Buddhism Packet 7-11

7. Books such as the bible were produced to relay a mystical story to capture the imagination of a wide audience of believers. The texts of the Buddhist are revered simply as the teachings of the first buddha, and are written in a manner more conducive to appealing to the monks, and the people who are already proficient in spiritual matters.

8. Bodhisattvas are other worldly beings, like spirits. They are not necessarily divine, although showing faith in the bodhisattvas is representative of the faith one shows for the ways of Buddha. The Bodhisattvas also help other beings in their journey through life.

Symbols:

1. Black Manjusri: The spirit of wisdom. This spirit helps people recognize the truths and path that will help them escape the cycle of rebirths.

2. White Tara: The life sustainer. This is the highest respected buddha and is said to bring long life.

3. The Third Eye: Symbolic of the all seeing aspects of the Bodhisattva. Also representative of compassion.

9. Certain depictions of the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas are uniquely Chinese. The translation of texts into chinese resulted in these specific changes and manifestations of the beings and their characters. Japanese buddhism lays claim to several uniquely japanese sects of the religion, such as the Rinzai or Soto. There is also the interpretation of the Lotus flower, introduced in the japanese Tendai Buddhism.

10. Tantras are concerned with the subjects of meditation, ritual, symbolism and magic. Magic is an outlier in terms of its inclusion here, for it is not something taught in the traditional buddhist teachings. Tantric Buddhists believe that by following their tantras, they will attain enlightenment faster than by following the example of Bodhisattvas.

11.

Devotion:

The devotion to Buddha is not like the devotion showed to God in western religions. More so it is a reverence for his teachings and way of life, as well as a respect for him as a person. Many people thank buddha for bringing these teachings to the common man. The devotional practices may look much like worship of buddha, however this is not the case. Worship is directed more at the ideas he presented, of which he is a physical manifestation for people to focus on.

Impermanence:

Buddhism's primary philosophy is that fulfillment in this life is trivial. Everything we perceive is an illusion, including happiness. Thus, all is also impermanent. For if one is attached to something that does not truly exist, or is truly unimportant, they will surely be struck with suffering. Buddhism is focused on knowing the impermanence of all, and therefore avoiding attachment to impermanent things.

Walking Spirits:

Spirits in Buddhism are not divine and there is no one god. Rather, spirits live amongst us, in life. These spirits have made their way to enlightenment and are therefore worthy of respect, for they may teach us much.

Buddhism Concepts

1)

4 Noble Truths:

- All existence is unsatisfactory and filled with suffering (dukkha)

- Dukkha is derived from attachments to the world, searching for something permanent and stable in a transient world.

-If Dukkha ceases totally, one is in nirvana, which can be achieved only by one's own effort

-This can be achieved through the eightfold path

Samma(eightfold path):

- Right understanding

- Right thought

- Right speech

- Right action

- Right livelihood

- Right effort

- Right mindfulness

- Right Concentration

Conditioned Arising:

- A 12 link chain explaining how everything is connected and how attachment to error arises. Unravelling this chain reveals nirvana. According to this belief, everything in the world is interdependent nirvana is the only independent thing.

2)

Life of Buddha:

- Childhood: Born wealthy and protected from suffering.

- Great Renunciation: Life as a homeless and ascetic man.

-Enlightenment: Under the Bodhi tree, he attains enlightenment where Brahma tells him to share his teachings with the world.

The Image:

-8-spoke wheel symbolizes Buddha's teachings of the 8-fold path

-Treasury of Desire: Symbolizes all desires which must be lost to gain enlightenment

- Superman: The wisdom bump symbolizes one of Buddha's elevated qualities

3)

Buddha Image:

Standing Buddha - Signs of wealth (large earlobes, long robes, jewelry). His bodily positions still portray images of kindness and compassion.

Buddha is portrayed in several ways, usually depicting certain stages of his journey to enlightenment.

5 Symbols:

Superman:

-Certain marks denote the elevated qualities of Buddha, such as the dot on the forehead.

Meditation Throne:

-Persisting presence of Buddha. Its a common aspect of art and portrays a devotion to the way of Buddha.

Buddha Halo:

-Holiness of Buddha. A tribute to Buddha's pureness and success in enlightenment, not a devine symbol.

Hair:

-Ascetic life. This represents Buddha's early journeys on the path to enlightenment.

Posture:

-Represents different practices or rituals such as meditation.

Part V

Vaishnavism:

• This is the community of Hindus dedicated to the Vishnu form of God. They are the largest group as well. Devotees belong to one of four sampradayas (sects) of Vaishnavism, the primary two focusing their venerations on Krishna and Rama, the two main representations of Vishnu as God. Vaishnavas are personalists who tend towards the bhakti traditions over any other. This branch of Hinduism dates back at least 5,000 years (millions according to the Vaishna world view). After the 12th century AD, bhakti renaissance occurred, bringing back large amounts of devotional sentiment. Centers of worship were revived and the religion gained millions of followers.
• Main Writings:
• Mahabharata
• Ramayana
• Gita
• Vishnu Purana
• Vedanta Sutras

Shaktism:

• Shaktism focuses on the deity, Devi, most often in the form of Shiva's wife. This is a complementary focus to Shaivism and in fact derives much of its philosophy from it. This sect emphasizes the non-difference between matter and spirit. This branch of Hinduism is known for sacrifices to the Gods.
• Main Writings:
• Devi Purana
• The Tantras
• Mahabhagavata Purana

Part IV

Upanishads:

• The Upanishads are Hinduism's primary philosophical texts. the name means "sitting near" in sanksrit, alluding to the nature of the Upanishads being taught by a guru. The Upanishads are broken into 108 main verses concerning everything from atman, to reincarnation, all the way to moksha. They are considered to be the first formal spiritual direction in the Vedas. The sage Vyasa Badarayana attempted to systematize the teachings of the Upanishads by writing the Vedanta Sutras, a series of 550 aphorisms with different commentaries written on each. These texts, Upanishads and Vedanta Sutras, are considered the more difficult to understand, as people in Kali-Yuga are less philosophically inclined.

