Carla Bellamy: South Asian Religion
From Baruch Course Wikis
[edit] South Asian Religion Term List
[edit] Session 2
[edit] Religion
Religion has gathering places; it consists of rituals that look like Christian rituals (for example - sacrifice); it has an idea of a god. After the reformation, religion changes. It becomes focused on individual interpretation of scripture;religion requires right knowledge of right doctrine; Religion is right belief.
[edit] Religions
There is something called "religion;" different people practice different religions. For example, there is Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. Religions can be categorized in many ways; often, these categories can tell us a lot about the values and assumptions of those that produced them. None of these categories reflect the way that religious others think of themselves.
[edit] Religious
Religion is acting in certain ways, believing certain things. Religion is a personal experience - religion is an experience. Religion involves the human capacity to understand, accept, practice. For example, God is unknown. To make God known, Catholics created communion. Another example is prayer - it's a human action that allows a person to communicate with God.
[edit] Session 3
[edit] Vac (speech)
Vac is personified as a goddess of speech with creative power. It is a word for "speech" or "language" in the Sanskrit. In the later Vedic literature, Vac is called "the mother of the Vedas." It is ascribed creative powers in the Rg Veda. She is a Goddess, the creative principle and absolute force in the universe. In the Rg Veda, 10.125, she is describing herself as the absolute godhead, encompassing all gods. Ie- v2 “…I carry the swelling Soma, and Tvastr, and Pusan and Bhaga. I bestow wealth on the pious sacrificer who presses the Soma and offers oblation…” and v7 “…I gave birth to the father on the head of this world. My womb is in the waters, within the ocean. From ther I spread out over all creatures and touch the very sky with the crown of my head…”
[edit] Purusa (primal man)
Purusa was a primeval giant with thousand heads, eyes, and feet. He was sacrificed by the gods and from that sacrifice the world and the [varnas] were built.
[edit] Purusa Sukta (hymn of man)
The hymn is about the creation of the world. It is dedicated to Purusa and his sacrifice.Purusa Sukta (the hymn of man) The ancient hymn of Purusa’s dismemberment for the benefit of creation. According to the Hymn of Man, v2 “..It is the Man who is all this, whatever has been and whatever is to be. He is the ruler of everything, when he grows beyond everything through food…”
[edit] Caste (type)
Is a group into which one is born and within which one must marry, and it may or may not be characterized by a traditional, specialized occupation. The caste system in Hinduism today is considered to be the result of a historical blending of two social systems, the varna system, and the jati system (which are different from each other). The caste system includes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. These castes are mostly in hierarchical order. The untouchables (outcasts) are also a group; however, not in the caste system.
[edit] Brahmin (ritual specialist)
Brahmin has the highest position among the four varnas because it is the class of priests, scholars, law makers, and educators. Brahmins are also called twice born group.
[edit] Ksatriya (warrior)
Ksatriya is the second varna of the four varnas. Ksatriyas are said to be warriors and rulers.
[edit] Vaisya (merchant)
Is a member of the third of the four varnas and the one who pursue commerce and trades. Vaisyas are also called twice born like Brahmins and Ksatriyas.
[edit] Sudra (laborer)
Sudra is the member of the group Sudras (the fourth and the lowest group of the four vanas). Sudra is laborer, slave, and servant whose duty is to serve and support other members of the three higher groups.
[edit] Session 4
[edit] Atman (self)
A person's essence, it constitutes the whole world. The anaolgy to salt being put into water, it cannot be seen, but it is there.
[edit] Brahman (ultimate reality, power)
Truth, all pervading soul of the universe, the God who is to be adored.
[edit] Asceticism
Abstinence from wordly pleasures. Good vs. gratifying. Katha Upanisad, "...good things await him who picks the good...but the fool chooses the gratifying..."
[edit] moksa (liberation)
Achieving the "complete stilling of all passions", this state of liberation breaks the cycle of death and rebirth. A desireless state where the pure spirit is uncovered and becomes one with the universe.
[edit] samsara (cycle of death and rebirth)
In a nutshell, according to Brhadaranyaka Upanisad "...A man turns into something good by good action and into something bad by bad action..." This quotation is also an illustration of one notion of karma in the BU. Samsara is officially defined as the cycle of death and rebirth. Karma, which can also be defined as the consequences of one's actions, carries over from one life to the next.
