world religions final

Theravadin Buddhism 10 precepts

applies to all 1. do not harm any living being 2. do not take what has not been given to you 3. do not be sexually immoral (monks need to be celibate) 4. do not lie 5. do not partake in alcoholic drinks applies to monks and laity on special days 6. do not eat in excess after noon 7. do not attend entertainments 8. do not decorate self with jewelry, etc. applies to monks only 9. do not sleep on high or wide beds 10. do not touch gold / silver (use money)

spirituality

as of the past 100 years, this term is not synonymous with religion does not necessarily involve a cultus

dharma (Hinduism)

cosmic law which underlies social orders behaviors. what you abide by in your current life/caste will get you to a better life/caste

the Pittsburg Document of 1885

creed of reform Judaism clear issues of how one interprets scripture

Ka'ba

cube in the heart of Mecca inside there is a "black stone" shrine containing hundreds of sacred objects Muslims consider this a part of the "Jehiliah"

Ed Stetzer on contextualization

culture isn't evil but a composite of good and evil... it is an expression of a society

the difference between religion and spirituality is

cultus

Harvie Conn on contextualization

every culture has distinctives which are really hard for another culture to accept

it's finger lickin good

example of terrible attempt at reaching another people group without properly contextualizing

Welbourn's definition of religion

"a religion is a system of beliefs and practices tha guides a person toward transcendence, thereby giving meaning and coherence to a person's life." this is the definition Byun likes most

Devotional Hinduism

"Bhakti" Hinduism most common form of Hinduism, essentially the only form of Hinduism today focused on average person being devoted to a god without leaving the comforts of life (the previous forms of Hinduism expected people to leave the comforts of life) i.e. choose a god, be wholly devoted and obedient their philosophy is essentially to be committed what this devotion looks like is very open to interpretation the practice of devotional Hinduism is very visual

Stephen Asma quote on Buddhism

"Buddhism is older than Christianity, older than Islam, deeper than the Ganges Rover and the Mekong... it manifests in many different forms. But whatever shape it takes, it always strives to free human beings from the life of suffering. It is a philosophy of emancipation."

Huston Smith quote on Taoism / Confucianism

"Circling around each other like yin and yang themselves, Taoism and Confucianism represent the two indigenous poles of the Chinese character"

Xinzhong Yao quote on Taoism / Confucianism

"Daoism teaches that the only way to the unity (heaven and earth) is to follow natural law, while Confucians believe that it is by self-cultivation and the instruction of sages that humans come into harmony with Heaven"

Nehru (1st India prime minister) defining Hinduism

"Hinduism is all things to all men"

Linda Johnsen defining Hinduism

"Hinduism is by far the most complex religion in the world, shading under its enormous parasol an incredibly diverse array of contrasting beliefs, practices, and denominations"

Aryan religion -> Hindu religion

"One of the neighboring countries (of the Aryans), Persia, had a common border with ancient India, which at the time was known as Aryavarta- the land of the Aryans. This common boarder between Persia and ancient India was the river Indus, called in Sanskrit, Sindhu. The Persians could not pronounce Sindhu correctly; they pronounced it Hindu. They also called the Aryans, living on the other side of the river Sindhu, Hindus; thus the religion of the Aryans became known as Hinduism"

Donald Lopez Jr quote on Buddhism

"Rather than portray Buddhism as a philosophy or a way of life, as it is so often characterized in the West, I prefer to view Buddhism as a religion to which ordinary people have turned over the centuries for the means to confront, control, or even escape the exigencies of life."

Buddha quote on suffering

"Suffering, the origin of suffering, the destruction of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to release from suffering- that is the safe refuge, that is the best refuge. A person is delivered from all pains after going to this refuge."

Lao Tzu against "rectifying names"

"When the Tao fades away, there are only categories such as benevolence and justice"

quote on devotional Hinduism from Mahabharata

"Whosoever desires to worship whatever deity (using whatever name, form, and method) with faith, I make their faith steady in that very deity. Endowed with steady faith they worship that deity, and fulfill their wishes through that deity. Those wishes are, indeed, granted only by Me."

avatar

"divine descent" the incarnation of a deity coming to earth in times of suffering and wickedness, seeks to restore things can be an animal or human form (Hinduism)

Sunyata

"emptiness, nothingness" third noble truth of Buddhism we need to extinguish tanha since the key to stopping suffering is to stop desires, this is the way of extinguishing the ego this leads to nirvana

Allah Ketab

"people of the book" what the Muslims called the Jews in Medina

Shruti

"that which is heard" oldest Hindu scriptures, believed to be composed by "seers" who entered deep states of consciousness

Smirti

"that which is received" conceived and written by humans, most recent Hindu texts a guru today could add to the Hindu authoritative texts

Mahayana Buddhism

"the greater vehicle" sometimes called "Messianic Buddhism" because of Messianic figures represents majority of modern Buddhists today approximately 80% of Buddhists worldwide

Arabia in 6th century AD

"the land of the traders and raiders" pre-Islamic Arabia was dominated by trading and carvans Bedouin way of life Sasanian war was going on -> as a result both sides became vulnerable to Islam caliphates

Vajranyana Buddhism

"the thunderbolt" or "diamond" vehicle special form of Buddhism involving mystical practices, equivalent to Tibetan Buddhism today practiced primarily in Tibet smallest of the 3 branches but most modern

Theravada Buddhism

"the way of the elders" most ancient tradition representing the seminal ideas of the Buddha oldest and most conservative branch monks will beg and it is the honor of the people to provide for them ritual head shaving to ordain monks (having long hair is considered vanity)

the Tao / Dao

"the way" the observation that all reality has a certain way about it

Sri Ramakrishana defining Hinduism

"there can be as many Hindu Gods as there are devotees to suit the moods, feelings, emotions and social backgrounds of the devotees"

Tanha

"thirst" the cause of dukkha is thirst / desire 2nd noble truth of Buddhism all sorrow is caused by the thirst or cravings in the human existence

Jehiliah

"time of ignorance" how Muslims refer to the time before Muhammad gave them instruction

middle way

(Buddhism) both rejecting opulence and extreme asceticism

Dhyana

(Hinduism / Buddhism) a meditative trance that helps you attain special knowledge this is the core of the Buddhist dissent against Hinduism 1) detaches himself from his senses 2) focuses his mind on a single point 3) the body will experience complete detatchment from this world 4) freed from dichotomies / dualisms of pain/pleasure, elation/depression 5) enter the highest point where you receive this "special knowledge"

the four Vedas

(Hinduism) 1) Rig Veda 2) Sama Veda 3) Yajur Veda 4) Atharva Veda

Tat Tvam Asi

(Hinduism) "you are that" you share the essence of / with "that" i.e. your essence is identical with that of the universe because there is no difference between our essence, the essence of the universe, and the essence of Brahman, one can identify their essence with that of Brahman

Saguna Brahman

(Hinduism) Brahman "with qualities" attributing characteristics / attributes to Brahman

Nirguna Brahman

(Hinduism) Brahman "without qualities" seen as the higher way of understanding Brahman they see god as too high to understand / explain / get to know

Atman

(Hinduism) the soul / essence sometimes translated as "universal soul" which is the basis of all reality Atman forms the essence of humanity, it is also the essence of everything (rocks, animals, etc.) it is ultimately detatched from physical existence in reincarnation, the Atman moves from body to body the soul is eternal

Cosmical homology

(Hinduism) ability to take something small and understand its essence, thereby understanding the essence of the universe

The Vedic Period

(Hinduism) associated with the establishment of caste system NB only Brahmins could perform cultural and religious rituals (top class) Rig Veda, revered sacred text, was composed (dates to the time of Moses)

Samsara

(Hinduism) literally "flow" the idea of an ever-turning wheel, a reference to the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) but insight of Tat Tvam Asi will lead to moksha or release from the wheel

Rig Veda and Samaveda

(Hinduism) most are hymns of praise meant to be chanted if chanted rightly, these hymns release spiritual power known as Samaveda divided into smaller books with 1280 hymns total

steps to responding to Adhan

(Islam) 1) ablution / washing (wash face, ankles, feet, and hands) 2) pray in the direction of Mecca 3) Rak'ah bowing

arrangement of Surahs

(Islam) not chronologically ordered, ordered from longest to shortest first surah is short, like an introduction / summary of the whole Qur'an

the Mahadi

(Islam) a kind of Messiah Twelver Shi'ism will bring ultimate peace to the world will destroy the faithless people

Minaret

(Islam) a tower for the call to prayer at prayer times the Muezzin climbs up the minaret and calls the people to prayer today this is digitalized

Rak'ah

(Islam) bowing and reciting the Takbir the movements during prayer hands to ears while reciting the Takbir and first chapter fo Qur'an

Muezzin

(Islam) the man who climbs the Minaret and calls the people to prayer

white and black thread rule

(Islam) when you can't tell the difference between the two threads, that is when the feasting is over for the day

Tikulam (sp?)

