Religion and Culture in Asia: Exam 1 Terms_infr

Matriarchy

A system or society or government ruled by 1 or more females. A form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line.

Mahabharata

A Sanskirt epic principally concerning the dynastic struggle and civil war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas in the kingdom of Kurukshetra about the 9th century BC, and containing the text of the Bhagavad-Gita, numerous subplots, and interpolations on theology, morals, and statecraft.

Shaman

A person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits, especially among some peoples of northern Asia and North America. Typically such people enter a trance state during a ritual, and practice divination and healing.

Social Scientists

A person who studies human society, and individual relationships. Includes sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history.

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.

Humanist

Advocate of the principles of humanism. Humanism being the philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings. Opposed to blind submission to tradition, authority, cruelty and brutality.

Mahavira

Also known as Vardhamana. Last Jain; left his home in pursuit of spiritual awakening. Taught Jain philosopy. Believed to have attained moksha. Born in 599 BCE, died 527 BCE.

Heretic

Any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs. Typically associated with post-modern.

Puranas

Any of class of Sanskirt sacred writings containing Hindu legends and folklore of varying date and origin, the most ancient of which dates from the 4th century AD.

Ainu

Are the indigenous people of Japan and Russia. Predominant in 1900s and prior, but have assimilated into present-day Japanese and Russian populations.

Monsoon Asia

Areas influenced by climate change

Indus Valley Civilization

Bronze Age civilization (3300-1300 BCE; mature period 2600 -1600 BCE) mainly in the northwestern regions of South Asia. Present day: Afghanistan, Pakistan and to northwest India. One of three early civilizations of the Old World.

Postmodern

Collapse of sacred stories, no universal truths, knowledge relative, resurgence of religion in public life, religions expand beyond birthplace ( Diaspora) , more people become heretic

Upanishads

Collection of religions and philosophical texts written in India approximately between 800 BCE and 500 BCE, during a time when Indian society started to question the traditional Vedic religious order.

Secular

Denotes attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religions or spiritual basis. Separation of church and state.

Bhakti

Devotional worship directed to one supreme deity, usually Vishnu ( or as his incarnations) or Shiva, by whose grace salvation may be attained by all regardless of sex, caste, or class.

Imagined Community

During colonial era, nations were created that did not exist previously. In order to create a nation, an imagined community ( common identity) had to be implemented to unite.

Premodern

Encompasses all religions. Pre-Historical --> before 3000 BCE Formative --> beginning 3000 BCE Classical --> beginning 800 BCE

Tantras

Esoteric traditions. ( Intended for small number of people)

Theocracy

Form of government in which a deity is the source from which all authority derives.

Great/Little Tradition

Great traditions referred to large religions such as Hinduism, while Little traditions regarded indigenous religions. Term introduced in 1950s by anthropologist Robert Redfield.

Shiva

He is the supreme God and one of the most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism.

Yoga

Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation and the adoption of specific bodily posters, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

Scholars have categorized traditions originating in the Middle East and South Asia (including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism) as "transcendentalist," i.e., focused on spiritual, "other worldly" concerns, whereas traditions originating in China (particularly Confucianism and Daoism) have been termed as "secular" or "humanist," i.e., concerned with "this world" and human matters. Based on the understanding you have gained on the development of religious traditions in India during the premodern era, critique this categorization. Do you agree or disagree with this categorization? Why? Make sure to provide examples from the material we have examined to support your arguments.

I understand the categorization but ultimately disagree with it. I disagree because these understandings were formulated based on a preconception of tradition and religion, they were made with an already formed opinion of what "transcendentalism" and "secularism" is. The anthropologists who have made these categorizations were outsiders to these cultures and therefore unable to understand these traditions from the perspectives of the communities who did indeed practices these activities. There are have been other cases where a categorization made by a scholar has been rejected by present day scholars; for example Robert Redfield. The scholar who created the notion of Great and Little traditions. The ideas these anthropologists have noted are prevalent in both traditions as well. Such as the observations made by Murphey and Stapleton, the ideas "transcendentalism" and "secularism" are not unique to South Asia and Eastern Asia, respectively.

Bhagavad Gita

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

Vishnu

Is one of principal deities of Hinduism, and the Supreme Being. Along with Brahma and Shiva, Vishnu forms a Hindu trinity; however, ancient Hindu tests do mention other trinities of gods or goddesses.

Vedanta

It represents the divergent philosophical views of more than 10 schools - all developed on the basis of a common textual connection.

Kama

Literal definition is pleasure. Basic sense is that pleasure shouldn't be suppressed, but should be experienced with moderation. Means to act virtuously and righteously.

Artha

Literally translates as "meaning, sense, goal, purpose or essence" Refers to pursuit of material well-being and political power.

Dharma

Living by what is expected of you ( based on your caste, duty and mission). Hinduism: the principle of cosmic order Buddhism: the teaching/religion of Buddha

Modern

More private, public is more secular ( mid 20th century), emergence of fundamentalism, ends with collapse of western colonialism

Brahman

Refers to the concept of transcendent and immanent ultimate reality, Supreme Cosmic Spirit in Hinduism. Central to Hindu philosophy.

Karma

Sanskirt for "action" , "work" or "deed". Refers to spiritual principle of cause and effect.

Samsara

Sanskrit word for "wandering" or "world" with the connotation of cyclic, circuitous change. Refers to the theory of rebirth and cyclicality of all life, matter, and existence. Reincarnation.

Orientalism

Style, artifacts or traits considered characteristic of the peoples and cultures of Asia. Western style for domination and establishing authority. Stereotype of colonialist attitude. Term employed during 18th and 19th centuries, by colonizing Europeans.

Ganesh

The Lord of Good Fortune who provides prosperity, fortune and success. He is the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds.

Vedas

The most ancient Hindu scriptures, written in early Sanskrit and containing hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual for the priests of Vedic religion. Believed to have been directly revealed to seers among the early Aryans in India, and preserved by oral tradition, the four chief collections are the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. Introduced in approximately 1700-1100 BCE.

Ahimsa

The principle of nonviolence toward all living things. Concept within Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain tradition.

Cosmology

The science of origin and development of the universe.

Moksha

Ultimate liberation of life/death cycle. Gain of ultimate knowledge. Release from Samsara.

Fundamentalism

Upholds belief in strict, literal interpretation of scripture. Strict adherence to basic principles of any subject or discipline. Began around 19th century.