World Religions Traditions and Belief What is Religion? Karl Marx said “Religion is the Opium of...

World ReligionsWorld Religions

Traditions and BeliefTraditions and Belief

What is Religion?What is Religion?

Karl Marx said Karl Marx said

““Religion is the Opium of the Religion is the Opium of the Masses”Masses”

What is ReligionWhat is Religion

According to Marx, According to Marx, religion is an expression of religion is an expression of material realities and material realities and economic injustice. economic injustice.

Thus, problems in religion Thus, problems in religion are ultimately problems in are ultimately problems in society. society.

Religion is not the disease, Religion is not the disease, but merely a symptom. but merely a symptom.

It is used by oppressors to It is used by oppressors to make people feel better make people feel better about the distress they about the distress they experience due to being experience due to being poor and exploited.poor and exploited.

Class discussionClass discussion

Question? Do you believe Question? Do you believe what Marx is saying -Why what Marx is saying -Why or why notor why not


Gandhi saidGandhi said Those who say Those who say

religion has religion has nothing to do with nothing to do with politics do not politics do not know what know what religion is. religion is.

Does Religion play Does Religion play a major role in a major role in politics?politics?

What are some What are some examples?examples?


"My religion is "My religion is very simple. My very simple. My religion is religion is kindness." kindness."

Dali Lama who is Dali Lama who is currently exiled in currently exiled in India.India.

Is religion simply Is religion simply going to a Holy going to a Holy place to worship place to worship or is it more?or is it more?

In what ways?In what ways?


So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas.

A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me?

The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking. robes, the grace, bald... striking.

So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-galunga. galunga.

So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." the effort, you know."

And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness."

So I got that goin' for me, which is nice. So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.


Carl SpacklerCarl SpacklerCaddyshackCaddyshack

Eastern/WesternEastern/Western

Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions HinduismHinduism BuddhismBuddhism DaoismDaoism ConfucianismConfucianism

Western ReligionsWestern Religions JudaismJudaism ChristianityChristianity Islam (Also Islam (Also

eastern)eastern)

ReligionReligion

PolytheismPolytheism The worship of many The worship of many

gods and goddessgods and goddess Ancestor worshipAncestor worship SpiritsSpirits AnimalsAnimals

Those that had Those that had polytheismpolytheism Shinto (Japan)Shinto (Japan) Greeks/RomansGreeks/Romans Shamanism in Shamanism in

Asia/Native AmericansAsia/Native Americans Animism (Africa)Animism (Africa)

MonotheisticMonotheistic The belief of one god.The belief of one god. First religion to First religion to

believe in one god was believe in one god was JudaismJudaism

Written traditionsWritten traditions TorahTorah GospelsGospels KoranKoran

Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions

HinduismHinduism Very complex religionVery complex religion PolytheisticPolytheistic Probabaly the oldest religion still practiced Probabaly the oldest religion still practiced

todaytoday Hinduism does not have one starting point but Hinduism does not have one starting point but

instead is a mixture of many different religious instead is a mixture of many different religious practices that over the centuries became a practices that over the centuries became a formalized religionformalized religion

Started in the Indus River Valley and today is Started in the Indus River Valley and today is mainly practiced in Indiamainly practiced in India


The VadesThe Vades Aryan invaders brought the Vedas or Aryan invaders brought the Vedas or

scriptures which makes up the bases scriptures which makes up the bases of Hinduismof Hinduism

Vedas mean knowledgeVedas mean knowledge The Vedas outline the gods and The Vedas outline the gods and

goddesses.goddesses.


HinduismHinduism Began to take shape after 900 B.C.E.Began to take shape after 900 B.C.E. The Upnaishads written text that The Upnaishads written text that

outlines Hinduism.outlines Hinduism. The Upanishads help a person develop The Upanishads help a person develop

spiritual self improvementspiritual self improvement Other books Other books

The Bhagavad-GitaThe Bhagavad-Gita Laws of ManuLaws of Manu


HinduismHinduism BeliefsBeliefs

At the center of all time and space is the World Soul.At the center of all time and space is the World Soul. The material world is an illusion.The material world is an illusion. The material world causes suffering and pain.The material world causes suffering and pain. The goal of existance is to become one with BrahmanThe goal of existance is to become one with Brahman The union is achieved by a cycle of life, death and The union is achieved by a cycle of life, death and

rebirth (samsara)rebirth (samsara) Incarnation and reincarnationIncarnation and reincarnation Karma- a persons actions determines a future lifeKarma- a persons actions determines a future life Dharma-Ones moral duty Dharma-Ones moral duty Moksha-becoming one with BrahmanMoksha-becoming one with Brahman


