Intro. to Religion
A religion that claims applicability to all regardless of location or ethnicity
What is a universalizing faith
Founder and timeframe for the development of Hinduism?
Indo-Aryan & South Asian cultures (Harappans, Mohenjo-Darans, etc.); Approx. 2500 BCE
Founder and timeframe for development of Buddhism
Founder = Siddhartha Gautama
Timeframe = 528/439 BCE
Founder and timeframe of Judaism
Founder = Abraham
Timeframe = 2,000-1,800 BCE
On the U.S. Library of Congress's list of "Books that Shaped America" is what 1830 religious text that sets out the tenets of a religion founded by Joseph Smith?
What is the Book of Mormon
This is considered an ethnic faith due most of its followers being found in Israel.
What is Judaism?
The highest & lowest caste in Hinduism
Brahmins = priests
Dalits = untouchables
Why is Ashoka a significant figure in the development of Hinduism?
Leader of the Mauryan empire who converted to Buddhism after being a cruel & violent leader. Helped spread the faith through South Asia
Explain the following prophets of Judaism:
- Moses
- Isaiah
- Isaac
Moses = Greatest prophet (Exodus, Torah/Commandments on Mt. Sinai)
Isaiah = outlined many of the Jewish beliefs in the Messianic age
Isaac = Son of Abraham; crucial role in the final test of faith
Located at 45–57 Bowne Street in Flushing, Queens and popularly referred to as the Ganesh Temple, this structure claims to be the very first temple in the U.S. representing the traditional form of what major religion?
What is Hinduism
Provide 3 examples of universalizing faiths.
Answers may vary (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, etc.)
Identify & describe the Hindu Trimurti
Brahma = God of Creation
Shiva = God of Destruction
Vishnu = God of Preservation
Describe the following Buddhist holidays: Vesak Day, Magha Puja Day & Asalha Puja Day
Vesak Day - "Buddha Day"; celebrates the birth, life, death & enlightenment of Siddhartha
Magha Puja Day - "Sangha Day"; celebrates the Buddhist community (1,250 monks came together to hear Buddha teach)
Asalha Puja Day - "Dhamma Day"; celebrates the first sermon given by Buddha (introduced the Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, etc.)
What do Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur celebrate? Describe the role of the shofar & the act of Taslich in your answer.
Rosh Hashanah "Jewish New Year"; celebrates the creation of the world and a new year in Judaism
Shofar = blown a # of times to call for repentance & spiritual awakening
Tashlich = act of throwing bread into a body of water to symbolically cast of sins
Yom Kippur "Day of Atonement"; final day to atone for sins from previous year
The Golden Temple at Amritsar, also known as the Harimandir Sahib, is one of the holiest sites in what religion, which has 25-30 million adherents worldwide?
What is Sikhism
Answers may vary (Shintoism, Hinduism, etc.)
What is the ultimate goal of Hinduism and how does one achieve it?
Moksha = dharma & karma
Practice different yoga's
What are the Four Noble Truths and how does Siddhartha's "Four Sights" (from his early life) connect?
Dukkha = Truth of Suffering
Samudaya = Attachment/desires is the cause of suffering
Nirvana = way to end suffering (Perfect Peace)
Magga = Follow the Eightfold Path to achieve Nirvana
Four Sights = Old age, sickness, death & ascetisim
Judaism has a possibility of 613 mitzvah's....identify & describe 5 major core beliefs of the faith
(1) Belief in G-d (one, unique, incorporeal & eternal)
(2) Greatest prophet is Moses
(3) Messiah will come (specific requirements & actions)
(4) Dead will be resurrected & judged
(5) Torah & Talmud were given to Moses & there will be no other holy books
Bob Marley famously practiced this religion found predominantly in Jamaica
What is Rastafari
Describe why it is important to understand ethnocentrism & religious misconceptions when studying world religions. Provide 1 specific example to illustrate.
Answers will vary
Describe Diwali and Holi including its meaning and specific activities.
Diwali - Festival of Lights
Holi - Festival of Colors
What is the ultimate goal of Buddhism and how does one achieve it?
Goal = achieve Nirvana
Methods = Four Noble Truths; Eightfold Path, focus on ethics, meditation & wisdom; extinguish 3 fires (greed, aversion & ignorance)
Meditation = samadha (calmness & concentration) & vipasana (insight)
Describe the ultimate goal of Judaism and specifically detail 3 actions one can take to meet that goal
Goal = relationship with G-d, observe the Tanakh, promote & focus on social justice, charity, peace & equality; Messianic hope
Actions =
This faith believes in two opposing forces: Ahura Mazda (represents good, light & truth and Angra Mainyu (represents darkness, evil & deceit)
What is Zoroastrianism