Religions of the World- Final (Burnight)

According to the 2nd century BCE Hindu sage Patanjali, what is the main purpose of yoga?

"Yoga is about stopping the chaos of the mind"

Karma (Hinduism)

"deeds" or "actions"

Arjuna

(Hindu mythology) the warrior prince in the Bhagavad-Gita to whom Krishna explains the nature of being and of God and how humans can come to know God

Sanskrit

(Hinduism) an ancient language of India (the language of the Vedas and of Hinduism)

Purusha

(Hinduism) cosmic man sacrificed and split into 4 to create caste system

After the Buddha's death, what was the name of his follower who oversaw the collection and organization of his teaching into a body of sacred scripture? What was this early body of Buddhism scripture called?

1) Ananda 2)The Tripitaka

According to Muslim tradition, to which TWO destination did Muhammad go on his famous "Night Journey" from Mecca?

1) Jerusalem 2) 7 Heavens

In order, what are the "Four Noble Truth" of Buddhism?

1) Life is Dukkha ("suffering" or "unsatisfactory") 2) Tanha (Desire, Attachments, Cravings) cause Dukkha 3) If you eliminate Tanha, then you will eliminate Dukkha. 4) 8 Fold Path eliminates Tanha

What are the meanings of Muslim?

1) One who is at peace 2) One one submits (to God's will)

What are the two primary meanings of the word "Islam" in Arabic?

1) Peace 2)Submission

What are the five pillars of Islam?

1) Shahadah (witness or testimony) 2) Salah (prayer) 3) Zakah (poor tax) 4) Sawn (Fasting) 5) Haji (pilgrimage)

Jihad Meaning

1) Struggle (struggle with self) 2) Holy War

What are the name of the two major schools of Buddhism we've discussed, and how are those names translated?

1) Theravada "way of the elders" very traditional/individual centered 2) Mahayana "Great Raft" very community based, need to help each other out.

What are the four levels of the caste system in Vedic Hinduism?

1. Brahmins-Priests 2. Kshatriges -Warriors/Kings 3. Vaishyas- Merchants 4. Shudras- Peasents/Servants

What are the "three jewels" of Buddhism?

1. I go to the Buddha for refuge. 2. I go to the Dhamma for refuge . 3. I go to the Sangha for refuge.

In order, what are the four conditions/staged for the Atman, according to the Upanishads?

1. Normal life 2. sleep with dreams 3. sleep without dreams 4. Awakened life: One with Brahman

transfer of merit

A Mahayana Buddhist belief that one can dedicate one's good karma to others

The Kaaba

A black stone building in Mecca that is shaped like a cube and that is the most sacred Muslim pilgrim shrine

Upanishads

A group of writings sacred in Hinduism concerning the relations of humans, God, and the universe.

Agni & Soma

Agni Sacrificial Fire Understood As God. Soma Plant understood as God; Used by Brahmin priests in teas as well.

Allah

Arabic word for God

Hadith

Are the accounts of sayings and activities of Muhammad and his companions

In Hindu thought, what are the two elements associated with a person that pass from life to life in Samsara? (I.e. what two things "transmigrate" through the process of death and rebirth)? Please use the Sanskrit names:

Atman and Karma

What is Eid?

BIG FESTIVAL!! The end of Ramadan. (Drinking is not cool in Islam)

Sharia

Body of Islamic law that includes interpretation of the Quran and applies Islamic principles to everyday life

Who or what is "Brahman" in the Upanishads?

Brahman- Reality/ground of being

Sangha (Buddhism)

Buddhist communities of monks, nuns, novices and laity; Monasticism

Essay Question: Provide examples of some of their ritual practices and ethical teachings, comparing and contrasting them where appropriate.

Christianity/Islam: Hinduism: Buddhism:

Essay Question: What does each religion teach about the nature of "salvation" or "deliverance" (i.e.what happens when you die, and what is to be sought after death)?

Christianity/Islam: You can be saved from your sins by asking for forgiveness and having a relationship with god" Hinduism: Buddhism:

Essay Question: What beliefs does each religion hold about God/gods/high powers? The creation/nature of the world?

Christianity/Islam: in the beginning - God started creation the first day - light was created the second day - the sky was created the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of God were created by day seven, God finished his work of creation and rested, making the seventh day a special holy day Hinduism: For Hindus the universe was created by Brahma, the creator who made the universe out of himself. After Brahma created the world, it is the power of Vishnu which preserves the world and human beings. As part of the cycle of birth, life and death it is Shiva who will ultimately destroy the universe. Buddhism: Buddhism is a religion that does not include the belief in a creator deity, or any eternal divine personal being. Buddhist teachings state that there are divine beings called devas (sometimes translated as 'gods') and other Buddhist deities, heavens, and rebirths in its doctrine of saṃsāra, or cyclical rebirth. (Ask Burnight about this???)

