Religion Flashcards
Define sacred texts
Sacred texts refer to religious or spiritual writings that are revered and considered authoritative within a particular faith or belief system. These texts often contain teachings, narratives, rituals, laws, prayers, and ethical guidelines that are central to the religious identity and practices of adherents.
Identify the different purposes of sacred
texts for adherents
guidance, inspiration, education, ritual and worship, community, salvation and redemption, prophecy and revelation.
Explain what constitutes truth in sacred texts.
Truth in sacred texts encompasses divine revelation, moral guidance, symbolic meaning, and spiritual enlightenment, guiding adherents in matters of faith, morality, and spirituality.
Revise the origins and core teachings of Hinduism
Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions, traces its origins to ancient Indian civilizations and the Indus Valley civilization. Its core teachings emphasize the concepts of dharma (duty/righteousness), karma (action and its consequences), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation), with a diverse array of beliefs, practices, and scriptures contributing to its rich tapestry of spirituality.
Explore the key sacred texts of Hinduism
The key sacred texts of Hinduism include the Vedas, which are the oldest and most authoritative scriptures, comprising four collections: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. The Upanishads, philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality and the self, are considered extensions of the Vedas and form the basis of Hindu philosophy. Additionally, the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are revered as important narratives of Hindu mythology, morality, and dharma, while the Bhagavad Gita, a section within the Mahabharata, serves as a dialogue on duty and righteousness between Lord Krishna and the warrior Arjuna.
How do the sacred texts of Hinduism offer insight into life.
The sacred texts of Hinduism offer profound insights into life by providing philosophical teachings, moral guidance, and spiritual wisdom that address the nature of existence, the purpose of human life, and the path to enlightenment.
How do the sacred texts of Hinduism provide guidance for living and express the relationship between people and a higher being?
They offers guidance through the concept of dharma, which encompasses duty, righteousness and moral obligation. They expresses the relationship between individuals and the higher being by illustrating various paths to spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine, devotion, knowledge or disciplined action.
what is braman and brahma?
Brahman: Ultimate reality or cosmic spirit in Hinduism.
Brahma: Creator deity in Hindu trinity.
what is krishna?
Major deity, divine hero in Hinduism.
what are the laws of manu?
Ancient Hindu legal texts that provide guidelines for social and moral conduct, covering various aspects of life including familial relationships, societal roles, and legal codes.
Revise the origins and core teachings of Buddhism
Buddhism originated in ancient India around the 6th century BCE, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. Its core teachings revolve around the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path to its end, known as the Noble Eightfold Path, emphasizing ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
Define key concepts of Buddhist beliefs
Four Noble Truths: These truths encapsulate the essence of Buddhism, addressing the nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to liberation from suffering.
Noble Eightfold Path: This path consists of eight interconnected principles or steps that lead to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of enlightenment.
Karma: The law of cause and effect, where one’s actions in past and present lives determine their future experiences.
Rebirth (Samsara): The cyclical process of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by karma, until one achieves enlightenment and breaks free from this cycle.
Anatta (Non-self): The concept that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul, challenging the notion of a fixed identity or ego.
Metta (Loving-kindness): The practice of cultivating unconditional love and compassion towards all beings, central to Buddhist ethics and meditation.
Meditation: Integral to Buddhist practice, meditation aims to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight, leading to wisdom and liberation from suffering.
Dharma: Refers to the teachings of the Buddha, as well as the universal law or truth that governs the cosmos.
Compare and contrast Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
Origins:
Theravada: Traces its origins to the early Buddhist schools and primarily follows the Pali Canon, considered the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha.
Mahayana: Emerged later and expanded upon the foundational teachings of Theravada, incorporating new scriptures and emphasizing the concept of the bodhisattva.
Focus:
Theravada: Emphasizes individual liberation (arhatship) through personal practice and the pursuit of enlightenment.
Mahayana: Places greater emphasis on compassion and the ideal of the bodhisattva, who postpones their own enlightenment to help others achieve liberation.
Goal:
Theravada: Aims for personal enlightenment (nirvana) and the cessation of suffering for oneself.
Mahayana: Seeks not only personal enlightenment but also the liberation of all beings from suffering, aspiring towards Buddhahood for the benefit of others.
Scriptures:
Theravada: Relies primarily on the Tripitaka or Pali Canon, containing the teachings of the historical Buddha.
Mahayana: Includes additional scriptures known as Mahayana Sutras, which are believed to contain the deeper teachings of the Buddha and bodhisattvas.
View of the Buddha:
Theravada: Reveres the Buddha as a historical figure and the primary teacher of the Dharma.
Mahayana: Views the Buddha as a transcendent being who embodies ultimate reality and compassion, often depicted in various celestial forms.
Monasticism:
Theravada: Emphasizes monasticism and the sangha as central to the preservation and transmission of the Dharma.
Mahayana: While monasticism is important, Mahayana also emphasizes lay participation and the role of bodhisattvas in guiding and inspiring practitioners.
What are the sacred texts of Buddhism?
Tripitaka (Pali Canon): Also known as the “Three Baskets,” this collection of scriptures contains the teachings of the historical Buddha, including the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monks and nuns), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical and psychological teachings).
Mahayana Sutras: These scriptures, unique to Mahayana Buddhism, include a vast array of texts believed to contain the deeper teachings of the Buddha and bodhisattvas. Examples include the Heart Sutra, Lotus Sutra, and Diamond Sutra.
Tibetan Buddhist Texts: Tibetan Buddhism has its own set of scriptures, including the Kangyur (translated words of the Buddha) and the Tengyur (commentaries by Indian and Tibetan masters).
Theravada Commentaries: Theravada tradition includes commentaries and sub-commentaries on the Pali Canon, providing detailed explanations and interpretations of Buddhist teachings.
Analyse how sacred texts of Buddhism communicate core teachings to adherents
Through narratives, discourses, and parables, these texts elucidate fundamental concepts such as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the concept of impermanence. They offer guidance on ethical conduct, meditation practices, and the cultivation of wisdom.