Bhagavad-gita:

• This is the most well known Hindu scripture in the world. It is the spiritual treatise spoken by Krishna to Arjuna in preparation for battle. It covers several Hindu concepts about the Supreme, the Gunas, and the Atman. There is discussion as to how the different types of Yoga can lead to liberation as well. Now it is usually printed with extensive commentary on all 700 verses.

Dharma Shastras:

• These are the guidelines pertaining to codes of conduct, civil and criminal law, and punishment and atonement. These laws are both religious and secular. The Manu Smriti is the most important of these law giving texts. It establishes the Hindu lifestyle and explicitly states the place of the four varnas and ashrams (as merit based positions, not birth influenced). The text also deals with laws of inheritance, adoption, and government.

Part III

Food and Prasada:

• Hinduism has been called the "kitchen religion" as a result of the importance placed on food's role in life and health (both physical and spiritual).
• Vaishnas:
• Classify all foods into the three Gunas (good: vegetarian food prepared properly and offered to the gods before consumption, pleasureable: sweets or food prepared in a lazy way, and bad: meat).
• Observe many prep work laws (i.e. food must be prepared no more than three hours before consumption).
• Shaivites observe fewer food laws, but are still largely vegetarian.
• Shaktas are inclined towards meat (although still do not eat beef out of respect for the cow)
• Milk products are essential
• Spices are for taste and digestive health
• Role in Worship:
• Prasad is considered to purify the mind, body and spirit.
• Temple cooks are Brahmans and follow strict standards of cleanliness
• This is because it is believed that the consciousness of the cook enters the eater via the food, so it is best to have a spiritually righteous person cook.
• Taking prasad is believed to incline the mind towards spirituality
• Prasad is important on festival days
• Prasad offered to Gods is passed to worshippers by priests at the shrine or as worshippers leave the Mandir.

Simple Living, High Thinking:

• According to the Gunas, human civilization can be divided into Cities (tamas), Towns (rajas), and Villages (sattva).
• Simple life styles are encouraged by the gita and it is believed that it is easier to achieve a sattvic status in a rural setting.
• Sustainability and peace is essential to sattvic living.
• Morning is most sattvic time. Most hindus wake up between 4 and 6, bathe in a natural water source, clean with natural things and perform some type of worship or meditation.
• Shops open late and a siesta is taken after lunch (this is the main meal because it is believed that digestion is best at high sun).
• Life is in touch with nature and the elements
• Water comes from natural sources, cooking is done on open fires, villages have earth floors and walls of earth and dung.
• Animals are integral to society. The are used for waste disposal, cart pulling, religious ceremonies, etc...

Part II

Karma-Yoga:

• Must have an understanding that selfish action binds the soul
• Specifically means actions performed for various deities
• Backing concept is that all action must be performed for the greater good, serve God, and be right.
• Goal of practice is the heavenly planets

Jnana-Yoga:

• Knowledge through seclusion, study, and sense abnegation
• Aim at liberation
• Opposite of Karma for these yogis minimize activity and the necessities of life.

Ashtanga/Raja Yoga:

• Physical Yoga divided into eight parts
• Started by the sage Patanjali
• There are eight possible mystic powers achievable from this practice, but these are not the focus, Patanjali encourages the practitioner to remain focused on the god within, and leaving the material realm.

Bhakti-Yoga:

• Most popular yoga today
• When perfected, it combines all types of yoga
• External and symbolic worship, pilgrimages, and sophisticated processes of inner development.

The Trimurti:

• Based on three representations of God: Creator, Sustainer, and Destroyer (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva)
• Each is in charge of a specific Guna (Raja, Sattva, Tama respectively)
• Vishnu (or one of his manifestations) is most commonly associated with the impersonal "Supreme Person".
• Brahma is rarely given direct praise. There is only one temple dedicated to him and the most common worshipping practice associated with him is the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra.
• Shiva represents the male principle in the world and his female counterpart is Shakti (Mother Nature), or Material Energy.

3 Main Focuses of Worship:

• Three main sects: Vaishnavas (worshippers of Vishnu), Shaivites (worshippers of Shiva), and Shaktas (worshippers of Shakti)
• Shaktas use the term Devi or Mataji (goddess or respected mother) to describe their deity. Thus other goddesses (Lakshmi or Sarasvati) may also be included in the focus of Shaktas.
• Every deity falls within four main categories: A form of Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti (a Goddess), or a very powerful soul with an extremely elevated body (such as that of Brahma).
• Each of the Trimurti have a respective partner. Vishnu and Lakshmi, Shiva and Shakti, and Brahma and Sarasvati. Most representations of these deities in stories are forms of these deities (i.e. Rama and Sita = Vishnu and Lakshmi).
• Each deity also has a mount: Vishnu rides a giant eagle (Garuda), Shiva rides Nandi the bull, Shakti has a lion or tiger, and Brahma mounts the swan.

The Murti:

• Worship of the Sacred Image (shrines, statues, paintings, etc...)
• This is central to the way Hindus develop and express their relationship with God.
• Images must be made and worshipped with scriptural guidance. Not just any image is considered sacred.
• Murti is God's way of helping the ignorant begin to differentiate between spirit and matter by endowing a physical depiction with the spirit of God (not metaphorically either. Murti has a spirit)

Holi Festival:

• Takes place in March. Also known as the festival of colors or spring festival and is associated with the deity Vishnu.
• Popular dishes are Gujiya, Mathri, and Papri
• Celebration is primarily focused on the triumph of good over evil, devotion to God, and love.
• Popular legend behind the festival is that king Hiryanyakashyap wanted his kingdom to worship him only, but his son stayed a devout Vaishnavite. The king tried to have his son killed by having his wife (who was immune to fire) carry him into a bon fire. God subsequently saved the boy and killed the wife.
• Practices: Evening Bonfires (in light of the legend), Smearing of vibrantly colored pastes (celebrating spring colors and the harvest), kids play pranks (in light of another less important legend), Consumption of Bhang (highly intoxicating drink), exchange of sweets and small gifts.

