World ReligionsWorld ReligionsUnit 2: Organization and Unit 2: Organization and

Reorganization of Human Societies Reorganization of Human Societies

600 BCE-600 CE600 BCE-600 CE

Key Concept 2.1Key Concept 2.1

The Development and Codification of The Development and Codification of Religious and Cultural TraditionsReligious and Cultural Traditions

JudaismJudaism

World’s oldest monotheistic religionWorld’s oldest monotheistic religion Founder: Abraham and followersFounder: Abraham and followers

– Originally lived in Mesopotamia before Originally lived in Mesopotamia before migrating to Palestinemigrating to Palestine

Based on belief that Hebrews are God’s Based on belief that Hebrews are God’s chosen peoplechosen people– Formed a covenant with Yahweh, agree to Formed a covenant with Yahweh, agree to

worship only himworship only him– In return, they are granted a homeland in In return, they are granted a homeland in

Isreal/Palestine Isreal/Palestine

JudaismJudaism

Hebrews create a kingdom in 1000 Hebrews create a kingdom in 1000 BCEBCE– Eventually, their land will be conquered Eventually, their land will be conquered

by various empiresby various empires Ex: Assyrian EmpireEx: Assyrian Empire

Hebrews forced to flee from Hebrews forced to flee from homeland (Diaspora)homeland (Diaspora)

Attempts to preserve cultural identityAttempts to preserve cultural identity

JudaismJudaism

Other key points to know:Other key points to know:– Torah: holy scriptureTorah: holy scripture– Synagogue: house of worshipSynagogue: house of worship– Many ceremonies and rituals for Many ceremonies and rituals for

behaviorbehavior Ex: Dietary restrictions, circumcisionEx: Dietary restrictions, circumcision

– Not a missionary religionNot a missionary religion

HinduismHinduism

Originated in India in the years Originated in India in the years following the Aryan invasion (1500 following the Aryan invasion (1500 BCE)BCE)

No single founderNo single founder PolytheisticPolytheistic Important texts:Important texts:

– Vedas: poems, hymns, prayers, etcVedas: poems, hymns, prayers, etc– Upanishads: important religious textUpanishads: important religious text

HinduismHinduism

Main Beliefs:Main Beliefs:– Brahma(n): divine source of all thingsBrahma(n): divine source of all things– AtmanAtman: human soul, believed to be part of : human soul, believed to be part of

Brahma(n)Brahma(n)– Samsara:Samsara: reincarnation reincarnation– Karma:Karma: reward or punishment for past reward or punishment for past

deedsdeeds Influences one’s reincarnationInfluences one’s reincarnation

– Dharma: Dharma: life’s duties and/or responsibilitieslife’s duties and/or responsibilities Closely tied to one’s social positionClosely tied to one’s social position

HinduismHinduism

Reinforces the caste systemReinforces the caste system

Shiva, the Destroyer

BuddhismBuddhism

Emerged in India as a challenge to Emerged in India as a challenge to HinduismHinduism– Will eventually spread to other parts of AsiaWill eventually spread to other parts of Asia

China, Korea, Japan, Sri LankaChina, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka Founded by Siddhartha GautamaFounded by Siddhartha Gautama

– (563-483 BCE)(563-483 BCE)– ““Enlightened One”Enlightened One”

Developed a religion centered on Developed a religion centered on teaching people to eliminate desire and teaching people to eliminate desire and sufferingsuffering

BuddhismBuddhism Buddhism encouraged followers toBuddhism encouraged followers to

– Minimize their worldly desires and focus on Minimize their worldly desires and focus on achieving spiritual truthachieving spiritual truth

– Self-discipline and meditation would eventually Self-discipline and meditation would eventually result in result in Nirvana Nirvana release from desire and sufferingrelease from desire and suffering Release from cycle of reincarnation; a state of tranquilityRelease from cycle of reincarnation; a state of tranquility

Initially, Buddhism centered on the individual, Initially, Buddhism centered on the individual, not on godsnot on gods

Goal is to achieve enlightenment and Nirvana and gods Goal is to achieve enlightenment and Nirvana and gods were seen as useless in fulfilling such a goalwere seen as useless in fulfilling such a goal

– Over time, the Buddha himself was regarded as a Over time, the Buddha himself was regarded as a godgod

BuddhismBuddhism

Important Concepts:Important Concepts:– Four Noble TruthsFour Noble Truths– Eightfold PathEightfold Path– NirvanaNirvana– StupaStupa– MonasteriesMonasteries

ConfucianismConfucianism

Based on the teachings of ConfuciusBased on the teachings of Confucius– Lived in the latter part of the Zhou Lived in the latter part of the Zhou

Dynasty in China (551- 478 BCE)Dynasty in China (551- 478 BCE) Developed during the Warring States Developed during the Warring States

PeriodPeriod First becomes influential in the Han First becomes influential in the Han

DynastyDynasty– Continues to be influential throughout Continues to be influential throughout

China’s dynastic historyChina’s dynastic history

ConfuciusConfucius

ConfucianismConfucianism

Basic teachings:Basic teachings:– Morality and ethical behaviorMorality and ethical behavior– Education very importantEducation very important– Obedience and respectObedience and respect– Good government & proper behavior of Good government & proper behavior of

rulersrulers– Respect for superiors (leaders, men, Respect for superiors (leaders, men,

elders, ancestors)elders, ancestors)– Filial Piety (dedication to the family)Filial Piety (dedication to the family)– Social StratificationSocial Stratification

DaoismDaoism

Based upon teachings of Lao-tzu (Laozi)Based upon teachings of Lao-tzu (Laozi)– Origins during Warring States PeriodOrigins during Warring States Period– Popular among common people Popular among common people

Basic teachings:Basic teachings:– Humans should withdraw from demands of Humans should withdraw from demands of

society and contemplate the “way”society and contemplate the “way”– Solitary contemplation is key to harmony Solitary contemplation is key to harmony – Nature directs lifeNature directs life– Education and politics are irrelevantEducation and politics are irrelevant– Frugal living= harmonyFrugal living= harmony

LegalismLegalism

Became popular during the Qin Became popular during the Qin DynastyDynasty

Important writers and philosophers Important writers and philosophers include Han Feiinclude Han Fei

Main Beliefs:Main Beliefs:– Strong, authoritative governmentStrong, authoritative government– Strict laws and harsh penaltiesStrict laws and harsh penalties– Rewards for good behaviorRewards for good behavior

ChristianityChristianity

Developed out of JudaismDeveloped out of Judaism Jesus of NazarethJesus of Nazareth

– Claims to be the Messiah, Son of GodClaims to be the Messiah, Son of God– Charismatic leader and teacherCharismatic leader and teacher

Disliked by the Roman government Disliked by the Roman government and leadership within Jewish and leadership within Jewish communitycommunity– Crucified in 30 CECrucified in 30 CE

ChristianityChristianity

Main Teachings:Main Teachings:– Old and New Testaments of BibleOld and New Testaments of Bible– Christ as Son of GodChrist as Son of God– Forgiveness of sins, salvation achieved Forgiveness of sins, salvation achieved

through faith and service to Godthrough faith and service to God– Christ as link between God and humansChrist as link between God and humans– Love and service to othersLove and service to others– Strong Missionary emphasisStrong Missionary emphasis