prelim last min study SOR

religious worldview

a particular philosophy or perspective that influences how individuals interpret the world, including belief in a supernatural dimension and divine beings or powers.

supernatural dimension

The existence of a reality beyond the observable world, often associated with divine beings, spirits, or gods.

transcendent religious worldview

believes in divine powers beyond the human realm, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

four characteristics of religion

belief and believers

sacred texts and writings

ethics

rituals and ceremonies

interaction of the characteristics of religion

The characteristics interact dynamically: beliefs guide ethical systems, texts inform rituals, and rituals reinforce belief, creating a living tradition.

the contribution of religion to individuals

moral guidance, purpose, identity, and a sense of belonging

the contribution of religion to society and culture

Shapes legal systems, art, architecture, moral values, and social norms.

nature of the Dreaming

the foundational spiritual belief of Aboriginal Australians, encompassing creation stories, laws, and connection to the land

connection between the Dreaming, land, and identity

Land is a physical expression of the Dreaming; identity is derived from ancestral beings and sites connected to one's land.

The dreaming's origin of the universe

ancestral spirits emerged from the earth and shaped the landscape, creating life and laws

immanent religious worldview

a belief in divine beings or powers dwelling within the individual.

sacred sites

locations where ancestral beings interacted with the land, holding religious significance.

role of stories of the Dreaming

They pass down laws, moral codes, and cultural practices

Symbolism and art in the Dreaming

represents ancestral beings, event, and serves as a visual language to preserve tradition

dreaming variations

it varies by language groups, geography, and ancestral stories

importance of the dreaming to aboriginal life

informs spirituality, law, identity, kinship, and connection to land.

when did Buddhism originate

6th century BCE

cultural context of Buddhism

Emerged in ancient India, response to Vedic traditions and Hindu beliefs and the rigid caste system.

who was the Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama

Buddha as a model for Buddhist life

he is fundamentally relatable as a human who had flaws, he gives Buddhists hope that they, too, can move from ignorance to Enlightenment

Sangha

monastic community of monks and nuns across the Buddhist world. 

the four sights

an old man, a sick man, a dead man, a holy man

where did the buddha reach enlightenment

meditating under the Bodhi tree

formation of the sangha

began with Buddha's first 5 disciples as wanderers, later including monks and, with Mahapajapati's request, nuns. It formalised the community and ensured the preservation of the dharma

the first council location

rajagaha

what happened at the first council

It consolidated and purified the Buddha’s teachings, focusing mainly on disputes about the Buddha’s instructions (sutras) and rules for monastic life (vinaya)

second council location

Vesali

second council topic

ruling that the sangha should maintain strict monastic discipline led to Theravada and Mahayana split

Three Jewels

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha

Buddha

the historical buddha and commitment to the goal of achieving Buddhahood

Dharma

the teachings of Buddhism, both published in sacred texts and exist separately like the Four Noble Truths and cosmic law and order.

Four Noble Truths

All life is suffering. Suffering is caused by craving. Cessation of suffering. The Eightfold Path ends suffering.

Three Marks of Existence

Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta

Anicca

Impermanence

Dukhha

Suffering

Anatta

non self

karma

law of moral causation - actions have consequences

samsara

cycle of birth, death and rebirth

nirvana

the escape from suffering, samsara and its causes

Tripitaka

The three "baskets," or collections, of Buddhist texts. The earliest and most authoritative Buddhist scriptures

Lotus of the Good Law

Mahayana text emphasising the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment

Tibetan Book of the Dead

Vajrayana text guiding consciousness through death and rebirth.

Five Precepts

Do not kill, steal, lie, engage in sexual misconduct, or consume intoxicants

Vinaya

monastic code outlining rules for monks and nuns.

Puja

Devotional acts at home or in temples, including offerings, chants, and meditation

Social and religious conditions of pre-islamic arabia

Nomadic tribal society, polytheistic beliefs, warfare, and economic disparity

who was the Prophet Muhammad

Final prophet of Islam, received revelations

Who were the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs

Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali

6 Articles of Faith in Aqida

Tawhid, Mala’ikah, Kutubullah, Rusul, Akhira, Al-Qadr

Tawhid

the oneness of god

Malai’kah

Angels

Kutubullah

Holy Books

Rusul

Prophets and messengers of islam who convey Allah’s message to humanity

Akhira

Belief in the afterlife and Day of Judgement

Al-Qadr

Fate and predestination

Qur’an

Islam’s holy book including the direct words of Allah

Hadith

Recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad

Islamic jurisprudence

system of interpreting Islamic law through the four sources in order of importance: Qur’an, Hadith, Ijma (consensus), Qiyas (analogical reasoning)

Halal

permissible

Haram

forbidden

Five Pillars

Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj

Shahada

declaration of faith in Allah as the one true God and Muhammad as his messenger

Salat

prayer 5 times a day

Zakat

charity

Sawm

fasting during Ramadan

Hajj

pilgrimmage to Mecca

tanha

desire

arhat

a person who has obtained enlightenment

bodhisattva

a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings.

bardo

intermediate state between death and rebirth in Vajrayana Buddhism

Umma

the whole Islamic community

Eightfold Path

Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration