World Cultures Semester 2 Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards for the World Cultures Semester 2 Study Guide, covering Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Promises, and Islam.

Monism

All reality shares a common essence (Brahman)/ A single, unified reality. This idea is closely related to the belief that the Atman and the Brahman are one and the same.

Caste System

Traditional division of society in Hinduism.
Includes:

Brahmin (priests, scholars, teachers)

Kshatriya (administrators, nobility, warriors)

Vaishya (farmers, merchants, artisans, herders, producers)

Shudra (servants, laborers)

Untouchables (Dalits, do jobs others don't want).

Atman

Means self or soul, the part of you that doesn’t change. It is your true self

Brahman

The ultimate reality, source of everything

Dharma

Following the path of righteousness

Karma

The principle of action and reaction, where every action, whether bad or good, has a corresponding result.

Samsara

The cycle of life, death, and rebirth in Hinduism. Hindus believe that humans are trapped in this cycle until they are liberated by becoming one with Brahman.

Moksha

In Hinduism, the transcendent state of ultimate liberation from samsara, the endless cycle of rebirth.

Bhagavad-Gita

A scripture that is the most quoted in Hinduism

Avatar

Reincarnation of a deity on Earth. Ex. Vishnu

Three Paths to Liberation

Karma Marga, Bhakti Marga, Jnana Marga

Triad of Hindu Gods

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

How do Hindus explain their eternal self, the Atman? How does it relate to Brahman?

The individual soul that resides within oneself, the true essence of a being beyond the physical body and possessions

How do Hindus explain reincarnation?

They believe that the atman continues to exist after death and is reborn into a physical body, continuing the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

How do Hindus worship gods?

Temple worship and festivals. Some celebrations and festivals are Holi, Diwali, and Navratri.

What is the caste system, and how does it work?

The caste system is a social system in India that divides people into different groups based on birth and jobs. Includes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras

Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) is the leading figure in the Buddhist religion.

Middle Way

The practice of rejecting extreme self-indulgence and extreme asceticism

Asceticism

Practice of self-denial and abstinence of pleasures.

Mantras

Resonating chants, harness potency of sound

Mudras

A hand position that balances energy in the mind and body.

Mandalas

Comes from a sandscript word meaning circle. They signify deep levels of cosmic unity, harmony, and balance.

Dharma (Buddhism)

Moral duties, responsibilities, and the right way of living that sustain individuals and society

Annica

Existance is constantly changing

Dukkha

Suffering is the natural result of change

Anatman

“no-self” everyone is constantly changing, your true eternal self

Sangha

Buddhist community

Nirvana

The "eternal bliss," similar to Moksha, where one is liberated from the physical world. When a Buddhist person reaches "Enlightenment."

What is the Noble Eightfold Path, and what does it include?

The Noble Eightfold Path is a teaching on how to end suffering and achieve/reach enlightenment.

1. Right understanding

2. Right thought

3. Right speech

4. Right action

5. Right livelihood

6. Right effort

7. Right mindfulness

8. Right concentration

What are the Four Passing Sights?

The Four Passing Sights show the journey that Siddhartha Gautama saw on his journey to becoming a monk.

1. Old Age (old man)

2. Disease (sickly man)

3. Death (corpse)

4. Ascetism (ascetic man)

What is the story of Buddha’s birth? (What was special and/or unusual?)

He came out of his mother and then took seven paces on lilies and declared he would reach enlightenment.

What are the Three Marks of Existence?

Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha (suffering), Anatta (non-self)

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Life is full of suffering

The cause of suffering is desire

The end of suffering comes with the end of desire

The path to the end of suffering is the noble eightfold path

What are the three sects of Buddhism, and how are they distinct? Where are they the most prominent?

Theravada (“The Teaching of the Elders”) – Sri Lanka, Mahayana (“The Great Vehicle”) - Japan, South Korea, Vajrayana (“The Diamond Vehicle”) -Nepal, Tibet

Anti-Semitism

Hostility to or prejudice towards Jewish people

Ark

An ornate cabinet in synagogues that enshrines the sacred Torah scrolls used for public worship. It symbolizes the Holy of Holies of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem

Torah

A central reference of the religious Judaic traditin, oftten referred to as the Five Books of Moses or the Pentateuch

Diaspora

When jews are living away from their homeland but still maintaing their identity

Talmud

The primary source of Jewish laws.

