Monday- no school
Tuesday- notes
Wednesday- notes
Thursday- finish notes
Friday- test
Buddhism
Siddharth Gautama (Buddha) was the founder of Buddhism in 560 BC
Buddha means “the awakened one”
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 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
Four Noble truth of Buddhism
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- the wheel with spokes
Right view
Right intentions
Right speech
Right action
Right livelihood
Right effort
Right concentration
Right mindfulness
Believe in reincarnation
One must stop the cycle of rebirth as a suffering, selfish individual, and must attain Nirvana
About 1% of americans are buddhist
Differences of Buddhism and Hinduism
Same- reincarnation, karma, dharma
Worship practices
Meditation- deep thought and reflection
Importance of the lotus flower
Believer can blossom while rooted in the impurity of the world
The Dalai Lama- the present spiritual leader of Buddhism
Islam
Crescent and star is the international symbol for Islam
Islam means “submission to (allah) in Arabic
Allah is the arabic word which means “one true god”
Muslims believe that eh Quran is god's world as related to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel
Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, although they do believe he was a prophet
Family oriented
Primary means of transmitting the religion are through the family
Muslims are people that practice Islam
The world “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of Gods, regardless of their race, nationality, or ethnic group
.6% of the US adults follow Islam
Indonesia, middle east
There are two main sects of Islam: Sunni and Shiite
Shiite- iran and iraq
Difference in their beliefs about who were the leaders following the death of Prophet Muhammad
Sunni, accepted the succession of Muhammad's elected successors
Majority of Muslim in the world today are Sunnis
Shiite 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. They say their faith. Said when they wake up in the morning and just before they go to sleep at night.
Salat (daily prayer) Is a prayer ritual performed 5 times a day by all muslims under the age of 10
Sawm (fasting) is abstaining each day during Ramadan
Ramadan is the holiest day for Isla. it marks when Muhammad had the Quran revealed to him
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) Giving 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- 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 pillars (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
Theft, highway robbery, intoxication, adultery and falsely accusing another of adultery
Food laws are similar to Jewish food laws
Issues facing Islam Today
Radical Islamic Terrorists
ISIS
Al-Qaeda
Racial profiling in US
Women's rights
Belief- component of Shariah commands Muslims to believe in God, the angels and prophets
Character- strive for traits like humility and kindness and to avoid things like lying and pride
Action- those relating to God like prayer, fasting and pilgrimage as well as actions relating to other humans such as marriage and crims and business
Why do women wear Burkas
Koran calls for both women and men to cover and be modest
Does not explicitly say you have to cover yourself in Burkas
Dresses 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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