Ganesh Chaturthi:

• Celebration of the birth of Ganesh (more specifically how he received his head). Takes place in late August or early September (the 4th day of Bhadrapada).
• Festival lasts 10 days
• Begins when devotees bring home a Ganesh murti and begin the offering of daily prayers.
• Matric and prayer devotion ends on Ananta Chaturdashi (10th day).
• Day 11 is the "Ganesh Visarjan", worshippers march with their idols, singing and dancing before immersing them in water. This symbolizes the removal of obstacles and misfortune (one of the functions of Ganesh as a deity).

Holy Site: Varnasi:

• This is one of the oldest cities in the world.
• It is the location of the Golden Temple.
• It is situated on the banks of the Ganges, one of India's most sacred rivers.
• It is considered to be the foremost city of Shiva (one of the most important deities) based on the Epics and Puranas (important scriptures).
• People perform pilgrimages in many fashions to this city. Many retire to Varnasi in hopes of achieving liberation. Many also transport corpses of loved ones in order to cremate them in the famous Ghats and spread their ashes in the sacred Ganges.

Holy Site: Kanyakumari:

• Important Shakta site.
• The main temple is dedicated to Parvati (form of Shakti), Shiva's partner.
• This is the marital site of Shiva and Parvati.
• Pilgrims travel to bathe at the Bay of Bengal where the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea meet.

Jatakarma (Birth Rites):

• Father places ghee and honey on baby's tongue and whispers God's name in its ear.
• Namakarana (naming ceremony) takes place 11 days later. Baby is given new clothing and its horoscope is read by the family astrologer. The name is traditionally chosen based on the position of the moon at the time of the baby's birth.
• There is an obligatory feast and sometimes a fire ritual and songs.
• Other various rituals include First Outing (Baby sees sun, moon, and temple deity for the first time), First Grains (during teething period), First Haircut (1-3 years old), and Ear Piercing (3-5 years).

Antyeshti (Death Rites):

• Must be performed by dawn or dusk, whichever comes first relative to death.
• Cremation is customary. This helps the soul release any attachment to the body (because it no longer exists).
• Before cremation, a few drops of ganges water is placed on the tongue of the deceased.
• Ashes are spread in holy rivers (usually ganges)
• Children and saints are considered pure, so they are buried.
• 13 day mourning in which the family is considered impure. This is to release all emotions as to not have any unexpressed emotions when one dies.
• These rites server to assist the soul in a smooth passage from this life to the next (hopefully better) one.
• Shraddha is most important ceremony. Performed on the one year anniversary of death.
• Prasad is offered to God and by transitive property of souls in Hinduism, also to the deceased.
• Death Day: Body is washed and bedecked with flowers. Ganges water is applied. Body carried to cremation site whilst in the midst of Kirtan (sacred chants). Eldest son lights funeral pyre and appropriate scriptural passages are read by a priest.

Dharma:

• "Religious Duty"
• Sanatana-dharma: Souls never ending propensity to serve God. This is innate in all and is the underlying concept for religious acceptance of all kinds and issues related to equality.
• Varnashrama-dharma: Relates more to societal duties. This dharma divides labor and duties based on the four Varnas and Ashrams.
• Sadharana-dharma: General morality based on forbidden and recommended practices.
• Originally, dharma referred to leading a righteous life in accordance with natural laws and scriptural suggestions. Now it is different due to the large scale of hindus across the globe. It is hard to discern what behavior is both practical and righteous.
• Emphasizes personal responsibility which contradicts individual rights. Fulfilling ones duty subsequently fulfills others rights due to hinduism's world view of interdependence.

Varnas:

• Shudras (artisans and specialists)
• Purpose: To serve others, be loyal and proud of their work, to marry, to follow moral obligations such as not stealing.
• Vaishyas (farmers, merchants, business men)
• Purpose: Productive class, protect animals and land, create wealth and prosperity, take care of workers, trade ethically and pay taxes to Kshatriyas.
• Kshatriyas (warriors, police, administrators)
• Purpose: many, can not refuse a challenge, protect citizens from harm, first into battle, never flee battle, etc...
• Brhamanas (priests, teachers, intellectuals)
• Purpose: Study and teach Vedas, perform sacrifices and religious ceremonies, never accept paid employment, know brhama, etc...
• Overall Purpose of Varnas: To keep a functional society by fostering an environment of personal responsibility.

Ashrams:

• "A spiritual shelter"
• Four stages of life for specific types of spiritual growth.
• Brahmacari: Student life
• Purpose: be celibate, live simply, not have material or sensory pleasures, serve gurus, study Vedas, etc...
• Grihasta: Household life
• Purpose: make money, enjoy sense pleasure (within ethical guidelines), be married, raise family, etc...
• Vanaprashta: Retired life
• Purpose: Pilgrimage, austerity and penance, focus on religious matters
• Sannyasa: Renounced life
• Purpose: Control mind and senses, complete renunciation of the material world for full dependance on God, preach the importance of self realization and the truths of God.

12 Concepts of Hinduism

Atman:

The word means soul, but carries with it such important implications that it is the base on which Hinduism stands. The concept of Atman revolves around the idea that there is a true self (the atman) and a material world in which it is trapped. The soul is separate from the body and mind and is also trapped by both. The mind identifies self with body, and purpose within a material world, but the atman is absolved of such attachments and it is our goal as humans to free it from the clutches of samsara. To do this, one must reach a level of thought and action known as Krishna Consciousness. All forms of yoga and meditation are aimed at releasing the atman. Important also is the fact that the atman does not change. It always was, is and will be. Given that it is derived of Brahman, and Brahman exists since time immemorial and forever more, atman, by default, shares the same qualities of timelessness. This belief in unchanging self shapes the Hindu attitude towards issues such as respect for life, empathy and compassion, etc...

