Nov 1-4

Monday:

Buddhism- Mongolia

The eight fold path

Summary

Buddhists believe in reincarnation
- one must stop the cycle of rebirth as a suffering, selfish individual, and must attain Nirvana
- about 1 % of Americans are Buddhism

Buddhism vs Hinduism

In common: Reincarnation, Karma, Dharma

Not in common: Caste system, Hindu gods, Hindu priesthood

Buddhism Info

Worship practices
- Meditation- deep thought and reflection
- Importance of the lotus flower
  - Believer can blossom while rooted in the impurity of the word

The Dalai Lama- the present spiritual leader of Buddhism

Islam

Location

Islam Info

The Islamic crescent and star is the international symbol for Islam
Islam means "Submission to Allah) in Arabic
"Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the one true god"
Muslims believe that the Quran is God's word as revealed to the prophet Muhammad (570-632 AD) through the angel Gabriel
Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, although they do believe that he was a prophet
Islam is very family-oriented
The primary means of transmitting the religion are through the Family
Muslims are people that practice Islam
.6% of US adults follow Islam

The 2 main sects of Islam

Sunni (tradition) and Shiite
one of their main differences is in their beliefs about who were the leaders following the death of Prophet Muhammad
Sunni, from the Arabic word for "tradition" accepted the succession of Muhammad's elected successors
- The majority of Muslims in the world today are Sunnis
Shiite, from the Arabic word for "faction" believe that leaders must be descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and her husband Ali.
- They rule Iran and also have a sizable presence in Iraq and Syria

History of Islam

Founded in 622 AD
Founded by Muhammad in Saudi Arabia
- Muhammad is considered to be a prophet, a messenger of Allah (God)
Two Major Sects (split c. 650CE)
- Sunni
- Shi'a (or Shiite)

5 Pillars of Islam

1. Shahada (witness) is the Muslim Profession of faith

- "I witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah"

Muslims say this when they wake up in the morning and just before they go to sleep at night

2. Salat (Daily prayer) is a prayer ritual performed 5 times a day by all Muslims over the age of 10

3. Sawm (fasting) is abstaining each day suring Ramadan

Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It marks when Muhammad had the quran revealed to him
Sawm helos Muslims develop self control, gain a better understanding of God's gifts and greater compassion towards the deprived
Not only is food forbidden between dawn and sunset, but also things like smoking, chewing gum, negative thoughts and sexual activity

4. Zakat (almsgiving) is giving money to the poor

5. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all physically/financially able Muslims should make at least once in their life

Mecca is the most holy place for Muslims
takes place during days 8-13 of the 12th month of the Islamic Lunar calendar
They circle the Kaaba seven times, say prayers, drink from a holy spring, walk to Mount Arafat to pray, feast, cast stones at three pilllars (to fight satan's temptations) shave hair and run between some hills

Islamic law

Sharia Law outlines laws for Muslims and is based from the Quran
Many African and middle Eastern Countries laws are based on Sharia Law
5 major crimes:
- Theft, highway robbery, intoxication, adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery

Food laws

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