Exam 2 - African Religion, Buddhism, Hinduism Flashcards
What are the religions in Africa?
Christianity (400 million), Islam, Hindu, Tribal/Folk Religion
Characteristics of African Traditional Religion?
- Belief in a high God
- Lesser gods and spirits
- Ancestor Worship
- Sacrifice
- Rites of Passage
- Religious Leaders
- Syncretism
How many percent of India is Hindu?
80%
Is there known originator and datable beginning? (Hinduism)
No
Where did Hinduism originate?
Indus Valley, Aryan Invaders.
What are the periods (Hinduism)
Aryan (sacrifice) -> Vedic (one reality, meditation, devotion) -> post-Vedic (more development)
Hinduism is always _________. More as a ________ than a _______.
changing, culture, creed
Brahman is the …
divine, absolute, infinite, unknowable cosmic spirit
We can only know Brahman through ….
other gods, they are “reincarnation” of Brahman
All things are ___ ____ the ________ (Hinduism)
one with the universe
“Atman is one with Brahman.” = Atman, definition?
The individual soul or self which keeps being reincarnated. [The divine part of human being that is part of Brahman]
Two key characteristics of Hinduism?
Assimilation, Syncretism
Assimilation definition …
Process where one group takes on the characteristic (religious, cultural traits) of another group
Syncretism definition …
Blending of religious ideas and practices
What are some examples of Hinduism’s Sacred Writings?
Shruti, Smruti, Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana
Shruti
Large collection of primary scriptures (Mantram Braahmana, Aaranyaka, Upanishad)
Smruti
Large collection of secondary scriptures (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
Vedas
Collection of oral texts, Foundation of Hindu’s scripture, Eternal truth revealed to the great sages
What are the three parts of Vedas
Rig (general knowledge), Yajur (knowledge of action), Saam (knowledge of worship)
Upanishads
Influential basis of Hindu philosophy (metaphysical discussion)
Bhagavad Gita
story of Arjuna and Krishna, Famous chapter from Mahabharata - longest story in the world - 4x the length of NT - most common
Ramayana
Epic poem, defines the laws of dharma
Summarize Bhagavad Gita
Arjuna (warrior) has a dilemma. there’s a war with family on both sides and he doesn’t want to kill either. Krishna (Arjuna’s charioteer) advised to follow the path of duty
3 Key Messages Bhagavad Gita:
- Life does not last, neither life does death.
- We create meaning by giving shape to emptiness.
- We create right and wrong. (We create truth and let it define us.
In Hinduism god/divinity is in ______
All things, all things are part of the cosmic divine force
Brahman “______ __________” (universal soul), he is an _________ ___, can only be known through ______ _____
divine consciousness, impersonal god, other gods
Maya
Illusion: We are not conscious(aware) of the the fact that we are one with Brahman
Samsara
Reincarnation cycle (cycle of life and death)
Moksha
escape or release from samsara
Enlightenment
The process by which one may escape maya and discover one’s truth and identity
Karma Yoga
Action & Acceptance
Bakti Yoga
Devotion & Surrender
Gyana Yoga
Knowledge & Understanding
Death as understood in Hinduism:
Reincarnation; at death only the body dies.
Atman lives in successive bodies until Moksha,
Cremation - entrance to the next reincarnation
Family Life (Hinduism), Female roles?
Domestic responsibility
Family Life (Hinduism), Male roles
Provide pool income
Family Life (Hinduism), Elders (men) role?
Key decisions, guide younger members
Property passes from ______ to ____
Father to son
Family Life (Hinduism), Extended family?
cares for elderly, children, disabled, etc.
Interdependence (Hinduism)
Parents support children, then later children expected to repay & care for parents
What does Buddhism rejects the ______ is one with the ____
The individual soul (atman); universal source of life (brahman)
Marriage in Hinduism?
Marriage has broad social and religious obligation, not just a personal decision between partners.
Buddhism rejects the Hindu ______
Holy Writings
Classical Buddhism denies the existence of ____ or ____ (atheistic)
God or gods
Buddhism began as a _____ _____ within Hinduism in the __ Century BC
reform movement; 6th
What is the goal of Transcendental Meditation?
Goal is to empty the mind of thoughts so that one can experience enlightenment
Transcendental Meditation is a form of ________
Spiritual meditation
What’s Buddha’s real name?
Siddharta Gautama
Buddha means _______ One
Enlightened
“Be still and know that I am God” (Hinduism)
man and woman should find divinity within themselves
Buddha was born ____ BC in Northeastern India
560 (not accurate)
“Aum” or “OM” is the
sacred symbol of Brahman, most elemental expression, more primal than speech.
The “divine oneness” syllable, essential part of meditation/yoga
Buddha was the son of a ____ and he grew up in ______ _______; in other words he was a spoiled, sheltered, and isolated prince
Rajah; isolated luxury
Yoga is
Physical and mental discipline to achieve a state of spiritual super-consciousness
What happened to him at the age of 16?
He was married, had a son, and a harem
Yoga involves _____ and _______ to
Breathing exercises and postures to center oneself & become one w/ the universe
(Radically opposite to Christian meditation which is filling the mind w/ spiritual thoughts)
Purity involves _______
Personal cleanliness
Buddah’s materialism left him ____ and _____
Chained and unhappy
3 Major Pollutants (Hinduism)
Blood, Waste Matter (feces), Contact w/ the Dead
What were the four realities of life Buddha shouldn’t have seen?
- An old man
- A diseased man
- A dead man
- A hermit monk
Purity effects of diet
Vegetarianism, respect for life and blood, reverence for animals
Ganges River (Hinduism)
Sacred river, cleanse soul, cures
Karma from past existence determines ___________________
one’s place in society in this life
What did Gautama realized from his journeys at 29?
- Tragedy of suffering
- Religion failed
- Concluded that Hinduism is a failure
The condition of humanity