(Judaism) Care for the world because God is the Creator and we are to bring restoration (shalom) to a broken world

Shabbat

(Judaism) Friday sunset to Saturday sunset Friday dusk Shabbat meal woman of the house lights two candles and covers face special attention to the bread and wine parents bless all of the children ends with a candle putting out ceremony

7 Noahic laws

(Judaism) if Gentiles follow these, they can be saved 1) no murder 2) no sexual immorality 3) no idolatry 4) no eating animals from torn limbs 5) no cursing God 6) no theft 7) established courts of justice

Kristallnacht

(Night of the Broken Glass) November 9, 1938, when mobs throughout Germany destroyed Jewish property and terrorized Jews. "justified" when 17 year old Jewish boy murdered a German embassy official because of forced expulsions (his parents were expelled) hundreds of synagogues were destroyed and burned down government decided they would just allow riots against the Jews this was what led up to the Holocaust took every Jewish person and paraded them through their town to humiliate them this wasn't even 100 years ago

important notes on east Asian worldview

1) "face" is the lifeblood of relationships 2) collectivism versus Western individualism (I think therefore I am versus I am because we are and since we are therefore I am) 3) relationships strengthened by exchange of favors 4) supreme obligation to be loyal to one's family

important writings in Judaism

1) Biblical writings 2) the Mishnah 3) the Talmud 4) Kabbalah and Zohar

three insights of Mahayana Buddhism

1) Buddha's secret truths 2) the three-fold body of Buddha 3) there are many Buddhas

the five pillars of Islam

1) Confession of faith 2) ritual prayer 3) almsgiving 4) fasting 5) pilgrimage

how to explain the gospel in East Asia

1) God is their father who deserves supreme loyalty 2) the church is your new family 3) we are created to bring God honor (we do that by reflecting His rule on earth) 4) humanity has a debt we cannot repay 5) our rebellion dishonors God and has brought the world under a curse 6) humanity has lost all face and we experience isolation 7) imputed righteousness means we borrow Jesus' face... we are given his honor 8) our faith is the equivalent to filial respect and we will naturally obey Him

the four traditions of Hinduism

1) Indus Civilization 2) the Vedic period 3) the philosophical tradition 4) devotional Hinduism

theological importance of the Hegira for Muslims

1) Islam becomes a corporate religion / movement, no longer one man 2) theological distinctions made clear that this is a new religion 3) political and civil stability

different missiological approaches of cultural evangelism (to Hindus specifically)

1) Pentecostal power model 2) Christ as dharma 3) Jesus as liberator 4) Jesus Christ, the western savior 5) Jesus Christ, the logos made sannyasin all of these fall short you need to know the culture you are trying to reach. to a degree you need to become like the people and culture you are trying to reach.

post exile gave rise to what two religious groups in Judaism?

1) Pharisee -> law, holiness 2) Sadducees -> priestly issues, love assimilation

two categories of Hindu sacred texts

1) Shruti 2) Smirti

important holy days in Judaism

1) The Sabbath 2) Rosh Hashanah 3) Yom Kippur 4) Hanukkah 5) Purim 6) Passover 7) Shavuot

the four sights of Gautama

1) an old man -> he had never seen old age and realized this was his fate 2) sickness and pain -> his charioteer told him that at some point everyone will experience sickness and pain 3) death -> at some point everyone will die. Gautama wanted to go home after seeing this. 4) a man meditating -> someone who had denounced pleasure. this man seemed to have peace in the midst of suffering.

steps of starting the Hajj

1) before you begin, you put on Ihram garments and confirm intentions 2) need to get a letter from your Mosque confirming you can go 3) when you arrived you go through consecration, you can only wear white clothes (representing equality of all people before God) 4) everyone wants to get a glimpse of the black stone

important days in the life of a Jew

1) birth -> girls get named, boys don't get name until day 8 when they get circumcised. Reform Judaism gives both a Jewish name and a secular name 2) age 13 Bar Mitzva "son of the commandment" -> they are old enough to study and obey the commandments the kid reads a portion of the Torah and drinks wine for the first time Reform Judaism came up with Bat Mitzva

Shang Dynasty

1751-1045BCE oldest recorded dynasty in China; lasted 700 years Shang religion is the pre-origin of Confucianism and Daoism

important notes on the gospel and contextualization

1) contextualization is not changing the gospel 2) the gospel is transcultural -> God is the God of all nations 3) God doesn't want all Christians to conform to one cultural model. God loves ethnos 4) the gospel is en-cultured 5) our audience is en-cultured 6) God coming to earth and living as a first century Jewish man should inform our contextualization efforts

different ways to define Hinduism

1) cultural definition -> people associate term with ethnic, geographic orientation 2) authoritative texts -> some define it based on ancient Hindu texts that don't have doctrinal content 3) doctrine based -> looking at core doctrines 4) social definition -> a Hindu is someone with social obligations (castes, vegetarianism, etc.)

two different ways to approach gospel and culture

1) culture is bad... Christians should avoid "the world" 2) we are all fashioned in God's image and recipients of God's grace -> contextualization of the gospel for a certain culture

points on Christian witness to Jews

1) don't try to debate Jews on Biblical issues -> their understanding of Scripture has significantly evolved since the writing of the NT 2) Jews think that if they convert, they will cease to be Jewish so focus on their gaining a new identity (Matt. 5:17) 3) most western Jews are nominal or secular and have assimilated into their adopted culture 4) if engaging in Scripture, use Matthew 5) remember history -> Christians have historically treated Jews poorly

doctrinal differences in Vajranyana Buddhism

1) everything is Buddha 2) transcending of dualities 3) Bodhisattvas are born on earth and live on earth

five key relationships (Confucianism)

1) father / son - humaneness / filial piety 2) ruler / subject - rightness / loyalty 3) husband / wife - ritual / obedience 4) older sibling / younger sibling - wisdom / humility 5) friend / friend - trustworthiness

five prescribed times for Muslim prayer

1) first morning (2 Rak'ahs) 2) noonday (4 Rak'ahs) 3) late afternoon (4 Rak'ahs) 4) sunset (3 Rak'ahs) 5) nighttime (4 Rak'ahs)

three spheres that shape social life in east Asia

1) honor / shame - "face" 2) relationships - "family" 3) economics - "fortune"

five constant virtues (Confucianism)

1) humaneness / benevolence - how humans relate to one another... how you treat other people 2) rightness - sense of justice 3) propriety / ritual - all the principles of the universe. practically applied through conformity 4) wisdom - recognizing when you understand something and when you don't 5) trustworthiness - being honest

Vajranyana Buddhism distinctives

1) monastic in nature -> return to monastic ideals, but doesn't say that it is the only way to salvation but it has special importance 2) differences in key doctrines 3) claim Buddha turned the wheel of dharma a third time 4) has its own history based on the religion of the Bon people

random stats about Islam

1) of all the major world religions, it is the youngest 2) Islam is the second largest religion 3) Islam is the fastest growing religion

major principles of the Bhakti movement

1) personal aspects of worship 2) salvation through devotion, not knowledge 3) ecstatic response to the Supreme deity (monotheistic) 4) abstinence and simplicity

three important questions for approaching the study of religion

1) philosophy 2) sociology / anthropology 3) history

four main roles in Aryan society

1) priests 2) rulers 3) soilders 4) traders

3 ways to live as a Jew in the diaspora

1) reform - assimilate into the dominant culture (good for buisness and education but compromised Jewish identity) 2) Conservative - observe traditions and customs as closely as possible (be marginalized in society but maintain healthy Jewish identity and community) 3) orthodox - mixture of the two if/where possible

Battle of Badr

624 AD, a battle of Muhammad Meccan tribes attacked Medians, 319 Muslims vs 1000 Meccans cited as example of Allah fighting on behalf of his people "Mother of all battles" -> God fighting for the underdog

the five aggregates (what are they)

1) the body - the material form we live in 2) sensations / feelings - our feelings and physical sensations 3) perceptions - learned observations about objects that create structures 4) mental life - our attitudes / dispositions 5) consciousness - awareness of oneself and the ability to discriminate between you and others (I and thou)

points of divergence Hinduism and Christianity

1) the knowability of God 2) incarnation vs avatars 3) karma vs atonement 4) many paths vs unique claims of the gospel 5) creation 6) reincarnation 7) salvation

three "fires" of Vajranyana Buddhism

1) veneration of the Lama -> the Dalai Lama is to be revered and not just Buddha 2) Shamanism -> idea that one can actually have a conversation with the dead and communicate with the unseen world 3) Trantrism / mysticism

