Comparative Religious Studies: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism

What is a mitzvah?

The act of obeying a commandment or fulfilling a religious duty.

What does diaspora mean?

The dispersion of Jews from Israel around the world.

Who is a rabbi?

A Jewish leader and teacher.

What is Hanukkah?

A memorial of the purification and rededication of the temple.

What is Yom Kippur?

A day of prayer, fasting, and repentance; the holiest day of the year.

What occurred during the year 70 AD?

The Jewish temple was destroyed.

What are the five books of the Torah?

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

Why is the Shema prayer central to Jewish religious belief?

It summarizes all of Judaism's central teachings: God exists, God is one, God is creator, and God is good.

What is the purpose of the Sabbath?

A day to celebrate time and not space, allowing every Jew to be the same, helping them detach from the material world.

Who is the founder of Islam?

Muhammad.

Which group is the majority among Muslims today, Sunnis or Shias?

Sunnis.

What was the original disagreement between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Who should be the successor of Muhammad.

What is a hadith?

The sayings and stories of Muhammad that form guidance for living out Islam.

What is the Ka'bah?

The first Islamic shrine, believed to have been rebuilt by Abraham in Mecca.

What does Eid al-Fitr mark?

The end of Ramadan and breaking of the fast.

What is Hijrah?

The migration that marks the establishment of Islam in 622 CE.

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.

Who is the founder of Hinduism?

There is no single founder.

What are the roles of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva?

Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, Shiva is the destroyer.

What is the cycle of rebirth (samsara)?

Everyone is reborn based on their actions in previous lives.

What is moksha in Hinduism?

Self-realization and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

How does Hinduism approach other religions?

They accept parts of several traditions but believe no one can claim knowledge of absolute Truth.

What is Nirvana in Buddhism?

The release from suffering and the cycles of rebirth.

What is the Tripitaka?

The compilation of three collections of early Buddhist texts.

What is the Lotus Sutra?

A Mahayana Buddhist text teaching that enlightenment is available to all.

What does anatman mean?

The Buddhist doctrine of 'no soul' or 'no self'.

Who is the founder of Buddhism?

Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha.

What is the relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism?

Buddhism developed out of Hinduism but rejects certain Hindu beliefs.

What is the Middle Way in Buddhism?

The teaching that enlightenment is achieved by avoiding extremes.

What are the differences between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism?

Mahayana focuses on helping all beings; Theravada focuses on individual enlightenment.

Who is the Dalai Lama?

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Life involves suffering; suffering is caused by desire; suffering can end; the Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

What does Buddhism teach about suffering?

Suffering comes from craving, attachment, and ignorance.