EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Legalism Daoism

EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Legalism Daoism Judaism Christianity (Islam will be in the next unit)

Religions of South Asia

Religion in the Subcontinent

Hinduism

What is Hinduism? • One of the oldest religions – About 1500 B. C. E. – Began in India • Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism • Tolerance and diversity – "Truth is one, paths are many“ – “There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names” – “We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”

What do Hindus believe? • Hinduism has no formal theology that defines God • It is henotheistic (acknowledging many but worshiping only one) • Brahman—One impersonal Ultimate Reality – Manifest as many personal deities • Atman—The soul, Brahma trapped in matter • Samsara—Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime • Karma—Spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad) • Moksha—Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman • Vedas—Truth: myths, rituals, chants

Major gods of the Hindu Pantheon Brahma, the creator god Vishnu, the preserver god Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer)

What are the spiritual practices of Hinduism? • Yoga—seeking union with the divine: • Guru—a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga • Bhakti Yoga—worship, seeking union with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities • In the home (household shrines) • In the temples (priests officiate)

How does Hinduism direct life in this world? • Respect for all life – vegetarian • Human life as supreme: – Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class – Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, wandering philosopher – Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)

Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism ] The “middle way of wisdom and compassion. ” ] The 3 jewels of Buddhism: § Buddha, the teacher. § Dharma, the teachings. § Sangha, the community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563 -483 BCE) ] Born as prince in NE India ] ] (Nepal) At 29 rejected luxurious life to seek enlightenment and source of suffering Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation and found nirvana Became “The Enlightened One, ” at 35

What is the fundamental cause of all suffering? Desire! ] Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

Four Noble Truths 1. There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer. 2. The cause of suffering is selfcentered desire and attachments. 3. The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments. 4. To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path Nirvana ] The union with the ultimate spiritual reality. ] Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

Buddha – 19 c Thailand Buddha 2 c Pakistan –

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motifs

Types of Buddhism ] Therevada Buddhism ]The oldest school of Buddhism. ]Found in southern Asia. ]Focus on wisdom and meditation. ]Goal: is to become a “Buddha, ” or “Enlightened One. ” ] Mahayana Buddhism ]Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan). ]Buddhism “for the masses. ” ]Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

Types of Buddhism ] Zen Buddhism ]Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness ]Use of meditation masters ]Beauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens & calligraphy ] Tibetan Buddhism ]Developed in Tibet in the 7 c CE. ]A mix of Theravada and Mahayana ]Include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama

Growth of Buddhism

Hinduism only Caste system Animal sacrifice Both Reincarnation Cyclical view of history Belief in a state of enlightenment (Hindu moksha, Buddhist nirvana) Buddhism only The Middle Way (Eightfold Path) Four Noble Truths

Confucianism

* 551 – 479 B. C. E. * Born in the feudal state of Liu * Became a teacher and editor of books

Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society) Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you. Yi --> Righteousness Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

* Status * Age * Gender 1. Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife 4. Older Brother Younger Brother 5. Older Friend Younger Friend

* The single most important Confucian work. *Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. *Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. *The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. *To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

* The emperor is the example of proper behavior --> “big daddy” * Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals” * Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons

INDIA CHINA 1. Brahmin 1. Scholar-Gentry 2. Kshatriyas 2. Peasants 3. Vaishyas 3. Artisans 4. Shudras 4. Merchants Untouchable s Domestic Slaves

Legalism

* 280? - 233 B. C. E. * Late Warring States period * Legalism became political philosophy of Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty

1. Human nature is naturally selfish. 2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged. 3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality. 4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand. 5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.

One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.

Daoism

*604 B. C. E. - ? * His name means “Old Master” * Was he Confucius’ teacher?

1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. 3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course. ” --> “The art of doing nothing. ” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

Toescape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

* Masculine * Feminine * Active * Passive * Light * Darkness * Warmth * Cold * Strong * Weak * Heaven; Sun * Earth; Moon

How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity? ? Confucianism --> Moral order in society Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less government to avoid uniformity and conformity

Judaism

5 Judaism üMonotheistic, believing in one true God üOmniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent üUnity and singularity of God as He is revealed though Torah üSh’ma–cornerstone of all Jewish belief. üDeuteronomy 6: 4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ” üIsraelites believed they were God’s “chosen people. ” üThey believed that God would lead them to “promised land. ”

Judaism üBorn in grace, live in grace, and die in grace ü Sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice üOlam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come” ü ü Messiah will reign Jewish temple will be rebuilt Nation of Israel will be fully restored World order of justice and compassion.

5 Teachings on Law and Morality üJewish prophets, or spiritual leaders, preached code of ethics, or moral standards of behavior üTorah—laws that addressed all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal matters üTen Commandments

Significant Jewish “Holy” Days ØShabbat – Sabbath–day of rest ØFriday sundown through Saturday sundown ØProhibited: work, travel, commerce ØYom Kippur –"Day of Atonement" ØAtone for sins of past year – sins between man and God ØOn Yom Kippur, judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed ØRosh Hashanah –New Year, plan better life and begin introspection Ø Passover –commemorate Israelites’ escape from Egypt ØPersonal journey from slavery to freedom

Christianity

EARLY CHRISTIANITY • Roots – Judaism – Teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and apostles • Earliest converts were Jews who did not think they were breaking away from Hebrew Law – Early Christians wished to be considered Jews • Jewish religion officially recognized by Roman government and its adherents had certain privileges

BELIEFS • Based on belief that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the son of God – One of Trinity • God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit – Teachings • In Gospels • 12 disciples – Death at 33 • By believing in Jesus, his followers will go to Heaven at their death • Bible is Word of God • Holy days—Christmas & Easter

EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Legalism Daoism Judaism Christianity (Islam will be in the next unit)