Studied by 9 peopleTags & Description
Jain
The name of a religion, found primarily on the Indian Sub-Continent, that is derived from the Sanskrit word “ji”, meaning “to conquer”
Tirthankaras
The 24 “role models” of Jainism — Dating back to time immemorial
Mahavira
The last Tirthankara, who lived approximately 600 years BCE
Agamas
The “heavenly sounds” (Scriptures of the Jain religion")
Ahimsa
The doctrine of non-violence, followed by Gandhi, and later followed by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Digambaras
One branch of Jainism, that teaches the devout jain should be “sky clad”
Swastika
A Hindu/Jain symbol, meaning “well-being”. Unfortunately, it was “borrowed” by Hitler as a symbol for National Socialism in Germany
Syncretism
The blending of two or more religious traditions to form a new religion. (Hindu and Muslim beliefs are mutually found in Sikhism)
Sikh
The name of a religion, found primarily on the Indian Sub-Continent, that is derived from the Punjabi word for “seeker” or “disciple”
Nanak
The “first guru” of the Sikh religion, born in 1469 Ce, in Punjab, India (now Pakistan)
10 Gurus
A line of Indian gurus (teachers), stretching over roughly 160 years, who developed the Sikh faith
Gobind Singh
The “tenth guru” of the Sikh religion, who established many of the ongoing characteristics of Sikhism
The 5 “Ks”
Articles of dress and adornment, Used by Sikhs to characterize their faith
Adi Granth
The Sikh scriptures, consisting of poetry and hymns composed by the 10 gurus
The Dao
The path, course, or way of the universe. It is experienced best through nature
Dao De Jing
An ancient book, attributed to Laozi, the wise sage of China
Divination
Seeking to know the future by understanding meaning in natural objects
Yin / Yang
Universal balancing forces (dark/light, male/female, dry/wet, etc.)
Laozi
The “Old Master”, the “founder” of Daoism
Confucius
A 6th century BCE teacher who taught the need for an orderly society based on 5 right relationships
Analects
A book of ancient wisdom, containing the teachings of Confucius
Shinto
The religion of Japan, built on ancient traditions and myths of the Japanese people
Kami
The “spirits” of the Shinto religion, believed to be present in natural features, or even in one’s ancestors
State Shinto
The “official” religion of Japan. It underwent a dramatic change at the end of WWII
Kojiki
The sacred text of the Shinto religion. It contains many myths and legends of the Japanese people
Ziggurat
A religious tower structure, found in Mesopotamia, consisting of a brick or stone-covered mound, topped with a house, representing a home for the deity
Cuneiform
An ancient style of writing, accomplished by pressing a pointed stylus into clay
Code of Hammurabi
An ancient legal code, consisting of 282 “if… then” ethical instructions
Yazidi (Yezidi)
A religious faith, practiced in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Turkey, by approximately a half-million people
Melek Taus
The “peacock angel” that helps humans worship Xwede
Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
A religious leader of the 7th Century BCE, who successfully converted one person in 10 years of preaching
Ahura Mazda
The name of God in Zoroastrian belief
Angra Mainu
The “anti-God” opponent in Zoroastrian belief
Magi
“Wise men” of Zoroastrian faith, who were skilled in the practice of astrology and wizardry
Tower of silence
A “burial chamber” in Zoroastrian practice, where bodies are exposed to the elements
Theism
Belief in the existence of at least one God
Polytheism
A term used to designate belief in a multiplicity of gods or deities
Monotheism
Belief in a single, all powerful god or deity
Abraham
The religious “father” of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Habiru
An ancient (derogatory) name applied to Jewish people
Jewish-Roman War
A revolt, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the siege of Masada
Masada
A desert stronghold, finally breached by the Romans in 73 CE
Diaspora
The “dispersion” of Jews away from their homeland
Holocaust
The “final solution” to the “Jewish problem”, with 6 million Jews dying
Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath, starting each Friday at sundown, and lasting one day
Pesach
Passover — recounting the story of the Exodus
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year, celebrated in the fall of the year
Yom Kippur
The “Day of Atonement” — the holiest day of the year in Judaism
Shema
The “creed” of Judaism, that states: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One”
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
A ceremony marking the coming of age for Jewish youth
Jesus of Nazareth
The 1st Century Jewish rabbi considered to be the founder of Christianity
Christ
A Greek word meaning “anointed one”
Messiah
A Hebrew word meaning “anointed one”
Synoptic
“The Same View” — a term applied to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, for their similar story-line
Parable
A teaching story that utilizes a “hook” to shift the hearers’ understanding
Crucifixion
A Roman execution method, used as capitol punishment for the worst offenders
Resurrection
Belief that a person, once dead, has been restored to life
Saul / Paul
A Jewish tent-maker scholar who is known as the first “theologian” of Christianity
Catholic
The name of the “universal” church
Orthodox
The name of the “correct” church
Reformation
A movement to correct belief, leading to a major division of the Roman Church
Ecumenism
A Christian movement toward cooperation and unity — strongest in the latter part of the 20th century
Religious Pluralism
An acceptance of differences in religious belief
Sacraments
Sacred rituals of the Christian faith. Either two or seven are accepted as “orthodox”
Liturgical Year
The religious seasons of the year, marked by many Christians on an annual cycle
“Mother Masjid” (Mosque)
The first mosque in the U.S, intentionally built for that purpose located in Iowa
S — L — M
Semitic consonants, forming the roots of significant words in both Arabic and Hebrew
Islam
Literally means “to submit”
Muslim
One who submits
Muhammad
A judge and goat-herder, living in Arabia in the 7th century, and prophet of Islam
Mecca
Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad
Kaaba
A cube-shaped building in Mecca. According to tradition, built by Abraham and his son, Ishmael
Khadija
Muhammad’s wife, 15 years his elder, and a wealthy caravan business person
Caliph
A “successor” to Muhammad. The last one was deposed in 1924
5 Pillars of Islam
The five basic articles of faith for every Muslim
Shahada
The creed of Islam: “There is no god by Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet”
Salat
The “pillar” of prayer — done 5 times, daily, facing the Kaaba in Mecca
Hajj
Pilgrimage — to Mecca. An expectation of Islam is that every believer should make this pilgrimage at least once in her/his lifetime
Ramadan
The lunar month, observed by Muslims, as a period of strict fasting
Qur’an
The “Word of God”, spoken to Muhammad, with instruction to “recite”
Note
Flashcard