Reincarnation and Samsara:

• The travel of the soul from one body to another (reincarnation)
• Samsara is the cycle of birth, disease, old age and death in the material world
• Souls exist in everything, but to varying degrees of alertness. Lowest to highest is aquatics, plants reptiles/insects, birds, animals and then humans.
• The next body of the soul is determined by state of mind at death and karma

Law of Karma:

• Accumulates only in the human form. Other animals are bound by instinct and therefore take no moral decision.
• Karma elevates (good deeds), Vikarma degrades, Akarma is neutral and leads to liberation.
• This answers questions such as why bad things happen to good people (karma is worked off in the next life and therefore, when bad things happen they must be endured)
• Practices: Pious acts such as charity, penance and pilgrimage. Avoidance of acts which would neglect or abuse the 5 sections of society (women, children, animals, saintly people and the elderly).

Pakriti and Guna:

• Matter: undergoes 3 stages of existence which are creation, sustenance and inevitable destruction
• Guna: qualities of material nature, Passion (rajas) creates, Goodness (sattva) sustains and Ignorance (tamas) destroys.
• Guna explain all material phenomena. If one is immersed largely in Sattva will be reincarnated in heavenly planets, those in Rajas will remain in samsara and those in Tamas will be reincarnated lower in the chain of living.
• Combinations of Gunas can result in any kind of movement through the cycles and levels of existence.
• Each Guna is controlled by a god, Brhama, Vishnu, Shiva.

Maya: Illusion:

• Term used to describe the world in which the soul is trapped.
• Refers to the concept that the soul in Tamas identifies with the body and all matter connected to it. Race, religion, etc. The soul seeks simply to enjoy everything material no matter the consequence.
• In Rajas, the soul seeks to enjoy material things, but repents when it knows its done wrong
• In Sattva, the soul is immersed in righteous action, disregarding the material world and its benefits, and thus is on route to liberation.
• Pratices: Samanas remove themselves from the material world and live an ascetic lifestyle in order to refrain from falling into maya. Others simply engage in mind controlling meditation in order to consciously avoid Maya.

Moksha:

• Ultimate goal in life
• Unity with god (nature of the unity is debatable)
• Practices: Renunciation (in old age particularly) and anything designed to over come lust, anger and greed.

God:

• Percieved in three ways: Brahma is the all pervading aspect of god. He is everything. Antaryami is the part of god that resides within all living beings and Bhagavan is the more conventional view of god who is presiding over this universe.
• God is reached with philosophical study, yogic exercises and worship.
• Advaita are the monistic sects of hinduism which claim that there is one god, everyone's soul is a part of that god and all of the various representations of god are simply representations of the many aspects of God.
• Dvaita are the monotheistic sects, they claim that there is one distinct god with form, personhood, and action. He is distinct from the individual soul.
• Worship through Murti (sacred Images) is a large part of understanding these forms of God.

Dharma:

• Varnashrama: The frame work for the caste system
• Not a man made system, but a natural occurence in all societies to some extent.
• Each Varna has a Dharma, a specific attribute suited simply for that varna and no other (i.e. non-violence is a must in the priestly caste, but not acceptable for the warriors).
• Duty is important, it is necessary for everyone to realize their potential within their caste and act accordingly. (help society run smoothly)
• Sanatana: Religious Duty
• refers to the purpose of all things (fire is hot, sugar is sweet, etc)
• Duties which pertain to the atman. these are constant for all people.
• It is intrinsic in all beings to perform service and these duties transcend the temporary world.

One Goal, Different Paths:

• Moksha is the goal
• 4 steps to get there, Dharma (duty) leads to Artha (wealth) which leads to Kama (sensual pleasure) and then one realizes that all this is futile and seeks Moksha.
• the four goals are all necessary stepping stones in the quest for eternal peace, but everyone reaches these goals in a personalized manner.
• The process of reaching these goals is Yoga.

Scripture and Guru:

• Shastra is the written scripture
• Shabda-brhaman is the oral tradition and is the most reliable source of authority.
• Hinduism is not all that authoritative and encourages open ended philosophical exploration.

Kala: The Concept of Time:

• cyclical and eternal time is central to hindu belief (close to concept of atman)
• Time extends for ever forward and back.
• No judgement day concept. When the universe ends, it only leads to its re-creation
• Universe exists for lifetime of brhama (1 day = 1000 maha-yugas)
• Yuga is one age, there are four, successively shorter and more degraded
• Yugas: Satya, Dvapara, Treta, Kali.

Creation:

• Universe is created again and again
• Hinduism places emphasis on other planes of existence
• Three material worlds: Heavenly planets, earth, lower worlds.
• There are many enclosed material universes (like bubbles within bubbles)
• No clear account of creation

Houston Smith: Hinduism 1

What do people want?

According to Hinduism, people want many things, and they attain them in stages. The first thing people want is pleasure. Pleasure is a highly self centered goal, and thus is unsatisfactory, although should not be discouraged. Hinduism addresses the issues of desire as necessary, and if someone wants pleasure, they should seek it. After pleasure ceases to satisfy the individual, one's desires move on to Success (which consists of wealth, fame, and power). This is a slightly more sophisticated desire for it includes the lives of others, but like pleasure, it is an insatiable and dissatisfactory pursuit in the end. This is due to the fact that the quest for success is still self centered and highly competitive. If one seeks success and fame and money and whatnot, then they are attempting to better their own situation and in competition with everyone else on the same pursuit. These two desires comprise the concept of the Path of Desire, a rudimentary yet necessary part of gaining sophisticated thought on this issue and moving on to the next realm of thinking. Smith compares this transition to the way a child interacts with toys. The Path of Desire is necessary to develop the person and help them grow healthily, but at some point it must be outgrown for more complex and sophisticated pursuits. These pursuits are described as the Path of Renunciation. This path underlines the fact that the self is small, too small to sustain legitimate happiness when focused upon too much. Thus it renounces the importance of self in search of the more satisfying focus on community. Taking to the religion of Duty is the third great aim of life for Hindus. However, there remains one more item which people want according to Hinduism.

What do people REALLY want?

According to Hinduism, people really want infinite being, knowledge and bliss. More interestingly, Hinduism claims that people already possess these coveted qualities, but simply can not make it through the layers of superficial distractions in order to find them. According to Hinduism, the prior three desires are shallow ones, although worthy of exploration, and once it is realized that those three are not as satisfying as hoped, one will move on to realize the true desires in life. This desire is the one which satisfies the Atman.

