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
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