REL 351 Final Exam: BYU Independent Study

Judaism Origins

The religion originating with Abraham and the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Nature of God (Judaism)

God is one personal transcendent and actively involved in history.

Covenant

A binding agreement between God and Israel establishing Israel as God's chosen people.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible and the foundation of Jewish law.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible consisting of Torah Prophets and Writings.

Talmud

Rabbinic commentary that interprets the Torah and guides Jewish life.

Halakha

Jewish religious law governing moral ritual and daily behavior.

Jewish Salvation

Achieved through faithfulness to the covenant and obedience to God's law.

Synagogue

Jewish place of worship study and community gathering.

Shabbat

Weekly day of rest from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Kosher Laws

Dietary laws governing food preparation and consumption.

Jewish Afterlife

Focuses more on righteous living now than detailed afterlife doctrines.

Four Noble Truths

Suffering exists desire causes suffering suffering can end and the Eightfold Path leads to its end.

Eightfold Path

The path to enlightenment involving wisdom ethical conduct and mental discipline.

Dukkha

Suffering dissatisfaction or impermanence inherent in life.

Nirvana

Liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Samsara

The continuous cycle of birth death and rebirth.

Theravada Buddhism

Oldest form emphasizing monastic discipline and individual enlightenment.

Mahayana Buddhism

Emphasizes compassion and the Bodhisattva ideal.

Vajrayana Buddhism

Emphasizes rituals mantras mandalas and esoteric practices.

Bodhisattva

One who delays nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Buddhism and God

Buddhism is non-theistic and does not rely on a creator God.

Confucius

A teacher and philosopher focused on ethics social harmony and moral cultivation.

Ren

Humaneness or benevolence and the highest Confucian virtue.

Li

Proper behavior rituals and social norms that maintain harmony.

Xiao

Filial piety meaning respect obedience and care for parents and ancestors.

Rectification of Names

The belief that people must act according to their social roles.

Five Relationships

Ruler subject father son husband wife elder younger brother and friend friend.

Confucian Education

Education for moral self cultivation not economic advancement.

Confucian Authority

Moral example is superior to coercive legal force.

Confucianism Religion Debate

Debated as religion due to lack of a personal creator God.

Shinto Meaning

Way of the Gods.

Kami

Spirits or sacred forces in nature ancestors and awe inspiring phenomena.

Shinto Texts

Mythological narratives rather than doctrinal scriptures.

Shinto Purpose

To celebrate the land people and traditions of Japan.

Purification

Shinto rituals that remove spiritual pollution.

Matsuri

Shinto festivals honoring the kami.

Shinto Afterlife

Not emphasized focus is on harmony in this life.

State Shinto

Government supported Shinto abolished after World War Two.

Trinity

One God in three persons Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Original Sin

The fallen condition inherited from Adam and Eve.

Atonement

Christ's sacrifice reconciling humanity to God.

Sacraments

Rituals that convey divine grace.

High Church Christianity

Emphasizes liturgy sacraments and clergy authority.

Low Church Christianity

Emphasizes scripture preaching and personal faith.

Catholic Authority

Scripture tradition and the Magisterium.

Protestant Authority

Scripture alone as ultimate authority.

Eastern Orthodox Authority

Scripture interpreted through sacred tradition.

Christian Salvation

Achieved through faith in Christ and divine grace.

Islam Meaning

Submission to the will of Allah.

Allah

The one indivisible God of Islam.

Muhammad

The final prophet of Islam.

Qur'an

The literal word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

Profession of faith prayer almsgiving fasting and pilgrimage.

Shari'a

Islamic law governing all aspects of life.

Sunni Shia Split

Disagreement over leadership after Muhammad's death.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca required once if able.

Ramadan

Month of fasting prayer and spiritual reflection.

Islamic Salvation

Based on faith obedience and God's mercy.

Sikh Meaning

Disciple or learner.

Guru Nanak

Founder of Sikhism.

Ten Gurus

Human teachers guiding the Sikh community.

Guru Granth Sahib

Sikh scripture treated as the living Guru.

Nature of God Sikhism

One formless eternal God.

Three Pillars of Sikhism

Meditation honest labor and selfless service.

Khalsa

Initiated Sikh community.

Five Ks

Five visible symbols worn by members of the Khalsa.

Langar

Free communal meal emphasizing equality and service.

Sikh Salvation

Achieved through devotion service and remembrance of God.

Tao

The Way or the natural ordering principle of the universe.

Tao Te Ching

The most important Taoist text attributed to Lao Tzu.

Chuang-tzu

Major Taoist text associated with Zhuangzi emphasizing spontaneity and paradox.

Wu-wei

Non-forcing or effortless action aligning with the Tao.

Wu-hsing

The five phases or elements wood fire earth metal water.

Yin

Associated with darkness coolness passivity femininity and receptivity.

Yang

Associated with light warmth activity masculinity and assertiveness.

Yin-Yang Symbol

Represents complementary interdependent forces in harmony.

Religious Taoism

More ritualistic with spirits deities and practices for longevity and protection.

Philosophical Taoism

More focused on living simply and harmonizing with the Tao.

Shen

Benevolent spirits in Chinese religious thought.

Kuei

Troublesome or harmful spirits often feared and warded off.

Filial Piety Taoism

Respect for elders and ancestors valued often above focus on gods.

Taoist Afterlife Focus

Generally not central compared to harmony balance and longevity in this life.

Taoist Government Ideal

Less intrusive governance minimal legislation and natural order.

Jainism Founder

Tradition traces to Tirthankaras with Mahavira as the most recent major teacher.

Mahavira

The 24th Tirthankara who organized Jainism into a major movement.

Tirthankara

An enlightened teacher who shows the path across the cycle of rebirth.

Ahimsa

Nonviolence the central ethical principle of Jainism.

Jain Karma

Karma is subtle matter that attaches to the soul through actions intentions and passions.

Jain Salvation

Achieved by freeing the soul from karma through discipline nonviolence and asceticism.

Kevala

Perfect knowledge or omniscience attained at liberation.

Moksha Jainism

Release from samsara achieved when all karma is removed.

Anekantavada

Doctrine of many-sided truth that reality is complex and viewed from many angles.

Aparigraha

Non-attachment or non-possessiveness minimizing harm and desire.

Digambara

Sky-clad Jain sect emphasizing strict asceticism and often nudity for monks.

Svetambara

White-clad Jain sect allowing white robes and generally less austere monastic rules.

Jain Monasticism

Monks and nuns follow strict vows while laypeople follow lighter forms of vows.