Islam Concepts, Human Condition and The Afterlife

Human Condition:

In Islam, we are all born good in the eyes of God. This stands in contrast to Christianity’s original sin and likewise, the Muslim does not need to wash away the sins of the ancestors. The human condition is more that we have a tendency to behave in manners not in accordance with our goodness. This comes as the result of ghafla, the Muslim concept of human forgetfulness. We are said to forget our divine creation and stray from the right path, ignoring our fitrah (internal moral compass that pushes the human to do the right thing) and therefore becoming capable of committing acts which are to be considered bad or immoral. Humans struggle every day to keep on in the righteous direction, and are faced constantly with the choices of good and evil. This struggle is called The Greater Jihad and it takes place within every human being.

Where are we going?:

First, the dead soul awaits Yawmuddin (judgement day) in its grave, sitting until God decides that the world has reached an irreparable end. One’s akhira is judged and sent either to Jannah or Jahannam. In Islam, the concepts of Jannah and Jahannam are quite defined and explained in vivid detail. Jannah, or Paradise, is a kingdom in which the righteous dwell beside God in gardens of lushes vegetation and flowing rivers. It is the most amazing place to the Muslim and is the end goal. Jahannam (Hell) is a place quite the opposite of Jannah. In Jahannam, one encounters the stereotypic images of Hell. There is fire and brimstone, and torture chambers and ministers of torture. It is important to note that it is rare that someone be condemned to Jahannam for eternity. God has been known to send a semi-sinner down below for an indefinite amount of time and bring him back to Jannah once He feels the subject has learned their lesson. Those who remain in eternal torture were atrocious sinners; the worst of the worst.

How do we get there?:

The Qur’an lays down a specific and very straightforward path for practicing Muslims. If they choose to follow, then they can easily get into Jannah. However, one can just as easily get into Jahannam by not following the straightforward guidelines. One must abide by the 5 pillars in order to be judged favorably in the end, as well as the other tenets of God such as the ten commandments and the teachings of Jesus and other minor tenets from the Qur’an. If one disobeys (commits shirk, doesn’t give alms, etc…) then Jahannam is within spitting distance.

Huston Smith: Islam 4

Sufism:

*Like other religions, Islam has divided based on political lines, but this is not its main schism. The divide between the mystic Sufis and the rest of the Muslim population is much more unique and defining to the religion of Islam.

-Sufis want a direct spiritual connection to God via Love, Heart Knowledge, and Mind Knowledge.

-Sufis believe that loving God is the best way to reach him, however for every profession of love for God, God professes his love tenfold.

-Heart Knowledge is the concept of things one knows from the heart, they can "feel it" to be true. This knowledge claims to know God.

-Mind Knowledge consists of a form of mental focus allowing the Sufi to see through the veil of everything. This veil is said to disguise everything that God is. God is everything but resides beneath a disguise of material objects.

-Sufis sometimes claim to have some sort of exclusive right that other Muslims do not and they have made several claims considered blasphemous (such as "I am God")

Islamic Vocab Paragraphs

Imam, Medina, Muhammad:

Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, and his followers were facing severe persecution during their original existence in the city of Mecca. With the prospect of being wiped off the face of the planet (and therefore losing the word of God) staring him in the face, he decided to send his followers to Medina. Eventually he followed, bringing up the tail of the great migration and settling in Medina. Here he rallied his first, solid, large mass of adherents and his ideas became so popular that the city soon asked him to lead them as Head of State. He accepted and lead a harmonious society such had never before been seen in the area. His governance was directly influenced by his religion which was still developing, for God was still delivering him messages. These ideas were expressed through speeches and announcements to the people (as well as recorded in the Qur'an) and documented by memorizers. These statements and are now known as Hadiths and are studied by the Imams (Islamic theology experts/political leaders) as well as Muhammad's political conduct.

Ka'bah, Muezzin, Mihrab:

When the Muezzin makes his call to prayer, all Muslims within earshot join in the praying rituals. They all turn towards Mecca, or more specifically, the Ka'bah, a small black building on the site where Adam supposedly built the first building on earth and where Abraham and Ismail built their first building devoted to God. Subsequently, it is called the "House of God" and all Muslims pray facing this monument. To help them orient themselves, Mosques and prayer rugs have been endowed with a Mihrab, a notch or arrow or marking of some sort aimed at Mecca. Of course in the Mosque it is a fixed piece of the building, but on the rugs it is important for the believers to have a keen sense of direction in relation to Mecca.

Shi'a, Ummah, Sunni:

After Muhammad's passing, Islam lacked a leader. Though still adhering to the tenets of the Qur'an, and using the book for guidance, the religion lacked an earthly figurehead. Thus was the rise of Islam's primary sects, The Shi'a and the Sunni. This subdivided the Islamic Ummah and although they are still united under the same banner, sectarian violence has ensued. The division was based on who would lead the Islamic people after Muhammad's death. Shi'a believed that the direct descendants of Muhammad should take over while the Sunni believed that the people should vote on their leader. And it was so that in an attempt to keep Islam unified, to protect the Ummah, that it suffered its first split.

Huston Smith: Islam 3

The Five Pillars:

* The Five Pillars of Islam are designed to constantly force the Muslim to think outside of themselves and recognize their position as a human being.

- Accepting one God as the lord of all puts many at ease. To recognize who is in control allows humans to relax and let someone else drive.

- Praying is aimed at keeping life in perspective and remembering that Allah is always in control. He is forever our sovereign.

- Praying also provides the sense of overwhelming brotherhood, for muslims all around the world are praying to the same place at the same time.

- Alms are implemented implicitly to relieve human suffering. 2.5% of a persons holdings should be delegated to the poor.

- Fasting outlines human's fragility and dependence on God as well as underscoring the true meaning of hunger, helping the Muslim to understand why giving alms is so important. If you know what it is to be hungry, you will be less apt to let your fellow man go hungry.

Social Teachings:

* Islam's social teachings are aimed primarily at creating an atmosphere of brotherly and sisterly love.

- Economic principles focus on keeping wealth balanced and/or constantly circulating through society.

