Unit 3 - Religions (sans Islam) Flashcards
Define Hinduism.
Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in India and Nepal. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million adherents worldwide. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings. Teachings and practices vary greatly from village to village or even house to house.
Define a caste system.
A caste system is a system where people are classified in a pyramid based on their caste, with different castes of different prevalence and different perceived worth. In the Hindu culture, there is a caste system with several different levels based on spiritual closeness to the “World Soul.” Your caste level is immovably decided at birth.
What is filial piety?
In Confucian philosophy, filial piety (Chinese, xiào) is a virtue of respect for one’s parents, elders, and ancestors. It has worked its way from a Confucian tenet into a central teaching of Chinese culture and many Asian cultures as a rule.
What is nirvana?
Nirvana is a term related with the Buddhist religion, used to describe a state of completely zen peace. It is reached only once a person has fully completed the Buddhist path within themselves.
What are the four noble truths?
The four Noble Truths are four tenets of the Buddhist religion. They are as follows:
1) All existence is dukkha– which means suffering or pain.
2) The cause of dukkha is craving things
3) The cessation of dukkha comes with the cessation of craving. …
4) There is a path that leads from dukkha, and it is the Buddhist path.
Who was Lao Tzu?
Lao Tzu (or Laozi) is the founder of Taoism, the Chinese belief system of nature. After founding Taoism, which is based on the rejection of manmade constructs in order to be closer to nature, he rode off into the west of China on a water buffalo.
What is “The Analects of Confucius?”
“The Analects of Confucius” is a collection of sayings and ideas attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his contemporaries, generally believed to have been written by Confucius’ followers. It is the sacred text of Confucianism, which is precious but not holy like many monotheistic texts.
Define Torah.
The Torah is the Old Testament, the holy book of the Jewish people. In much of it the God shown is a wrathful god (as seen from the outside) and a merciful god (as seen from the inside) as he purges the hate from the world over and over again. His name is Yahweh.
Who was Jesus of Nazareth?
Jesus of Nazareth is thought to be the savior in the Christian religion. According to the New Testament, he came as the son of god through the Virgin Mary, and he died an unjust death on the cross so that all the people of the Earth could be forgiven of their sins.
Define prophet.
A prophet is one who preaches the original text of a religion. Figures like Abraham and John and Jesus are all prophets of different religions.
What is the significance of flood stories?
Flood stories appear in almost all religions. All seem to have two elements: a man is warned of a flood by some supernatural force and builds a boat, and when the flood ends those on the boat arrive on a mountain.
What led to India’s caste system?
The caste system in India is a product of Hinduism, which has a strict caste system as a central tenet. India, being a primarily Hindu state, had to adopt the caste system into its culture to follow its own teachings.
What is Om?
Om is a sacred symbol generally associated with Hinduism. It is used to symbolize meditation and zen within the mental self.
What is the significance of the wheel in the Buddhist belief system?
The wheel symbolizes the eightfold path of Buddhism, the path that one must take to achieve Nirvana. It also symbolizes the cycle of rebirth, one that is very important to Buddhist beliefs.
How was Buddhist art influenced by Hellenism?
Prior to the spread of Hellenism to Buddhist places, a footprint was used to symbolize the Buddha. After the spread of Hellenism, the Buddha actually had statues and was represented as a human figure.
