The Supernatural in Different Religions
Nancy Alanis
Arjun Subedi
OverviewDefinition of the SupernaturalStories about every religion with interpretationExplanation to why there is less belief of the Supernatural
in the present time compared to the pastGeneral interpretation of why all the stories were told
SupernaturalDefinitions of the Supernatural:The spiritual realm beyond human existence that is
thought to control the natural worldThe unusual experiences that lack a scientific
explanation or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure
Religions Hinduism• Christianity• Buddhism• Islam
Hinduism
Gods
Lord Vishnu Sugriv Lord Rama
Saraswoti
Hanuman
Demons
Kali GODMahishasura
Danab Ravan
Lord Vishnu and his ReincarnationsVishnu as matsya (fish)Vishnu as Kurma (Tortoise)Vishnu as Bahara (Boar)Vishnu as Narshingha (Lion)Vishnu as Vamana (Dwraf)Vishnu as Parsurama (Human)Vishnu as Lord Rama (Human)Vishnu as Lord Krishna (Human)Vishnu as Buddha (Human) Founder of BuddhismVishnu as Kalki (hasn’t occurred yet)
Supernatural in Hindu religion
Incarnation and evolution- ComparisionAdam’s Bridge
Hindu epic Ramayana:- Monkey god had power that every stone he touched would float.
Created a bridge between Lanka (Now Sir lanka) and India
Adam’s Bridge
Archeological finding suggests it is a man made bride and was made approximately 1,750,000
Year old
Archeological Findings Ancient port city
Dvaraka (15th -16thBc) Birth place of Lord KrishnaDvaraka mentioned in Mahabharata
Mahabharata War: Did it really happen?Kurukshetra, the scene of the great Mahabharata war,
Iron arrows and spearheads have been excavated and dated by thermoluminence to 2,800 B.C.E., the approximate date of the war given within the Mahabharata itself.
ChristianityThe Resurrection of Jesus ChristProphecy
Savior of sins
Physical body would resurrect
Soldiers guarded door and removed rock
Importance of the Resurrection
They knew he had resurrected because
his body was gone and he appeared to
his apostles and mother.
It symbolized that his sacrifice was accepted and therefore our sins would be forgiven and we can live in happiness with God.
If he hadn’t resurrected then it would mean it wasn’t accepted and discredit that Jesus was the son of God.
Opposing views
Critics of the Resurrection have some theories:There is no evidence besides scriptures to say it was true.
Jesus’ body could have
been stolen
It could’ve been removed by his apostle’s to make sure that his prophecy would come true.
Interpretation
Human’s ask questions and need
answers
This answers the question of
where we end up and that God looks
after us and cares about us
Science doesn’t give us an answer after death and Science doesn’t show that anyone cares for us
Buddhism
Birth of Buddha- Supernatural 9th incarnation of God Vishnu
Buddha was born in the garden from Queen Mayadevi Queen and her son (Buddha) were showered with perfumed blossoms, and two streams of sparkling water poured from the sky to bathe them. And the infant stood, and took seven steps, and proclaimed “I alone am the World-Honored One!”
Buddha’s Seven steps
Seven Steps:• East• West• North• South• Up• Down• Here
Story of Eagle and DoveKing gives his own flesh to save the life of Dove
from EagleHe was reincarnated as Buddha
This story teaches us the result of good deeds
Story about blind man and an elephantFour blind men touch different part of the elephant and
interpret elephant differently:1. Like a rope (tail)
2. Like a Wall (Belly)
3. Like a Cloth (Ear)
4. Like a tree trunk (Legs)
Same thing different way of looking – God is also like elephant- one god different way of looking at it.
Religious tolerance - Buddhism
IslamTwo Stories:
Muhammad’s Night Journey
The power of Jin and Iblis
Muhammad’s Night Journey
Muhammad is the most important prophet to the Islam religion. He was the founder.
Story: The angel Gabriel came at night and took Muhammad on a journey.
They visited all the past prophets like Abraham and Adam.
Finally he saw Allah where only he could enter, not the other prophets and talk to him.
Allah Muhammad to have his people pray 50 times a day to him. Moses made him negotiate for less (5).
InterpretationIslam considers Muhammad its greatest prophetHe is the only one who can see Allah out of all the
prophetsTheir religion isn’t new and that they too
honor past prophets that are mentioned
in other religions
Explanation of 5 prayers a day.
Iblis and the JinDevil, demons, snakes, zombiesRoam the Earth without being seenCause evilIblis is like the Christian SatanHe and the Jin were created by Allah They refused to obey his orders Can’t be seen, only through deeds
InterpretationShows the consequences of what happens if one disobeys
Allah.Shows that one should worship Allah to stay away from
the evil like Iblis and the Jin.People have morals unlike the JinGives a reason why there is evil and suffering in the
world.
Why was there more belief before?No Scientific explanationsTechnology
ConclusionThe brain wants a coherent and unified perception of the
worldFeelings are taken way by ScienceTeaches morals and ethicsGives consequences
Work Cited Night Journey:
http://www.geocities.com/alummah2000/NightJourney.html http://www.answering-islam.org/Gilchrist/Vol1/3d.html
Jesus’ Resurrection: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12789a.htm http://www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/contemporary-scholarship
Iblis: http://web.uvic.ca/~rpn/files/iblis.html
Definitions: http://web.uvic.ca/~rpn/files/iblis.html
Archeological findings (Hindu) http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/507/1/Migration_Diffusion_6_56.pdf
Adam’s Bridge http://krishna.org/nasa-images-discover-ancient-bridge-between-india-and-sri-lanka/
….Work cited (cont.)Buddhism
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.htmlhttp://books.google.com/books?
id=etsZSgzVcxoC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=hindu+religion+reincarnation+science+evolution&source=bl&ots=g4v1O3xqyi&sig=2gne5h4AMfvOCf1fM0-81IdhsQg&hl=en&ei=GRLJSbXpIZnItgeLgKmfAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA26,M1
Questions?