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Founded by Zoroaster, a Persian priest who
lived ~ 700 – 600 BC.
He received a revelation; the world was ruled by
one God, not many – Ahura Mazda.
He spent his life preaching his revelation and
converted the peoples of the Iran (Persia) and
Iraq (Babylonia).
Conceived in a flash of light – virgin birth.
Born laughing, not crying
Engaged wise men in debate at a
young age
Tamed wild beasts, performed healings,
drove off evil spirits
At 30, went to the desert, received his
revelation.
Ahura Mazda is the creator, good.
Angra Mainyu opposes him, represents
the forces of chaos, evil (nearly as
powerful)
12000 year battle between them
People must ally themselves with Ahura
Mazda against the forces of darkness.
Bodies returned to nature, no burial, no
cremation
Placed in a Dakhma, a round open air
tower
The elements and scavengers destroy
the body
Read pages 65-66 and answer the following questions:› Why would the death ritual be criticized by other
cultures?
› What are the Zoroastrianism reasons for their burial rite?
› How do modern Canadians who follow this religion bury their dead?
Answer questions 1 – 3 on page 67
Complete Journal Entry (Death Rites)
They adapt to the countries they live in
Ritual washing of the body
The Soul is accompanied by a “guardian
spirit (angel)” to the Bridge of the
Separator
Their deeds are judged. Go to heaven or
hell.
The Avestan Scriptures (Five Parts)
Hymns, prayers, laws, teachings
The Gathas are the spiritual core of the
Yasna liturgy
Fire
Represents the divine presence
Burns continuously in the sanctuary. A
priest maintains it
140 000 world wide
India (Parsis) –mostly in Mumbai
(Bombay)
Iran
Us and Canada -- 12000
The Story of God - Zoroastrianism 8:26
Around the World in 80 Faiths Begin at 38:08
China was Polytheistic
Three belief systems now dominate:
› Taoism
› Confucianism
› Buddhism
The founder of Taoism
Lived in the 500s BC (like Zoroaster,
Buddha, Mahavira, Confucius. . .)
Librarian at Imperial archives
Wrote the “Tao Te Ching” which
discusses “the way”
A force that exists in all things, runs
through all things
Creates harmony in the universe
between the Yin and Yang
Means “the way”
Tao has been compared to water
•Yin – dark
•Yang - light
•Represents duality in the
universe:
•Masculine – feminine
•Day-Night
•Creation-destruction
Complete the Journal Entry “Taoist Philosophy”
Pass out second set of Taoism notes
Leaders of Taoism, (similar to the Dalai
Llama in Tibet)
First celestial master was Chang Tao-Ling
~100 AD
The 63rd celestial master resides in Taiwan
Means “not acting”
Act in accordance with nature, or do
not act at all
Let nature take its course
Do not manipulate others
Effortlessness is the goal
Taoism is concerned about physical
health and longevity
Quest for immortality was part of early
Taoism
Tai Chi – like slow motion martial arts
(6:53)
› goal is meditative, continuous movement
Harmonizes the flow of Chi – energy,
through the body.
Has a calming effect, eliminates stress
Chinese medicine seeks balance in the
body’s Chi
Needles at pressure points relieve
blockages in the flow of Chi
Architecture and interior design to
maximize the flow of Chi
Doors, windows, stairs, etc., are placed in
accordance with the Tao, harmony
After 1949, Mao tried to stamp out all
religion
Many Chinese fled and took their beliefs
with them
Taiwan is now the center of Taoism; the
celestial master lives there (in exile)
599-527 B.C.
Born in northern India, raised in Hindu
culture
Became convinced that Hinduism was
incorrect
At age 30, he became an Ascetic: he
gave away all his worldly possessions
and became a vegetarian
Began to meditate daily
At age 42, he achieved enlightenment
and became a “conqueror”
Taught his methods for 30 years
At age 72, he died of “gradual fasting”
Ahimsa non-violence, cause no harm to any living being
Satya speaking the truth
Asetya not taking anything that is not given to them by the owner
Brahmacharya complete abstinence from sex
Aparigraha detachment from places, persons and things
The essence of Jainism
The noble art of non-violence
Extends to other people, insects, micro-
organisms, the entire planet
Jains try to avoid harm to other living
beings
2008 presidential candidate speaking to
Jain young people in India
› 3:41
From Hinduism
The soul is eternal, reborn over and over
May be in animal or inanimate form,
everything –everything– has a soul
Only the human form can stop the cycle
For every action, a consequence
Bad thoughts and actions in past lives
lead to bad consequences in the next
Salvation
Eliminating the effects of Karma
Achieved through meditation and right
conduct
• Adopted in 1975
2500 years after
Mahavira
• Swastika represents
4 types of re-births,
Shape of a pinwheel
(Three dots are right Faith, Knowledge
and Conduct)
Voluntary death by fasting
Represents complete renunciation of
earthly possessions
Not seen as suicide . . . seen as liberation
4 million worldwide, mostly in India
Ghandi was influenced by Ahimsa
Campaign of non-violent resistance to
British rule
They refused to fight back
Martin Luthor King
What is its relationship to Taoism?
Is it simply a philosophy, or is it also a
religion?
Who was Confucius?
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.-- Confucius
If you enjoy what you do, you'll never
work another day in your life.-- Confucius
The superior man is firm in the right way,
and not merely firm.-- Confucius
A fool despises good counsel, but a wise
man takes it to heart.– Confucius
Ignorance is the night of mind, a night
without moon or star.-- Confucius
They must often change who would be
constant in happiness or wisdom.
-- Confucius
“Confucius” is the
English spelling of his
name.
Lived, you guessed
it, 500s BC (China).
Was well-educated.
Left home in his 20s
to become a
teacher.
Confucius Biography 44:46
At age 50, was named magistrate of a
large area.
He left office and went teaching again.
He claimed all his wisdom was learned
from the ancients. (He was a scholar)
“Being fond of truth, I am an admirer of
antiquity.”
Teaches “the way of Heaven.”
Moral teachings, how to behave in
accordance with the divine order.
Concerned with life here -- not the after-
life.
Taught the Golden Rule.
“Nature’s way is to be genuine. To be
genuine is to act truly without effort.”
Taught virtue, behaving in the way of
heaven. There are Five Virtues: p.93
Five Constant Relationships (4:15)
Parent—child, Husband—wife,
Older brother/sister—younger
brother/sister
Older friend—younger friend
Ruler—citizen
There is an obligation to treat
subordinates with justice.
Means honouring your parents,
grandparents, ancestors.
Remembering your dead ancestors.
Confucian practices repressed under
Communism
But it’s still a part of Chinese culture
The native religion of Japan
No founder, no scriptures, no organized structure
Fundamentally Polytheistic and Animist in nature.
Current practices originated ~500 BC
Shinto derived from Chinese shin Tao or “the way of the divine”
Early Shinto focused on mythology and nature worship
Shinto demonstrated a tremendous ability to coexist with other religious movements
It would late adapt elements from Taoism, Confucianism (200 AD) and Buddhism (552 AD)
Due to mixing with other religions, Shinto nearly became absorbed by Buddhism
For some of the Imperial family, this was intolerable
In 1868 the Emperor made Shinto the state religion in and many Shinto shrines built
This led to a resurgence in Shinto worship
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a government associated with a religion?
Animist spirits which pervade everything.
These spirits can be found in everything from rocks and trees to animals and thunder
Means “high” or “superior.”
Izanagi and Izanami Myth
Most significant deity in Shinto
The sun goddess
Hope and prosperity
Emperor is her direct descendent.
Rituals help restore purity
New Years and beginning of summer
State Shinto: Emperor worship, imperial era 1868-1945› Abolished after WWII
Sect Shinto: 13 recognized sects› Origins with farmers and peasants
Shrine Shinto: 80 000 shrines› Replaced State Shinto. Preserve what people felt were a
vital part of Shinto.
Folk Shinto: worship of local Kami› Personal and prayers and rituals vary greatly
› Tangible goals include purity, fertility, health, and prosperity.
