Blog Post 27 - The Five Pillars of Islam

1. Why is the pronouncement of the shahada central to a Muslim’s identity and
practice of the Islamic faith?

The pronouncement of shahada is cental to a Muslim’s identity and practice of the Islamic faith because it is the affirmation of the belief of one God and His prophet. Such as the National Anthem unifies spectators along with opposing teams during a sporting event, the pronouncement in one true God does the same.
2. How does the practice of the salat both mentally and physically help Muslims to
live in obedience to the will of Allah?
The pronouncement of salat is central to a Muslim's identity and practice of the Islamic faith because slat(prayer) unifies Muslims all over the world. For example, during the five times Muslims pray during the day, they are to face the holy city of Mecca. This unifies all that pronounce salat. God commanded the prophet Muhammad to pray five times a day thus making prayer a central practice because Islam is submission to the will of God. Prayer mentally rests Muslims.


3. In what ways does the practice of zakat influence Muslims as a community of faith? In other words, what does this practice say about the Muslim community and its commitment to the poor and marginalized?

The practice of zakat shows that Muslims are a people of giving. Muslims have made a commitment to helping their fellow human beings by donating 1/40 of their total income to the poor. This may seem small but with millions of Muslims doing this the whole world can benefit from their example.

4. How does the practice of sawm both mentally and physically help a Muslim to live in obedience to the will of Allah?

I must say that the pillar of sawm is my favorite pillar because it is the one that I am most intrigued by. Sawm is fasting. I find especially admirable that Muslims fast during Ramadan to personally experience what it feels like to be hungry. This is both a mental and physical way Muslims live in obedience to the will of Allah.
5. Why do you think that the hajj is a pillar of the Islamic faith? How is this practice similar and different from other world religions?

I believe that the hajj is a pillar of Islamic faith because Muhammad performed a hajj known as the hijra. Also, Muslims pry to the kabba in Mecca everyday therefore it is only fitting to visit the center of their faith. This practice is similar to other world religions because all religions have holy sites and all world religions have pilgrims. It is different from other world religions because unlike Christians going to St. Peter's Basilica and walking around, Muslims go to Mecca for many days with specific events for each day and all rituals must be done correctly.

6. What do you think are some of the challenges of practicing a life in relationship to the Five Pillars?

Some challenges to living a life in relationship to the five pillars would be finding time to practice salat. In such a busy world where we barely have enough time to ourselves I believe that it would be hard to find time to pray five times a day at specific times. Another challenge would be taking the hajj because it is very expensive to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Blog Post 26 - 99 Names of God

The Vanquisher

                This name can be applied to God because God is the manipulator of all things in the universe therefor has the power to take it away. To vanquish something is to defeat an opponent or opposing army in a battle or fight. God has the power to defeat evil and He did just that when Jesus died on the cross to save us.

The Sustainer

                I chose this name to be a more masculine name of God because in today’s society there is a stereotype in which the man of a household is the one who is supposed to be the “breadwinner”. The man is the one who is supposed to provide for his family all of the things they need to survive and live a comfortable life. In a way, God gives us the power to be able to do this. God sustains on life in the universe and God is the ultimate provider for all human beings.

The Most Kind

                God is kind and does not discriminate against anyone. He is the ultimate epitome of kindness. I chose this to be a feminine name of God because females are stereotypically nicer than men. Women naturally have a more motherly approach to things and are usually nicer and are more emotional when it comes to decision-making. God has our greatest intentions in mind when he cares for us.

The Infinitely Patient

                God is incredibly patient with us. Just like most women are or mothers have to be incredibly patient when raising their children. Most women don’t have short tempers like men. God has to have a lot of patience to be able to listen to all of our prayers. God cannot be mad at us and forgives us whenever we sin.

                All four of these names can refer to the same God because God is everything. He has to have all of these attributes in order to truly love and be truly encompassed in each and everyone’s life. God is all-knowing and all powerful. He has to take on both masculine and feminine attributes to be who He is. He created the universe because he loves us and keeps us alive every day because he cares. Each of these names accurately describe God in every way because he embodies each attribute. 

Blog Post 24 - Islam Webquest

RESOURCES:

http://www.islamicpopulation.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ataglance/glance.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_by_country

http://islam.about.com/library/weekly/aa120298.htm

QUESTIONS:

1) What is highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today?

2.1 Billion

2) List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater.

Algeria

Comoros

Djibouti

Egypt

Gambia

Libya

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Senegal

3) What country has the largest Muslim population?

Algeria

4) How many Muslims are there in the United States?

2.6 million

NICE JOB!!! Now that we know about how many Muslims there are in

our world and where many of them call home, we can now move ahead

to Task 2.

Task # 2: Key Beliefs of Islam

REOURCES:

http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-2.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_intr.htm

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/six_articles.htm

QUESTIONS:

Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a COMPLETE sentence.

1) Muslims believe in one, unique, incomparable God, Who has no son nor partner, and that none has the right to be worshipped but Him alone.  He is the true God, and every other deity is false.  He has the most magnificent names and sublime perfect attributes.

2) Muslims believe in the existence of the angels and that they are honored creatures. 

3) Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind and as guidance for them.

4) Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). 

5) Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.

6) Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination, but this belief in Divine Predestination does not mean that human beings do not have freewill.

TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD

Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own

words.

1) The hardest struggle for God is within one’s self.

2)Truth and light will be the right path. It is wiser and holds the clearer message, it is the embodiment of true wisdom.

3)Among the greatest sins are injustice, oppression and tyranny.

Task #3 – The Quran (Koran)

RESOURCES:

http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/muhamd.htm

http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-7.htm

QUESTIONS:

1) What does the Quran provide?

The Quran, the last revealed word of God, is the primary source of every Muslim’s faith and practice.  It deals with all the subjects which concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc., but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures.  At the same time, it provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.

2) In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why?

Note that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad  in Arabic only.  So, any Quranic translation, either in English or any other language, is neither a Quran, nor a version of the Quran, but rather it is only a translation of the meaning of the Quran.  The Quran exists only in the Arabic in which it was revealed.

3) During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven?

Muslims believe that during the ninth month of the Muslim calender, the month of Ramadan, the Holy Quran (Koran) "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation".

4) What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened

next?

One day Muhammad was sitting alone in the wilderness near Mecca when the Angel Gabriel appeared to him. The Angel commanded Muhammad to read. Muhammad responded "I am not a reader." The Angel Gabriel then taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran, which Muhammad memorized.

Task #4 - Five Pillars of Faith

RESOURCES:

http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/pillars.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/fivepillars.shtml

QUESTIONS:

1) List and explain the 5 Pillars of Faith.

Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith

Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day

Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy

Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan

Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca

2) Why are they important?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam.

3) Why is cheating on the 5 Pillars impossible?

Carrying out these obligations provides the framework of a Muslim's life, and weaves their everyday activities and their beliefs into a single cloth of religious devotion.

4) Compare the 5 Pillars with similar activities in other religions.

Ten commandments

Task # 5 – Ramadan

RESOURCES:

http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/story.htm

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/holidays/ramadan.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/ramadan_1.shtml

QUESTIONS:

1) What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is not a holy day but a holy month. It is the ninth month of the Muslim year, in which "the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for the people" . Ramadan is similar to the Jewish Yom Kippur in that both constitute a period of atonement; Ramadan, however, is seen less as atonement and more as an obedient response to a command from God.

2) What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan?

During Ramadan, those who are able must abstain from evil thoughts and deeds, food and drink (including water), and sexual intercourse from dawn until dusk for the entire month. Because the holiday cycles through the solar year, this fast can be much more difficult in some years than others. When Ramadan falls in the summer season, the days of fasting are longer and it is a greater hardship to do without water.

3) What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan?

Eating food without fasting, smoking, doing evil things, drinking alcohol, saying bad words.

4) Why is the 27th day of Ramadan significant?

On the evening of the either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day* of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.

5) What happens when Ramadan ends?

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan

6) What are the 3 reasons Ramadan is important?

The beginning and end of Ramadan are announced when one trustworthy witness testifies before the authorities that the new moon has been sighted; a cloudy sky may, therefore, delay or prolong the fast. The end of the fast is celebrated with one of two Islamic festivals, 'Id al-Fitr.

7) Why is easier to do good during Ramadan?

Non-Muslims in Muslim countries during Ramadan must be careful not to eat, drink, or smoke in the presence of Muslims during the daytime hours of fasting, as the law requires adherence to the fast in public. The traditional greeting during Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" ("May God give you a blessed month") and the reply is "Ramadan Karim" ("May God give you a generous month").

Excellent! You're almost done! Move to Task 6!!!

Task #6 – Fun Facts

You have done a great job researching Islam! Now you and your partner

can surf the web to learn more about Islam. Use the links below to make a

list of 10 different facts about Islam you think are especially interesting.

Take this opportunity to learn about other holidays, art, music, medicine –

whatever interests you about Islam.

Surfs up!

RESOURCES:

http://religionfacts.com/islam/index.htm

http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/muslimlife/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions/islam.shtml

http://www.islamicity.com/education/understandingislamandmuslims/

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook.html (Click Islam in the list on the

left side)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/ (Click Major

Themes or Frequently Asked Questions)

List 5 interest facts you learned from the websites above.

1) Islam is a monotheistic religion based on revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, which were later recorded in the Qur'an (Koran), Islam's sacred text.

