WORLD RELIGIONS (HRT3M)

 

Student Name: 
BRUCE J. ROFFEY

 

 

Topic #:  Early Religions

 

Teacher Notes

Student Notes

Zoroastrianism

 

Question 1:  What did Zoroaster discover after he went off to think about the way the world worked?

 

Answer:  

·        Revelation from Ahura Mazda

·        Instead of many gods there was only one God – Ahura Mazda

 

 

Question 1:  What did Zoroaster discover after he went off to think about the way the world worked?

 

Answer:  

Your Answer Here

 

 

Question 2:  What is the most important symbol in Zoroastrianism and what does it symbolize?

 

Answer: 

·        Fire

·        Represents eternal, divine presence of Ahura Mazda

·        Energy of the creator, life-sustaining, radiant, purity

·        Demonstrated by constantly burning flame in the Zoroastrian fire temples

 

 

Question 2:  What is the most important symbol in Zoroastrianism and what does it symbolize?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 3:  In Zoroastrianism, who were the two original spirits?

 

Answer: 

·        Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu

 

Question 3:  In Zoroastrianism, who were the two original spirits?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 4:  What happened when the two spirits confronted each other?

 

Answer: 

·        They each chose “life” and “non-life” so that when the cycle of life is finished there would be “worst” existence for those who do evil, and “best” existence for those who do good.

 

Question 4:  What happened when the two spirits confronted each other?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 5:  What is a dakhma?

 

Answer: 

·        Circular, open-air structure with high walls for the disposal of dead bodies

·        Built on high, rocky ground, away from population centres

 

Question 5:  What is a dakhma?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 6:  With reference to the dakhma, outline the way the Zoroastrians deal with the death of a member of their community.

 

Answer: 

·        body is taken to dakhma and placed there.

·        Combination of natural elements (sun’s rays) and scavenging birds (e.g. vultures) descend on and consume the corpse thus disposing of the bodies flesh

·        Remaining bones are swept into a specially constructed well in the centre of the dakhma

·        No contamination of the environment

·        Soul is released from its body

·        In Canada, Canadian burial practices are followed, usually cremation with ashes spread on communal field

·        Burial is also acceptable in Canada

 

Question 6:  With reference to the dakhma, outline the way the Zoroastrians deal with the death of a member of their community.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 7:  Where does the soul of an individual journey after physical death?

 

Answer: 

·        Guardian spirit accompanies soul to place called “Bridge of the Separator”.

·        Final judgement where good deeds are weighed against evil

·        Person walks bridge which widens or narrows according to one’s deeds.

·        Wider path allows one to cross to heaven, accompanied by Zoroaster

·        Narrow path – person stumbles into abyss of hell.

 

Question 7:  Where does the soul of an individual journey after physical death?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 8:  Opinion:  State two reasons why the battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu is relevant to your everyday life.

 

Answer: 

·        Varying answers

·        Possible elements

o       Temptation or conscience (Devil made me do it.  Flip Wilson)

o       Tension between peer pressure and personal conscience

o       Struggle between friends and parents

o       Sense of guilt

o       Following the right path makes the world a better place and our individual lives better.

 

Question 8:  Opinion:  State two reasons why the battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu is relevant to your everyday life.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Jainism

Question 9:  What is the connection between Jainism and Hinduism?

 

Answer: 

·        Jainism grew out of Hinduism (like Buddhism)

·        Mahavira didn’t found a new religion but tried to re-establish the original teachings

·        Emphasis on asceticism and meditation as ways to reach enlightenment.

·        Both encompass the entirely of one’s life

·        Both share the concepts of karma, reincarnation and moksha.

·        Abandoned other concepts of Hinduism including gods?

Question 9:  What is the connection between Jainism and Hinduism?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 10:  What is ahimsa?

 

Answer: 

·        Art of non-violence, including all life forms

·        More than physical violence, includes mental and emotional violence

·        Not engaging in practices that may harm the earth

·        Extends to entirety of one’s life

Question 10:  What is ahimsa?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 11:  Why is ahimsa so important?