- Muhammad greatly improved the status of women in society, although he wouldn't necessarily be considered a feminist by today's standards.

- He did not terminate polygamy, but limited it to only 4 wives and that the only way a man can have more than 1 is if he is capable of distributing love and attention in a completely fair and equal manner.

- Women received pretty much all the same marriage rights as men (right to divorce and whatnot).

- Islam is quite clear in declaring racial equality of all peoples.

- The Qur'an does not condemn nor condone violence completely. It allows violence in "self defense" (a term easily interpreted in many ways), but note that "God hates the aggressor" This demolishes most stereotyopes about Islam being spread by the sword.

Huston Smith: Islam 2 Huston Smith: Islam 2

The Standing Miracle

* The Qur'an is magnificent to Muslims due to its language, its production (the way in which it came to be) and its straight forward content.

-Muhammad considered the Qur'an to be the only miracle God worked through him because of his illiteracy and lack of schooling. It was astonishing that a man of such little education would produce such a beautiful document.

-The Qur'an is the earthly representation of God and his will, much like Jesus was the incarnation of God.

-A large portion of the Qur'an's ability to move people lies within the poetic manner in which it is presented, a quality only expressed when read in Arabic. Along with the fear of losing meanings through translation, this is one of the reasons the Qur'an has never been translated as a holy text. If one wants to read the Holy Qur'an, it must be done in Arabic.

-The Qur'an does not base its theology in narratives full of drama and metaphysical allegory. It is overwhelmingly doctrinal, expressing the direct will of Allah. This helps to minimize confusion and sectarian discrepancies.

-With all these considered, Muslims take to Qur'an to be the book "whereof there is no doubt," making it the ultimate source of truth and therefore, central to the practicing Muslim.

Basic Theological Concepts

* Islam, at its base, is highly similar to its two Semitic predecessors, Judaism and Christianity. This can be seen in its most fundamental theological concepts of God, Creation, the Human Self and Judgment Day.

-God is feared in Islam, but in a good way. It is seen as the only appropriate emotion to feel towards God when humans are faced with the weight of being human and not divine.

-God is one and omnipotent.

-God is most merciful and loving, but also just.

-Creation was a deliberate act of God, therefore casting the world in a specific light. This light illuminates the fact that the world of matter is important and real and that said world is good.

-Humans are good but are subject to ghaflah, or forgetfulness and need constant reminding to stay on the right path.

-Humans must be grateful for the gift of life and must also surrender to their maker.

-Heaven and hell are described vividly, creating a contrast designed to pull the reader out of ghaflah.

-Judgement is carried out by Allah and will determine your residence for the totality of eternity.

Huston Smith: Islam 1

Seal of the Prophets:
* Muhammad emerged as the perfect candidate for prophet for 3 reasons: he was a humble and modest human being, times were ripe for change, and his character was in agreement with what God had to say.
- Muhammad is the "seal of the prophets", the last in the line of God's messangers.
- Mecca was living a hedonistic and greed motivated life along with tribal factions starting wars on a frequent basis. The situation was grave and Muhammad knew it. He wanted a way to repair the broken systems of his society.
- Muhammad was a man (important for all prophets that they are human) of outstanding moral conduct.
- He received the revelation initially from the Arch Angel Gabriel declaring God as one and powerful, the creator.
- Muhammad's teachings disrupted society and did not set well with the leaders of Mecca because they threatened their profits and their leisurely lifestyles. Also, they did not sit well with the people of Mecca because it challenged a social order that had been in effect for decades.

The Migration that Led to Victory:
*The migration is regarded as one of the most important events in Islamic history because it saved the religion as well as helped to spread the word of Allah and outline Muhammad as an even more worthy prophet in the subsequent years of his leadership in Medina.
- Meccan nobility began by mocking the Muslims, then by assaulting them in the streets and eventually moved up to full fledged persecution. However, in the face of such adverse conditions, the Muslims had a conviction about them that allowed them to retain the faith.
- Through pilgrimages and Muhammad sending families of the Islamic community on mini migrations to escape persecution, the messages of Muhammad had reached a small population of important people in the town of Yathrib (Medina).
- Yathrib asked Muhammad to come to their city and help them clean up their act (they were experiencing several of the same problems as in Mecca). He eventually ended up as the head of state in Medina.
- He was revered as an excellent head of state, a testament to his character, for he was able to weave the 5 major tribes of the area into one community, achieving a level of peace between such diverse a group (Jews, Polytheists, Muslims, etc.) never seen in the region.
- He is now considered one of the most (if not the most) influential person in history, successfully spreading his word far and wide, a feat that found its roots in the migration.

Compare and Contrast: Mark vs Matt

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem:

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is quite different in detail between the two stories, however the overarching theme within them is almost exactly the same. In Mark, Jesus enters Jerusalem, takes his colt, and heads straight to the temple with praise along the way by the people in the streets. This is the same as in Matt, however Matt adds a few interesting details, along with a wholly different section about how Jesus was received at the temple.
Matt's account makes a specific note on how Jesus asking for the colt fulfills a once revealed prophecy about the savior, making sure that the reader knows that Jesus is the real deal. To emphasize this point further, he adds an encounter in which one town's person asks another who the man on the colt is. The person replies enthusiastically that it is "the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." Just driving home the point that Jesus is in some way more significant than anyone really knows yet. Then, he adds another piece to the story which Mark did not have, and that is the arrival at the Temple. In this scenario, Matt portrays Jesus as he cleanses the temple and then performs miracles, once again, seeming to focus on Jesus as a magic man or prophet than just Jesus as a man the way Mark portrays him. However, the theme of humility remains the same in both stories. By having Jesus enter on a colt, it lowers him to human status, outlining his ever important humanity. Both stories do this, however Matt likes to run with his other more divine side a bit more than Mark did.