2) Unlike Christian art, Islamic art isn't restricted to religious work, but includes all the artistic traditions in Muslim culture. Its strong aesthetic appeal transcends time and space, as well as differences in language and culture.

3) Jalaluddin Rumi, better known simply as Rumi, was perhaps the finest Persian poet of all time and a great influence on Muslim writing and culture. His poetry is still well known throughout the modern world, and he is one of the best selling poets in America.

4) Architecture is one of the greatest Islamic art forms. An Islamic style is seen in mosques but also in Muslim houses and gardens.

5) The al-Burda, also called Qasida (hymn) Burda, is an Arabic poem honouring the Prophet Muhammad. The name means 'poem of the mantle' or 'of the cloak'.

CONCLUSION

CONGRATULATIONS! You have just explored and researched one of the

major religions of the world. In addition to learning about Islam, you have

learned that the Internet can be a valuable research tool. Isn’t it amazing?

Way to go!

Blog Post 22 - Ancient Western Religions

1.       In ancient Iran, which is now Persia during the 5^th or 6^th century BC.

2.       After Persia was conquered by the Greek general Alexander the Great in 328 BC.

3.       An angel called Good Thought appeared to him and brought the Wise Lord, Ahura Mazda, he recognized him as the one true god.

4.       Gathas are the oldest part of the sacred text which is called Avesta written by Zarathustra.

5.       Ahura Mazda is eternal and universal goodness, controlling the cosmos and the destiny of human beings.

6.       Ethical dualism is the belief in universal forces of good and evil.

7.       The Lie is the evil force.

8.       Humans must choose between truth and the Lie, between the beneficent spirit and the hostile spirit.

9.       Shortly after death individuals undergo judgment. The ethical records of individuals are read and judged. The good are allowed to enter paradise, while the evil are cast down to the abyss.

10.   Its ethical demands include such principles as caring for livestock and fields.

11.   The Zoroastrians who lived in India.

12.   The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.

13.   It means they are “of human form.”

14.   Aeschylus celebrated Zeus’s great power and wisdom. His works portray Zeus as ruling with order and justice. For example, the play Agamemnon explains human suffering as being a necessary part of the divine plan of Zeus.

15.   An oracle was a sanctuary favored by a particular god, who communicated in some manner to those who visited the site. The most famous oracle was at Delphi where the Greeks sought the wisdom of the god Apollo.

16.   Three basic aspects

a.       Individuals had to choose to become initiates and they went through some form of initiation ritual.

b.      Initiates experienced a personal encounter with the deity.

c.       Initiates gained spiritual renewal through participation in the religion and as with the most mystery religions hope for a better afterlife.

17.   The Eleusinian Mysteries.

18.   The god Dionysus is associated with fertility, vegetation specifically wine.

19.   To lead a pure life through vegetarianism and other ascetic practices so that the soul might eventually escape the body and fully realize its divinity.

20.   Truth exists independently of any bodily or material evidence consisting of Forms or Ideas, which are eternal and perfect.

21.   Ideas that the material, bodily world is an imperfect reflection of the world of Forms, dependent on them for all its qualities.

22.   Both were called Savior, and the intimacy of the worshipers’ relationship with Asclepius bore a strong resemblance to the relationship with Christ celebrated by Christians.

23.   The supernatural powers that were the ancient Roman equivalent of deities.

24.   Jupiter, the sky god.

25.   Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Neptune, Mercury and Saturn.

26.   It was believed to help ensure the welfare of the Roman state.

27.   Mithraism and Eleusinian

28.   The theme of life overcoming death through the power of Isis was central to the goddess’s cult. Ositis’s powerful position as god of the underworld likewise contributed.

29.   He encouraged the worship not of himself but of his genius or guardian spirit.

30.   The Roman grew suspicious of the Christians because of their refusal to worship on behalf the emperor.

Blog Post 21 - Judaism Webquest

What is Judaism?

Follow the links and answer the questions to establish a basic understanding of some key elements of Judaism. Use the links to find the information and then answer the questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Holy Items
1. What are the three functions of a synagogue?

A synagogue functions as a house of assembly, study and prayer.

2. What does the layout of a synagogue look like? Check out the various items and then identify the purpose and location of the following:
Ark – cabinet that contains the torah scrolls located on the eastern wall of synagogues

Torah Scrolls – sacred texts for Judaism (old testament). They are covered in cloth mantles

Ten Commandments – incorporated into the exterior design of the synagogue and is ornately adorned

3. What is a rabbi?

A Jewish scholar or teacher, one who teaches Jewish law. A person who is appointed a Jewish leader.

How does a Jew become a rabbi?