 

Answer: 

·        Affects the entirety of one’s life

·        active expression of religious practice for Jains

·        Led to human rights movements

·        Affected the tactics of various political movements, e.g. Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

·        Helped to effect political changes such as the liberation of India and civil rights reforms in the United States

·        Led to spread of vegetarianism

·        Emphasized responsibility for the environment

·         

Question 11:  Why is ahimsa so important?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 12:  Give two examples of how Jain monks or nuns practice ahimsa.

 

Answer: 

·        sweeping seat before sitting to avoid killing insects

·        wearing masks

·        avoiding travel, especially during holy season of Caturmas

Question 12:  Give two examples of how Jain monks or nuns practice ahimsa.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 13:  According to Jain tradition, what is jiva?  Where does the jiva reside?

 

Answer: 

·        jiva is the soul or spirit

·        resides in every living thing, indeed all things, in atoms themselves (atomism)

·        therefore everything is composed of spirit, the total of the spirits of the composing atoms

Question 13:  According to Jain tradition, what is jiva?  Where does the jiva reside?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 14:  How does the symbol of Jainism (page 74) capture the spirit of Jainism?

 

Answer: 

·        shape = the shape of the universe (person standing legs apart, hands on hips)

·        swastika = 4 types of rebirth, wheel of rebirth, samsara

·        three dots = jewels of Jain philosophy

o       Right Faith

o       Right Knowledge

o       Right Conduct

·        Half-moon = abode for the liberated souls

·        Dot in half-moon is the liberated pure soul

·        Hand = blessing and protection

·        Wheel = 24 spokes for 24 Jinas

·        Word ‘ahimsa’ is inscribed

·        Phrase at the bottom “Parasparopagraho Jivanam” = “the purpose of human beings is to assist each other”

Question 14:  How does the symbol of Jainism (page 74) capture the spirit of Jainism?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 15:  Explain the ritual of sallekhana.  What is your considered opinion of this spiritual practice?

 

Answer: 

·        Holy and sacred practice of deliberate, gradual fasting

·        Ultimate renunciation of world possessions

·        Opportunity for full meditative awareness

·        Not self-destruction or suicide

·         

What do you think?

Question 15:  Explain the ritual of sallekhana.  What is your considered opinion of this spiritual practice?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 16:  What disagreement led to the formation of the two Jain sects?

 

Answer: 

1.     nature of Mahavira

o       sky-clad => more godly than human

o       white-clad => ordinary life achieving liberation as a natural part of life

2.     wearing of clothing (real dividing point)

o       300CE some went south during a famine, when they returned the monks were not wearing some white clothing

o       sky-clad => no clothing for monks as expression of renunciation of worldly possessions

o       white-clad => simple white clothing

Note:  sky-clad are clothed in public and women are excluded.  Women can’t achieve liberation.

Question 16:  What disagreement led to the formation of the two Jain sects?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 17:  Opinion:  What changes would you have to make in your life if you were to follow the Five Practices of Jainism?

 

Answer: 

·        vegetarian

·        or less beef

·        simpler lifestyle

·        quit aggressive sports

·        change many everyday encounters

·        amend your vocabularies

·        changing your favourite movies, or television shows

·        more moral life

Question 17:  Opinion:  What changes would you have to make in your life if you were to follow the Five Practices of Jainism?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Taoism

Question 18:  What is Tao?

 

Answer: 

·        literally the Way

·        force that exists now and has always existed

·        great silent source of harmony

·        force that existed before all things

o       gave birth to one

o       gave birth to two = opposites

o       gave birth to three = heaven, earth, humanity

·        balance between opposing forces (e.g. water is soft and fluid but can wear down hardest rock.)

·        created harmony

·        to follow the Tao is to follow the way of nature and balance

Question 18:  What is Tao?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 19:  Identify Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor.

