Monday: No school
Tuesday: Past out report cards. Forum post leaders talked about their stories. Took notes.
Wednesday: Took notes. Test on Friday
Thursday: Took notes and reviewed some for the test.
Friday:
Buddhism: China, Thailand, Cambodia, Southeast Asia
Siddartha Gautama (Buddha) was founder of Buddhism in 560 BC
No god
Buddha means “the awakened one”
Wheel- has spokes and every one stands for one of the eightfold path
He grew up in a wealthy family but decided to follow a path of self-denial
He did not find truth until he sat down under a tree, now known as the Bo tree
There he was “enlightened” and obtained the knowledge he had been looking for
He discovered four noble truths and the Eightfold Path to Nirvana, or ultimate bliss
The Four Noble Truths
Existence is suffering
The cause of suffering is craving and attachment
Suffering ceases at some point and turns to Nirvana
There is a path to Nirvana which is made up of 8 steps called the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path
Right view
Right intentions
Right speech
Right Action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right concentration
Right mindfulness
Buddhists believe in reincarnations
One must stop the cycle of rebirth as suffering, selfish individual, and must attain Nirvana
About 1% of Americans are Buddhist
Similar to Hinduism
Similar:
Reincarnations
Karma
Dharma
Different:
Caste System
Hindu Gods
Hindu priesthood
Buddhism Information:
Worship practices
Meditation- deep thought and reflection
Importance of the lotus flower- Believer can blossom while rooted in the impurity of the world
Major Buddhist Sects
Theravada
As close as possible to Buddha’s teachings
Mahayana
More accepting of the changing world
The Dalai Lama- the present spiritual leader of Buddhism
14th Dalai Lama
Has been DL since 1950
Has been exile in India since 1959
Islam: Middle East, North Africa, Indonesia
Started in 1980’s when we helped the rebels fight the communists in afghanistan
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 he wa a prophet
Islam is very family-oriented
The primary means of transmitting the religion are through the family
Muslims are people that practice Islam
The word “Muslim” means one who who submits to the will of God, regardless of his/her race, nationally or ethnic background
Any person who is ready to submit to the will of God is eligible to become a Muslim
.6% of U.S. adults follow Islam
There are two main sects of Islam: Sunni and Shiite
One of their main difference is in their beliefs about who were the leaders following the death of Prophet Muhammed
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 sizeable presence in Iraq and Syria
5 Pillars of Islam
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”
Say this when they wake up and before they go to bed
Salat(daily prayer) is a prayer ritual performed 5 times a day by all Muslims over the age of 10
Face the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Sawm(fasting) is abstaining each day during Ramadan
Ramadan is the holiest day for Islam. It marks when Muhammad had the Quran revealed to him
Sawm helps 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
Zakat(almsgiving) is giving money to the poor
This is a compulsory gift of 2.5% of one’s savings each year
Giving in this way is intended to free Muslims from the love of money
It reminds them that everything they have really belongs to God
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all physically/financially able Muslims should make at least once in their lifetimes
Mecca is the most holy place for Muslims
Takes place during days 8-13 of the 12th month of the Islamic Lunar calendar
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
The “belief” component of Shariah commands Muslims to believe in God, the angels, prophets, etc.
In terms of “character,” Shariah commands Muslims to strive for traits like humility and kindness, and to avoid traits such a lying and pride
“Actions” include those relating to God, such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage, as well as actions relating to other humans, such as marriage, crime, and business
5 Major crimes
Theft, highway robbery, intoxication adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery
Food Laws
Very similar laws to the Jewish Kosher food
No alcohol, pork, blood, no pork fat products
Issues facing Islam today:
Radical Islamic Terrorist
Isis
Al-Qaeda
Racial profiling in US
Women’s rights
Burning with acid- throwing acid on someone, usually women
Honor killings- usually within the family for dishonoring the family
A year ago women could vote
Why do Muslim Women Wear Burkas?
The Koran calls for both men and women to ‘cover and be modest’
The Koran does not explicitly say you have to cover yourself in burkas (etc.)
Dress is open to interpretation and has been shaped by centuries of cultures in different nations
- Some scholars argue that it is a religious obligation, particularly the more conservative factions within the Muslim world
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