Living Religions Test 1

Omnipotent

Almighty or infinite in power, as God.

There is suffering because of

Attachment

Shen

Benevolent spirits, dwell in sea, mountains, rivers, trees, sun, moon, etc.

What does yoga mean?

meditation helps you achieve "purity"-namely the reincarnation of the self in anticipation of being absorbed into Brahman

Vedas

Books of knowledge written by Hindu wise men.

Mao Zedong

Co-founded the Chinese Communist Party and eventually took control of the government. Attempted to eradicate all religious influence.

Eid ul-Adha

Coincides with the Hajj, commemorates Abraham's near-sacrifice of Ishmael.

Sama Veda

Collection of songs and melodies used in sacrifice

The symbol of the Yin and Yang represents

Complementary relationships

What is the wedding ceremony?

Conducted by priest in front of shrine

Jewish groups in USA: Reform:

Considered to be theologically liberal by other Jewish groups. Interpret the Bible loosely. Call meeting places temples.

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement. Time where Jews seek forgiveness from those who have been wronged. Major fast of the year.

Anglican Church

English denomination formed when Henry VIII declared himself head of the English church

There is only one source of Islamic law - the Sunnah

False

Hillel

First century rabbi. When given a difficult question to answer while standing on one foot, did it.

Bhikkhus

Follow 227 precepts. Fully ordained monk.

Indianization

Hinduism and Buddhist Epics, established by indian traders.

Swami Ramakrishna

His emphasis on "God consciousness" won him a following in America through teaching of his disciple, Vivekenanda who visited the U.S. in 1893.

Yom HaShoah

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Rites of passage

Honor major points in the human life cycle such as birth, naming, puberty, marriage, and death.

What is the importance of: Izanagi

In Shinto, the male aspect, co-creator with Izanami

Cult siteq

Ise

In what country did Shinto originate?

Japan

What is a samurai?

Japanese warriors

Sumo Wrestlers

Japanese wrestlers whose sport represents the fight between good and evil.

Amaterasu

Japanses sun goddess.

Archetypal image

Jung's theory of a symbolic element of the collective unconscious- such as hero, shadow evil lover or god- discovered in dreams and myths who's stories shape the psyche and religions.

Khadijah

Muhammad's first wife.

Who are the Sufis?

Muslim mystics

Sufis

Muslim mystics. Whirling dervishes.

Female spirits

Often portrayed as linked to nature, protecting the nation-state, or being brought under the control of Buddhism

Exclusivism

Only my religion leads to salvation. Other religions are wrong.

Taking Hukam

Opening the Guru Granth Sahib randomly and opening the first passage one sees.

U.N. resolution 242

Order passed in 1967 ordering that Israel withdraw to their pre-war borders. Still hasn't done it.

Bodhisattva

People who have achieved Nirvana but delay it to help others.

Non-theism

Perceiving Spiritual reality without a personal deity or deities.

Qi (Chi)

Personal and impersonal "Vital Force".

What is Seijin no Hi?

Puberty, matchmaking event, advice and blessings given

Ram Roy

Reformer who tried to reconcile Christian faith with traditional Hindu beliefs, challenged caste system and practice of sati ("widow burning")

How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions: pluralism?

Rejects idea that Jesus is unique and suggests that God reveals himself in all religions and saves all pious people.

Vital Force

Similar to mana, idea that the world is filled with hostile forces, both personal and impersonal.

Butsudan

Small black cabinet with an image of Amida Buddha alongside pictures of decreases family members where daily offerings are placed.

Who is Ali?

Son-in-law of Muhammad; Shi'ites believe he was to be Muhammad's successor

Charoset

Symbolizes the mortar used in brick making.

What is Daozang?

Taoist cannon which includes 1120 volumes

Red Sun = Amaterasu White background = Purity

The central characteristics of the Japanese flag are what?

Perennialism

View that religions have different practices and traditions, but they fundamentally teach us the same truths.

Mohandas Ghandi's Work

What Ghandi did and was influenced by during his lifetime

General Revelation

What we may learn about God by observing the universe around us.

Kimono

Woman's robed dress

rishi

a sage

The I Ching

"Book of Changes"; Diviner's manual built on the yin-yang theory, filled with drawings that a diviner could interpret.

Tao-de-ching

"Book of the Way and its Power"; Third most translated book in the world. Written by Lao-Zi.

Hinayana

"Little Raft"; Name given to Theravada Buddhism by critics.

Way of devotion (Bhakti)

"Loving attachment"; Encourages special devotion to one particular god and to one's dharma.

Lama

"Superior"

What is jiva?

"life" which includes gods, humans, plants

dalit

"oppressed"; name used by some people formerly considered untouchables

moksha

"salvation" by getting off the reincarnation merry-go-round

Shinto in modern Japan

- humans are fundamentally good - kamikaze: "spirit wind" suicide pilots - state shinto: a former system of national shrines - shinto promotes nationalism

tenrikyo

- new religion - heavenly reason teaching

Origins

- originates from japan - emphasizes power of nature - presents problem

talisman

- small paper or wood issued at shrines - believed to contain certain magical properties which would provide good luck for the possessor or offer protection from a possible evil or harm

patriarchal period

-during this period religious worship consisted of animal sacrifices that the head of the clan made on behalf of his clan

the Second Jewish Commonwealth

-starts with the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile (515 BC) and extends through the destruction of the temple by the Romans (AD 70) -is a subject of much of the Hebrew Bible

Zohar

-the most famous of the mystical treaties -literally means "book of splendor" but referred to as "book of lights" -an influential mystic: Isaac de Luria fled Spain from the persecution by Christians and later set up a school

Halakah

-the part of Judaism which deals with the application of laws -"Halakic" tradition is a major component of Jewish orthodoxy -means "legal exposition"

boko haram

1. Founded in 2002, this militant Islamist sect in Northern Nigeria is fighting to create an Islamic State. 2. The name Boko Haram is usually translated "Western education is sin." 3. In 2014 they were accused of kidnapping several hundred Christian school girls, forcing them to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men.

2 things emphasized in Shintoism

1. emphasizes community over individuality, 2. emphasizes quality of experience/feeling over precise theological statements

4 vedas

1. rig veda 2. Yajur veda 3. Sama-Veda 4. Atharva veda

7 facts about Kami

1. spirits, elements of landscapes or forces of nature; 2. are concerned with humans and appreciate our interest in them; 3. respond to prayers & influence natural forces & human events; 4. can be a being or qualities which beings posess; 5. not divine, omnipotent, or perfect; 6. not inherently different from humans, just a higher, more awesome version; 7. live in same world as humans, just are invisible

What does the qur'an say about Jesus?

1. virgin birth account 2. someone who resembled Jesus was crucified 3. Jesus is NOT part of "Trinity" 4. Jesus is NOT God 5. Jesus spoke as an infant, made clay birds fly 6. Jesus never said, "Worship me or my mother" 7. Jesus predicted coming of "praised one"

What percentage of world's Muslims are Arabs?

1.5 billion Muslims in the world; almost 1/4 of the world's population

Smarts 7 dimensions of the sacred

1.ritual 2.doctrinal and philosophical 3.mythic and narrative 4.experience and emotional 5.ethical and legal 6.organizational and social 7.material and artistic

digambara

A highly ascetic order of Jain monks who wear no clothes

Vision Quest

A solitary ordeal undertaken to seek spiritual guidance about one's mission in life. Purpose = help others

Mantras

A sound or phrase enchanted to evoke the sound vibration of one aspect of creation or to praise a deity.

Yoga

A systematic approach to spiritual realization, one of the major Hindu philosophical systems.

ashram

A usually ascetic spiritual community of followers gathered around their guru

9 Babs of the Baha'i:

Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, The Bab, Baha'ullah

Hadith

Additional writings including the words and deeds of Muhammad.

Denomination

One of the Protestant branches of Christianity

Who are Antiochus Epiphanes and Judas Maccabees?

One was the ruler of Syria who invaded Israel and the other was a Jewish priest that led a revolt against him and secured the re-dedication of the temple.

Muslim

One who submits

3 Kinds of "Oneness"

Oneness of God, Oneness of Humanity, Oneness of Religion

Josephus

Opposed the Maccabean Revolt, was captured by Romans and became their translator, witnessed the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

iconoclastic

Opposed to images of the divine

Yin Yang

Opposite forces that hold the universe together in perfect balance.

Mishna

Oral interpretations of the rabbis that have been written down.

Buddhism Branch: Theravada:

Orthodox type of Buddhism where only monks can reach Nirvana and are supported by non-monks.

What is jihad?

Others say jihad means simply "to strive or struggle," or to "exert oneself" (Arabic = jihad) to achieve God's will. Muslims may speak of "jihad of the tongue" or "jihad of the pen."

Sacrament

Outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace

Sacrament

Outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. 7 sacrements Baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, holy eucharist, recarnation, marriage, holy orders.

Pesach

Passover, celebrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt; families gather for the first evening of the festival to share the Seder meal, which recalls in words and symbols the departure of the Israelites from Egypt

What is Pesach?

Passover, celebrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt; families gather for the first evening of the festival to share the Seder meal, which recalls in words and symbols the departure of the Israelites from Egypt

What does Kanamara Matsuri celebrate?

Penis, love, marriage, STD

Shavuot

Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks, this is both a harvest festival and a thanksgiving for the gift of Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai

Explanations for "Where does religion come from?" Psychological:

People invented religion to fulfill their emotional needs. (ex: Freud).

Explanations for "Where does religion come from?"Sociological:

People invented religion to fulfill their perceived social needs. (ex: Plato's Noble Lie).

Anonymous Christian

People who are saved, but don't claim to be Christians.

Langar

Potluck after the service that symbolizes the removal of the caste system.

Filial Piety

Predominant theme that is apparent in all strands of Chinese popular religion.

Buddhism Branch: True Pure Land:

Prepare a paradise from pure thought that can be reached by saying "Nembutsu" just once to be "saved".

Theodore Herzl

Published The Jewish State that argued for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

What are elements of Shinto worship?

Purification, inviting the Kami, offerings, prayer

What are the basic ideas of Shinto?

Purity (cleanliness), natural (appreciate nature), sincerity (between people), simplicity (simple nature)

Gemara

Rabbinic commentaries on the Mishna.

ecumenism

Rapprochement between branches of Christianity or among all faiths

Qur'an

Recitation

Japji Prayers

Recited every morning by Sikhs.

Patimokkha

Recited fortnightly by monks as a reminder of their rules, followed by a confession of any transgressions

What is Kojiki?

Record of ancient matters, oldest writing in Japan, explains Japan's origins

Hindu: who are we?

Recycled containers of atman seeking to escape these illusory physical confines and be absorbed completely into brahman

164 BCE

Rededication of the temple. 1st Hanukah.

Pluralism:

Rejects the idea that Jesus is unique and suggests that God reveals Himself in all religions and saves all pious people.

nontheistic

Religion which describes ultimate reality in terms of a "path" or "way" but not a deity

Which of the following approaches to power practices fendeng?

Religious Daoism

Who is Louis Farrakhan?

Revived Nation of Islam in 1975 as a separate movement with racist agenda

Louis Farrakhan

Revived the Nation of Islam as a separate movement with racist agenda.

3-fold veda

Rig, Yajur, and sama together

Wudu

Ritual washing, ablution

Kami

Shinto gods/spirits are called this.

oharai

Shinto purification ceremony

What are Shinto rituals?

Shinto shrine (letting oneself go), Shinto priest hood

Japan

Shintoism is the native religion of what country?

Liberation Theology "Beatitudes"

Short statements by jesus about those who are most blessed.

mihrab (TEST)

Shows you the direction of mecca.

What is the Adi Granth?

Sikhism's scriptures that include hymns written by Nanak and later gurus; literally first original book; also final guru

Medicine

Since indigenous cultures participate fully in the environment healing partakes of several factors: physiological astronomical behavioral and spiritual. Good medicine may include herbal mixtures, songs to ancestors or divinities, art good social co-operations, family counseling or sacrificial offerings.

Kamidana

Small shrine where kami are venerated with daily offerings.

What impact did WWII have on the practice of Shinto?

State shinto lost its power (read about that in your notes). More shrines started to be made, even in public and state buildings. They get support from the government in order to restore old shrines too.

What are the 4 kinds of Shinto?

State, Domestic, Shrine, Sectarian

creeds

Statements of Christian beliefs

Stephen Prothero advocates

Studying religions as if religious differences matter

3 Marks of Existence

Suffering Impermanence Non-Self

Shang-ti

Supreme God/Heaven, gradually identified as an impersonal moral force, eventually the universe itself.

8 Baha'i Temples:

Sydney, Chicago, New Delhi, Kampala, Frankfurt, Panama City, Western Samoa, Santiago

Where are the 8 temples of the Baha'i faith?

Sydney, Chicago, New Delhi, Kampala, Frankfurt, Panama City, Western Samoa, Santiago

Boiled egg

Symbolizes crying after the destruction of Jerusalem.

Bitter herbs

Symbolizes the bitterness of slavery.

True

T/F According to Japanese mythology Japan is located at the center of the world.

True

T/F For Shintos, nature is more than an aesthetic (beauty) experience; it is religious

True

T/F Historically Shintoism included emperor worship.

False (They are held at Buddhist shrines)

T/F Japanese funerals are held at Shinto shrines.

False

T/F Shinto festivals are very calm, solemn, quiet events.

True

T/F Shinto shrines represent pure spaces in an impure world.

False

T/F Shintoism has a strong separation religion and politics

True

T/F Shintoists may also be Confucian, Buddhist at the same time.

True

T/F Shintos believe after death, the soul becomes a kami

Daozang

Taoist canon.

Mandala

Temporary symbol that is used for meditation.

Mara

Temptation god who tried to prevent Siddhartha from reaching enlightenment.

One of the so-called New Religions, an offshoot of Shinto, is __________________ ("heavenly reason teaching") which preaches healing by faith. A central notion of this religion is that physical health comes from mental health.

Tenrikyo

Abrogation

That a later revelation trumps an earlier revelation.

What did the formation of the Japanese nation believe in?

That humans should follow the will of the gods

What is the Qur'an?

The "book of heaven" dictated to Muhammad by angel Gabriel. It means recitation.

What is the significance of Masada?

The Jewish revolt against Roman occupation began at Masada and was the last holdout of the rebels where a mass suicide took place.

Lingam and Yoni

The Lingam is symbol of male creative energy and is represented as the dome portion of the altar. The Yoni is a symbol of the goddess of Shakti, female creative energy

Ramadhan

The Month of fasting. The last ten days are particularly holy; the 27th is most often presumed to be the Lailat al-Qadr, the night of the descent of the Holy Qur'an. A very solemn event. Secular festivities are Prohibited in this month.

According to Islam, all of the following are true of the Qur'an EXCEPT:

The Qur'an is a joint product between the mind of Muhammad and divine revelation

What is an "anonymous Christian?"

a Catholic label for people who are saved, but don't claim to be Christians

baptism

a Christian Sacrament by which God cleanses all sin and makes one a sharer in the Divine Life, and a member of Christ's body, the church.

confirmation

a Christian Sacrament by which awareness of the holy spirit is enhanced

Original Sin

a Christian belief that all human beings are bound together in prideful egocentricity. Described mythically in the Bible as an act of Disobedience on the part of Adam and Eve

guru

a Hindu spiritual teacher who are often regarded as "fully realized" individuals

Who is Nichiren?

a Japanese Buddhist who believed that the original teachings of Buddha were written in an ancient text called Lotus Sutra

Shintoism

a Japanese religion; means Way of the Spirits; incorporates worship of ancestors and nature spirits and a belief in sacred power in both animate and inanimate things; very localized religion; has no founder, no "God", no scriptures, and no transcendental other world

misogi

The Shinto waterfall purification ritual

Tao

The Way" Indescribable. You'll know it when it reveals itself to you. Attempts to explain it obscure its true meaning.

Liberation

The act of liberating or the state of being liberated.

Inclusivism:

The basic claims of Christian faith are true, and Jesus is unique, but God reveals Himself and through Christ saves people through other religions as well.

How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions: inclusivism?

The basic claims of Christian faith are true. Jesus is unique, but God reveals himself and through Christ, saves people in other religions as well.

Agnosticism

The belief that if there is anything beyond this life, it is impossible for humans to know it.

Animism

The belief that natural objects have souls that may exist apart from their material bodies.

Syncretism

The blending of religions

What is general revelation?

The divine disclosure to all persons at all times and places by which one comes to know what God is, and what he is like. I.E. What we may learn about God by observing the universe around us.

Pantheism

The doctrine that God is the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations: it involves a denial of God's personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature.

dualism

The doctrine that there are two independent divine beings or eternal principles, one good and the other evil. the belief that a human being embodies two parts, as body and soul.

What is the importance of: Kojiki

The earliest chronicle of Japanese history (712 C.E.)