 

Answer: 

·        emperor of China

·        19th year of reign went to hermit for answer to question which the hermit finally gave after refusing

·        changed the emperor and how he governed the people

o       compassion (“Yellow Emperor”)

o       benevolence

o       healer

o       magician

·        greatest emperor of China

·        answer was the Tao

o       created harmony in himself and in his kingdom

 

Question 19:  Identify Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 20:  What is the significance of Huang Di?

 

Answer: 

·        showed in his life the significance of following the Tao

 

Question 20:  What is the significance of Huang Di?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 21:  What two events transformed Taoism early in the first millennium?

 

Answer: 

·        formation of the Way of the Celestial Masters and the Yellow Turban rebellion

 

Question 21:  What two events transformed Taoism early in the first millennium?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 22:  What contributions did Liu Au and the Huainan Masters make to the medical sciences?

 

Answer: 

  • his court was full of sages studying and teaching Tao
  • he encouraged them to find an elixir that would give a person physical immortality
  • didn’t find it but did transform Taoist understanding of health
  • balance and harmony within the body were as important as spiritual quest for the same goal
  • led to three notable now mainstream practices
    • tai chi
      • martial art that expresses harmony in a physical way
      • founded 12th century by Chang San Feng
      • harmonizes the chi or flow of energy of the body through a series of movements
      • positive impact on nervous system, blood circulation and muscle tone
      • said to massage internal organs
    • Chinese medicine and acupuncture
      • Ill health is attributed to disruption or blockage in the chi
      • Remedied by physical exercises, herbal remedies and procedures like acupuncture
      • Acupuncture targets pressure points in order to maintain proper flow of chi
      • Traditionally 365 major points, but may be 800
      • Fine needles used to stimulate
    • Feng Shui
      • See question 23

 

Question 22:  What contributions did Liu Au and the Huainan Masters make to the medical sciences?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 23:  What is feng shui?

 

Answer: 

    • Feng Shui
      • Harmony with environment by building in accordance to Tao
      • Alignment for best possible use of spiritual energy
      • Elements of building in certain geometrical locations
      • Choices made with optimal use of spiritual energy in mind
      • Consider road configurations, environmental features, location of entrances
      • Balance and positive flow of energy

 

 

Question 23:  What is feng shui?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 24:  How does the yin-yang reflect the elements of balance and movement?

 

Answer: 

·        Symbol contrasting black and white with contrasting dots within

o       Within evil there is good; within good there is evil

o       Pairs of opposites:  dark and bright, night and day, dry and moist, aggressive and passive, sun and rain

·        Curves suggest movement = everything is subject to change

 

Question 24:  How does the yin-yang reflect the elements of balance and movement?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 25:  What is the significance of the yin-yang?

 

Answer: 

  • signifies the balance between good and evil

Question 25:  What is the significance of the yin-yang?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 26:  What is the difference between yin and yang?

 

Answer: 

  • White side is yang
    • Heavenly force, movement, light, fire, warmth, life
    • Breath that formed the heavens
    • “sunny side” (literally!)
  • Black side is yin
    • “shady side” of existence
    • breath that formed the earth

Note:  two are inseparable; good and evil are tied together

 

Question 26:  What is the difference between yin and yang?

 

Answer:  

Your Answer Here

 

Question 27:  What do Taoists mean by wu wei?

 

Answer: 

·        wu wei = “not doing”, not laziness or sloth, however, action if not to be wasted

·        leaving things to take their own course

·        nothing should be done that disturbs the flow and balance of nature

·        not manipulating other thoughts or minds, e.g. Star Trek and the prime directive, advertising

·        trust the Tao which underlies what people do

·        acting in a sense of effortlessness, not harming but in harmony with the natural world

·        selfish motives cannot disturb public business

·        wild wishes cannot be allowed to destroy right principles

·        doesn’t mean to have no reactions to feelings or no response to pressure

 

Question 27:  What do Taoists mean by wu wei?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 28:  Opinion:  In your view, which aspects of Taoism have the greatest application to life in Canada today?  Be specific.

