The Five Pillars of Islam
1. The pronunciation of the shahada is central to a Muslim's identity and practice of the Islamic faith because it affirms the Muslim belief that there is only one God.
2. The practice of the salat both mentally helps Muslims to live in obedience to the will of Allah by providing the time to to focus on their beliefs and how they will live them out. Physically, it requires a person to bow in a defenseless position and pray towards the direction of Mecca.
3. The practice of zakat influences Muslims as a community of faith by showing that Allah's will is for everyone to be treated equally by having the upper and middle classes give a portion of their wealth to the poor.
4. The practice of sawm mentally helps a Muslim to live in obedience to the will of Allah by teaching self-discipline through fasting. Physically, a Muslim may not eat, drink nor smoke from sunrise to sunset.
5. I think that the hajj is a pilar of Islam because it shows the unity of all Muslims through their pilgrimage by bringing them all together. This practice is similar to Judaism in a way that Jews are encouraged to visit Isreal, whereas Muslims are required to go on this pilgrimage.
6. I think some of the challenges of practicing a life in relationship to the Five Pillars would be developing the self-disciple required during fasting and just abiding by the strict laws of Islam in general. Another challenge for a Muslim to me would be remembering to pray 5 times a day.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Ninety Names of God
Masculine
The first masculine name that I chose was The Potent. I chose this name because it represents a powerful and strong God. It also represents God's power to perform miracles and create earth, animals, and people. The potent symbolizes that God's power is unrestrained and unlimited. He is the highest of powers and cannot be overruled. It also symbolizes how He is the most powerful being and the creator of everything.
The second masculine name that I chose was The All-Knowing. I chose this name because when I think about God, I know He is the wisest of all and with this knowledge comes with power. To me, this name is a more masculine name because since God is so knowledgable and powerful, He can control and know everything. God can see and plan everything out in advance and has a larger plan for each and every one of us. This name illustrates his true power of knowing and controlling everything that happens in the world.
Feminine
The first feminine name I chose was The Infinitely Patient. To me, women have a more patient and nurturing role than men. God is patient with all of his children because we all sin and are slowly learning how to live the way were meant to in the first place. God is also patient and kind in ways we may not even realize. He is also comforting in our toughest times and is there to nurture us to make sure we get through them.
The second feminine name that I chose was The Fashioner. When I think of the word fashion, I think of a more feminine role. God is seen as a fashioner because he created or designed the world in Genesis. He also created every human being and how he expects us all to live. The fashioner requires a powerful and creative role, that God clearly attains.
All of these names describe God in several different ways. Whether the names are feminine or masculine, it just shows how diverse God is and how many roles He has as our Father. These four names, as well as the other ninety five of them, are all just some of the examples of God's power and ability. There aren't enough names to fully describe who God is, but through what we are taught and know, these names can give a good example of who God is to us and how unlimited he is power.
The first masculine name that I chose was The Potent. I chose this name because it represents a powerful and strong God. It also represents God's power to perform miracles and create earth, animals, and people. The potent symbolizes that God's power is unrestrained and unlimited. He is the highest of powers and cannot be overruled. It also symbolizes how He is the most powerful being and the creator of everything.
The second masculine name that I chose was The All-Knowing. I chose this name because when I think about God, I know He is the wisest of all and with this knowledge comes with power. To me, this name is a more masculine name because since God is so knowledgable and powerful, He can control and know everything. God can see and plan everything out in advance and has a larger plan for each and every one of us. This name illustrates his true power of knowing and controlling everything that happens in the world.
Feminine
The first feminine name I chose was The Infinitely Patient. To me, women have a more patient and nurturing role than men. God is patient with all of his children because we all sin and are slowly learning how to live the way were meant to in the first place. God is also patient and kind in ways we may not even realize. He is also comforting in our toughest times and is there to nurture us to make sure we get through them.
The second feminine name that I chose was The Fashioner. When I think of the word fashion, I think of a more feminine role. God is seen as a fashioner because he created or designed the world in Genesis. He also created every human being and how he expects us all to live. The fashioner requires a powerful and creative role, that God clearly attains.
All of these names describe God in several different ways. Whether the names are feminine or masculine, it just shows how diverse God is and how many roles He has as our Father. These four names, as well as the other ninety five of them, are all just some of the examples of God's power and ability. There aren't enough names to fully describe who God is, but through what we are taught and know, these names can give a good example of who God is to us and how unlimited he is power.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Islam Webquest
Task #1- The World's Muslim Population
1. The highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today are 2.1 billion.
2. 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Dijbouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan.
3. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population.
4. There are 2,595,000 Muslims are in the US.
Task #2- Key Beliefs of Islam
Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a COMPLETE sentence.
1. Muslims believe that there is one unique incomparable God.
2. Muslims believe angels to be honored creatures.
3. God revealed books to his followers for guidance.
4. Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God.
5. Muslims believe in judgment day.
6. Muslims believe in AL-Qadar or divine predestination.
Teachings of Muhammad
1. It takes more strength to stop yourself from anger than it does to take others down with you.
2. A scholars writing is more valuable than the death of a martyr.
3. Loving the world more than God is evil.
Task #3- The Quarn (Koran)
1. The Quran provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.
2. The Quran exists in Arabic because that's how it was revealed to Muhammad.
3. The Quran was sent down from Heaven in the ninth month.
4. The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to read then he memorized the Quran.
Task #4- Five Pillars of Faith
1. 1) Shahadah: reciting the Muslim profession of faith. 2) Salat: performing of ritual prayers five times a day. 3) Zakat: paying alms tax to help the poor. 4) Sawm: fasting during Ramadan. 5) Hajj: the pilgrimage to Mecca.