HinduismHinduism gods and goddessesgods and goddesses

Brahma the Creator (male?)Brahma the Creator (male?) Vishnu the Preserver (male or female) Vishnu the Preserver (male or female)

friend to humanityfriend to humanity Shiva the Destroyer (female?) god of both Shiva the Destroyer (female?) god of both

creation and destructioncreation and destruction


HinduismHinduism Caste SystemCaste System

The Caste system is a religious conceptThe Caste system is a religious concept Dates back to the invasion of the AryansDates back to the invasion of the Aryans System of social stratificationSystem of social stratification

Labor tasks were given to darker skinned Labor tasks were given to darker skinned IndiansIndians

By 600 B.C.E. the system developed four By 600 B.C.E. the system developed four standard classes.standard classes.


Hinduism Hinduism Caste systemCaste system

Farmers and artist-Vaishyas

Servants and serfs-Shudras

Warriors and rulers-Kshatriyas

Priest-Brahmins


HinduismHinduism Caste SystemCaste System

Untouchables or the lowest class of Untouchables or the lowest class of the Caste System was developed later the Caste System was developed later and consisted of those who performed and consisted of those who performed tasks such astasks such as Removal of wasteRemoval of waste Burial of the deadBurial of the dead


HinduismHinduism Male v. Female (Gender)Male v. Female (Gender) In Hindu society males are thought to In Hindu society males are thought to

be superior to femalesbe superior to females Hindu law requires that males treat Hindu law requires that males treat

women with respectwomen with respect


HinduismHinduism MalesMales Educated.Educated. Controlled the money.Controlled the money. Owned property.Owned property. Could divorce.Could divorce. Conducted the rituals Conducted the rituals

of the household.of the household.

HinduismHinduism FemalesFemales Women run the family.Women run the family. Women could not own Women could not own

property.property. No education.No education. Married early usually Married early usually

to older men.to older men. Could not divorceCould not divorce Performed the ritual of Performed the ritual of

sati or sutte-throwing sati or sutte-throwing themselves on the themselves on the funeral fires of their funeral fires of their dead husbanddead husband


HinduismHinduism QuestionQuestion

How do you think dharma and karma played How do you think dharma and karma played into the roles of women in Hindu society?into the roles of women in Hindu society?

Does dharma and karma make women Does dharma and karma make women subordinate to men?subordinate to men?

How do you think dharma and karma played How do you think dharma and karma played into the roles of untouchables and the Caste into the roles of untouchables and the Caste System?System?

Does Hinduism promote segergation and Does Hinduism promote segergation and discrimination? discrimination?


BuddhismBuddhism Originated in IndiaOriginated in India Spread to China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Spread to China, Japan, Sri Lanka,

Tibet Korea.Tibet Korea. Comes from the teaching of Siddhartha Comes from the teaching of Siddhartha

Gautama later known as Buddha.Gautama later known as Buddha. Later Buddhism split into two sectionsLater Buddhism split into two sections

Theravada-”Way of the Elders”Theravada-”Way of the Elders” Mahayana- “Greater Vehicle” Mahayana- “Greater Vehicle”


BuddhismBuddhism In India around 500 B.C.E. many In India around 500 B.C.E. many

philosophers began looking for a way philosophers began looking for a way to achieve a better understanding of to achieve a better understanding of the union with the World Soul.the union with the World Soul.


BuddhismBuddhism Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism)

Born into a noble familyBorn into a noble family Lead a sheltered life until the age of 29 Lead a sheltered life until the age of 29

when he looked at the world and saw the when he looked at the world and saw the pain, poverty and suffering in the world.pain, poverty and suffering in the world.