SBNR #1 vs #2

1- people who hold to a religion 2 - people who do not hold to a religion

differences between Buddhism and Hinduism

1. Buddhism does not accept any first cause 2. the Buddha refused his nirvana 3. Buddhism denies ultimate reality 4. Buddhism is accessible to anyone

4 stages of Enlightenement in Theravadin Buddhism

1. become a stream winner 2. become a once returner 3. reach the non returner stage 4. become an arhat

three characteristics of the human condition (5 aggregates sermon)

1. the human life is marked by impermanence 2. we live in this period of angst 3. there is no such thing as the self, the I, or the ego

contextualization

1. the worldview of the people group in question should provide the framework for communication 2. questions and needs should help guide the emphasis of the message 3. the cultural gifts should shape the medium of expression you aren't showing them your Western God, you are showing them the awesome universal God

the Zhou Dynasty

1045-256BCE appointed various leaders and chieftains but this led to feudalism and violent political and social unrest "warring states period" 480-221BC

Yom Kippur

10th day of Tishr the holiest day of the Jewish year observed by fasting and praying, and attending lots of services believed one's name is sealed in the book of life (Lev. 19:30) fast broken with feast a day of horizontal reconciliation as well

Imam Al Mahdi

12th Imam in twelver Shi'ism who in 940AD entered into a state of occultation (hidden amongst the people) and will reappear with Jesus to bring peace he still lives, the literature is unclear as to if he is currently on earth

2nd Jewish war

132-135AD Romans build a city on the cite of Jerusalem, including temple for Jupiter on the Temple Mount (upset them because this TM is the essence of Jewish community) leader of revolt, Simon bar Kokhba 600,000 Jews killed and others enslaved or permanently exiled this is when Rabbinic Judaism arose after this point for roughly 1900 years Jewish people were not welcome in Palestine (which was occupied by Muslims)

Immanuel Kant

1724-1804 defined religion as "the recognition of all duties as divine commands" taking a stab at religion; a negative view of religion seeing religious people as neglecting current duties

Max Muller

1823-1900 whom many regard as the founder of religious studies, gave a twofold definition of religion: a body of doctrines handed down by tradition, or in canonical books, and containing all that constitutes the faith of Jew, Christian, or Hindu and as a faculty of faith which distinguishes man from animals" historical/linguistic ideas, sacred texts and traditional creeds

Sigmund Freud

1856-1938 psychoanalyst said in the future of an illusion "religion is comparable to a childhood neurosis." In New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, he defined religion as "an illusion and it derives its strength from its readiness to fit in with our instinctual wishful impulses." sees religion as mental illness and a trauma response sees religion as the way we justify our behavior codes

Emile Durkheim

1858-1917 a sociologist sees religion as institutional and canonical (sociology perspective looking at behavior codes) defined religion as "a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, that is to say, things set apart and forbidden- beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a church, all those who adhere to them"

Paul Tillich

1886-1965 a "Christian existentialist philosopher" defined religion as an ontological and teleological quest for ultimate meaning "religion is the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern, which qualifies all other concerns as preliminary and which itself contains the answer to the question of the meaning of our life. Therefore this concern is unconditionally serious and shows a willingness to sacrifice any finite concern which is in conflict with it."

Tiberius

2nd century AD rabbis met across decades and centralized the teachings of Judaism (Mishnah)

Byzantine empire

395-1453AD fell to Islamic armies 632-732 the "one hundred glorious years"

how popular is Buddhism?

500 million practicing Buddhists today 6-7% of the world's population

the Mishnah

500 years of dialouge recorded -> answers question of how do you obey the law? (ex. how do you keep the sabbath?) especially important to have this kind of unity during the Jewish diaspora some of these were contemporaries of Jesus so we can see a lot of how Jesus interacted with these thoughts in the NT

Confucius

551-479BCE "Master Kong" lived before warring states period teachings were not widely accepted at the time but had a huge impact after his death did not intend to innovate, but his purpose was to revive old traditions to bring "order and stability in society"

Babylonian exile

586-538BCE Cyrus frees the exiles, some assimilate, some return gave them money to rebuild new temple but it did not compare to the old one

Sassanian Empire

602-628AD fell to Islamic armies 632-732 the "one hundred glorious years"

the calling of Muhammad

610AD, month of Ramadan, in caves of Mecca meditating (that was a time when everyone meditated. agreement in this month that no one would raid caravans) angel Gabriel appears and says "arise and warn!" -> needs to tell people of Arabia that they are facing damnation unless they turn from their idols and worship the ONE God (Allah)

King Songsten Gampo

617-649 entered alliances with emperor and king of Nepal -> married Nepal women wives brought Buddhism to Tibet Buddhist scholars were invited to Tibet to teach sacred writings Buddhist ideas were fused with the Bon religion

the Hegira

622AD Muhammad and his followers left Mecca and moved to Medina. This "exodus" is known as Hegira and inaugurates the start of the Islamic era

the "Battle" for Mecca

630AD, battle of Muhammad Muhammad takes soilders to take Mecca all swords of Meccans were laid down does not destroy Ka'ba, pays homage to black stone and destroys idols now all Arabs must become monotheistic

Abu Bakr

632-634AD first caliph who wrote down the Qur'an after a battle close friend of Muhammad. Bakr's daughter became Muhammad's wife thus related to the prophet Military leader, united Arab tribes was elected to be the caliph, only person who didn't vote for him was Ali

the four Rashidun Caliphs

632-661AD "rightly guided" Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali

100 glorious years

632-732 gives space for Islamic empire to expand tribes in Arabia unite and make conquests Christians and Jews were allowed to pay a special tax (Jizya) and enter into Dhimmi status all others were forced to convert to Isalm

Umar

634-644 second caliph, arguably the most powerful and influential expanded Muslim territories into Damascus, Syria, Egypt and most of Persia assassinated in 644AD while reading the Qur'an quietly

Uthman

644-656 3rd caliph, not a great one son in law of Muhammad. a weak leader with lots of internal strife expanded Muslim empire eastward and westward from Mecca family that opposed Muhammad (battles of Badr + Uhud) also assassinated while reading the Qur'an credited for canonizing the Qur'an, burnt all other writings

Ali

656-661 4th caliph cousin and son of Muhammad (married Fatima) issue of if he is a successor by council or by blood (which is how they determine who the successor is)

First Jewish War

66-73AD starting with taxes and raiding temple treasury. 7 month siege of Jerusalem. Romans prevailed and completely destroyed the city. rebels to Masada, which the Romans besieged in 73AD zealots were tired of being mistreated Essenes and Qumran communities fled Jewish rebels overtook / occupied a Roman fortress (960ish people) -> when Romans built a ramp to get into fortress, the Jews killed themselves and became a symbol of the Jewish will to fight

Lao Tzu

6th century taught in the context of the warring states period "Old man" believed the warring states period was... to do nothing argued against Confucius (rivals)

the modern period (Confucianism and Daoism)

6th-19th centuries AD between the 6 dynasties (ends in 589AD) and the Qin Dynasty (ends in 1911AD) Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism increasingly in contact Tang Dynasty makes Daoism official religion in China (618-907AD)

is Sunni or Shia more popular?

85-90% of modern Muslims are Sunni

Yavneh

90AD council at Yavneh where they canonized what was already unofficially accepted as the Scriptures decided that Christians were not allowed in synagogues

Hajj

A pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims 5th pillar "the journey" sometime during one's lifetime, a Muslim must go to the Ka'ba in Mecca 2-3 million people make the pilgrimage every year

origins of Judaism

Abraham settles in Canaan in Egypt they become numerous Exodus 19 makes Israel a holy Nation

Zakat

Almsgiving in Islam the purpose is to give relief for the poor and needy to help with missions (or Da'wah) Zakat is legislated at 2.5% the Qur'an says that Muslims are obligated to do this

theological basis for caste system (Hinduism)

Brahman divided everyone into 4 people groups Rig Veda : "One fourth of Brahman constituted all beings, while three fourths of him are immortal and stand above. With one fourth below, he extended on all sides into animate and the inanimate... HIs face became Brahman. His arms were made into the Kshatriya, his thighs became the Vaishya; from his feet the Shudra was born"

caste system in order (Hinduism)

Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras Untouchables

Hinayana

Branch of Buddhism known as the "lesser vehicle," also known as Theravada Buddhism; its beliefs include strict, individual path to enlightenment, and it is popular in south and southeast Asia.