They must first work with the Jewish community to build up experience. One can’t just study to become a rabbi and expect to be a rabbi as soon as their studies are finished.

How does a rabbi differ from a clergyman?

A rabbi is not the same as a priest. A priest has a special authority to perform certain sacred rituals. A rabbi has no more authority to perform rituals than any other adult male member of the Jewish community.

What is the rabbi’s role?

A rabbi is a teacher who educates the Jewish community of Jewish law and tradition.

4. What is the nature Shabbat? (also called Sabbath) When does it occur?

Shabbat is a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. It occurs once a week, Sunday.

5. What is the Torah? What is the Talmud?

The Torah is the law of G-d revealed to Moses and recorded in the first give books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Pentateuch). The Talmud is the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend comprising the Mishnah (text) and the Gemara (commentary).

6. There are different branches of Judaism. Describe the following…
Orthodox:  Orthodox Jews follow Jewish law as laid down in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and the Talmud, the vast compilation of Jewish law. They believe God gave the whole Torah to Moses at Mt. Sinai and that it has remained intact and unchanged. To distinguish them from Hasidim, mainstream Orthodox are sometimes called "modern" Orthodox. The 1990 National Jewish Population Survey undertaken by the Council of Jewish Federations determined that 7% of the 5 million American Jews are Orthodox.

Reform: The Reform movement says that while the Torah is a valuable cultural and philosophical body of work, it was not delivered by God at one time, but developed over centuries. Reform says Judaism must continue to evolve, with each individual free to decide what to believe. It also conducts worship services in a contemporary language, such as English, as opposed to Hebrew.

National Jewish Population Conservative: Conservative worship services vary considerably. Some Conservative synagogues are similar to Reform, while others are close to Orthodox. There are some 800 Conservative synagogues, with some 1.5 million members, in North America. The 1990 National Jewish Population Survey found 38% of American Jews are Conservative. The Conservative movement in Great Britain and Israel calls itself Masoreti, meaning "traditional" in Hebrew.

Zionist: Historically, some Orthodox Jews had opposed Zionism because the Messiah had not appeared. But there were many religious Zionists as well. At the turn of the century, early waves of Zionists began settling in Palestine. The British Balfour Declaration of 1917 gave their cause international legitimacy. Zionists helped rescue Jews from the Nazis. The Holocaust increased support for a Jewish homeland, which was declared in 1948.

***Take a break and listen to some Klezmer music…(this will only work if Quicktime is loaded!)***

Language
7. What is Hebrew?

The Semitic language of the ancient people who are now living in what is now Israel.

8. What is Yiddish?

A language used by Jews in central and eastern Europe before the Holocaust. It was originally a German dialect with words from Hebrew and several modern languages and is today spoken mainly in the US, Israel, and Russia

9. Define the following Yiddish terms:
Mazal Tov: Congratulations

Shalom: Peace

Mitzvah: precept or commandment

10. Rites of Passage – Use this link to define and describe the following:

Brit Milah (Bris): he ceremony of circumcision, by which a boy enters the Covenant of Israel on his eighth day of life, goes back to Abraham, who was commanded by God to circumcise himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household, as a sign of the covenant (Genesis, chapter 17). Since then, Jews have circumcised their sons, often risking grave danger, to welcome them into the Covenant.

Circumcision has played an important role in Jewish identity and culture for more than three millennia, and continues to do so today. Circumcision is performed on the eighth day unless health considerations advise against it (in which case it is postponed until a physician gives permission) and may even be performed on Shabbat or Yom Kippur, indicating its importance in Jewish tradition.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Every Jew becomes a Bar Mitzvah automatically. It is a change of legal status; it has nothing to do with how much an individual knows or has learned. No ceremony, certificate, or special service is required. However, it is a change of status that affects the entire community, since now there is an additional member to count in the minyan, and thus it has been customary to celebrate this milestone since the 1300's, though celebrations have always been small and modest until this century.

Jewish Marriage:

Marriage is considered a natural and desirable state of adult life because it provides companionship and security. This depends, of course, upon a good match. Tradition acknowledges how difficult such a match is to find.

11. Holidays – Use this link to define the following:

Rosh Hoshanah - Rosh Hashanah is a two day celebration which begins on the first day of Tishrei, the first month of the Jewish calendar. The day is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind’s role in God’s world.

Yom Kippur – day of atonement. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Hanukah – “Festival of lights and feasts” Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

Passover - It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the 14th day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

12. What is something you knew about Jewish traditions that this confirmed?

The Torah is the first five books of the old testament and is their sacred text.

13. What is the most interesting or surprising information out of all of this?

Their Holidays.

14. What is one aspect of Jewish tradition which is similar to a tradition in your life?

Going to church every Sunday.

