Essential Concepts in Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Hinduism

Sikhism: Core Beliefs and Practices

Key Figures and History

• Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Lifespan: 1469 to 1539.
• Role: A teacher in a religious school for Sikh children.
• Origin/Language: Punjabi.

Spiritual Goals and Concepts

• The ultimate goal is to attain Mukti (spiritual liberation).
• A desired state is being in the presence of God.
• One of the five vices (sins) is Sloth.

Symbols and Institutions

• Sacred Scripture: The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib).
• Place of Worship: The Gurdwara.
• Symbolic Attire: A turban, indicating allegiance to the Sikh community.

Judaism: History, Scripture, and Tradition

Foundational History and Texts

• Approximate Early History: 1200 BCE.
• Historical Evidence: The Merneptah Stone/Stele.
• Jews commonly refer to their Scriptures as the “TaNaKh.” (True)
• The biblical Patriarchs were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• The concept of Covenant is central to Jewish theology.
• The Torah cannot be translated and is only legitimately scripture when read in Hebrew. (This statement is generally considered False regarding translation, but emphasizes the sanctity of Hebrew.)
• Definition of Scripture: A collection of sacred writings.

Theology and Practice

• Names of God: YHWH and Elohim.
• Central Prayer: The Shema.
• Judaism is characterized as an evolving religious culture.
• Non-Kosher Food Example: Lobster.
• The Word of God (A key theological concept).

Historical Events and Figures

• Destruction of the First Temple: 586 BCE.
• The prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt was Abraham. False (It was Moses).
• The founder of the Hasidic movement was known as the Baal Shem Tov. True.
• Founder of Zionism: Theodor Herzl.
• Historical Site: A mountain fortress near the Dead Sea (Masada).
• Geographic Center of Ashkenazi Jewry: Europe, especially Eastern Europe.
• Covenant with Jesus – Messiah (A concept central to Christianity, often used in contrast to Jewish messianic expectations).
• Whirlwind (A biblical motif, often associated with divine revelation or judgment, e.g., in the Book of Job).

Holidays and Observances

• Holy City: Jerusalem.
• Major Holidays: Hanukkah and Passover.
• The Jewish holiday of Purim recounts the exploits of Haman and Mordechai, and is found in the Biblical book of Esther.
• Shabbat, the Jewish holy day, is celebrated only on Saturday morning. False (It begins Friday evening and ends Saturday evening).

Zoroastrianism: Dualism and Cosmic Struggle

Theology and Cosmology

• Core Concept: Dualism (The struggle between good and evil).
• Supreme Deity: Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord).
• Evil Force/The Lie: Druj.
• A great cosmic struggle is being played out, with forces of evil aligned against forces of good. True.
• The struggle occurs in the realm of the physical world.
• Zoroastrianism emphasizes the importance of spirit and thought and matter and physicality.
• Goal: Complete purification.
• Shared Concepts with other Religions: Dualism and a final judgment.
• Related Religion: Manichaeism.
• Opposite of Order: Chaos.

History and Scripture

• Origin: Iran.
• Zarathushtra had initial difficulty in persuading others to accept his teachings.
• Sacred Scripture: The Avesta.
• The oldest part of the Avesta consists of hymns attributed to Zarathushtra (The Gathas).
• Early biographical details are unavailable.
• A major historical outcome was the marginalization of Zoroastrianism.

Modern Practice

• Community in India: Parsis.
• Modern Location: India.
• Zoroastrianism teaches avoidance of the enjoyments of the body, regarding embodiment of spirit as a negative thing. False.
• Fire Temple Practice: Candle flames are not extinguished but rather allowed to burn out.

Hinduism: Dharma, Karma, and Moksha

Fundamental Concepts

• The goal of life, and the religious solution in Hinduism is Moksha (Liberation).
• Core beliefs include the concepts of karma, samsara, reincarnation of the soul, and the soul’s immortality.
• Hindus believe in an undying soul or self, known as the Atman.
• “Dharma” means: All of the above (Duty, righteousness, cosmic order, detailed prescriptions for correct behavior in all aspects of life).
• Hindus practice Ahimsa (Non-violence).
• A term that encompasses all words and all things they represent (often associated with Om or Brahman).
• Mahatma means 'Great Soul'.

Scripture and Language

• Primary Scriptures: The Vedas.
• A sub-section of the Vedas (likely the Upanishads).
• Sacred Language: Sanskrit.

Deities and Paths

• The Great Goddess: Devi (Shakti).
• Paths to Liberation (Marga): Kali Marga (A path or yoga, possibly a reference to Karma Marga or Bhakti Marga).
• Duty or Devotion (Concepts related to Dharma and Bhakti).

Society and Geography

• The Holiest City: Varanasi.
• The Most Important River: The Ganges.
• Term for Untouchables (used by Gandhi): Harijans.
• Modern Term for Untouchables: Dalit.

Festivals

• Major Festival: Holi.
• Great Pilgrimage: Kumbha Mela.