Ninian Smart

British religious studies scholar defines religion as: a set of institutionalized rituals, identified with a tradition, and expressing and/or evoking sacral sentiments directed at a divine or trans-divine focus seen in the context of the human phenomenological environment and at least partially described by myths or by myths and doctrines" he incorporates the cultus of religion into the definition aimed at the transcendent, evoking feelings of sentiment

Siddhartha Gautama

Buddha born between 578-447BC (tradition dates 563BC) born on border between India and Nepal to a king and queen; he became a warrior but was not a Brahmin a prophecy stated that Gautama would become a king or a renouncer; parents tried to make him want to be king by surrounding him with luxury epiphany moment: he had been very isolated his whole life, when he went on a ride he saw 4 shocking sights which exposed him to suffering

First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

Buddha's first two sermons, expressed in Buddhist sacred texts

origins of Theravada Buddhism

Buddha's five ascetic teachers became his first converts and the first community of Buddhism take vow of the 3 jewels of Theravada Buddhism

the five aggregates sermon

Buddha's second sermon, represents the middle way 3 characteristics of the human condition a dissent text from Hinduism replaces atman and Brahmin with the five aggregates which are the elements that make up the self

Nirvana

Buddhist beleif in the release from the wheel of samsara

the problem of God in Buddhism

Buddhists don't have a proper view of God thus no category of ultimate reality thus not able to understand Christianity idea that Jesus is merely a guru, a spiritual teacher Buddhists have their Bodhisattvas monks realized that they cannot be ultimate beings because they know their own sin (like imposter syndrome but legitimate)

Mao Zedong

Chairman of the Republic, the communist party puts an end to religion through "cultural revolution" by the time he died in 1976 the Chinese religious life seemed completely squashed

history in Christianity vs Buddhism

Christianity is a historical faith; Buddhism is supra historical no historiography is possible to accomidate all the Buddhist stories and doctrines in Mahayana Buddhism the teachings of Buddha transcend historical Buddhism

Gemara

Commentary on the Mishnah includes other interesting stories related to the text

what is necessary is to rectify names

Confucius the idea of calling things as they are and treating them accordingly people have roles and duties in society and should live by them eg. students never challenge their teachers if someone has a 'higher name' you will never tell them what you really think

Mezuzah

Deut 5:9 post the Law on the doorframe of house contains a copy of the shema (Deut 6:4) angled towards the room touch and kiss your fingers on doorposts of every room in the house

King Negus

Ethiopian king who protected Muhammad

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan (4th pillar of Islam) 28 days, fast occuring during the daylight hours fast of anything that enters the body (food, drink, sex, smoking, etc.) Muezzin uses white and black thread every evening is like a party with huge nighttime feasts

Ayatollah Khomeini

Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979) following the Iranian revolution ended 2500 year Persian monarchy officially an Imam and held the title of Grand Ayatollah major shift in Iran from a democratic society to Shia law

"If I had one hour with every man, I would spend the first 45 m talking about God's law and the last 15 m talking about God's great salvation"

Francis Schaeffer by God's law he means the natural law all humans see in the world

second great renounciation

Gautama leaves the 5 ascetics and denounces their teachings as ultimately unhelpful he decides there needs to be a middle way

the first great renunciation

Gautama left the palace and gave up his royal position began his path as a Bhikku submitted to Brahmin hermit priests and was educated by Alara and Uddaka who taught him meditation and the dharmas

Han Dynasty - Six Dynasties

Han Dynasty (206BCE-220AD) 6 Dynasties (316-589AD) Confucianism became official ideology of the nation, Daoism the official religion (the East is more comfortable with tension and nuance than the West) both viewed as crucial to stability Confucian temples and universities established, sacrifices made to Confucius and his disciples Daoism cult established around Lao Tzu "Lord Tao" that believed he was the personification of cosmic harmony and was "deified"

painted canvas illustration

Hindu illustration painted up cloth canvas which you can roll up the rolling out and rolling back up of the canvas is the illustration the point: the cyclical nature of life. a never ending cycle of death and rebirth

dirty mirror metaphor

Hindu metaphor dirty mirrors do not reflect well the point: life is like a dirty mirror, and karma is the reason. karma has impacted our lives to the point where we can't accurately see/understand ourselves/truth we are born, not with original sin, but with karma -> the aim of life is to clean that karma and see what is really true through spiritual disciplines that enlighten you

salt and water metaphor

Hindu metaphor salt dissolves in water and you cannot take the salt back out of the water the point: issue of where Atman is located. Atman is everywhere in the body and everywhere in the universe we cannot determine "how much" of us is Atman

clay pot metaphor

Hindu metaphor when you imagine a clay pot, what do you imagine inside it? -> air, as if it was almost enclosed in the pot. but if you smash the pot open, you realize the air inside is the same as the air outside. the point: Tat Tvam Asi. The clay pot is the human body and the air is Atman which is the same essence as everything outside of you

waves in the ocean

Hindu metaphor you can look at a wave, but the wave is not a distinct essence, it is part of the ocean the point: we have no ultimate, separate, existence

rope-snake metaphor

Hindu story a man walks into a dark tent, looks down and sees a snake curled up and freaks out but when his eyes adjust to the dark, he realizes that the "snake" is just a rope point: perceptual ideas versus actual reality. what you perceive may not be reality. the world has an objective basis, yet when you examine it closer, its less objective and less clear

the battle of karbala

Husain ibin Ali, grandson of Muhammad, was beheaded by Yazid's army of the Umayyad Caliphate Yazid was the nominated successor so he demanded allegience from Husain (the blood successor) permanently marked the split between Sunni and Shia Islam

Inshallah

If Allah wills it

Curry quote on Judaism

Judaism has variously been called a culture, an ethnicity, and a civilization, all terms that struggle to include more than 'just' religion.

importance of indirect speech in Hinduism

Indian people are a lot more open to mystery, there isn't the need to fully understand the details of huge topics

Aryan invasion

Indus Valley civilization goes back to early 20th century BCE 1500BCE migration into this region occurred, sometimes called the "Aryan Invasion" displaced darker skinned people (the Dravidians) lighter skinned people established a system where they became priests, rulers, soilders, etc. and the Dravidians formed the servant class melding of Aryans and Dravidians gradually formed "Hinduism"

Pratityasamutpada

Interdependent origination/ arising the Buddhist doctrine of causality provides basis for what we see as reality in this world everything is linked to everything else and everything gives rise to something else "When this is, that is. This arising, that arises. When this is not, that is not. This ceases, that ceases."

Shahada

Islam confession of faith: "I bear witness that there is (1) no god but Allah and (2) Muhammad is the prophet of Allah" the creed is never explicitly given in the Qur'an but there are many verses which it came be based on

why aren't there many Jews?

It's an incredibly difficult process to convert Jews don't evangelize because it's a thing of ethnicity and history - they believe no Jews can be saved if they follow the 7 Noahic laws, while ethnic Jews need to follow the 613 laws

dissent movements against Hinduism

Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism these are groups that wanted to improve Hinduism

Christ as dharma

Jesus is the perfect embodiment of dharma (teaching) plays to the respect Hindus have for wisdom and practical teachings by gurus and sages emphasis on the life of Christ and his ethical teachings

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year (1st day of month of Tishri, during our month of Sept) long service at synagogue including bowing of the Shofar celebrate the book of life -> seeking to realign with God so their names will be in the book of life 1) Teshuvah -> spiritual alignment; assessment and turning to God 2) Tefillah -> prayer 3) Tzedakah -> righteousness / right living / charity. seeking to be more righteous.

Zionist

Jewish branch started in 1600s wants to create a Jewish state 1901 Hertzel lobbied for a return to Palestine, made progress with the British

Kashrut

Jewish food laws animals: split hooves and ruminants are kosher, all other animals are unclean birds: predators and song birds are unclean aquatic animals: shellfish and crustaceans are unclean plants and eggs are neutral and a big part of diet

Yiddish

Jewish langauge that is a mix of Hebrew words with the language of countries they had exiled to during exile in Babylon, Hebrew ceased being a language, but re-established in 1968 and they modernized ancient Hebrew for the state of Israel

halakha

Jewish laws and customs

Yarmulke / Kippah

Jewish skull cap for men believe men should always cover their head different hats will represent different traditions. either wear hats or skullcap known as yarmulke (Yiddish) or Kippah (Hebrew)

Winfried Corduan quote on Judaism

Judaism does not revolve around a set of doctrines or a plan of salvation. Instead it is a prescription for living. The crucial question in Judaism is, What do you practice? Or What are you doing with your life? Not What do you believe?

the three-fold body of Buddha

Mahayana Buddhism 1) Nirmanakaya (historical) body 2) Dharma body 3) the body of bliss

Buddha's secret truths

Mahayana Buddhism accept teachings of first two sermons and "the wheel of Dharma" as legitimate, but there are other disciples who kept new texts the second turning of the wheel of samsara -> these new truths were brought

the dharma body

Mahayana Buddhism the broader teachings of Buddha that transcend the universe teachings of Buddha extend beyond historical person of Buddha

the body of bliss

Mahayana Buddhism the heavenly experience where one learns even more and returns this is a place without suffering, not exactly heaven when one is enlightened, the wheel of samsara passes away the full Arhat, Buddha, lives in the land of Bliss

Nirmanakaya

Mahayana Buddhism the historical body of Buddha the term Buddha isn't reduced to this restrictive understanding though

Bodhisattva

Mahayana Buddhism these are wise, enlightened beings who can return to earth and help people almost like incarnation they are functional deities in the heavenly realms (what happens after reaching the body of bliss) the expansion of the Buddha idea that Gautama was not the only Buddha this is a departure from Hinduism, and an evangelistic point for Christians (Jesus came to teach and help us)

Praknaparamita sutras

Mahayana Buddhism hidden texts "the perfection of wisdom and teachings" dated to 1st century teach people how to become a bodhisattva

the lotus sutra and the story of the house on fire

Mahayana Buddhism hidden texts summarizes essence of bodhisattva teaching and doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism three vehicles in Buddhism: monasticism, meditation, and Bodhisattva

when does Israel become a state

May 14th 1948 the British are responsible for making that happen

the black stone of the Ka'ba

Muhammad believed that this is the cite where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac, so he finds the black stone holy because it commemorates the event he encircles the back stone 7 times, pays homage to it, then destroys the idols "cleansing of the temple" for Muslisms

Muhammad and Mary

Muhammad identified himself deeply with Mary you'd never expect Mary to be chosen to be a vessel of revelation in a similar way, Muhammad was an unexpected vessel

why is Muhammad more honored than Adam and Abraham?