2. They are important because it gives them framework for their lives and their daily life.
3. Cheating on the 5 Pillars is impossible because it puts their faith before their life.
4. Shahadah is the same prayer that Christians pray. Salat is like going to mass five times a day. Zakat is volunteering to help the poor through charity. Sawm is similar to fasting during lent. And the Hajj is like going to a sacred prayer ground everyday.
Task #5- Ramadan
1. Ramadan is a holy month where God sent the Quran down to Muhammad.
2. During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the daytime. Smoking and sex are also forbidden.
3. telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, false oat, and greed can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan
4. The 27th day of Ramadan is significant because it is believed that on that night Muhammad first received the sacred revelation.
5. When Ramadan ends with a 3 day celebration.
6.The 3 reasons Ramadan is important are: The Qur'an was first revealed during this month; the gates of Heaven are open; and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
7. It's easier to do good during Ramadan because it has been blessed by Allah.
Task #6- Fun Facts
List 5 interesting facts you learned from the websites above.
1. Muslims believe Abraham is the father of the Arabs.
2. Moses is an important prophet of the Muslim faith.
3. Muslims circumcise boys.
4. Muslims pray five times a day towards Mecca.
5. Muslims believe in peace and do not allow for extremist views.
1. The highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today are 2.1 billion.
2. 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater are: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Comoros, Dijbouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan.
3. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population.
4. There are 2,595,000 Muslims are in the US.
Task #2- Key Beliefs of Islam
Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a COMPLETE sentence.
1. Muslims believe that there is one unique incomparable God.
2. Muslims believe angels to be honored creatures.
3. God revealed books to his followers for guidance.
4. Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God.
5. Muslims believe in judgment day.
6. Muslims believe in AL-Qadar or divine predestination.
Teachings of Muhammad
1. It takes more strength to stop yourself from anger than it does to take others down with you.
2. A scholars writing is more valuable than the death of a martyr.
3. Loving the world more than God is evil.
Task #3- The Quarn (Koran)
1. The Quran provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.
2. The Quran exists in Arabic because that's how it was revealed to Muhammad.
3. The Quran was sent down from Heaven in the ninth month.
4. The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to read then he memorized the Quran.
Task #4- Five Pillars of Faith
1. 1) Shahadah: reciting the Muslim profession of faith. 2) Salat: performing of ritual prayers five times a day. 3) Zakat: paying alms tax to help the poor. 4) Sawm: fasting during Ramadan. 5) Hajj: the pilgrimage to Mecca.
2. They are important because it gives them framework for their lives and their daily life.
3. Cheating on the 5 Pillars is impossible because it puts their faith before their life.
4. Shahadah is the same prayer that Christians pray. Salat is like going to mass five times a day. Zakat is volunteering to help the poor through charity. Sawm is similar to fasting during lent. And the Hajj is like going to a sacred prayer ground everyday.
Task #5- Ramadan
1. Ramadan is a holy month where God sent the Quran down to Muhammad.
2. During Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the daytime. Smoking and sex are also forbidden.
3. telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, false oat, and greed can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan
4. The 27th day of Ramadan is significant because it is believed that on that night Muhammad first received the sacred revelation.
5. When Ramadan ends with a 3 day celebration.
6.The 3 reasons Ramadan is important are: The Qur'an was first revealed during this month; the gates of Heaven are open; and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
7. It's easier to do good during Ramadan because it has been blessed by Allah.
Task #6- Fun Facts
List 5 interesting facts you learned from the websites above.
1. Muslims believe Abraham is the father of the Arabs.
2. Moses is an important prophet of the Muslim faith.
3. Muslims circumcise boys.
4. Muslims pray five times a day towards Mecca.
5. Muslims believe in peace and do not allow for extremist views.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Ancient Religions in the West
- Zoroastrianism began to flourish in ancient Iran (now known as Persia). It began in the fourth or fifth century from the influence of the Persian Empire.
- Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin due to them being conquered by Alexander the Great.
- An angel named Good Thought brought Zarathustra a disembodied soul before Ahura Mazda, where he recognized Ahura Mazda as one true god. He then went to preach radical messages of monotheism throughout his polytheistic society.
- The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta. The oldest material in this text is Gathas and was written by Zarathustra.
- Ahura Mazda the eternal and universal goodness. He controls the cosmos and destiny of humans and is known to be the creator of everything.
- Ethical dualism is the belief in universal forces of good and evil.
- The Lie is an evil cosmic force. It opposes Ahura Mazda, who is good.
- Humans must choose between the truth (good) and lie (evil) in Zoroastrian cosmic scheme.
- Zarathustra's understanding of human destiny is the resurrection and judgement of the dead and that a human either goes to heaven or hell, depending on the choices they have made.
- The general ethical demands of traditional Zoroastrian life are caring for livestock and fields.
- The Parsis are the followers of Zoroastrianism. Most of them live in India today.
- The Iliad and the Odyssey are commonly regarded as having been the Bible of the ancient Greeks.
- The meaning of "the gods of the Olympian pantheon are anthropomorphic" is that they had human attributes such as talents and limitations.
- Aeschylus's main contribution to the understanding of the gods of the Olympian pantheon was that he introduced the concept of divine justice. An example of this would be in the play Agamemnon when he writes about how suffering is a necessary part of divine plan of Zeus.
- An oracle is a sanctuary at which revelations of a god are received. The most famous oracle of ancient Greece is Delphi. It was consulted because Greeks sought the wisdom of Apollo through her.
- The three basic aspects of the mystery religions are that individuals went through an initiation ceremony, the initiates experience an encounter with a deity, and the initiates gain a spiritual renewal.
- The mystery religion that honored Demeter and Persephone was Eleusinian religion.
- The god Dionysus associated with was the god of fertility. He is often depicted in Greek art by wine and grapes.
- The goal of the ascetic practices of the Orphics is to lead a pure life.
- Plato's theory of knowledge is that we know things in life mainly because we have experienced the same things in a previous life.
