World Religions (8000 BCE - 600 CE) - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on world religions and their major concepts.

Polytheism

Religion with many gods; central to art and architecture; led to a priestly class and social structures; city-state and civilization deities shaped political legitimacy.

Priesthood (priestly class)

A specialized group that controlled communication between people and gods, helping to maintain religious and social order.

Confucianism

A political-social philosophy (not a religion) from China focused on restoring order through relationships, duty, and ethical leadership; compatible with other beliefs.

Confucius

Chinese teacher and philosopher whose ideas shaped Confucianism; often an educator and adviser who influenced Chinese thinking.

Analects

A collection of Confucius’s teachings and ideas compiled by followers, foundational to Confucian thought.

Junzi

Educated, conscientious individuals who put the state's needs above personal ambition and lead by example.

Ren

The Confucian value of humanity, kindness, and benevolence.

Li

Propriety, courtesy, respect, and deference to elders in Confucian thought.

Xiao

Filial piety; respect for family obligation and elders.

Five Relationships

Ruler-subject, parent-child, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, friend-friend; proper conduct maintains order.

Daoism (Taoism)

Chinese philosophy emphasizing harmony with the Dao (the Way), simplicity, and non-activation (wuwei); coexists with Confucianism.

Dao (Daoism)

The Way or principle of nature; the ultimate source of the cosmos in Daoist thought.

Wuwei

Disengagement from worldly affairs; effortless action in harmony with the Dao.

Legalism

Philosophy advocating centralized, strict government and harsh laws to maintain order; emphasized practical governance and strong state control.

Hinduism

Major religion in the Indian subcontinent involving samsara, karma, dharma, and moksha; belief in Brahman/Brahma and multiple deities; caste system.

Brahma

Creator god in Hindu belief (part of the Trimurti).

Vishnu

Preserver god in Hinduism.

Shiva

Destroyer god in Hinduism.

Dharma

Righteous duties and obligations associated with one’s caste and stage of life; path to spiritual progress.

Moksha

Liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth; union with the divine.

Reincarnation

Belief that the soul is reborn into a new body after death.

Vedas

Ancient sacred texts of Hinduism, guiding prayers and worldview.

Upanishads

Philosophical texts that explore the nature of reality and ultimate truth, part of Hindu scripture.

Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama; teaches the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to Nirvana; no supreme creator deity.

Four Noble Truths

Life involves suffering; suffering is caused by desire; ending desire ends suffering; end desire by following the Eightfold Path.

Eightfold Path

Right views, intentions, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and meditation toward enlightenment.

Nirvana

State of perfect peace and release from the cycle of rebirth.

Theravada

“Way of the Elders” Buddhism; emphasizes meditation and monastic discipline; Buddha is not a god.

Mahayana

“Greater Vehicle” Buddhism; adds ritual, bodhisattvas, and worship; Buddha depicted as a godlike figure.

Bodhisattva

Enlightened beings who delay final nirvana to help others achieve it.

Ashoka

Mauryan emperor who converted to Buddhism and helped spread Buddhism across Asia.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of the Hebrews; emphasizes a covenant with God and following the Laws of Moses (Torah).

Monotheism

Belief in one God.

Torah

The Law and teachings given to Moses; central text of Judaism.

Christianity

Religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus; belief in Jesus as the Son of God and savior; scriptures include Old and New Testaments.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity; believed to be the Son of God, crucified, and resurrected.

Paul of Tarsus

Early Christian missionary whose writings helped spread Christianity and articulate its theology.

Old Testament

First part of the Christian Bible (shared with Judaism); Hebrew scriptures and prophecies.

New Testament

Second part of the Christian Bible detailing the life of Jesus and early Christian teachings.