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Rels 311 Eastern Religions
Hinduism Shinto Buddhism Confucianism
106
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 3
06/20/2013

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Cards

Term
Aryans
Definition
The settlers from Greece and Persia who entered the Indus Valley prior to 1000 BCE. These “noble” people expressed their evolving religion in the hymns of the Rig-Veda.
Term
Atman
Definition
The essence of Brahman that is present in individuals. The universal self.
Term
Bhagavad Gita
Definition
Part of the Mahabharata; 700 verses presenting a variety of options for those who would find release from rebirth. (Setting: battlefield. Arjuna protests to his driver, the god Krishna in human disguise, that he’d rather be killed than kill his cousins arrayed against him. Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna that as a member of the Kshatriya caste, it is his duty to fight to bring good out of a bad situation.
Term
Bhakti yoga
Definition
Personal devotion to a deity. The path of love leading to salvation.
Term
Brahma
Definition
Creator deity. Shiva and Vishnu join him as manifestations of Brahman, the Absolute.
Term
Brahman
Definition
Name of the highest deity, the Absolute. Brahman is the deity that pervades everything.
Term
Brahmin
Definition
The name of the highest priestly caste. (Priests became more important than Kshtriya.)
Term
Caste:
Definition
The permanent social group in which one is born. One’s social and religious obligations are determined for a lifetime by caste.
Term
Dharma
Definition
The Law or Way. One’s support. Religious duty or merit. (see Buddhist meaning)
Term
Dravidians
Definition
Dark-skinned natives of southern India. Different from light-skinned Aryans.
Term
Guru
Definition
Teacher of religious duties. For a student, the guru represents the divine
Term
Henotheism
Definition
A belief that affirms one deity without denying the existence of others.
Term
Jnana yoga
Definition
Jnana means knowledge or wisdom. The Hindu path/yoga based on intellectual knowledge, rational understanding.
Term
Kalpa
Definition
A period of the created world, or a day of Brahman. One world ends and a new period begins with another creation.
Term
Krishna
Definition
An incarnation of Vishnu, also the chariot driver of warrior Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Term
Law of Karma
Definition
The law that one’s thoughts and deeds are followed eventually by deserved pleasure or pain. An explanation for caste. (compare to Buddhist understanding).
Term
Maya
Definition
Appearance or illusion; power of creation!! (How put these two meanings together??)
Term
Mahabharata
Definition
A long epic poem featuring activities of the god Krishna.
Term
Moksha
Definition
Release of the soul from a cycle of rebirths. It is one of the four acceptable goals of life.
Term
Reincarnation
Definition
The soul leaving one body at death and being reborn in a new body. In Hinduism, the soul remains essentially the same.
Term
Samadhi
Definition
Release of the soul from the body so it can unite with Brahman.
Term
Samsara
Definition
Concept of the wheel of rebirth that turns round forever. Souls are reborn until perfect.
Term
Shiva
Definition
The Auspicious, ultimate Lord. The destroyer.
Term
Tantras
Definition
Religious treatises for developing latent powers. Dialogues between Shiva and Shakti.
Term
Untouchable
Definition
Shudra, who is considered by upper castes to be too impure to allow physical contact. Legally abolished…as slavery was legally abolished, but habits, customs linger…
Term
Unpanishads
Definition
Last of the Veda (literally, “sitting close to”; as student sitting close to master to learn).
Term
Varna
Definition
Color. It was once associated with caste
Term
Veda
Definition
Knowledge or wisdom. Scriptures of the Hindus.
Term
Vishnu
Definition
The supreme Lord, the Preserver.
Term
Yoga: the four yogas
Definition
“Yoke” or path of discipline in Hinduism. Four disciplines lead to release from rebirth.
Term
Karma yoga
Definition
the yoke of work, whose motivation should be duty.
Term
Jnana yoga
Definition
the yoke of knowledge, i.e., internaalize the masters’ lessons: especially, learn renunciation leads to release from samsara (wheel of rebirth).
