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Name: Mrs Melisha Schultz Student number: 45578656

PO Box: No 13 Logbro by the sea – William brown road- Illovo Beach 4126

Mod: EDT303Q Ass:02 Unique no: 258187 Date: 30 March 2012

Table of content:

1) Table of content...................................................................Pg 1 of 12

2) Question 1: Fill in information

African Religion..................................................................Pg 2 of 12

Buddhism............................................................................Pg 3 of 12

Buddhism- continued ......................................................Pg 4 of 12

Christianity..........................................................................Pg 5 of 12

Hinduism.............................................................................Pg 6 of 12

Hinduism- continued .........................................................Pg 7 of 12

Islam....................................................................................Pg 8 of 12

Judaism................................................................................Pg 9 of 12

Judaism................................................................................Pg 10 of 12

Contemporary Religion.......................................................Pg 11 of 12

3) Bibliography........................................................................Pg 12 of 12

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African religion:

Founder figure None

Concept of God The San believe in a greater God and a lesser God, as well as spirits

of the dead. The Batswana also believe in demigods. The Batswana

believe that Modimo is the source of every thing. The Amazulu

believe in the supreme creator ―uMvelinqangi‖. The Shona believe

in Mwari the creator. To the Yoruba it is known as olorum or

Olodumare.

Main belief They believe in the ―circle of life‖, both life and death bring

balance. They way they live and their religious beliefs work hand in

hand. All life is sacred.

The Batswana Ancestors are not restricted by the rules enforced on

the living.

Maintaining the order in the university is the key principal of their

religious practices.

The Amazulu also have both male and female elements and they

also hold in high esteem their ancestors.

The Shona also believe in spirits.

Scripture No scriptures – oral tradition and some recorded their information

by drawings done on rocks. Rituals and symbolism is very

prominent.

Major festivals The ―Medicine Dance‖ is the most important ritual practice for the

San. Mostly as with other types rituals were directed by spiritual

leaders, a select few who are said to have a direct line of

communication with the divine. In general communication with the

Gods, demigods and higher sprits can only be done through their

spiritual leaders or councellors.

Origin in time More than 4000 years old.

Origin in place Africa

Major types The San, the Batswana, the Amazulu, the Shona, and the Yoruba.

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Buddhism

Founder figure Shakyamuni Buddha - Prince Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) was born

in India in 563 BCE. At age 29, Guatama left his wife and children to

seek spiritual enlightenment. In 535 BCE, he believed himself to have

reached enlightenment, assumed the title Buddha, and soon after

began teaching about the pathway to enlightenment.

Concept of God Theravada: The concept of a supreme Creator God is rejected or at

least considered irrelevant to Theravada Buddhism. Buddha, "the

Awakened One," is revered above all--not as "God" but as supreme

sage, model of a fully enlightened person.

Mahayana: Buddhists view Buddha as a manifestation of a divine

being, instead of a supremely enlightened man

Main belief The Four Noble Truths, forming the essence of Buddhism, are:

The Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha)

The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya)

The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha)

The Noble Truth that leads to the Extinction of Suffering (Magga)

Scripture Theravada: Main scriptures: Tipitaka

Popular: Dhammapada- Sayings of Buddha

Mahayana :Main scriptures: Sutras (sacred texts)- 2184 sacred

writings.

Popular:Lotus Sutra- A sermon by the Buddha on Bodhisattva,

buddha-nature, etc.

Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Prajna-paramita)- Describes emptiness

and others.

Popular: Heart Sutra- Describes nirvana, emptiness, and Ultimate

Reality.

"Land of Bliss" Sutra- Describes the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha.

Major festivals Buddhist New Year

The Buddhist New Year is celebrated on different days throughout the

world..

Vesak (Buddha Day)

Vesak is the birthday of the Buddha and the most important festival in

Buddhism..

Sangha Day (Magha Puja Day or Fourfold Assembly Day)

Sangha Day commemorates the Buddha's visit to Veruvana Monastery

in the city of Rajagaha

Dhamma Day (Asalha Puja Day)

It commemorates the "turning of the wheel of the Dharma" - the

Buddha's first sermon - at the Sarnath Deer Park.

Observance Day (Uposatha)

Observance Day refers to each of the four traditional monthly holy

days that continue to be observed in Theravada countries - the new

moon, full moon, and quarter moon days. It is known in Sri Lanka as

Poya Day.

Kathina Ceremony (Robe Offering Ceremony)

The Kathina Ceremony is held on any convenient date within one

month of the conclusion of the three month rains retreat season

(Vassa).

