REL1300 Final Exam Study Guide Classifications Phenomenological based on similarities of religious life of time and place Example Prophetic religions have prophets ancient Judaism and modern day Mormonism Problem religions could group into more than one category can make us assume there are some similarities that may not exist they may only have one thing in common Geographical classified based on region of origin practice Problem religions developed in places where they aren t necessarily practiced anymore Pathetic Fallacy giving human characteristics to objects feelings or ideas Pluralism acceptance of other religions the idea that people from different traditions can coexist Diana Eck religious pluralism African Traditional Religions Yoruba a West African ethnic group that believes hundreds of independent lesser deities orisha created the world Tricksters messengers Create confusion and chaos Seen as demons by westerners but not evil by practitioners Indigenous Religions Revitalization movements religious movement sparked by social crisis seeks to reform and give new life to a particular tradition try and restore old ways often focused around a prophet Africa Reform movements emerged with leaders claiming privileged communication with the spirit world Sought to purify African religious practices Nongqawuse a young Xhosa woman prophet who had a vision in which her ancestors told her that they were defeated by the Europeans in war in order to punishment them for practicing witchcraft Ancestors told them to destroy remaining cattle so Europeans would not steal them and if they did so the Europeans would disappear Xhosa ancestors would then return from the dead and property would be Result devastating famine in which thousands of Xhosa died Xhosa lost their stored greater independence Xhosa Christians example of syncretism Syncretism combining of different cultures beliefs Hinduism Vedas earliest surviving texts associated with Hinduism Seers transmitted mantras through their students and began an oral tradition o Oral tradition studying Vedas Not seen as having human origins 4 Vedic Collections o each collection has 4 parts hymns directions for ritual Upanishads compositions for the forest Upanishads philosophical works Shift away from sacrifice to philosophy First discussion of karma Atman us the individual something other than Brahman that exists Brahman the universe the truth Samsara the continuing cycle of death and rebirth Goal is to end cycle of samsara and not to be reborn Karma determines how and if you are reborn Karma the idea of there being a system of reward or punishment attached to our actions Caste system system of social hierarchy Priests Brahmin Warriors Kshatriyas Traders Vaishyas Workmen Shudras Outcasts Untouchables Sikhism response to the caste system Hinduism means disciple 3rd largest monotheistic religion Guru Nanak 1st leader of the community founder living a normal life until age 30 disappeared and had mystical experience drank nectar of immortality from God he was called to be a messenger and teacher of Sikhism a monotheistic religion not focused on icons mul mantra primary mantra creedal affirmation by Nanak Guru Gobind Singh 10th Guru last human Guru created the Khalsa sent a letter mocking the emperor and was assassinated no more human Guru community would read sacred texts and determine military order created by Guru Gobind Singh when he picked the 5 cherished what is right Khalsa Amrit dhari nectar bearing ones minority but influential in India any Sikh can be initiated 5 Ks 5 cherished ones required to wear them at all times Kes uncut hair and beard turbans Kangha Kirpan Kara Kachh comb in hair represents hygiene and cleanliness steel dagger commitment to protecting tradition steel bracelet on right wrist shorts purity and restraint 4 Notions of Guruship God as Guru Teacher as Guru Scripture as Guru Community as Guru Jainism nonviolence is the highest form of religious conduct preserve all life Atheists Maintain individual soul after liberation Mahavira most recent of enlightened teachers 24th Born into ruling caste upper class At age 30 renounced the world and began a journey Enlightened after 12 years o Pulled out his hair and renounced his clothes Not a God or deity just achieved what everyone else is trying to achieve Jinas succession of teachers In 4th century a group of Jains traveled South sky clads because leader predicted famine white clad stayed North and when sky clads returned Northerners began wearing clothes and had new scriptures different views about women s liberations cycle of samsara Digambara sky clad naked Believe being naked is an important part of liberation Women cannot be liberated o Some women may wear white and they believe they will be reborn as a man in their next life Pull out all your hair Svetambara white clad wear white Men and women can both be liberated May pull hair or shave it Karma in Jainism Is material in nature matter Particles stick to our souls and bind us Thoughts and intentions are important violence is also wrong Jain 5 Principles o Committing violence is wrong but thinking about committing Non violence Truthfulness Non stealing ahisma vegetarianism limit consumption of food water should not lie or hide truth unless it stops violence don t take something unless its offered to you Non possession Sexual Purity to be as celibate as possible monogamy for lay people renounce possessions and desire for them Sallekhana fasting until death ultimate expression of restraint from violence of living things not seen as suicide Buddhism developed alongside Hinduism and Jainism Rejects Vedas and Brahmin caste system but not primary reaction to Hinduism Siddhartha successful one Buddha of this age Parents were king and queen virgin birth Age 30 he saw Four Sights and realizes that all life is suffering but it can be escaped Flees the palace The Great Departure and becomes a yogi then ascetic Realizes The Middle Way the key is moderation Sits under fig tree and vows to meditate until reaching nirvana o Becomes more conscious during meditation o Becomes enlightened before dawn nirvana with remainder Travels and teaches for 45 years At death experienced prinirvana The 3 Gems Buddha Dharma Sangha the fully enlightened teacher the teachings the community The Four Sights Old man Sick man Dead man Monk in meditation The Great Departure when Siddhartha flees the palace after seeing the Four Sights 4 Noble Truths Noble Truth
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