eYAGa&t TT Religions of the World Fact Cards by Laurie Willis Illustrated by Jean Tamminga Grote ENS Pe oC Inc.HINDUISM HISTORY Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is different from most other religions because it was not started by any particular person. Instead, it evolved as the beliets of several different groups of people combined. About five thousand years ago, a group of people were living in an area called the Indus Valley in what is now northwestern India and eastern Pakistan. Another wandering tribe, the Aryans, invaded the Indus Valley. The religious beliefs of the two groups intermingled to form the early components of Hinduism. The early Hindus believed in one main god, Brahma (or Brahman), and many lesser gods, who are often thought of as different faces of Brahma. A set of sayings and teachings, called the Vedas, were said to have been inspired by Brahma and were passed down by word of mouth from one generation to the next. Eventually, these were written down. They still play an important part in Hindu life today. They contain hymns and chants to be used in worship and instructions for rituals and priestly duties. Hindu society was divided into four castes, or classes, of people. The highest class, ‘the Brahmins (priests), were concemed with assisting people with worship, called puja, and with remembering and passing on the sacred texts. The second caste, the Kshatriyas, was made up of soldiers and nobles. The next caste, made up of farmers, merchants, and craftspeople, was called the Vaishyas. The Shudras made up the fourth caste of servants and laborers. A fifth caste, sometimes called the untouchables, consisted of people outside all the other castes, who did the dirtiest jobs. Hindus believed that people were born into a certain caste because of their karma from their Past life, and they remained a member of that caste their whole life, and did not associate with members of other castes. Today, the untouchables caste has been officially abolished, but it still exists unofficially in some places, especially in rural areas. Some modern Hindus, especially urban ones, do not adhere strictly to the caste system and may associate with people from other castes. Some people today believe that the casie system is unfair because it does not allow anyone to move between castes in this lifetime. Others believe that it is a good way to organize society because everyone is a member of a group and is cared for by those of their own caste. Around the ninth century BCE, some of the Aryans and the original Indus Valley _ tribes migrated to the Ganges River Valley, and yet another set of religious beliefs were incorporated into Hinduism. By this time, a complicated set of rituals and animal sacrifices had developed for worship, and the Brahmins had become extremely powerful. ‘Some people objected to the level of power that the Religions of the World, Card €Brahmins had. Gradually another group of religious leaders emerged. These were hermits, who lived a simple life in the forest, owning very few possessions and spending their time in devotion and meditation. Many people placed their trust in these forest hermits rather than in the priests. Between the seventh and fifth centuries B.C.E., another set of teachings, the Upanishads, were composed by the forest hermits. These took the form of dialogues between a student and a teacher, and highlighted some of the mai Hindu beliefs. These were also handed down by word of mouth, eventually written down, and are an important part of Hindu literature today. Another set of teachings, the Puranas, also developed around this time. These were popular stories of the lives of the gods and goddesses. They were easy to understand, and captured the imaginations of the people. Hindu beliefs eventually spread throughout the entire subcontinent of what is now India and also to other parts of Asia and, later, to other parts of the world. In the eighth century, C.E., Muslims migrated to India and, after five hundred years of conflict, took over the country. Although Hinduism still existed, it was no longer the only religion practiced in India. The British set up colonies in India in the eighteenth century, further diluting the Hindu culture. A man named Rammohan Roy (1772-1833) was a key figure in restoring some of the ancient Hindu culture. Another man, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1949), used @ Hindu principle of non- violent resistance to eventually free, India from British rule in 1947, He was more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma is a title of honor meaning the great soul, He was one of the great spiritual and political leaders of the twentieth century, and people of all faiths consider him to have been an exemplary force for peace. There are various stories about how the name Hindu came about. It was probably first used Card 6. by Persians who found it difficult to pronounce the word sidhu, an early name of the Indus Valley. Hindus usually think of themselves as followers of a sacred law, or dharma, rather than as Hindus. BELIEFS There is not a set creed or system of beliefs which one must adhere to in order to be a Hindu. Most people of Hindu ancestry consider themselves to be Hindu and follow Hindu Practices and rituals to some extent. Hindus do their religion, but some people, especially in the United States, have chosen to study Hinduism and have even become Hindu teachers, or gurus. Even though it is not required, most Hindus do share a common set of beliefs. Hindus believe that when people die, they come back to earth again in a process called reincarnation. A person’s good or bad behavior, called karma, during their lifetime influences their status in their next life. As a reward for good behavior, they might be reborn into a higher caste. As 2 punishment for bad behavior, they could be reborn as an animal. This cycle of birth, death, and rebirth is called samsara. This cycle finally ends when a person achieves moksha, the final stage of purity attained by repeated good deeds. In addition to the four castes, Hindus also believe that there are four stages of life that a person should pass through. They are: a student, a householder, a forest hermit, and a wandering holy man. Many people spend most of their adult lives as householders, but some do continue on through the four stages. Hindus believe that certain animals are sacred. The most important of these is the cow. The cow is a source of milk and cheese, does work by pulling carts and plows, and her dung is used as a source of fuel. Hindus are not allowed to kill a cow and most Hindus will not eat beef. Many Hindus show respect for all animals by not eating meat of any kind. ‘Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.HINDUISM (Continued) CONCEPT OF GOD Most Hindus believe that there is one creator-god, Brahma, who is represented by thousands of _ other gods and goddesses. The three most popular are Brahma himself, : Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Vishnu is believed to appear in ten'forms, or avatars. Shiva, a god of opposites, is believed to be responsible for destroying creation, but also for re-creating it His wife takes many forms, including the gentle Parvati, the warrior Durga, or the fierce Kali. Other popular gods include Krishna and Rama, who are different forms of Vishnu. Both of them have had many interesting stories told about their lives. Today, their stories are passed on through popular media such as comic books and television shows. Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles, is also very Popular. He has an elephant’s head and is usually shown holding candy in his hand. Ganesh is consulted when beginning something new, such as a new job or a new place to live. Hindus also believe that special places can be gods and goddesses. The Ganges River is worshipped as a goddess. Hindus travel to the Ganges on pilgrimages, believing that the waters will wash away their sins and cure their illnesses. SACRED WRITINGS The ancient Hindu scriptures were written down over a period of about a thousand years, in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. The oldest and most well known is the Rig Veda, a collection of hymns about the Hindu gods and their worship. Three other Vedas were written Reli during this period. Scholars disagree about the exact dates of the Vedas, placing them somewhere between 2000 B.C.E. and 400 B.C.E. The Upanishads, which talk about reincamation and moksha, were written several hundred years later. Two great epic poems, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, are probably the longest poems in the world. The Mahabharata has over ninety thousand verses and tells about a civil war between two families. It contains a section called the Bhagavad Gita, which tells popular stories about the god Krishna. The Ramayana tells of the exploits of the god Rama. The eighteen Puranas are stories about the gods and goddesses, famous heroes, the beginning and end of the world, and the history of humankind. All of these varied writings are included in the Hindu sacred texts. SYMBOLS Gods and goddesses are represented in pictures and in statues or sculptures. They are often shown to have many faces or arms, indicating their special qualities. For example, Brahma has four faces to show that he rules ‘over the four points of the compass, and has four arms in which he holds the sacred books and the beads and flask of a holy man. Each god or goddess has a particular kind of animal to ride on. Brahma rides on a goose, Vishnu usually rides on an eagle or a snake, and Shiva rides on a bull named Nandi, The written form of the sacred sound om or aum is often used as a symbol for Hinduism. This represents the first sound heard in the World and also is found at the beginning of Hindu prayers.WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Hindus may worship at a temple or at @ special shrine in their homes. They worship individually instead of in large groups or congregations. Hindus also consider dharma, behaving in a good or ethical way, to be an act of worship. Ata home shrine, a Hindu offers puja, or prayers, every day. The worshipper brings offerings such as food, flowers, incense, milk, water, or ghee (a form of butter) to a statue or picture of a god or goddess in the shrine, and offers prayers. Some Hindu temples are in caves, which represent inner peace. Others have tall towers, which represent mountains. The temple is believed to be a crossing place, a sacred space where gods can cross between earth and heaven. Some are special places of pilgrimage that are difficult to reach. Hindus believe that the extra effort needed to reach them contributes to their good karma. A Hindu temple is usually dedicated to a particular god, who is represented by a statue in a special shrine room inside the temple. ‘Only Brahmin priests can enter this room. The priest cares for the god. When a worshipper ‘comes, the priest gives his or her puja offerings to the god to be blessed. Hindus also believe that by the act of looking at the sacred statue, called darshan, they receive a blessing. Sometimes a smaller version of the statue may be carried through the streets so that more people may experience darshan. Before a Hindu baby is bom, special prayers are offered for the baby and the mother. On the tenth or twelfth day of a baby’s life, a naming ceremony is held in the home, and the baby is taken outside for the first time. At the age of five or six months, special prayers are offered when the child is given his or her first solid food. Another special ceremony accompanies the child's first haircut (for boys) or ear piercing (for Card 7 girls), somewhere between the ages of one and five years. At the age of twelve, a Hindu boy from one of the upper three castes has a special Sacred Thread ceremony, which marks his passage into. adulthood. After a series of ritual baths and prayers, the boy is given-a loop of thread. It is made up of three cords, each of which is made of three twisted strands, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all existence. The boy wears this cord over his left shoulder and under his right arm for the rest of his life. There is no similar ceremony for boys of the lower caste or for girls. HOLIDAYSIFESTIVALS Holi — a festival held in February or March, where people of all castes gather in the streets and throw colored powders or colored water at each other to celebrate the pranks that Krishna played as a young man. * Dussehra - a ten-day festival held in September or October, celebrating either the victory of the goddess Durga over the Butfalo Demon or the victory of the god Rama over the demon king Ravana. + Diwali — a five-day festival of lights held in October or November, honoring the god Rama, where people exchange gifts, eat special foods, and watch fireworks displays. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION Hinduism is one of the world's largest rel There are close to one billion Hindus in the world. Around eight hundred million of these are in India, one million each are in North America and Europe. Others are in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Fiji, and Africa. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS The Hindu Temple Society of North America 45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11365 phone: (718) 460-8484 ni Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.JAINISM HISTORY Jainism is an ancient religion of India. Jains believe that history moves in cycles of rise and fall. During each cycle there is a series of 24 great spiritual teachers called Tirthankaras (bridge-builders) or Jinas (conquerors). Jain means follower of the Jinas. Jain legends say that the first Jina lived about eight million years ago. ‘The last and most important Jina of the present age was born in the sixth century B.C.E. His name was Vardhamana Mahavira. He was born to a wealthy family but gave up his comfortable life when he was about thirty years old to wander as a beggar, seeking spiritual enlightenment. He usually wore no clothes, spent long periods fasting, and was often seen standing still as a statue. After about twelve years, he began to teach others what he had leamed. Mahavira divided the community into four groups: monks and nuns (sadhu and sadhvi), and lay men and women (shravak and shravika). The monks and nuns represented the ideal spiritual life, each owning only a broom, a walking stick, robes, and a bowl for food. They spent their time meditating, got food by begging, and often lived outdoors. The lay life, practicing the principles of Jainism with their families. By the time Mahavira died at the age of 72, he had quite a large following. Some of Mahavira’s students took over leadership of the group, and Jainism grew to be a major religion in India. It is still popular today, especially in the northwestern provinces of Gujarat and Maharastra. There are also small Jain communities in other countries, such as the United States. Religions of the Word, BELIEFS Jains believe that every living being has a soul. The soul collects atomic particles, called karma, which cling to it and keep it from reaching perfection, or moksha. When the body dies, the soul is rebom and continues to strive for Perfection in its new body. Jains, especially monks and nuns, sometimes treat their bodies harshly to burn out the bad karma, Jains also believe that practicing the three Jewels - tight faith, right knowledge, right conduct ~ help them to achieve moksha. One of the ways Jains practice right conduct is called ahimsa or non-violence. Jains make sure not to hurt any living thing, even an insect. They do not eat meat and have frequent Periods of fasting, when they do not eat anything at all. They do not eat after dark so that they will not accidentally swallow an insect. Jains are also expected to be truthful, not to ‘steal, not to be attached to material things, and to be either celibate or monogamous. Women are treated as equal to men. CONCEPT OF GOD ins do not believe in a god or gods as other ions do. They believe that any living being has the potential to become siddha, or god, by achieving moksha. SACRED WRITINGS The first Jain documents were written down around the third century B.C.E., from the joint memories of the followers of Mahavira. Some of these texts have been lost, but some are still used today. Commentaries by monks were written as early as the second century B.C.E. SYMBOLS Jainism is sometimes symbolized by the outline of an upright hand with a symbol for the word ahimsa in the palm. The hand represents non- Card 10violence and reminds Jains to act with wisdom and peace. Appreciation of beauty is encouraged, and Jain sculptures, paintings, carvings, and literature can be found throughout India. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Jain temples are large and ornate, decorated with carvings and sculpture. A Jain temple is almost always dedicated to one of the 24 Jinas, who is represented by a large statue. The other 23 Jinas are represented by smaller statues within the temple. All of the statues are identical, to indicate their spiritual perfection, but each has its own individual symbol below the statue. The symbol for Mahavira is a lion. Puja, or worship, is performed every day at the temple, usually in the early moming. Some attend the temple worship; others worship at a home shrine instead. The worshipper recites a brief mantra, or prayer, then makes a design with grains of rice and showers the statue with water or symbolically bathes it During festivals, the statue may also be decorated with flowers or other offerings. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS * Paryushana — a solemn year-end festival, held for eight days in the fall, when people often come to 2 monk for confession and forgiveness. * Mahavira Jayanti - the celebration of Mahavire's birthday, which takes place in March or April. Jains visit sacred shrines to worship the Jinas, often with joyous processions. * Mahamastakabhisheke - a special ceremony held every twelve years Sravanabelagola, a city in southern India. This is the site of a huge statue of Gomateshwara (one of the Jinas, also known as Bahubali). The statue, which is more than 55 feet tall, is over one thousand years old and is said to be the largest statue in the world carved out of a single stone. Jain pilgrims come fromm all over the world to celebrate the | Mahamastakabhisheka. People climb up on scaffolding around the statue and pour coconut milk, yogurt, ghee (@ form of butter), bananas, poppy seeds, gold coins, saffron, sandalwood, and other substances over the feet of the statue. This not only serves as a religious ritual of cleansing, but also helps to keep the statue from decaying. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION There are about four million Jains worldwide. Most of them live in the southern part of India. Some live in other parts of the world such as the United States, England, and Kenya. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Jains do not have organizational headquarters, but they do have study centers and/or temples in some larger cities in the United States (and many in India). The following web site has links to many of these, as well as to other interesting sites about the Jain religion. iyafjaintinks, him! Pilgrims washing the feet of the statue of Gomateshwara Card 10, Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.BUDDHISM HISTORY Buddhism was founded by a young man named ‘Siddhartha Gautama (ca. 563-483 B.C.E.), who later became known as the Buddha. ‘Siddhartha lived in northem India (present-day Nepal) in the sixth century B.C.E. He was born into a wealthy family in a town called Lumbini Grove. He was raised in luxury. His father wanted him to become a great king. A story ‘says that fortune tellers told Siddhartha’s father that when the boy saw four people — a poor man, an old man, a corpse, and a beggar — he would leave his family and not become king. His father tried to protect him from these sights. Siddhartha saw the four men, however, as Predicted. He was overcome by the amount of suffering in the world, of which these men were only an example. At the age of 29, he left his family and set out to seek an answer as to why there was so much suffering in the world. For six years he traveled, studying with various spiritual teachers, without finding his answers. Finally, while meditating under a bodhi (fig) tree in a place called Bodh Gaya (in present-day India), he became aware of the answers he was Religions of the World. seeking, which he called the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. He began to travel again, this time teaching and preaching his newfound wisdom. He became known as the Buddha (The Enlightened One). In the third century B.C.E., an Indian emperor named Asoka adopted Buddhism as the state religion of India, causing Buddha's teachings to become popular throughout India. Buddhism spread to many other Asian countries, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar (Burma). As it spread, Buddhism took on different characteristics in different places. Buddhism began to spread to America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Africa during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, partly because of the immigration of Asians to other parts of the world, and partly because of the attraction of Buddhist ideas to people from other cultures. BELIEFS All Buddhist teachings trace their beginnings to the teachings of the Buddha, and particularly his Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths a 1) There is suffering in the world. 2) Suffering is caused by human desires or greed. 3) Suffering can be stopped by stopping human desires. 4) This can be done by following the Eightfold Path. The Eighfold Path involves development of both thoughts and actions. A Buddhist practices achieving these steps in his or her life, often with the help of an experienced teacher. The Buddhist strives for: Card 34) Right understanding — understanding the teachings of the Buddha, especially the Four Noble Truths. 2) Right thoughts ~ thinking ebout the Four Noble Truths and how to put them into. practice by being kind to others. 3) Right speech — speaking kindly toward and about others. 4) Right action ~ acting in ways that are kind and helpful. 5) Right livelihood — choosing a job that is not harmful to others. 6) Right effort — concentrating on becoming a better person. 7) Right mindfulness — being aware of thoughts in order to think kindly towards others. 8) Right concentration — practicing meditation, which helps to enlighten the mind. ‘A person completing the Eightfold Path is said to have reached freedom ‘from all suffering, which Buddhists call nirvana. Buddhists believe that when a person dies, he or she returns in another form to continue to attempt to reach nirvana. If a person did good deeds in one life, they might retum as a wealthy or important person in the next. If they did bad deeds, in their next life they might be poor or sickly. This law of cause and effect is known as karma. Buddhists believe that it takes many lifetimes, or reincarhations, to reach nirvana. This cycle of death and rebirth is called the dharma. CONCEPT OF GOD Buddha is not thought of as a god, but merely a person who is enlightened, or fully aware. Any person can become a buddha by becoming enlightened. The concept of a god or gods, as seen in many other religions, is not important in Buddhism. SACRED WRITINGS For many centuries, the teachings of the Buddha were passed on by word of mouth by the Sangha, the ‘community of monks and nuns who followed the Buddha. In the first century, C.E., they were written down on palm leaves in the Indian language that the Buddha spoke, called Pali They are called the Pali Canon. Card 3. ‘The leaves were kept in three baskets, calied the Tripitaka. The Sutta basket held the teachings of the Buddha. The Vinaya basket contained the rules of life that were to be followed. Additional information was contained in the Abhidhamma basket. These documents, especially the rules of the Vinaya, ere followed most closely by the Theravada Buddhists. The Mahayana Buddhists have written down their own versions of Buddha's teachings and related writings by other people. Every Buddhist country seems to have a unique set of holy writings. Some of them, such as the Chinese Ta-ts’ang-ching (Great Scripture Store), include parts of the Tripitaka as well as commentaries, poetry, and other materials. SYMBOLS ‘The most commonly used Buddhist symbol is the Buddha himself. Statues of the Buddha can be found in all sizes, ranging from small ones that are made to sit on a shelf at a small shrine in a home or a business, to larger-than life versions, such as the 42-foot high Great Buddha in Kamakura, Japan; the 70-foot high stone Buddha in Buddh Gaya, India; or the 229- footong reclining Buddha at the Kyauk Htat Gyi Pagoda in Rangoon, Burma. ‘The position of the Buddha's body and hands represent different aspects of Buddhist teachings. For example, his hand touching the ground symbolizes his enlightenment. The rectining position shows the Buddha in a stage near to nirvana. The wheel of life, also called the wheel of the Jaw, is another popular Buddhist symbol. It depicts the circular nature of life, with its outer edge representing links in the cycle of life and rebirth. Some wheels show three animals representing the evils that cause suffering. A cock represents lust, 2 pig stands for either greed or stupidity, end a snake depicts “hatred and wrong actions. ©Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.