- Platonic dualism is the truth of the world that is independent from any bodily or material ideas in reality.
- Jesus seemed to have much in common with the ancient Asclepius because they were both revered as saviors who had a strong relationship with their followers.
- Numina were supernatural beings that were in charge of specific functions like populating towns. The sorts of things they were thought to inhabit were streams, fields, and doorways.
- The most powerful Roman deity was Jupiter.
- The six planes of our solar system that are named after Roman deities are Neptune, Mercury, Jupiter, Satum, Venus, and Mars.
- The Roman state considered it essential to maintain official worship practices so they would never anger the gods and remain at peace.
- The mystery religions that were the main rivals of Christianity in the later Roman Empire were Mithraism and the Cult of Iris.
- The Egyptian myth of Isis and Osiris is about how a man, Osiris, was killed and hacked to pieces by his evil brother. His wife, Iris, found the pieces and mummified them, which caused him to come back to life.
- The sort of emperor worship encouraged by Augustus was to worship the Roman state and his guardian spirit.
- Christians and Roman rulers clash over emperor worship because Romans believed the focus of worship should be the state, whereas Catholics believed that it should be God.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
1. The three functions of the synagogue are the house of assembly, house of study, and house of prayer.
2. The layout of the synagogue looks like a place of worship for the Jewish people. Within every synagogue, there is a Holy Ark, the Ten Commandments, and the Torah. The Holy Ark is located on the eastern wall of the synagogue and contains the Torah scrolls. The Holy Ark is highly decorated and is used for people to focus on their prayers. The Ten Commandments are written in Hebrew and are generally located on the wall of the synagogue. The Torah scrolls are covered by cloth and is decorated with objects like a crown or breastplate.
3. A rabbi is a man who is appointed to teach and preach to the jewish community. In order for a Jew to become a rabbi a person must be a scholar of the Jewish law, be fluent in Hebrew, and be hired by other rabbi's to lead a congregation. A rabbi differs from a clergyman because a rabbi does not have the authority from God like a clergyman. The role of a rabbi is to be a leader of a community who has extensive knowledge of the Jewish law.
4. The nature of the Shabbat is to use a day of rest to enrich a Jew's spirit. It occurs every day, three times a day.
5. The Torah contains the five books of Moses and includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Talmud is the traditional explanation of what the scriptures in the Torah means and what the Jews were asked of by God.
6. Reformist Jews focus on moral law and monotheism and also tries to incorporate European culture and are not as strict in their traditional beliefs. Conservative Jews believe that there is a human component to writing the Torah. And the Zionist Jews believe there should be a national Jewish state in Palestine.
7. Hebrew is the language spoken by the early Jews and is spoken in many Jewish rituals.
8. Yiddish is the language of modern Jewish culture. It is spoken mainly Jews who live in the West.
9. Mazal Tov: "Congratulations." Shalom: "Hello," "Peace," "Goodbye." Mitzvah: a commandment.
10. Brit Milah: the ceremony of circumcision. Bar Mitzvah: when a boy reaches the age of 13 and is expected to take full responsibility of observing the commandments. A Jewish marriage states that a husband and wife are sanctified to one another and enjoy an exclusive and mutual relationship.
11. Rosh Hashanah is known to be the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is the most important in Jewish holiday's. It's when Jews reflect and atone for the sins they have committed throughout the year. Hanukkah is equivalent to Christmas in Christianity except Jews light candles to signify a story in Jewish scriptures. The Passover is a holiday observed in response to the Exodus and the Jews being free from slavery.
12. Something that I knew about Jewish traditions that this confirmed was a young boy's Bar Mitzvah.
13. The most interesting or surprising information is the layout of the synagogue.
14. One aspect of Judaism that is similar to my life is the concept of traditional marriage.
15. One aspect of Judaism that is different from my life is the Shabbat because of how many times Jews are expected to pray in one day.
2. The layout of the synagogue looks like a place of worship for the Jewish people. Within every synagogue, there is a Holy Ark, the Ten Commandments, and the Torah. The Holy Ark is located on the eastern wall of the synagogue and contains the Torah scrolls. The Holy Ark is highly decorated and is used for people to focus on their prayers. The Ten Commandments are written in Hebrew and are generally located on the wall of the synagogue. The Torah scrolls are covered by cloth and is decorated with objects like a crown or breastplate.
3. A rabbi is a man who is appointed to teach and preach to the jewish community. In order for a Jew to become a rabbi a person must be a scholar of the Jewish law, be fluent in Hebrew, and be hired by other rabbi's to lead a congregation. A rabbi differs from a clergyman because a rabbi does not have the authority from God like a clergyman. The role of a rabbi is to be a leader of a community who has extensive knowledge of the Jewish law.
4. The nature of the Shabbat is to use a day of rest to enrich a Jew's spirit. It occurs every day, three times a day.
5. The Torah contains the five books of Moses and includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Talmud is the traditional explanation of what the scriptures in the Torah means and what the Jews were asked of by God.
6. Reformist Jews focus on moral law and monotheism and also tries to incorporate European culture and are not as strict in their traditional beliefs. Conservative Jews believe that there is a human component to writing the Torah. And the Zionist Jews believe there should be a national Jewish state in Palestine.
7. Hebrew is the language spoken by the early Jews and is spoken in many Jewish rituals.
8. Yiddish is the language of modern Jewish culture. It is spoken mainly Jews who live in the West.
9. Mazal Tov: "Congratulations." Shalom: "Hello," "Peace," "Goodbye." Mitzvah: a commandment.
10. Brit Milah: the ceremony of circumcision. Bar Mitzvah: when a boy reaches the age of 13 and is expected to take full responsibility of observing the commandments. A Jewish marriage states that a husband and wife are sanctified to one another and enjoy an exclusive and mutual relationship.
