AHHHHHHHH RAPPOLD WHY

if i have to see emily heller one more time i will blow up the school

Nihilism

idea that life has no purpose

Teleology

the idea that there is a purpose or direction to the universe

Secularism

separate religion from every day life

Materialism

reality is only what is observable

Sacred Time

spent engaging with the great mysteries of our existence

Profane Time

dealing with more mundane realities of our lives

Transcendent Reality

the idea that there is something greater than you, often referred to as God

Puja

act of showing reverence to God or a spirit through prayers, songs, and rituals

Brahman

the ultimate transcendent reality, “being” itself- everything is this

Bhramin

highest dharma: priests, academics

Shudra

2nd to last lowest dharma: commoners, peasants, servants

Kshtriya

2nd highest dharma: warriors, kings

Vaishya

3rd highest Dharma: merchants, landowners

Dalit

lowest Dharma: street sweepers, latrine cleaners

Maya

the world as we experience it, purely an illusion

Samsara

cycle of birth and rebirth into Maya due to Karma

Moksha

escaping Samsara

Karma

law of cause and effect of one’s actions in the world

Atman

the “self” which is capable of witnessing and experiencing phenomena

Caste System

social hierarchy in Hinduism

Mandala

images used in meditation

Mantra

repeated word/syllable during meditation

Mudra

symbolic hand gestures used in meditation

Anatman

rejection of ego, or “self”

Siddhartha Gautama

founder of Buddhism

Nirvana

a state in which one is freed from desire and suffering

Theravada

way of the elders

Mahayana

great vehicle

Bodhisattva

being who aspires to become a Buddha

Buddha

an enlightened being who has attained a state of perfect understanding and freedom from suffering

Torah

1st 5 books of the Bible

Tanakh

Jewish sacred text

Talmud

book of rabbinical commentary on Torah, made up of 2 parts

Mishna

records of actual rabbinical debates from 1st and 2nd centuries

Gemara

commentaries and analysis of Mishna given by future generations of rabbis

Orthodox Judaism

believes every single word of the torah came from God

Conservative Judaism

believes that the law is divinely inspired but was written for a particular people in a particular time of history

Reform Judaism

more interested in upholding the values and ethics of Jewish culture than in interpreting the law

Qur’an

contains Allah’s full revelation as revealed to Muhummad

Hadith

narrations containing words and actions of prophet Muhammad

Sunnah

specific parts of Hadith that describe ways Muhammad would pray and provide a model for Muslims to follow

Sharia Law

synthesis of Quran and Sunnah, cultural application of law

Shahada

the credal statement of Islam: There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Salat

daily prayer- pray 5 times a day

Zakat

charity- 2.5% of annual wealth given to poor

Ramadan

fasting

The Hajj

pilgrimage to Mecca at least once

Tao

natural order of the universe

Wu Wei

nonaction; live in harmony with our circumstances, not imposing our will on it

Yin

dark, feminine energy

Yang

light, masculine energy

Filial Piety

devotion towards one’s parents and elders

Sola Fide

on the basis of faith alone that believers are made right of sin

Sola Scriptura

the Bible is the sole infallible authority for Christian faith and practice

Double Predestination

God not only chooses who will be saved but also actively chooses who will be condemned to eternal punishment