World ReligionsAn introduction to seeing the similarities and differences

Objectives

Explore various religious beliefs held around the world

Compare and contrast aspects of religions

Vocabularyanimism - the belief that natural objects possess a soul or spirit.

shamanism - belief in an unseen world of gods, demons and ancestral spirits responsive only to a shaman.

theism - belief in the existence of a God or gods.

religion - a personal set or system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices.

theocracy - a government ruled by or subject to religious authority.

In the beginning...The most basic, primitive form of religious belief is found in animism.

Some primitive societies in Africa and South America are animistic.

Contact with the natural world is most important - respect for nature

Native American tribes - many included Shamans. Animism with a person who understands and guides access to these spirits is shamanism.

‘Modern’ ReligionEventually, cultures developed concepts of gods as a way to understand the world around them.

Theism was the belief in God or gods.

The first true religions were established by creating sets of customs and practices that allowed people the means to better understand the gods or God

Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus River Valley societies - among the first civilizations with religion

Government & Religion

Much of the history of the world - religion & government go hand-in-hand

Theocracy

Since the Age of Enlightenment - shift away from government by religion

Religion still plays important part of people’s lives and in the area of international relations

How Can We Understand Other Beliefs?Create a chart to categorize and break down and identify different beliefs to compare and contrast

Shinto

Origins & History

Indigenous religion of Japan

Gods and Universe

Polytheism (belief in many Gods) based on the kami (神 ), ancient gods or spirits

鬼（おに）

Human Situation and Life’s Purpose

Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami

手水（てみず）

Afterlife

Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.

Practices

Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals 鳥居

（とりい）

Texts

Important texts are Kojiki or ‘Record of Ancient Matters’ and Nihon-gi or ‘Chronicles of Japan’

Buddhism

Origins & History

Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India

Gods and UniverseVaries: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent.

大仏（だいぶつ）

Human Situation and Life’s Purpose

Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit.

宝篋印塔（ほうきょういんとう）

AfterlifeReincarnation (understood differently than in Hinduism, with no surviving soul) until gain enlightenment

PracticesMeditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects); In Japan - mixed with some Confucian ideals 仏壇

（ぶつだん）

Texts

Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.

寺（てら）

Compare and Contrast

Take out a piece of paper and turn it sideways

On the side of the page, write the headings for the chart as you see on the board

You can work in pairs or on your own. Find out information about 2 or more religions

PRIZE available! (Completely at the discretion of the teacher)

Website that might help: www.religionfacts.com

Japan Shinto Buddhism

Origins & History Indigenous religion of Japan.Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE

India.

God(s) and Universe

Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits.

Varies: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic.

Buddha taught nothing is permanent.

Human Situation & Life’s Purpose

Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through

purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami.

Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining

merit.

Afterlife Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death.

Reincarnation (understood differently than in Hinduism, with

no surviving soul) until gain enlightenment.

PracticesWorship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification

rituals.

Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects)

TextsImportant texts are Kojiki or

‘Records of Ancient Matters’ and Nihon-gi or ‘Chronicles of Japan’.

Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.