Republic of the Philippines

WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Social Work and Community Development
Bulatok, Pagadian City

Case Studies of Religious Figures

Members:
1. Carmona, Lorreine D.
2. Imbing, Shelber Myrrh D.
3. Lambiyao, Juliet B.
4. Lanticsi, Shela Mae L.
5. Perolino, Mark P.
6. Sinangote, Maribeth Mae S.
7. Zafra, Shanthy Mae J.

Objectives:

1. To know how these figures known for their profound experiences.

2. To analyze the impact of these experiences on their beliefs, teachings, and contributions to society.

3. To learn how this figures' experiences have influenced followers and believers.

CONTENT

What is religious figure?

- According to Collins Dictionary, religious figure is a person who is recognized within a particular religion
as having authority within that body.

SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Gautama Buddha, was a religious figure who lived in ancient India and
founded Buddhism. His experiences played a significant role in shaping his beliefs, teachings, and contributions
to society. The impact of his experiences can be seen in the way they influenced his followers and believers.

• Siddhartha Gautama was born into a wealthy family and lived a privileged life. However, he became
disillusioned with the materialistic world and embarked on a spiritual quest to seek enlightenment and
liberation from suffering. This quest led him to renounce his luxurious lifestyle and become an ascetic,
practicing extreme self-denial and meditation.
• During his ascetic period, Siddhartha Gautama underwent various intense experiences that deeply
impacted his beliefs. One of the most significant experiences was his encounter with extreme physical
deprivation, which made him realize that extreme self-mortification did not lead to enlightenment. This
realization led him to adopt the Middle Way, a path between self-indulgence and self-mortification.

The impact of Siddhartha Gautama's experiences on his followers and believers is profound. His teachings
have inspired millions of people around the world to seek enlightenment and liberation from suffering. The
emphasis on mindfulness and compassion has influenced individuals to cultivate these qualities in their own
lives, leading to personal growth and positive contributions to society.

Siddhartha Gautama's experiences had a profound impact on his beliefs, teachings, and contributions to society.
His journey from a life of privilege to asceticism and eventual enlightenment shaped his understanding of
suffering, desire, and the path to liberation. These experiences influenced his teachings on the Four Noble
Truths, compassion, and mindfulness. The impact of his experiences can be seen in the way they continue to
inspire and guide his followers and believers in their pursuit of enlightenment and their contributions to society.
RUMI

Rumi, also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic jurist,
and theologian. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual figures in history and has had a profound
impact on the beliefs, teachings, and contributions to society.

• Rumi's life was transformed when he met the wandering dervish, Shams Tabrizi. Their deep spiritual
connection led to a profound friendship and collaboration that greatly influenced Rumi's spiritual journey.
Rumi's poetry is often seen as a reflection of his experiences with Shams and his quest for union with
the divine.
• Rumi's teachings have also inspired countless individuals to embark on their own spiritual journeys. His
emphasis on love and unity has fostered a sense of inclusivity and tolerance among his followers. Rumi's
message transcends religious boundaries, appealing to people from different faiths and cultures.
Furthermore, Rumi's contributions to society extend beyond his spiritual teachings. His poetry has been
translated into numerous languages and continues to be celebrated for its beauty and wisdom. Rumi's
works have had a profound impact on literature, philosophy, and art, influencing countless artists, writers,
and thinkers throughout history.

Rumi's experiences, particularly his encounter with Shams Tabrizi, had a transformative effect on his beliefs,
teachings, and contributions to society. His embrace of Sufism and emphasis on personal experience shaped
his spiritual journey and influenced his followers. Rumi's teachings continue to inspire individuals seeking spiritual
awakening and have left an indelible mark on literature.

BAHá’U’LLáH

Baha'‘u lla'h (an Arabic title meaning "The Glory of God") was the founder of the Baha'i faith. He was
born to an aristocratic family in Persia on November 12,1817.