Term
Raja yoga
Definition
the yoke of disciplining the body and mind through correct postures and breathing.
Term
Bhakti yoga
Definition
union with God through love. Hindus see Christianity as such!
Term
Bodhisattva
Definition
A person who has qualified to enter Nirvana, but who, out of compassion, remains available to help others; a person progressing to become a Buddha.
Term
Dalai Lama
Definition
leader of millions of Tibetan Buddhists.
Term
Dharma
Definition
Law. Religion. It can be law of the universe or law or tradition taught by Buddha,.
Term
Dukkha
Definition
Suffering of humans and other sentient beings.
1st noble truth
Term
Tanha
Definition
ring. As Second Noble Truth, cause of suffering.
2nd noble truth
Term
Third noble truth
Definition
Get rid of Tanha, craving
Term
Eightfold Path
Definition
the path of deliverance (right: view, aim, speech, action, living, effort, mindfulness, concentration)
Term
Sukha
Definition
Happiness; opposite of Dukkha.
Term
Buddhist Law of Karma
Definition
Primarily psychological - recall, in Hinduism: one’s thoughts and deeds are followed by deserved pleasure or pain.
Term
Koan
Definition
A problem used by Zen Buddhists to reduce dependence on ordinary ways of thinking about self and the universe. (E.g., what’s the sound of clapping with one hand?)
Term
Mahayanists
Definition
Branch of Buddhism that believes that one can be helped by many Bodhisattvas. It is contrasted with Theravadins, the more conservative “way of the Elders”, ascetic, reclusive.
Term
Mandala:
Definition
It means circle. Geometric pattern used in worship.
Term
Mantra
Definition
Special formula of words recited in worship. Mantras can be humns.
Term
Middle Path (Way
Definition
Behavior between the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification.
Term
Nirvana
Definition
Means “blown out”, like a candle. The state of being free from egocentrism and the suffering that it causes. Also, means joy and peace.
Term
Sangha
Definition
Buddhist monastic order; accepted both monks and nuns. Can also be used of the laity.
Term
Theravadins
Definition
The conservatives. “Doctrine of the Elders”: regard Buddha as a man. Contrast with Mahayana.
Term
Zen
Definition
Japanese sect or school (in China, called “chan”)
Term
563
Definition
Gautama born
Term
483
Definition
Buddha dies
Term
200
Definition
Mahayana begins
Term
399
Definition
Buddhism, Korea
Term
520
Definition
Buddhism, China
Term
552
Definition
Buddhism, Japan
Term
1931
Definition
Buddhism, USA
Term
Anekantavada
Definition
universal interdependence (Jain theory of reality)
Term
Ahimsa
Definition
Non-violence (unconditional compassion)
Term
Aparigraha
Definition
Non-possessiveness
Term
Astya
Definition
Non-stealing
Term
Brahmaacharya
Definition
Chastityt/celibacy
Term
Lord Adinath, Lord Parshawanath, Lord Mahavira
Definition
three important Siddha or Trithankars)
Term
Moksha
Definition
a being who has attained liberation (everyone has the potential to be liberated)
Term
Siddha
Definition
: liberated soul
Term
Three Jewels of Jainism
Definition
Right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
Term
Four arms of the Swastika
Definition
Hellish life, animal life, human life, heavenly life.
Term
Ching (Yijing)
Definition
An ancient book of China that assists one in planning one’s life
according to the forces of the universe
Term
Dao/Tao
Definition
The path, course, or way of the universe. Although its influence is in nature, the eternal Dao is hidden from empirical experience.
Term
Daoists/Taoists
Definition
followers of a philosophy or religion expressed in the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), book attributed to Laotzu (Laozi), a sage.
Term
Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)
Definition
Way and Its Power: book attributed to Laozi.
Term
Lao Tzu (Laozi)
Definition
sage of China believed to have authored the Dao De Jing. Founder of Daoism.
Term
Three Purities
Definition
In China: three persons: Jade Emperor, Laotzu and Ling Pao
Term
Wuwei
Definition
Daoist principle of accomplishing tasks without exerting oneself. The individual, in harmony with the flow of the Dao, can accomplish more than an individual who asserts him/herself.
Term
Yang and Yin
Definition
YANG: In china, the male side of the Dao. Exemplified in bright, warm and dry conditions. YIN: the female side of the Dao. Dark, cool, moist conditions. RECALL THE SYMBOL: some of the Yang is in the Yin; some of the Yin in the Yang
Term
Zoashen
Definition
In Daoism, the god of the stove, essential to Daoist alchemists who had a heyday as in alchemists in Europe. Hence, popular association of health cures!
Term
Confucius
Definition
(d.479): Founder of Confucianism. Primarily a teacher. He sought to develop good government through a responsible ruler and ethical people.
Term
Fajia
Definition
legalist school that said governance is by reward and punishment (why know this? To know China had theories of government not-unlike Western authoritarianism.)
Term
Jade Emperor
Definition
mythical emperor of ancient China from whom a 10th century emperor (Chen Tsung) claimed to have received revelation. Symbol of purity.
Term
Junzi
Definition
in Confucianism, the gentleman or superior man; role model for the people.
Term
Li
Definition
Confucian principle of righteousness. Li can refer to ritual and to correct conduct in society.
Term
Mengzi (Mencius)
Definition
disciple of Confucius who emphasized the inborn goodness of humans.
Term
Mohists
Definition
followers of MoTzu who advocated curing society’s ills by practicing mutual love among peoples. Confucian not love of enemies.
Term
Ren (Jen)
Definition
In Confucianism: the deep empathy or compassion for other humans. CARING!
Term
Shu
Definition
reciprocity: GOLDEN RULE: treat others as one wants to be treated.
Term
Tianming
Definition
In Confucianism, the mandate of heaven. Emperor Zhou claimed to rule successfully because they followed the mandate of heaven…KIND OF JEWISH COVENANT, NO?!
Term
Yi
Definition
(Understand with Li) In Confucianism, internalized li or righteousness. Yi is Li as it has become a part of an individual’s conduct. -Individual transformation?
Term
Xunzi
Definition
(a Western thinker!): (d. 230 b.c.e.): believed humans are born evil and must be taught
Term
Zhongyong (Chung Yung)
Definition
In Confucianism, the doctrine of the constant mean, the path between extremes of conduct. Confucius taught that a superior man avoids excesses in his conduct. In medias res, moderation of Aristotle, Middle Way of Buddha!!!!
Term
mondo
Definition
The exchange between a student and a teacher. Someone asking a question and someone giving an answer. Often urged a sudden awakening
Term
za zen
Definition
sitting or seated meditation.
Term
sunyata
Definition
the self-- translated as empty-- a way to describe the self-- zens attempt to be honest. You are a collection of energies that differ every day.
Term
kami
Definition
powers or spirits
Term
imaturasu
Definition
the land of the rising sun
Term
Torii
Definition
Formal gate to a shrine, to sacred space.
Term
Izanagi
Definition
“male who invites”, co-creator of Japan with Izanami of Japan
Term
Izanami
Definition
“female who invites”, co-creator of Japan with Izanangi
Term
Amaterasu
Definition
Goddess of the sun, creed by Izanani.
Term
Jimmu
Definition
First human emperor, descendant of the gods.
Term
Shotoku
Definition
Prince who supported the establishment of Buddhism in Japan.
Term
Bushido
Definition
Code of Honor for warriors, esp Samurai, a feudal military class.
Term
Harikari (seppaku
Definition
Ritual suicide to restore/preserve one’s honor. Act of bravery, not cowardice.
Term
Shogun
Definition
Military ruler serving under emperor.
Term
Kami-dana
Definition
in homes, center of symbols honoring the kami.
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