Survey of World Religions PT. 2

Vocabulary for Survey of World Religions (Mid-Term to Final Exam)

Jain

The name of a religion, found primarily on the Indian Sub-Continent, that is derived from the Sanskrit word “ji”, meaning “to conquer”

Tirthankaras

The 24 “role models” of Jainism — Dating back to time immemorial

Mahavira

The last Tirthankara, who lived approximately 600 years BCE

Agamas

The “heavenly sounds” (Scriptures of the Jain religion")

Ahimsa

The doctrine of non-violence, followed by Gandhi, and later followed by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Digambaras

One branch of Jainism, that teaches the devout jain should be “sky clad”

Swastika

A Hindu/Jain symbol, meaning “well-being”. Unfortunately, it was “borrowed” by Hitler as a symbol for National Socialism in Germany

Syncretism

The blending of two or more religious traditions to form a new religion. (Hindu and Muslim beliefs are mutually found in Sikhism)

Sikh

The name of a religion, found primarily on the Indian Sub-Continent, that is derived from the Punjabi word for “seeker” or “disciple”

Nanak

The “first guru” of the Sikh religion, born in 1469 Ce, in Punjab, India (now Pakistan)

10 Gurus

A line of Indian gurus (teachers), stretching over roughly 160 years, who developed the Sikh faith

Gobind Singh

The “tenth guru” of the Sikh religion, who established many of the ongoing characteristics of Sikhism

The 5 “Ks”

Articles of dress and adornment, Used by Sikhs to characterize their faith

Adi Granth

The Sikh scriptures, consisting of poetry and hymns composed by the 10 gurus

The Dao

The path, course, or way of the universe. It is experienced best through nature

Dao De Jing

An ancient book, attributed to Laozi, the wise sage of China

Divination

Seeking to know the future by understanding meaning in natural objects

Yin / Yang

Universal balancing forces (dark/light, male/female, dry/wet, etc.)

Laozi

The “Old Master”, the “founder” of Daoism

Confucius

A 6th century BCE teacher who taught the need for an orderly society based on 5 right relationships

Analects

A book of ancient wisdom, containing the teachings of Confucius

Shinto

The religion of Japan, built on ancient traditions and myths of the Japanese people

Kami

The “spirits” of the Shinto religion, believed to be present in natural features, or even in one’s ancestors

State Shinto

The “official” religion of Japan. It underwent a dramatic change at the end of WWII

Kojiki

The sacred text of the Shinto religion. It contains many myths and legends of the Japanese people

Ziggurat

A religious tower structure, found in Mesopotamia, consisting of a brick or stone-covered mound, topped with a house, representing a home for the deity

Cuneiform

An ancient style of writing, accomplished by pressing a pointed stylus into clay

Code of Hammurabi

An ancient legal code, consisting of 282 “if… then” ethical instructions

Yazidi (Yezidi)

A religious faith, practiced in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey, by approximately a half-million people

Melek Taus

The “peacock angel” that helps humans worship Xwede

Zarathustra (Zoroaster)

A religious leader of the 7th Century BCE, who successfully converted one person in 10 years of preaching

Ahura Mazda

The name of God in Zoroastrian belief

Angra Mainu

The “anti-God” opponent in Zoroastrian belief

Magi

“Wise men” of Zoroastrian faith, who were skilled in the practice of astrology and wizardry

Tower of silence

A “burial chamber” in Zoroastrian practice, where bodies are exposed to the elements

Theism

Belief in the existence of at least one God

Polytheism

A term used to designate belief in a multiplicity of gods or deities

Monotheism

Belief in a single, all powerful god or deity

Abraham

The religious “father” of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Habiru

An ancient (derogatory) name applied to Jewish people

Jewish-Roman War

A revolt, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the siege of Masada

Masada

A desert stronghold, finally breached by the Romans in 73 CE

Diaspora

The “dispersion” of Jews away from their homeland

Holocaust

The “final solution” to the “Jewish problem”, with 6 million Jews dying

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, starting each Friday at sundown, and lasting one day

Pesach

Passover — recounting the story of the Exodus

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, celebrated in the fall of the year

Yom Kippur

The “Day of Atonement” — the holiest day of the year in Judaism

Shema

The “creed” of Judaism, that states: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One”

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

A ceremony marking the coming of age for Jewish youth

Jesus of Nazareth

The 1st Century Jewish rabbi considered to be the founder of Christianity

Christ

A Greek word meaning “anointed one”

Messiah

A Hebrew word meaning “anointed one”

Synoptic

“The Same View” — a term applied to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, for their similar story-line

Parable

A teaching story that utilizes a “hook” to shift the hearers’ understanding

Crucifixion

A Roman execution method, used as capitol punishment for the worst offenders

Resurrection

Belief that a person, once dead, has been restored to life

Saul / Paul

A Jewish tent-maker scholar who is known as the first “theologian” of Christianity

Catholic

The name of the “universal” church

Orthodox

The name of the “correct” church

Reformation

A movement to correct belief, leading to a major division of the Roman Church

Ecumenism

A Christian movement toward cooperation and unity — strongest in the latter part of the 20th century

Religious Pluralism

An acceptance of differences in religious belief

Sacraments

Sacred rituals of the Christian faith. Either two or seven are accepted as “orthodox”

Liturgical Year

The religious seasons of the year, marked by many Christians on an annual cycle

“Mother Masjid” (Mosque)

The first mosque in the U.S, intentionally built for that purpose located in Iowa

S — L — M

Semitic consonants, forming the roots of significant words in both Arabic and Hebrew

Islam

Literally means “to submit”

Muslim

One who submits

Muhammad

A judge and goat-herder, living in Arabia in the 7th century, and prophet of Islam

Mecca

Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad

Kaaba

A cube-shaped building in Mecca. According to tradition, built by Abraham and his son, Ishmael

Khadija

Muhammad’s wife, 15 years his elder, and a wealthy caravan business person

Caliph

A “successor” to Muhammad. The last one was deposed in 1924

5 Pillars of Islam

The five basic articles of faith for every Muslim

Shahada

The creed of Islam: “There is no god by Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”

Salat

The “pillar” of prayer — done 5 times, daily, facing the Kaaba in Mecca

Hajj

Pilgrimage — to Mecca. An expectation of Islam is that every believer should make this pilgrimage at least once in her/his lifetime

Ramadan

The lunar month, observed by Muslims, as a period of strict fasting

Qur’an

The “Word of God”, spoken to Muhammad, with instruction to “recite”