• He was exiled due to his adherence to the messianic Babi Faith. In 1863, in Iraq, he first announced his
claim to a revelation from God and spent the rest of his life in further imprisonment in the Ottoman Empire.
• His real name is Mirza Husayn ' Ali Nuri.
• He firmly believed that there is only one God, unknowable in his essence, who is the creator and absolute
ruler of the universe. Baha'’ u 'lla'h says, “It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but
rather for him who loveth the whole world. The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."

Baha'’u' lla'h's key theme is "world unity". The goal of developing a new world society is a paramount need at a
present time. Central to the Baha'i faith is that all human beings are equally God's creation regardless of gender,
race, nationality or creed and should be respected and treated without prejudice.

Involvement in the life of society. Baha'’u'lla'h counselled his followers: "Be anxiously concerned with the needs
of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigences and requirements." As such, Baha'i's
throughout the world both individually and collectively strive to become involved in the life of the society, working
shoulder to shoulder with diverse groups to contribute to the advancement of material and spiritual civilization.

GURU NANAK

Guru Nanak Ji (1469 -1539) was considered the founder of a new religion, i.e., Sikhism, and was the
first Guru of Sikhs. He was a great Indian spiritual leader who believed in harmony and meditation in the name
of the divine soul. His teachings and his way of devotion to the almighty were different from others, and people
of all religions respected him and his teachings.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of South Asia in the late 15th century. It
was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who is considered the first of ten Sikh Gurus.

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, had several key beliefs that form the foundation of Sikh teachings. Some
of his central beliefs include:

1.Oneness of God
2.Equality
3.Selfless Service (Seva
4.Honesty and Truthfulness
5.Meditation and Prayer
6.Rejection of Rituals
7.Compassion and Forgiveness
8.Contentment
9.Community and Social Justice
10.Reincarnation and Karma
BAAL SHEM TOV

The Baal Shem Tov is an 18th century Ukrainian rabbi credited with founding the Hasidic movement.
Born Israel ben Eliezer around the year 1700 in western Ukraine, his name literally means “Master of the Good
Name” and is often abbreviated as Besht.

• Much of what is known about the Baal Shem Tov’s life is related in stories passed down by his followers,
the historical veracity of which is not firmly established. The difficulty is compounded by the rich collection
of legends about his miraculous abilities in healing and divination, which occupy an exalted place in
Hasidic lore.
• The Baal Shem Tov was reputed to possess deep insight into human nature, have visions in which
prophets appeared to him with messages, and be able to ascend to heaven to commune with the spiritual
realm. He also gained a reputation as a skilled healer, which earned him the title baal shem, “master of
the (divine) name,” a term then used to refer to anyone endowed with curative powers.

The Besht was a mystic who claimed to have achieved devekut ("adhesion"), meaning that his soul had reached
the high level where he could "ascend" to heaven and speak with any soul in heaven that he wished to speak to
(though his only recorded choice was of the Messiah, and only once), and intervene between humans and God.
He had the ability to protect the Jewish community from plague and persecution. He did this through prayer.

The effects of his teachings continue to be felt today—both by his direct followers, known as chassidim, and by
followers of all other streams of Jewish thought, who've been deeply impacted by his teachings and philosophy.
The following is a brief biography of this legendary figure.

JOSEPH SMITH

Joseph Smith was an American religious leader and the founder of Mormonism and the Latter-Day Saint
movement. Publishing the Book of Mormon at the age of 24, Smith attracted tens of thousands of followers by
the time of his death fourteen years later. The religion he founded is followed to the present day by millions of
global adherents and several churches, the largest of which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS Church).

Smith’s teachings departed from conventional Christian traditions by incorporating certain practices from the
Hebrew Bible (see also Old Testament). The temples he built (in Smith’s lifetime, two were erected and two more
were planned) were modeled on the temples of ancient Israel. He appointed his male followers to priesthoods,
named for the biblical figures Melchizedek and Aaron, that were overseen by the office of high priest. In the
temples, he instituted rituals of washing and anointing taken from instructions in the Book of Exodus for
consecrating priests.

