1. EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Legalism Daoism
Judaism
Christianity
(Islam will be in the next unit)

2. Religions of South Asia

3. Religion in the Subcontinent

4. Hinduism

5. What is Hinduism? One of the oldest religions
About 1500 B.C.E.
Began in India
Gave birth to Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
Tolerance and diversity
"Truth is one, paths are many“
“There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names”
“We are not human beings having spiritual experiences; We are spiritual beings having a human experience!”

6. What do Hindus believe?
Hinduism has no formal theology that defines God
It is henotheistic (acknowledging many but worshiping only one)
Brahman—One impersonal Ultimate Reality
Manifest as many personal deities
Atman—The soul, Brahma trapped in matter
Samsara—Reincarnation – atman is continually born into this world lifetime after lifetime
Karma—Spiritual impurity due to actions keeps us bound to this world (good and bad)
Moksha—Ultimate goal of life – to release Atman and reunite with the divine, becoming as one with Brahman
Vedas—Truth: myths, rituals, chants

7. Major gods of the Hindu Pantheon
Brahma, the creator god
Vishnu, the preserver god
Shiva, god of constructive destruction (the transformer)

8. What are the spiritual practices of Hinduism?
Yoga—seeking union with the divine:
Guru—a spiritual teacher, especially helpful for Jnana and Raja yoga
Bhakti Yoga—worship, seeking union with the divine through loving devotion to manifest deities
In the home (household shrines)
In the temples (priests officiate)

9. How does Hinduism direct life in this world?
Respect for all life – vegetarian
Human life as supreme:
Four “stations” of life (Caste) - priests & teachers, nobles & warriors, merchant class, servant class
Four stages of life – student, householder, retired, wandering philosopher
Four duties of life – pleasure, success, social responsibilities, religious responsibilities (moksha)

10. Buddhism

11. The essence of Buddhism
The “middle way of wisdom and compassion.”
The 3 jewels of Buddhism:
Buddha, the teacher.
Dharma, the teachings.
Sangha, the community.

12. Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)
Born as prince in NE India (Nepal)
At 29 rejected luxurious life to seek enlightenment and source of suffering
Lived a strict, ascetic life for 6 yrs
Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation and found nirvana
Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35

13. What is the fundamental cause of all suffering?
Desire!
Therefore, extinguish the self, don’t obsess about oneself.

14. Four Noble Truths
There is suffering in the world. To live is to suffer.
The cause of suffering is self-centered desire and attachments.
The solution is to eliminate desire and attachments.
To reach nirvana, one must follow the Eightfold Path.

15. Nirvana Eightfold Path The union with the ultimate spiritual reality.
Escape from the cycle of rebirth.

16. Buddha – 19c Thailand
Buddha – 2c Pakistan

17. Mandala: Wheel of Life Motifs

18. Types of Buddhism Therevada Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism
The oldest school of Buddhism.
Found in southern Asia.
Focus on wisdom and meditation.
Goal: is to become a “Buddha,” or “Enlightened One.”
Mahayana Buddhism
Founded in northern Asia (China, Japan).
Buddhism “for the masses.”
Goal: Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.

19. Types of Buddhism Zen Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism
Seeks sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness
Use of meditation masters
Beauty, art, and aesthetics, such as gardens & calligraphy
Tibetan Buddhism
Developed in Tibet in the 7c CE.
A mix of Theravada and Mahayana
Include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama

20. Growth of Buddhism

21. Hinduism only Buddhism only Both
Reincarnation
Cyclical view of history
Belief in a state of enlightenment (Hindu moksha, Buddhist nirvana)
The Middle Way (Eightfold Path)
Four Noble Truths
Caste system
Animal sacrifice

22. Confucianism

23. Confucius 551 – 479 B.C.E. Born in the feudal state of Liu
Became a teacher and editor of books

24. Major Confucian Principles
Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society)
Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity
Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy
Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.
Yi --> Righteousness
Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

25. 5 Principle Relationships
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
Status
Age
Gender
4. Older Brother
Younger Brother
5. Older Friend
Younger Friend

26. Confucian Temple Complex

27. The Analects The single most important Confucian work.
Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows.
Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake.
The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.
To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

28. Confucius' Tomb

29. Social Cohesion is Paramount!
The emperor is the example of proper behavior --> “big daddy”
Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals”
Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons

30. Differences in Cultures
INDIA
CHINA
1. Brahmin
1. Scholar-Gentry
2. Kshatriyas
2. Peasants
3. Vaishyas
3. Artisans
4. Shudras
4. Merchants
Untouchables
Domestic Slaves

31. Legalism

32. Han Fei 280? - 233 B.C.E. Late Warring States period
Legalism became political philosophy of Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty

33. Major Legalist Principles
1. Human nature is naturally selfish.
2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged.
3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality.
4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand.
5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.

34. Authoritarian
One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.

35. Daoism

36. Lao Zi [Lao-Tzu] 604 B.C.E. - ? His name means “Old Master”
Was he Confucius’ teacher?

37. Major Daoist Principles
1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.
2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature.
3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” > “The art of doing nothing.” > “Go with the flow!”
4. Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

38. The "Dao" [Tao]
To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:
1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.
3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.

39. The Universe of Opposites:
Find the Balance!
Yin
Masculine
Active
Light
Warmth
Strong
Heaven; Sun
Feminine
Passive
Darkness
Cold
Weak
Earth; Moon
Yang

40. The Uniqueness of Daoism
How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??
Confucianism --> Moral order in society
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order
Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less government to avoid uniformity and conformity

41. Judaism

42. Judaism Monotheistic, believing in one true God5
Judaism
Monotheistic, believing in one true God
Omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent
Unity and singularity of God as He is revealed though Torah
Sh’ma–cornerstone of all Jewish belief.
Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Israelites believed they were God’s “chosen people.”
They believed that God would lead them to “promised land.”

43. Judaism Born in grace, live in grace, and die in grace
Sin is not a fact of birth, it is a matter of choice
Olam Ha-Ba: “The World to Come”
Messiah will reign
Jewish temple will be rebuilt
Nation of Israel will be fully restored
World order of justice and compassion.

44. Teachings on Law and Morality5
Teachings on Law and Morality
Jewish prophets, or spiritual leaders, preached code of ethics, or moral standards of behavior
Torah—laws that addressed all aspects of life, from cleanliness and food preparation to criminal matters
Ten Commandments

45. Significant Jewish “Holy” Days
Shabbat – Sabbath–day of rest
Friday sundown through Saturday sundown
Prohibited: work, travel, commerce
Yom Kippur –"Day of Atonement"
Atone for sins of past year – sins between man and God
On Yom Kippur, judgments of God are entered into “the books” and then sealed
Rosh Hashanah –New Year, plan better life and begin introspection
Passover –commemorate Israelites’ escape from Egypt
Personal journey from slavery to freedom

46. Christianity

47. EARLY CHRISTIANITY Roots
Judaism
Teachings of John the Baptist, Jesus, and apostles
Earliest converts were Jews who did not think they were breaking away from Hebrew Law
Early Christians wished to be considered Jews
Jewish religion officially recognized by Roman government and its adherents had certain privileges

48. BELIEFS
Based on belief that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the son of God
One of Trinity
God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Teachings
In Gospels
12 disciples
Death at 33
By believing in Jesus, his followers will go to Heaven at their death
Bible is Word of God
Holy days—Christmas & Easter

49. EARLY WORLD RELIGIONS Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Legalism Daoism
Judaism
Christianity
(Islam will be in the next unit)