 

Answer: 

·        martial arts, e.g. tai chi in park

·        medicine and acupuncture, e.g. Canadian Academy of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

·        herbalism, naturopathic and homeopathic medicine

·        feng shui, e.g. No. 24 on houses and house prices

·        wholeness movement balancing life to reduce stress

 

Question 28:  Opinion:  In your view, which aspects of Taoism have the greatest application to life in Canada today?  Be specific.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Confucianism

Question 29:  What impact did Confucius have on the lives of his disciples?

 

Answer: 

·        profound impact on disciples

·        e.g., late in life he had 72 disciples who had mastered the 6 arts and 3,000 followers

·        his disciples eventually founded 8 schools

·        although none achieved prominence until the influence of Mencius

 

Question 29:  What impact did Confucius have on the lives of his disciples?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 30:  What contributions did Mencius and Hsun Tzu make to the growth of Confucianism?

 

Answer: 

·        Mencius

o       Mozi challenged Confucianism for its godlessness saying that it was preoccupied with ritual, music and determinism

o       Mencius successfully defended and reinforced the Confucian teachings

§        People need to live in the present

§        To walk the way for the ways sake and not because of gods

§        People are naturally good and evil is learned

o       Became great defender of the Way of Heaven

o       Solidified the foundations bringing new clarity to the teachings

·        Hsun Tzu

o       Brought Confucianism to life with new clarity and precision

o       Used systematic scholarship

o       Explained the philosophical importance of living virtuously

o       Human nature is inherently evil and easily corrupted unless taught otherwise

 

Question 30:  What contributions did Mencius and Hsun Tzu make to the growth of Confucianism?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 31:  List the Five Virtues.

 

Answer: 

·        Jen = goodwill, sympathy toward others, politeness, generosity.  Involves diligence and perseverance

·        Yi = duty, including guardians of nature and humanity

·        Li = propriety, art of right conduct demonstrating inner attitude through outer expression

·        Chih = wisdom, expressed by jen, yi and li.

·        Hsin = sincerity and trustworthiness

 

Question 31:  List the Five Virtues.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 32:  Which of the Five Virtues do you think is most important?  Explain.

 

Answer: 

·        Answers will vary but the choice needs to be competently explained and defended.

 

Question 32:  Which of the Five Virtues do you think is most important?  Explain.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 33:  In your own words, explain Mencius’ teachings on the Five Relationships.

 

Answer: 

o       father/son

o       ruler/citizen

o       husband/wife

o       older brother/younger brother

o       friend/friend

·        mutuality in relationships = mutual respect and recognition

·        e.g. ruler has an obligation of justice and citizens of obedience and loyalty.

·        Problems if ruler is authoritarian and oppressive, citizens become disobedient and rebellious

 

Question 33:  In your own words, explain Mencius’ teachings on the Five Relationships.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 34:  Opinion:  In your view, which of the Five Relationships is the most important in life.  Explain.

 

Answer: 

·        Carefully organized, well-supported response required.

 

Question 34:  Opinion:  In your view, which of the Five Relationships is the most important in life.  Explain.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 35:  According to Confucius, what are the characteristics of a great leader?

 

Answer: 

·        Practice the Five Virtues

·        Lives balanced, harmonious life

·        Understand and lives according to the Five Relationships

·        Honesty

·        Courage

·        Integrity

·        Wisdom

·        Goodwill

·        Sincerity

·        Fairness

·        Compassion

 

Question 35:  According to Confucius, what are the characteristics of a great leader?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 36:  Name a great leader you have heard of.  What makes this leader great?

 

Answer: 

·        well-supported response required

 

Question 36:  Name a great leader you have heard of.  What makes this leader great?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 37:  Why have the Five Relationships and ancestor veneration been misinterpreted?  Be specific.