MARTIN LUTHER

Martin Luther was a German theologian, priest, and key figure in the Protestant Reformation, which
began in the early 16th century. He is best known for his 95 Theses, which he is said to have nailed to the door
of the All-Saints’ Church in Wittenberg in 1517. Luther's actions and writings challenged the teachings and
practices of the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the formation of various Protestant denominations. His
translation of the Bible into German also had a significant impact on the German language. Luther's ideas had
a profound influence on the development of Christianity and the course of European history.

Martin Luther's beliefs and theological teachings were central to the Protestant Reformation. Some of his key
beliefs and principles included:

1.Justification by Faith Alone

2.Authority of Scripture
3.Priesthood of All Believers
4.The Five Solas
5.Rejecting Indulgences
6.Criticizing Papal Authority
7.Rejection of Certain Catholic Practices

Martin Luther's contributions to society extended beyond religious matters, and his ideas had a profound and
lasting impact on culture, education, and the way people think about faith and conscience.
JOHN WYCLIFFE

John Wycliffe (1330 -1384) was a theologian, philosopher, lay preacher and translator. John Wycliffe
produced some of the first handwritten English translations of the Bible and helped to make them widely
available. He was an early critic of the Papacy and the clerical basis of the Catholic church; Wycliffe argued
scripture was the primary basis for Christianity.

Wycliffe began to attract a group of followers – known as the Lollards. They spread Wycliffe’s teaching and
ideas throughout England. His political influence was such that he was even blamed for the peasant’s revolt of
1381 – though he disapproved of it.

John Wycliffe was a highly significant figure in the religious culture of 14th-century England, and his works
remained influential for hundreds of years. In a later age he was called the ‘morning star of the Reformation’ by
Protestant historians, meaning that his ideas were thought to have laid the foundations of the religious reform
which took place in England in the 1530s.

SAINT PAUL

Paul (also named Saul of Tarsus) commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian
apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world. Generally, regarded as one of the most
important figures of the Apostolic Age, he founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe from
the mid-40s to the mid-50s AD.

Paul believed that his vision proved that Jesus lived in heaven, that Jesus was the Messiah and God’s Son, and
that he would soon return. Moreover, Paul thought that the purpose of this revelation was his own appointment
to preach among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16).

The apostle Paul led a dramatic and fascinating life from his conversion on the road to Damascus to his
imprisonments to his speeches in the public square. His letters shaped the believers in the early church just as
they do today.

These 10 studies by Jack Kuhatschek survey both the highlights of his life and the core teachings in his writings.

• Blinded by the Light

• Proclaiming God's Promises
• Poor Yet Rich
• The Power of Praise
• Becoming a Spiritual Mentor
• The Truth on Trial
• Strength in Weakness
• Feeling Safe in a Storm
• Finding Hope in God's Kingdom
• Experiencing Joy in Sufferings

Saint Paul was one of the most prolific contributors to the New Testament.

MARY BAKER EDDY

She was born on July 16, 1821. An American religious leader and author who founded The Church of
Christ, Scientist, in New England in 1879. She also founded The Christian Science Monitor in 1908, and three
religious’ magazines: the Christian Science Sentinel, The Christian Science Journal, and The Herald of Christian
Science.

• She wrote numerous books and articles, the most notable of which were Science and Health with Key to
the Scriptures and Manual of The Mother Church. Other works were edited posthumously into the Prose
Works Other than Science and Health.
• She believed that it was the same type of healing that Christ Jesus had performed. From 1862 to 1865,
Quimby and Eddy engaged in lengthy discussions about healing methods practiced by Quimby and
others.
• Mary Baker Eddy founded a popular religious movement during the 19th century, Christian Science. As
an author and teacher, she helped promote healings through mental and spiritual teachings. Today, her
influence can still be seen throughout the American religious landscape.

It became clear to her that spiritual healing was based on divine laws of God, Spirit. She proved that these laws
could be applied by anyone to heal every form of human suffering and sin. Spiritual healing isn't miraculous, but
an effect of understanding God's all-power and love.
SAINT TERESA OF AVILA

Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) was a Spanish mystic, writer and reformer of the Carmelite order. She
was an influential and pivotal figure of her generation. Saint Teresa grew deep in prayer, experiencing what
mystics have called “the prayer of quiet” and even “the prayer of union” at times. Her continuous physical pain
became a foundation for her prayer, and during those many months of solitude and suffering, her daily practice
of prayer brought forth great fruit.

