Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

The Four Passing Sights

These four observations profoundly influenced Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) and led him to renounce his princely life:

1. An Old Man: Weak and frail, symbolizing the inevitability of aging.
2. A Sick Man: Representing disease and suffering.
3. A Corpse on a Funeral Pyre: This sight was a shock, awakening him to the realization that life is not a continuous event and death is certain.
4. A Holy Man (Ascetic): This fourth sight first awakened him to other possibilities and the potential for an escape from suffering.

Li

A key concept in Confucianism, often translated as propriety, ritual, or correct conduct.

Ch’i (Qi)

Vital energy flowing through matter and movement. This energy is intrinsically linked to the universe.

Skanda (Hindu God

Bourgeoisie Defined

A non-privileged social group residing in cities, primarily engaged in trade, banking, or industry.

The Role of Parliament

A political institution that historically represented the nobility, clergy, and cities.

Understanding Humanism

A political, social, and cultural ideology originating at the beginning of the Early Modern Period. It is based on reason, progress, and the **value** of the human being.

Protestantism and the Reformation

A Christian religious confession that separated from the Catholic Church, based on the ideas of Martin Luther in the 16th century.

The Modern State (Authoritarian Monarchies)

Also known as authoritarian monarchies, the Modern State represents the transition from decentralized monarchies (characterized... Continue reading "Early Modern History Key Concepts: Reformation & Humanism" »

Understanding Core Islamic Vocabulary

Adhan

The call to prayer performed from the minarets of mosques by the *muezzin*.

Allah

Arabic for God.

Amir

Commander or prince, frequently used with reference to the person who leads the community.

Aya

A verse of the Quran; also used in a general meaning of “sign” from God.

Ayatollah

In Shia Islam, a high-ranking title given to clerics recognized as experts in Islamic studies.

Basmala

The statement at the beginning of each sura of the Quran (except sura 9), “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate”; also used by Muslims as an invocation.

Buraq

The winged horse which carried Muhammad on his “Night Journey” from Mecca to Jerusalem.

Dhimmi

A member of a protected community, especially referring to... Continue reading "Essential Islamic Terms and Definitions" »

A baby speaks of its entry into the world, which brought pain to its parents. The world it came into seemed dangerous. It was helpless, vulnerable, noisy, encased in its body like a devil hidden in a cloud.

The baby struggled against the confinement of its father's hands and the swaddling in which it was wrapped. Unsuccessful, it resigned itself to sulking on its mother's breast.

Commentary

For Blake, a fiend was not to be regarded as evil – it was an embodiment of energy and instinct. So here, the baby comes into the world not as a peaceful, meek being, but as one filled with positive energy and instinctual life. However, the response of the parents is ambiguous. Do they groan and weep because:

• Of the physical anguish of childbirth?
• The baby

African Indigenous Religions

African indigenous religions have not all died out.

The Atlantic slave trade

Humanity and life in the present world

High God is both a and b

High God

Many supernatural beings are recognized, and one is elevated to a higher status.

Mali and Burkina Faso

Yoruba religion

An Orisa in the Yoruba tradition

Spirits are all of the above

Improving life in this world

Spirit world: all of the above

A divination system among the Yoruba

Medium

Kenya and Tanzania

Christianity did not completely eradicate indigenous African religions.

The continuing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

Supreme, unitary reality

Dualistic

330 million

Hebrew

It cannot be translated and is only legitimately scripture when read in Hebrew.

John

The Way

Greek

The Shema

Merneptah... Continue reading "Major World Religions: Key Beliefs and Practices" »

African Beliefs

Their beliefs are called Myth, for them God is Supreme, god has a generic term in this case. They identify the creator by supreme Being. God refers to objects of worship in any religion.

There are 3 varying accounts of the creation of Cosmos.

1. Some believe that it was created in one act
2. Others believe that God created heaven first so that he would have a place standing on Heaven, he created the Earth.
3. Others say that God is still creating new things, excepts souls because Africans think that you need one to live. Ex: People have children. Does God create them or does God equip people with the ability to create them?

They view about the cosmos:

1. For the African, the cosmos is divided into 2 parts, the two can be described as the heaven

No-Self

• Central concept: Buddha denies the existence of a self that is eternal or self-sustained.

• Biggest illusion: Believing we truly know our "self".

• Two bases for denying the eternal self:

  1. Impermanence

     • All entities in the world are impermanent in two ways:

       1. They cease to exist.

       2. They constantly change.

  2. Dependent Origination

     • This framework forms the basis for Buddhists' denial of a "self".

     • All things are products of infinite chains of causality. Nothing is self-sustaining; therefore, nothing has a self.

       • This concept relates to early Indian logic principles of cause and effect.

Reincarnation/Nirvana

• Reincarnation is a cycle of rebirth.

• This concept predates Buddhism, existing long before in Indian culture.

• Different views exist on the mechanisms behind this

William Blake: Romantic Poet and Visionary Artist

William Blake (1757-1827) was a prominent Romantic poet and artist. (Note: The original discussion also referenced *Blackadder* series: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Regency, Great Europe.)

Blake's unique perception of God challenged conventional views, portraying a deity that was not always perfect. His work often delves into profound spiritual concepts, as seen in his *Proverbs of Hell*, where the voice of the Devil speaks (p.105).

Blake's "Elohim Creating Adam"

Blake's interpretation of creation, influenced by the *King James Bible* (published 1611), is depicted in his non-realistic painting, characterized by symbolic elements like the sun, planets, clouds, and sunlight. The presence of the snake... Continue reading "William Blake's Vision: Art, Symbolism, and Biblical Interpretations" »

1. What does Bhakti movement mean? Ans. A series of Hindu saints & reformers started religious reform movements which adopted the method of devotion (Bhakti) to achieve salvation. Their method of expression of devotion ranged from the routine worship of deities within temples to singing & chanting of devotional compositions.

5. What were Attitude of the Nayanars & Alavars sects towards the cast? Ans. Some historians are of the view that Alvars & Nayanaras started a movement of protest against the caste system & the dominance of Brahmans or at least made efforts to reform them. This view is supported by the fact that these Bhakti reformers came from diverse social backgrounds; some of them belonged to lower classes such as... Continue reading "Bhakti Movement and Sufi Traditions: A Comparative Study" »