The Crucifixion:

These two stories are almost identical, with very little variance between them. Both have Simon carrying the cross, Jesus enduring the full extent of suffering by refusing the wine. Also the charge against him reads simply King of the Jews, something used by the writers to highlight the non-criminal aspect of his crime. He then, in order to create more contrast, is placed between two robbers. After being berated by the town's folk and the guards and the two robbers, Jesus also does not come down or is not delivered from the cross. This is to illustrate that Jesus is a sacrifice. It is God's will that this happen in order to atone for man's sins, not an act of man which God is not concerned with. Both stories have the same details (minus the myrrh/gall and wine) and have the same overarching point that Jesus was a sacrifice dying for man, bearing the full brunt of suffering in the most miserable manner imaginable at that time, all at God's will.

Huston Smith: Christianity 2

1) Here, Smith is referring to Jesus' following. He means to say that Jesus' had such an impact and had endowed the Church with the Holy Spirit, therefore, even though he had died, his followers were still capable of doing good deeds and spreading the word of God.

2) The three most important tenets of Christianity, as Smith sees, them are The Incarnation, Atonement, and The Trinity.

3) People have a tendency to gravitate towards the more earthly principles in any situations, things they can identify with. This means that when told a story, it is much easier for the human brain to accept the morals and the lessons embedded within it and cast out the mythical parts as additives or ornamentation, things included simply to increase the awesomeness of the tale. That is why more people focus on the teachings of Jesus rather than the mythical aspects of the religion. This brings up the issue of almost having two religions within Christianity, one centered around the ethics of Jesus and another around the theological aspects of his life. This is the distinguishing line between the religion OF Jesus and the religion ABOUT Jesus. Jesus' personal religion was focused on having love in one's heart and doing good deeds on earth, more ethical matters than the religion created about Jesus after he died, claiming his magnificence because of the mystical, other-worldly things he was said to have done. This divide causes some controversy because of the difference in emphasis. Some say you must believe in Jesus' and his Godliness to be admitted into heaven, whereas others believe you must simply follow his moral compass.

4) Smith claims the spiritual experience to be the greatest because, as "faith's focal point is a vision of reality that sets morality in motion" one must experience these invisible feelings of greatness and love said to be found within morality in order to achieve the coveted vision of reality. Seeing as we are dealing with intangible things, it is an imperative to actually feel something towards these intangible things.

5) The Doctrine of Incarnation is the belief that Jesus was God Incarnate. He was literally all God and all Human (minus sin).

6) The assertion of Jesus' complete divinity and complete humanity was upheld because to claim one or the other or a little of both was to either (on the side of humanity) declare that his life was not normative or (on the side of divinity) separate his example from humanity, making his example not fully relevant.

7) Docetic Heresy is the notion that God merely feigned to brush with humanity, but it was really a farce. In other-words, to deny the Doctrine of Incarnation.

8) Atonement in Christianity is God reconciling the world by giving up his son. Also, it refers to a process by which a follower makes amends and redeems themselves for wrongdoings.

9) The legalistic metaphor is akin to a system of justice. Adam sinned against God, an infinite sin requiring infinite punishment. Thus God vicariously canceled the sin debt through the Person of Christ.

10) Smith refers to our bondage as the estrangement from the Divine and the confines of our egos. Christ was sent to bring us closer to God and away from ourselves. Through Christ, God accomplished his mission in awakening the souls of the earth and bringing them back to him.

11) Historically, the Jews believed wholeheartedly in the existence of God the overlord, invisible but all encompassing. Thus, when Jesus came along, believed to be God Incarnate, he was easily assigned the role of the Son (of God). The Holy Spirit arrived later with the arrival of Pentecost, but Jesus' teachings of God within the individual fortified this idea of God being the feeling of life within man. This trinity is essential because of the basis in love. If love is nothing without love returned, then God must have had others to share his relationship with, even in the beginning of his existence. Therefore, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit were together from the get-go and are in essence, the same as each other.

Huston Smith: Christianity 1

What is the Christ of Faith?

The Christ of Faith is the image of Jesus developed after his death, the one placing upon him the qualities of a deity, the son of God. This image came about due to three main factors according to Smith. These factors are his actions, his words, and the way he was received by his followers. The way the bible describes his actions is as "good". He did good (a quality instantly attributed to God in Genesis). His actions were so good that it shocked a lot of people that there was actually a person on earth capable of such benevolence. His words were another key part of his Godly image. The things he said coincided completely with his actions. He loved everyone wholly and equally, always reflected upon himself before commenting on others and pushed people to experience the love of God. He personalized the religion as well, telling people that God was within their own hearts. This helped to simply gain followers and attribute the discovery of God's love to Jesus (someone who obviously felt it to its full extent). Lastly, he was received as something otherworldly. This type of action and speech had never before been seen and was truly astonishing to the people of the time. It is not a far stretch to see how Jesus' followers concluded that he was a direct descendant of God, for if something this good existed, it must have been a manifestation of God.

What is the Good News?

The Good News (Gospel) means the words of love spread by Jesus and his followers and its subsequent joy. The Christians of the era were condemned to secrecy, for they were a persecuted people, and even in the face of adverse treachery, they sang songs and expressed profuse love for all, even those from whom the persecution came. This good news was the news of God's love. Pure as all else, this love was freeing. It absolved the early Christians of three of the largest human ailments: fear, guilt, and self. This love was consoling, eliminating fears of death, for if you are loved for eternity, on earth or in the spirit realm, death no longer becomes an object to fear. It also eliminated guilt. Not only did this extreme and intense love cause the disciples to behave better towards all (therefore creating less to feel guilty about in reference to the treatment of others), it also created the feeling of a life fulfilled, leaving nothing to be sorry about, for one had reached his ultimate goal. Lastly, it eliminated ego. This love was non-discriminatory, therefore believers and feelers of the love felt themselves level with all around them, equals in the eyes of God. Eliminating these main human afflictions opened up the doorway for an elation so strong, most are incapable of imagining it. This was the good news. God was love, he was within all, Jesus was the example of love, and if you could find this love in yourself, then you will be truly happy and joyous.

Themed Paragraphs: Christianity

Concept of God:
Words: Trinity, Incarnation, Redemption, Salvation, Grace, Logos, Christ, Miracle, Cosmogony.