> S BUDDHISM (Continued) Today, there are two main types of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is practiced mostly in Sti Lanka, Burma, and southeastem Asia, and is the most traditional form of Buddhism. The Sanskrit word Thera means elder. Theravada means School of the Elders. This group closely follows the rules and regulations established by Buddha, which were later written down by his followers. Buddhist prayer wheel Theravada Buddhists believe that the individual is responsible for his ‘or her own path towards nirvana. Many Theravada Buddhists become monks or nuns to have more time to seek personal enlightenment. They shave their heads and wear saffron (orange- red) robes, as Buddha did, and live in poverty and simplicity, spending time in meditation. Many boys, often as young as four or five years old, will be sent by their parents to a monastery to spend some time living the life of a monk. These boys spend several hours a day in meditation and many hours studying the Buddhist holy writings. Some boys spend only about a month in the monastery, while others may stay a few years, and still others remain until they are young adults and may even choose to live the rest of their lives as monks. Mahayana Buddhism emerged between the second century B.C.E. and the second century C.E. in India, and later spread to Tibet, China and Japan. Mahayana means Great Vehicle, because Mahayana Buddhists believe that this branch of Buddhism will carry many people to enlightenment, becoming Buddhas themselves. Mahayana Buddhists believe that there are people, called bodhisativas, who are ready to reach nirvana themselves but choose instead to delay their final rebirth so that they can help others along the path to enlightenment. This sense of compassion and community is characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism. The form of Mahayana Buddhism practiced in Japan is called Pure Land Buddhism. These Japanese Buddhists believe that if they worship Amida Buddha (the Buddha of Boundless Light) they will be reborn into a paradise called Pure Land. Zen Buddhism, a type of Mahayana Buddhism ~~ which centers on meditation, developed in China as Ch’an. it was taken to Japan in the twelfth century C.E. by a man named Eisai, and also in the thirteenth century C.E. by a man named Dogen. The Buddhism taught by these two men thrived in Japan. Today, the majority of Zen Buddhists live in Japan. Zen Buddhists believe in a special kind of enlightenment, called satori, They try to reach satori by physical labor or by a special kind of meditation. In this kind of meditation, they sit cross-legged in what is called the fotus position and meditate on a Kind of riddle called a koan. ‘A well-known koan is: “What is the sound of ‘one hand clapping?” These koans do not usually have clear answers, but cause a person to think in a new way. Zen Buddhism has become a popular form of meditation for people in westem countries such as the United States who do not necessarily consider themselves to be Buddhists. Some people practice meditation that is a mixture of Zen Buddhism and Christian prayer. Religions of the World, Card 4 eeeVajrayana Buddhism, or Tantric Buddhism, also a type of Mahayana Buddhism, developed in Tibet and became the main form of Buddhism practiced there. It is characterized by many rituals, which can only be practiced under the direction of a master, or lama. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists and known throughout the world as ‘a spiritual teacher, is one of these masters. It is believed that when the Dalai Lama dies, his soul enters the body of a newborn boy, who becomes the next Dalai Lama. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Buddhists are expected to practice their beliefs in all aspects of their lives. The essential form ‘of Buddhist devotion is meditation, which can take place anywhere. In countries which are largely Buddhist, temples and monasteries can be found everywhere providing special places for meditation and devotion. One special kind of shrine Ig called a stupa. The first stupas were built to house relics of Buddha, such as his bones | and teeth. Others contain sacred writings or images. Buddhist temples and centers are also springing up in countries with smaller Buddhist populations, such as the United States. When visiting a temple or shrine, Buddhists might show their devotion by removing their shoes, siting before a statue of the Buddha, reciting the three refuges (a short verse), then bowing three times and leaving an offering (a candle, incense, water, flowers, or food). A Buddhist may also meditate in front of a small home shrine that contains a statue of Buddha. Buddhist meditation is a way of clearing the mind, to free it from all evil thoughts and ractions. The Buddhist sits on the floor or a pillow and relaxes the body, sitting very still. Thoughts might be focused by concentrating on a single object, such as a candle flame. Often, Card 4 a phrase is quiety chanted to help avoid distractions. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS Each Buddhist country has developed its own local festivals. Many of these celebrate events in the life of Buddha. Some are: + New Year (new moon of February) - Bad deeds of the past year are symbolically swept away by cleaning the house or by erecting a sand stupa (temple) which is then washed away. Monks may perform rituals while people light firecrackers and shout. + Vaishakha Festival (eighth day of the second lunar month) -— remembers Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing into nirvana at his death. It includes a procession, music, and lamps or candles. + Hana Matsuri (April 8) — Japanese celebration of Buddha's birth. Images of the Buddha as a child are bathed in scented water or tea. * Pirit — a Sri Lankan ceremony conducted at any time to ward off evil spirits or cure the sick. Passages from a special book are read for a period of seven days. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION It is difficult to count the exact number of Buddhists, since many Asian people consider themselves to be Buddhist but may also practice Shinto, Taoism, or some other religion. Estimates say there are between three and four milion Buddhists in the world. They can be found throughout Asia, especially in Sri Lanka and Japan, and also in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and parts of Africa. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Buddhists do not have complex organizational structures or a main headquarters, as many other religions do. Each local Buddhist temple or center functions more or less independently. They do sometimes form associations with one another, such as this one: Buddhist Churches of America 1710 Octavia Street San Francisco, CA 94109 phone: (415) 776-5600 J Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.HISTORY Judaism is one of the oldest rel world. A man named Abram, who lived around 1800 B.C.E. in a city called Ur in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), is considered to be the founder. In Abram’s time, people worshipped many different gods. Abram, however, believed in ‘one god, called Yahweh. A story about Abram when he was a little boy shows that even then he questioned the common belief in many gods. At that time, Abram’s father had a shop selling statues of idols representing many gods. One day when his father was away, Abram took a club and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He put the club into the hands of the largest idol. When his father came home, he asked Abram what had happened. Abram explained that the idols had gotten into a fight. His father exclaimed that that was impossible. Abram agreed, pointing out how little power the idols had. When he was an adult, Abram and his wife ‘Sarai went to a place called Canaan. Yahweh made @ covenant or agreement, with Abram. Abram would have many descendants who would live in Canaan, which they called the Promised Land (now Israel). Abram would remain faithful to Yahweh, and all of the male children in his family would be circumcised (have their foreskin ritually and surgically removed). Yahweh changed Abram and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah as a sign of the covenant. Many years later, though they were very old, Abraham and Sarah had a son named Isaac. All of the people who have descended from Abraham through his son Isaac are known as Jews, after one of Abraham's great-grandsons, vudah. The Jewish people are aiso sometimes known as Israelites or Children of Israel, after JUDAISM The Star of David Abraham's grandson. Traditionally, éveryone bom of a Jewish mother is a Jew, whether they actively participate in the religion or not. The Jewish people did not live in their Promised Land forever, as they had hoped. Around 1300 B.C.E. they had to move to Egypt in search of food during a time of famine. They became slaves to the Egyptian king, or Pharaoh. They were freed by a Jewish man named Moses, and again headed towards the Promised Land, The story of their escape from slavery is told in the book of Exodus in The Bible. They finally arrived and settled there, building @ temple in which to worship Yahweh in the city of Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in about 60 C.E. Since that time, Jews have built other places of worship wherever they go throughout the world. These are called synagogues. The temple has never been feplaced, and some Jewish people are offended when the word temple is inappropriately used to describe a synagogue. Jewish people dispersed to many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East and the eastern and central parts of Europe. Through the centuries, there have been continued Religions of the World, Card 14 psbattles over possession of the territory that the Jews call the Promised Land, as many other ethnic and religious groups also have laid claim to the same space. Many Jews moved to America as it was being colonized. The first Jewish congregation in America was founded in 1650 in New ‘Amsterdam (now New York City). Meny others followed, especially in the 1800's. During World War Il (1939-1945), over six million Jewish people, especially those in Germany and Poland, were killed by the Nazi forces. Others fled to the United States and other countries for safety. ‘A movement called Zionism, which began in the late nineteenth century, encourages all Jews to return to the Promised Land, present-day Israel. Many Jewish people dream of some day making their home there, if they have not done so already. Other people are content to live in other parts of the world and do not believe it is necessary for all Jews to return to Israel. BELIEFS Jews believe in one God, the biblical Yahweh, and in obeying the laws set down in the covenants that Abraham and his descendants made with Yahweh. Jews do not have a complex Set of beliefs or creeds as many other religions do, but instead emphasize following the laws as given in the covenants. In the United States today there are three main movements of Judaism. Orthodox Jews adhere most strictly to tradition, precisely following the rules that were set down in the Hebrew Bible. For example, they follow an exact set of dietary rules. They never eat certain meats, such as pork, and never eat meat products and milk products together, or even off of the same plate. Reform Jews are less strict in their observances, and believe that following the spirit of the covenant with Yahweh is more important than following the particular rules set down at that time. An individual in the Reform tradition might choose to follow the dietary rules, but they are not expected to do so. Card 11. Conservative Judaism has elements of both the Orthodox and Reform movements, believing that the traditional laws have value but should be tempered by new ideas and practices. CONCEPT OF GOD Judaism may have been the first religion to believe that there is one God who created the universe and continues to control it. Since Judaism teaches that all people are created in the image of God, they believe that everyone is to be treated with respect. Jews do not attempt to convert others to their beliefs, but they do welcome outsiders who wish to become Jewish. ‘SACRED WRITINGS The Hebrew Bible (known to Christians as the Old Testament) is the foundation of the Jewish religion. The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, often attributed to Moses as author, are called the Torah. These contain the story of Abraham and his family, and the agreements ‘set down in the covenants with Yahweh. The other main sacred Jewish writing is the Talmud. It is a combination of two documents: the Mishnah, first written down in the second century C.E., and the Gemara, written down around the fifth century C.E., both of which are early commentaries on the Torah. The prayer book used for Jewish worship is called a siddur. The Torah ‘©Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. és @JUDAISM (Continued) SYMBOLS Judaism is often represented by the six-pointed star, or Star of David. This star is said to stand for the shield of David, an ancient king and important figure in the Hebrew Bible. No one is certain when the symbol was first used. A portion of the Torah from the book of Deuteronomy is a very important part of Jewish symbols. The passage is known as the shema, from the Hebrew for the first word of the Passage, hear. It begins, “Hear, O Israel,” and continues by telling the people to keep God constantly in their minds and hearts, and to write it on the doorposts of their homes. Jews use very small, hand-written versions of the shema in two important symbols, the mezuzah and the tefl In the mezuzah, the shema is placed inside a container and nailed to the doorpost in each toom of a Jewish house. When a Jew enters the room, he or she touches the mezuzah as a reminder of the passage it contains. The tefilin are small boxes or leather pouches which contain handwritten versions of the shema. Jewish men wear them on their arms during worship. A Jewish man also wears a tallit, or prayer shawl, and a yarmulke during worship. The yarmulke is a close-fiting, brimless cap that may be plain or embroidered with designs. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Some parts of Jewish worship take place in the home. However, the local synagogue is a place of worship as well as being a center for Jewish learning and a place of social gathering for the Jewish community. The Torah tells Jews to pray three times every day, morning, midday, and Religions of the World, night. At least ten Jewish men (Reform Jews also count women) must gather in the synagogue to form a minyan or quorum for worship. The service consists of the shema, blessings, readings from the Torah, and prayers. The Torah used in the synagogue is hand- written on thin parchment paper, wrapped in velvet, and kept in a special cabinet called an ark. A candle known as the Eternal Light always burns in front of the ark. The Torah is read from a special platform in the center of the synagogue, called a bimah. It takes special training to be able to read from this scroll, because the Torah is written in Hebrew characters and, following ancient custom, vowels are not written down. Worship is usually, but not always, led by a Rabbi, or teacher. If there is singing, it is usually led by a cantor. A lay person, called a ‘gabbai, often assists with the worship service. In Orthodox synagogues, worship is in Hebrew, the ancient language of the Jewish people. Women sit apart from men. In Reform synagogues, much of the service is in the local language. Reform Jews permit women and men to sit together in their synagogues. The Sabbath is the weekly Femembrance that God rested from creation on the seventh day (as the story is told in the book of Genesis in the Torah). Remembering the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments, a part of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. The Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday night and continues until sunset on Saturday. It begins with a Card 12simple meal in the home. Before the meal, the mother of the family fights candles and says a blessing. Jews gather at the synagogue for Sabbath worship on Friday night and/or Saturday morning. The Sabbath is seen as a day of rest, and no work is to be done. Orthodox Jews and some Conservative Jews take this very seriously, and will not drive a car, tum on a light, or answer a telephone on the "Sabbath. Reform Jews adhere to the concept of rest, but do not restrict their activities. Eight days after birth, a baby boy is circumcised in a ritual called the brit milah, and given his name. A baby girl receives her name during a blessing at the synagogue. At the age of thirteen, a Jewish boy becomes ‘an adult. He is old enough to read from the Torah during worship, and to be a part of the minyan. In an event called the bar mitzvah, his new manhood is honored. He plays an important role during the service, reading from the Torah scroll for the first time and often leading the whole service. Girls in the Reform movement celebrate a similar event called the bat mitzvah. In the Orthodox movement, the ‘ceremony for girls is called a bat hayil. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS * Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year festival, and the beginning of the High Holy Days, a ten-day period of repentance and renewal, which takes place in the fall. = Yom Kippur — the last of the High Holy Days, also known as the Day of Atonement, when Jews seek forgiveness for things which they have done wrong. * Pesach (Passover) - a spring holiday celebrating the escape from Egypt. It begins with a meal called the seder where the youngest child asks questions and the Passover story is retold. + Shavuot (Pentecos!) — a summer festival of thanksgiving for the Torah and the wheat harvest. * Sukkot (Feast of Tabemacles) - a fall harvest festival Card 12, Tefillin © Hanukkah ~ (Feast of Lights) - an eight- day feast, usually held in December, which commemorates a Jewish victory in 163 B.C.E. Candles are lighted each night of the feast, in an eight-branched candleholder called a menorah. Hanukkah was traditionally a minor Jewish feast, but it receives more attention today in areas that are largely Christian because of its proximity to Christmas. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION It is difficult to determine exact membership numbers for the Jewish faith, because everyone bor to a Jewish mother is considered to be ethnically Jewish, whether or not they practice the Jewish religion. It is estimated that there are thirteen to fourteen million Jews in the world. Almost half of these are in North ‘America and about five million are in Israel and the Middle East. Others can be found in parts of Europe, Russia, Africa, and South America. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Each Jewish synagogue is independent and not under the control of any central body. However, groups within each movement do logsely join together to form associations. (Reform) Union of American Hebrew Congregations 633 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017-6778, phone: (212) 650-4000 httri//uahe.ora/ United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 155 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010 phone: (212) 533-7800 wawew. usc] org/index. htm! Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations 45 West 36” Street New York, NY 10018 phone: (212) 563-4000 www.ou.cra/ @Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.CHRISTIANITY HISTORY Christians are the followers of a Jew named Jesus of Nazareth (a town in what is now northern Israel). Jesus had such a great influence on the world that the Gregorian calendar, used by most of the world today, sets the year calculated to be that of Jesus’ birth as year zero (although some scholars today disagree with the exact calculations). Jesus was bom to a young girl named Mary who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Many Christians believe that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was bom, and that God was His father. Jesus grew up to be a great teacher and healer, traveling from place to place, telling stories and curing all kinds of ailments. He gained a following, and thousands flocked to see and hear Him. He chose a small group, the twelve apostles, to be closest to Him and to carry on His message. When he was about thirty-three years old, Jesus was sentenced to death by hanging on a cross, by the government authorities who saw Him as a threat to their political power. Christians believe that after three days in the tomb, Jesus was resurrected (came alive again) and appeared to his followers many times before finally leaving earth for heaven. The Holy Eucharist, or Lord's Supper Religions of the World, Jesus’ followers banded together and began to fell others about His death and resurrection, gaining many converts. They began to be called Christians, from the Greek word Christos, a translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means anointed one. At first, the Christians had to meet in secret as they were persecuted by the Romans, who were in power at the time. This changed in the fourth century, C.E., when Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. With the power of the growing Roman Empire behind it, Christianity quickly spread. through Europe and parts of Africa and the Middle East. The word catholic comes from the Greek word for universal, which was used to describe the early Christian church, which included all Christians. The Christian church became known as the Roman Catholic Church. Church and government leaders together controlled the empire. When the Roman Empire declined, the separate countries that formed in Europe were also ruled by a partnership of church and ‘governmental leaders. In 1054 C.E., churches in Greece and areas further east officially split off from the Roman Catholic Church, forming the Eastem Orthodox Church. Although the Roman church was no longer technically catholic (universal), it retained its name. During the time called the Middle Ages (sixth through twelfth centuries, C.E), the church was a part of the daily lives of most people in Europe. it played a great part in cultural developments such as art and music. It also became very powerful. In the sixteenth century some people, most notably Martin Luther, became Card 18,dissatisfied with the church and broke away to form their own churches. This time is known as the Protestant Reformation. Denominations began to form, beginning with Lutheranism, named after Martin Luther. The Anabaptists {later to become Mennonites and Amish), Anglicans (who became Episcopalians in America), and the Reformed/Presbyterian denominations began soon after. As differences arose, many other denominations formed. Christianity spread as people moved from place to place. Many Christians take seriously Jesus’ words “preach the gospel to all nations,” and send missionaries out to all parts of the world, making converts and creating new Christian communities. Today, Christianity as a whole is the largest religion in the world. BELIEFS Although specific beliefs vary —_ from denomination to denomination, all Christians honor Jesus and most believe that faith in His death and resurrection saves a person from the consequences of sin and gives them eternal life. CONCEPT OF GOD Most Christians believe in the concept of the trinity: a supreme God, who came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and is active in the world as the Holy Spirit. SACRED WRITINGS The Bible contains the foundation of Christian teachings. It was written over a period of ‘several centuries, and tells the stories of the Jewish people before Jesus, of Jesus’ life and death, and of the early Christian by Jesus’ followers. Some Chri that the Bible is completely and literally true. Others believe that the Bible is inspired by God but also influenced by the time and place in history in which it was written. Many Christians also refer to historic Christian documents particularly the Apostles’ Creed, which dates back to near the time of the apostles, and the Nicene Creed, which was written at the Council of Nicea (a large Christian meeting) in 325 C.E. Both creeds give an Card 18, outline of Christian beliefs about the trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. SYMBOLS The primary Christian symbol is the cross, representing the cross on which Jesus died. Most Christians use this symbol. Some also use the crucifix, a cross with Jesus’ body represented on it. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Most Christians worship in church buildings, which may be of any shape and size. Christian worship services also vary from denomination to denomination, but most include prayers, songs, readings from the Bible, and a sermon or talk by a clergyperson or lay person. One prayer common to all Christians is the Lord’s Prayer, which was given by Jesus to His followers. Most Christians believe in baptism as the ritual of entry into the Church. In some groups, water is sprinkled or poured on a person’s head. In others, the person is fully immersed (dunked) in water. Baptism signifies the washing away of sins and rebirth into a new Christian life. Most Christians also celebrate some form of what may be called the Lord's Supper, Communion, or the Holy Eucharist. The people share bread and wine or grape juice in remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and in anticipation of Jesus’ retum. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS © Christmas — celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, which is remembered on December 25", * Easter ~ the Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after March 21°. On Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. + Pentecost Sunday — the seventh Sunday after Easter, many Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the trinity. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION There are over two billion Christians, living all over the world. About half are Roman Catholics. Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.ROMAN CATHOLIC HISTORY Roman Catholic churches are under the authority of the bishop of Rome, who is known as the pope. (The church headquarters is actually in a very small city-state called Vatican City, which is within the city of Rome.) Catholics believe that Jesus appointed the apostle Peter to be the first head of the church, and that that responsibility has been handed down through all the popes throughout history to the present pope, John Paul li. The word catholic comes from the Greek word for universal, which was used to describe the early Christian church, which included all Christians. It became known as the Roman Catholic Church in the fourth century, C.E., when the Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Church and goverment leaders together controlled the empire. When the Roman Empire declined, the separate countries that formed in Europe were also ruled by a partnership of church and governmental leaders. In 1054 C.E., churches in Greece and areas further east officially split off from the Roman Catholic Church, forming the Eastern Orthodox Church. Although the Roman church was no longer technically catholic (universal), it retained its name. During the Middle Ages (sixth through twelfth centuries, C.E.), the church was a part of the Gaily lives of most people in Europe. It played a role in cultural developments such as art and music. It also became very powerful. In the sixteenth century some people, most notably Martin Luther, became dissatisfied with the ee Roman Catholic Church and broke away to form their own churches. This time is known as the Protestant Reformation. Although there ate now many Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic Church remains the largest. Roman Catholicism came to the Americas with the explorers, many of whom brought missionaries along ‘on their journeys. The first congregation in North America was founded in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. Early Catholic "settlers arrived from Spain, France and England. Later, during the nineteenth century, large numbers of Catholics emigrated from Ireland, Italy, and Germany. Until the mid-twentieth century, many church practices had changed little since the Middle Ages. Most notable was the fact that church services were all conducted in Latin — the language of the Roman Empire which was no longer used by anyone outside of the church. Beginning in 1962, Roman Catholic bishops from around the world gathered for a meeting called the Second Vatican Council, convened by Pope John XXIII. One of the purposes of the meeting was to modernize the church, and one result was that services began to be conducted in the language of the people, so that they could be understood. BELIEFS Many Roman Catholic beliefs are shared by other Christians. One that is uniquely Roman Catholic is a trust in the authority of the pope and of the power structure within the church. Card 32,‘The pope is considered to be infalible (never mistaken) in his official rulings. Roman Catholics also rely heavily on the traditions of the church to guide them and to enhance their prayers. For example the rosary (a prayer about Jesus and His mother, Mary which is repeated while keeping count using a string of special rosary beads) has been a popular Catholic devotion for many centuries. It has some basis in The Bible, but is mostly a result of tradition. CONCEPT OF GOD Roman Catholics believe in the Christian concept of the trinity: a supreme God, who came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and is active in the world as the Holy Spit. SACRED WRITINGS Roman Catholics consider The Bible, and the events therein, to be the basis of their faith. Many different translations are used. The New American version is often used in the United States. They also rely on documents produced by church councils (meetings), such as the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed, statements issued by the pope, and writings of the saints. SYMBOLS Statues or pictures of saints are often used in Roman Catholic churches and homes. Saints are particularly holy people who have been recognized by the church. Catholics believe that saints can help people to pray, and their images are used as reminders of the person they represent. Some saints are especially honored in particular parts of the world. For example, Saint Patrick is known as the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Anthony is the patron saint of Portugal and is also believed to help people find lost items. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the most popular saint and is honored by Catholics everywhere, using various local traditions. Roman Catholic churches are often omately decorated, showing the people's appreciation and gratitude towards God. Incense might be used during a service to represent the people’s prayers rising heavenward. Card 32 WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Roman Catholic worship usually takes place in a church building. Some Catholic churches are called cathedrals. The cathedral is the main church in a diocese, a local grouping of churches. The man in charge of the diocese is a bishop. The word cathedra is Latin for the throne or chair where the bishop sits. Sunday worship is centered on the Mass, or Holy Eucharist. The service is divided into two parts, The first part contains readings from The Bible and a sermon preached by the priest or bishop. In the second part, people go forward to receive bread and wine, which are believed to be Christ's body and blood. Both parts of the service also have music and other prayers. Mass is celebrated daily in many Catholic churches, usually without music. Roman Catholic babies are baptized soon after birth, usually by sprinkling or pouring water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Young people have a chance to publicly acknowledge their own faith in Confirmation. Whole classes are usually Confirmed together somewhere between the age of eight and their mid-teens, depending on local custom. Roman Catholics recognize seven sacraments, or “outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace." In addition to Holy Eucharist, baptism, and confirmation, the others are: marriage, anointing for healing, penance (being softy & forgiven for something done wrong) and ordination (empowering people to serve as deacons, priests, and bishops in the church). MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION There are over one billion Roman Catholics in the world today. Worldwide headquarters are in Vatican City. The largest groups of Roman Catholics are in Europe and Latin America. Over sixty million are in the United States. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 phone: (202) 333-7121 wuwvatican.val (web site for Vatican City) Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. eEASTERN ORTHODOX HISTORY Eastern Orthodox (or simply Orthodox) is a term used to describe over a dozen Christian denominations which share common beliefs, style of worship, and history. They look to the bishop of Constantinople as their honorary leader, but each denomination is independent. In the fourth century C.E., Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. In the year 330, the Roman emperor Constantine decided to move the capital of the empire from Rome to the city of Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Constantinople was then part of Greece. Today it is the city of Istanbul, in Turkey. Constantinople became a major center for the Christian church, and the bishop there became @ leader for Christians in Greece and countries further east, in the same way that the bishop of Rome was important in Western Europe. The East and West began to have disagreements in the seventh century. In the year 1054 C.E., the bishop of Constantinople and the bishop of Rome both issued statements against the other, and a separation, or “Great Schism” took place. ‘The Eastern churches became known as Greek Orthodox or Eastem Orthodox. Local groups were organized around national boundaries: Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, etc. In 1768, a group of Greek Orthodox people settled near St. Augustine, Florida, but did not build a church. Russian Orthodox missionaries traveled from Finland to Alaska in 1794, and became the first Orthodox group to establish a church in America. Greeks, Romanians, Serbians, Ukrainians, and others also carried their Orthodox faith with them to America. BELIEFS The word orthodox is a Greek word that means right belief ot right worship. — Orthodox Christians believe that the teachings of Jesus and His apostles have been faithfully and accurately handed down through the traditions of their churches. They also believe that their form of worship is the best or right way to praise God. CONCEPT OF GOD Orthodox Christians believe in the Christian concept of the trinity: a supreme God, who came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and is active in the world as the Holy Spirit. SACRED WRITINGS The Bible, especially the four gospels of the New Testament, holds a ‘central place in Orthodox faith. Statements of doctrine (belief), such as the Creed written by the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., are also important. Writings by and about Christian saints provide guides and models for the Christian life. There are @ number of liturgical books, or guides to worship, for different seasons of the churcti year. SYMBOLS ‘The Orthodox use the arts ~ painting, sculpture, architecture, music, poetry ~ to express their God-given creative abilities. Their worship uses many symbols, especially icons. An icon is 2 Painting of a person or event, usually Jesus or @ saint, that is seen as more than just a picture of that person or event. It is believed to actually Religions of the World, _ Card 24represent that person or event and is considered to be sacred. Some other Orthodox symbols are: the cross, candles which symbolize the light leading to Christ, the smoke of buming incense which symbolizes prayers rising to God, various colors which represent seasons in the church year, a triangle representing the Trinity, and a circle representing etemity. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Orthodox worship takes place in a church building. An Orthodox church typically has a domed celling representing the kingdom of God in heaven and on earth. The key feature inside ‘the church is the altar table where the Book of Gospels (part of The Bible) is kept. An icon screen shdwing scenes from Christ's life, saints, apostles, and other Christian symbols is between the altar and the people. Three doorways in the screen allow priests and those serving at the altar to move back and forth. The Orthodox Church considers all of life to be sacramental (having to do with the holy). It recognizes seven major sacraments (signs of God's grace): baptism, chrismation, Holy Eucharist, marriage, anointing for healing, penance (being sorry & forgiven for something done wrong) and ordination (empowering people 16 serve as deacons, priests, and bishops in the church) Babies are initiated into the church by baptism, immersing the baby in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Orthodox do not have a separate rite of confirmation, as many other Christian denominations | do. Instead, baptism is immediately followed by chrismation, in which specially mixed and blessed oil is placed on the forehead, chest, hands, neck, back and feet of the baby, symbolizing the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Orthodox Christians partake of Holy Eucharist {also called Holy Communion) every Sunday. Jesus’ death and resurrection is remembered in a prayer that retells the Christian story. Then people come forward to the altar to receive Card 24 bread (or wafers) and wine, which are believed to be the body and blood of Jesus. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION The Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian group in the world, having over two hundred million members. More than ninety mmillion of these people belong to the Russian Orthodox denomination. The Greek Orthodox Church is the largest Orthodox body in the United States, with over two million members. It is followed in size by the Orthodox Church in America, which is the American branch of the Russian Orthodox Church. ORGANIZATION/HEAD QUARTERS In a general way, all Orthodox churches could be thought of as Greek Orthodox, because they trace their history to ancient Greek culture and language. In reality, each Orthodox denomination is self-governing, but considers the patriarch (bishop) of Constantinople to be first among equals, giving him a place of honor as their spiritual leader. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021 phone: (212) 570-3500 wmu.goatch.ore! ‘Orthodox Church in America P.O. Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791-0675 phone: (516) 922-0550 A Greek Orthodox icon Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. e¢ oeLUTHERAN HISTORY ‘The Roman Catholic Church was the major Christian church in the sixteenth century. At that time, a movement began that protested some of the practices of the Catholic Church and wanted them changed, or reformed. This movement became called the Protestant Reformation. A key figure in the Protestant Reformation .was a German monk named Martin Luther (1483-1546). One thing that bothered Luther about the Catholic Church was that it coliected money for indulgences, which were supposed to help people reach heaven after they died. The money was being used to build a huge church, called a basilica, in Rome at the church headquarters. Luther came to believe that people were “saved” (able to go to heaven) because of God's grace or gift and not because of either their good behavior or contributions of money. In 1817, Luther developed a list of 95 “theses” or statements about his beliefs. Tradition says that he nailed them to the door of the church in Wittenberg, where he lived, although Luther himself never mentions this in his writings. Luther was asked either to leave the Catholic ‘Church or publicly take back everything he believed in. He refused to change his mind. He was declared an outlaw and went into hiding, where he had time to write summaries of his ideas and translate The Bible into German, his native language. Before this time, The Bible was read only in Latit Luther's ideas spread, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries (Norway, ‘Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland). His followers became known as Lutherans. Since they had been forced to leave the Catholic Church, they now had to form their own churches, thus beginning the first Protestant denominations. Lutherans immigrated to America, bringing their religion with them. Some of the earliest Lutheran settlements were made in the 1620's along the Hudson River in New York and New Jersey. Immigrants from the same country who spoke the same language tended to settle together. Lutheran churches of the same ethnic background grouped together to form “synods” or associations. At one time, there were over 150 separate Lutheran synods in the United States. The synods gradually began to merge with one another. In 1988, the three largest groups merged to form a new group, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is now the largest Lutheran group in the United States. Another group, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, chose not to join the merger because of its more traditional conservative beliefs. This synod was founded in 1839 by a group of immigrants who settled in Missouri. Most Lutheran groups belong to the Lutheran World Federation, an organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, which coordinates Lutheran activities throughout the world, but does not hold power over individual Lutheran churches. Religions of the World__ _ Card 27BELIEFS Lutherans believe that peopie are saved by having faith in God and by God's grace, and that they cannot earn’ salvation by things that they do. They believe that The Bible and a person's own conscience are a higher author than the priest or the church. This idea is sometimes known as sola seriptura, which is Latin for only seripture. CONCEPT OF GOD Lutherans believe in the Christian concept of the trinity: a supreme God, who came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and is active in the world as the Holy Spirit. ; SACRED WRITINGS A number of writings of Martin Luther have been consolidated into a book called the Book of Concord. The Augsburg Confession and the ‘Small and Large Catechisms are two important documents where he outlined what he believed. Lutherans were the first Christians to use a translation of the Bible in their native language, instead of Latin, which was used by the Roman Catholics. Most Lutherans also use a service book, which gives prayers and outlines for services, and a hymnal. SYMBOLS ‘Symbols used in Lutheran churches tend to be simple and unpretentious. The cross is the most commonly used symbol. Other Christian symbols such as a dove or tongues of flame, both representing the Holy Spirit, are also used. Icons and statues are not usually seen in Lutheran churches. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Lutheran worship usually takes place in a church building. A typical service consists of hymns, readings from The Bible, a sermon and prayers. Many churches also celebrate the Lord's Supper (also called Holy Communion) every Sunday. Jesus’ death and resurrection is remembered in a prayer which retells the Card 27, Wittenberg Cathedral door Christian story, followed by the sharing of bread (or waters) and wine. People usually walk to the front of the church near the altar (lable) to receive the bread and wine. The Lord's Supper is one of two sacraments (signs of God's grace) recognized by the Lutheran Church. The other is_ baptism. Lutherans are baptized when they are infants. Water is sprinkled or poured on ‘the child's head, Tepresenting God's grace and forgiveness. — People receive a chance to make their own statement of faith at confirmation, which is at about the age of 13. Before confirmation, Lutheran young people study the catechisms (basic teachings) of Martin Luther. Music has always played an important part in Lutheran worship. Johann Sebastian Bach is probably the most famous Lutheran musician. Martin Luther himself wrote lyrics for 2 number of hymns, including the well-known A Mighty Fortress is Our God. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION There are over 61 million Lutherans worldwide. About 8 million of these are in North America. Many live in central and northern Europe, especially in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, Asia, and Africa. The African country of Namibia is the only country outside Europe where a majority of its people are Lutherans. HEADQUARTERSIWEB SITE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8765 W. Higgins Road Chicago, IL 60631 phone: (800) 638-3522 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod 1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295 phone: 1-888-THE-LCMS (843-5267) wowrw.tems.ora/ ©Toucen Valley Publications, Inc.ISLAM HISTORY ‘The word Islam means submission (to God) in Arabic. A person who follows Islam is called Muslim, which means a person who submits. Muslims trace their heritage back to the Old Testament of the Bible, and believe that Ishmael, the son of the Hebrew prophet raham, lived in the city of Mecca and was ited there by his father. Islam was founded by a man named Muhammad, who lived in Mecca in Arabia, (which is now Saudi Arabia). Many Arabs traveled to Mecca to visit the many statues of gods that were kept there. The merchants of Mecca were happy because the visitors spent money while they were in Mecca. Muhammad was bom around 570 C.E. When he grew up, he became one of the prosperous merchants, but he was uncomfortable with the worship of idols and the fact that people seemed to care so much about money. He began to spend more and more time alone, praying about these things. When he was about forty years old, Muhammad was praying in a cave when he heard a voice telling him to “recite,” to hear the words of Allah (God) and repeat them. For the next twenty years, Muhammad heard this voice. It told him that there was only one God, in Arabic called Allah. Muhammad became a prophet, telling others about what the voice said. He gained a small group of followers, some of whom were members of his family. Most of the residents of Mecca were not interested, since they liked the money, which the worship of the many gods brought to their city. They tied to make Muhammad stop talking about Allah, and som planned to kill him. Reiigions of the World In the year 622, Muhammad and his followers left Mecca to find a place of safety. It is said that they left in small groups, so that their departure would not be noticed. ‘They settled in a town north of Mecca, which is now called Medina, This trip is called the Hegira, and it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The people of Medina were open to Muhammad's message, and his new religion flourished. The first Islamic mosque (temple) was built in Medina. After about eight years, Muhammad and his followers returmed to Mecca, took over the city by force, and destroyed the idols. They tumed the shrine of the idols, called the Kaaba, into a mosque. The people of Mecca became Muslims. By the time of Muhammad's death in 632, the beliefs of Islam had spread throughout all of Arabi After Muhammad's death, his followers disagreed about who should take over the leadership of the Muslim community. One group believed that the one most qualified to be a leader should be chosen. This group later became known as the Sunnis, from the word ‘Sunna, which means traditions of the prophet. They chose a man named Abu Bakr, who was called a caliph. Another group, who came to be known as the Shiites, believed that Muhammad’s nearest relative, his cousin Ali, should succeed him.The word Shiite means followers of the party of Ali. in the year 680, the Shiites formed a separate group. About twenty percent of Muslims today are Shiites. Another group began around the eighth or ninth century in Iraq. They are called the Sufis. They are a group of holy men and women who emphasize the spiritual and mystical side of Islam, travélling around and spreading the message of Muhammad. Unlike other Moslems, Sufis have adopted music and dance into their worship. In Turkey, a group of Sufis called the Whirling Dervishes expresses their prayer by whirling in citcles, like the planets revolving around the sun. The Muslims fought in holy wars, called jihads, fighting over religious issues rather than political ones. The Muslims built a vast Islamic empire that stretched from Spain to India and, later, to parts of eastern Asia. The empire was at its peak in the sixteenth century. Today, Muslims live all over the world, with large populations in the Middle East, Africa, and southern Asia. BELIEFS ‘The Muslims believe that Allah sent a series of prophets to the world, including Noah, Abraham, and Jesus (from the Jewish and Christian traditions). Each of these prophets shared some of Aliah’s message with the world, but the message was not complete until Muhammad, considered by the Muslims to be the final prophet. Muslims live by what they call the five Pillars of Islam. The first is shahada, a declaration of faith. Each Muslim must say and believe the statement, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet and Messenger.” The second Pillar is salat, or daily prayer. A Muslim prays at least five times each day, at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and bedtime. In Mustim countries, a person called a muezzin calls the people to pray from a tower in the mosque. All activities of daily living stop as the people join in prayer, wherever they are. The third Pillar is zakat, or charitable giving. Muslims usually give at least 2.5% of their income to those in need. The fourth Pillar is sawm, or fasting. During the Muslim month of Ramadan, adults do not eat, drink, or smoke during daylight hours. They do this to cleanse the body and to focus more ‘energy on prayer. The fifth Pillar is called Haj. Every Muslim who can afford to go and is physically able to travel visits the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime, during the pilgrimage month of Dhu-I-Hija. Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather at Mecca each year to join together in fellowship and prayer, and all are considered equal at this festival. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city of Mecca. CONCEPT OF GOD ‘The Muslims believe in one God, whom they call Allah, Musiims have 99 names describing the character of Allah. They also believe that Allah has a hundredth name which is not revealed, indicating that Allah has a dimension that is unknowable. SACRED WRITINGS Muhammad's followers wrote down everything he told them in a book called the Koran, which means recitation (because Muhammad recited to them what he was told by Allah). The Koran is considered to be the word of Allah. It includes stories from Jewish and Christian scriptures in addition to those uniquely Istamic. The Koran was originally written in Arabic and is still studied only in that language today. Children learn to recite the words of the Koran before they are old enough to understand what it means. The Koran is treated with care, touched only by those who have first performed a ritual washing. It is kept in a special place, wrapped in an elaborately decorated cloth. Nothing is allowed to rest on top of the Koran. Muslims also read stories about the lite of Muhammad in the Sunna, and read some of his words in the hadith. They also recognize the Jewish Torah and Psalms and the Christian New Testament of the Bible as holy books. Toucan Valley Publications, IncISLAM (Continued) * SYMBOLS ‘Since the fifteenth century, the symbol of Istam has been a crescent (new) moon and star. The new moon represents the new birth that takes place at the beginning of each month of the Islamic calendar. The star represents the guidance of Allah. This symbol appears on the flags of many Muslim countries. Islam strictly forbids the use of human or animal figures or pictures in their mosques, fearing that they could replace Allah as objects of worship. Insiead, mosques are decorated with elaborate and beautiful geometric or floral designs, as a reminder of Aliah’s creation. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE ‘Muslims pray at least five times a day, stopping whatever they are doing when the call to prayer comes. They can be seen in the streets, in stores, in homes or offices. A Muslim usually carries a prayer rug to provide a clean place to kneel for prayer. Prayers are done facing the direction of Mecca, the holy city. Each prayer is slightly different, depending on the time of day. All of them consist of reciting particular passages from the Koran, accompanied by various combinations of the ritual actions of standing, bowing, kneeling, and prostration (bending trom @ kneeling position and touching the forehead to the ground), Muslims gather in a building called a mosque for community prayers. Inside the entrance toa mosque is an area called the wadu. There, Moslems ritually cleanse themselves in water provided for that purpose, and take off their shoes before entering the main part of the mosque. Inside, a niche in the wall, called a mihrah, shows the direction of Mecca. Everyone faces this direction. The Koran is kept on a stand in the front. There are no seats, because Muslims do not sit for prayer. Muslims may pray in the mosque at any time. Many Moslems gather at the mosque for special prayers on Fridays at noontime. Fridays are otherwise a normal workday, but People take time for prayer in the middle of the day. The worshippers stand in long lines, usually with men in the front and women in the back, saying the various prayers and moving in the appropriate prayer postures in unison. The Prayers are led by a person called an imam, who is not a priest but is a leader in the local Muslim community. At Friday worship, a sermon is given by a preacher called the khatib, or by the imam. When a baby is bom, its father whispers the shahada (the first Pillar of Islam, a declaration of faith) into his or her ear. The family may have a small celebration in their home, welcoming the new baby. The only ceremony for passage into adulthood or for a new Muslim entering the community is the person's first recitation of the shahada. This can be done at any time and is celebrated by friends and family HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS The Islamic calendar has twelve lunar months, for a total of 354 days. Since the Muslim year is shorter than the westem year of 365 days, Muslim holidays occur during different seasons, depending on the year. Religions of the World, Card §The most sacred place to Muslims is called the Kaaba, a shrine in the center of the holy city of Mecca. Muslims believe that it was built by Adam (the first man in the Hebrew/Christian tradition) and rebuilt later by the prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmael. ‘The Keaba is a building in the shape of a cube, about forty feet square, and covered with black and gold cloth. There is an ancient Black Stone in one outside wall that is said to have come from the heavens. There is a door about seven feet high, which can be entered using a rolling staircase, but the inside of the Kaaba is largely empty. It is the outside of this building that carries importance because of the Black Stone. A pilgrimage to this place is the fifth Pillar of Islam, the Hajj. At the time of the Haj image, Mustims walk seven times around the Kaaba, touching or kissing the Black Stone as they pass, if they are able to reach it in the crowd. They participate in the Feast of Sacrifice, where animals are killed as an offering to Allah. ‘The meat is often given to the poor.” They also run back and forth between two hills, imitating Hagar, one of the wives of Abraham, who ran back and forth looking for water. The festival of Ramadan lasts an entire month and celebrates the time when the Koran was revealed to Muhammad. The Night of Power, near the end of Ramadan, celebrates the first time Muhammad heard the words of the Allah. A three-day festival called Eid Ul-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan. Prayers are offered, special foods prepared, new clothing is purchased, and gifts are given. Card 9 ‘The festival of Ashura is on the tenth day of the Muslim year. It was originally the Jewish feast of the Passover, remembering the escape of the Israelites from Egypt. On this day, the landing of Noah’s ark on dry ground is also celebrated. Shiites also remember the martyrdom of Muhammad's cousin, Ali, on this day. The birthday of Muhammad is celebrated in different ways by Muslim communities around the world. This festival may include parades, speeches, and special prayers. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION Islam is the second largest religion in the world, with around one billion members. There are Muslims in every country, with the largest Pilgrims surrounding the Kaaba in the city of Mecca communities being in the Middle East and in northern Africa. Around six million Muslims live in the United States. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Muslim World League 134 West 26th Street New York, NY 10001 phone: 212-627-4557 www arab netimw! Toucan Valley Publications, Inc.CONFUCIANISM HISTORY Confucianism was started by a Chinese man named K'ung Fu-tzu. This name became Confucius when it was written in a westem alphabet. Confucius lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E. Many people think of Contucianism as a religion, while others think of it as a philosophy, or way of looking at life. Confucius was bom into a family that had once been well-to-do but had lost its wealth. His father died belore he was bom. His mother made sure that, even though they were poor, Confucius was sent to the village tutor for @ good education. He leamed well and became a respected teacher himself, with a large following of students. His favorite subjects to teach were history and the principles of government. When he was fifty years old, Confucius was asked to take a position in the government himself, as a prime minister. There he was able to try out some of the principles that he taught. It is said that during this period there was almost no crime in the state. After about five years, Confucius leamed that his enemies wanted to kill him, and he left his, Position as prime minister. For most of the rest of his life, Confucius retumed to the life of a travelling teacher. Some people accepted his teachings, while others made fun of him and even put him in After Confucius died, his followers wrote down his teachings in a number of books. They continued to teach his ideas, but the ideas did not become popular for many years. Religions of the World. In 372 B.C.E., about a hundred years after Confucius’ death, a man known as Mencius was bom. — Mencius, too, became a teacher and taught many of the ideas of Confucius. He also wrote a book, the Book of Mencius, where he set down some of Confucius’ ideas clearly so that people could understand them, and also added some ideas ‘of his own. — Mencius wes not very popular in his own time, but his book was later an important resource for Confucian thought. In the time of the Han Dynasty, from 202 B.C.E. to 220 C.E., many people who had been trained in Confucian ideas became advisors and administrators in the government. Confucius’ teachings finally gained popularity for a time. They lost some of this popularity for about four hundred years, but gained renewed interest in the seventh century C.E. At this time, Confucianism was studied by everyone who wanted work as part of the government, and a test on Confucian ideas was Given to all who were seeking such a job. Confucianism continued to grow and to hold an important place in Chinese life until the beginning of the twentieth century, when it was usurped by Communism. Today, it is again seeing a revival in’ China, and Confucian thought is also popular in many other parts of the world. CardsBELIEFS Confucius believed in a system of society where everyone treated one another with respect. A superior person (a father, an elder brother, a ruler) was to be considerate of and benevolent towards those beneath him, and the inferior person was to be respectful and loyal. These guidelines for social interactions were called fi (the rites). They were also to practice jen, which means goodness or human-heartedness. People were to practice these good behaviors in their daily lives. A famous Confucian saying is: “do not do unto others what you would not want others to do to you.” By practicing li and jen, a person could become a superior human being, and the government and society would run smoothly. Confucius also taught the ancient Chinese art of divination, called the / Ching, and his version of this philosophy is still used today. When using the | Ching, a person tosses special sticks or coins. The position of their landing tells which words of wisdom from the | Ching apply to the situation in question. CONCEPT OF GOD Confucianism does not have a particular concept of god. Many Confucians also believe in one of the other traditional Chinese religions, Taoism or Buddhism. SACRED WRITINGS Confucius’ ideas were organized by his followers into nine books. They are divided into two groups: the Five Classics and the Four Books. These include the / Ching, historical documents, poetry, and rules for practicing li. The Four Books contain sayings of Confucius and of his follower, Mencius. One of these that is especially popular is called the Analects of Confucius. SYMBOLS Confucians do not use symbols in the same way that other religions do. However, they do sometimes have statues of Confucius. Card 5, WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Many temples have been erected in honor of Confucius, but he has never been worshipped as a god. Instead, he holds a special place of honor, in the same way that the Chinese honor all of their ancestors. His temples are mainly used for meetings and festivals. Contucians do not have any other form of worship. Their rites, the li, are to be practiced as part of everyday life. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS Confucians celebrate the traditional Chinese festivals, such as Chinese New Year, which takes place in late January or early February. ‘The Chinese people worship various gods and honor their ancestors. They then have a huge feast, give presents, set off firecrackers, and take part in parades. A particularly Confucian holiday is Confucius’ birthday. This holiday usually falls during September or October of the westem calendar. The celebration includes traditional dancing and music performed on ancient instruments, and people dress up in costumes resembling the clothing of Confucius’ time. Because he was considered to be a great teacher, Teachers’ Day is also celebrated at this time. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION Because it is not an organized religion, as such, and because so many Confucians also consider themselves to be Buddhist, Tacist, or Christian, it is difficult to determine how many people are actually Confucians. Estimates range between two million to six million people. ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS Because it is not an organized religion, there is no Confucian headquarters. ‘Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. g ~TAOISM HISTORY Taoism’ (pronounced Dowism and sometimes spelled Dacism) ey is an ancient Chinese religion. The Chinese character Tao means simply the way or path. Taoists believe that if they unite! themselves with the natural forces of the universe, the Tao, theif lives will be in harmony and there will be less suffering. Taoism was founded by a legendary figure called Lao Tzu, which literally translates to mean old man. People do not agree on when Lao Tzu lived, and some believe that he was a symbol, instead of an actual person. One story tells that he spent sixty-two years in his mother’s womb and was an old man with a long white beard when he was bom. Most Taoists believe that Lao Tzu lived at the ‘same time as Confucius, in the sixth century B.C.E., and worked as a keeper of records for the Chou dynasty of China. He became frustrated with the corruption of the Chinese government and attempted to flee to the mountains of Tibet. He was stopped by a guard, who insisted that he must write down his teachings before he could leave. Lao Tzu spent three days writing down what we now know as the Tao Te Ching (Classic of the Way of Power). Lao Tzu left for the mountains and was never seen again. Another man, Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi), who lived in the fourth and third centuries B.C.E., ‘expanded on the ideas of the Tao Te Ching, in @ work known as the Chuang Tzu. Using the ideas from the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu, various Taoist groups formed throughout China. They did not necessarily believe in exactly the same way or share the Religions of the World__ ‘The Dao character same practices. They all tried to follow the Tao by living moral and healthy lives. By about the second century B. most Chinese people were practicing some form of Taoism. Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism all co- existed in China, with many people Practicing a mixture of the three religions, until 1949 when the ‘Communist government attacked all religious practices. ‘Communist influences were reduced in the 1970s, and the Chinese religions have been revived. Taoism is again thriving, with a majority of adherents in Taiwan. BELIEFS Taoists believe that suffering and unhappiness happen when people are living their lives against the Tao — the way of nature, the life- force of the universe. Becoming one with the Tao, living a life in harmony with the way of nature, is the goal of the Taoist. Taoists believe that there are two opposing forces constantly at work in the universe. They are called yin and yang. Yin is a cool, dark, soft, feminine force, seen in rain, clouds, and snow. Yang is a hot, bright, hard, masculine force, seen in thunder and the sun. These two forces are always interacting with each other and need to be kept in balance. The chi is believed to be the life-breath or energy of the universe, within and around each Person. People are born with all the chi they will need for their lifetimes, and Taoists often do exercises and meditations to help preserve their chi, thereby extending their lives. CONCEPT OF GOD There are two types of Taoism: philosophical Taoism and religious Taoism. Philosophical Card 15Taoists do not believe in gods, focusing on the task of becoming one with the Tao. Religious Taoists believe that there are many gods and goddesses who act as helpers along the way. Lao Tzu himself has sometimes been thought of as a god. SACRED WRITINGS ‘ The Tao Te Ching has become one of the most widely distributed religious books in the world. Itis popular not only with Taoists, but with many other people who are interested in the study of philosophy and religion, They say that the question of whether a man named Lao Tzu actually wrote the book is not really important. It is a short book, written with only 5,000 Chinese characters in a poetic form. It does not describe Taoist practice in detail, but leaves room for interpretation and inspiration by an individual or group. The Chuang Tzu, a larger work that elaborates on the Tag, is the second most important book. in Taoism. The Water Dragon Classic, written in 600 C.E., was the first book ever written on feng shui. Feng shui is a way of designing an environment, such as a building or a garden, to allow the flow of chi, or life-giving eneray, thereby creating a more _ harmonious atmosphere. This technique is becoming popular in America today. SYMBOLS A circular figure, cut in half by a curved line and with the halves being different colors (usually black and —_ white) represents the yin and yang, the most popular Taoist symbol. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE Taoists may worship by going to one of the temples scattered throughout China, honoring their ancestors or the gods and goddesses. Many other Taoist practices can take place anywhere. These are ways of helping @ person Card 15, to achieve balance in mind and body, and include several forms of meditation, various diets, and healing arts such as acupuncture and acupressure. ‘Several martial arts have also come out of part of the Taoist tradition. These include Tai Chi Chuan, Judo, Aikido, and Tae Kwon Do. A person strives for balance of energy (chi) in the body while performing one of these martial arts. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS Chinese New Year (late January or early February according to the western calendar) = the main religious festival for all of China. Paper statues of household gods are bumed, allowing them to fly to heaven and report on the family’s behavior. They are replaced with new statues. + Hungry Ghosts Festival - hungry ghosts (the dead who have not had a proper funeral) are said to be let out from the underworld on this day. People try to calm the ghosts by making offerings, saying prayers, and entertaining them with musical events. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION Because Taoists often practice Taoism in combination with another religion and do not belong to an official Tac organization, it is difficult to obtain membership figures. Estimates range from twenty million to ‘over one hundred million. Most of these are in China/Taiwan, but some are ‘scattered throughout the world, especially in places where there are ORGANIZATION/HEADQUARTERS There is no organizational headquarters for Taoism. Information may be found at The Universal Society of the Integral Way P.O. Box 1530 Santa Monica, CA 90406-1530 phone: (310) 576-1902 www.usiw.org @Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. eySHINTOISM HISTORY Shintoism is the ancient traditional religion of Japan. It has been a part of Japanese culture for so long that nobody remembers when it started. The religion was so much a part of everyday Japanese life that it did not have a name until the fifth century, C.E. At that time Shinto was given its name to distinguish it from Buddhism, which was moving into Japan from other parts of Asia. Many people kept their traditional beliefs but also adopted the new ‘ones of Buddhism. The two faiths existed together until the nineteenth century. In 1868, under Emperor Meiji, many changes were made in Japanese government. One of them was to make Shinto the official religion of Japan. This version was called State Shinto, and all Japanese people were expected to take part in it. This included worshipping the Emperor as a god, or kami. At the same time, people were also forming other ‘Shinto groups, called Sect Shinto, which was the more personal religion of the people. ‘Shinto remained the state religion of Japan until after Japan was defeated in World War II. In 1946, the relationship between the religion and government was dissolved and the Emperor Publicly stated that he was not a god. Shintoism does not have a founder or well- known leaders. To those who believe in Shinto, the most important people are the ancestors, who have become kami upon their deaths. These ancestors are honored and worshipped at shrines in the homes of their families. Some Emperors have had shrines built in their honor. Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, was thought to be the great grandson of the god Ningino Mikoto, who was the grandson of the sun goddess. ‘There are two shrines dedicated to him. Religions of the World. BELIEFS Shintoism is a religion of nature. Shinto people believe that supernatural spirits or gods (kami) inhabit all aspects of nature. Kami can be found in oceans, mountains, animals, plants, and especially in human ancestors. The word Shinto means The Way of the Gods or The Kami Way. The kami love, protect, and help the people who are placed in their care. CONCEPT OF GOD Shinto people believe in many gods, or kami. A. Shinto myth (story) says that the god /zanagi and his wife, Izanami, created the earth. They stood on a rainbow and stirred the water to create many islands. These islands are the nation of Japan. Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, is the most popular Shinto goddess. A myth tells of 2 time when she became angry with her brother, ‘Sasanoono Mikoto, the storm god. Amaterasu hid in a cave and the other gods hung jewels on the Tree of Heaven and danced for her to coax her to come out. The jewels became the stars and planets. Card 13SACRED WRITINGS Shinto beliefs were first passed on by word of mouth. In the eighth century, C, histories of Japan were written: Kojiki (The Record of Ancient Matters) and Nihongi (The Chronicles of Japan). These both tell the history of the Japanese people, and their customs. They include historical information about Shinto rituals and practices, but are not considered sacred texts. SYMBOLS The most widespread Shinto symbols ate the torii, or sacred gates. These gates are found outside of shrines, where kami are believed to live. The shrine might be a building or it might be a holy place in the natural world, such as a mountaintop or a special rock. Inside a shrine building, the kami is represented by a symbol such as a mirror or a sword. The clear reflection given off by the mirror represents honesty, fairness, and faithfulness. ‘The sword protects the kami from evil. A home shrine might have a fuda, a talisman made of wood or paper, which represents the kami, The family believes that it will prevent bad luck and bring prosperity. Shintoists do not usually make ‘statues or images of the kami. WORSHIP/SACRED SPACE On the other side of the torii leading to a public shrine is @ path of white stones and a garden, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The shrine building itself contains a closed inner compartment where the symbol of the kami is kept. Outside this compartment is a table or shelf on which offerings are placed. Some shrines are dedicated to more than one kami. ‘There are about 80,000 shrines in Japan. ‘The most popular shrine is the one to the sun goddess Amaterasu in the city of Ise. It is a large shrine with several wooden buildings. Every twenty years the shrine is tom down and rebuilt with new wood, representing youth and beauty. The old shrine is cut into chips, which are given to worshippers to take home. When worshipers enter a shrine they first purify themselves by washing their hands and rinsing their mouths. Then they bring their offering of Card 13, sake (rice wine), rice, flowers, or other items to the kami. They welcome the kami by bowing and clapping or ringing a bell. Then they thank the kami and ask for help if they need it. ‘Sometimes Shinto (men or women) take care of the shrines and help people prepare to visit the kami. Shinto priests do not usually lead groups of people in worship. A Shinto home shrine is called a kami dana. It is a wooden shelf often holding a miniature shrine, like a doll’s house. A talisman of the kami is kept here. Sometimes there is also an evergreen branch from a sakaki tree, tepresenting long life. Family members bring offerings of rice and water to the kami. HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS ‘+ Ujiko — thirty days after a child is born, he ‘or she is brought to the local shrine and presented to the kami of that area. He or she becomes Ujiko, a child of those kami ‘and will continue a relationship with them for lite. ‘+ Seijin-no-hi_ — (coming-of-age day) — everyone tuming twenty in a particular year gets dressed up and visits a shrine. After that, they are adults and not children. + Local festivals — festivals, or matsuri are held in Japanese towns throughout the year. They may involve rowdy processions and dancing 2s well 2s quiet rituals and prayer. Most Japanese towns have a Shinto New Years festival, when people make visits to shrines and ask the kami for protection and favors for the coming year. MEMBERSHIP/WORLD DISTRIBUTION Many Japanese people consider themselves to be both Shinto and Buddhist. There are three or four million Shintoists living in Japan. Only a few thousand live in the United States or in other parts of the world. HEADQUARTERS/WEB SITE International Shinto Foundation New York Center 777 United Nations Plaza, Suite WCRP-2A New York, NY 10017 phone: (212) 661-9117 www, jinja.orjp/english’ (Shinto Online Network Assn) Toucan Valley Publications, Inc. @oBIBLIOGRAPHY Bames, Trevor. The Kingfisher Book of Religions: Festivals, Ceremonies, and Beliefs from Around the World. New York: Kingfisher, 1999, Mlustrated overview of the major religions. For upper elementary and middle-school students. Bre ly, Elizabeth, et.al. Religions of the World. New York: Facts on File, 1997. Mustrated overview of the major religions, accessible by upper elementary and middle-school students. Magida, Arthur J. How to Be a Perfect Stranger (2 vols). Woodstock, Vermont: Skylight Paths Publishing, 1999. Written for anyone (mostly adults) visiting a religious service in an unfamiliar tradition. Includes a brief history and outline of what to expec in @ service of the major world religions and a number of Christian denominations, No illustrations. Mead, Frank S. Handbook of Denominations in the United States. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995. Historical and current information on most religions practiced in the United States, with particular ‘emphasis on Christian denominations. Writen for adults, but useful for basic facts. No illustrations. Osbome, Mary Pope. One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996. A brief review of major religions, ilustrated; for middle elementary students. Ward, Hiley H. My Friends’ Beliefs: A Young Reader's Guide to World Religions. New York: Walker and Co., 1988. Background information on a number of religions, highlighting an individual young person who is @ member of each religious group. For upper elementary and middle-school students. Some black and White illustrations, Series Beliefs and Cuitures. Children’s Press. Published in the late 1990s. Volumes include Budahist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh. Religions of the World. Silver Burdett. Published in the early 1980s. Volumes include The Buddhist World, The Christian World, The Hindu World, The Jewish World, The Muslim World. What Do We Know About? Peter Bedrick Books. Published in the 1990s. Volumes include What Do We Know About Buddhism?, What Do We Know About Hinduism?, What Do We Know: About Islam? World Religions. Facts on File. Published in the late 1890s. Volumes include African Religion, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism.