Biblical Studies Task 1

Hinduism

Key Facts:

• Origins: Hinduism began in India over 5,000 years ago and has no single founder.
  
  

• Polytheistic: Hinduism believes in many gods.
  
  

• Pantheistic: Hinduism is also pantheistic, meaning God is in everything.
  
  

Core Concepts:

1. Brahman: The life force and creative force behind the universe. Everything in the universe comes from Brahman and will eventually return to it. All gods in Hinduism are different expressions of Brahman.
   
   

2. Atman: The life force that exists within every living creature, representing a part of Brahman inside every individual.
   
   

3. Dharma: Duty or the moral path. The goal of Hindu life is to complete one’s dharma, which is influenced by one's social class and caste.
   
   

4. Karma: The force of balance in the universe, where the consequences of one's actions determine the cycle of reincarnation and its nature (good or bad).
   
   

5. Reincarnation: The belief that souls are reborn in new bodies through the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (Samsara).
   
   

6. Samsara: The cycle of birth, rebirth, and death, which Hindus aim to escape.
   
   

7. Moksha: The ultimate goal in Hinduism, which is to escape Samsara and achieve liberation.
   
   

Holy Texts:

• The Vedas: The sacred texts of Hinduism, spanning hundreds of years.
  
  

• Bhagavad Gita: A 700-verse scripture about Prince Arjuna's journey to fulfill his dharma as a warrior, guided by the god Krishna.
  
  

Three Paths of Dharma:

1. Path of Duties: Living according to one's caste duties to accumulate good karma.
   
   

2. Path of Knowledge: A life of contemplation, meditation, and denial of pleasures to achieve enlightenment, often practiced by sadhus (ascetics).
   
   

3. Path of Devotion: Worshipping a specific god through temple rituals, offerings, and daily worship (puja).
   
   

Caste System:

• The caste system determines one's job, who they can marry, and their social treatment. It is a deeply ingrained system that can impact one's life significantly.
  
  

Hindu Gods:

• Hindus worship many gods. A key activity is to list three different Hindu gods, explore their characteristics, and understand why they are worshiped.

Buddhism

Founding:

• Founder: Siddhartha Gautama, a Hindu prince, founded Buddhism around 500 BC after experiencing suffering outside his palace.
  
  

• Enlightenment: Siddhartha became Buddha after seeking enlightenment and understanding the nature of suffering.
  
  

Key Concepts:

1. Nirvana: The goal of Buddhism, which means the extinction of desire and the escape from the cycle of Samsara (rebirth). Those who reach Nirvana cease to exist.
   
   

2. Karma: In Buddhism, karma traps individuals in Samsara, and accumulating any form of karma is considered negative.
   
   

3. The Four Noble Truths:
   
   

   • Suffering Exists (Dukkha): Everything is temporary, and thus suffering is inherent in life.
     
     

   • Suffering is Caused by Desire: Desire for material things or existence causes suffering.
     
     

   • Suffering Ceases When Desire Ceases: Ending attachment and desire ends suffering.
     
     

   • The Path to End Suffering: Following the 8-Fold Path leads to freedom from suffering.
     
     

The 8-Fold Path:

• A guide to living that leads to Nirvana and freedom from suffering. It includes right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
  
  

Critiques of Hinduism by Buddha:

1. The Middle Path: Rejecting both indulgence and severe deprivation, instead following a balanced path.
   
   

2. The Caste System: Buddha taught that there is no distinction between people based on caste and anyone can reach enlightenment.
   
   

3. Brahmans: Buddha rejected the idea that Brahmans (priests) were the only path to spiritual wisdom.
   
   

4. God, the Soul, and the Self: Buddha did not believe in a permanent soul or self; existence is just a collection of transient elements.
   
   

Types of Buddhism:

1. Theravada Buddhism: The oldest form, focusing on meditation, self-discipline, and the goal of becoming an arhat (a fully awakened being).
   
   

2. Mahayana Buddhism: A more widespread form, focusing on becoming a bodhisattva (an enlightened being who delays Nirvana to help others).

Islam

Key Terms:

• Islam: Means "way of submission."
  
  

• Muslim: Someone who practices Islam; one who submits to Allah.
  
  

• Allah: The Arabic word for God.
  
  

Key People:

• Muhammad: Founder of Islam, known as "the Prophet." Born in 570 AD.
  
  

• Islam's Origin: Muhammad began preaching Islam in 610 AD when an angel spoke to him in a cave, telling him to speak the words of Allah.
  
  

• The Quran: The holy book of Islam, which means "recitation." Muhammad received messages from Allah via angels, committing them to memory or writing them down.
  
  

• Respect for the Quran: Muslims treat the Quran with reverence; they do not place it on the ground and wash their hands before handling it.
  
  

Sharia:

• Sharia: The law of Islam, meaning "path to the watering hole." It guides Muslims in living a life of submission to Allah’s will.
  
  

Principal Beliefs: The Articles of Faith (Aqida) in Islam are:

1. Tawhid: The existence and unity of God (Allah).
   
   

2. Angels (Mala'ika): Spiritual beings that serve Allah.
   
   

3. Books of Allah (Kutubullah): Holy scriptures given to prophets, including the Quran.
   
   

4. Rasul (Prophets): The prophets chosen by Allah to deliver His message.
   
   

5. Akhira (Resurrection and Afterlife): The belief in life after death and the resurrection.
   
   

6. Fate/Predestination (al-Qadar): The belief that all events are preordained by Allah.
   
   

Jihad:

• Jihad: Means struggle or striving, representing a faithful Muslim's efforts in life. There are different types:
  
  

  1. By the Heart: The inner spiritual battle against vice, passion, and ignorance.
     
     

  2. By the Tongue: Speaking the truth and spreading Islam through speech.
     
     

  3. By the Hand: Taking action to combat injustice and doing what is right.
     
     

  4. By the Sword: Defending Islam through military action if necessary.
     
     

• Military Jihad: Historically, military jihad played a significant role in the early success of Islam.
  
  

• Three options when encountering military expansion:
  
  

  1. Conversion to Islam.
     
     

  2. Protection: Keep one's way of life but pay a tax.
     
     

  3. Battle: Engage in military jihad.
     
     

• Greater Jihad: The internal, spiritual struggle to remain pure and submit to Allah.
  
  

• Lesser Jihad: Military jihad, considered less significant than the internal struggle.
  
  

Sunni and Shia:

• Sunni Islam: Represents about 90% of Muslims.
  
  

• Shia Islam: Represents about 10% of Muslims.
  
  

• The division between Sunni and Shia occurred shortly after the death of Muhammad, centered around disagreements about who should lead the Muslim community.