Left his noble life and began to look for the Left his noble life and began to look for the reasons for suffering and pain in the world.reasons for suffering and pain in the world.

Began to fast and lead a life of self-Began to fast and lead a life of self-deprivationdeprivation

Did not find peaceDid not find peace


BuddhismBuddhism One night after meditating under a One night after meditating under a

tree Buddha achieved tree Buddha achieved “enlightenment”.“enlightenment”.

Buddha then began to preach what he Buddha then began to preach what he learned from enlightenment.learned from enlightenment.

Soon his teaching spread from India Soon his teaching spread from India into Asia.into Asia.


BuddhismBuddhism TeachingsTeachings

More of a philosophy then a religion.More of a philosophy then a religion. Tried to correct Hindu doctrine.Tried to correct Hindu doctrine.

BeliefsBeliefs The soul tried to achieve perfection by life The soul tried to achieve perfection by life

death and rebirth (reincarnation)death and rebirth (reincarnation) Rejected the Caste System-any person could Rejected the Caste System-any person could

achieve liberation or enlightenment at achieve liberation or enlightenment at death.death.


BuddhismBuddhism Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths

Human existence is inseparable from Human existence is inseparable from suffering.suffering.

The cause of suffering is desire.The cause of suffering is desire. Suffering is extinguished by extinguishing Suffering is extinguished by extinguishing

desire.desire. Desire may be extinguished by following Desire may be extinguished by following

the Eightfold Path.the Eightfold Path.


BuddhismBuddhism Eightfold PathEightfold Path

Know the truthKnow the truth Resist evilResist evil Do nothing to hurt othersDo nothing to hurt others Respect all forms of lifeRespect all forms of life Work for the well-being of others before yourselfWork for the well-being of others before yourself Free your mind of evilFree your mind of evil Control your thoughtsControl your thoughts Practice meditationPractice meditation


Buddhism Buddhism Buddha also spoke of the Five Moral Buddha also spoke of the Five Moral

Rules which each person must follow.Rules which each person must follow. Do not kill living beingsDo not kill living beings Do not take what is not given youDo not take what is not given you Do not speak falsely Do not speak falsely Do not drink intoxicating drinksDo not drink intoxicating drinks Do not be unchasteDo not be unchaste


Discuss with the person next to youDiscuss with the person next to you

What other religions have a similar What other religions have a similar set of moral laws or codes?set of moral laws or codes?

Does there seem to be an Does there seem to be an underlining theme to these underlining theme to these religions?religions?


BuddhismBuddhism EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Buddha states that if you follow these moral Buddha states that if you follow these moral codes then codes then anyoneanyone can reach enlightenment. can reach enlightenment.

The liberation from the life cycle is called The liberation from the life cycle is called Nirvana which means to extinguish. Nirvana which means to extinguish.

Nirvana leads to a state of Nirvana leads to a state of superconsciousness in which ones spirit is superconsciousness in which ones spirit is dissolved into the spirit that encompasses all dissolved into the spirit that encompasses all of life.of life.


Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism ““Way of the Elders”Way of the Elders” Remained closer to Buddha’s Remained closer to Buddha’s

teachingsteachings No gods or goddesses, not even No gods or goddesses, not even

BuddhaBuddha Meditation, following the codes and Meditation, following the codes and

nirvananirvana


Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism ““Greater Vehicle”Greater Vehicle” Japan, Korea, TibetJapan, Korea, Tibet More ritual and symbols-priest, scriptureMore ritual and symbols-priest, scripture Buddhism is blended with local religionsBuddhism is blended with local religions

Shinto and Buddhism (Zen Buddhism)Shinto and Buddhism (Zen Buddhism)

Nirvana is more of a heavenNirvana is more of a heaven Buddha is seen as god likeBuddha is seen as god like Praying to dead soulsPraying to dead souls


Daoism (Taoism)Daoism (Taoism) 500 B.C.E.500 B.C.E. More of a philosophy then a religionMore of a philosophy then a religion Founder-Laozi (Lao-tzu)Founder-Laozi (Lao-tzu) Central text-Tao-te ChingCentral text-Tao-te Ching Daoism means the “way” or the “path”Daoism means the “way” or the “path”


