Intro to World Religion Lesson 2 Origin of World Religions

World Religion Lesson 2

1. Origin LESSON 2 of World Religion

2. Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon our dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers us, that of sin and of ignorance.

3. Grant us a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method, and ease of learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing ourselves.

4. Guide the beginning of our work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion.

5. This we ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen

6. Origin LESSON 2 of World Religion

7. Historical Background The existence of humankind for so long a time has resulted in the formation of religion and belief systems.

8. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 2000 B.C.E. Time of Abraham, the Patriarch of Israel

9. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 1200 B.C.E. Time of Moses, the Hebrew leader of Exodus

10. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 1100 – 500 B.C.E. Hindus compiled their holy texts, the Vedas

11. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 563 – 83 B.C.E. Time of Buddha, founder of Buddhism

12. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 551 – 479 B.C.E. Time of Confucius, founder of Confucianism

13. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 200 B.C.E. The Hindu book, Bhagavad Gita, was written

14. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 2 to 4 B.C.E. – 32 C.E. Time of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and founder of Christianity

15. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 32 C.E. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

16. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 40 – 90 C.E. The New Testament was written by followers of Jesus Christ

17. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 100 C.E. Beginnings of Shintoism (no known founder)

18. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 500 – 580 C.E. Time of Lao Tze , founder of Daoism

19. Significant dates in the history of the establishment of several world religions c. 570 – 632 C.E. Time of Muhammad who recorded the Q’uran as the basis of Islam

20. The Patriarch of Abraham Abraham is a pivotal figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which are collectively known as the Abrahamic religions and together account for over half the world's population. He's considered the ancestor of the Israelites through Isaac and Jacob in Judaism, and the ancestor of the Arabs through Ishmael in Islam. Christians see him as a "father in faith" and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. His significance stems from his role as a foundational figure for monotheistic belief and an example of devotion .

21. The Patriarch of Abraham These three religions share commonalities due to their shared origins. They all worship one supreme being (known by various names like Elohim, Yahweh, Lord, God, or Allah). Prophets and apostles are also central: Judaism has numerous prophets, Christianity emphasizes Jesus's 12 apostles, and Islam recognizes Muhammad as the final prophet. Divine revelation and intervention are crucial to their origins, seen in events like God's command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, God sacrificing Jesus, and Muhammad receiving revelations at Mount Hira. All three religions present their followers with a choice between good and evil.

22. The Enduring Tapestry of Indian Culture India, one of the world's oldest civilizations with a history stretching back to at least 6500 B.C.E., boasts a rich and complex cultural mosaic. This intricate blend is a result of numerous invaders, including the Harappan civilization, Aryan influence, local dynasties, and the Muslim conquest, all of whom were gradually absorbed into native Indian traditions, bringing with them diverse customs, arts, languages, and beliefs.

23. Religion: The Heart of India Religion is fundamental to Indian tradition, with four major religions originating there: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Additionally, various minor cults and local sects thrive, and even Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians have established communities. Hinduism, often called a "museum of religions," perfectly embodies India's diversity. It lacks a single founder or sacred text and features countless gods and goddesses, reflecting its eclectic and varied expressions. During the Vedic Period, Hinduism (or Sanatana Dharma) became systematized, promoting cosmic and human order, which was equated with a stable society and centralized government.

24. Religion: The Heart of India Religion is fundamental to Indian tradition, with four major religions originating there: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Additionally, various minor cults and local sects thrive, and even Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians have established communities. Hinduism, often called a "museum of religions," perfectly embodies India's diversity. It lacks a single founder or sacred text and features countless gods and goddesses, reflecting its eclectic and varied expressions. During the Vedic Period, Hinduism (or Sanatana Dharma) became systematized, promoting cosmic and human order, which was equated with a stable society and centralized government.

25. Religion: The Heart of India In contrast to many religions that focus on the worship of a god or gods, Buddhism centers on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a human being who discovered how to end suffering and escape the cycle of rebirth. While not a god, Buddha is revered by his followers. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism distinguishes itself from the Theravada school by its array of buddhas and bodhisattvas—enlightened beings who delay nirvana to guide others. Born in the late 6th century B.C.E., Siddhartha Gautama's life is integral to Buddhism's development. Its mass appeal, compared to the more exclusive Hindu beliefs, led to its spread from India to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Tibet. Today, Buddhism is more prevalent outside its birthplace, while Hinduism remains deeply rooted in India.

26. The Western Frontier: Cradle of Abrahamic Faiths West Asia , encompassing the fertile Mediterranean coast and the arid Arabian deserts, is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam . This region, sometimes called the Levant (including Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and Palestine), has a history marked by religious conflict. For example, Lebanon experienced a civil war between Christians and Muslims, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rooted in the establishment of Israel in 1948, highlights how religion increasingly intertwines with domestic and international politics. Israel remains the only Jewish-majority country, while the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Yemen, Oman) is predominantly Islamic, with most countries following either the Shi'a or Sunni denominations.

27. The unique geographical features of West Asia—vast mountains, deserts, and bodies of water—have profoundly influenced these religions. Mountains are often seen as places where gods reside or interact with mortals. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, housing the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock, and Dome of the Chain. It is also believed to be the site of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. Deserts and seas, like the Red Sea (believed to be the biblical Yam Suph ) and the Sinai Desert , are significant in biblical narratives, symbolizing spiritual cleansing and journeys. The Dead Sea is also mentioned in biblical history.

28. Jerusalem holds immense religious importance for all three Abrahamic faiths, housing thousands of synagogues, churches, and mosques. For Jews, it has been sacred for nearly three millennia, being the site of the First and Second Temples, with the Western Wall being their second holiest shrine. Christians have revered Jerusalem for almost two millennia, with key sites including Mount Zion and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (site of the crucifixion and Jesus's tomb). Muslims have considered Jerusalem sacred for almost 1,400 years, with the Dome of the Rock (believed to be where Muhammad ascended to heaven) and the Al-Aqsa Mosque being central to their faith.

29. The Indian Subcontinent: A Diverse Spiritual Landscape The Indian subcontinent in South Asia, spanning over 1.5 million square miles, has been home to a unique civilization for over 4,000 years, with diverse influences from invaders. India's environment, characterized by intense heat, led to the reverence of the sun (Surya) and fire (Agni) in Hinduism . Water is also crucial, with Hindus venerating a god of water ( Varuna ) and major rivers like the Ganga (Ganges) being considered holy. The Ganga is lined with ancient pilgrimage sites such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag , and Varanasi. Buddhism also has significant ties to India, with Varanasi being an important religious site where Siddhartha Gautama delivered his first sermon at what is now the Dhamek Stupa shrine in Sarnath . While Buddhism originated in India, it is now more widely practiced in neighboring South, East, and Southeast Asian countries, with Hinduism remaining deeply entrenched in India.

30. The Eastern End: China and Its Cultural Reach China , a dominant cultural and political force in East Asia, is characterized by its vast landscape, including deserts and plateaus that historically provided natural barriers, allowing its civilization to develop largely independently. China's culture significantly influenced surrounding countries like Japan and Korea. The fertile valleys of the Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangtze River supported early Chinese civilizations, leading to the emergence of states, centralized governments, and codified laws. Within this context, Confucianism emerged as a social philosophy focused on societal order and stability, emphasizing rituals and ceremonies over strict laws. While not initially intended as a religion, Confucianism became the state religion during the Han Dynasty and spread to Korea, profoundly influencing its family relations.

31. Daoism arose in response to social turmoil, advocating for withdrawal from societal chaos and a pursuit of harmony. Both Buddhism and Confucianism were adopted by Korea from China, though Korea later developed its unique cultural identity. Japan also absorbed aspects of Chinese culture, integrating Confucian ideals and ancestor worship into its feudal system. The arrival of Buddhism in Japan between the 4th and 8th centuries led to significant religious shifts: the coining of "Shinto" to differentiate native beliefs, the acknowledgment of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as Japanese revelations of kami, a long period of syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism, and the development of unique Japanese forms of Buddhism, most notably Zen Buddhism .

32. The Concept of Dharma in Indian Religions In India, where Hindus form the majority, Buddhism has largely been absorbed into the broader Hindu worldview, with various Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism coexisting peacefully. The term dharma holds significant meaning across these traditions. In Hinduism , dharma encompasses duty, righteousness, and ethics, reflected in universal virtues like peacefulness and kindness. It also relates to one's caste and the path toward liberation from the cycle of rebirth. For Buddhism , dharma refers to cosmic law and order, the teachings of the Buddha, and the ultimate truth of existence. The Theravada sect sometimes uses it to denote all factors of existence. Both Hindu and Dharmic religions emphasize that adherents don't need to overtly profess devotion; instead, practices like meditation and yoga lead to right behavior and a deeper understanding of the universe, recognizing that spiritual truth transcends the physical world and its attachments.

33. ` While Hindus and Buddhists share similarities in concepts like enlightenment and liberation, key differences exist. Hindus believe in the Trimurti (three forms of god), whereas Buddhists do not believe in the existence of any god, thus negating the need for intermediaries or elaborate rituals associated with deities.

34. Nature and Ancestors in East Asian Belief Systems Ancient Chinese culture, particularly Confucian philosophy , incorporated the worship of heaven and ancestors. Daoism also features various deities, including atmospheric, local, and functional gods. These Chinese belief systems later influenced Japan, particularly its indigenous polytheistic religion, Shintoism . In Shintoism , divinities are intimately connected to nature and natural forces, with sacred sites like Mount Fuji serving as abodes for Japanese gods. Shrines are built to honor ancestors, natural phenomena (mountains, rivers, rocks, trees), and significant events. Shinto followers perform ritualistic practices to foster a connection with both present society and the nation's past, and many also practice Buddhism.

35. Confucius believed in a natural and moral order, emphasizing the relationship between individuals, heaven, and society. He stressed that everyone has a role in society that impacts the cosmic order. Central to Confucianism is the establishment of an ideal human society, with filial piety as a cornerstone of its ethics. Confucius outlined five basic social relationships—ruler and subjects, father and son, husband and wife, older and younger brothers, and friends—each with defined responsibilities, aiming for a perfect society. Similarly, Daoism promotes a harmonious relationship between humankind and nature, with appropriate behavior being a core teaching.

36. Make a poster presentation illustrating the unity of world religions. Explain your work at the bottom space of your poster.