December 3, 2013

Give an example of a religious ritual associated with birth

From the hearth of From the hearth of South AsiaSouth Asia

Hinduism, Buddhism, and SikhismHinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism

Hinduism It teaches its disciples that the

principles of life can be discovered through meditation, and has no Holy Book.

However, writings like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita provide guidance and inspiration They speak of an ancient struggle

between order and chaos. Hinduism is the third largest religion

in the world with 1 billion adherents (followers), and the most popular religion in India and Nepal

HinduismHinduism

Hinduism is the third largest religionHinduism is the third largest religion Began 4,000 years agoBegan 4,000 years ago

The practice of Hinduism began before the The practice of Hinduism began before the Aryans arrived, and involved Aryans arrived, and involved ritual bathingritual bathing, , and a belief in and a belief in reincarnationreincarnation

The Aryans named it, created holy books, and The Aryans named it, created holy books, and developed the developed the caste systemcaste system

It can be described as polytheistic or It can be described as polytheistic or monotheistic (Brahman)monotheistic (Brahman)

Gods: Hindus believe that there are many gods and goddesses. Each of these gods, however, is a manifestation (form) of one Supreme Being

Reincarnation: Hindus believe that at death, a person’s soul is reborn as another living thing. This creates an endless cycle of rebirth of each soul

MAJOR BELIEFS OF HINDUISM

Karma: Karma refers to a person’s behavior in life, which Hindus believe determines that person’s form in the next life. People who live a good life will be reborn in a higher caste, and those who do not, will be reborn in a lower caste

Sacred Objects: Hindus believe the Ganges River is sacred and has the power to wash away sin and evil. The cow is also considered sacred. As a result, religious Hindus do not eat beef.

Diffusion of HinduismDiffusion of Hinduism

Hinduism began in what is now Pakistan, and Hinduism began in what is now Pakistan, and diffused to India and Southeast Asiadiffused to India and Southeast Asia

How it diffused is unclearHow it diffused is unclear Christianity’s influence weakened the caste systemChristianity’s influence weakened the caste system Islam led to Sikhism, which rejects the worship of Islam led to Sikhism, which rejects the worship of

idols and the caste system, but retains reincarnation idols and the caste system, but retains reincarnation and karmaand karma

Buddhism and Islam now dominate SE AsiaBuddhism and Islam now dominate SE Asia• Indonesia has the world’s highest concentration of MuslimsIndonesia has the world’s highest concentration of Muslims

Today, most Hindus live in IndiaToday, most Hindus live in India

Hinduism ChartOrigins and History

Adherents Worldwide

God(s) and Universe

Human Situation and Life’s Purpose

Afterlife Practices Texts

Indigenous religion of India

900 million One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses

Humans are in bondage to ignorance and illusion, but are able to escape.

Purpose is to gain release from rebirth, or at least a better rebirth.

Reincarnation until gain enlightenment

Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion to a god or goddess, pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose/ role).

The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, etc.

Buddhism Buddhism began in Nepal around

500 b.c.e. Today, there are over 350 million

adherents, mostly located in East and Southeast Asia

BuddhismBuddhism Prince Siddhartha Gautama lived a life of great luxury. One day,

he looked out his palace walls and was shocked by all the suffering he saw

This prompted him to leave his family and seat out in search of the truth: suffering is caused by human desire. Gautama then became known as “Buddha”, or enlightened one.

He said salvation can be obtained by anyone, He said salvation can be obtained by anyone, regardless of their social positionregardless of their social position

Enlightenment comes through Enlightenment comes through knowledgeknowledge, , elimination of greed, craving, and desireelimination of greed, craving, and desire; complete ; complete honestyhonesty; and ; and never harming a human or animalnever harming a human or animal

Basic Philosophy: Buddhism is based on a philosophy of self-denial and meditation. Buddhists also believe in reincarnation.

Gods and Holy Book: Buddhists do not believe in a single “Supreme Being”. They also do not have a primary holy book. Their basic beliefs are found in books called Sutra

MAJOR BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM

Four Noble Truths: These truths explain life’s meaning. 1)Life means suffering. 2)The origin of suffering is attachment. 3)The cessation of suffering is attainable.4)The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path: to give up selfish human desires, Buddhists believe one should follow this path: 1) Right view 2) Right intention 3) Right speech 4) Right speech 5) Right livelihood 6) Right effort 7) Right mindfulness 8) Right concentration

Nirvana: by following the Eightfold Path, an individual can escape the soul’s endless reincarnations and achieve Nirvana-a state of eternal peace and bliss

Diffusion of BuddhismDiffusion of Buddhism

Buddhism diffused from India under the Buddhism diffused from India under the influence of Emperor Asokainfluence of Emperor Asoka

He made his state a Buddhist state, and He made his state a Buddhist state, and sent out missionaries to other countriessent out missionaries to other countries

It spread throughout Eastern and It spread throughout Eastern and Southeastern Asia, but declined in IndiaSoutheastern Asia, but declined in India It thrives in Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Nepal, Tibet, It thrives in Sri Lanka, SE Asia, Nepal, Tibet,

and Koreaand Korea Today it has 347 million adherentsToday it has 347 million adherents

Buddhism ChartOrigins and History

Adherents Worldwide

God(s) and Universe

Human Situation and Life’s Purpose

Afterlife Practices Texts

Founded by

Siddharta

Gautama (the

Buddha) in c.

520 BC, NE

India.

360 million Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent.

Purpose is to

avoid suffering

and gain

enlightenment

and release from

cycle of rebirth,

or at least attain

a better rebirth

by gaining merit.

Reincarnation

(understood

differently than in

Hinduism, with

no surviving

soul) until gain

enlightenment

Meditation, mantras,

devotion to deities

(in some sects),

mandalas (Tibetan)

Tripitaka (Pali

Canon); Mahayana

sutras like the Lotus

Sutra; others.

Sikhism Sikhs live mainly in Northern

India and practice a religion that is based on both Hindu and Islam

Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation. Like Muslims, Sikhs believe in one God. Sikhs believe that God can be known through meditation, or a form of deep contemplation.

Sikhs believe that everyone has an equal status in the eyes of God

Today, there are 16 million Sikhs found mainly in India

The Five K’s are articles of faith that a Sikh must wear at all times to demonstrate commitment to the faith

Kesh: uncut hair

Kachera: A specific type of cotton undergarments

Kirpan: A strapped curved sword

Kara: A metal bracelet

Kangha: a wooden comb

Kanga, Kara and Kirpan – three of the five Ks

Sikhism ChartOrigins and History

Adherents Worldwide

God(s) and Universe

Human Situation and Life’s Purpose

Afterlife Practices Texts

Guru Nanak, c. 1500 AD, Punjab, India.

23 million One God (Ik Onkar, Nam)

Overcome the self, align life with will of God, and become a "saint soldier," fighting for good.

Reincarnation until resolve karma and merge with God.

Prayer and meditation on God's name, services at temple (gurdwara), turban and five Ks. Balance work, worship, and charity.

Adi Granth (Sri Guru Granth Sahib)

The Sikh Next Door

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FUp87aYclY