Sacred Texts Flashcards
What is the sacred text of Christianity?
The Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
The Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament, which is shared with Judaism, and the New Testament, which focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
What is the primary holy book of Islam?
The Quran
The Quran is considered the literal word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The Hadith are also important, consisting of sayings and actions of Muhammad.
What does the Jewish sacred text, the Tanakh, consist of?
The Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim
The Tanakh is the Hebrew Bible that encompasses the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim).
What are the key texts of the Bahá’í Faith?
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, and writings of Bahá’u’lláh
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is considered the Most Holy Book of the Bahá’í Faith.
What is the Samaritan sacred text?
The Samaritan Torah
The Samaritan Torah is similar to the Jewish Torah but contains variations unique to Samaritan beliefs.
Name the four Vedas in Hinduism.
Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
The Vedas are ancient scriptures that form the foundation of Hindu religious knowledge.
What are the main texts of Buddhism?
The Tripitaka, The Mahayana Sutras, The Tibetan Book of the Dead
The Tripitaka, also known as the Pali Canon, is the earliest collection of Buddhist teachings.
What is the primary scripture of Sikhism?
Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib is regarded as the eternal Guru by Sikhs and contains the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
What are the main texts in Taoism?
The Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi
The Tao Te Ching is attributed to Laozi, while Zhuangzi is a foundational text exploring Taoist philosophy.
What are the key texts of Confucianism?
The Five Classics and The Four Books
The Analects of Confucius is included in The Four Books, which are critical for understanding Confucian thought.
What are the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism?
The Avesta
The Avesta includes the Gathas, which are hymns attributed to Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism.
What are the holy texts of Yazidism?
The Mishefa Reş (Black Book) and The Kitêbê Cilwe (Book of Revelation)
Yazidism has its own unique scriptures that guide the faith’s beliefs and practices.
Fill in the blank: The primary scripture of Jainism is the _______.
Agamas
The Agamas are the canonical scriptures of Jainism, containing teachings attributed to the Tirthankaras.
What is the significance of The Popol Vuh?
It contains various oral traditions of the Mayans
The Popol Vuh is a key text in understanding the mythology and history of the Maya civilization.
Name a sacred text of Rastafarianism.
The Holy Piby and The Kebra Nagast
The Kebra Nagast is also sacred to Ethiopian Christianity and details the history of the Ethiopian monarchy.
What is the Bön Canon?
The sacred texts of the Tibetan Indigenous Religion
The Bön Canon overlaps with some Tibetan Buddhist texts, reflecting shared cultural and religious ideas.
True or False: Many religions have supplementary texts that play an important role in their traditions.
True
These supplementary texts can include commentaries, interpretations, and oral traditions that enrich the understanding of the primary sacred texts.
What are the Gathas?
The most sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, composed by Zarathustra
Likely written between 1200–1000 BCE and form the oldest part of the Avesta.
Who composed the Gathas?
Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
The Gathas are attributed directly to him.
In what language are the Gathas written?
Gathic Avestan
This ancient language is closely related to Sanskrit.
How many hymns are in the Gathas?
17 hymns
These hymns are divided into five sections.
What is the main theme of the Gathas?
Ethical living, truthfulness, and devotion to Ahura Mazda
They do not focus on rituals or ceremonies.
What does Ahura Mazda represent?
The supreme god of wisdom and truth
Central figure in Zoroastrian belief.
What is Asha in Zoroastrianism?
Truth and Order
Represents the moral law governing the universe.
What is Vohu Manah?
Good Mind
Represents the pursuit of wisdom and righteous thought.
What are the two opposing forces in Moral Dualism?
Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu
Represents the constant struggle between good and evil.
Fill in the blank: The Gathas emphasize _______ and ethics.
Free Will
Humans are encouraged to choose righteousness and truth.
What is the first group of hymns called?
Ahunavaiti Gatha
Contains prayers for guidance and justice (Yasna 28–34).
What does the Ushtavaiti Gatha focus on?
The joy of righteousness and teachings on free will
It is found in Yasna 43–46.
What is the theme of the Spentamainyu Gatha?
The battle between good and evil
This section is found in Yasna 47–50.
What does the Vohukhshathra Gatha describe?
The ideal Zoroastrian society
Located in Yasna 51.
What is the focus of the Vahishtoishti Gatha?
The reward of righteous living
This section is found in Yasna 53.
