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World Religions
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4. Exam 1
76
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 2
10/01/2012

Additional Religious Studies Flashcards

 


 

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Term
What is religion?
Definition
the system of belief that involves worship of a god or gods, ritual, prayers and a moral code.
Term
Elements of religions
Definition
belief systems, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression, sacredness.
Term
Belief System
Definition
several beliefs fit together to form a world view
Term
community
Definition
the belief system is shared, and its ideal are practiced by a group
Term
central myths
Definition
stories that express the religious beliefs of a group are retold and often reenacted
Term
ritual
Definition
beliefs are enacted and made real through ceremonies
Term
ethics
Definition
rules about human behavior are established
Term
characteristic emotional experiences
Definition
among the emotional experiences typically associated with religions are dread, guilt, awe, ecstasy etc.
Term
material expression
Definition
statues, paintings, ritualistic things
Term
sacredness
Definition
a distinction made between something sacred and something ordinary
Term
monotheism
Definition
a belief in one god
Term
transcendent
Definition
unlimited by the world and the ordinary reality
Term
polytheism
Definition
many coexisting gods
Term
pantheism
Definition
all is god
Term
immanent
Definition
sacred is within this world
Term
atheism
Definition
no god or gods
Term
agnosticism
Definition
cannot know existence of god
Term
nontheism
Definition
atheist
Term
Patterns Among Religions are..
Definition
to help us compare and contrast.
not absolute and are always changing.
Term
There are 3 patterns in this text
Definition
Focus of Beliefs and Practices
Views of the world and life
Views of male and female
Term
Focus of Beliefs and Practices
Definition
Sacramental—emphasizes ritual
Prophetic—emphasizes belief and morality
Mystical—emphasizes sense of oneness with god or the universe
Term
Second Pattern
Definition
Sacred reality—transcendent or immanent
Universe—created or eternal
Nature—perfect or imperfect
Time—cyclical or linear
Human beings—central or part of nature and society
Words and scriptures—valuable or inadequate
Exclusiveness vs. inclusiveness
Term
Views of male and female
Definition
Gods or Goddesses or both
The role and status of women in the religious organization
The role and status of women in society
Term
Goddess worship dates back to
Definition
25,000 BCE
Term
INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS
Definition
Religions associated with a particular place and/or people.
Most have ancient origins – to the beginning of abstract thought.
They developed naturally in all parts of the world.
Relationship to nature
Native peoples everywhere have sought to understand and control their world, prevent disaster, cure illness, explain death and the afterlife, encourage reproduction and prosperity.
Most began as oral traditions – no writings.
Evidence found in monuments, paintings, carvings, sculpture, story, music and dance.
Term
native, tribal, aboriginal, primitive, or oral religions.
Definition
Other names for indigenous religions
Term
Holistic cultures
Definition
every object and act may have religious meaning.
Term
What can these religions teach us?
Definition
Sacred Time and Space
Time is cyclical.
You can enter sacred time through ritual and be with ancestors or the deities.
Term
Sacred practices
Definition
rituals that put the people into “right relationship” with the ancestors, nature, other people, and the deities.
Taboo and sacrifice
Shamanism, trance and spiritual powers
Magic
Artifacts and art
Symbols
Term
Most Indigenous Religions Have
Definition
Sacred Practices and Origin stories
Reverence for ancestors. To be remembered is to be kept alive. Feed them!
Gods and Goddesses
Term
Origin stories
Definition
Creation myths, and stories about how the tribe came to be.
Term
Sacred space
Definition
a holy mountain, a lake, a building, temple, cave, or Stonehenge. A place where humans can be with the deities, spirits or ancestors.
Term
Goddess and Primal Religions
Definition