Festival of Floating Bowls (Loy Krathong)

. The traditional practice of Loy Krathong was originally meant to pay

homage to the holy footprint of the Buddha on the beach of the

Namada River in India.

Elephant Festival

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The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant that is harnessed to a

tame one to train to teach that a person new to Buddhism should be

helped by an older Buddhist.

The Festival of the Tooth

On a small hill in Sri Lanka is a great temple that was built to house a

relic of the Buddha - his tooth. The tooth can never be seen, as it is

kept deep inside many caskets. But once a year in August, on the night

of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.

Ancestor Day (Ulambana)

In Mahayana countries, it is believed that the gates of hell are opened

on the first day of the eighth lunar month and ghosts may visit the

world for 15 days.

Origin in time Buddhism started in India over 2,500 years ago

Origin in place India

Major types Theravada Buddhism – this is the first and the southern Buddhism that

the word comes from Pali language which means that ―the Doctrine of

the Elders‖. Their biggest aim is to use the meditation to train mind,

and to encourage freedom of the mind from suffering. This kind or

freedom suffering will allow you to reach the greatest spiritual goal

the Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism is the only surviving school from

the earliest years of Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism – This is Buddhism in eastern Buddhism. This

section only teaches the Pali Canon, this is the religious text in

Theravada Buddhism but it also includes additional texts beliefs. This

type of Buddhism believes that the person must practice universal

compassion, and that is the altruistic quest of the Bodhisattva to attain

the ―Awakened Mind‖ of Buddha hood. This has also the level of

mysticism involved

Tibetan Buddhism – This is the third type of Buddhism that was

located in the Northern. This type of Buddhism is also considered to

be a type of Mahayana Buddhism, but this was also embraces other

teachings, texts, and practices that some are not seen in the eastern

type. This is also sometimes called Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana

and this was uses both Mahayana and Theraveda scriptures.

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Christianity

Founder figure Christianity arose from Judaism.

Concept of God Just as the Jewish believed in one ultimate God so to do the

Christians believe in there being only one supreme being,

creator and destroyer.

Main belief Christians believe in the ―Father‖ being God, the ―Son‖ being

Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirits. They have a strong belief in

Heaven and Hell and that forgiveness from God is given to all

Christian followers. They faith is built on the ―Second

Coming‖ of Jesus Christ and the ―Day of Judgement‖

Scripture The Bible. The ―Old Testament‖ also known as the ―Jewish

Bible is made up of a set of thirty nine books. The ―New

Testament‖ which contains material pertaining to the new way

of ―Christian‖ thinking, is made up of a set twenty seven

books.

Major festivals Christmas is celebrated on the 25th

of December to celebrate

the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter celebrates Jesus Christ awaking

after being crucified. These two festivals are celebrated by all

sects of Christianity, but there are several that celebrated or

performed by specific sects, such as ―Lent‖.

Origin in time 1st Century CE

Origin in place Christianity originated in the eastern Mediterranean coast of

the Middle East near what is known as modern Israel and

Palestine.

Major types Protestants and Catholics are the main or major types of

Christianity. There are various others such as Baptists

Presbyterian, Methodist and Roman Catholics. Many of these

have been branched out to create new types with distinct views

and practices.

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Hinduism

Founder figure None

Concept of God Hindus all worship a one Supreme Being, though by different

names. This is because the peoples of India with different

languages and cultures have understood the one God in their

own distinct way. Through history there arose four principal

Hindu denominations—Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and

Smartism. For Sai-vites, God is Siva. For Shaktas, Goddess

Shakti is supreme. For Vaishnavites, Lord Vishnu is God. For

Smartas—who see all Deities as reflections of the One God—

the choice of Deity is left to the devotee.

Main belief 1. Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive Supreme Being

who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator

and Unmanifest Reality.

2. Hindus believe in the divinity of the four Vedas, the

world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the

Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns

are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma,

the eternal religion.

3. Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless

cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.

4. Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by

which each individual creates his own destiny by his

thoughts, words and deeds.

5. Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving

through many births until all karmas have been

resolved, and moksha, liberation from the cycle of

rebirth, is attained. Not a single soul will be deprived of

this destiny.

6. Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen

worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments and

personal devotionals create a communion with these

devas and Gods.

7. Hindus believe that an enlightened master, or satguru, is

essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are

personal discipline, good conduct, purification,

pilgrimage, self-inquiry, meditation and surrender in

God.

8. Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and

revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, noninjury, in

thought, word and deed.

9. Hindus believe that no religion teaches the only way to

salvation above all others, but that all genuine paths are

facets of God's Light, deserving tolerance and

understanding.

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Scripture The Vedas are the foundational scriptures of the Hindus

The Veda is divided into four great books:

1. The Rig-Veda

2. The Yajur-Veda

3. The Sama-Veda

4. The Atharva-Veda

The Yajur-Veda is again divided into two parts:

1. The Sukla Yajur-Veda

2. The Krishna Yajur-Veda.

The Krishna or the Tattiriya is the older book and the Sukla or

Vajasaneya is a later revelation to Sage Yajnavalkya from the

resplendent Sun-God.

The Rig-Veda is divided into twenty-one sections, the

Yajur-Veda into one hundred and nine sections, the Sama-Veda

into one thousand sections and Atharva-Veda into fifty

sections. In all, the whole Veda is thus divided into one

thousand one hundred and eighty recensions.

Each Veda consists of four parts:

1. The Mantra-Samhitas or hymns.

2. The Brahmanas or explanations of Mantras or rituals.

3. The Aranyakas (philosophical interpretations of the

rituals).

4. The Upanishads (The essence or the knowledge portion

of the Vedas).

The division of the Vedas into four parts is to suit the four

stages in a man‘s life.

Major festivals Diwali - Festival of Lights

Deepawali or Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals

Holi - Festival of Colors

Holi is a celebration of life – a boisterous occasion when

Hindus smear each other with the colors of joy.

Other Major Festivals

There are a number of other major festivals that are celebrated by

Hindus in different regions of India and around the world. These

mainly include celebrations around the ‗birthdays‘ of popular deities,

as well as some ritual fasts followed by feast and festivity.

Durga Puja, Dusshera & Navaratri

In this autumn festival, Hindus observe 10 days of ceremonies,

rituals, fasts, feasts, song and dance in honor of the supreme mother

goddess Durga. After 9 divine nights of Navaratri comes Dusshera or

Vijayadashami that celebrates goddess Durga's victory of good over

evil.

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi

Rakhi is a special occasion to celebrate the chaste bond of love

between brothers and sisters, by tying a sacred thread around the

wrist.

Winter Festivals

January is harvest time in India. It's time for Thanksgiving rituals and

celebration of the bounties of nature

Origin in time The exact beginnings of Hinduism are impossible to determine,

since they evolved as time and culture impacted the religious

ideas of early India. Some scholars believed Hinduism started

with the invasion of India by lighter skinned Aryans around

1500 BCE.

Origin in place India

Major types Many different forms often depending on the god who is

worshipped

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Islam

Founder figure Mohammed who was born between A.D. 569 and 571, to

Abdullah and his wife Aminah, of the Arab tribe of Koreish

Concept of God Key to the Islamic concept of God is that Muhammad's

prophesy cleaned away all false associations people had made

with God and established finally the pure religion of

monotheism. The first thing Islam asserts and the last is that

there is no god except Allah. Allah being the primary name of

God in Arabic and meaning 'the god'.

Main belief 1. Belief in Allah - There is only one God, Allah and

Muhammad is the final prophet of Allah.

2. Belief in The Angels - Muslims belive that Angels act like 'a

liason officer' between God and The Prophets.

3. Belief in The Prophets - Muslims belive in 28 prophets

(including Jesus) Muhammand is the last and final prophets.

He is the seal of the prophets.

4. Belief in The Holy Books - Muslims belive the Qur'an are

the actual words of Allah that were passed on to Muhammad

by The Angel Gabriel.

5. Belief in The Day of Judgement - Muslims believe that when

you die there will be a final day of Judgement. Allah will

decide if you were a good Muslim throughout your life. If you

were you would be rewarded and sent to Paradise. If you

weren't, you would be punished and sent to hell.

6. Belief in Pre-destinbation - Muslims belive that God has

already decided how you will live your life.

Scripture The Qur‘an

Major festivals There are only two Muslim festivals set down in Islamic

law: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha ("Eid" or "Id" means

festival).

There are also several other special days which Muslims

celebrate

Eid al-Fitr The Celebration concluding Ramadan

Ramadan, the month of fasting, ends with the festival of Eid al-

Fitr. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast

Eid al-Adha The celebration concluding the Hajj

Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the

prophet Abraham's willingness to obey Allah by sacrificing his

son Ishmael.

Muharram The Islamic New Year

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic

liturgical year

Mawlid al-Nabi Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

This holiday celebrates the birthday of Muhammad, the

founder of Islam.