DaoismDaoism BeliefsBeliefs

The universe is governed by natural forcesThe universe is governed by natural forces This force can not be understood but can be This force can not be understood but can be

feltfelt Dao is in all things (poetry, rivers, nature)Dao is in all things (poetry, rivers, nature) Material values are worthlessMaterial values are worthless People have no control over the events in People have no control over the events in

the physical world the physical world One must seek harmony with the worldOne must seek harmony with the world


DaoismDaoism Daoism is individualisticDaoism is individualistic Ying and Yang shows that nothing is Ying and Yang shows that nothing is

absoluteabsolute There is good in bad and bad in goodThere is good in bad and bad in good

Daoism is often blended with other Daoism is often blended with other religionsreligions Confucianism, Buddhism.Confucianism, Buddhism.


ConfucianismConfucianism 500 B.C.E. in China500 B.C.E. in China Mostly based on philosophy not Mostly based on philosophy not

religionreligion Believe in the existence of gods but Believe in the existence of gods but

they play no role in the living personthey play no role in the living person People should be concerned with they People should be concerned with they

own moral behaviorown moral behavior


ConfucianismConfucianism Teachings of K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) Teachings of K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) Lived during the Zhou DynastyLived during the Zhou Dynasty Studied the relationships between Studied the relationships between

individuals in societyindividuals in society


ConfucianismConfucianism BeliefsBeliefs

The well-being of the society comes before the The well-being of the society comes before the well-being of the individualwell-being of the individual

A good government produces a good rulerA good government produces a good ruler A good ruler is responsible for a good societyA good ruler is responsible for a good society Society is responsible for supporting the good Society is responsible for supporting the good

rulerruler If a ruler is good they have a Mandate of HeavenIf a ruler is good they have a Mandate of Heaven If a ruler is corrupt they lose the Mandate and can If a ruler is corrupt they lose the Mandate and can

be overthrown by the peoplebe overthrown by the people


QuestionQuestion What other rulers used a similar type of What other rulers used a similar type of

rule to the Mandate of Heaven?rule to the Mandate of Heaven?

John Locke said in his John Locke said in his Treatises of Treatises of GovernmentGovernment that if a ruler abused their that if a ruler abused their power the people could do what? power the people could do what?

How was this similar to what Confucius How was this similar to what Confucius said?said?

Would Locke and Confucius have similar Would Locke and Confucius have similar ideals about society and government?ideals about society and government?


ConfucianismConfucianism BeliefsBeliefs

The family runs similar to the relationship The family runs similar to the relationship of the society and governmentof the society and government

The family was the most important The family was the most important institution in Chinese cultureinstitution in Chinese culture


ConfucianismConfucianism The relationshipsThe relationships Superior Superior InferiorInferior

Ruler (Just)Ruler (Just) Subject (loyal)Subject (loyal) Father (loving)Father (loving) Son (Respectful)Son (Respectful) Husband (Righteous)Husband (Righteous) Wife (Obedient)Wife (Obedient) Older brother (genteel)Older brother (genteel) Younger (humble)Younger (humble) Older friend (considerate) Younger Older friend (considerate) Younger

(deferent)(deferent)


ConfucianismConfucianism In these relationships there should be In these relationships there should be

mutual respectmutual respect The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule

““Never do to others what you would not Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you”like them to do to you”


ConfucianismConfucianism MalesMales

Could have more then Could have more then one wifeone wife

Could divorce if the Could divorce if the wife did not produce a wife did not produce a male heirmale heir

Ruled societyRuled society Fought warsFought wars Scholars and ministersScholars and ministers

FemalesFemales Were the subservient Were the subservient

sexsex Homemakers and Homemakers and

mothersmothers Could not own Could not own

propertyproperty Held no material Held no material

wealthwealth Could have a limited Could have a limited

educationeducation


ConfucianismConfucianism Confucianism has existed with and Confucianism has existed with and

competed against Daoism and Buddhsimcompeted against Daoism and Buddhsim It became the official law of the It became the official law of the

government, lost its status with the government, lost its status with the government then regained its status government then regained its status againagain

Confucianism has always influenced Confucianism has always influenced Chinese society and still influences Chinese society and still influences China even under the Communist.China even under the Communist.

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