11. Rosh Hashanah is known to be the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is the most important in Jewish holiday's. It's when Jews reflect and atone for the sins they have committed throughout the year. Hanukkah is equivalent to Christmas in Christianity except Jews light candles to signify a story in Jewish scriptures. The Passover is a holiday observed in response to the Exodus and the Jews being free from slavery.
12. Something that I knew about Jewish traditions that this confirmed was a young boy's Bar Mitzvah.
13. The most interesting or surprising information is the layout of the synagogue.
14. One aspect of Judaism that is similar to my life is the concept of traditional marriage.
15. One aspect of Judaism that is different from my life is the Shabbat because of how many times Jews are expected to pray in one day.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Buddhism Questions
1. The name of the man who later became the Buddha and founded the religion of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama.
2. The first of the Four Passing Sights was a decrepit old man. The significance of this was that Siddhartha realized all people will encounter old age. The second sight was a diseased man, where Siddhartha realizes that life can be threatened by diseases. The third sight was a corpse, where Siddhartha realizes that everyone must die. And the last sight was an ascetic man, where Siddharatha realizes that there is a way to salvation.
3. The doctrine of the Middle Way is a Buddhist teaching that rejects both pleasurable indulgences and self-denial of asceticism. It focuses on the practical approach to spiritual attachment.
4. The event of Guatama's attachment to enlightenment began while he was sitting under a fig tree for 40 days meditating. He refused to eat or move until he had reached enlightenment. The god of death tried to tempt him into leaving the tree, but he resisted. Once he defeated the god, he was enlightened.
5. The Sangha is the religious community that consist of nuns and monks.
6. The Three Jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha.
7. The features of Buddhist cosmology that are shared with Hinduism are that both religions regard time as cyclical and the earth is eternal. They believe that the gods and goddess inhabit several heavens and demons inhabit several hells. They also believe in samsara and liberation, what Buddhism refers to as nirvana and Hinduism identifies as moksha.
8. The Buddha's reaction against early Hinduism was that he was disconnected with several other religions and didn't believe in the philosophical speculation regarding the nature of the world, human self, and the divine.
9. The Three Marks of Existence are Anatta, Anicca, and Dukkha. Anatta means no self within reality, Anicca means the constant change of existence, and Dukkha is suffering.
10. The doctrine of anatta states that there is no self in reality because we aren't attached to this world. This relates to the Hindu concept of Atman because life is always being changed when we're born.
11. According to the Buddhist doctrine of samsara, the eternal life is reborn. Karma is the nature of one's rebirth, which depends on the status of one's karma.
12. The Five Percepts that apply to all Buddhists are: 1) Do not take life. 2) Do not take what is not given. 3) Do not engage in sensuous misconduct. 4) Do not use false speech. 5) Do not drink intoxicants. The additional precepts that apply to monks and nuns are: 1) Do not eat after noon. 2) Do not watch dancing or shows. 3) Do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments. 4) Do not use a high or soft bed. 5) Do not accept gold or silver.
13. Some possible english translations for the term dukkha are suffering, frustration, dislocation, and discomfort. The meaning of dukkha is when something is off balance and can be fixed.
14. Tanha is desire and it relates to dukkha because suffering is caused by desire.
15. The steps of the Eightfold Path are: 1) Right views. 2) Right intentions. 3) Right speech. 4) Right conduct. 5) Right effort. 6) Right livelihood. 7) Right mindfulness. 8) Right meditation.
16. The difference between the Buddha and other humans who attained enlightenment is that the Buddha did not need to follow the teachings or a model to be awakened because Buddha's are able to reach enlightenment by themselves.
17. The character of an arhat is a person who has reached enlightenment, but did not get into nirvana.
18. The literal meaning of nirvana is blowing out. This helps to describe the meaning of nirvana because a person who reached nirvana has lost of their desire and suffering because it has been "blown out."
19. The three divisions of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
20. The main focus of Theravada Buddhism is the teachings of Buddhism.
21. The literal meaning of Mahayana is "way of the elders" because they follow the original teachings of Buddhism more seriously.
22. Vajrayana Buddhism "fights fire with fire" because it harnesses the energy of desire and uses it for good.
23. The Dalai Lama is the leader of Vajrayana Buddhism. They are chosen by successor of him and use spiritual and supernatural rituals to chose who the next lama will be.
24. The primary geographical regions of Theravada Buddhism are Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The regions of Mahayana Buddhism are China, Japan, and Korea. The primary region for Vajrayana Buddhism is Tibet.
2. The first of the Four Passing Sights was a decrepit old man. The significance of this was that Siddhartha realized all people will encounter old age. The second sight was a diseased man, where Siddhartha realizes that life can be threatened by diseases. The third sight was a corpse, where Siddhartha realizes that everyone must die. And the last sight was an ascetic man, where Siddharatha realizes that there is a way to salvation.
3. The doctrine of the Middle Way is a Buddhist teaching that rejects both pleasurable indulgences and self-denial of asceticism. It focuses on the practical approach to spiritual attachment.
4. The event of Guatama's attachment to enlightenment began while he was sitting under a fig tree for 40 days meditating. He refused to eat or move until he had reached enlightenment. The god of death tried to tempt him into leaving the tree, but he resisted. Once he defeated the god, he was enlightened.
5. The Sangha is the religious community that consist of nuns and monks.
6. The Three Jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha.
7. The features of Buddhist cosmology that are shared with Hinduism are that both religions regard time as cyclical and the earth is eternal. They believe that the gods and goddess inhabit several heavens and demons inhabit several hells. They also believe in samsara and liberation, what Buddhism refers to as nirvana and Hinduism identifies as moksha.
8. The Buddha's reaction against early Hinduism was that he was disconnected with several other religions and didn't believe in the philosophical speculation regarding the nature of the world, human self, and the divine.