Zionism

The effort to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

kami

The invisible sacred quality that evokes wonder and awe in us, the invisible spirits throughout nature that are born of this essence

Totemism

The link between a human clan and an animal family.

bhakti

a devotional that became traditional around 600 C.E. which opened spiritual expression to the shudras (manual laborers, artisans) caste and women

Jesus fit within the Jewish framework as all of the following except a) a teacher of God's justice b) a dying messiah c)an apocalyptic prophet d) a figure lef by the Spirit of God

a dying messiah

Mahabharata

a famous epic of more than 100,000 verses about a struggle between the songs of a royal family for control over a kingdom in present-day Delhi

Who are the Dalits?

a fifth caste referred to as the untounchables

Quietism

The opposite of striving.

Seder

The order that the food of the Passover is eaten in.

Divination

The practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means.

Shintai

The sacred objects of a shrine that can be removed and paraded through the streets on special occasions.

What is the importance of: Nihongi

The second chronicle of Japanese History (720 C.E.)

Who is Mara?

The tempter attacked Siddhartha, upset with the possibility that someone might achieve enlightenment and escape his clutches. His last ditch effort was to send his three daughters---Discontent, Delight, and Thrift---to seduce him. But Siddhartha prevailed.

Sacred Time

The times when one worships their deity reflects upon it teachings. This is generally observed in Hinduism.

What does "Shinto" ("shin-do") mean?

The way of the Dieties

4 Noble Truths

There is suffering There is a cause to suffering There is a cessation to suffering There is a way out of suffering

4 Noble Truths

There is suffering. Cravings produce suffering. Getting rid of cravings ends suffering. All pain can be stopped by following the 8-fold path.

The main point (SHORT ANSWER)

There was an obvious political and religious void among Arabs that Islam was about to fill

Who are Hillel and Shammai?

They are famous first-century rabbis.

According to Japanese Mythology, how did the divine or deity originate?

They descended from up above.

How does a spirit medium often narrate how they become a medium?

They had a sickness that could only be cured by accepting the spirit and becoming a medium

Tishah B'Av

This date recalls the disasters that have befallen the Jewish people, including the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem; it is also a time to mourn the events of the Holocaust

Creed

a formal statement of the beliefs of a particular religion; in Christianity, especially the Nicene Creed.

varna

a fourfold division of labor class system

What is Tripitaka?

Three Baskets; Buddhist scriptures written on palm leaves and placed in three baskets

What is TSPM?

Three Self Patriotic Movement; Christian groups are supposed to function under this oversight whose purpose is minimizing foreign influence of Christian theology

TSPM

Three Self Patriotic Movement; Stated purpose is the "sinification" of Christian theology: To minimize foreign influence.

Bread of Affliction

Three pieces of bread.

Hindu: how do we know?

Through intuition---ours and that of wises men before us

Hindu: what's the solution

Through meditation, move up the reincarnation ladder toward escape into Brahman.

jina

a fully perfected human

What is Vajrayana?

Tibetan Buddhism; blended traditional animism of Tibet with Buddhism to produce "lamaism;" translations of Buddha's teachings into Tibetan language considered to be the true version, divided into two books: Kanjur and Tanjur

Divine Mikado

Title of the Emperor of Japan.

Which of the following contains the Law, the core of the Hebrew Scriptures?

Torah

What is the Tanakh?

Torah + Prophets + Writings (History and Wisdom)

Tanakh

Torah + Prophets + Writings(History and Wisdom)

What do Muslims accept as scripture?

Torah, Psalms, Gospels, and Qur'an

Bible

Totality of Christian scripture

Shi'ites

Trace heritage to Ali as rightful successor to Muhammad and with similar authority and "divine guidance".

Building a fence around the Torah

Traditional safeguards against breaking the law.

spirituality

a general term for the experiences and values that define religious practices

Holy Trinity

Trimurti Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma

630

Triumphant return to Mecca

A good leader is one who is rarely seen, according to Daoism

True

According to Islam, God cannot have a son

True

According to Zoroastrian teachings, a great cosmic struggle is being played out, with forces of evil aligned against forces of good.

True

Being 'soft' is a virtue of Daoism

True

Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ pre-existed his humanity as the eternally-existing Son.

True

Confucianism teaches that we can cultivate ourselves through being alone in nature

True

Confucius' solution to the problem of Chinese culture was to implement deliberate traditions for the family and society.

True

During the miraj, or Night Journey, Muhammad ascended to heaven and came into the presence of God

True

In Confucianism, de is the power of moral example

True

In Shinto, kami can be deities, natural objects, animals, or humans

True

In early Muslim history, Muslim women received new rights in marriage and inheritance that they had not previously enjoyed

True

Physical perfection Daoists aim to maximize qi

True

Qur'an means "recitation"

True

Religiously pluralistic, Japanese have often embraced Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism all at the same time.

True

Sufism is the branch of Islam that focuses on mystical experiences as a way to communion with God

True

Western monotheisms share the concepts of a linear history ending in a day of judgement

True

Who is Shinran?

True Pure Land Sect founder; monks were unnecessary since one's place in paradise could be secured without their aid

What is "tsumi?" What is believed to cause it? what is it believed to cause? how can it be removed?

Tsumi is impurity or pollution. Tsumi is caused by wrongdoing or bad deeds. it is believed to cause disease, disaster and error. It can be removed by cleansing or purifying rituals.

Advaita Vedanta

a generally monistic Hindu philosophical system based on the Upanishads whose founder is said to be Vyasa, collector of the Vedas.

Buddhism Branch: Mahayana

Type of Buddhism where not just monks can reach Nirvana. Focuses on Bodhisattvas.

1967

UN Resolution 242 demanding that Israel withdrew to its 1967 pre-war border

What is a Shimenawa (sacred rope)?

Used to ward off evil, indication of sacred

Koan

Verbal puzzles used by Zen Buddhists to develop mental concentration.

Lotus Sutra

Version of Buddha's teachings that is used by the Nichiren Buddhists.

Atharva Veda

Very different than the other three. Contains 731 hymns divided into 20 books of spells and curses.

Inclusivism

View that my religion is the most correct. However, some religions can have some truth, and can reach salvation thru other religions

Nation of Islam

Wallace Fard (later known as Master Warith Fard Muhammad), started "Nation of Islam" in Detroit in 1920s to fight white oppression with mixture of Muslim and African ideas. Disappeared in 1934; later considered Incarnation of Allah on earth.

What does Shinto mean?

Way of the kami, anything that is awe inspiring

Hindu: what's the problem?

We are too self conscious, too attached to this illusory world

What does Setsubun celebrate?

Welcomes Spring, drives away cold

Kubla Kahn apprenticing himself to learn calligraphy from his Chinese slave is an example of the effects of:

Wen

Japan

What country is known as The Land of the Rising Sun?

Mount Fuji

What is the highest mountain in Japan and considered an especially sacred place?

Amaterasu

What is the name of the chief Shinto deity?

Special Revelation

What we may learn about God by reading the Bible and focusing on Jesus.

Land- relations to spiritual, specialist, intermediaries

a great mountain or canyon may be perceived as the center from which the whole world was created; force removal from that environment can be devastating.

orthodox

a group in a religious institution that chooses to adhere to the historical form, strictly following those traditions

Purity/Celebration

Which of these words are most characteristic of Shintoism: - suffering/compassion? - Wisdom/compassion? - Purity/Celebration?

Nang Nak

Women of the famous story about a man coming back from war, and has a relationship with his wife's spirit. Was not tamed by popular religion.

Arthur Balfour

Wrote the Balfour Declaration, which allowed Jews to work towards an independent state.

The Confucian cardinal virtue is filial piety, a child's respect and care for the parents and ancestors, known in Chinese as:

Xiao

3760 BCE

Year 0 on the Jewish Calendar.

570 CE

Year Muhammad was born in Mecca.

What is the shinto view on: marriage of shinto clergy

Yes

What is the shinto view on: the possibility of women clergy

Yes

What is the shinto view on: personal prayers to the kami

Yes, but not asking for something in return (like in Christianity)

Which of the following refers to the practice of giving alms?

Zakat

Who founded conservative Judaism?

Zecharias Frankel

As a replacement for shangdi, Tian first appeared in the:

Zhou dynasty

Dogma

a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.

What is Khalistan?

a proposed independent Sikh state

Ritual

a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.

Hara-kiri

a ritual suicide (act of bravery) to preserve one's honor.

tantra

a sacred esoteric text with spiritual practices honoring the divine in female form

shrine

a sacred place where kami live; a place of worship; restful places filled with a sense of the sacred; the source of spiritual vitality; regarded as a spiritual home

Ka'aba

a shrine to a goddess from heaven (meteorite)

What is ka'aba?

a shrine to a goddess from heaven in Mecca

What is a Butsudan?

a small black cabinet with an image of Amida Buddha alongside pictures of deceased family members

mantra

a sound or phrase chanted to evoke sound vibration of one aspect of creation or to praise a deity

phenomenology

a special field devoted specifically to the study of religions

who is worshiped in mana?

a spiritual force in the world observed and manipulated by people

Samadhi

a state of intense concentration achieved through meditation. In Hindu yoga this is regarded as the final stage, at which union with the divine is reached (before or at death).

Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

1973

surprise attack on Yom Kipper

Castes

system in India; hinduism, untouchables, bourgeois

mishna + gemara = ____________

talmud

Samsara

the cycle of reincarnation

emas

written wishes or prayers

way of devotion

a. Known as Bhakti ("loving attachment") because it encourages special devotion to one particular god and to one's caste duty or dharma. b. Most popular form of Hinduism today, though pieces of other forms of Hinduism mixed in. c. traces roots back as far as Bhagavad-Gita

twice-born male members go through four stages of life:

a. Student stage: Boy undergoes ceremony between age 8-12 to be initiated into the caste. Then called "born again." b. Householder stage: young man marries, has children, runs household, enjoys sensual pleasures (kama). c. Forest dweller stage: when hair begins to turn gray or first grandchild is born, takes wife and retries to the forest to cultivate worldly detachment through meditation. d. Renouncer stage: retired man becomes a sannyasin, homeless nomad who renounces everything, including his family and possessions as preparation for absorption into Brahman.

What does wudu mean?

ablution (ritual washing before prayer)

historical-critical studies

academic attempts to reconstruct historical stories of prophets and their cultures as opposed to legends.

Shichi-Go-San

"7-5-3" Annual festival where girls and boys are presented to the guardian kami at the neighborhood shrine.

Buddha

"Awakened One"; Also known as Siddhartha.

Mahayana

"Big Raft"

Analects

"Collected Sayings"; The sayings of Confucius divided into 20 short books.

Succoth/Sukkot

"Feast of Tabernacles/Booths" a time when families build and eat in open-air shelters in commemoration of the temporary desert shelters built by the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land

Jains

"Followers of the conqueror"

Tirthankaras

"Ford Finders"; Enlightened ones who teach others how to cross over into Nirvana.

Gheta

"Foundry". Later became known as ghetto.

Gui

"Ghost" or malevolent spirits, dwell in desolate places, shadows, deserts, etc.

What is Philo's statement on suffering?

"God is either unloving or powerless?" Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? The He is impotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is bad. If He is both willing and able, then where does evil come from?

Allah hu-Akbar

"God is greater"

Gurdwara

"Guru's door"; Place of worship for Sikhs.

Sakyamuni

"Head of the Sakya clan"; Another name for Siddhartha Gautama.

Mata Amritanandamayi ("Amma")

"Hugging saint" who is said to have hugged over 34 million people.

Nam myoho renge kyo

"I bow down to worship the beautiful teachings of the Lotus Sutra". Chanted by Nichiren Buddhists.

What does nam myoho renge kyo mean?

"I bow down to worship the beautiful teachings of the Lotus Sutra;" propagated by Soka Gakkai International

Twelvers

"Imamis"; Believe that the imam line stopped after the 12th imam pasted Ali who mysteriously disappeared and will return as mahdi.

Reiki

"Life Force"; Founded as a way of healing through hand positions.

Jiva

"Life"; Includes gods, humans, and plants.

Singh

"Lion"; Male members of the Khalsa.

Baal Shem Tov

"Master of the Good Name" Led a spiritual revival that emphasized the emotional side of faith and also the practical side of recognizing God's presence in daily living.

Kitab-i-Aqdas

"Most Holy Book"; Sacred book of the Baha'i.

610 CE

"Night of Power" Muhammad's first revelations from Allah.

What happened in 610 C.E. in Islam?

"Night of Power," first revelations from Allah

610 (important date)

"Night of Power." First revelation from Allah.

Ajiva

"Non-Life"; Includes rocks, dirt, etc.

Anatman

"Non-Self" that reality is made up of.

Nirvana

"Nothingness"/"blown-out"; The ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Ekankar

"One-Om-Lord"; Most common name for God used by Sikhs today.

Li

"Propriety"; Rules of etiquette advocating traditional Chinese customs.

Khalsa

"Pure"; Considered to be the very dedicated members of Sikhism.

Moses Maimonides

"Rambam" Rabbi who published commentary on the Mishnah including his "13 Articles of Faith".

Guanxi

"Reciprocal Relationships/Networking"; Practical manifestation of principles in modern China.

Kojiki

"Record of ancient matters". Completed by Yasumaro.

Sannyasin

"Renouncer"; Person who has renounced everything in total devotion to contemplation.

tikkun olam

"Repairing of the World", one of the main things uniting all Jews.

Law of fu

"Return"; All things will inevitably return to their original natural state, the "state of the uncarved block".

Puja

"Sacrifice"/"Act of Worship"

Digamabaras:

"Sky clad"; Believe that they shouldn't wear anything (wear robes in public).

Taliban

"Students" or "Disciples"; Ultra-conservative sect that seized political power.

Kami

"Superior beings"; Personal and impersonal spirits that pervade everything.

Nihon Shoki

"The Chronicles of Japan". Completed by Shotoku Daishi.

Otto

"The Idea of the Holy"; two components referred to as "mysterium tremendum" and "mysterium fascinosum", that is "the mystery that invokes fear" and "the mystery that attracts"

What is the shahada? (short answer)

"There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is His prophet."

Guru Nanak Quote

"There is no Muslim and there is no Hindu."

Shadaha

"There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is His prophet."

Tripitaka

"Three Baskets"; Buddha's teachings

Agamas

"Tradition" Sacred text in Jainism.

Sat Nam

"True Name"

Theravada

"Way of the Elders"

Shinto

"Way of the gods"; Japanese religion.

Svetambaras:

"White clad"; Wear white robes.

Friedrich Schleiermacher

"absolute dependence"

What is Gui?

"ghost" or malevolent spirit; dwell in desolate places, shadows, deserts, etc.

What is Reiki?

"god life force;" founded by Mikao Usui; means of healing through hand positions

Mana

"power, effectiveness, prestige", where in most cases the power is understood to be supernatural

What is the Law of fu?

"return;" all things will inevitably return to their original, natural state, the "State of the Uncarved Block"

Puja

"sacrifice" or "act of worship" dedicated to the gods 3 types of puja a. scheduled daily services (morning, noon and evening) b. routine individual sacrifices c. sacrifices on special occasions, such as birthday of a god (e.g. Ganesha), or Divali, (New Year's festival)

Upanishads

"sitting near a teacher" record the wisdom of these reformers who comment on the Vedas. 1) Often called Vedanta ("supplements to the Vedas") 2) Point to deeper spirituality, centered on Brahman as ultimate reality. 3) Complete oneness with Brahman experienced only through strict separation from world and constant meditation. A sannyasin ("renouncer") is a person who has renounced everything in total devotion to contemplation. Even conducts his own funeral as part of initiation.

Bhagavad-Gita (short answer)

"song of the Lord" is an epic poem (part of Mahabharata epic) about Arjuna going to war with enemies, including some cousins. Worried about effect on his karma. Not being aggressive enough in battle. Chariot driver Krishna (turns out to be an avatar of Vishnu in disguise) encourages him to do his duty (dharma), as member of the warrior caste, but with emotional detachment. 2) This sort of tale inspires devotion to a certain god of the worshipers choosing. 3) ISKCON = International Society for Krishna Consciousness, an example of one offshoot of such devotion. 4) Rest of the story? Arjuna annihilates his enemies

Kamikaze

"spirit wind," suicide fighter pilots of WWII

What is Shen?

benevolent spirits; dwell in sea, mountains, rivers, trees, sun, moon, etc.

What are the rites of passages of Shinto?

(Hatsumiyamairi) Birth, (Shichigosan) Middle childhood, (Seijin no Hi) puberty, (Yakudoshi) unlucky years, (Kanreki) 60, wedding ceremony, Shinto funeral

twelvers

(Imamis) 1) Believe imam line ceased after 12th imam past Ali who mysteriously disappeared and will return as madhi. 2) 90% of them are in Iran. As many as 70% of Iraqis are Twelvers, but difficult to get accurate census with I.S.I.S. controlling large parts of Iraq.

In Shinto, what are the "three central aspects of the path?"

(a) affinity with natural beauty (b) harmony with spirits (c) ritualistic purification

Seveners

(called "Ismailis" in India) 1) Believe that after the 7th imam, the imam was to come from that same family. That imam called Aga Khan. Prince Karim Aga Khan is 49th imam. 2) Seveners founded al-Ashar University in Cairo, oldest university in the world. a) discovered algebra and zero; notion that planets revolve around the sun; skeletal, nervous and circulatory system 3) More esoteric in their teaching.