According to the Bhagavad Gita, what is the easiest way to archive liberation from Samsara?

Devotion (Bhakti) to Lord Krishna

How are people equal within Islam?

EVERYONE is equal with Islam! There is no good or bad seat in a mosque because there are no seats!

Suddhartha Gautama

Founder of Buddhism (Buddha)

Which of the following best characterizes Sidhartha Gautama?

He was from a wealthy Kshatriya (warrior/king) clan, raised as a prince.

What appears to have been the Buddha's attitude about the existence of God/gods?

He was generally uninterested in the question

Dharma (Hinduism)

In Hindu belief, a person's religious and moral duties, this helps you move up the caste system

Essay Question: Does the view of Krishna presented in the Bhagavad Gita, and/or the Buddha in Mahayana texts, show any similarities to any of the characters we've studied in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam? Provide specific details/comparisons.

Judaism/Christianity/Islam: Hinduism: Buddhism:

What is a Imma?

Leader of every mosque

Samsara (Hinduism)

Life cycle

What is the meaning of Sanskrit?

Means "perfected speech"

The Caliph

Means Successor, they are: 1) Iman (spiritual leader) of the Umma 2) Political Leader 3) Military Leader Note: The Caliph was not viewed as a prophet.

In Islamic History what is the Hijra/Hegira (622 CE)?

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina and the start of the Muslim calendar

Define "Shruti", and give an example of it that we have discussed in class.

Old category of Hinduism scripture. Means "that which is heard". example of text: Rig Veda

"People of the book"

People of the Book (Arabic: أهل الكتاب, romanized: Ahl al-Kitāb) is an Islamic term which refers to Christians, Jews, Sabians (commonly identified with the Mandaeans) and Zoroastrians, all of whom are mentioned in the Quran.

In Buddhism, what is the term for the 5 "chains" or "strings" (also called "aggregates") that create-self consciousness and keep a person attached to the cycle of death and rebirth (Samsara)?

Skandha

What's the difference between Sunna and Shiatu Ali (Shia/Shitte)?

Sunna/Sunni are "Tradition/custom" 87% of Muslims are this. They accept Muawiyyah. Shia/Shiite "supporters of those only blood relatives of Muhammad as a Caliph" 12% of Muslim are this.

What is NOT considered one of the "Three Jewels" of Buddhism.

Tanha

Mahaprajapati

The Buddha's aunt and foster mother. She asked the Buddha to permit herself and five hundred women to join the Buddha as his followers. When he finally agreed, the order of Buddhist nuns was created.

What is an avatar? (Hinduism, Not the last air bender!!)

The Gods can manifest as things or people in our human world

Dukkha (Buddhism)

The first of the Four Noble Truths, the basic Buddhist insight that suffering is part of the human condition.

Koran (Qur'an)

The holy book of the Islam faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

Anatman (Buddhism)

The principle that there is no eternal self

Trimurti

Three forms of the divine. Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer)

True OR False: Shiites (Shia Muslims) believe that Ali was designated by Muhammad to be his successor (caliph), and that legitimate caliphs should be a blood relative of Muhammad (like Ali, who was his cousin).

True

The Dhammapada

a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures

Bodhisattva

a person who has attained enlightenment but who has postponed nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment

Krishna

avatar of Vishnu, in Bhagavad-Gita. Throughout the epic, Krishna serves as Arjuna's friend, philosopher and guide

The Battle of Badr

first major battle between 1,000 Meccans and Medinans (Muhammad's army of 319) seen as a miraculous victory by the Muslim forces. This proves Muhammad as a military leader

Ashoka the great

grandson on Chandragupta Maurya; took Mauryan dynasty to its heights; converted to Buddhism and preached nonviolence

Maya

illusion/projection

Moksha (Hinduism)

liberation from samsara (reincarnation)

Atman (Hinduism)

soul/self

Dhamma/Dharma

teachings of Buddha, also the truth

Smriti

the body of Hindu sacred writings containing traditional teachings (as on religious, domestic, and social practice) based on the Vedas and forming the class of shastras below the sruti.

Nirvana (Buddhism)

ultimate reality/goal, the end of suffering, enlightenment