beliefs, traditions, and teachings of the world’s oldest practicing religions the religions of...
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BELIEFS, TRADITIONS, AND TEACHINGS OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST PRACTICING RELIGIONS
The Religions of South Asia
Basic Hindu Practices
One is born a Hindu-you cannot convert
AhimsaBelief in nonviolenceForbids killing, even
for food
Sacred Sound “Om”
Death Cremation occurs
followed by 12 days of prayer
The deceased’s ashes are put into the Ganges River
Religious Tolerance- Extremely tolerant of other religions.
Hindu Practices
Cows are sacred NOT worshipped! Hands
Fingers of the right hand are used to eat
Left hand is considered unclean
Many Hindus are Vegetarians
Hindu Beliefs
Samsara or Reincarnation
KarmaGood and bad
deeds
Ultimate Goal: MokshaGain salvation when your
soul merges with god
My Name is Earl-NBC
Monotheism vs. Polytheism
Hindus believe that one God, Braman, takes many forms—it is monotheistic AND polytheistic in nature.
Buddhism: The “middle way of wisdom & compassion”
A 2500 year old tradition that began in India and spread and diversified throughout the Far East
A philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice followed by more than 360 million people
Based on the teachings of the Buddha
Who is the Buddha?(A Brief Background—do not write all of this
down!)
Born Siddhartha Gautama – of noble caste in India, 563 B.C.E.
Raised in great luxury to be a kingEmpathy for the suffering of others; at age 29
rejected the life of luxury to seek enlightenment and the solution to suffering
Followed a strict ascetic lifestyle for six yearsRejected this extreme, sat in meditation, achieved
Nirvana – an awakening to the truth about life, becoming a Buddha, the “Awakened One”at the age of 35
Spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching others how to achieve the peace of mind he had achieved
What did the Buddha teach?
The Four Noble Truths:To live is to suffer (suffering =
inevitable)The cause of suffering is self-centered
desire & attachmentsThe solution is to eliminate desire and
attachment, thus achieving Nirvana (“extinction”)
The way to Nirvana is through the “Eight-Fold Path”
How does Buddhism differ from Hinduism?
Buddhism rejects…Authority of the ancient Vedic textsThe Vedic caste systemThe Vedic and Hindu deitiesThe efficacy of Vedic worship and
ritualThe concept of Brahman
What do Buddhists believe?
Rebirth (reincarnation) results from attachments (karma)
Nirvana is a peaceful, detached state of mind (THE MAIN GOAL OF BUDDHISM)
Achieving Nirvana means escape from the cycle of rebirth
Once Gautama Buddha died, after 80 years of life in this world, having achieved Nirvana and teaching multitudes his way of life, he ceased to exist as a distinct being
Buddhism is non-theistic: Buddha is not the Buddhist God – he is just a revered teacher
The Basics
At least 2500+ years old, began in India4.5-7.5 million followersSeeks to release the soul from the round
of rebirth, to liberate spirit from matterAhimsa – non-violence – is the hallmark of
this spiritual disciplineNo creator god
The History
Began in India with 24 teachers, called “Tirthankaras”
One of the world’s oldest religions—2,500 years??
Last teacher: Mahavira Reformed ancient Jainism in his lifetime (599-
527 BCE)
The goal of Jainism is to become a conqueror (Jina), or an enlightened being who has conquered material existence & released the soul from reincarnation/rebirth
Beliefs
ALL living things contain soul & are considered JIVA (soul trapped in matter) humans, plants, animals, water, fire, air beings
Belief in KARMA Moksha (no rebirth!)How to achieve moksha
Non-violence (ahimsa) to any & all life forms Non-attachment Non-hatred Asceticism
Many gods & humans (gods as self-realized humans??)
They also take Five Vows!
Strict non-violence (ahimsa!)TruthfulnessNo stealingChastity & CelibacyAscetic Lifestyle (living in poverty—no
worldly goods!)
What is it?
500-year-old, monotheistic religion found in NW India **One of the world’s YOUNGEST religions!**
~25 million followersFounded by Guru Nanak Dev around 1500AD
Nanak: unifying message uniting Hindu & Muslim in common devotion to same God
Spirit of the Guru (Nanak) lived on for 200 years through a succession of human gurus (teachers), who wrote Book of God
Last HUMAN guru established the text, known as “Guru Granth Sahib” as the final and “forever” Guru
Beliefs
Belief in ONE God, shared by all religions Name is “Truth!”
Equality in all human beings; rejects caste system
Karma & reincarnationRejects asceticismNo rituals, idols, or icons—simple,
heartfelt devotion to God
Practices: The Five “K’s”
Do not cut hair (men & women) [Kesh] Men wear turbans to cover hair (Keshki) Men have beard & mustache that are only trimmed
Keep a comb to keep the hair clean & presentable (Kanga)
Steel bracelet worn on right wrist (Kara)Wear white: Chastity until marriage, purity
(Kachh/Kachera)Carry dagger as symbol to protect weak (Kirpan)
Way of Life
Meditation & personal prayer morning and eveningHonest & hard workCharityService to humanity, God & guruStrong family valuesStrong identity with Sikh communitySome abstain from smoking, drinking & illegal
drugs
Prohibited Behavior
Cannot drink, smokeNo superstitions & rituals (fasting, pilgrimage,
etc.)Do NOT get attached to worldly itemsNo sacrifice of animals or peopleCannot live as a reculse, beggar, be a nun
(“non-family oriented living” is prohibited)Cannot brag, lie, gossipNo hierarchy of people—EVERYONE IS EQUAL!!