World Religions An Introduction Through Sacred Texts

World Religions Hinduism Buddhism Judaism Christianity Islam Taoism

Hinduism Is it Monotheistic? Basic Ideas –Brahman Divine reality at the heart of things –Atman Experience of the sacred within the self –Samsara The great runaround –Karma Consequential action –Moksha Release from the cycle –Castes Sacred Texts –Vedas Rig, Yajur, Sama, Atharva –Bhagavad Gita –Upanishads

Brahma VishnuShiva

Buddhism Is it a religion? Basic Ideas –Samsara –Nirvana Extinguishing of desire –Four Noble Truths Suffering is everywhere –Maya Illusion –Dharma Rule, Law, religion –Sangha Community –Buddha Enlightened One Sacred Texts –Many Dhammapada Lotus Sutra Diamond Sutra

Judaism The People of G-d Basic Ideas –Monotheistic G-d is one –Patriarch Abraham G-d established a covenant –Ten Commandments The Covenant –Shema Hear O Israel –Distinct Community Maintained Identity Sacred Text –Hebrew Bible

Christianity The Anointed One Basic Ideas –One God There is only one God –Jesus is the Messiah Jesus is the anointed one –Patriarch Abraham Christians are the descendents of Abraham –Spread the Good News Believers are to spread the Good News or Godspel Sacred Text –Christian Bible Old Testament and New Testament

Islam Submit to the will of Allah Basic Ideas –Monotheistic Shahada –Mohammad is a rasul Muhammad is the final messenger –Allah has no equal There is no God but God –Five Pillars Shada, Salat, Zakat, Ramadan, Hajj Sacred Text –Qur’an

Sources Slide 3 – jpg/moksha.jpghttp:// jpg/moksha.jpg – hoepel.htmlhttp:// hoepel.html – rad.jpg