Fivers

(called "Zaidis") 1) Believe Zaid (grandson of Husayn) was rightful heir and last imam. 2) Live mostly in Yemen.

Guru

(in Hinduism and Buddhism) a spiritual teacher, especially one who imparts initiation

Orthodox

(of a person or their views, especially religious or political ones, or other beliefs or practices) conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.

What is Reform Judaism?

considered theologically liberal by other Jewish groups; interpret the Bible loosely, but work to preserve Jewish history and heritage; call meeting places Temples because they've given up on rebuilding the temple or coming Messiah

ritual

consists of actions that are repeated over and over again; rituals and anxiety go hand in hand

folk religion

consists of the lived, everyday practice of religion by common laypersons *religion is always composed of both the expert and folk sides

Who is Tenzen Gyatso?

current Dalai Lama

Who is Akihito?

current emperor of Japan; 125th in his line

What does samsara mean?

cycle of reincarnation

What were the four sights?

decrepit old man, sick person, funeral procession, monk begging for food

gender

- amateratsu: goddess of sun; no official restrictions against women - misogyny: women removed from priesthood - shinto sees women as important

What is aphikomen?

dessert hidden until end of meal when children search for it

noh

- dance - tell stories of people and their contacts with the spirits - masks and exquisite robes

sectarian shinto

- different sects based on Japan history

folk shinto

- divinatory rituals, healing, and spirit channeling

Shiva

destruction and reproduction; represented by reproductive organs; married to Parvati (Kali), had son Ganesha. Represented by lingam and yoni (phallic symbol). Followers of Shiva paint three horizontal lines on forehead.

Who is Shiva?

destruction and reproduction; represented by reproductive organs; married to Parvati; son is Ganesha

celebration of the new year

- home must be clean - "katomatsu": placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest - cleansing and renewal of life - mochi-rice dough

home shrines (kamidana)

- literally means "godshelf" - where family shows respect to kami

Omoto

- new religion - great origin teaching - aims to better this world rather than accumulate rewards for an afterlife

Chakras

each of the centers of spiritual power in the human body, usually considered to be seven in number.

Japanese context

- shinto is the living spiritual connection between the Japanese people and the land

gagaku

- shinto music - very slowed down

shrine-based shinto

- shrine is the basic residence of one or more kami - includes basin of water for purifying, a gate, and main hall - used for marriages, births, deaths

redaction

editing and organization of a religion's scriptures

Who is Rabbi Ball Shem Tov?

founded by Chasidim; he led a spiritual revival that emphasized the emotional side of faith-fervent prayer, song, and dance-as well as the practical dimension, the recognition of God in daily living

What is Reconstructionist Judaism?

founded by Mordecai Kaplan in 1920's as a way to preserve Jewish ethnicity without the typical Jewish obligations

Who is Confucius?

founder of Confucianism; Latin spelling of Kung-fu-tzu; considered to be a child prodigy in his hometown; longed to return to the glory days of the Chou Dynasty; pushed for reform of rulers being chosen by character and that the aim of government is to promote the welfare of the people

Who is Nanak?

founder of Sikhism; member of Sant movement which taught against caste system and religious intolerance; spent three days in the forest at age 30 and received direct vision of God; his response was the Japji prayer; attempted to merge Hinduism and Islam

Who is Lao-zi?

founder of Taoism; a legendary figure, said to be a contemporary with Buddha and so wise that he was 72 years old at birth; government archivist known for his learning and wisdom; asked to record his wisdom; advocated inactivity as the key to "the way"

what are the reasons for having a messenger mentality?

- we know in part - we are messengers - we follow Jesus

what does it mean to have a messenger mentality? ( name a few)

- we pass on the message we believe has been passed on to us, focusing on truth. - we reject the hateful tone that characterizes exclusivists - we engage in dialogue as an indispensable way of finding understanding and building friendships - we are not surprised to find truth in other religions and not afraid to affirm them - we stress uniqueness of Jesus w/o bashing other religious figures - we pray that God will put us in the path of seekers - we embrace the combo of humility and confidence

diaspora

-"dispersion" -the period since the end of the Second Jewish Commonwealth

the Roman occupation facts

-Herod the Great was not Jewish, but he worked hard to please the Jews by undertaking the renewal of the temple -Jewish life during this time, the time of Jesus of Nazareth, was characterized by (1) devotion to God, (2) messianic expectation, and (3) party divisions

Hasidism

-Israel ben Eliezer became known as the Baal Shem Tov ("master of the good name") which was abridged "the Besht" -at the heart of his teaching was a new optimism -God is not found in studying and obeying the law, but found inside the person and is manifested through singing and dancing

Talmud

-Mishnah+Gemara=Talmud -the one big book containing the Mishnah and the Gemara -there are 2 versions of the book: Palestinian Talmud was finished in the 4th century; the larger Babylonian Talmud was finished in the 5th century -in Hebrew the pages of the Talmud are arranged concentrically: Torah, which is surrounded by Mishnah, which is surrounded by Gemara

tallit

-a large, fringed, blue-and-white prayer shawl men wear while praying -worn on the Sabbath

tefillin

-a little black box containing four Scripture passages -not worn on the Sabbath

ark

-a niche or a cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are kept

Sadducee

-a priest did not have to be a Sadducee, but most of them were -the high priest, who was a Sadducee, was the leader of the Sanhedrin, the Jew's highest judicial and ecclesiastical council

bema

-a raised platform on which the service is conducted

Pharisee

-a scribe did not have to be a Pharisee, but most of them were -they became experts on the content and interpretation of the law -by the time of the Roman occupation, they had become teachers -Pharisees were more popular among the common people than the Sadducees -in contrast with the Sadducees, the Pharisees promoted belief in angels, predestination, and the afterlife -the rabbis are the spiritual descendants of the Pharisees

yarmulke

-a small skullcap -instructed to always keep their heads covered -also called a kippah

tzitzit

-a special shirtlike garment worn under the shirt with the tassels hanging over the belt

Reform Judaism

-accepted western European cultural and intellectual fashions -Moses Mendelssohn was the pioneer of this movement -a new approach to Judaism: one in which Jews saw themselves as being free to become a part of the culture they lived in -main characteristics: this movement does not see traditional forms as authoritative, the Talmud is not considered the standard of Judaism -it is not looking for the Messiah; if a messianic office exists, it is fulfilled by the people as a whole, who are working to make the world a better place -Reform Jews became ardent supporters of the state of Israel -worship services modeled after Christian Protestant forms -allows for full participation by women and dispenses with the traditional 3 prayers for men

Orthodox Judaism

-all forms of Judaism are ultimately variations on the theme of rabbinic orthodoxy -at the heart of Judaism is belief in one God, that God chose the Jews to be His people, they are particularly loved and therefore carry a lot of responsibility of living up to that choice -avoid consuming dairy products and meat products in a single meal -the men pray 3 times a day looking toward Jerusalem

home

-also identified as Jewish by the mezuzah, it is a small object installed on the doorpost of each room -contains a small copy of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21

Muhammad al Madhi (test)

-born in 896 -hidden away so he wouldnt be killed when his father (the imam) died. Madhi was 6 years old -followers believe him to be the 12th imam and believe that he is still alive. Lives in "occulation" Equated with the 2nd coming of Jesus when he returns

Torah

-consists of the "teachings" or the "law" -Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy -the study of the Torah may constitute the highest form of worship in rabbinic Judaism

Prophets

-early prophets: Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings -later prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the "Twelve" (the minor prophets from Hosea to Malachi)

Yemenite Jews

-existed in isolation in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula -dress in blue and white stripes, and most of them are short -experienced a drastic initiation into modern technology

the First Jewish Commonwealth

-from the time Moses received the law on Mount Sinai (around 1450 BC) to the destruction of Judah and exile under the Babylonians (587-541 BC) -is a subject of much of the Hebrew Bible

Sephardic Jews

-had Spanish roots -spoke "Ladino" which was Spanish dialect written with Hebrew characters

Ashkenazic Jews

-had roots in northern and northeastern Europe -their vernacular was Yiddish which was a dialect of German written in Hebrew characters

synagogue

-house of prayer, study, education, social life and the arts

Writings

-includes all other books -Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1-2 Chronicles

Judaism continued

-it does not revolve around a set of doctrines or a plan of salvation; instead it is a prescription for living -the different branches have a common denominator of needing to make a difference in the world through a life of righteousness -on the whole "being Jewish" has included an ethnic and cultural heritage as well as a religious one

Judaism

-it is a religion based on relationships: God's relationship with the human person, a person's relationship with God, people's individual relationships with each other, and the chosen people's relationship with other nations. -all these relationships are based on rules and traditions that are said to have originated with God

the Mishnah

-it was completed by Rabbi Judah the Prince about AD 200 -divided into 6 categories: 1)seeds, containing laws on agriculture and prayer 2)feasts, laws concerning holy days and the writing of the scrolls 3)women, laws concerning marriage and other vows 4)damages, civil and criminal laws as well as prohibitions concerning idolatry 5)holy matters, sacrifices and laws for the temple 6)purities, ritual cleanliness and purification -it is the legal interpretation of the Holy Scripture -it is half of the Talmud -the bulk of the Mishnah consists of different authorities, and frequently no final determination is reached on interpretations -there was an interruption of the Mishnah project beginning in AD 136

Falasha Jews

-lived in a small community deep in Ethiopia -believed they were the only Jews in the world -adhered to the laws toward the beginning of the second commonwealth

holidays

-most significant: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)- occurs in September or OCtober Yom Kippur-the day of Atonement, a personal day of repentance

cantors

-must be experts on the music of their tradition -they play the central role in special services such as funerals and weddings

gematria

-numerological mysticism -letter of the Hebrew alphabet is assigned a number value and the combinations of these values yields spiritual insights that would otherwise remain unknown

animals considered unclean

-pigs, horses, dogs, cats, reptiles, invertebrates -predator birds and song birds -shellfish and crustaceans

"building a fence around the law"

-protecting God's law from human trespass -rabbis followed the principle that it is always safer to take the most rigorous interpretation of the law -if someone broke the law accidentally, they would be breaking a human interpretation of the law instead of God's actual command

Karaite Jews

-rejected the Talmud in the 8th century -they claimed that the only valid authority in Judaism was the Torah and thus denied the legacy of rabbinic interpretation

the Third Jewish Commonwealth

-some scholars say that the Holocaust and the creation of the modern state of Israel have initiated this stage

El Elyon

-term is a generic expression meaning "Most High God" -it was used to refer to any deity considered supreme in any particular culture

exile and restoration facts

-the Persians under Cyrus conquered the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to their land to rebuild their temple -from this time on, monotheistic faith, along with foundational commitment to the law, was no longer at risk in Jewish society

biblical writings facts

-the first step of rabbinic Judaism was to figure out what constituted holy Scripture -after a long debate they certified the writings that had been treated as Scripture in Palestinian Judaism all along -the Hebrew canon was arranged into 3 major division: Torah, Prophets, and Writings

the united kingdom facts

-the last judge was Samuel, who was also a prophet -the first king (of the monarchy) was Saul from the tribe of Benjamin -the next king was David -the temple was built by David's son, Solomon -after this temple was built in 950 BC, the Hebrews were not allowed to sacrifice at any other sites

Kabbalah

-the name usually associated with Jewish mysticism -means "tradition" -constitutes the notion of attaining an unmediated link to the Absolute -early Jewish mysticism has been called merkavah mysticism, from the Hebrew word for "chariot" -the goal was to raise the soul through the various levels of heaven until it could finally see God on the throne of the third heaven

Gemara

-the second major collection in the Talmud after the Mishnah -contained the Haggadah: a narrative strain of less formal traditions, including stories illustrating the application of the law -the larger component of the Talmud

rise of Rabbinic Judaism

-the world of Judaism changed drastically with the destruction of the temple in AD 70 -the Sadducees, party of the priests, ended permanently -the Pharisees, as the only remaining remaining party, were an ideal position to take the leadership of Judaism -as experts of the law, they were able to direct the continuation of a new Judaism without sacrifices -from this point on, Pharisaic Judaism was mainline Judaism -the newly emerging rabbinic Judaism emphasized obedience to the law -to this day the main focus in Judaism is on observing the law, not on personal belief -in Judaism the extent to which a person obeys the law is seen as most crucial -the major Jewish denominations differ for the most part on observance, not doctrine

the parting of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Israelites

-this event became the Hebrew's defining moment in their self-recognition as God's redeemed people

worshiping the golden calf

-this event foreshadowed the 900 year tension that would exist between monotheistic religion and paganism in the Israelite culture

Conservative Judaism

-this movement was born out of the work of Zecharias Frankel in 19th century Germany -characterized by adhering to the law while adapting to contemporary culture -attempts to maintain the basics of Jewish law while permitting more contemporary forms of dress and worship -subgroup of Conservative Judaism: -Reconstructionist Judaism: innovation of an American rabbi= Judaism must be viewed holistically, and religion is only one important aspect of its development, it cannot be separated from the rest of Jewish life

move to Spain in the Middle Ages

-two of the most influential writers are known as Rashi and Rambam -Rashi: set the standard for literal interpretation of Scripture; defended the traditional understandings of the origin of Scripture and argued that a literal reading must always take precedence over an allegorical or a moral meaning -Rambam: wrote the Guide for the Perplexed as an intellectual defense of Judaism; he was a scholar and a scientist; Thomas Aquinas spoke of him deferentially as "Rabbi Moses"

the divided kingdom facts

-under Solomon's son Rehoboam the kingdom split into a northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdom -the southern kingdom had the advantage of the place of central worship in Jerusalem -Assyria destroyed the kingdom of Israel in 722 BC -in the southern kingdom, the king Manasseh, took the worship of idols to new heights -the kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians in 587 BC

Sabbatai Zevi

-when he became known in the 17th century, many Jews thought that he was the Messiah -he was born in Turkey, studied forms of mysticism, and came to believe that he was the Messiah -apparently suffered from bipolar disorder -he had a HUGE following -he was captured and was invited to convert to Islam -without much hesitation, he agreed to convert so in 1666 he became a Muslim

what keeps jews around the world together?

.remembering the holocaust .protecting the state of israel .protecting jewish minorities in other nations

What percentage of Japanese are Christian?

1%

Rig Veda

1) Rig = hymn, the oldest of the Vedas (1500 BC?) 2) Contains 1028 hymns divided into 10 books 3) Each hymn addressed to one god or goddess 4) Most prominent gods/goddesses in Rig-Veda are those who govern nature 5) The pattern in the hymns: a) invocation of deity b) request to the deity c) praise to the deity recalling his/her myths d) restatement of the request

twice borns

1. Brahmins 2. Kshatriyas 3. Vaisyas

Castes

1. Brahmins 2. Kshatriyas 3. Vaisyas 4. Sudras 5. Dalits

Muslim Brotherhood

1. Egyptian political/religious group dedicated to returning to the Qur'an and the Hadith as guide for government and society. 2. They have been implicated in assassinations of political opponents in Egypt. 3. Helped lead "Arab Spring" in Egypt and won a majority in Parliamentary elections in June 2012, named Mohammed Morsi as President. 4. Morsi ousted in military coup on July 3, 2013; convicted for inciting murder and violence and sentenced to death in 2015. Muslim Brotherhood banned.

What are the 4 questions about God?

1. Is He one or many? 2. Is He near or far? 3. Is He good or bad? 4. Is He like us?

2 types of rituals

1. Jichinsai -- a ritual performed for construction projects to purify the ground, worship the local kami, and pray for safety, 2. Norito -- ritual prayers; use beautiful, formal language

Way of Works

1. Later reforms gave rise to: a. Way of knowledge, a.k.a. Vedantic Hinduism based on Upanishads or Vedanta (called Jnana Yoga) b. Way of devotion (called Bhakti Yoga) 4. Priests in training master just one of the four Vedas, with emphasis on priest saying right words (mantra), correctly performing the rituals. 5. Other holy books reflect similar preoccupation with rituals: a. Brahmanas, or "Brahmin books," manuals that tell priests how do to sacrifices, especially the soma sacrifice. b. Aranyakas, philosophical speculation about the nature of sacrifices.

Sunnis

1. Majority of Muslims (85%) are Sunni ("consensus"). 2. Follow several law codes based on Sharia: a. Islamic law comprised of Qur'an, Hadith (traditions), and the elders (namely muftis, Islamic scholars) b. Distinguishes between practices that are required (5 pillars), disapproved (celibacy, divorce, playing cards), permitted (halal including beards, coffee), recommended (extra prayer and fasting), and forbidden (haram including murder, theft, gambling, disobedience to parents, and fornication). 3. Less dependent on imams than Shi'as, perhaps due to less emphasis on direct connection to Muhammad's bloodline.

Sufi

1. Muslim mystics, like an Islamic charismatic movement, but more hidden. 2. Some sufis in each sect. E.g. The famous Mevlevi (or Mawlawi for "Our Master") Order founded by Jalal Muhammad Balkir Rumi in 13th cent. CE, centered in Konya, Turkey

What do Orthodox Muslims say about jihad as physical struggle?