Venus of Willendorf, 10-25,000 BCE
Goddesses Ruled
Goddesses of Fertility, Wisdom, Creation, Sun, Moon, War/Strength, Queen of Heaven, Mother Earth, Language – found on every continent but one.
Nut, Brigit, Isis, Nidaba, Cerridwen, Gaia, Demeter and Isis, to name a few.
Matriarchy, and matrilineal societies
Term
Hinduism
Definition
Many Religions – One Name. It is the name given by the British to the many religions of India.
Term
There are many ways to be a Hindu
Definition
different deities, rituals, sacred writings, and yogas.
Term
Hinduism
Definition
is tolerant and inclusive.
Term
Hindus worship one Ultimate Reality or God
Definition
Brahman
Term
Hindu belief that every person contains part of that Reality
Definition
Atman
Term
Hinduism believe that
Definition
Time is relative, and matter is impermanent.
Reality is the Great Consciousness or Brahman
Goal of life is union with Brahman
Term
Hinduism believe that our Problem
Definition
our failure to live or think properly traps us in circle of rebirth called samsara.
Term
Hinduism believe that the Solution
Definition
the yogas, paths to liberation and union with Brahman.
Term
Samsara
Definition
everyday world of change and pain
Term
Nirvana
Definition
release from samsara; state of bliss; experiencing the unity of all things.
Term
Dukkha
Definition
suffering
Term
Dharma
Definition
a Buddhist teaching, lesson
Term
Sangha
Definition
a Buddhist community
Term
Key concept of Hinduism
Definition
Inner peace is found in acceptance of the present moment.
Term
Bodhisattva
Definition
a person or deity of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism
Term
Dhyana
Definition
meditation
Term
Shunyata
Definition
“emptiness”—the interrelated nature of all reality
Term
Tathata
Definition
“thusness, suchness”
Term
The Noble Eightfold Path
Definition
Right understanding
Right intervention
Right speech
Right action
Right work
Right effort
Right meditation
Right contemplation
Term
The Four Noble Truths
Definition
To live is to suffer
Suffering comes from desire
To end suffering, end desire
Release from suffering is possible and can be attained by following the Noble Eightfold Path
Term
Branches of Buddhism
Definition
Theravada
Mahayana
Vajrayana
Term
Theravada Buddhism
Definition
“way of the elders”
“Southern school” (southeast Asia)
Conservative
Monastic focus
Term
Vajrayana Buddhism
Definition
“diamond vehicle”
Tibetan Buddhism
Highly ritualistic
Term
Mahayana Buddhism
Definition
“big vehicle”
“Northern school” (east Asia)
Speculative
Greater focus on layperson
Term
Hindi beliefs evolved since
Definition
Axis Period (500BCE)
Term
Brahman
Definition
divine reality at the heart of all things
Term
Atman
Definition
our deepest, spiritual self; part of Brahman
Term
Maya
Definition
illusion of separateness
Term
Karma
Definition
moral consequences for our actions
Term
Samsara
Definition
cycle of life, suffering, death, rebirth.
Term
Moksha
Definition
liberation from samsara; perfected living brings freedom
Term
4 stages of life
Definition
Determine duty and right action:
Student – celibacy, study
House-holder – sexuality, reproduction, family
Retiree – religious pursuits and grand parenting
Renunciate (sannyasin)
Term
Other big Hindu Concepts
Definition
An umbrella for many pathways to the Supreme Being
Inclusivity and multiplicity
Struggling to maintain spirituality in contemporary times.
Unity vs. duality
Term
Major Yogas
Definition
A set of techniques that deepen spirituality
Term
Upanishads
Definition
overarching philosophy of Hinduism
Term
Bhagavad Gita
Definition
Song of God for everyday practice; doing one’s duty.
Term
The Vedic Period
Definition
Indigenous religions influenced by influx of Aryans (or Caucasians) from the northwest.
Sacrifices to nature gods
Hereditary priesthood
Outdoor fire altars
Memorized Vedic chants or hymns
Offerings of food, drink, animals
Term
Major Literature of Hinduism
Definition
Vedas – 1,500 BCE or earlier
Hymns, rituals, knowledge, prayers
Term
Jnana (yoga)
Definition
—knowledge, studying the scriptures
Term
Karma— (yoga)
Definition
selfless action, service to others
Term
Bhakti— (yoga)
Definition
devotion to a deity or guru
Term
Raja— (yoga)
Definition
meditation
Term
Hatha— (yoga)
Definition
exercises and breathing
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