9. The Three Marks of Existence are Anatta, Anicca, and Dukkha. Anatta means no self within reality, Anicca means the constant change of existence, and Dukkha is suffering.
10. The doctrine of anatta states that there is no self in reality because we aren't attached to this world. This relates to the Hindu concept of Atman because life is always being changed when we're born.
11. According to the Buddhist doctrine of samsara, the eternal life is reborn. Karma is the nature of one's rebirth, which depends on the status of one's karma.
12. The Five Percepts that apply to all Buddhists are: 1) Do not take life. 2) Do not take what is not given. 3) Do not engage in sensuous misconduct. 4) Do not use false speech. 5) Do not drink intoxicants. The additional precepts that apply to monks and nuns are: 1) Do not eat after noon. 2) Do not watch dancing or shows. 3) Do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments. 4) Do not use a high or soft bed. 5) Do not accept gold or silver.
13. Some possible english translations for the term dukkha are suffering, frustration, dislocation, and discomfort. The meaning of dukkha is when something is off balance and can be fixed.
14. Tanha is desire and it relates to dukkha because suffering is caused by desire.
15. The steps of the Eightfold Path are: 1) Right views. 2) Right intentions. 3) Right speech. 4) Right conduct. 5) Right effort. 6) Right livelihood. 7) Right mindfulness. 8) Right meditation.
16. The difference between the Buddha and other humans who attained enlightenment is that the Buddha did not need to follow the teachings or a model to be awakened because Buddha's are able to reach enlightenment by themselves.
17. The character of an arhat is a person who has reached enlightenment, but did not get into nirvana.
18. The literal meaning of nirvana is blowing out. This helps to describe the meaning of nirvana because a person who reached nirvana has lost of their desire and suffering because it has been "blown out."
19. The three divisions of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
20. The main focus of Theravada Buddhism is the teachings of Buddhism.
21. The literal meaning of Mahayana is "way of the elders" because they follow the original teachings of Buddhism more seriously.
22. Vajrayana Buddhism "fights fire with fire" because it harnesses the energy of desire and uses it for good.
23. The Dalai Lama is the leader of Vajrayana Buddhism. They are chosen by successor of him and use spiritual and supernatural rituals to chose who the next lama will be.
24. The primary geographical regions of Theravada Buddhism are Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The regions of Mahayana Buddhism are China, Japan, and Korea. The primary region for Vajrayana Buddhism is Tibet.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Intro to Buddhism
Siddhartha Guatama was the founder of Buddhism and
lived in Nepal over 2,500 years ago. He grew up in a royal household and
was given a very privileged childhood. He was first exposed to the outside
world when he went outside of his palace and witnessed sickness, death, and old
age. Siddhartha searched for the truth of reality and became enlightened after
40 days of deep thought. He discovered the meaning of life and thought of ways
to help others understand as well. This is when he became known as the Buddha.
The first of the
Three Jewels of Buddhism represents the Buddha and his idea of enlightenment.
The second jewel represents a person’s dharma, which is one’s duty, and is used
to obtain enlightenment. The third jewel is the Sangha that represent examples
to help obtain enlightenment as well.
The Threefold
Way of Buddhism consists of ethics, meditation, and wisdom. Its ethics explains
how one should see themselves as well as others. Mediation refers to a clearer
mind in order to understand reality better. And wisdom refers to when a person
reaches enlightenment and can fully see and understand reality.
The Four Noble
Truths of Buddhism refers to the humanity within every human being. It consists
of ways to end suffering, bring about suffering, find the origin of suffering,
and why it occurs. In order to end suffering, one must encounter the Noble
Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold
Path is the believed way to end suffering and reach a perfect dharma in one’s
life. It includes the right understanding, intention, action, effort, mindfulness,
concentration, livelihood, and speech.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Hinduism Questions
1. The term moksha means "liberation" and is a release from this ordinary, finite, limited realm of existence into infinite ocean of the divine. It is an experience characterized by infinite being, infinite awareness, and infinite bliss.
2. Monism is the doctrine that says all reality is ultimately one. An analogy would be that all lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams flow into one ocean.
3. Brahman is the essence of all things and is what's without. Atman is one's eternal self and is within. The universe is connected to the eternal self and the eternal self is connected to the universe. This meaning, they both mean that all reality is one.
4. The general function of Hinduism's many deities is to provide points of contact with the divine.
5. The doctrine of samara states that an individual is reincarnated from one life-form to another.
6. The name of Hinduism's most popular sacred text is the Bhagavad-Gita.
7. According to Hinduism, the two principles that connect the divine to this world are karma and dharma. Karma determines the nature of each reincarnation and is the moral law of cause and effect. Dharma is the ethical duty based on the divine order of reality.
8. The four classes of the caste system are brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra. The brahmin class consists of priests, kshatriya consists of warriors and administrators, vaishya consists of producers such as farmers, merchants, and artistans, and the shudra class is made up of servants and laborers.
9. In the Bhagavad-Gita, the Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war because he wants him to fulfill his dharma.
10. The four stages of life are: 1) the time of puberty, which is characterized by intensive study of the Vedas and other sacred literature. 2) the householder, which is the tasks of pursuing a career and raising a family. 3) the forest dweller, which is when the first grandchild is born. 4) the wandering ascetic, which is when the forest dweller is ready to come back to society, but is detached from material things.
11. The four goals of life are sensual pleasure (karma), material success (artha), harmony with dharma, and the bliss of moksha.
12. The three paths to liberation are the paths of works, knowledge, and devotion. The path of works is associated with people who are involved in physical activity. The path of knowledge is associated with those who are talented. The path of devotion is associated with people who are emotionally attached.
13. The three most important schools of Hindu philosophy are Vendanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. The basic task that concerns all three is the ability to attain knowledge and connect to the samsara.
14. The three important gods or goddesses of Hinduism are Vishnu, the preserver; Brahma, the creator; and Shiva, the destroyer.