1. Physical violence must never be used to advance Islam. 2. Islam should be propagated only by reason and persuasion. 3. An Islamic nation may defend itself when attacked by another nation. 4. If a non muslim nation uses physical force to oppress muslims, muslims may respond with force. 5. Former muslims nations that are overtaken by non muslims must never be allowed to revert to non muslims 6. The Islamic holy lands must never be violated by non muslims. Any violations give just cause for jihad.

Five Pillars of Islam

1. Say the Shahada throughout the day 2. Pray (salat) five times daily (dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset, one hour past sunset), facing Mecca 3. Alms (zakat): muslims are required to give 2.5% of their income to the poor. 4. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca. Only muslims may visit Mecca 5. Fasting (sawm) during Ramadan, the month the Qur'an "came down."

Converting to Islam

1. Simply confess the Shahada and mean it 2. Converts taken to mosque and taught to pray properly. Males circumcised.

Sects

1. Sunnis 2. Shi'ites 3. Sufi 4. Salafi 5. Nation of Islam

Qur'an

1. The "book of heaven" dictated to Muhammad by angel Gabriel. Qur'an means "recitation"; first word Gabriel said to Muhammad 2. Composed throughout his life, sometimes at convenient moments for him personally. 3. 114 chapters called suras, 86 revealed in Mecca, 28 revealed in Medina; arranged from longest to shortest. 4. Must be read in arabic

al-qaeda

1. The name means "the Base" or "the Network." 2. A militant Islamist organization founded by Osama Bin Laden in the late 1980s to support Muslim mujahedeen who fought the Soviet Army in Afghanistan. 3. Bin Laden (killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011) succeeded as leader by his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Muslims worldwide

1. There are at least 50 nations with Muslim majorities. 2. There are approximately 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. 3. Only 20% of the world's Muslims are Arabs. 4. Arabic is the 6th most widely spoken language in the world. 5. Between 65-70% of Arab-Americans identify as Christian.

What are the four noble truths?

1. There is suffering. 2. Cravings produce suffering. 3. Getting rid of cravings and sufferings. 4. All pain can be stopped by following the 8-fold path.

Shi'ites

1. Trace heritage to Ali as rightful successor to Muhammad and with similar authority and "divine guidance." 2. Sects within Shi'a movement include: a. fivers b. seveners c. twelvers

Points of contrast with hinduism

1. Understanding of the Divine as a personal v. impersonal "force" 2. Use of images to connect with the Divine 3. Grace v. Karma

What are questions making many evangelicals rethink exclusivism?

1. What can people learn about God from general revelation? 2. Can general revelation save? 3. Can christians affirm what's good in other religions? 4. Can Christians dialogue with other religious people for the sake of learning and NOT just as a "subtle form of pre-evangelism"? 5. What does the cross teach us about interacting with others? They're worth the sacrifice?

How would a muslim answer the five basic questions? (listing)

1. Where are we? World created by Allah and controlled by Him, thru' powers of Fate. 2. Who are we? Subjects of Allah, created for submission to the Qur'an, which even Allah consults on occasion. 3. What's the problem? Rebellion against the will of Allah. 4. What's the solution? Submission. 5. How do we know? Qur'an.

3 main kinds of kami

1. deification of natural or human forces: Amaterasu 2. Clan ancestors 3. Souls of the Dead, expecially war dead

Shinto worship

1. highly ritualized, strict order & control, 2. at home or at a shrine, public or private, 3. local diversity, 4. performed with spirit of sincerity, cheerfulness, & purity, 5. intended to satisfy the senses & the mind, 6. no special day of the week

2 types of kami

1. hitogami -- associated with sacred persons, 2. ujigami -- ancestor spirits

Today a popular motto of the Zoroastrian religion is:

good thoughts, good words, good deeds

steps of evolutionary approach

1. mana- a force that is a basic feeling, a general awareness of a spiritual force magic- the manipulation of spiritual forces in order to bring about a desired result; correct technique is paramount 2. animism- a religion that visualizes spiritual forces in terms of personal spirits; recognizes both nature spirits (inhabit rocks, streams, plants, animals) and ancestor spirits (departed family members) **spirits are finite, gods are infinite; spirits are not superior beings, but do not have the same limitations of a human body; they may indicate whether conditions are favorable or unfavorable for certain events to occur 3. polytheism- recognizing and worshiping many gods 4. henotheism- when people recognize many different gods as real, but worship only one; it may have a social or geographical basis (one god is thought to have domain over a specific region 5. monotheism- worshiping only one god; highest step of development; the God of monotheism is the author of moral directives for creation **there is no region in the world where such a sequence (evolutionary model) is demonstrated by successive different cultures** **but there are many examples of cultures moving backward or forward in their spiritual development**

5 parts to matsuri rituals

1. priests: purification. 2. kami called down to earth 3. kami given food and drink. music and songs offered 4. priest dips a branch from sacred Sakaki tree in holy water from kami 5. meal offered to the kami is eaten by priests and others- power of kami is spread

evolutionary appraoches

1. religion is an aspect of human culture, which must be understandable without reference to actual supernatural powers 2. religion began on a very primitive and childlike level from which it evolved to greater levels of complexity 3. religion is practiced among the least developed cultures in the world today must be closest to the religion of early human beings -there is little or no evidence for widespread regression of physical human cultures

the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai included

1. the Ten Commandments-served as the foundation for all of the people's relationships 2. a complex legal code for social relationships that applied to civil and criminal matters 3. instructions for building a portable sanctuary (tabernacle), the central place of worship; the tabernacle included the ark of the covenant, an incense altar 4. a professional priesthood taken from the tribe of Levi 5. a complex system of sacrifices of animals and agricultural products, to be administered exclusively by the priests 6. a code of ritual purity that included medical and hygienic precautions, dietary rules and religious practices

monotheism

1. there is one God who has personhood 2. God is referred to with masculine grammer and has masculine qualities 3. God apparently lives in the sky 4. God has great knowledge and power 5. God created the world 6. God is the author of standards of good and evil 7. human beings are God's creatures and are expected to abide by God's standards 8. human beings have become alienated from God by disobeying God's standards 9. God has provided a method of overcoming the alienation **monotheism was intrinsic to many cultures, but could not demonstrate that it was the starting point for all of religion** **as cultures improved their material standings they also moved away from this original monotheism** 1. their was a moving away from original monotheism 2. there is no clear pattern in which this departure typically takes place 3. once monotheism is abandoned, change continues to occur **monotheism carries the liability of a tendency toward magic and ritual**

a visit to a shrine begins by passing under a torii, which looks like a ceremonial entrance or gateway. After washing their hands and mouths with water, worshipers proceed to a courtyard building, called the _________________ , where the kami is worshiped.

haiden

Council of Nicea

4th century church gathering that determined orthodox positions regarding Christology

Muhammad was born in:

570 CE

early interaction with Buddhism

592 BE Buddhism becomes national religion

Butsudan

A buddhist altar, to keep tablets honoring ancestors

what is Oharai?

A ceremony in which the shinto priest waves a piece of wood from a tree, to which are attached streamers (for purposes of purifying)

Who are the Alawites?

A minority sect of Shi'ite Muslims living mainly in Syria; believe God incarnated himself into a trinity

According to Daoism, the Dao is each of the following except: a) a personal God b) the origin of all things c) within all things d) the way of the cosmos

A personal god

Bhagavad Gita

A portion of the hindu epic Mahabharata in which Lord Krishna specifies ways of spiritual progress.

Brahmin

A preist or member of the priestly caste in Hinduism.

Ethical Hindu

A. Most important ethical principle is dharma: do your duty as determined by your caste. (E.g. on role of women) B. Other moral guidelines: avoid alcohol, gambling, etc.

Who became the first leader of the Muslim community after the death of Muhammad?

Abu Bakr

historical-critical

Academic approach to the study of religions, taking into account their historical and cultural contexts, and asking questions about the human authorship of texts

Muslims trace their lineage to...

Adam, Ishmael, and Abraham

messengers/ prophets

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus.

Maya

All experiences are an illusion. Only Brahman is real.

According to Daoism, reality: a) all of these b) is dualistic c) comes from the Dao d) is complementary

All of these

How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions: universalism?

All people will be saved regardless of what they know or how they live.

Universalism:

All people will be saved regardless of what they know/how they live their lives.

EX. of popular Buddist Practices

Amulet blessed by a monk Water blessed by a monk Sacred string blessed by a monk

Medicine person

An indigenous healer

Obon Festival

Ancestors are believed to return to this world to visit relatives. People visit graves and make offerings f food.

Vedas

Ancient scriptures revered by Hindus.

3 defilements

Anger Greed Delusion

Tathagata

Another name for Siddhartha.

Ibn Wahhab

Arab religious reformer who perceived Islam had been corrupted and sought to return Islam to the Qur'anic roots of its ancestors.

Torii

Archway marking entrance to a shinto shrine that is made of two horizontal and vertical beams.

Story of Arjuna and Krishna

Arjuna went to war against his enemies, including some cousins. When he saw his relatives on the battlefield, he worried about the effect on his karma so he ordered his chariot driver, Krishna, to drive out to the middle of the battle field where Krishna encouraged Arjuna to do his dharma as a member of the warrior caste. Krishna then turns out to be an avatar of Vishnu and Arjuna went on and annihilated his enemies.

The oldest and most important of Zoroastrian scriptures is the

Avestas

What is Hatsumiyamairi?

Baby blessed and under protection of Kami

Taboo

Bad Karma.

What is Kitab-i-Aydas?

Baha'i scripture; means "Most Holy Book"

What is original monotheism?

Belief that God revealed Himself in beginning as the one true God and "has not left himself without testimony" in the religion traditions of the world (Acts 14: 17). In fact, he has "set eternity in the hearts of men" (Eccles. 3:11).

Original Monotheism

Belief that God revealed Himself in the beginning as the one true God as "has not left Himself without testimony" in the religions traditions of the world. He has "set eternity in the hearts of men."

Atheism

Belief that there is no god

Who are the Seveners?

Believe that after the 7th imam, the imam was to come from that same family; that imam called Aga Khan; founded oldest university in the world; more esoteric in their teaching

Seveners

Believe that after the 7th imam, the imam was to come from the same family.

Monotheism

Believing in a single God.

Polytheism

Believing in many deities.

What is Civic religion?

Blend of Confucianism (social ethics), Shinto (ritual and feeling for nation), and Mahayana Buddhism (philosophy and hope for life after death)

Buddhism Branch: Vajrayana (Tibetan):

Blends traditional animism of Tibet with Buddhism to produce "Lamaism".

What's the I Ching?

Book of Changes; most famous of the Five Classics; a diviner's manual; built on yin-yang theory; filled with drawings (hexagrams) that a diviner could interrupt

570 CE

Born in Mecca, surrounded by pagan idols. Orphaned at age 6, taken in by grandfather and uncle in the caravan business

Stages of Hindu Life in Order

Brahmacharya - The Celibate Student, lasts until about 25, Grihastha - The Married Family Man: lasts until about 50, Vanaprastha - The Hermit in Retreat:, Sannyasin - The Wandering Recluse: Sannyasin generally is entered around 75.

Buddhism Branch: Zen

Branch of Mahayana Buddhism that has been influenced by Taoism.

What is the matzos?

Bread of affliction

1948

British leave Palestine. Israel declared as an independent state.

What happened in 1948 in Judaism?

British pull out of Palestine and Israel declared as an independent state

3 Gem

Buddha Dhamma Sangha

First Bhikkuni

Buddha's step-mom

traditional safeguards against breaking the Law

Building "a fence around the Torah"

How are the kami usually "experienced" in a Shinto sanctuary?

By making offerings, "praying" (spending time in the shrines/sacred spaces)

Apostles' Creed

Circa 100; statement of faith from the church in Rome that addressed Trinity and basic Christian beliefs

Nicene Creed

Circa 325; statement of faith that addressed the issue of the divinity of Christ

Swami Narayan

Claimed to be incarnation of Vishnu, gathered following who chant his name. Their BAPS organization has built 100 temples in the U.S. including largest Hindu Temple in North America (in Robbinsville, NJ)

Exclusivism:

Claims that are incompatible with the Bible must be rejected as fake.

What is Eid al-Ad'ha?

Coincides with the Hajj, commemorates Abraham's near-sacrifice of Ishmael; families slaughter sheep, give portion to the poor

Uthman

Collected copies of the Qur'an, burned variants. Shi'as claim he deleted Muhammad's instructions for recognizing Ali as his successor. Assassinated in 656.

What are the two religions that are most often blended with Shinto?

Confucianism and Buddhism

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad who Shi'as believed Muhammad appointed. Married to Fatima.

Ka'aba

Cube

Cup of Elijah

Cup of anticipation/hope.

What is 5777-5778 AM?

Current year

Who is Ali Muhammad?

Declared himself to be a "gate" of the hidden imam; advocated reforms with Islam; predicted the Madhi was to come; followers were called babi or "followers of the gate;" executed for heresy and political purposes

Four Sights that encouraged the Buddha to find enlightenment:

Decrepit old man, Sick Person, Funeral Procession, Monk begging for food.

What is Hannukah?

Dedication of the Temple, a time when the eight-branched Hanukkah candle is lit commemorating the re dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, when the Temple lamp miraculously stayed alight for eight days, even though there was only enough oil to last one day.

Hanukkah

Dedication of the Temple, a time when the eight-branched Hanukkah candle is lit commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century bc, when the Temple lamp miraculously stayed alight for eight days, even though there was only enough oil to last one day

Hanukah

Dedication of the Temple, when the temple lamp miraculously stayed lit for 8 days.

Pentecostalism

Denomination that highlights the Holy Spirit and miraculous spiritual gifts

Methodism

Denomination that started as a renewal movement within the Anglican Church

Anthropomorphism

Describing a deity in human terms.

Aphikomen

Dessert that is hidden until the end of the meal when the children search for it.

Kali

Devi in her fierce form usually portrayed dripping with blood or holding a sword and severed head

Lakshmi

Devi which embodies wealth and generosity

Saraswati

Devi which is associated with knowledge

Bhikkuni lineage

Died out in Sri Lanka, and did not arrive to Mainland SEA. Survived in the Mahayana sect of SEA. Currently a revival within Sri Lanka and Thailand

632

Dies before establishing rules of succession. (Shi'as believe he designated son-in-law Ali as successor, but it was suppressed by unscrupulous men like Uthman.)

What was the origin of the split between the Sunnis and the Shias?

Difference in opinion over who should lead the Muslim community following Muhammad's death.

What is the Kami?

Difficult to define, natural forces with a spiritual dimension

Shinran

Disciple of Honen. Created the True Pure Land Buddhism sect.

World Religions

Display universal, transcendent, portable ideas that are most often adhered to by the lowland valley peoples of SEA.

baptist

Dissenters of the Church of England; focused on the power of local churches; stresses following in example; each person interprets the Bible the way the Holy Spirit tells them how; emphasis on New Testament; no Church creeds. It was very simple and appealed to rural people

Way of Works

Do things the right things occasionally.

All of the following are considered basic human relations in Confucianism except for: a) doctor and patient b) ruler and subject c) husband and wife d) friend and friend

Doctor and patient

Trinity

Doctrine that states the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one God

Dogma

Doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true by religious institutions

Non-Absolutism

Don't claim to know anything with absolute certainty.

Non-Possessiveness

Don't cling to anything.

Non-Violence

Don't harm anything.

Dalits

Downtrodden/Untouchable; The lowest rank of the Hindu caste system.

Wu-Wei means

Effortless action

Muslim Brotherhood

Egyptian political/religious group dedicated to returning to the Qur'an and the Hadith as a guide for government and society.

What is the Taliban?

Emerged in Afghanistan when Soviet Army withdrew in the 1990's. Ultra-conservative sect made of mostly of members of the Pashtun tribe, they seized political power. Its leaders were trained in the Islamic madrasas during the war.

How did the government ensure the kami?

Emperor and court had religious obligations to perform rituals

Kukai

Emphasized oneness with "Vairochana Buddha". Third most popular form in Japan.

Way of Knowledge (Vedantic)

Emphasizes the mystical contemplation over ritual observance.

How was/is Mount Fuji honored by the Japanese?

Everything from the heavens ascended from/descended to that mountain top

Transcendent

Existing outside the material universe.

According to Zoroastrianism, humans cannot influence the battle between good and evil, but must have faith that Ahura Mazda alone will defeat evil

False

Angra Mainyu is considered to be Ahura Mazda's chief, hold spirit

False

Christianity teaches that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force

False

Daoism teaches that nature should be conquered and dominated

False

Islam rejects as false the law given to Moses

False

The Daodejing was written by Zhuangzi

False

The Qur'an gives specific rules for how to draw images of God

False

The dao can be fully described

False

The majority of Muslims today are Arabs

False

620

Famous "Night Journey" to temple mount in Jerusalem (while praying at the Ka'aba), on winged horse named Buraq (Q 17:1-2).

