UNIT 1 Study of Religion PART A

Founder of Judaism

Abraham

Founder of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Founder of Christianity

Jesus

Founder of Islam

Muhammad

Key sacred text of Hinduism

The Vedas and Upanishads

Key sacred text of Judaism

The TaNaKh, which contains the Torah (the first 5 books of the Old Testament), the Nevi’im (the stories of the prophets), and the Ketuvim (the writings/poetry).

Key sacred text of Buddhism

Pali Canon, Tibetan Book of the Dead, and the Mahayana Sutras

Key sacred text of Christianity

The Bible, which is split into 2 sections: the Old Testament (creation, Moses etc.) and the New Testament (the teachings of Jesus).

Key sacred text of Islam

The Qur’an (believed to be the direct word of Allah).

Key sacred texts of Indigenous Aboriginal Spiritualities

Oral stories, art, dance, and song.

Hinduism’s concept of the divine

Brahman (the ultimate reality) which lives inside Atman

Judaism’s concept of the divine

G-d/YHWH. The Messiah is yet to come.

Buddhism’s concept of the divine

No concept of the divine, rather that humans are in search of Nirvana by attempting to avoid the cycle of suffering.

Christianity’s concept of the divine

God as a trinity of persons, Jesus as the human incarnation of God

Islam’s concept of the divine

Allah (God) spoke through the last and greatest prophet Muhammad.

Hinduism’s belief about death

Reincarnation (samsara) based on caste system and karma.

Judaism’s belief about death

Sometimes unclear, but eternal life is assumed due to God’s love and power. The coming of the messiah will cement this belief.

Buddhism’s belief about death

Reincarnation

Christianity’s belief about death

Eternal life with God in heaven (salvation secured by Jesus dying for our sins).

Islam’s belief about death

Afterlife involves judgement by Allah based on the life lived (ultimate goal is to secure a place in Jannah)

3 main deities of Hinduism (Trinity)

Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer)

Maya

The Hindu idea that all forms of existence are temporary and illusionary

Samsara

The endless cycle of reincarnation

Karma

The basic belief of cause and effect (all actions have a sacred text)

Dharma

Personal conduct and righteous living

Moksha

Release from samsara

Advaita

The unity of Atman (the inner self or soul of a sentient being) with Brahman (the ultimate reality)

Sruti texts

Meaning “heard” (oral stories). Includes the Vedas and Upanishads. Divinely revealed and widely accepted/followed for both beliefs and practices. Often memorised for ritual use.

Smriti

Texts that explain or extend upon the ideas covered in the sruti texts, including writings on history, mythology, law, behaviour, and psychology

Sunni

A majority subdivision of Islam that accepts the legitimacy of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad

Shi’ite

A minority subdivision of Islam that claims that the true successors to Muhammad were his descendants and that leadership should only run through Muhammad’s bloodline.

Hadith

A collection of the sayings and actions of Muhammad

Wudu

Muslim ritual washing

Kanyini

Unconditional love of all that is in a space

7 functions of a sacred text

1. To preserve and teach the stories of the religion

2. To validate the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the tradition

3. To delineate gender roles and functions

4. To give direction for the spiritual life

5. As a source for ethical systems

6. As a component of ritual

7. To provide a mediated experience of the divine (to encounter God through the text)