[edit] upanisad (correspondences)
Part of Hindu sacred writings. There were many authors, it spans the great change in religion and society over a 600 year period. Teachings, debates, and dialogues are part of the Upanisads.
[edit] dharma (duty)
The law above the law, nothing is superior. It is pure, moral. Dharma is performing ones own duties and responsibilities, as it is the righteous path of living.
[edit] yoga (yoked)
To yoke or bind. A form of ritual discipline that quiets the mind.
[edit] Session 5
[edit] OM
is the sound that helps you figure out who you are {Professor Bellamy says: Well, yes. But so much more could and should be said for this one...}
[edit] mantra
a sound, syllable, word, or grouping of words that promotes transformation.
[edit] prana (breath)
similar to chinese QI. A vital energy that flows through nadis. {Professor Bellamy says: I don't know much about Qi, so I can't say that this is a helpful analogy. More importantly, though, can anyone talk about the texts/traditions that use the concept of prana?}
[edit] Session 6
[edit] Smriti (remembered)
[edit] varna-asrama-dharma
Obligations relating to the caste-stage of life.
[edit] karma (action)
That which initiates cause + effect.{Professor Bellamy says: yes - but this is one of those words that has lots of different meanings depending on context. Can anyone elaborate?}
[edit] jnana (knowledge)
[edit] Krishna
a person giving direction and guidance in the Bhagavad Gita. Understood to be god; sometimes an avatar of Visnu.
[edit] Arjuna
The young human student of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.
[edit] guru-sisya (teacher-student)
[edit] Session 8
[edit] bhakti
is the search for Atman; "to share". Devotion. A social form that contrasts the caste system. From the reading on Ravidas, the Bhakti is a religious family organizaton that encompasses all social levels, at least spiritually.
[edit] Session 10
[edit] Nirguna (without qualities)
The pervading, formless existence of the Ultimate. A different state of God, transcendent.
[edit] Kabir
A vocal young saint, his acerbic poems caused him to become an enemy of the Brahmin caste. According to legend, he miraculously survives several decrees for his death. Kabir was supportive of Muslim and Hindu unity, according to SOS.
[edit] Ravidas
From SOS,Ravidas was the great untouchable saint, living around the 15th or 16th century. He was part of a sect called bhakti. This group question the caste system and claims members from one end of the caste system to the other (Brahmin - Untouchables). He was a poet who urged those who were called untouchable to call their accusers themselves untouchables. Was a threat to the existing status of the Brahmins.
[edit] lineage
[edit] bhaktamal (the garland of devotees)
a hagiographical anthology composed in verse by Nabhadas in about A.D. 1600
[edit] saguna (with qualities)
Whether genuine or in the mind, this refers to the physical manifestations of the Ultimate.
[edit] Mirabai
Devotee of Krishna, a female poet saint. Said to have survived murderous attempts on her life at the hands of her in-laws, who hated her because of her love for Krishna in his form as "The Mountain Lifter".
[edit] gopi (cowgirl)
Devotee of Krishna, female cowherder.
[edit] Session 11
[edit] Tirtha-yatra (journey to crossing place)
[edit] Darsan (seeing)
is eye contact with a diety.
[edit] Communitas
[edit] liminality
[edit] Session 12
[edit] puja
Act of worshiping god through rituals
[edit] prasad
is food that you offer to a god.
[edit] Session 13
[edit] Buddha
"The Awakened One" One who attained full enlightment. Someone who was free of suffering and had no knowledge of sickness, old age and death until his late twenties.
[edit] Jataka (life story)
Life story of Buddha's previous life (pg.1).
[edit] Hinayana (lesser way)
also known as Mainstream Buddhism(nonderogatory term).
[edit] Nikaya (schools)
[edit] Triratna (three jewels)
They are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
[edit] Tathagata (thus come/gone one)
used when Buddha refers to himself.
[edit] Dana (giving)
making donations to the Sangha; a way of making merit.
[edit] Session 14
[edit] Dharma
The teachings of the Buddha.
[edit] Anatman (no-self)
[edit] Bodhisattva
Someone who wants to become a Buddha and tries to attain it through following all the rituals. Took a vow in the presence of a Buddha to achieve enlightenment.