15. An avatar is an incarnation of a deity, commonly of Vishnu, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose. Two important Hindu figures identified as avatars are Krishna and Rama.
16. The Hindu text that is most closely associated with bhakti marga is the Bhagavad-Gita.
17. Three aspects of Hindu devotional life are household and village rituals, pilgrimage to holy places, and veneration of cows.
18. Mahatma Gandhi influences Hinduism by expressing his wisdom to reach divine life.
19. The significant changes in the caste system that took place in the twentieth century are the promotion of social and economic justice as well as forbidding discrimination of outcasts.
20. Sati is the burning of a widow. Its status today is rare, but also forbidden in India.
21. The significant development that occurred in relations between Hindus and Muslims in 1947 was the dividing of nations, which provided a Muslim homeland. This turned into a bloody ordeal and led to the assassination of Gandhi.
2. Monism is the doctrine that says all reality is ultimately one. An analogy would be that all lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams flow into one ocean.
3. Brahman is the essence of all things and is what's without. Atman is one's eternal self and is within. The universe is connected to the eternal self and the eternal self is connected to the universe. This meaning, they both mean that all reality is one.
4. The general function of Hinduism's many deities is to provide points of contact with the divine.
5. The doctrine of samara states that an individual is reincarnated from one life-form to another.
6. The name of Hinduism's most popular sacred text is the Bhagavad-Gita.
7. According to Hinduism, the two principles that connect the divine to this world are karma and dharma. Karma determines the nature of each reincarnation and is the moral law of cause and effect. Dharma is the ethical duty based on the divine order of reality.
8. The four classes of the caste system are brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, and shudra. The brahmin class consists of priests, kshatriya consists of warriors and administrators, vaishya consists of producers such as farmers, merchants, and artistans, and the shudra class is made up of servants and laborers.
9. In the Bhagavad-Gita, the Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war because he wants him to fulfill his dharma.
10. The four stages of life are: 1) the time of puberty, which is characterized by intensive study of the Vedas and other sacred literature. 2) the householder, which is the tasks of pursuing a career and raising a family. 3) the forest dweller, which is when the first grandchild is born. 4) the wandering ascetic, which is when the forest dweller is ready to come back to society, but is detached from material things.
11. The four goals of life are sensual pleasure (karma), material success (artha), harmony with dharma, and the bliss of moksha.
12. The three paths to liberation are the paths of works, knowledge, and devotion. The path of works is associated with people who are involved in physical activity. The path of knowledge is associated with those who are talented. The path of devotion is associated with people who are emotionally attached.
13. The three most important schools of Hindu philosophy are Vendanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. The basic task that concerns all three is the ability to attain knowledge and connect to the samsara.
14. The three important gods or goddesses of Hinduism are Vishnu, the preserver; Brahma, the creator; and Shiva, the destroyer.
15. An avatar is an incarnation of a deity, commonly of Vishnu, who is sent to earth to accomplish a divine purpose. Two important Hindu figures identified as avatars are Krishna and Rama.
16. The Hindu text that is most closely associated with bhakti marga is the Bhagavad-Gita.
17. Three aspects of Hindu devotional life are household and village rituals, pilgrimage to holy places, and veneration of cows.
18. Mahatma Gandhi influences Hinduism by expressing his wisdom to reach divine life.
19. The significant changes in the caste system that took place in the twentieth century are the promotion of social and economic justice as well as forbidding discrimination of outcasts.
20. Sati is the burning of a widow. Its status today is rare, but also forbidden in India.
21. The significant development that occurred in relations between Hindus and Muslims in 1947 was the dividing of nations, which provided a Muslim homeland. This turned into a bloody ordeal and led to the assassination of Gandhi.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Primal Religions: Yoruba Tribe
Yoruba |
Location & Geography
The Yoruba people are the second largest ethnic groups found in Nigeria.
Although most of the Yoruba people are located in western area of Nigeria,
there are other communities in several other regions of Africa. It has been
said that the Yoruba people have occupied that region of West Africa for almost
10050 years.
 |
| Location of Yoruba tribe. |
Cosmological View
In Yoruba cosmology, Olodumare or Olorun is the
Supreme Being whose supremacy is absolute. Olodumare is known by all divinities
as unique and pre-eminent. The Yoruba tribe believed in achieving one’s
own true destiny, which was known as Ayanmo. They also believed in
reincarnation and that the world began with water with a chicken that laid its
eggs and created the earth.
Sacred Symbols
Most of the Yoruba’s sacred symbols have to do with
nature, such as plants, animal life, etc. Other symbols of the Yoruba include
water, hand crafted pottery, and most importantly beads. These beads served as
tools for history review as well as protection charms and a sign of their belief.
The way the beads were threaded together represented the tribe’s unity.
 |
| Yoruba beads. |
Sacred Locations
One of the Yoruba’s most sacred locations is the
dense forest of the Osun Sacred Gove, in the city of Osogbo. The forest is
southern Nigeria and is one of the last remaining historical locations in that
forest. This Grove has become a symbol of identity for the Yoruba Diaspora and
is of great importance to the Yoruba people.
 |
| Osun Sacred Gove |
Important gods
The Yoruba worship hundreds of gods that each represents
a natural element of human emotion. The most important gods are:
· Eshu:
the messenger god
· Ife:
the creater of Orisha Obatala; Yoruba word for “earth”
· Obatala:
the creator of earth and mankind
· Olorun:
the ruler of the sky and the father of other Yoruba gods
· Oloddumare:
the main creator; seen as the modern day God
· Olokun:
the god of the sea
· Oshun:
the goddess of love, pleasure, beauty and diplomacy
· Orunmila:
god of prophecy
· Oya:
female warrior goddess
· Shango:
god of storm and thunder
· Yemalla:
the mother goddess of the sea and the moon
 |
| Eshu. |
Totems, Fetishes & Taboos
Yoruba
Totems are fabrics that designate a person’s social position. They are used in
ritual births, puberty, marriage, and death. Several of these textile fabrics
are seen in three ways: as art, social symbols, and displays of creative
technique.
 |
| Textile fabric. |
The
Yoruba Love Lock Fetish was crafted for spiritual purposes. It is used for one
specific reason; to ensure the love from another forever. This fetish is well
known and considered strongly desired by those of the Yoruba faith.
 |
| Love Lock Fetish. |
Yoruba
taboos suggested that white kola-nuts should not be peeled before they are
eaten. This was said to be believed by the people because once members of the
Lelu clan shared the kola-nuts with other families and then died shortly after.
