idea of “there is but ONE GOD, was greatly misunderstood and was considered a threat to the thinking of islamic Kingdom in India. The Turkish Mogul Empire ruled India at the time Sikh philosophies were being adapted by Indians (Hindus, including “The untouchables” were welcome with open arms). This misunderstanding caused many battles between Moguls and “Sikhs”.....and eventually Sikhs 10th Guru (Guru Gobind) enlisted sikhs to fight against Moguls and called them Khalsas, meaning pure. These Khalsas (warriors) fought Moguls in the late16th and early 17th century and defended Sikh philosophies.

14. Becoming a Khalsa Amrit chakna (drink holy water) and maintain Khalsa status: Kesh– the uncut hairs on all the body. Kanga- a wooden comb. Kara - an iron bracelet. Kachera – a pair of drawers (a specific type of cotton underwear). Kirpan – a dagger or sword. Besides this, there is a basic code of conduct (rehat marayda) issued by the khalsa panth: Not to disturb the natural growth of the hairs. Not to commit adultery (sexual intercourse outside marriage). Not to eat kutha meat (i.e. meat prepared in the ritualistic way) Not to consume any kind of intoxicants, tobacco, alcohol

15. Becoming Khalsa

16. Daily routine/responsibilities Gurudwara A sikh place of worship Granth Sahib (11th and the Final Guru/teacher) Granthi (Gyani ji) is the Carrier and the reader of Granth Sahib. Chori (fan) to keep the dirt away and provide comfortable fan purposes Nitnem means: Nit-Everyday nem-means name; derived from Farsi (persian) language. In sikhism, god is remembered via Gur-bani or Guru's writing. A sikh is to read 5 particular bani's in the morning; one bani in the evening and one bani at night time. It takes between 60-70 minutes. Then we recite ardas Ardas: (Persian word 'Arazdashat') means a request. The basic purpose of this prayer is an appeal to God. wahe-Guru (wonderful teacher) for his protection and care, a plea for the welfare and prosperity of all mankind, thank Waheguru for all that he has done. Hukumnama “Guidance of the day” is read after the 5 morning banis and Prashad: divine's offereing (God's food) is given to congregation.

17. Details: The Sikh place of worship is called a gurdwara, which means house of God. Wherever Sikhs go, they try and build a gurdwara as a place to worship and meet each other. The first gurdwara in the U.S. was built in Stockton, California. in 1912, and now there are hundreds of gurdwaras throughout the country. All gurdwaras around the world are open to all visitors. What you See. When you walk into a gurdwara, you see a place where you remove your shoes and can obtain a head-covering to cover your head. When you enter the prayer hall, you see a canopy, draped in fine cloth. In this canopy/throne resides the Sikh Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib What You Hear. Next to the Guru Granth Sahib, you see raagis, or hymn-singers. They recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib called kirtan, while playing drums called a tabla and a harmonium, or vaja. The music fills the room, and the congregation, or sangat, sings along and meditates on the meanings.

18. What You Do. You walk down the carpet and when you get to the Holy Book, you donate, close your eyes, fold your hands, pray and kneel down, touching your forehead to the floor out of respect. You look for a place to sit on the carpet. Women and men traditionally sit on different sides of the room. Children sit everywhere. You can sit and listen for as long as you'd like. Sometimes they offer translations in English to help you understand. After Prayers. everyone takes Parshad and goes into the langar hall, or community kitchen, attached to the prayer hall. Here, men, women, and children serve free meals, usually Indian food, as a form of seva, or community service. Anyone is welcome to the gurdwara for meditation and to the langar hall for a meal. Everybody sits on the floor to again maintain equality.

19. Gurdwara, Golden Temple About 100,000 people visit this temple on normal days and about 1 to 1.5 million auspicious days. Food is made for about 35,000 people everyday for free by temple volunteers. Everyone is invited to join this communal breaking of bread. All participants sit on the floor, regardless of caste, status, wealth or creed, powerfully symbolizing the central Sikh doctrine of the equality of all people.

21. Granth Sahib

22. Sikh men commonly wear a peaked turban that serves partly to cover their long hair, which is never cut out of respect for God's creation. Devout Sikhs also do not cut their beards, so many Sikh men comb out their facial hair and then twist and tuck it up into their turbans along with the hair from their heads. Sikhism originated in northern India and there are about 2 million spread throughout North America, Western Europe and the former British colonies and 95% of turban wearing men in USA are Sikhs. Iranian leaders wear black or white turbans wrapped in the flat, circular style shown in this image of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The word turban is thought to have originated among Persians living in the area now known as Iran, who called the headgear a dulband. United States in which 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian revolution.

23. Afghan men Muslim religious elders, often wear a turban wrapped around a cap known in Arabic as a kalansuwa. These caps can be spherical or conical, colorful or solid white, and their styles vary. Likewise, the color of the turban wrapped around the kalansuwa varies. White is thought by some Muslims to be the holiest turban color, based on legends that the prophet Mohammed wore a white turban. Green, held to be the color of paradise, is also favored by some. Not all Muslims wear turbans. The kaffiyeh is not technically a turban. It is really a rectangular piece of cloth, folded diagonally and then draped over the head — not wound like a turban. Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, has made the kaffiyeh famous in recent times.