5 Basic Human Relationships:

Father/son: Kindness/Loyalty Eldest Brother/younger brother: Righteousness/obedience Elder/junior: Considerateness/deference Ruler/subject: Benevolence/loyalty

What is Succoth?

Feast of Tabernacles, a time when families build and eat in open-air shelters in commemoration of the temporary desert shelters built by the Israelites during their journey to the Promised Land; begins 5 days after Yom Kippur

Diwali

Festival of Lights; Celebrates victory of light over darkness. Some honor Lakshmi, others believe that this holiday commemorates the return of Rama with his wife Sita.

What is Diwali?

Festival of Lights; celebrates victory over darkness, knowledge over ignorance

Shammai

First century rabbi. When given a difficult question to answer while standing on one foot, chased the gentile out of his house with a stick.

622

Flees to Medina (Hijra) to escape persecution, founds a community (umma) that follows his revelations. Year "0" on Muslim calendar; A.H. = "year of Hijra".

What did the arrival of Christian missionaries do to Japan?

Forced all of Japan to register as Buddhist

Jewish groups in USA: Reconstructionist:

Founded as a way to preserve Jewish ethnicity without the typical Jewish religious obligations.

What is Boko Haram?

Founded in 2002, this militant Islamist sect in Northern Nigeria is fighting to create an Islamic State. Usually translated to "Western education is sin." In 2014, they were accused of kidnapping several hundred Christian school girls, forcing them to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men.

Who is Ibn Wahhab?

Founded the Salafi Movement; ultra conservative; sought to return Islam to the Qur'anic roots of its ancestors

Confucius

Founder of Confucianism; Worked for the government as a magistrate. Pushed for government reform where either the rulers would be chosen based on merit or the true aim of the government would be to promote the welfare of the people.

There is no founder.

Founder of Shintoism?

Nanak

Founder of Sikhism who tried to merge Hinduism and Islam.

Lao-zi

Founder of Taoism; Allegedly wrote the Tao-te-ching in one sitting; Advocated inactivity as the key to "the way".

Explanations for "Where does religion come from?" Biological:

From magic to philosophy. Assumes that people move from low (power/control) to high (truth/ultimate meaning) religion.

What is Yiddish?

German-Hebrew mix written in Hebrew letters

What is special revelation?

God's self-revelation through history as recorded in Scripture and embodied in Jesus. In other words, what we may learn about God by reading the Bible.

what is the definition of special revelation?

God's self-revelation through history as recorded in scripture and embodied in Jesus

Kannagara

Harmony with the way of the kami

kannagara

Harmony with the way of the kami

Where, outside of Japan, is Shinto a common faith? Has Shinto been a proselytizing religion? What is a proselytizing religion?

Hawaii and Brazil. Shinto is not a proselytizing religion. a proselytizing religion is a religion that tries to get other people to convert to their religion (like missionaries)

Who is Uthman?

He collected copies of the Qur'an, burned variants.

Who is Josephus?

He opposed the Jewish revolt against Roman occupation, but was captured by the Romans and had to see the siege and destruction of the city while translating for the Roman army

Pope

Head of the Roman Catholic Church

Yiddish

Hebrew in German.

Ladino

Hebrew in Spanish.

Which of the following is the name of the flight of the followers of Muhammad to Yathrib in 622? a) Salat b) Hijra c) Hajj d) Hijab

Hijra

Brahmans

Hindu priests

Shirk

Idolatry, the worst sin.

Who are the Twelvers?

Imamis; believe Imam line ceased after 112th imam past Ali who mysteriously disappeared and will return as madhi; 90% of them are in Iran; as many as 70% of Iraqis are this

Brahman-Atman

Impersonal essence.

Karma

Impersonal force that drives all of life. Described as the planting of seeds (good or bad) that can grow in any lifetime

What does Shinto focus on?

Importance on human life

tsumi

Impurity or misfortune, a quality that Shinto purification practices are designed to remove

Moksha

In Hinduism, liberation of the soul from illusion and suffering.

Vishnu

In Hinduism, the persevering aspect of the Supreme or the Supreme Itself, incarnating again and again to save the world.

Shaman

In indigenous traditions, a "Medicine Man", a man or woman who has undergone spiritual ordeals and can communicate with the spirit world to help the people.

20th

In what century did the Japanese emperor declare he was not divine?

Japan

In what country is Mount Fuji-yama located?

Sadducees

in roman ruled judea wealthy and priestly jews.

Avatar

Incarnation of a deity.

Pharisees

in roman ruled judea, liberals who tried to practice the torah in their lives.

Who is Bodhidharma?

Indian Buddhist teacher; founder of Zen Buddhism

Nature- relations to community

Indigenous peoples are seeing the land which they are supposed to be caretaker taken over by others who have destroyed the natural environment.

Greater Jihad

Internal spiritual struggle.

Honen

Introduced Pure Land Buddhism to Japan. Most popular form of Buddhism in Japan.

Eisai

Introduced Zen Buddhism from China.

What happened in 164 BCE in Judaism?

Invasion by Antiochus of Syria; offering of pig to Zeus on altar in temple; Maccabean revolt, Judas Maccabees; rededicating the temple, 25 Chislev, 164 BC (Hanukkah)

Where did Zoroastrianism originate?

Iran

Philo on suffering

Is God willing to prevent evil, but unable? --> Impotent. Is He able, but not willing? --> Bad. If He is both willing and able, then where does evil come from?

Traditional Religions: 4 Questions about God

Is He one or many? Most say one but some disagree. Is He near or far? A few say He is near. Is He good or bad? Most say good, quick to punish wrong-doing, but fair. Is He like us? Anthropomorphism.

Sun Goddess

Is the chief Shinto deity a: Sun god? Sun goddess? Moon god? Moon goddess?

What is Hamas?

Islamic Resistance Movement; political party formed in Gaza in 1987, as a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Committed to the destruction of the State of Israel.

What is Dr. Cox's critique of Van Voorst's distinction between "theology" and "religious studies?"

It is his christian duty to understand the perspectives of others and treat them with dignity and fairness

What is the phenomenological approach to the study of religion?

It is the understanding of a religion from the perspective of those who practice it.

Crucifixion

in roman times the execution of a criminal by fixing him to a cross; with reference to Jesus, his death on the cross, symbolic of his self-sacrifice for the good of all humanity

religious liberals

individuals that apply a more flexible religious approach often considering scriptural passages as cultural representations of religious truth, and thus interpreted them as metaphors.

What is Conservative Judaism?

interpret the Bible more seriously; meet in synagogues; some believe in the coming Messiah

Who is Honen?

introduced Pure Land Buddhism to Japan; emphasized a more personal devotion of Amida Buddha

Who is Eisai?

introduced Zen Buddhism to Japan; also a dissatisfied Tendai monk; also brought the tea ceremony to Japan

167-164 bc

invasion by antiochus IV "Epiphanes" of Syria judas maccabeas revolts against the Seleucids

What are 2 myths and rituals of Shinto?

Izanagi and Izanami (created Japan islands and kami)

shvetambara

Jain order of monks who are less ascetic than the Digambara

Nichiren

Japanese Buddhist who believed that the original teachings of Buddha were written in the Lotus Sutra.

Bonsai

Japanese art of growing miniature trees.

Samurai

Japanese knights

Sake

Japanese rice wine.

Seppuku or Hara Kiri

Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment.

Ascension

Jesus going up to heaven forty days after the Resurrection

How should Christians respond to non-Christian religions: exclusivism?

Jesus is the unique incarnation of God and salvation is found only through him. Bible is true, unique, and authoritative revelation. Claims incompatible with the Bible must be rejected as false.

Atonement

Jesus paying for the sins of humanity

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year, 10 day period of repentance Called "High Holy Days", leading up to Yom Kippur.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Jewish New Year, a ten-day period of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur, called "High Holy Days"

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year. 10 day period of repentance. (September/October)

66-73 CE

Jewish revolt against Roman occupation. Destruction of the temple.

What happened in 66-73 CE in Judaism?

Jewish revolt against Roman occupation; began at Masada; Josephus opposed revolt, captured by Romans, became translator for Roman army, witnessed siege and destruction of they city; final conquest in September 70 CE (depicted on Arch of Titus); 1.3 million Jews slaughtered; temple completely leveled, never rebuilt again, only part remaining is the Western Wall, a part of the temple mount, last holdout of rebels was in Masada, where 960 commit mass suicide

Gentiles

Jewish term for people who are not Jews

period of development

kami become the buddhas/ Bodhisattavas Samurais establish, bushido which combined Shinto with Buddhist dhyana

ujigami

kami who are associated with families or clans

hitogami

kami who are associated with special people like shamans

daily shinto worship occurs in the home, where a small shrine called the _________________ is maintained.

kamidana

Gnosis

knowledge of spiritual mysteries.

Abhor Charan De

known by his honorific name, Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada founded International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) in 1960's; members chant "Hare Krishna, Hare Rama" in exuberant worship gatherings.

Although the word "kami" is usually translated as "god" or "spirit," "kami" is better understood how?

Kami is a spirit god or goddess of shinto, present everywhere in nature. Kami is imageless

What is a home shrine?

Kami shelf, Small indoor/outdoor worship space for ancestors

What is Shahada?

La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad; "There is no God but Allah; Muhammad is His prophet"

What is the New Year's Festival in Shinto?

Largest celebrated, welcomes good luck

Malcolm Little

Leader in the Nation of Islam who got permission to make the Hajj and later condemned racism.

Peter

Leader of disciples whose vision was key in the inclusion of Gentiles in the church

Respect for Age is a component of which important Confucian concept?

Li

Karma

Link between deeds and consequences. Status and rebirth are determined by it.

Diwali

Literally "Festival of Lights" celebrates victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. People decorate homes and businesses with bright lights, shoot fireworks, exchange gifts, etc. Some conduct pujas in honor of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth); others believe Diwali commemorates return of Rama with his wife Sita as told in Ramayana epic. (October-November)

What does Hinayana mean?

Little Raft; name given to Theravada Buddhism

Confucianism shows us how to: a) repent of our sins b) achieve the path of enlightenment c) focus on the next life d) live in right relationships with beings in heaven and on earth

Live in right relationships with beings in heaven and on earth

Animist or Indigenous religions

Local, and focused mostly on the management of spirits

Khalistan

Location that some Sikhs want to be an independent Sikh state.

Chou (Zhou) Dynasty

Longest dynasty in Chinese history, considered by Confucius to be the Golden Age.

Problems facing male monastic Sangha

Loss of numbers Drugs, sex, delinquents Scandals, abuse of power

What is Analects?

Lun yu; sayings of Confucius

Who are the Sunnis?

Majority of Muslims (85%); Follow several law codes based on the Sharia; distinguishes between practices that are required, disapproved, permitted, and forbidden; less dependent on imans

Sunnis

Majority of Muslims. Less emphasis on direct connection to Muhammad's bloodline.

"Evolution" of religion: From mana to monotheism

Mana: Humans sensed a spiritual force in the world and designed the magic needed to manipulate it. Animism: Humans personified the spiritual forces as ancestors. Polytheism: Humans elevated the departed spirits to a god-like status and also personified abstract principles. Magic changed to worship. Henotheism: Humans believed in many gods, but they would worship only one as the supreme/best in a particular region. Monotheism: Humans slowly changed to believing in just that one god.

595

Marries wealthy widow named Khadijah, 15 years older than him; he no longer has to work. Four daughters (no sons) survived into adulthood; oldest was Fatima.

Catholic

Means universal, name of the larges Christian church

Jewish groups in USA: Conservative:

Meet in synagogues, some believe in the coming Messiah.

a turning point in japanese history was the _________________ , named after the emperor who began a deliberate process of bringing japan into the modern world in the late nineteenth century

Meiji restoration

What does Mayahana mean?

means Big Raft; more people can reach Nirvana; emphasis on the veneration of bodhisattvas

Karma

means action, work or deed; it also refers to the spiritual principle of cause and effect where intent and actions of an individual (cause) influence the future of that individual (effect).

Veda

means books of knowledge

esoteric

means intuition

muslim

means one who submits

mosque

means place of prostration

What is Khalsa?

means pure; special militia

islam

means submission

Brahman

means the concept of the transcendent and immanent ultimate reality

ishmael

means the lord hears

yoga

meditation helps you achieve "purity"--nameley the renunciation of the self in the anticipation to being absorbed into brahman.

al-Qaeda

Militant Islamic organization that mean "the Base" or "the Network".

Boko Haram

Militant Islamic sect that is fighting to create an Islamic state.

Bushido

Military code of conduct adopted by the samurai.

Lesser Jihad

Military holy war.

What was the role of Shinto in WW2?

Military service was a religious and civic obligation

Talmud

Mishna + Gemara

What are some symbolic items of the New Year's Festival?

Mochi, gate pine, mirror cakes

who was the founder of the reconstructionist jewish sect?

Mordecai Kaplan

Who founded reform Judaism?

Moses Mendelssohn

Ahimsa

Most important vow in Jainism. Not killing anything.

Buddhism Branch: Pure Land

Most popular type of Buddhism in Japan. Prepare a paradise from pure thought that can be reached by saying "Nembutsu" ten times a day.

Jewish groups in USA: Orthodox:

Most strict branch of Judaism. Includes small groups who maintain strict separation from "secular" culture.

Yajur Veda

Mostly sacrificial formulas used by presiding priests in sacrifices.

Baha'i Universal House of Justice:

Mt. Carmel, Haifa, Israel

622 CE

Muhammad and his followers flee to Medina. Year 0 on Islamic calendar.

What happened in 622 C.E. in Islam?

Muhammad flees to Medina to escape persecution, founds a community (umma) that follows his revelations.

What happened in 570 C.E. in Islam?

Muhammad is born in Mecca; orphaned at age 6, taken in by grandfather and uncle in the caravan business

What does Shinto teach?

Natural forces

What are some holidays and festivals for Shinto religion?

New Year's Festival, Setsubun, Hina Matsuri, Kanamara Matsuri

Ra's as-sanah muharram the 10th

New year

Who is Moses Maimonides?

Nicknamed Rambam; published commentary on the Mishnah included his "Thirteen Articles of Faith"

What is a characteristic of Shinto?

No cosmogonic myths (only creating story)

What is true of Shinto in: the explicit code of ethical requirements?

No ethical "code of conduct"

What is true of Shinto in: the founder of the religion?

No founder

What is true of Shinto in: the existence of an orthodox canon of sacred literature?

No sacred literature

Jehovah's Witness

Non-Trinitarian movement that believes the son is the first creation of God

Mormanism

Non-Trinitarian movment based on scripture received by Joseph Smith

3 Key Principles of Jainism:

Non-violence, Non-absolutism, Non-possessiveness

Which of the following approaches to power uses military force? a) Physical Perfection Daoism b) Philosophical Daoism c)None of these d) Religious Daoism

None of these

Ahimsa

Nonviolence, a central Jain principle.

Sacred Objects of Native Religions

Object revered in Native Religions such as a tree, circle, thread, rivers, etc.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Offered a pig to Zeus on the alter in the temple. "Crazy man"

Elite Religion

Official version of a world religion that can be represented by its leaders and often looks down on popular religion

Popular Religion

Often has shrines and other offerings. People follow for every day needs. Very accomodating. A hybrid of world and indigenous religion

Occult

Often hidden and mysterious, revealed through the supernatural

Essenes

monastic jews who were living communally, apart from the world about the same time of jesus.

dharma

moral order, duty, righteousness, religion

how many reconstructionist synagogues are in the US?

more than 100

Jnana Yoga

most difficult of the four main paths of Yoga, requiring great strength of will and intellect

Amaterasu

most important kami "the heavenly shining one" manifestation of the sun

John Calvin (predestination)

most radical of protestors, if newton to correct and determinism is true then you have no free will. god determines all which equals no free will. *you can be a rapist and go to heaven or a priest and go to hell*

What is Orthodox Judaism?

most strict; live near synagogues so they can observe Sabbath

What is the shinto view on: sin

no sins

what is an "anonymous christian?"

people who are saved but don't claim to be christians

What does bodhisattva mean?

people who have achieved Nirvana but delay it to help others

What is vital force?

personal power; like mana

what were the prominent sects of judaism in the time of Jesus?

pharisees, sadducees, essenes, zealots

Immanence

philosophical and metaphysical theories of divine presence in which the divine encompasses or is manifested in the material world

immanent

present in the world

Who is Vishnu?

preserver and sustainer; god of love and benevolence; at least nine known avatars (incarnation) including Krishna and Buddha

Vishnu

preserver, sustainer, god of love and benevolence. At least 9 avatars (incarnations) including Krishna and Buddha.

brahmin

priest or member of the priestly caste

Brahmins

priests

izanagi-izanami

produce many kami after many generations Amaterasu (sun goddess appears) great grandmother of the first emperor

ritual

repeated and predictable actions used as expressions of faith/devotion in religion

what are the nine dimensions of the phenomenological approach?

ritual mythological doctrinal ethical social experiential aesthetic psychological biological

puja

ritual worship

63 bc

roman invasion by pompey temple destroyed and jews taken taken to rome and spain (sephardic jews)

Kshatriyas

rulers, warriors, nobles

What is shintai?

sacred objects of the shrine which are removed and paraded through the streets on special occasions

What is the Lotus Sutra?

sacred scripture of Buddhism; emphasis on it as the truest of teachings by Nichiren

What does puja mean?

sacrifice or act of worship dedicated to the gods

What does moksha mean?

salvation by getting off reincarnation merry-go-round

Who is Shang-ti?

supreme God or "heaven" in traditional Chinese culture

myths

symbolic stories that communities use to explain the universe and their place within it

What does the boiled egg represent in the Passover meal?

symbolizes crying after destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.