Teresa is credited with reviving Catholicism in the 1560s and 1570s when Protestantism threatened to bring
down the church. Her most significant contribution was the founding of the Reformed Discalced (Barefoot)
Carmelite Convent of San Jose, a Catholic order for women. At the time of her death in 1582 she had started
seventeen new Reformed Discalced Carmelite convents, or religious houses, in Spain.

Her teachings and writings have had a profound influence on her followers and believers. Here are some of the
key influences of Saint Teresa on her followers:

• Mystical Spirituality
• Interior Life
• Reform of the Carmelite Order
• Feminine Spirituality
• Prayer and Meditation
• Literary Legacy
• Saintly Example

Saint Teresa's influence extends beyond her time, as her writings and teachings continue to resonate with those
seeking a deeper spiritual connection and a more profound understanding of the inner life of faith. Her emphasis
on personal experience and intimacy with God remains relevant and inspirational for many in the Christian
tradition.

MOTHER TERESA

Mother Teresa, also known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a Catholic nun and missionary who is
renowned for her humanitarian work in the slums of Calcutta, India.

• Born in Albania in 1910. Her real name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.
• She and her family were a Roman Catholic. Mother Teresa is a Catholic Nun and the founder of the
missionaries of charity.
• Born in Skopje, then part of Ottoman Empire, at the age of 18 she moved to Ireland and later to India,
where she lived most of her life.
• On September 4,2016, she was canonized by the Catholic church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

Mother Teresa believed that she served God by serving and nursing the poor. She believed in the 3 vows of
poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Mother Teresa teaching is she treated everyone with kindness, respect, and love. She once said the most terrible
poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved. As leaders, we can cultivate compassion by empathizing
with others, listening to their needs, and showing them that we care. Mother Teresa created many homes for the
dying and the unwanted from Calcutta to New York to Albania. She was one of the first to establish homes for
Aids victim.

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Francis of Assisi OFM, also known as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (c. 1181 – 3 October 1226),
was an Italian mystic and Catholic friar who founded the Franciscans. He was motivated to live in abject poverty
as a traveling preacher. Francis, one of the most revered figures in Christianity, was canonized on July 16, 1228,
by Pope Gregory IX. He is typically seen wearing a brown habit and wearing a rope with three knots around his
waist to represent the three Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Francis prayed that God would use him to aid animals because he considered them to be his brothers
and sisters. Birds would occasionally congregate when Francis was speaking and listening to him. Francis
started off by telling them how God had blessed them.

Here are the core teachings of Saint Francis.

• The First Teaching: The Wonder of the Incarnation

• The Second Teaching: Evangelical Poverty
 • The Third Teaching: Live the Gospel
• The Fourth Teaching: Go and Repair God’s House
• The Fifth Teaching: Peace
• The Sixth Teaching: God’s House Is All of Creation
• The Seventh Teaching: The Joy of Humble Praise and Service of God
• The Teaching of Teachings: Love

Saint Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the
voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. After his epiphany at the
church of San Damiano, Francis experienced another defining moment in his life. In order to raise money to
rebuild the Christian church, he sold a bolt of cloth from his father's shop, along with his horse.

ABBE PIERE

Abbè Pierre, OFM Cap,GOQ was a French Catholic Priest, member of the Resistance during World War
II , and deputy of the Popular Republican Movement (MRP). Born in August 5,1912.

• His real name is Henri Marie Joseph Groups.

• He was a strong believer in teamwork and compromise.
• His beliefs resulted positively.

Pierre was dedicated to help the poor, he sacrificed his own life for the others, and his courage motivated others.

He established the Emmaus Movement presently made up of 350-member organization in 37 countries running
income -generating activities with people who have experienced social exclusion. Emmaus International helps
the homeless to not only survive, but also become full-fledged members of society.

He helped Jews escape to Switzerland; become expert in forging identity papers and went on to be appointed
chaplain to the Free French Navy.