15. What is one aspect of Jewish tradition that is different from a tradition in your life?

Their rites of passage and observing their laws strictly.

Buddhism Review Questions - Blog Post 20

1. What was the name of the man who later became the Buddha and founded
the religion of Buddhism? 
A. Siddhartha Gautama
2. What are the Four Passing Sights? Explain their significance to Buddhism. 
A. A decrepit old man (this fate was in store for everyone), a disease man
(people enjoy life when diseases threatens them), a corpse (people can go on living as if death did not exist).The first three sights teach about the reality of suffering and the impermanent nature of life's pleasures.The fourth sight was a wandering ascetic which teaches to search for salvation from the world, a place away from all the suffering.
3. Explain the doctrine of the Middle Way.
A. A basic buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual
indulgence an the self-denial of asceticism, focusing instead on the a
practical approach to spiritual attainment.
4. Describe the event of Gautama's attainment of enlightenment.
A. He ascended through levels of deepening awareness, until he could perceive with perfect clarity the true nature of the human condition. By discovering the Four Noble Truths he attained enlightment.
5. What is the Sangha? Who are its members?
A. It it the Buddhist community of monks; one of the Three jewels of
Buddhism.
6. What are the three jewels of Buddhism?
A. Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
7. What features of Buddhist cosmology are shared with Hinduism?
A. Buddhism and Hinduism both regard time as cyclical.They maintain that the universe is eternal, with ages of creation and destruction following one after the other. "Samsara" which means the wheel of rebirth, says that the inhabitants of all these realms are generally destined to continue being reborn in one realm or another.
8. Describe the Buddha's reaction against early Hinduism.
A. The Buddha was discontented with many of the religious features of his day,
especially the speculative philosophy and the sacrificial rituals that were the domain of the brahmin class. He rejected the institutional structure of Hinduism, the Caste system.
9. Identify the Three Marks of Existence.
A. Anatta,Anicca, and Dukkha. Everything is changing in a constant state of

flux.The ever changing nature of reality.
10. What is the doctrine of anatta? How does it relate to the Hindu concept of
Atman? 

A. The doctrine anatta is denying a permanent self.There is no ultimate reality within oneself.There is no essence underling existence.
11. According to the Buddhist doctrine of samsara, what is actually reborn? Explain the role of karma in the Buddhist understanding of samsara.
A. Samsara is the wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm in which rebirth occurs. Karma is the moral law of cause and effect of actions; determines the nature of one's rebirth.
12. List the Five Precepts, which apply to all Buddhists.Then list the five additional precepts that apply to monks and nuns.
1. Do not take life.
2. Do not take what is not given.
3. Do not engage in sensuous misconduct. 4. Do not use false speech.
5. Do not drink intoxications.
A. For nuns and monks
6. Do not eat after noon.
7. Do not watch dancing or shows.
8. Do not use garlands, perfumes or ornaments. 9. Do not use a high or soft bed.
10. Do not accept gold or silver.
13. What are some possible english translations for the word "dukkha"? Explain its meaning.
A. Suffering, frustration, dislocation, discomfort. Suffering is apart of life. 14. What is tanha? How does it relate to dukkha?
A. Tanha is selfish desire which causes dukkha, suffering.

15. List the steps of the Eightfold Path.
    1. Right views.
    2. Right intentions. 3. Right speech.
    4. Right conduct.
    5. Right livelihood. 6. Right effort.
    7. Right mindfulness. 8. Right meditation.
    
16. What is the difference between the Buddha and other humans who attain enlightenment?
    

A. The Buddha is the one who made up the way to attain enlightenment. Everyone else followed.
17. Describe an arhat.
 A. One who has become enlightented.

18. What is the literal meaning of nirvana?
    a. Itistheultimategoalofallbuddhists.Theextinctionofdesireandany sense of individual selfhood, resulting in liberation from samsara and its limiting conditions.
    
19. What are the three divisions of buddhism?
    

A. Theravada, Mahayana,Vajrayana.
20. What is the main focus of Theravada buddhism?
A. They regard the Buddha is the first and foremost as he who experienced
enlightenment and then taught others how to accomplish the same.
Attaining enlightenment.
21. What is the literal meaning of Mahayana?
A. It is the largest of Buddhism's three divisions, prevalent in China, Japan and Korea. It encompasses a variety of forms, including those that emphasizes devotion and prayer to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.
22. How does Vajrayana buddhism "fight fire with fire"? A. Shutting off the energy of desire to fight suffering.
23. Who is the Dalai Lama? How is the Dalai Lama chosen?
A. The spiritual leader of Vajrayana buddhism. Believed to be an incarnation of
the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
B. Determined by rebirth which is determined by tests some supernatural and
others normal.
24. What are the geographical regions of the three divisions of Buddhism?
A. Theravada - Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka,Thailand. B. Mahayana - China, Japan, Korea.
C. Vajrayana - Tibet 

Buddhism and Christianity Essay

Buddhism and Christianity may seem like two very different religions on the surface and they are. But they share common themes like the path to ultimate happiness, community-like worshipping and free will.

In both religions, the ultimate goal is to be happy through faith. For Buddhism finding one's self is the greatest achievement a buddhist can behold. Becoming a buddha, achieving enlightenment, is every buddhist's dream. Nirvana, the release of the soul from the wheel of rebirth that is samsara. For Christians, having one's soul released from the body at death to be with God is the ultimate goal. God is the creator of everything and heaven is where everything is happy. Through a Christian's strong faith in God, he or she is able to fully trust in Him and truly believe that their is live after death which is heaven where true happiness can be found.

Community-like worshipping is found in both religions. For Buddhists, Sangha is like their form of a parish like for christians.  A sangha is a community of buddhists.  A sangha gives buddhists the opportunity to temple worship together and talk about their faith just like a parish does for Catholicism. It's not exactly the same in theory but they both share community-like themes of coming together to discuss a faith.

Free will is the freedom to choose. God gives his people in Catholicism the ability to freely do what he or she pleases. He gave it to his followers as soon as they were born. Like in Buddhism, followers are allowed to freely choose the path they want to take in order to find themselves. It's not set in stone exactly what they have to do in order to achieve enlightenment. It's up to the believer what they want to do.

Both religions share common themes but are interpreted differently. Ultimate happiness is basically true for any faith. The desire to be happiness is true for everyone. Communities give both religions the chance to intermingle with other followers. Buddhism might be a lot more lenient with its belief system than christianity but both give a little in that regard. Allowing it's followers to have the ability to choose what they want.

Introduction to Buddhism - Blog Post 19

Life of Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama was born about 583 BCE, in or near what is now Nepal. His father, King Suddhodana, was leader of a large clan called the Shakya. His mother, Queen Maya, died shortly after his birth. When Prince Siddhartha was a few days old, a holy man prophesied the Prince would be either a great military conqueror or a great spiritual teacher. King Suddhodana preferred the first outcome and prepared his son accordingly. Siddhartha Gauatama was raised the in great luxury and  was shielded from knowledge of religion and human suffering. He reached the age of 29 with little experience of the world outside the palace walls. 

Siddhartha asked to leave the palace once to see life beyond the palace since he didn't know what was really out there. On these journeys he was shocked by the sight of an aged man, then a sick man, and then a corpse. The stark realities of old age, disease, and death seized and sickened the Prince. Finally, he saw a wandering ascetic. The charioteer explained that the ascetic was one who had renounced the world and sought release from fear of death and suffering.

Three Jewels

The ideals at the heart of Buddhism are collectively known as the ‘Three Jewels’, or the ‘Three Treasures’. These are theBuddha (the yellow jewel), the Dharma (the blue jewel), and the Sangha (the red jewel). It is by making these the central principles of your life that you become a Buddhist.

Threefold Way

Another formulation of the path is the Threefold Way of ethics, meditation, and wisdom. This is a progressive path, as ethics and a clear conscience provides an indispensable basis for meditation, and meditation is the ground on which wisdom can develop.

4 Noble Truths

 The Four Aryan (or Noble) Truths are perhaps the most basic formulation of the Buddha’s teaching. They are expressed as follows:

1. All existence is dukkha. 

2. The cause of dukkha is craving. 

3. The cessation of dukkha comes with the cessation of craving.

4. There is a path that leads from dukkha. 

Noble Eight-fold Path

The Buddha’s ‘Noble Eightfold Path’ is a further ‘unpacking’ of the ‘Threefold Way’ and is perhaps the most widely known of the Buddha’s teachings. It is ancient, extending back to the Buddha’s first discourse and is highly valued as a treasury of wisdom and practical guidance on how to live our lives. Traditionally the teaching is seen as highlighting eight areas or ‘limbs’ of ‘right’ practice (Sangharakshita prefers ‘perfect’ to ‘right’), which sit in mutual relationship to one other and are each essential elements in an integrated approach to the Dharma:

1.      Right Understanding or Perfect Vision

2.      Right Resolve or Perfect Emotion

3.      Right Speech or Perfect Speech

4.      Right Action or Perfect Action

5.      Right Livelihood or Perfect Livelihood

6.      Right Effort or Perfect Effort

7.      Right Mindfulness or Perfect Awareness

8.      ​Right Meditation or Perfect Samadhi

Hinduism Review Questions - Blog Post 18

1. Explain the meaning of the term, moksha. 
• Liberation or release of the individual self, atman, from the bondage of samsara; salvation; one of the four goals of life. 
2. What doctrine says all reality is ultimately one? Give an analogy that describes it. 
• Monism. Like how monotheism in Western religions, God is the creator of the world and independent of it. 
3. Define brahman and atman. How are the two related?
• Brahman is the eternal essence of reality and the source of the universe, beyond the reach of human perception and thought. 
• Atman is the eternal self, which the Upanishads identify with Brahman; often lowercase: the eternal Self or soul of an individual that is reincarnated from one body to the next and is ultimately identified with Atman.
• Brahman is Atman; all reality is one. 
4. What is the general function of Hinduism's many deities?
• Hinduism generally regards its 330 million deities as extensions of one ultimate reality. Many names for one ocean, many "masks" for one God.
5. Give a brief explanation of the doctrine of samsara.
• The wheel of rebirth or reincarnation; the this-worldly realm of which rebirth occurs.
6. What is the name of Hinduism's most popular sacred text?
• Bhagavad-Gita
7. According to Hinduism, what are the two principles that connect the divine to this world? Briefly explain each. 
• Karma - the moral law of cause and effect of actions; determines the nature of one's reincarnation.
• Dharma - ethical duty based on the divine order of reality; one of the four goals of life.
8. Name the four classes of the caste system and describe the people who belong to each.
1. Brahmin - priests
2. Kshatriya - warriors and administrators 
3. vaishya - producers like farmers, merchants and artisans
4. shudra - servants and laborers
9. In the Bhagavad-Gita, why does Krishna encourage Arjuna to engage in war?
• Because it was the ultimate path to salvation.
10. Identify and briefly explain the four stages of life.
1. Student - instensive study of the vedas and other sacred literature. Lasts until marriage.
2. Householder - career and raising a family
3. Forest dweller (starts with birth of first grandchild) - a retreat from worldly bonds in order to engage fully in a spiritual quest.
4. ascetic - forest dwellers who are ready to return to society but remain detached from the normal attractions and distractions of social life.
11. Name and briefly describe the four goals of life.
1. Sensual pleasure - ultimate goal of liberation
2. Material success - kama and artha, material sucess and social power.
3. harmony with dharma - maintaining the general principles of ethical duty. 
4. bliss of moksha - infinite being and awareness
12. Identify the three paths to liberation. Which type of person is suited for each path?
1. Karma marga - those engaged in the day-to-day tasks of earning a living and raising a family. 
2. Jnana marga - those with talent for the philosophical reflection
3. Bhakti marga - those who have strong emotional attachments
13. What are the three most important schools of hindu philospohy? What is the basic task that concerns all three?
1. Vedanta
2. Sankhya
3. Yoga
• The attainment of knowledge over the igonrance that binds the self to samsara.
14. Identify three important gods or goddesses of Hinduism. 
1. Ganesh
2. Krisha
3. Vishnu
15. What is an avatar? Name two important Hindu figures identified as avatars.
• An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiment, of a deity, commonly of Vishnu. Rama is another popular avatar.
16. What Hindu text is most closely associated with bhakti marga?
1. Bhagavad-Gita
17. Identify three aspects of Hindu devotional life.
1. Household and villages rituals.
2. Holy places.
3. Cow veneration.
18. How did Mahatma Gandhi influence Hinduism?
1. His steadfast efforts to stand up to oppression through nonviolence and civil disobedience forever changed the nature of India. 
19. What siginificant changes in the caste system took place in the 20th century?
1. It was starting to get rid of its social heirarchy and become equal. 
20. What is sati? What is its status today?
• The burning of a widow. It doesn't exist as strongly as before. 
21. What siginificant development occured in the relations between Hindus and Muslims in 1947?
1. The partitioning of India to form the divided nation of Pakistan. 

Maya and Aztecs

1. Where are they located, both in location and the type of geography.

                The Mayan civilization covered a third of Central America, mostly on the Yucatan Peninsula. They lived in what is now Yucatan, Guatemala, Belize, and southern Mexico. The area is south of the tropic of Cancer and north of the equator. It is around 900 kilometers from north to south and 550 kilometers from west to east. The land is covered with rainforests, savannas, and swamps. The highlands had volcanic mountains.

The lowlands were a limestone shelf bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Carribean Sea. The northern climate is hot, with rain May through October. Rivers and lakes would go dry and only sinkholes filled with rainwater provided water. The south consisted of rainforests and savannahs. Rivers and lakes were fed by the Usamacinta River. The highlands were made of mountains and valleys. It was prone to tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquakes, but had fertile soil. It had rain during May through November.

2. What is their cosmological view of the world?

The Mayan viewed earth as a flat four-cornered world. Each corner had a color associated with it: Red - East, White – North, Black – West, Yellow – South, and Center – Bluegreen. Each corner was held up by four Powahtuns (old deities). The sky was held up by four Bakabs (Human/Atlantean figures) of the correct color for each direction.