What is charoset?

symbolizes the mortar used in brick making

What does mandala mean?

symbols

Allegory

symbols, a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

Santeria

system of beliefs that comes from youba mythology

dogma

system of doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true and accepted as such

dogma

systems of doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true and accepted as such

sanskrit

the ancient language of india

Ascension

the ascent of Jesus to Heaven 40 days after his resurrection

monotheistic

the being worshiped in a singular form

Polytheism

the belief in or worship of more than one god.

atheism

the belief that a deity does not exist

incarnations

the belief that a deity employed a human manifestation

Vaishnava

the belief that the world is continually being reborn on a lotus growing out of Vishnu's navel

agnosticism

the belief that whether or not the divine exists is unknowable

humanism

the belief which promotes leading ethical lives and working for the good of humanity without belief in the supernatural

Pope

the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church

What do the bitter herbs represent in the Passover meal?

the bitterness of slavery

What is syncretism?

the blending of religions

What is Nihon Shoki?

the chronicles of Japan; also commissioned by Emperor Tenmu

secularism

the constitutional principle of not giving favored status to any religion

samsara

the continual round of birth, death, and rebirth

What is the Cup of Elijah in the Passover meal?

the cup of anticipation/hope; based on the idea that Elijah didn't die and wanders earth disguised as a poor beggar; door left open for him

Kali Yuga

the final age in which the world lives with egotism, ignorance, recklessness, and rampant war (which Hindus believe began in 3102 BCE)

gospel

the good news that God has raised Jesus from the dead and in so doing has begun the transformation of the world;usually now refers to the four books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronicling the life and works of Jesus

Dharma

the principle of cosmic order

secularism

the principle of not referring to religion in society

contextualization

the process by which the evangelist tries to situate the message in the receptor's culture

pluralism

the view that all religions are equally true; seeks to find the commonality in all religions **the religion does nothing more or nothing less than bring people into contact with the Real**

What does Theravada mean?

the way of the elders; focus on monks who can devote full attention to achieving Nirvana

the term shinto comes from the chinese shen-dao, which means ________________

the way of the gods

Kami no michi

the way of the kamis

suijin matsuri

water kami festival

What is Bhakti Yoga?

way of devotion

What is Vedantic Hinduism?

way of knowledge; based on Upanishads or Vedanta

What is Karma Yoga?

way of works

what is the definition of religion?

we don't really know

Who is Khadijah?

wealthy widow 15 years older than Muhammad; his first wife

rice planting

welcoming rice kami

What is the Universal House of Justice?

world headquarters of the Baha'i faith on Mt. Carmel, in Haifa, Israel

when _________________ ended, the occupation forces demanded that Japan become a secular country, and state Shinto was abolished.

world war II

Heart of shinto

worship of kami-spirits

shaiva

worshiper of shiva

shakta

worshiper of the divine in female form

Common Era

years after the traditional date used for the birth of Jesus, previously referred to in exclusively Christian terms as AD and now abbreviated to CE as opposed to BCE (Before Common Era)

can christians affirm what is good in other religions?

yes sirree

asana

yoga posture

Mahavira

"Great Man"; Found enlightenment through extreme asceticism and attained a kind of omniscience.

Uthman

Caliph who collected copies of the Qur'an and burned the variants.

Resurrection

Jesus' bodily rising from the dead on Easter

Yoga

Meditation that helps one achieve purity.

Alawites

Minority sect of Shi'ite Muslims who honor the 4th Caliph (Ali) as a deity.

Indigenous

(of a person) clever, original, and inventiv

What does Ekankar mean?

(one) (as in om) (the lord)

What is the shinto view on: the point at which the soul enters the body

**Could be either at birth or when the baby is initiated (32-33 days old)

kami

- "sacred" spirits - Izanami: female who invites - Izanagi: male who invites ----became cosmo parents of Islands of Japan - innate spiritual presence that is in all things

amaterasu

- "shining in heaven" - spirit of the sun - sent her grandson to bring order to the islands of Japan - great grandson Jimmu = Japan's first human emperor

What is ajiva?

"non-life" which includes rocks, dirt, etc.

Islamic law has had one school of interpretation throughout its history

False

Moral teaching is emphasized in early Shinto

False

Philosophical Daoism emphasizes right diet

False

Shinto is the state religion of Japan today

False

Sunni Muslims believe that Muhammad directly appointed his successor

False

The Chinese say that Confucius is the author of their culture.

False

Sunni Muslims are in the majority of Muslims worldwide

True

havan

a sacred fireplace around which ritual fire ceremonies are conducted

Om

Mantra that is supposed to represent the first and last letters of the alphabet together.

The Christian formula for the Trinity is that God exists as three persons in one substance

True

The concepts of atonement and sacrifice are included in the solution structure of Judaism

True

The goal of Confucianism is to become more fully human

True

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

popularized "Transcendental Meditation" in the West, gained fame as guru to the Beatles.

sannyasin

renunciate spiritual seeker

Points of contrast with Islam (listing)

1. Different understandings of the attributes of God 2. Conviction about divinity of Jesus and his incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. 3. Nature of Bible vs. nature of Qur'an

Garudhammas

1. A nun who has been ordained even for a hundred years must greet respectfully, rise up from her seat, salute with joined palms, do proper homage to a monk ordained but that day. 2. A nun must not spend the rains in a residence where there are no monks. 3 A Monk must not be abused or reviled in any way by a nun. 4 A nun, offending against an important rule, must undergo manatta discipline for half a month before both Orders.

10 wholesome actions

1. Abstaining from killing living beings 2. Abstaining from stealing 3. Abstaining from sexual misconduct 4. Abstaining from false speech 5. Abstaining from malicious speech 6. Abstaining from harsh speech 7. Abstaining from gossip 8. Abstaining from coveting 9. Abstaining from ill-will 10. Possessing Right Understanding of the Dhamma

points of contact with hinduism (listing question)

1. All-pervasiveness of the Divine 2. Spiritual v Material focus 3. Principle of reaping and sowing

Why do Muslim extremists hate America and her allies?

1. American support of Israel 2. America's invasion of Islamic Holy Lands 3. American moral decadence despite its reputation as a "Christian" nation

6 articles of faith

1. Belief in god 2. Belief in God's angels 3. Belief in God's revealed books 4. Beleid in prophets and messengers of God 5. Belief in the day of judgement 6. Belief in divine will or predestination

Points of contact with Islam

1. Belief in one God 2. Belief in Divine Revelation 3. Importance of submission to God.

Samanera

10 precepts for novice monks

Who is Gobind Rai?

10th guru; formed special militia called Khalsa "pure" in 1699; changed his name to Singh

Salafi Movement (wahhabiism)

1. "Salafiya" is name this group prefers; means "ancestors". 2. Initiated by Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792), an Arab religious reformer in Mecca and Medina, who perceived Islam had been corrupted in Middle Ages (example, Muslims worshipping Islamic saints); sought to return Islam to the Qur'anic roots of its ancestors. 3. Swayed the Sa'ud family that came to power in Saudi Arabia in early 19th century. Salafiya remain the chief religious leaders in Saudi Arabia. Osama bin Laden and many 9-11-01 "martyrs" associated with them.

Taliban

1. (Pashtun word for "students" or "disciples.") 2. Emerged in Afghanistan when Soviet Army withdrew in the 1990's. 3. Ultra-conservative sect made of mostly of members of the Pashtun tribe, they seized political power. 4. Its leaders were trained in the Islamic madrasas (religious schools) during the war. Driven from power by the Americans, but still influential.

Lottery in the SEA

Many SEA people use the occult to find lucky numbers through internal visions or dreams, the cultural environment and the natural environment

Islam's appeal at the time

1. Christians were perceived as prejudiced against Arabs; Muslims were not. 2. Political void easily filled by Islam 3. Islam was a simple religion 4. Arabs were traders; it became profitable for non-Muslims to convert for business purposes.

Alawites

1. A minority sect of Shīʿite Muslims living mainly in Syria. They practice a kind of syncretistic faith (considered heresy by most other Muslims) that honors Ali (the fourth caliph) as deity. 2. Alawite practices are secret, but they understand the "Five Pillars" as symbolic and do not practice them. 3. They trace their founding to the teachings of a 9th century imam named Muḥammad ibn Nuṣayr an-Namīrī.

What are the five pillars of Islam?

1. Confession of the Shahada 2. Pray 5 times daily 3. Alms 4. Hajj (pilgrimage) 5. Fasting during Ramadan

Most popular gods in hindu today

1. Shiva 2. Vishnu 3. Brahma 4. Devi

What is the importance of the Chou (Zhou) Dynasty?

1120-221 BC; longest dynasty in Chinese History; considered by Confucius to be a Golden Age

Protestant Reformation

16th century breakaway from the Roman Catholic Church

Council of Trent

17th century church gathering in which the Roman Catholic Church declared Protestants anathema

Calumet

A long-stemmed, ornamented tobacco pipe used by North American Indians on ceremonial occasions, especially in token of peace.

Shaman

A man or woman who has undergone spiritual ordeals and can communicate with the spirit world to help the people

Abu Bakr

1st Caliph, Muhammad's father-in-law.

What percentage of world's Muslims are Arabs?

20%

What is 1438-139 A.H. in Islam?

2017

1439 AH

2018 on Islamic Calendar.

5778 AM

2018 on the Jewish Calendar.

Nichiren

2nd most popular form of Buddhism in Japan.

what percentage of american jews identify as secular?

31%

How many gods are worshipped at the Kaaba?

360 idols

What is Kanreki?

60 years old, wears all red

What is Shich-Go-San festival?

7-5-3; November 15 each year in which girls ages 3 and 7 and boys ages 3 and 5 are presented to the guardian kami at the neighborhood shrine

What is al-Qaeda?

A militant Islamist organization founded by Osama Bin Laden in the late 1960's to support Muslim mujahedeen who fought the Soviet Army in Afghanistan.

Dong Co

An effeminate male spirit medium in Vietnam

Lifeway

An entire approach to living in which sacred and secular are not separate.

What is the division between Digambaras and Svetambaras in Jainism?

It is about proper attire; digambaras ("sky clad") believe they should wear nothing and svetambaras ("white clad") wear white robes

Ali Muhammad

Declared himself to be the mouthpiece of the "hidden imam", a "bab".

Mirza Husein Ali (a.k.a. "Baha'ullah")

Declared to be the Mahdi that Ali Muhammad had spoken about. Baha'ullah: "Glory of God".

Female ordained life

Can be described as liberating

How does one tame a female spirit?

Can be tamed if died peacefully at old age, or by a popular religious monk

Holi

Celebrates the coming of Spring and the defeat of the demoness Holika. Colors everywhere.

Eid ul Fitr

Celebrates the end of Ramadam with family gatherings, gifts and cards exchanged, special holiday meals, etc.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Celebrates the end of Ramadan with family gatherings, gifts, and cards exchanged, special holidays, meals, etc.

Pesach (Passover)

Celebrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt.

Purim

Celebration of the story of Esther

Buddhism Branch: Nichiren

Chant "Nam myoho renge kyo" and follow the Lotus Sutra.

New Testament

Christian Scripture concerning Jesus and the early church

Old Testament

Christian Scripture from before Jesus, shared with the Tanakh

What is Nihongi?

Chronicles of Japan

Eastern Orthodox

Church formed by the Great Schism in 1054 headed by the Patriarch of Constantinople

Brahma

Creator god.

What is Yom Kippur?

Day of Atonement, a time when Jews seek forgiveness of those who have been wronged; also the major fast of the year

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement, jews seek forgiveness for those who have been wronged, major fast of the year

Dharma

Duty as a member of a particular caste.

Bodhidharma

Founded Zen Buddhism.

Animism

From Latin "Spirit"; Religions that are not based on any Scriptures of founder.

What is shinto?

Fukk off cassie

What does Hina Matsuri celebrate?

Girls, doll festival, beauty

Shiva

God of destruction and reproduction.

Agni

God of fire, especially connected to priests who perform the sacrifices.

Soma

God of hallucinogenic plant consumed during sacrifice in his honor.

Gobind Rai

Guru who created the Khalsa.

Rig

Hymn; the oldest of the Vedas.

Hindu: where are we?

In an illusory world of endlessly repeated events.

5 K's of Sikhism

Kes (Uncut hair) Kangha (Small comb) Kirpan (Small dagger) Kacha (Knee-Length underpants) Kara (Steel bracelet)

Paul

Key figure in the spread of Christianity responsible for several letters in the New Testament

619

Khadijah dies. Muhammad takes many wives (at least 11 in all, possibly as many as 22), yet no male heir (Q 33:40; 33:50 cf. 4:3)

What is Shichigosan?

Kids 3-5-7, celebrating entry to middle childhood

What were the 2 introductions to Chinese writing?

Kojiki and Nihongi

4 branches of shinto today

Koshitsu/imperial jinja/sanctuary kyoha/sectarian minkan/popular

Kamikaze

Name of WW II Japanese pilots who flew suicide missions.

Indigenous

Native to an area

Kumbh Mela

Pilgrimage every twelve years to Allahabad on sacred River Ganges. Bathing in sacred waters bring purity. Estimated 80-120 million participated in last one in February 2013; organizers claim it is the largest religious gathering in the world.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca. Only muslims may visit Mecca

Mosque

Place of Prostration

Masada

Places where the Maccabean Revolt started and where it ended as the last holdout of the rebels. Where 960 committed mass suicide.

What are wish plaques and fortunes?

Plaque with wishes and prayers, fortunes on slip of paper

Mohandas Ghandi

Political and religious reformer who championed civil rights and Indian independence from British through non-violent civil disobedience. Given honorific title "Mahatama" "("great soul")

Arab Spring

Political movements in the Arab world began with great promise, but have resulted in chaos; ended peace talks.

Vishnu

Preserver, sustainer, god of love and benevolence. Has had at least 9 avatars.

John Wesley

Primary Founder of the Methodist Church

Martin Luther

Primary Instigator of the Protestant Reformation

Who is Arthur Balfour?

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1902 to 1905; Balfour Declaration named after which allowed Jews to work toward an independent state

Who is Malcom Little?

Prominent leader of Nation of Islam; went to court in Cairo to get proof that he was a genuine Muslim

Muhammad

Prophet of Allah who received the Qur'an, etc.

What is Omamori and Fuda?

Protection, good fortune

Baptism

Sacrament of initiation including sprinkling or immersion in water

Eucharist/Communion/Lord's Supper/Mass

Sacrament of taking bread and wine as Jesus' body and blood

Sri Guru Granth

Sacred text of Sikhism. Is put to bed and woken up each day.

Nembutsu

Said by people who follow Pure Land Buddhism to proclaim trust in Amida to save.

Moksha

Salvation. How to escape reincarnation.

What is the Shinto funeral?

Same as Buddhist "Born Shinto, die Buddhist"

3 Jewels

Sangha (Community of monks) Buddha Dhamma(Teachings)

Sanskirt

Sanskrit is the primary liturgical language of Hinduism

Samsara

Sanskrit word that means "wandering" or "world", with the connotation of cyclic, circuitous change

kundalini

Shakta practices used to raise spiritual energy up the spine

Tantras

Shakta texts which instruct worshipers how to honor feminine divine

Ren

Seek the welfare of others.

Narrow Stream of Death

Separates embodied and disembodies spirits.

4 Parajikas

Sexual Intercourse Steal Killing a human Lying about having supernatural attainments

5 Pillars of Islam

Shahada Pray Alms Hajj Fasting

Which of the following is the recitation of the creed of Islam?

Shahadah

monistic

beneath the multiplicity of apparent forms there is one underlying substance

What is Ladino?

Spanish in Hebrew letters

Great Schism

Split between Eastern and Western churches over "fillioque"

Judas Maccabees

Started the Maccabean revolt against Syria.

4 Kinds of Shinto:

State, Domestic, Shrine, Sectarian

Jihad

Struggle

Pentecost

The coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus disciples fifty days after his Resurrection

Creationism

The concept that God created everything as it is today, in 6 days. Creation is the opposite of the concept of evolution.

Samsara

The continual round of birth, death, and rebirth in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.

Tenzen Gyatso

The current Dali Lama who live in exile in India.

Samsara

The cycle of reincarnation.

What is the importance of: Izanami

The female aspect, co-creator with Izanagi

Brahman

The impersonal Ultimate Principle in Hinduism.

Sinicization

The influence of China on SEA

Amaterasu (Sun Goddess)

The red sun on the Japanese flag represents what?

Phenomenological approach

Understanding a religion from the perspective of those who practice it.