Locust beans were another example. Eating these locust beans will result in
peeling of the lips and mouth of whoever eats it. They will also die through
mysterious bees attacks if they attend the Obalooran festival after eating the
beans.
Shaman
The
role of the Shaman is to doctor the people of the tribe. They are responsible
for curing people of any infections or disease that are harming the Yoruba
people. The shaman viewed magic to be very commonly used throughout the tribe.
They used charms and other herbal medicines as magic and were more commonly
used to treat the sick in the tribe.
Rituals
Yoruba rituals were generally performed at
festivals, funerals, etc. Three
traditional rituals are:
1. Itaoku: Itaoku
is a ritual for feasting. After a funeral, close relatives provide food and
drink for the community to join them in a feast. Later that night, a ram is
sacrificed to the ancestors. They then start the next ritual, which is opening
the voice of a new ancestor that is heard for the first time.
2.
Irenku: Irenku
is when family and friends parade through the town and celebrate their success
of a proper burial. There’s a display of music and dancing throughout the day.
The parade then stops at certain spots of the relatives where the spirit is
expected to stay.
3. Ejeoku:
Ejeoku is the final day of the funeral, where the
children of the deceased offer yams and fish soup to the ancestors. Music is
played on the asipelu drums, where
the ancestor’s voice corresponds to the drums.
References:
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Primal Religions Questions
1. Some forms of religions are called primal because some of these religions came before the other more basic religions and are more important than other religions.
2. The elements of the natural and human world that the Ancestors created or established during the period of the Dreaming was the formation of life and the creation of human beings. They were given certain rights and languages.
3. Spirits survive in the symbols left behind by the Ancestors.
4. The term taboo is forbidden to profane use because of the things that are considered to be dangerous supernatural powers. The term totem is an object that remind families of their ancestors.
5. Ritual is essential if Aboriginal life has meaning because it is only in certain rituals that dreaming can be seen.
6. Aboriginal rituals originated by those people who create the world through dreaming where each ritual is an reenactment of a myth of certain actions of an Ancestor during the dreaming.
7. Initiation rituals awaken the adolescence that redefine their social identity in a tribe.
8. Two acts of Dieri initiation rituals that symbolize death are two lower middle teeth that were knocked out and then buried in the ground and circumcision.
9. The Yoruba live in the western areas of Africa.
10. The city of life has always been the center of Yoruba religion because the Yoruba believe that the god Orish-nla created the world of life.
11. The Yoruba's understanding of the cosmos was that there were two separate worlds, heaven and earth. The other forms of human beings were called witches and sorcerers who caused chaos. Humans tried hard to maintain the balance between the gods so that the witches and sorcerers would not do evil deeds.
12. Olorun is the superior god of the Yoruba religion, which originally came from the power source of the universe.
13. Orishas are lower than the Olorun. Their role is to act as a mediator between the gods and the Olorun.
14. Two of the Orishas are the Orish-nla and Ogun. The Yoruba believed that the Orish-nla created the earth. The Ogun was the god of war and iron.
15. A trickster figure is a deceptive person who appears in several forms in many cultures.
16. The two types of Yoruba ancestors are family ancestors and diefied ancestors. Family ancestors gained their status by earning a good reputation, whereas the diefied ancestors were important human figures in Yoruba society who were worshiped in large numbers.
17. The role of Yoruba ritual practitioners is to meditate between the god and heaven, and humans and earth.
18. Divination is the act that seeks to foresee future events or discover hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. The Yoruba consider it to be essential because it is important to proceed one's future.
19. Scholars believe human beings first came to North America by migrating from Asia to the Bering Strait.
20. The religion of the Plain Indians is of vital interest among native peoples throughout North America because their religion represents Native American religion.
21. Wakan Tanka is the Lakota name for supreme reality.
22. Inktomi means spider. The Lakota trickster figure taught the first humans their ways and customs.
23. Lakota believes that once a person dies, one of their four spirits travels the Milky Way. The soul can either become an ancestor or a ghost on earth.
24. Individuals try to gain access to spiritual power to guarantee better success in hunting and warfare.
25. The structure and function of the sweat lodge is to represent the universe. They believe that it leads to purification.
26. A typical vision experienced by a person who undertakes a vision quest arrives in the form of an animal, object, or force. The medicine man is the one who tells the vision to the others.
27. A woman tribe presides over the Sun Dance in the Blackfeet tribe.
28. The axis mundi is an entity that connects heaven and earth. It is the cottonwood tree in the Sun Dance.
29. Some participants in the Sun Dance skewer their chests and dance until their flesh rears because they believe that their bodies is the only true they own and is the only suitable sacrifice to offer to the supreme being.
30. The Aztec traditions show the description of primal religions because in a developed sense. The Aztecs have emphasis on the relationships between myths and rituals.
31. The geographical area of Mesoamerica included most of Mexico, extending to Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
32. According to Aztec cosmetology, Quetzalcoatl was the god that created and order the world. The ancient city of Teotihuacan is the origin of the cosmos.
33. Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl was the god's earthly devotee that ruled as a priest king. He was significant to the Aztecs because they believed that he presided over the golden age of Aztec cultural brilliance and proved that they were a perfect role model for their own authoritative figures.
34. The Aztecs called their present age The Age of the Fifth Sun because they thought that their sun would be destroyed like the other four suns.
35. The Aztecs understood the spatial world as having four quadrants that extended out the center of the universe and connected the earthly realm to heaven and the underworld.
36. The Aztecs regarded each human being as a sort of axis mundi because the head and heart are considered to be as potent for the nourishment for the sun and the cosmos.
37. The special religious capabilities of the Aztec knowers of things were the communication with gods and the offerings through language.
38. The historical coincidence that contributed in the fall of Tenochtitlan to the Spaniards was that the Tenochtitlan believed Cortez was the return of Quetzalcoatl, but Cortez ended up conquering them.
39. The popular Day of the Dead shows the survival of Aztec religious cultures by celebrating modern day Aztecs that performed similar rituals as the ones they used to practice.
40. The three these that are shared by the primal religions studied in this chapter are the boundaries between the supernatural and human worlds, that religion is encompassing, and primal religions are constantly changing.
2. The elements of the natural and human world that the Ancestors created or established during the period of the Dreaming was the formation of life and the creation of human beings. They were given certain rights and languages.
3. Spirits survive in the symbols left behind by the Ancestors.
4. The term taboo is forbidden to profane use because of the things that are considered to be dangerous supernatural powers. The term totem is an object that remind families of their ancestors.
5. Ritual is essential if Aboriginal life has meaning because it is only in certain rituals that dreaming can be seen.
6. Aboriginal rituals originated by those people who create the world through dreaming where each ritual is an reenactment of a myth of certain actions of an Ancestor during the dreaming.
7. Initiation rituals awaken the adolescence that redefine their social identity in a tribe.
8. Two acts of Dieri initiation rituals that symbolize death are two lower middle teeth that were knocked out and then buried in the ground and circumcision.
9. The Yoruba live in the western areas of Africa.
10. The city of life has always been the center of Yoruba religion because the Yoruba believe that the god Orish-nla created the world of life.
11. The Yoruba's understanding of the cosmos was that there were two separate worlds, heaven and earth. The other forms of human beings were called witches and sorcerers who caused chaos. Humans tried hard to maintain the balance between the gods so that the witches and sorcerers would not do evil deeds.
12. Olorun is the superior god of the Yoruba religion, which originally came from the power source of the universe.
13. Orishas are lower than the Olorun. Their role is to act as a mediator between the gods and the Olorun.
14. Two of the Orishas are the Orish-nla and Ogun. The Yoruba believed that the Orish-nla created the earth. The Ogun was the god of war and iron.
15. A trickster figure is a deceptive person who appears in several forms in many cultures.
16. The two types of Yoruba ancestors are family ancestors and diefied ancestors. Family ancestors gained their status by earning a good reputation, whereas the diefied ancestors were important human figures in Yoruba society who were worshiped in large numbers.
17. The role of Yoruba ritual practitioners is to meditate between the god and heaven, and humans and earth.
18. Divination is the act that seeks to foresee future events or discover hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. The Yoruba consider it to be essential because it is important to proceed one's future.
19. Scholars believe human beings first came to North America by migrating from Asia to the Bering Strait.
20. The religion of the Plain Indians is of vital interest among native peoples throughout North America because their religion represents Native American religion.
21. Wakan Tanka is the Lakota name for supreme reality.
22. Inktomi means spider. The Lakota trickster figure taught the first humans their ways and customs.
23. Lakota believes that once a person dies, one of their four spirits travels the Milky Way. The soul can either become an ancestor or a ghost on earth.
24. Individuals try to gain access to spiritual power to guarantee better success in hunting and warfare.
25. The structure and function of the sweat lodge is to represent the universe. They believe that it leads to purification.
26. A typical vision experienced by a person who undertakes a vision quest arrives in the form of an animal, object, or force. The medicine man is the one who tells the vision to the others.
27. A woman tribe presides over the Sun Dance in the Blackfeet tribe.
28. The axis mundi is an entity that connects heaven and earth. It is the cottonwood tree in the Sun Dance.
29. Some participants in the Sun Dance skewer their chests and dance until their flesh rears because they believe that their bodies is the only true they own and is the only suitable sacrifice to offer to the supreme being.
30. The Aztec traditions show the description of primal religions because in a developed sense. The Aztecs have emphasis on the relationships between myths and rituals.
31. The geographical area of Mesoamerica included most of Mexico, extending to Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
32. According to Aztec cosmetology, Quetzalcoatl was the god that created and order the world. The ancient city of Teotihuacan is the origin of the cosmos.
33. Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl was the god's earthly devotee that ruled as a priest king. He was significant to the Aztecs because they believed that he presided over the golden age of Aztec cultural brilliance and proved that they were a perfect role model for their own authoritative figures.
34. The Aztecs called their present age The Age of the Fifth Sun because they thought that their sun would be destroyed like the other four suns.
35. The Aztecs understood the spatial world as having four quadrants that extended out the center of the universe and connected the earthly realm to heaven and the underworld.
36. The Aztecs regarded each human being as a sort of axis mundi because the head and heart are considered to be as potent for the nourishment for the sun and the cosmos.
37. The special religious capabilities of the Aztec knowers of things were the communication with gods and the offerings through language.
38. The historical coincidence that contributed in the fall of Tenochtitlan to the Spaniards was that the Tenochtitlan believed Cortez was the return of Quetzalcoatl, but Cortez ended up conquering them.
39. The popular Day of the Dead shows the survival of Aztec religious cultures by celebrating modern day Aztecs that performed similar rituals as the ones they used to practice.
40. The three these that are shared by the primal religions studied in this chapter are the boundaries between the supernatural and human worlds, that religion is encompassing, and primal religions are constantly changing.
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