 

Answer: 

·        the Five Relationships has been interpreted as one person having control over another, e.g. husband over wife; Mencius would be appalled

·        Ancestor veneration has been misinterpreted as ancestor worship; veneration is an act of sincere remembering, not worship

 

Question 37:  Why have the Five Relationships and ancestor veneration been misinterpreted?  Be specific.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 38:  Opinion:  Which Confucian belief do you find most inspirational?

 

Answer: 

·        Need to refer knowledgably to the Five Virtues and the Five Relationships

 

Question 38:  Opinion:  Which Confucian belief do you find most inspirational?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 39:  Opinion:  How could you incorporate the Five Virtues into your life?

 

Answer: 

·        Take greater responsibility for your conduct

·        Be more respectful of others

·        Resolve to be more honest

·        Learn your duties

·        Develop the strength and commitment to do your duties

·        Employ the Five Virtues

·        Study and carefully select your friends

 

Question 39:  Opinion:  How could you incorporate the Five Virtues into your life?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Shinto

Question 40:  Why do Shintoists use the torii as a gateway to all of their shrines?

 

Answer: 

·        Represents way to the kami

·        Therefore represents the movement of the kami into the Shinto place of worship

 

Question 40:  Why do Shintoists use the torii as a gateway to all of their shrines?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 41:  Why is it difficult to determine the origins of Shinto?

 

Answer: 

·        No founder or key historical figures

·        No official scripture

·        No organized teachings

·        Therefore no information to give scholars a sense of the beginning

 

Question 41:  Why is it difficult to determine the origins of Shinto?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 42:  What are kami?

 

Answer: 

·        Kami are spirits that exist everywhere

·        Literally means “high” or “superior”

·        Commonly used in relation to words “god” or “deity”

·        Usually used to refer to spirits

 

Question 42:  What are kami?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 43:  Why are kami important?

 

Answer: 

·        Pervade everything from rocks to thunder, animals to trees

·        Each reigns over a different aspect of nature

 

Question 43:  Why are kami important?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 44:  What is the significance of mythology in Shinto belief.

 

Answer: 

·        Critically important

·        It is source of stories

·        These stories speak to Shinto religious origins

·        And to the formation of the islands of Japan

 

Question 44:  What is the significance of mythology in Shinto belief.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 45:  Identify and explain the significance of the four types of Shinto.

 

Answer: 

·        State Shinto

o       Emphasizes patriotism and obedience

o       Claims emperor is descendant and representative of the gods

o       Abolished in 1945 with the defeat of Japan in WW2

·        Sect Shinto

o       Popular with peasants and farmers

o       Some teachings are from Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism

o       13 recognized sects

·        Shrine Shinto

o       Prominent after WW2

o       Undertook to preserve shrines of State Shinto

·        Folk Shinto

o       Focuses on personal worship of local kami

o       Individual in nature

o       Therefore practices, rituals, prayers vary greatly

 

Question 45:  Identify and explain the significance of the four types of Shinto.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 46:  Why do you think Shinto places so much importance on purification rituals?

 

Answer: 

·        2 key components of Shinto are purity and pollution

·        Ritual purity is critical is the appeal to the kami by the priest or believer is to be successful

·        Therefore purification rituals are prominent and important

·         

Question 46:  Why do you think Shinto places so much importance on purification rituals?

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

Question 47:  Opinion:  In your view, should governments become associated with religions?  Explain.

 

Answer:  Factors to consider

·        Two different directions of influence

·        Influence of governments on religion

o       Freedom of religion, democratic society, personal freedom => less influence by government

o       Abuse of people by religion, cults => more influence by government

·        Influence of religion on government

o       General lack of respect, high crime rate, materialism and consumerism => more influence by religion

o       Diversity in religious view, lack of religion => less influence by religion.

 

Question 47:  Opinion:  In your view, should governments become associated with religions?  Explain.

 

Answer: 

Your Answer Here

 

 

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