[edit] Nirvana (snuffing out)
[edit] Four Noble Truths
are 1) life is suffering, 2) there is a reason for suffering, 3) there is freedrom which came from desirelessness and 4) faithful path; pracitce the Noble Eightfold Path.
[edit] Session 15
[edit] stupa
Monuments built over relics of the Buddha or other objects of veneration. Provide a way for non-renunciants to make a tribute to the buddha.
[edit] vinaya (monastic rules)
The Buddhist disciplinary code for monks and nuns. Literally translates as "taming."
[edit] Session 16
[edit] Vimalakirti
[edit] Sariputra
A wandering ascetic named Upatisaya. He is attracted to the serenity of the newly ordained Venerable Asvajit, is given the "gist" of the truth. This is apparently enough. He becomes enlightened after hearing the Venerable Asvajit recite, "... The Tathagata has explained those elements of reality that arise from a cause, and he, the Subdued One, has also spoken of their cessation..." The ascetic immediately understands, his "pure, spotless Dharma-eye opened into the nature of things..."(Strong, The Experience of Buddhism)
[edit] Bodhisattva (Mahayana meaning)
A catchy Steely Dan song. A being headed for enlightenment, the step before Buddha. Literally, a being of wisdom. {Professor Bellamy says: Don't know about the Steely Dan song...but can someone edit this to account for both meanings of "Bodhisattva?"} While earlier it meant someone who has taken a vow to become a Buddha, now according to the Mahayana, it means someone who spends several lifetimes to attain the perfect enlightenment of Buddha and waits for everyone else within their Buddha field to attain it too.
[edit] Session 17
[edit] Sunyata (emptiness)
voidness
[edit] Session 18
[edit] Tantra
Tantra is a specific method within the realm of Buddhism. Tantratic practices believe that physical behavior will lead to enlightenment. It also focuses on extremes.
[edit] Siddha (adept)
[edit] Mandala (containing essence, completed circle)
[edit] Bardo (stage, state)
[edit] Dalai Lama (oceanic teacher)
[edit] mantra
sound, syllable or word "Om mani pad me hum" - Om the jewel in the lotus
[edit] Session 19
[edit] Dalit (the oppressed)
[edit] Ambedkar
[edit] Harijan (child of god)
Ghandi's well intentioned term for Untouchables, the dalit. The dalit take offence to this term, as it makes them seem like children, not adults worthy of equal treatment and respect.
[edit] Session 21
[edit] Sunna (example)
[edit] Qira'at (recitations)
[edit] I'jaz (inimitability)
[edit] Sura (chapter)
[edit] Fatiha (the opening)
[edit] Session 25
[edit] Intercession
[edit] Prophethood
[edit] Ismah (protected)
[edit] Five Pillars of Islam
1] Shahada: declaration of one god and Muhammad as his prophet. 2] Daily Prayer (namaz) 3 to 5 times 3] Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) 4] Charity 5] Fasting during the month of Ramadan
[edit] sira (biography)
biographies of prophet Muhammad
[edit] hadith (sayings)
Muhammad's actions and sayings
[edit] Session 26
[edit] Imam (leader)
Spiritual leader of the Muslim Community. A person of the highest integrity, thought to be without sin. Imams are to be emulated (exemplar).
[edit] Zuljenah (Husain's Horse)
[edit] Karbala
Scene of brutal battle between the Yazid I the caliph and Husayn Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet, Muhammad. Refusing to swear allegiance to his corrupt rein, Husain and his family were slaughtered or taken prisoner. Women and children were not spared in this battle. The loss is still mourned today.
[edit] Panje pak (five pure ones)
They are prophet Muhammad, Ali, Fatema, Hasan and Hussain.
[edit] Matam (mourning)
[edit] Imambara (place for the imams)
[edit] Session 27
[edit] Mi'raj (night journey)
[edit] Hadith of Gabriel
[edit] Nafs (self)
[edit] Fana (annihilation)
[edit] Baqa (subsistence)
[edit] Session 28-29
[edit] Dehatattva (truth in the body)
[edit] Barkat (blessing)
[edit] Dargah (court)
[edit] Qawwali
[edit] Dhikr / Zikr (remembrance)
is an Islamic practice that focuses on the remembrance of God. Dhikr as a devotional act often includes the repetition of the names of Allah, supplications and aphorisms from hadith literature and sections of the Qur'an. (from the other WIKI)