Muhammad was chosen to be the first person to worship and submit to Allah Muhammad brings ultimate revelation, even though people before him had revelation too, it just wasn't ultimate / final

abrogation

Muslim doctrine that revelation evolves so you need to interpret the older parts of the Qur'an off of the newer parts. newer revelation is more true and more authoritative an issue that is very hard to know what came first

Dhimmi

Non-muslims. "protected people". Only had to pay jizya (small tax) and retained personal freedom.

Tzitzit

Numbers 15:38-39 tassels on the corners of garments with a blue chord on each tassel visual reminder to not give yourself to things other than God

Dalai Lama

Originally, a title meaning 'universal priest' that the Mongol khans invented and bestowed on a Tibetan lama (priest) in the late 1500s to legitimate their power in Tibet. Subsequently, the title of the religious and political leader of Tibet.

Jizya

Poll tax that non-Muslims had to pay when living within a Muslim empire

Contemporary period in China

Qing dynasty ends in 1911, Republic of China established -> 1911 onwards religion dies in China Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism suffered greatly two main blows: the rise of the communist party (had the goal of getting rid of religion) and the cultural revolution (destruction of temples, burning of idols, killing monks, burning books, banning festivals)

rabbinic Judaism

Rabbis would interpret the law for the people

Shang Ti

Shang religion supreme ancestor who later evolved into the Jade Emporer

ethnic background of Sunnis and Shias

Shia = Persians Sunnis = Arabs

divine sovereignty vs human will (Shia vs Sunni)

Shias emphasize human freedom Sunnis emphasize hyper divine sovereignty -everything is predetermined, not just forknown e.g. deaths on the Hajj were God's will

Brahmanas

Shruti Hindu text commentaries on the Vedas

Vedas (Sanhitas)

Shruti Hindu text four collections of sacrificial and ritual works corpus of material that praises early gods and goddesses worshiped in the Vedic period written in Vedic, an ancient form of Sanskrit require a teacher to explain the true / spiritual meanings of the texts

Sutras

Shruti Hindu text instructions for all people

Laws of Manu

Shruti Hindu text legal and civil code

Upanishads

Shruti Hindu text philosophical meditations -> the basis of Hindu philosophy make up the concluding parts of the Vedas considered foundational texts for doctrine earliest upanishads date to c. 1000BCE but many texts modelled after them were written up to 1400CE to support various theological propositions eg. describe rites or performances designed to grant power or to obtain a particular kind of son or daughter

Mahabharata

Smirti Hindu text epic of war between tribes

Ramayana

Smirti Hindu text epic story about Rama

Puranas

Smirti Hindu text stories about various gods

Bhagavad Gita

Smirti Hindu text vital section of the Mahabharata

Imam-ism

Sunis believe imams are simply prayer leaders Shias believe imams are divinely appointed leaders who hold the mantle of Muhammad -> take on the role of prophethood, they receive revelation

main difference between Sunni and Shia

Sunni believe that leaders/caliphate should be decided by a council a person from any ethnicity can lead Shia believe only blood descendants of Ali can become caliphate

Sunnis vs. Shias on Fatima

Sunnis say Fatima was the youngest daughter of Muhammad Shias say Fatima was his only daughter who survived to adulthood (this is the party of Ali)

Surah verses the Shahada is based on

Surah 20:14 "I am Allah, there is no god but me" Surah 49:15 "the true believers are those who have faith in Allah and his apostle and never doubt" Surah 44:80 "He that obeys the apostles, obeys Allah himself"

the three branches of Buddhism

Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana

stream winner

Theravadin Buddhism first stage of enlightenment detatch yourself from this world and the Tahna (thirst) this opens the eye of Dharma and you enter the stream (i.e. the noble 8fold path) toward enlightenment the more you engage in the pleasures of life, the more you thirst for it opening the eye of Dharma means that you can henceforth only be born as a human

arhat

Theravadin Buddhism fourth stage of enlightenment "fully awakened person" someone in their last stage, having achieved enlightenment or nirvana who chooses to return and help others

once returner

Theravadin Buddhism second stage of enlightenment will only return to wheel of samsara one more time, happens after MANY rebirths

non returner stage

Theravadin Buddhism third stage of enlightenment stage where one is in their last life because they have completely abandoned sensuality + the material world non returners are reborn into one of the special worlds where they attain nirvana

"fat" versus "skinny" Buddha?

Theravadin images the historical Buddha who was an ascetic monk. shows him skinny in a meditative pose the Mahayana allows more enjoyment in this life giving a more accessible Buddhism. the "fat" Buddha symbolizes good fortune / happiness

layout of Talmud

Torah passage in the center next to it is the Mishnah small text surrounding it is the Gemara

Vajranyana meaning

Vajra - a mythical weapon, unbreakable like a diamond and powerful like thunder yana means vehicle

transcending of dualities

Vajranyana Buddhism Buddhism transcends process through the wheel to nirvana samsara IS Nirvana

everything is Buddha

Vajranyana Buddhism an expansion of the three bodies of Buddha ideal; all that exists is Buddha, but this has not been realized yet

Mandala

Vajranyana Buddhism depictions of the whole universe in geometric drawings they will use these drawings for meditation as a way to tap into spiritual power

Bodhisattvas are born on earth and live on earth

Vajranyana Buddhism ex. the Dalai Lama "oceans of wisdom" a reincarnation of bodhisattva Chenrezing... i.e. lamas walk among us there will always be a Dalai Lama

Tantras

Vajranyana Buddhism magical formulas and power that can be released

night of power and excellence

When Gabriel appeared to Muhammad in a cave near Mount Hira. Beginning of Muhammad's life as prophet

"if you meet Buddha on the road, you should kill him"

Zen Buddhism idea that you don't need Buddha to have Buddhism because the dharma has been released a very a-historical belief

Way of Complete Perfection

a branch of Daoism that is a combination of Daoist emphasis of the body with Buddhist-style meditation practices and a Confucian insistence on spiritual and ethical integrity Daoist philosophy/religion (robe) , Buddhist practices (sandals), and Confucian ideas (cap) "Traditionally, every Chinese was Confucian in ethics and public life, Taoist in private life and hygiene, and Buddhist at the time of death"

Gaya / Varansi

a city where Hindus go on pilgrimage to dip in the Ganges river for forgiveness of sins in Northern India still a major place of pilgrimage today

how do we define religion?

a contentious issue, no one agrees everyone seems to define religion through the terms of their own academic discipline, all defining religion on their own terms

a working definition for Buddhism

a religious and intellectual movement founded in north India by someone named Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th century BC

the essence of Buddhist dharma / teaching

about the eternal truth and reality which is focused on the liberation from suffering

Shadha in the Shiite community

adds: "and Ali is the friend of Allah"

Medina

aka Yathrib there were lots of Jewish people who lived there, this is where Muhammad fled and was protected by the Jewish people this is likely why he made sure Muslims were good to Jews agree on the basis of the ten commandments and monotheism

the problem of desire and Buddhism

all desire is rooted in suffering creates passivity Buddhism doesn't make a distinction between good and bad desires because it transcends these dualities if all desires are wrong, how can we even desire for enlightenment? Paul Williams, "If the Pope desires that the world has better healthcare, how can one say that is a bad thing? How could one say that one should extinguish that desire?"

dukkha

all of life is suffering (one of the 4 noble truths of Buddhism) dukkha = suffering Christian equivalent is original sin/fall of man

the impermanence of the self (5 aggregates sermon)

all of the aggregates are impermanent there is no one receiving these perceptions all you have are allusions that come together to form the human existence

human life is marked by impermanence (5 aggregates sermon)

all we know of the world comes from our consciousness or perception, and its this perception which changes do not believe in a first cause, everything is cyclical between cause and effect in an unending circle