The simple definition of the concept of God in Christianity is that God is a single entity, all powerful, all loving, most just, and most right. The idea of Cosomogony illustrates God's greatness and power. This theory is based on the fact that God created the heavens and the earth and everything within the universe, making him Lord of all things. However, there are many more layers to this God, much more than just the Ruler of All. God has a personality as defined by his grace and logos. This concept is similar to that of the Jewish concept of God, for God is loving and graceful, providing his subjects with undeserved divine favor allowing for the justification and sanctification of sinners. He is also the God of ultimate justice, possessing the powers of logos, ultimate reason. God manifests himself in a trinity (Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost) in Christianity, solidifying his position in every aspect of human life. He is the Father, stern and loving, he is the Son (represented through Christ, the incarnation of God, who, after death, became the savior of all human kind, offering up himself for the redemption of man), and he is the Holy Spirit, something Jesus preached was within all humans. Unlike the God in the Old Testament, the christian God is not so involved physically in history, however, he intervenes via miracles in the lives of everyone (the grandeur of miracles vary). Miracles are certain happenings that are inexplicable within the human reason, thus they are acts of God, divine intervention in the everyday lives of man.

The Human Condition:
Words: Sin, Atonement, Repentance, Redemption.

Humans are born with "original sin" or a tendency to sin, to commit acts not in accordance with the divine entity (collective moral rule). Sin is resolvable, though through a process of atonement, repentance, and redemption. Humans, to be redeemed, must first atone for their sins. In other words, they must make a concerted effort to right their wrongs. This promotes good behavior within the religion, forcing those to recognize when they are wrong and then take the necessary measures to correct it. Repentance is another part of seeking redemption. One must feel remorse for their wrongdoings, and express their remorse to God, in order to repent their sins. After repenting and atoning for ones sins, redemption may be granted. Their is a clause though, christian redemption can be given only by God and one must accept God and Jesus as lord and savior (some sects have done away with this and think that simply being a good person is enough to redeem yourself).

Goal for Humans:
Words:Kingdom of God, Heresy, Agape, Sacrement

The goal for humans in Christianity can be divided into two (and a half) sections, Earthly Goals and the Afterlife/Apocalypse (the former helps to achieve the latter). The earthly goals consist of following the example of Jesus and being as christ-like as possible (What would Jesus do?) as well as pleasing God and forming a close fellowship with Him. To do this, one avoids heresy, the actions or teachings not in correspondence with the true doctrines of the religion. Other actions to obtain a Christ-like persona would be adhering to the tenets of Agape. Agape is the idea of an all encompassing love. Love for all religions, and all of humanity, something Christ embodied all the way throughout his crucifixion. These moral codes help one to emulate Christ to the best of their ability, which is good in God's eyes however there is also a ritualistic manner in which one may profess their love for Lord and savior. These rituals are called sacraments (i.e. Baptism, communion, etc.). These sacraments are not only physical manifestations of love for God and Jesus, but also experiences designed to bring one closer to God, to strengthen one's fellowship with Him.
The afterlife/apocalypse part of the goals are the more long-term sections. What happens when we die? For a christian, hopefully the ascension of your soul to heaven to dwell in the Heavenly Kingdom of God (different from the Kingdom of God for the term Kingdom of God has evolved over time). Once dead, one is Judged by God and admittance into heaven is either granted or denied. The apocalyptic goal is to bring about the Kingdom of God. This term used to refer to the concept of heaven, however now, it refers to a time when God's rule will become apparent, and a Kingdom of God will descend upon earth bringing with it the ultimate Peace and Justice. The beginning of this period will be marked with the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Eschatology/Cosmogony/Cosmology:
Words: Cosmogony, Cosmololgy, Eschatology, Ecumenism, Church.

Genesis focuses on the creation of the universe and the nature of God's creations, or christian Cosmogony and Cosmology.Christian Cosmogony refers to the fact that God created the universe less than 10,000 years ago, and, along with it, Humans. Cosmology has to do with the nature of the universe. The universe is good, for God created, all except for humans. Humans are the only of God's creation that do not follow the cosmological rule and stray from the path of goodness. These two concepts, in a way, birth another two concepts in Christianity. This straying from the path brings up the study of Eschatology (doctrines dealing with the end of things. Afterlife, Apocalypse, Judgment, etc...), for when one is not good, it leaves their eternal fate up in the air, to be decided by God. The idea of Cosmogony brings up Ecumenism. Everything was created at the same time under the same God, lending itself to a kind of Unity under God. Ecumenism is the idea of religious unity of all of God's subjects, however today is used in a more narrow sense pertaining to a unity under specific sects of the faith. This unity is represented through the Church which can mean anything to the collective group of believers, all the way down to a specific building for followers of a certain location to congregate. Nevertheless, the idea of church is to portray a sense of community amongst believers and perpetuate the ecumenical ideals of the faith.

Many Faces of Jesus: Arrest and Execution

I read several of the articles containing descriptions of Jesus' execution as well as some regarding his behavior before execution. Jesus had participated in a large Passover festival in Jerusalem shortly before his death. These events generally caused unrest within the Roman government because when a large population of like minded subjects got together, it was not a far stretch to assume some kind of rebellion was afoot. Later, Jesus began preaching his views and behaving outside the bounds of the social norm throughout the entire area of Judea. This upset a lot Jews and ultimately lead to Jesus being turned in to the Romans (It is not quite clear whether or not someone actually told the Romans that Jesus was "causing problems" or if the Romans just figured he could be a source of unrest within their empire, either way, the end result was the same). So Jesus ended up on the cross. Crucifixion was used, at the time, as a way to publicly humiliate the offenders and set an example for the rest of the population. To crucify someone was actually a carefully planned process which involved contorting a person's body in such a manner that they actually crushed their own lungs and slowly, over the course of a couple of days, asphyxiated whilst the officers whipped and tortured the offender. This is how Jesus was killed.

I think that this violently brutal execution helped to Idolize Jesus as a figure in the christian faith. It serves not as an example of what not to do in order to avoid punishment by the Romans rather serves to make the Jews and Romans look like the bad guys and prove Jesus' love. For if he went through all that suffering for us, he must be truly compassionate. (or so may be the thought process of a believer)