Origin in time 610 AD

Origin in place Saudi Arabia

Major types Sunni and Shia

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Judaism

Founder figure The specifically Hebrew element of biblical history begins with

Abraham, who is considered the founder of the Jewish religion.

However, he does not discover God but is rather called by the

God who is already known into a covenant, in which God

promises to many descendents and the land of Canaan.

Concept of God Judaism is a monotheistic faith, meaning that Jews believe

there is only One God

God is one.

God is almighty - controls all domains.

God has no form

Main belief God

Judaism is a monotheistic faith, meaning that Jews believe

there is only One God

Humankind Was Created In the Divine Image

Community

Judaism believes that Jews are uniquely connected with each

other

The Ten Commandments:

1. I am the Lord your God

2. You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence

3. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain

4. Remember the day of shabbat to keep it holy

5. Honor your father and your mother

6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultery

8. You shall not steal

9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor

10. You shall not covet your fellow's possessions

Scripture The Torah

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Major festivals Purim (Festival of Lots)

It recalls the story of Esther, a Queen who foiled a plot

by one of her advisors, Haman, to kill all the Jews

Pesach (Passover)

Commemorates Moses freeing the Israelites from their

enslavement under the Pharaoh in Egypt

Shavuot (Pentecost)

Commemorates Moses being given the Ten

Commandments by God following the Exodus from

Egypt

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)

Yom Kippur (Day Of Atonement)

Succot (Tabernacles)

Chanukah (Festival of Lights)

Origin in time More than 4000 years old

Origin in place Israel

Major types The three main types are Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.

Conservative Jews follow most traditional practices, but less

strictly than the Orthodox. Reform Jews are the least

traditional.

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Contemporary Religion

Theorists on religion Karl Marx-Maintained that religion is an illusion made by man.

Sigmund Freud-Religion can not withstand reason and

experience.

Erich Fromm-Radical humanism that stresses the unity of the

human race.

Secularisation thesis Peter Berger used the term ‗secularisation‘ to describe a

process ‗by which sectors of society and culture are removed

from the domination of religious institutions and symbols.

The term, secularisation, is used to describe the restraint in the

control of religion due to changes within modern society, as

well as the adaptation of religion to the changing values of

society.

Thomas Luckman referred to the increasing individualism of

persons in society and thus looking at themselves for meaning

3 Reactions to

modernisation

Christian Fundamentalism:

Belief that the Bible is God‘s word and has final authority. It

does not contain errors. A literal interpretation is required of

the Bible.

Universalism:

Wilfred C Smith postulates that the Christian Religion should

allow for interfaith dialogue and universalism. He claims that

the various religions of humanity are historically interlinked.

Religion should be viewed in its historical context.

New Age:

Believes that we are at the beginning of a new age. Every

aspect of modern life is addressed by this movement. From

ecological conservation , medicine, education, psychology

business administration and physical science.

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Bibliography:

1) EDT303Q Tutorial letter 101/3/2012

2) EDT303Q Study guide

3) The Human Search For Meaning: JS Kruger, GJA Lubbe, HC STEYN

1st edition, 4

th impression 2005, Via Afrika

4) The Project Gutenberg eBook, How to Teach Religion, by George Herbert Betts

5) The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Idea of God in Early Religions, by F. B.

Jevons

6) The Project Gutenberg EBook of Modern Religious Cults and Movements, by

Gaius Glenn Atkins

7) Project Gutenberg's The Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James

8) Websites used

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/15800/pg15800.txt

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/621/pg621.html

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19051/19051-h/19051-h.htm

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25338/25338-h/25338-h.htm

http://www.education.gov.za/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HoS7sshyXoQ%3D&ta

bid=533&mid=1499

http://www.eccurriculum.co.za/ReligionStudies/32.45-

Religion%20studies%20P2%20memo.pdf

http://www.jewishyouth.ca/templates/youth/article_cdo/aid/286729/jewish/Diffe

rent-Types-of-Jews.htm

www.religionfacts.com

www.infoplease.com

www.zindagee.co.uk

buddhismgroup.blogspot.com

www.religioustolerance.org

www.buddhist-temples.com

www.buddhanet.net

theeternalmoment.com

www.hinduwebsite.com

www.wisegeek.com

www.edepot.com

www.dalailamajuly2008.com

www.shaivam.org

www.islam101.com

www.himalayanacademy.com

www.indiaparenting.com

www.hinduism.co.za

www.contenderministries.org