Japanese Yakuza

an example of why it is important to have a definition of religion since these are incredibly committed people without a definition of religion we don't know how to handle the conversation and we don't know what to include and exclude and will either make the definition too broad or too narrow

literal definition of yoga vs. Western understanding

association with the modern meditative practice the school of Yoga agreed with the school of Samkhaya on the question of dualism (Hinduism)

stupa

at Deer Park place where Buddha had his first meditated trance, the stupa was where he gave his first dharma / teaching

Muhammad's last sermon

at Mt. Ara fat

who does Buddhism attract?

attracts people who want peace or to make sense of their suffering

Battle of Uhud

battle of Muhammad, 625AD Meccan tribes attacked again; outnumbered, defeated, and Muhammad injured reason for defeat: lack of faith and spiritual purity Muhammad calls for resolve and value of martyrdom modern concepts of martyrdom in Islam are still linked to this battle

David

becomes archetypal king David unites tribes and establishes a united kingdom

Bhikkus

beggars. Buddhists believe this is how Gautama began his path to enlightenment

Twelver Shi'ism

belief in 12 divinely appointed leaders known as the 12 Imams believed to be the rightful successors to Muhammad were by blood must be free from sin and error, can esoteric meaning of Qur'an 85-90% of Shias hold this view

breaking free from the Buddhist wheel of life

break the link of "craving" and you are free from the wheel of samsara and from the existence of this life

2nd Jewish temple

build in 515 BCE destroyed in 70AD by Romans, General Titus

Solomon

builds the temple, the only place Israel was to worship the religion revolved around this temple

1st Jewish temple

built in 960BCE destroyed in 586BCE by Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar II

Purim

celebration of Esther's courage saving the Jews

the Qur'an

collection of the revelations given to Muhammad made up of 114 Suras divided up into verses "lahs" roughly the length of the NT

there is no such thing as the self, the I, or the ego (5 aggregates sermon)

contra Hinduism: there is an irreducible essence to every person and thing in the universe Buddha says that what we call the self is really just perception... replaces the self with the five aggregates Buddhism is doing away with the atman

Mina Day

day 2 of the Hajj you travel 3 miles outside Mecca to Mina where they believe sacrifice of Ishmael would have been three pillars represent temptation of Ishmael to rebel against his father "stoning of the devil"

salvation in Bhakti Hinduism

devotion to your god will help you get released from the wheel

the stoning of the devil

during the Hajj (day 1 or 2) Ishmael was said to throw stones at the devil when he was being tempted during pilgrimage the people throw stones at the 3 pillars

Yin

earth, cold, wet, passive, dark, mysterious, feminine, black originally tiger

emergence of Mahayana Buddhism

elders disagreed on philosophical points and overall goal of Buddhism issue of the necessity of monastic life and the dangers of a "spiritual elite" being reminiscent of the caste system promoted by king Ashoka

Pentecostal power model

emphasis on Jesus' healing and deliverance ministry Hinduism is about the day to day, focused on living the good life -> idea to focus on the power of Jesus problem with this approach is that it underemphasizes the gospel

Medinan passages

emphasize communal laws and practices speak of "people of the book"

Arabia geography

enclosed on the north by mountains south Indian ocean Persia on the NE with lots of mountains since Arabia was isolated, it was isolated from Christianity

Spanish inquisition of 1491

ended Jewish residence in Spain government turned a blind eye allowing Christians to murder Jewish neighbors and take their land / property forced conversions... if you didn't convert you would be killed financial expulsion anti-Semitism was the worst in the Middle Ages

castes and race

essentially a sanctified apartheid caste system is somewhat determined by one's skin color when Aryans came, this form of racism came to prevalence. fair skin color and features of a certain type have a higher social value in India. marriage was always within the caste as a way to pressure 'racial purity' thus preserving the caste system (Hinduism)

Advaita

essentially monism the idea that there is only one ultimate principle of existence / being nondualism (Hinduism)

karma and sharing the gospel

eternal retribution in Hinduism, karma isn't transferable, but in Christian doctrine, karma cannot save us. we are saved by Jesus' merit and we receive a karma transfer ask Hindus how they know their karma is good enough

cultus

external features which mark a particular religion this is the core difference between spirituality and being religious. these external factors only have meaning for those inside the religion. these are communal. all religions need a definable set of cultus.

Feast of Eid

feast that marks the end of Ramadan HUGE feast with gifts cultural culmination of what it means to be Muslim like the Islamic Christmas

day 3 of Hajj

final cleansing shave / trim hair you are said to be spiritually reborn : given new title celebrate

Yathrib -> Medina

first battle of Muhammad was the slaughter of the Jews of Yathrib, changing the city to Medina

way of knowledge (Hinduism)

focusing on how to teach people to gain knowledge on Vedas and Upanishads

Fred Welbourn on implicit religion

for the Christian explicit religion should be the outflow of implicit when Christianity and Islam came to Africa, they treated religion as something you can "take on" and "off" Welbourn realized that we need to look at how religion plays out when they leave the institution/cultus -> are they still religious then? do they change and adapt when they go out into the world?

early ministry of Muhammad

from 610-632AD receiving direct revelations from God in Arabic essentially tells people to smash their idols... faced a lot of backlash initially especially in his family because their livelihood was based on protecting idols since Muhammad was illiterate, the revelation was memorized and dictated to a close friend

three subcategories of the 8fold path

gaining proper wisdom 1. right understanding 2. right thought proper conduct or morality 3. right speech 4. right action 5. right livelihood proper practice / concentration 6. right effort 7. right mindfulness 8. right concentration

Hasidim

group of Orthodox Jews theologically traces back to the mystics the law has to move you emotionally even though they are conservative, they are charismatic and want to be close to God

Gautama at Varansi

he goes to the heart of Hinduism and seeks to learn everything about Hinduism studies asceticism living in the jungle, living on a single grain of rice per day for 6 months

Yang

heaven, hot, dry, light, clear, masculine, white originally a dragon

reincarnation and suffering

helps solve the problem of suffering because this makes it so there is no innocent sufferer (Hinduism)

Meccan passages

oldest parts of the Qur'an given by Gabriel emphasize unity of God and legitimacy of Muhammad as prophet

fountain by which all virtues spring in Confucianism

honoring one's parents in one sentence, Confucius' philosophy was one of ethics and virtues that are applied in relationships

question of sociology / anthropology

how does it work in the world? way people live, how it affects society and people's lives

Mecca (before Islam)

huge oasis on a trade route economically important had Ka'ba

Meier and Akiva

huge players in putting together the Mishnah (especially Akiva)

Jewish / Christian roots of fasting

in 5th and 6th centuries fasting was taken very seriously (ex. Lent) it was at this time Islam arose and fasting became a part of that

link between Muhammad's revelation and Ramadan

in 622 this was the month when the Qur'an was revealed

the eightfold path

in Buddhism, the path that leads to the cessation of suffering 1) right understanding 2) right thought 3) right speech 4) right action 5) right livelihood 6) right effort 7) right mindfulness 8) right concentration

Buddhism and Daoism

in Daoism matter exists and it isn't a bad thing (Chi) Buddhism influences Daoism strongly and evolves it -> ex. way of complete perfection which incorporates Buddhist practice of meditation

many paths in Hinduism versus the unique claims of the gospel

in Hinduism you can believe essentially whatever you want but in Christianity Jesus is the unique answer to our human struggle

creation in Hinduism vs Christianity

in Hinduism, creation is not good. it lacks design and purpose "a woman is more evil than tiger" -> all of creation is on a ranking system of evil (and women are ranked incredibly low)

AH vs AD

in Islam, we are in the year AH 1443

Jewish massacre of 1391 in Spain

in Spain + Germany (and other parts of Europe) a rumor spread that Jews would steal kids for their blood this led to a Jewish massacre black death was blamed on the Jews

early life of Muhammad

in every way, he seemed to be a completely ordinary man in Arabia 1) born in Mecca in 570AD 2) at 25 he married Kadisha a rich 40 year old woman - she owned caravans so in this context he encountered many different religions 3) since Christianity and Judaism were the major religions, his teachings were heavily influenced by these faiths 4) Korash family guarded idols / images in Ka'ba 5) dad died before he was born, mom died when he was 6 6) he was illiterate

how is Christianity a threat to Hindu thought?

in the KOG there is a radical reversal of the world order -> the first will be last and the last will be first, the greatest must be a servant Christianity is heavily persecuted in India more than anywhere else

the problem of creation in Buddhism

inability to appreciate the created world no first cause, no way to talk about history or creation, no telos to which all history is going, no framework for understanding human history creation is an illusion, a dream, something we impose on our minds; doesn't really exist, only nothingness Christianity teaches that creation is real and good

Shang religion

involving spirits and established practices heaven and earth were considered a continuum earth contained humans, heaven deities and ancestors ruled by a supreme ancestor, Shang Ti, who later evolved into the Jade Emporer humans on earth had to make sacrifices to dead ancestors, who acted as intermediaries between haven and earth emperors were called "sons of heaven" seen as demi-gods meant to rule the earthly realm

Rig Veda and the caste system

it is important to accept your fate based on karma, and live according to dharma the higher castes are polluted if one is touched by a person with a different caste and they would need to go through purification rituals (Hinduism)

Brahman

key quest of Hinduism is to answer "what is Brahman / who is Brahman" basis of Hindu philosophy in the third person, and has had most influence on modern Hinduism some believe Brahman is a personal god, but others believe Brahman is many gods or a universal essence

King Ashoka

king who violently conquered large parts of India, after which he adopted Buddhism resolved to live and preach the dharma and serve his people Buddhism became the national religion and missionaries were sent to promote Mahayana Buddhism

interrelationship between the five key relationships (Confucianism)

know your role and play that role "Let the lord be lordly, the retainer loyal, the father fatherly, and the son sonly."

the people of Arabia

known as Arabs-> an ethnic term loose tribal structure roamers, used camels tent dwellers -> they know where to go in what seasons in order to survive they would trade with caravans and traders Arabs would raid traders at times eventually made treaties between tribes to help the Arab people live together

upper castes and the way of action and works

largely about protecting the advantages of upper castes the goal is to be liberated from the wheel, and the Brahmin are the only ones eligible to be liberated huge emphasis on accepting one's fate (Hinduism)

King Wu

leader of the Zhou people, challenged the Shang dynasty... justified actions "heaven was dissatisfied"

Hannukkah

lighting of candles in temple when they cleansed temple after it was desecrated

karma

literally "act" or "deed" the immutable Hindu principle of cause and effect theory: every action is the effect of a cause, and it is in turn the cause of an effect in life: every act has a corresponding effect that either embeds or liberates you from the bondage of samsara

the heart of Daoism

living according to the "Dao" going with the flow, not against nature but letting go of attempting to organize / control / achieve "the way to be with the Dao is through non action"

Buddhist wheel of life

made up of 12 causal links linked circularly, not linearly the 12 links are not the same if you want to be free from that wheel, something has to change each link represents different aspects of the human existence 4 segments: past causes, present effects, present causes, future effects

Gautama's meditation at the bodhi tree

meditated under the "wisdom tree" or "the tree of enlightenment" enters deep meditative state where he experienced Dhyana he becomes enlightened, and criticizes Hinduism's desire for higher and higher attainment this is where he becomes "the Buddha" or the "enlightened one"

Vaishyas

merchant caste (Hinduism) second lowest case, comes from Brahman's body assigned dharma to take care of buisness. includes the middle class such as teachers, merchants, and buisness people

Da'wah

missionary activities directed toward spreading Islam "calling"

Reform Judaism

modern Jewish branch; largest branch in America reformed and modernized Judaism to assimilate to modernity a reaction to Orthodox Judaism the Pittsburg Document of 1885

conservative Judaism

modern Jewish group a response to reform Judaism's response to Orthodox tried to figure out how to assimilate without losing tradition the "middle option" has a strong presence in America will make modifications on the law if it seems necessary (ex. don't kindle fire on the sabbath -> you can still drive on the sabbath)

Orthodox Judaism

most conservative modern branch they get educated in the Torah and believe that the halakha, Jewish laws and customs, are completely binding wear Kippah and have side curls wear Tazitzit and have Mezuzah men and women are separated in worship can't drive on sabbath, dress modestly, take seriously the command to be fruitful and multiply

Kabbalah

mystical Judaism, kicked off in the Medieval ear believed to cling onto something -> idea that to be a true Jew you need to have a true connection with God believes God will continually reveal Himself to us as He did to Moses. Believes in various levels of heaven. idea we need to keep ascending to higher levels of knowledge

Sufism

mystical movement in Islam in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment follow practices called tarqats which draw one closer to Allah. these are ways to enter ecstatic union with God. focused on joy, celebration, and intimacy with God

political and civil stability brought about by Hegira

new authority emerges from the Arabian Empire that unites tribes gained enough power and momentum to be officially called a religion this inevitably leads to wars and these wars became the basis for Muhammad to claim his religion because the true God supposedly backed them up

incarnation of Jesus versus Hindu avatars

not a great idea to say Jesus is the ultimate Avatar Jesus only had to do this job once -> need to focus on the purpose of the incarnation

Indus Civilization tradition of Hinduism

oldest, pre-tradition period traced back to modern day Pakistan and NW India Aryans were thriving and spreading their influence Aryans came in and created a social structure

Zohar

one of the most important texts of the Kabbalah mystic tradition numerology is employed

yoga

one of the schools of Hindu philosophy encourages meditative practices to understand samkhya yoga as a path towards liberation "what is your yoga?"

Sa'ai

part of the Hajj (day 1) "the hastening" run 7 times between two small hills in Mecca called Safe and Marwan represents Hagar running around looking for water for Ishmael drink from Zamzam well stand in vigil in plains of Mt. Ara fat and listen to sermons

the 12 links on the Buddhist wheel of life

past causes 1. ignorance 2. mental formulations / karmic predisposition present effects 3. consciousness 4. mind and matter / name and form 5. six senses 6. contact 7. feeling and response present causes 8. craving and desire -> this is the weak link where you can break free from the wheel 9. attachment / grasping after objects 10. becoming / craving for meaningful existence future effects 11. birth / rebirth 12. aging and death

Secular Judaism

people who call themselves Jewish (ethnically) it's all about deeds and not about creeds doing > believing identity > system of beliefs

the philosophical tradition of Hinduism

period of developing doctrine wisdom and philosophy important concepts were emphasized / emerged (ex. karma, advaita, reincarnation) Hinduism believes Brahman resides in every sentient being because creation was made from / out of God -> monism, humans / creation is ontologically connected to the divine

6th century BC climate in India

political and spiritual unrest opened doors to challenge dominance of priests and Brahmins in India in this context Buddhism arose

the three margas (ways) of Hinduism

popular Hinduism 1) way of action and works 2) way of devotion philosophical Hinduism 3) way of knowledge

Brahmins

priestly caste (Hinduism) highest caste, comes from Brahman's head/mouth traditionally assigned dharma to studying and teaching the Vedas, and performing important rituals

Jesus as liberator

proclaims Christ as the liberator from oppressive structures addressed the disenfranchised castes which make up the majority of the population is it true that the gospel liberates people from oppressive structures? missionaries build institutions to help people (schools/hospitals/etc.)

goal of contextualization

reaching every people group for Christ with the gospel

Sunni on Mahdi

reject a final Mahdi believe in a more final judgement

heaven and earth in Daoism and Confucianism

relatedness of heaven and earth focus on how we bring heaven to earth

transcendence

religions direct people toward transcendence supernatural agencies (gods, angels) metaphysical principles (greatest good, the first cause) an ideal (nirvana) or a place (heaven) an awareness (forces within or around us)

ground motives

religious impulses in society that shape cultures throughout history ex. the religious right in America this is a two way street. culture shapes religion and religion shapes culture.

caliphate

represents a title for the successor of Muhammad; a caliph is a person who fulfills this function much debate over this position

Salat

ritual prayer of Islam not spontaneous, you need to pray at specific times in specific ways

Jesus Christ, the unique logos made sannyasin

sannyasin means "abandoning" or "throwing down" -> the stage of renunciation Jesus renounced luxury some preach Jesus was a great brahmin priest who renounced the world and teaches true philosophy may work with Brahmin caste, but probably not other castes

Dooyeweerd

sees religion as how individual humans function, what their basic ontological commitments are ultimate concerns find their expression in traditional or religious faith communities religion is the central aspect of the human heart which is expressed in ground motives

shudras

servant caste (Hinduism) "lowest" caste, feet of Brahman assigned dharma to serve the three cases above it. includes farmers and laborers.