Mayan civilization had a very sophisticated understanding of celestial motion. The Sun, Moon, and Venus were particularly important to their cosmology. The Mayans attached a great deal of importance to the Zenial passage when the sun would be directly overhead. Since most Mayan cities lie south of 23 degrees North, the sun would be directly overhead twice a year near to the solstices. The Mayans also worshipped the Milky Way and had a sophisticated understanding of the ecliptic. The Mayans, like all ancient civilizations, had a geocentric view of the universe. The Earth was the fixed location from which to watch the moving objects in the sky.

3. Explain and describe some of their sacred symbols (at least 3).

The earliest known writing discovered in the Mayan script dates from about 250 BC, but the script is thought to have developed at an earlier date then that. The Mayans were known for their sophisticated culture which included many hieroglyphics.

Mayan hieroglyphics were carved into stone or bone, or even painted on pottery or written on books. The two main topics of their texts were astronomy and religious views.

Ancient Mayan Symbols:

Flower of Life

The flower of life shape contains a secret shape known as the fruit of life. It consists of 13 spheres that hold many mathematical and geometrical laws. These laws represent the whole universe.

Personal Creation

It is a depiction of the realm of God: it embodies the principle of the Three in One. It is represents the cosmic egg, a symbol of creation where the three elements: mercury, sulphur and ether which are given life God and made into matter. The central circle contains the total area of the surrounding three circles.  

4. What are their sacred locations?

The Mayan civilization was one of the most advance and sophisticated cultures in the Western Hemisphere before the arrival of European explorers. It flourished between 300 and 900 AD and once consisted of over 40 cities spread across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and northern Belize. This category lists some of the most impressive ruins of these ancient cities that can be visited today. Many of these Mayan ruins have been designated World Heritage Sites. The Mayan cities, full of magnificent stone temples and pyramids, were primarily ceremonial centers. Most of the Maya lived in rural areas and were farmers who looked to the priests of the cities for direction on the best days to plant, harvest, and marry. The Maya are famed for their impressive knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, which were integral to their religious rituals. They are also known for the practice of human sacrifice, which was a means of appeasing and nourishing the gods.

Caracol Belize This important Mayan city flourished in the 6th century and now lies in ruins in western Belize near Guatemala. Hidden in the jungle until 1938, it contains pyramids, tombs and Mayan art. Tikal Guatemala A Mayan city that flourished around 700 AD in modern-day Guatemala, Tikal is best known for its towering Temple of the Two-Headed Snake. Uxmal Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico The late-Classic Maya site of Uxmal was built before the 10th century AD and is one of the most complex and harmonious expressions of Puuc architecture. Palenque Chiapas, Mexico Widely considered the most atmospheric and magical of the Mayan sites, Palenque was at its peak from 600 to 700 AD. It is famed for its unique and impressive architecture and royal history. Tulum Yucatan, Mexico Spectacularly located on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, Tulum is a late-Maya site that was active from around 1200 AD until the arrival of the Spanish. Chichén Itzá Yucatan, Mexico Chichén Itzá is the largest of the ancient Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula. A center of Mayan pilgrimage for over 1,000 years, it is now one of Mexico's most-visited tourist destinations. Coba Yucatan, Mexico Much of Coba still remains to be excavated, but it is notable for its extensive system of ceremonial roads, remote jungle landscape and multiple pyramids, including the tallest in the Yucatan. Kabah Yucatan, Mexico Located 18 km from Uxmal, Kabah was at its peak from 800 to 900 AD. The ruins feature elaborate carvings of the rain god Chac and fine examples of the Maya vault. 5.  Identify their most important gods (good, bad, and trickster).  More than the name of the god is needed here. The Maya worshipped a pantheon of nature gods, each of which had both a benevolent side and a malevolent side. The most important deity was the supreme god Itzamná, the creator god, the god of the fire and god of the hearth. Another important Mayan god was Kukulcán, the Feathered Serpent, who appears on many temples and was later adopted by the Toltecs and Aztecs as Quetzalcoatl. Also important was Chac, a hooked-nose god of rain and lightning. A third god that frequently appears in Mayan art is Bolon Tzacab, who is depicted with a branching nose and is often held like a sceptre in rulers' hands. He is thought to have functioned as a god of royal descent. LINKS: http://www.nativeweb.org/pages/pyramids/overview.html http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/WHI.13 http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/01175/geo.html http://www.sacred-destinations.com/categories/mayan http://www.laep.org/target/bridges/mayans_ancient1.html http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/p-products/flower-of-life-gold.php http://www.religionfacts.com/mayan_religion/index.htm