Sabbath

The set day of rest during the weekend from sun down on friday to sundown on Saturday

Rabbi

The teachers of Judaism who lead worship services.

Zionism

A movement rooted in the belief that Jews had the self-determination to their homeland, Israel.

Synagogue

Jewish house of worship

Covenant

Promise between God and his people

Holocaust

The persecution of European Jews by Hitler and the Nazis, which resulted in the systemic murder of 6 million Jews by 1945.

What is the Holocaust, and what are some of its long-term effects?

The Holocaust, was a period of history during which the Nazi regime, led by Adolf Hitler, carried out the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million European Jews.

What is Zionism, and how is it relevant today? (How does it connect to the film Promises?)

Zionism is the belief that Jews should have their own country in Israel. In Promises, Zionism is in the background. The film shows how Israeli and Palestinian kids live very different lives because of the conflict it helped to create

What are the three branches of Judaism, and how are they different? (How do they practice Judaism?)

Orthodox – Traditional, Conservative - A middle ground, Reform - Progressive

What is the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar?

Yom Kippur

What are some Jewish Holidays, and how are they celebrated?

Hannukah: Over the course of 8 days Jewish families light a candle every night on the Menorah. Passover: Celebrates the liberation of Israelites from Egypt, celebrated by a feast with unleavened bread

Jew

Someone who is Jewish or practices Judaism (Cultural Jew or Spiritual Jew)

Arab

Someone from the Arabian Peninsula

Intifada

Rebellion agaisnt opression

Checkpoint

A place between the irale and palistine border that contorlls who can enter or exit palistine

Hamas

The Islamic political party that is in charge of Gaza

Abrahamic

Religions that came from Abraham, He started the religion or it was founded during that time

When was Israel established / recognized as a state?

May 14, 1948

When was Palestine established / recognized as a state?

2012

Why is Jerusalem (and the area of Israel) significant to Jews and Muslims?

Jerusalem is significant to Jews because the Western Wall is there. This wall is a place for prayer. Jerusalem is also the site for the First and Second temples that were destroyed. This site is also important to Muslims because this was the place that Archangel Gabriel recited parts of the Qu’ran to Muhammad.

What was Promises about?

Children living in Jerusalem with different backgrounds and religions.

Muhammad

The last prophet/ most perfect human

Allah

God

Ka’bah

The first Islamic shrine enclosed in the Great Mosque of Mecca

Five Pillars of Islam

Prayer, Almsgiving, fasting, declaration of faith and pilgrimage

Mosque

A temple used for prayer mainly but can also be used for important meetings, weddings, and funeral preparations

Qur’an

The central religious texts of Islam.

Shari’ah

Islamic Law according to the Qur’an, Sunna, and Hadith.

Jihad

The word for "striving" or "struggle”

Imam

Prayer leaders at mosques

Ramadan

9th month of the Islamic Calander, month of fasting from sunrise till sunset

Umma

The worldwide community of Muslims, united by their shared belief in one God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad

Sawm

Is the monthlong, ritual fast during Ramadan; it's one of the Five Pillars of Islam

Muslim

"to submit" or "to surrender"

What is the Night of Power and Excellence, and what happened to Muhammad then?

The night when the Prophet Muhammad received the first part of the Qur’an from the angel Gabriel. It happened while Muhammad was praying in a cave, and it marked the start of his role as a prophet.

Almsgiving

donating 2.5 of our yearly income

Prayer

Five daily prayers

Fasting

Fasting from food and water from dawn to dusk

Declaration of faith

declareing you submit to allah and belive

Pilgramage

visiting mecca once in your life (Excused if you are pysically unable or cant afford it)

How do Muslims view god, and what is their relationship to them?

God = Allah, only one God, Sustainer and Creator

How do Muslims view women?

Some countries believe that women have the right to choose if they wear the veil or not, others believe that all women should have to wear the veil no matter what.

Jihad literally translates to

“striving” or “struggle”