Leviticus 19:27

side curls for Jewish men not from the beard rather from the head today men grow one curl on one side of their head

Diaspora

since the exile, Jews felt dispersed even after rebuilding the temple in 515BCE and into the NT period this is because they didn't have their own king or laws many stayed in Fertile crescent even after Cyrus freed them many Jews never returned and the Jews were always under foreign rulers (Persians, Greeks, Romans)

Sannyasa

someone who renounced the world, lives in aestheticism for the sake of finding higher truth (Hinduism / Buddhism)

SBNR

spiritual but not religious in 2017, 27% of Americans considered themselves SBNR there is an SBNR conference which people can attend these are people with beliefs but don't want to submit to institutions because they'll need to get rid of autonomy see religion and spirituality as a private matter... only 7% talk about their beleifs 1/2 SBNR people believe religion is harmful and that all religions teach basically the same thing believe no religion has ultimate truth because all religions see some truth "de-fangs" ultimate truth

Confucianism and Daoism today

still present in Chinese thought (esp. Confucianism) ex. filial piety, wisdom, integrity, accepting your role in society, etc.

the Taiju

symbol for Yin and Yang (Daoism) "the supreme ultimate" illustrates that nothing is either completely "evil" or "good" each of these values are relative to the person who holds them neither is good / bad, they are complementary phases of Chi together they sum up all of life's opposites and polarity the 5 elements represented (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) all related through cause and effect. represent the interconnectedness of the universe

John R Terry "Buddhist Priests Choose Christ"

tells testimonies of Buddhist priests who were deeply touched by the historical nature of Christianity. this was a real factor in their conversion

Paul Tillich's "ultimate concern"

that which one builds their life around as Hexam observes "Smart failed to distinguish between genuine commitment and mere conformity to a social norm" Tillich forces us to distinguish between institutional religion and the idea of "religious" or "ultimate concerns"

TENAK

the Hebrew Bible (TENAK = Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim)

Arundhati

the Hindu story of a teacher showing a student the star Alcor the point: great teachers do not teach directly, they teach by way of inference... you don't tell them the answer you lead the to the answer the importance of indirect speech

Brit Milah

the Jewish ritual of circumcision of an 8 day old baby

the Adhan

the Muslim call to prayer "Allah is most great. I testify that there is no God but Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah. Come to prayer. Come to salvation. Allah is most great. There is no God but Allah."

the problem of self and Buddhism

the aim of Buddhism is to extinguish all desire... what happens to the self? cannot affirm the possibility of the "I" which is just flux of contingent continuity bound together by karmic law this is not atman which transmigrates, only the release from karmic energy Christianity teaches a fundemental value of self -> our fullest humanity is expressed when we are transformed by Christ and we live through Christ

Abyssinia

the ancient name for Ethiopia Muhammad and his followers were heavily persecuted in the early years of Islam so they fled to Abyssina in 615 with 75 other Muslisms to be protected by King Negus Christianity was struggling with Christological heresies at that time heretics were kicked out from Rome and fled to Arabia so that area was filled with heresy

suras

the chapters of the Qur'an "reading / receiving" meant to be prescriptive for life as a Muslim each sura is given a special name taken from theme or word in each chapter; passages are either Meccan or Medinan

the Talmud

the combination of the Mishnah and Gemara 4th century Palestinian Talmud 5th century Babylonian Talmud this is what Jewish people study today

Qiblah

the direction toward Mecca which Muslims face in prayer (cf. Daniel 6:10, he would pray 3x a day towards Jerusalem)

Buddhism and the problem of suffering

the first noble truth: all of life is suffering how then does one make a difference between a starving child and someone who lives in opulence? no appreciation for vicarious suffering of Christ in Christianity - Jesus suffers for us

Buddhist dharma

the first sermons of Buddha that comprise the 13 essential teachings of Buddhism (these first two sermons are considered the sacred texts of Buddhism)

Buddha's first sermon

the four noble truths 1) all life is suffering 2) thirst is the cause of suffering 3) you need to get rid of this thirst 4) the eightfold path is the way to get rid of this thirst

Dooyeweerd's definition of religion

the innate impulse of human selfhood to direct itself toward the true or toward a pretended absolute Origin of all temporal diversity of meaning which it finds focused concentrically in itself... as the absolutely central sphere of human existence, religion transcends all modal aspects of temporal reality, the aspect of faith included... religion is absolute self surrender"

Nirvana is like an oil lamp

the life we have, and oil = our desires / thirst for life when the lamp goes out it fizzles and turns to smoke which evaporates

Takbir

the phrase "Allah is the Greatest"

moksha

the release from the wheel of samsara which comes from insight of Tat Tvam Asi (which leads to good karma which leads to Moksha) this is one of the goals of Hinduism you know you are close to Moksha when your life is going really well (since in that case you would have good karma)

Shahada vs shema

the shadha links Allah with the prophet therefore the only way to know Allah is through Muhammad idea that obedience to Muhammad = obedience to Allah Muhammad is a chosen vessel through which Allah reveals himself

Alcor

the smallest star in the big dipper one of the most difficult stars to see... your teacher would point to the biggest star and guide you from there trying to show you something not obvious by starting with what is obvious (Hinduism)

Aum

the sound resonating throughout the universe Hindus make this sound as an attempt to be in resonance with the universe, which will lead to revelation, insights, and peace

3 jewels of Theravada Buddhism + the vow

the vow: "I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha." 1. the Buddha - the enlightened teacher 2. the Dharma - the 2 great first sermons of Buddha ; his teachings 3. the Sangha - community of Buddhists ("the flock")

challenges of defining Hinduism

the word Hindu didn't show up until British colonization... unclear who even came up with the word (1830s) natives of India wanted to distinguish themselves term Hindu is a geographic term... Indus River -> early invaders couldn't pronounce Indus without "H" sound; people living along Indus Valley were called "Hindus"

who founded Hinduism?

there is no leader who is the founder better understood as four periods of time / layers of traditions

the "hidden texts" Mahayana Buddhism

these teach the new goal of Buddhism. not being monks but rather how to become a bodhisattva 1) the Prajnaparamita sutras "the perfection of wisdom and teachings" 2) the diamond and heart sutras (condensed sutras) 3) the lotus sutra and the story of the house on fire

Gautama's discontent under Alara and Uddaka

they couldn't answer the question of release from suffering... wanted to escape the wheel of samsara and he didn't feel like Hinduism gave him an answer so, Gautama left and went to Gaya / Varansi

is God knowable in Hinduism

they don't know who / what is God they do not have a relational God who desires or wants to be known major difference from the relational God of Christianity who reveals Himself

motivation behind the 5 pillars of Islam

things you DO not BELIEVE which define you as a Muslim. more a religion of deeds than creeds

Jewish exile in Babylon

this is where Judaism is really born in 586BC, Babylon destroyed the temple, most are exiled new form of worship is established based on the study of the Torah and synagogue worship (rabbinic Judaism)

Temple mount

this is where the temple was built. this is where Jews believe Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. Islam believes that Muhammad ascended from that rock.

the crusades

thousands of Jews were massacred in all three crusades slogan: "Why fight Christ's enemies abroad when they are living among us?" Jews and Muslims united to fight against Christians

Haredi

ultra conservative Orthodox Jews

Reconstructionist Judaism

unique to the US. Want to preserve Jewish culture as a civilization. Says Jewish culture is more important than Jewish belief. They still follow tradition and the law because it helps preserve Jewish culture. Can be super left leaning or super right leaning politically.

dhalats

untouchables / "outcasts" (Hinduism) not considered a caste, does not come from any part of Brahman they have no dharma or statutes and they cannot participate fully in Hinduism about 50% of the population in a previous life they stocked up bad karma do the dirtiest work in India often segregated and not educated terrible crimes committed against them and the government turns a blind eye

how many gods in Hinduism?

up to 330 million

Chi in medicine and the martial arts

use of Chi moving from one direction to another (ex. acupuncture) if yin and yang are unbalanced in the body, illness occurs (idea that the body needs both hot and cold) yin and yang are associated with different places in the body dynamics of movement are classified by opposites

appeal of Hinduism

use of stories and metaphors to answer the big questions of life the wisdom tradition and the power of Hindu stories

the way of action and works (Hinduism)

use of the caste system focus on following dharma

Chi

vital life energy that runs through all of life uniting everything a supreme reality or source of universe an actual material thing which doesn't transfer

the seven circumambulations

walk around the Ka'ba during the Hajj (day 1) "Tawaf" walk 7 times counterclockwise (kiss/touch/point to black stone) somewhat like feast of tabernacles where you walk around temple 7 times

Kshatriyas

warrior caste (Hinduism) second highest caste, comes from Brahman's arms assigned dharma to protect and govern people. includes politicians, princes, military, and police officers.

Jesus Christ, the "western" savior

western forms and approaches to evangelism used to reach people fed up with their culture will using a foreign Jesus be effective? No

question of philosophy

what does the religion teach? beliefs, logic of tenets, does it make sense?

question of history

when, how, and why did the religion begin?

middle ages for Jews

worst period of persecution 15th century mass expulsion from European countries Martin Luther "On the Jews and their lives" -> getting rid of Jews via conversion or expulsion T. Aquinas was also Anti-Semitic Ukrainian massacre of Jews 19th century Pegram (spelling?) government sanctioned physical behavior against Jews

"Nirvana is like the sparks that fly from the anvil when the hammer strikes it"

you see the sparks and then they disappear