Religions Chart Unit 2

Religions Chart: Unit 2 Hinduism Religion Jainism Religion Hinduism has no one identifiable founder or strong organizational who wants to defend it and spread its influence. Hinduism unites the worship of many gods with a belief in a single divine reality. In fact, the name Hinduism can be misleading. Hinduism is not a single, unified religion; it is more like a family of beliefs.1 The most important notions in the Upanishads (a collection of ancient philosophical texts that contain some of the central ideas of Hinduism) are Brahman, Atman, maya, karma, samsara, and moksha. Brahman the most important Sanskrit originally stood for the cosmic power present in the Vedic sacrifice and chants, over which the priest had control.1 Jainism first developed in northeastern India, in the same area that gave rise to Buddhism. Mahavira rebelled against aspects of Vedic religion: they refused to accept the authority of the Vedas and the Vedic gods, and they rejected the importance of a priestly class; instead, they placed emphasis on meditation and self-purification. Jainism emphasizes the ideals of extreme nonattachment and nonharm (ahimsa). Their rejects belief in a Creator and sees the universe simply as natural forces in motion, yet it also recognizes the spiritual potential of each person. Jainism have some connection with Hinduism, sharing with it certain characteristics, such as a belief in karma and rebirth.1 There are special days dedicated to individual gods. Such as Puja, devotional ritual commonly performed at an altar, involves the offering of flowers, food, fire, and incense to images of a god or gods, as well as the occasional singing of hymns. The Ceremony of the Sacred Thread is an ancient rite of passage into adolescence reserved for male members of the Brahmins, Shatriyas, and Vaishyas. It’s a rite of passage that represents a rebirth or initiation into the Hinduism community.1 Mandir is the Hindu Temple building for communal worship. The temples are dedicated to different gods and are the focus of religious life. The river Ganges is considered one of the seven holy places and as the personification of the goddess Gañgā, Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges river waters causes the remission of sins, helping the liberation from the cycle of life and death (Moksha).1 One of the best-known Jain ceremonies is the eightfold puja. This involves the worshipper making eight symbolic offerings to the image of a tirthankara. Jain Puja involves the offering of food, incense, the flames of oil lamps, and flowers, and sometimes the statues are bathed and devotees circumambulate (walk around) the statues. On special occasions in some areas, large outdoor statues are bathed in milk and other liquids. Many Jains also maintain home altars where they perform puja.1 Shatrunajaya, meaning the Place of Victory, is considered the most holy of the Jain sacred mountains because nearly all of the Tirthankaras are believed to have attained nirvana while meditating atop the mountain. The Temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains. The temples have an opulent entranceway and the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality.1 Religion Name Origins: Founder, Key Figures, Historical Development, Cosmogony, Myths Basic Beliefs: God, Afterlife, Humanity, Evil, scripture/sacred writings, authority, other unique beliefs or points of view. Practices: Annual Festivals, Regular Meetings, Rites of Passage, Ethical Codes, Expectations of Individual Piety Sacred Spaces: Geographical Locations, Special Places, Typical worship location th