What is Yakudoshi?

Unlucky years (men 42, women 33)

Islamicization

Use Mosque's, Hala food, Arabic script. Brought Islam and Muslim to SEA

What is the aphikomen?

a broken piece of bread that is hidden until end of meal when children search for it.

Kami Dana

a center of symbols (sometimes on a shelf) in japanese homes honoring kami; shinto altar.

synod

a council of church officials called to reach agreement on doctrines and administration

Which of the following is not part of the structure of Western monotheisms: a) prophets b) a god who creates and transcends the world c) a cyclical concept of time d) a God who speaks in history

a cyclical concept of time

deva

a deity

Fudamentalism

a form of a religion, especially Islam or Protestant Christianity, that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture.

kami-dana

a kami shelf, or home shrine

abrogation

a later revelation (in the qur'an) trumps an earlier one.

What is abrogation?

a later revelation in the Qur'an that trumps an earlier revelation

what is misogi?

a lengthy ritual for purification (like under a waterfall). a major concern of Shinto.

matsur

a local Shinto festival that celebrates a local kami & invokes its presence

Samkhya

a major Hindu philosophical system which holds that the universe is made of three essential qualities whose balance governs the development of the world

Yoga

a major Hindu philosophical system which includes practices designed to achieve a desired state of balance, purity and wisdom

Avatars

a manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher.

hierophany

a manifestation of the holy

Symbol

a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process

shintai

a mirror, jewel, sword, etc. that the kami inhabits

Sacred Objects within a temple

a monk or group of monks must consecrate a Buddha statue made by an artist

fundamentalism

a mostly Protestant movement that began in the late 19th century insisting on biblical literalism and rejecting liberal theological trends

numinous

a nonrational, non-sensory experience of that which is totally outside the self and cannot be described

Shiva

a period of seven days' formal mourning for the dead, beginning immediately after the funeral.

Mata Amritanandamayi

better known as "Amma, the hugging saint," is said to have hugged more than 34 million people worldwide as a spiritual practice.

Shaman

a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits, especially among some peoples

Agnosticism

a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

What does nembutsu mean?

a phrase proclaiming trust in Amida to save; part of Pure Land Buddhism

Pilgrimage

a pilgrim's journey.

chakra

a subtle energy center in the body

myth

a symbolic story that communities use to explain the universe and humans' relationship to it

religion (working def)

a system of beliefs and practices that by mane so its cultus directs a person toward transcendence and, thus, provides meaning and coherence to a person's life

Dogma

a system of beliefs declared to be true by religion

scientific materialism

a theory to explain the fact that religion can be found in some form in every culture around the world

Myth

a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

What is tikkun olam?

a type of kindness to repair the world

what is plato's noble lie? and what other concept is it similar to?

a worldview created to unite the masses. social construction of reality

Fasting

a. No food or drink during daylight hours, not even saliva. b. Exceptions for weak, sick, children, etc.

rituals

actions are predictable and repeated rather than spontaneous

What is hadith?

additional writings, including the words and deeds of Muhammad and other extra-Qur'anic traditions, in six accepted collections

Hadith

additional writings, including the words and deeds of Muhammad and other extra-Qur'anic traditions, in six accepted collections.

Tantras

adherence to the doctrines or principles of tantras involving mantras, meditation, yoga, ritual

reincarnation

after death, rebirth in a new life

universalism

all are talking about the same indescribable thing in different languages or referring to different aspects of the same unknowable Whole

maya

all experience is illusion; only brahman is real

What does maya mean?

all experiences is illusion; only Brahman is real

Which of the following religions places great importance on God acting in history? a) all of these b) christianity c) judaism d) islam

all of these

what do universalists believe?

all people will be saved regardless of what they know or how they live

what do atheists or agnostics believe?

all religions are false

what do pluralists believe?

all religions are true

Clan ancestors

also nature kami legitimizes clans claim to social and political pre-eminence

absolutists

individuals who reject contemporary influence in their religion and affirm what they perceive as its historical core

parable

an allegorical story

Devi

an amalgamation of all goddesses

Vision Quest

an attempt to achieve a vision of a future guardian spirit, traditionally undertaken at puberty by boys of the Plains Indian peoples, typically through fasting or self-torture.

What does Brahman-Atman mean?

an impersonal essence, like electricity gods are like light bulbs

Brahman Atman

an impersonal essence, like electricity; gods (330 million of them) are like light bulbs. "Saguna Brahman" concept points to more personal attributes, but only as a concession to "weak" humans who long for a personal deity.

avatar

an incarnation of a deity

What does avatar mean?

an incarnation of deity

avatar

an incarnation of deity

fetish

an object that is inhabited by a spiritual force; it is then preserved and venerated

Ulrich Zwingli (Anabaptist)

anabaptist= against baptist. He stated that jesus's death meant nothing if we have a predetermined fate.

who is worshiped in animism?

ancestors

What is the Obon Festival?

ancestors are believed to return to this world to visit their relatives; Japanese hang traditional lanterns, visit graves, make offerings of food; at the end, people place floating lanterns in rivers and lakes to guide ancestors back home

how do people move from animism to polytheism?

ancestors are elevated to God-status and are given attributes like "truth" or "justice"

Who is Tathagata?

another name for Siddhartha Gautama; Thus Gone One

Who is Buddha?

another name for Siddhartha Gautama; awakened one

Who is Sakyamuni?

another name for Siddhartha Gautama; head of the Sakya clan

Gentile

any person who was not of Jewish faith or origin

Who is Theodor Herzl?

argued for the establishment of Jewish homeland in Palestine; Father of Zionism

inclusivism

attempts to bridge the gap between pluralism and exclusivism; claims that one religion is actually true, but that believers in other religions are actually included in that one religion and so are either followers of the religion without knowing it or at least receive the benefits of that one religion unbeknownst to them **"anonymous Christians"-Christians, but are truly devoted to reality and humanity** **inclusivism is thinly disguised exclusivism because it is based on the premise that the prototype religion is the only one true religion, and the others are true only to the extent that they chime in with the prototype religion, but false in other aspects**

comparative religion

attempts to understand and compare religious patterns found around the world

Christianity incorporates each of these Jewish ideas except: a) circumcision b) messiah c) goodness of creation d) atonement

circumcision

Kojiki

report of ancient things 712 Ce 7 generations of kami forms Japanese islands

ascetic

austere, detached from worldly comforts

what are the essential elements of the phenomenological approach?

background founder sects or institutions sacred texts main concepts important practices and rituals historical development

1917 CE

balfour declaration signed, allowed the jews to work toward the creation of a jewish state

What is Pure Land Buddhism?

based on a legendary Buddha named Amida who once lived on the earth as a legendary monk named Dharmakara, attained enlightenment in heaven; through pure thought produced a paradise for the faithful where everyone can attain enlightenment; pure thought achieved by constant repetition of the nembutsu

rituals in the shrines

before: cleansing and rinsing approaching: worshiper rings bell or claps after: carry food blessed by kami

Theism

belief in a deity or deities

What is original monotheism?

belief that God revealed himself in beginning as one true God and has testimony in other religious traditions. He set eternity in their hearts

Agnosticism

belief that if there is anything beyond this life it is impossible for humans to know it

Scientific materialism

belief that the only material world exists and that the supernatural is the only imagined by humans

Atheism

belief that there is no deity

Mysticism

belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.

What are the four major rites of passage?

birth, puberty, marriage, and death

What are the Vedas?

books of knowledge; written by Hindu wise men

Who is Kukai?

brought Shingon to Japan from China; considered the esoteric school of Buddhism

the entry of _________________ into Japan forced shinto to define itself. they preached that their deities were already being worshiped in japan under shinto names.

buddhists

what is the heart of rabbinic judaism and a safeguard against breaking the law of torah?

building a fence around the law

The hadith reports: a) were collected by those closest to Muhammad b) were compiled in several authoritative collections c) all of these d)tell about what Muhammad said and did

c all of these

What is Allah hu-Akbar?

call to prayer; God is greatest

What is the ritual dimension?

can either be seasonal, contingent, preventative, or curative; magic is usually involved; very worldly

Holi

celebrates coming of Spring, the defeat of demoness Hoika, and loyalty to Vishnu. People parade through streets spraying colored powder and water on each other. (February-March)

What is Holi?

celebrates coming of spring; defeat of demoness Holika and loyalty to Vishnu

Festival of Eid ul-Fitr

celebrates the end of Ramadan with family gatherings, gifts and cards exchanged, special holiday meals, etc.

What is the Golden Temple?

center of Sikhism in Amritisar; The Abode of God

shimenawa

ceremonial rope tied to front of shrine

Vaishyas

class of economic specialists in India

shudras

class of manual laborers and artisans in India

Who is Mao Zedong?

co-founded Chinese Communist Party; took control of government in 1949; led Cultural Revolution in 1966; attempted to eradicate all religious influence

Festival of Eid-ul-Adha

coincides with the Hajj, commemorates Abraham's near-sacrifice of Ishmael; families slaughter sheep, give portion to the poor.

Upanishads

collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature, written in India

Brahma

creator god; oldest and least popular of the 3.

Who is Brahma?

creator god; oldest least popular of three

exegesis

critical explanations or interpretations of religious texts in historical-critical studies

Arab spring

democratic political movements in Arab world began with great promise, have resulted in chaos, ended peace talks. Israelis call it "Muslim Winter"

What does anthropomorphism mean?

describing deity in human terms

Who are the 9 "babs?"

different religious manifestations of the one true God include Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'ullah

Atheism

disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.

comparative religion

discipline of religious study which attempts to understand and compare religious patterns in the world

what is another name for the conservative jews?

masorti

rituals

doing the right thing is more important than right belief, so rituals are very important, and longer ones are better

hina matsuri

doll festival

Asha is opposed by

druj

Sociological reduction of religion

emanations of a powerful social force; expressions of society's collective consciousness

in shinto mythology, the sun goddess Amaterasu sent her grandson to bring order to the islands of Japan. From her grandson came Jimmu, the first _________________ of Japan

emperor

What is Zen Buddhism?

emphasis on experiencing enlightenment by intuition without words, through various methods, based on legend that Buddha held flower without saying anything to make the point

What does om mean?

emphasis on saying the right words

"coming home"

encounters with the Unseen Reality

awakening

encounters with the Unseen Reality

ecstatic communion

encounters with the Unseen Reality

enlightenment

encounters with the Unseen Reality

gnosis

encounters with the Unseen Reality

illumination

encounters with the Unseen Reality

kensho

encounters with the Unseen Reality

realization

encounters with the Unseen Reality

self-knowledge

encounters with the Unseen Reality

Ki

energy (like ch'i or Qi)

Ramayana

epic attributed to bard Valmiki which describes duties of relationships by depicting ideal persons

What is the Bhagavad-Gita?

epic poem about Arjuna going to war with enemies, including some cousins; worried about effect on his karma; not being aggressive enough in battle; chariot driver Krishna (an avatar of Vishnu in disguise) encourages him to do his duty as member of he warrior caste, but with emotional detachment; Arjuna annihilates his enemies

Church

established religious traditions

Cycles-Circles

everything is the cosmos is intimately interrelated; circles is a sacred symbol because it has no beginning or end

Transcendence

existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level.

transcendent

existing above and outside of the material universe

cultus

external features, no matter how small, which have meaning only for the sake of the religious belief and would be unnecessary in other contexts

Vaisyas

farmers, merchants, traders

What are the five basic human relationships?

father/son: kindness/loyalty eldest brother/younger brother: gentleness/humility husband/wife: righteousness/obedience elder/junior: considerateness/deference ruler/subject: benevolence/loyalty

bon

feast of lights

shakti

feminine divine power

What is the shinto view on: sexuality

fine with all

umma

first group of faithful muslims

hana matsuri

flower festival, buddha's birthday

Shinto ethics

follow the will of the kami (who are not perfect), avoids moral absolutes, promotes harmony & purity

Who is Mirza Husein Ali?

follower of Ali Muhammad; declared himself to be the Madhi; called Baha'ullah; spent a majority of time in exile or prison; advocated many reforms for Islam; died in prison at Bahji;" "The Beauty of God, The Mystery of God and His Treasure, The Cause of God and His Glory"

prasad

food that has been sanctified by being offered to divine or one's guru

Ashura muharram the 10th

for Sunnis a beneficent holy day whose observance is based upon the Sunnah. For the Shiites, however, it is coincidentally the anniversary of the slaying of Imam Hussein, it is the culmination of a period of serious mourning.

yugas

four ages in which cosmic cycles are divided

shinto is known for its distinctive music, called _________________ , which uses instruments that make a flute like, reedy sound that seems close yet far away, timeless yet fresh and new.

gagaku

Raja Yoga

goal of yoga and not a method of attaining it

monism

god is everything and everything is god

Who is Agni?

god of fire, especially connected to priests who perform sacrifices

Who is Soma?

god of the hallucinogenic plant (mushroom) consumed during sacrifice in his honor

ohari

grand purification

5 precepts

harming living things. taking what is not given. sexual misconduct. lying or gossip. taking intoxicating substances eg drugs or drink

shukaku matsuri

harvest festivals

devekuth

having a direct vision of God

Who is Nichiren in Japan?

he is a dissatisfied Tendai monk who came to believe that absolute truth was embodied in the Lotus Sutra; nam myoho renge kyo

What is jihad?

holy war -to strive or to struggle -From the Qur'an: "And fight in the way of God with those who fight with you, but aggress not: God loves not the aggressors. And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you; persecution is more grievous than slaying. But fight them not by the Holy Mosque until they should fight you there; then, if they fight you, slay them—such is the recompense of unbelievers—but if they give over, surely God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate . . . Whoso commits aggression against you, do you commit aggression against him like as he has committed against you"

avatars

human incarnations of Vishnu that appeared during times of decay in dharma

Freud

human-centered approach to religion; people substitute an idealized father image that they refer to as "God"; thus, at the root, the religious vision is a symptom of psychological immaturity

Shintoism beliefs about people

humans are born pure & are basically good; do not believe in original sin

What does rig mean?

hymn

What does shirk mean?

idolatry; the worst sin

symbols

images from material world that are similar to spiritual experiences

Messiah

in Christianity, the "anointed one" Jesus Christ

apocalypse

in Judaism and Christianity the dramatic end of the present age

crucifixion

in Roman times, the execution of a Criminal by fixing him to a cross; with reference to Jesus, his death on the cross symbolic of his self-sacrifice for the good of all Humanity

gospels

in christianity the good news that god has raised jesus from the dead and is so doing has begun the transformation of the world.

1900-1500 bc

in egypt

most common kami

inari kami associated with rice, home and trades

bhakti

intense devotion to a personal manifestation of supreme reality

What is Philo's question on suffering?

is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. is he able, but not willing? then he is bad. if he is both willing and able, then where does evil come from?

Bhagavad-Gita

is a 700-verse Hindu scripture in Sanskrit that is part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata

What is U.N. Resolution 242?

it demanded that Israel withdraw to its pre-war boarders

anekantwad

jain principle of nonabsolutism, because truth has many aspects

Q

jesus sayings

Zealots

jewish resistance fighters who fought the romans and were defeated in the siege of jerusalem.

66-73 CE

jewish revolt against roman occupation temple destroyed again in 70 AD, 9th of Av

in the shinto creation myth, primeval chaos became populated by several generations of deities, or spirits, called _________________

kami

Shamanic rituals in shrines

kami usually possesses women shaman or miko

4,320,000 years

length of time a world cycle lasts according to Hindu though

Puranas

lengthy, heroic narratives and poems which promoted spiritual knowledge/devotion through national myths/legends

secularized

less influenced by religion

moksha

liberation

What does li mean?

like rules of etiquette advocating traditional Chinese customs, drawing from Confucius' knowledge of ancient Chinese culture during the Golden Age

karma

link between deeds and consequences; status at rebirth determined by karma

What does karma mean?

link between deeds and consequences; status at rebirth determined by this

Who is Tirthankara?

literally "ford finers;" enlightened ones who teach others how to cross over the stream of existence into Nirvana; more important than deities; 24 of them, Mahavira being one

Who is Mahavira?

literally "great man;" founder of Jainism; similar story to Siddhartha; found enlightenment through severe asceticism; died of starvation at age 72

What is kami?

literally "superior beings;" sacred spirits

What is a gurdwara?

literally means "guru's door;" Sikh temple

What does Shinto mean?

literally means "the way of the gods;" Japanese prefer kami-no-michi; belief that kami pervade everything; rooted in mythology

Threats to indigenous religions

losing their grounding in local communes and life ways losing their languages being devalued and suppressed by global religions, and becoming embroiled in non local economic systems.

What is the Talmud?

made up of the Mishnah and Gemara; rabbinic Judaism (commentaries ?)

Shinto- the arrival of Buddhism

main sources: kojiki and nihongi shamans conversed with good kami, combated bad kami used kagura performed by miko to call forth kami

Shaktas

major grouping of Hindus which includes those who worship some form of the goddess whose great power is called shakti

What is the evolution of religion?

mana (a spiritual force in the world), animism (personified spiritual forces), polytheism (elevated spirits to god-like status), henotheism (belief in many gods, but only one is supreme), monotheism (one god)

what are the stages of the biological explanation of religion?

mana, animism, polytheism, henotheism, monotheism

Sudras

manual laborers; there to serve the other tiers of the caste system

polytheistic

many attributes and forms of the divine are emphasized

patrical

meaning that men lead like father figures

symbol

metaphors or images/physical representations of the divine used to represent what may otherwise be unknowable to humans

Which of the following is not one of the streams of Judaism? a) reform b) conservative c) kabbalah d) mikveh

mikveh

What is Bushido?

military code of conduct adopted by the samurai

tsukimi

moon viewing

According to Islam, all creation is...

muslim

gnosticism

mystical perception of spiritual knowledge, applied to a second century CE movement arising in Egypt

What is Singh?

name given to Sikh men; means lion

Durga

name of "Devi" goddess which has beautiful face but has ten arms each holding weapons

allegories

narratives that use concrete symbols to explain abstract ideas

mori

natural places of worship (trees or water)

liminality

neither in the earlier stage nor having arrived at the new stage; in between rites of passage

shogatsul

new year

Can general revelation save someone?

no according to Paul

What is the shinto view on: repentance vs. purification

no repentance, but there is purification

What does anatman mean?

non-reality, non-self

aparigraha

nonacquisitiveness, a major Jain principle

What is the shinto view on: ascetism for Shinto Clergy

none

ahimsa

nonviolence, a central Jain principle

What is ahimsa?

not killing anything; most important vow of Jainism

agnosticism

not the denial of the divine, but feeling as if you don't know if it exists or not

What is totemism?

not worshipped; representative of a family; often could not eat the animal of family's totem

Scientific Materialism

nothing buy natural elements, principles, and relations of the kind studied by natural sciences

What does Nirvana mean?

nothingness; literally "blown out"

What is kami?

of different kinds- spirits in rocks, trees and mountains.

evangelical

of or according to the teaching of the gospel or the Christian religion.

What are kamis?

of trade groups, like fisherman, or deities of villages, families and the nation. neither good nor evil

fundamentalism

often applied to this selective insistence on parts of a religious traditions an violence against people of other religions

sacred

opposite of profane, the realm of ultimate reality, appearance of the infinite, Being. holy or blessed,connected with God (or the gods)

What does animism mean?

one name given for traditional religion; includes worship of many spirits

denomination

one of the Protestant branches of Christianity

what do exclusivists believe?

one religion is true and the rest are false

what do inclusivists believe?

one religion is true and the rest are partially true

profane

opposite of sacred, literally "outside the temple;" whatever is considered as impure or rejected by a group's sense of what is sacred

What does dharma mean?

one's cast duty; righteousness

What does kathenotheism mean?

one-god-at-a-time-ism

What are the 3 kinds of oneness?

oneness of God, oneness of humanity, oneness of religion

imperial shinto

only by imperial family

what is the mishna?

oral interpretations of the rabbis on the law

What does seder mean?

order

caste

originally an occupational category; hereditary classes in which people are born

which jewish sect includes the haredim or charedim? dress traditionally? don't pay taxes?

orthodox

which jewish sect is the strictest?

orthodox

karma

our actions and their effects on this life and lives to come

dualistic

our ordinary experience of the world is that our self is separate from the world of objects that we perceive

untouchables

outcast cast of India who do work such as remove waste and corpses from streets

sacrament

outward and visible sign of Inward and spiritual Grace

cultural forms

parts of objects that do not contribute directly to their pure function, such as decorations on pottery and designs on clothes

metaphysics

philosophy based on theories of subtle realities that transcend the physical world

incarnation

physical embodiment of the Divine; in Christianity, with particular reference to Jesus' becoming man

what happens in henotheism?

people believe in many gods but worship one as supreme

What is the sociological/anthropological explanation for religion and who is it associated with?

people invented religion for the sake of social cohesion, Plato

What is the psychological explanation for "where does religion come from?"

people invented religion to fulfill their emotional needs e.g. Freud

What is the psychological explanation for religion and who is it associated with?

people invented religion to fulfill their emotional needs, Freud

What is the sociological explanation for "where does religion come from?"

people invented religion to fulfill their perceived social needs e.g. Plato's "noble lie"

what does the biological explanation of religion assume?

people move from low to high religion

Gurus

play significant role for those who follow "way of knowledge." Many Hindus can name the guru whose teaching they follow. Some famous gurus with many followers include: 1. Ram Roy 2. Swami Ramakrishna 3. Swami Narayan 4. Mohandas Ghandi 5. Abhay Charan De 6. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi 7. Mata Amritanandamayi

Tsumi

pollution/sin; they are very concerned with being pure; impurity is anything that separates us from kami, including disease, disaster, and error; can be gotten rid of thru cleansing rituals

during which stage does the use of "magic" become worship?

polytheism

What type of religion is Shinto?

polytheistic

what is the critical theory explanation for religion?

post-colonial study of religion that recognizes the inherent biases in western approaches, especially with regard to cultural imperialism

What is langar?

potluck of a Sikh service; represents symbolic attempt to eliminate caste system

What are some key concepts of traditional religions?

power, appeasement, harmony, and cyclicity

yoga

practices for union with the true self

puja

public worship in which Brahman recite Sanskrit texts

Shinto classes

pure land Buddhism: middle class Zen Buddhism: upper class Shinto: common people

spirituality

purely personal and private matter that need not show up in any external manner

what is the gemara?

rabbinic commentaries on the mishna

charisma

rare quality of personal magnetism often ascribed to founders of religion

orthodox

stand by historical form of their religion, strictly following practices, laws and creeds

misogi

standing under a waterfall

Reincarnation

rebirth of a soul in a new body

What is Guanxi?

reciprocal relationships or networking is practical manifestation of these principles in modern China

What is Kojiki?

record of ancient matters; includes myths and historical narratives of ancient Japanese culture

synoptic

referring to three similar books of the Christian Bible: Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Kundalini

refers to a form of primal energy

Collective unconscious (Jung)

refers to structures of the unconscious mind which are shared among beings of the same species

what is the largest american sect of judaism?

reform

which jewish sect is the most theologically liberal?

reform

What are the different types of jewish sects in america today?

reform, conservative, orthodox, reconstructionist

Freudian reduction of religion

regarding god as an illusion based on the infantile need for a powerful father figure; religion necessary to help us restrain violent impulses earlier in the development of civilization can now be set aside in favor of reason and science

Shintoism is

the Japanese devotion to invisible beings & powers called kami, to shrines, & to various rituals; considered an aspect of Japanese life since ritual, not belief, is important; because of this, they are not interested in missionary work

Gnostic

relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge.

Moksha

release from the cycle of rebirth impelled by the law of karma.

Zen Buddhism

relies on personal insights that are achieved apart from any supernatural help

what is low religion?

religion is only used as a means to help someone gain things in life. Ex. sacrificing to a God to have a good growing season

What is high religion?

religion that is taken more seriously by the adherents. Helps them contemplate deep questions of life.

theistic

religions based on one's relationship to a divine being

monistic

religions which hold there is one underlying principle or substance

exclusivist

religious authorities that claim they worship the only true deity and label all others as pagans or nonbelievers

What does sannyasin mean?

renouncer; person who has renounced everything in total devotion to contemplation

What is filial piety?

respect for one's parents

what approach does Paul suggest for engaging other religions?

respectful, informed, persuasive

vedas

revered ancient scriptures

What are some examples of the Kami?

rice, scholar, war, cucumber

kagura

ritual dance

What does ren mean?

seek the welfare of others; Confucius' inverted "Silver Rule:" Do not do unto others what you do not wish them to do unto you

What is narrow stream of death?

separates embodied and disembodied spirits

What is the Torah?

the first five books of the OT

Jesus

the founder and key figure of Christianity

What is evil eye?

shame culture; person must avoid eye contact in order to not curse someone

According to Islam, the crucial spiritual disease that infects humanity is...

shirk

Buddhism and shinto

similarities between venerating the kami and the budhissattus and shrine visits

What is kamidana?

small shrine where kami are venerated with daily offerngs

The problem that Confucius faced was:

social anarchy

Karl Marx

social philosopher who argued that a culture's religion arises from its economic framework

Dharma

societal moral order; Eastern version of Western religion

miraj

some believe the night journey was just a vision

What is "ladino?"

spanish written with hebrew letters

Transcendent

spiritual reality that exists apart from the material universe

guru

spiritual teacher

Oral traditions

storytelling and singing are the vehicles for the teaching and passing on sacred knowledge among indigenous peoples with no books

what is cherished pluralism?

the good things about diversity

what is the historical approach to the study of religion?

study historical development of a religion

what is the geographical approach to the study of religion?

study religions that dominate a certain area

karma

subtle matter or particles that accumulate on the soul as a result of one's thoughts and actions.

caliph

successor

What does lama mean?

superior

tirthankaras

the great enlightened teachers in Jainism, of whom Mahavira was the last in the present cosmic cycle

what do the reform jews call their place of meeting?

temple

profane

term used in comparative religion to describe everyday world and ordinary occurrences

sacred

term used in comparative religion to describe realm of extraordinary, purposeful, but generally imperceptible forces

theistic

term used to describe religions based on a deity

exclusivist

term used to describe religious authorities that claim there is only one true deity and label those who worship others as nonbelievers

Devi

term used to generically refer to Shakta goddess

transcendental

term which describes existence outside of the material universe

immanent

term which describes the experience of worldly reality

sutra

terse spiritual teaching

Shotoku Taishi

the (Japanese) prince who helped establish buddhism in Japan

Bhagavad-Gita

the 18th book of the Mababharata where Krishna appears as the charioteer of Arjuna who is preparing to fight the virtuous side of a battle in which family members will fight one another

Eucharist

the Christian Sacrament by which Believers are renewed in the mystical Body of Christ by partaking of bread and wine, understood as his body and blood

Holy Trinity

the Christian doctrine that in the one God are three Divine persons; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

What is Dr. Cox's critique of the biological explanation of religion?

the different stages can exist in the same belief system, evidence of monotheism in primitive cultures, and the tendency is to move backwards through the stages

Karma Yoga

the discipline of selfless action as a way to perfection

what is the definition of general revelation?

the divine disclosure to all persons at all times and places by which one comes to know who God is and what he is like

Monotheism

the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.

Monotheism

the doctrine or belief that there is only one deity.

What is torii?

the easily recognized archway made of two vertical and two horizontal beams that marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine

redaction

the editing or organizing of scripture

fundamentalism

the enforcing of historic traditions by authorities declaring themselves absolute authorities or declaring scripture literally and exclusively true

profane

the everyday world of seemingly random, ordinary, and unimportant occurances

what is the biological explanation for religion?

the evolution of religion

What is the biological explanation for "where does religion come from?"

the evolution of religion: assumes people move from low (power/control) to high (truth/ultimate meaning) religion

what is empirical pluralism?

the fact of diversity

transcendence

the feature of religion that directs us beyond the mundane; can come to us in many different ways, through supernatural agencies or through metaphysical principles

globalization

the homogenized cultural and social patterns fueled by industrial growth that has resulted in better communications, transportation, etc.

Who is Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)?

the hugging saint; said to have hugged more than 34 million people worldwide as a spiritual practice

Gaia theory

the hypothesis that the earth is a self-regulating system

what is philosophical pluralism?

the idea that all belief systems are equally valid

atman

the individual soul

spirituality

the inner dimensions of religion, such as experiences, beliefs, and values

prana

the invisible life force

What is the "bread of affliction" in the Passover meal?

the matzos; three whole pieces per seder plate

What does the Charoset symbolize?

the mortar used in brick making.

Vedas

the most ancient Hindu scriptures, written in early Sanskrit and containing hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual for the priests of Vedic religion

What are Jains?

the name of those who follow Jainism

Kshatriyas

the nobility class of feudal India

Pentecost

the occasion when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples of Jesus after his death

exclusivism

the opposite of pluralism; the view that only one religion is true and that all others are false

What is quietism?

the opposite of strivinig

mysticism

the perception of truth beyond limits of human reason, senses, and blind belief (i.e. enlightenment, realization, awakening)

faith perspective

the perspective that there must be an ultimate reality that cannot readily be perceived

functional perspective

the perspective which suggests religion exists for practical reasons such as making life comprehensible and teaching social virtues

upanishads

the philosophical part of Vedas

universalism

the philosophy that all religions could be describing the same unknowable deity or power

The Hajj refers to which of the pillars of Islam...

the pilgrimage to Mecca

kali yuga

the present degraded era

sacred

the realm of the extraordinary, beyond everyday perceptions, the supernatural, holy

Vedas

the religious texts that provide the foundation of Hinduism

Resurrection

the rising of Christ in his Earthly body on the first Easter Day, 3 days after his crucifixion and death

torii

the sacred gates of the shrine

incartnations

the sacred reality is usually invisible, but occasionally appears visibly in human form

What is Agamas?

the sacred text of Jainism; means "tradition"

What are the three jewels?

the sangha: community of monks; Buddha; dhamma (teaching)

What is gheta?

the sector of the city with iron works

jiva

the soul

Atman

the spiritual life principle of the universe, especially when regarded as inherent in the real self of the individual.

pantheon

the sum total of gods and goddesses within a particular religion

According to Shinto myth, the Japanese imperial family is traceable back to:

the sun goddess

brahman

the supreme reality

Aryan Invasion Theory

the theory that suggests lighter skinned peoples called Aryans invaded from the North who were primarily involved in creating the Vedas

scientific materialism

the theory that the supernatural is invented by humans and only the material world exists

jati

the thousands of groups which divide Hindus into common geographical origin, language, food, etc.

rites of passage

the transitions must mark major shifts in person's lives that affect the core of their identity; the ritual itself must bring about the passage

Inquisition

the use of force and Terror to eliminate heresies and non-believers in the Christian church, starting in the 13th century; a specific institution of this name set up in Spain in 1478

Shinto literally means

the way of the gods

samsara

the worldly cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

What is Tao-de-ching?

the writing of Taoist teachings; Lao-zi reportedly wrote it one sitting; Book of the Way and its Power; third most translated book

Who is the father of zionism?

theodor herzl

how does Van Voorst distinguish between "theology" and "religious studies?"

theology - study of religion in order to promote it religious studies - academic study of religion that seeks to understand the religions in a neutral way

Intelligent design

theory that has been cited to support the religious concept of creationism

Ludwig Feuerbach

theory that the concept of God is actually a combination of idealized human traits; therefore, a person who worships God is really worshiping an idealized self-image

epics and Puranas

these helped spread Hindu teachings to the masses when Buddhism and Jainism were gaining popularity

Why do people use "magic" in religious practices?

they use magic to try to manipulate an impersonal power

Hafiz

those who have memorized the entire qur'an

absolutists

those who resist contemporary influences and affirm what they perceive as the historical core of their religion

Synoptic

three of the gospels, matthew, mark, and luke are so similar called synoptic gospels. referring to the fact that they can be seen together as presenting rather similar views of jesus's career.

What is the shinto view on: the function of shinto clergy

to bless/offer blessings

mysticism

to perceive truth directly, beyond the senses, beyond the limits of human reason, beyond blind belief

jinja

traditional architecture of shrines

The cross-bar gateway leading up to a Shinto shrine is known as:

torii

What are "torii?" what role do they play in Japanese shrines, called "jinja?"

torii are entryways into a sacred place.

Who are the Shi'ites?

trace heritage to Ali as rightful successor to Muhammad and with similar authority and "divine guidance"

3760 BC

traditional year of creation 2017 = 5777

What happened in 3760 BCE in Judaism?

traditional year of creation; year 0 on Jewish calendar

early Shinto

traditions centered around agricultural festivals, clan/family loyalty, and reverence for life

What does Sat Nam mean?

true name

Honji suijaka

true nature, trace manifestations

setsubun

turn of the seasons

Ramayana and Mahabharata

two great epics when present the Supreme (usually Vishnu) intervening in critical periods during Earth's cosmic cycles

The solution to humanity's disease, according to Islam, is

unconditional surrender

What are the 5 K's of Khalsa?

uncut hair, small comb, small dagger, knee-length underpants, steel bracelet

what is the phenomenological approach to the study of religion?

understanding the religion from the perspective of one who practices it

dalits

untouchables or outcastes; means downtrodden; ghandi called them children of god

Marxist reduction of religion

useful to the ruling classes since it gave the working classes false hope for millennia; form of protest by the working classes against their poor economic conditions and their alienation

Who is Amaterasu?

veneration of the sun goddess is the basic of Japanese mythology

What does koan mean?

verbal puzzles that develop mental concentration

darshan

visual contact with the divine

What is qi (chi)?

vital force; both personal and impersonal

what are the five worldview questions?

where are we? who are we? what's the problem? what's the solution? how do we know?

Bhaki Yoga

which means "to adore or worship God.

What is yin v. yang?

wind and water; opposite forces that hold universe together in perfect balance

kaza matsuri

wind kami festival

Who is Buraq?

winged horse Muhammad rode on to Mecca