World Religion Vocab Test 1

A fact not open to opinion

Two distinct opposing forces; one good and one evil

Two contrasting, but balancing forces

One superior God in the presence of lesser gods

Any system of thought or action based on the natural dignity and ideal of man (seeing no need for the supernatural); similar to secularism

God is experienced, but not known, he is an impersonal and immanent force- God's essence and the world's are the same; reality is one united whole with no separate parts

Attempting to achieve direct experiences with the divine

an attempt ot return to an earlier nature based religious movement

When beliefs are enacted and made real through a ceremony

A combination of different forms of belief or practice

Belief in one God, as in Islam and Judaism

Belief in one God, as in Christianity

Belief in the existence of a god or gods

The study of the divine

Very strict vegetarians usually belonging to religious groups, like Hinduism and Jainism. They will not consume animal products (like meat, dairy, eggs, or honey) or use any animal products (like wool, leather, or silk)

A fairly complete and systematic interpretation of the universe and the human being's place in it

The existence of God cannot be proven; don't know or not interested

Denies the existence of God

A book or group of books accepted as authoritatve (standard teaching decreed by a ruling council)

The sum total of Buddhist teachings about how to view the world and how to live properly

Looking into the past or future to determine the cause of problems or the course for the future

When the sacred reality is not viewed as having personal attributes, but is more like an energy or mysterious power (as in Hinduism and Daoism). It can be in nature; it means "to remain within". God (or gods) lives withing the universe and is limited and may be seen in any aspect of the material world. Although union with an imminent supreme reality is what some may recognize with Brahman in Hinduism, it can be when a transcendent God chooses to limit himself in time and place to a person for a while

A short word or brief phrase. which is often recited with each breath to help clear the mind of thought

To seek unity with a reality greater than oneself, sich as with God or nature (as in Daoism and some forms of Hinduism, Sufi Islam and Buddhism); to experience the god during prayers, a trance or vision, dancing, use of drugs or in religious ceremonies.

Secret, relating to the supernatural- its effects and the knowledge of the supernatural (ex. witchcraft, divining rods, voodoo dolls)

The view that the universe and God are identical. Pantheists do not believe in a personal god (basically pantheism is atheism, but nature is holy).

Belief in many gods

An intermediary between the visible, ordinary world and the "spirit" world (conducts rituals)

When the divine being has a will and intelligence, has personal qualities, is powerful, is distinct from the universe, and is unlimited by the world and all ordinary reality (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). A transcendent God is beyond ordinary limist, existing above and independently from other beings

The Hindu-based movement which promotes daily meditation to achieve health and happiness. Other elements include devotion to Krishna, a vegetarian diet, Indian clothes and diet

A primarily Japanese form of Buddhism that focuses on seated meditation

In Theravada, a person who has practiced monastic disciplines and reach nirvana, the ideal

Enlightened being; in Mahayana, a person of deep compassion especially one who does not enter nirvana but is constantly reborn to help others; a heavenly being of compassion

In Chan and Zen Buddhism, a question that cannot be answered logically; a technique used to test consciousness and bring awakening

"superior one", title of honor given to (all) Tibetan Buddhist teacher/ monks

The release from suffering and rebirth that brings inner peace

Constant rebirth and attendant suffering; the everyday world of change

A shrine, usually in the shape of a dome, used to mark Buddhist relics or sacred sites

A sacred text, especially one said to record the words of the Buddha Gautama

"Thatness","thusness", "suchness"; the uniqueness of each changing moment of reality

The three "baskets" or collections of Buddhist texts

deepest self, the divine reality; everything is God, I am God-- really Brahman)

Matter without soul or life

The Jain term for a perfected person who will not be reborn

Spirit, soul, which elivens matter (individual soul)

In Jainism, one of the twenty-four ideal human being of the past, Mahavira being the most recent

Individual almost equivilent to a soul

Incarnations

Divine song

• Priests
• Warriors and rulers 
• Skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials
• Unskilled workers
• Outcasts, "Untouchables", "Children of God"

Social or Religious Duty

Spiritual teacher

The spiritual discipline of physical postures and exercises

The moral law of cause and effect and the belief in karma is a belief that every action has an automatic moral consequence.

The ultimate human goal; means freedom or liberation

Books after the four Vedas with express philosophical and religious ideas that arose in introspective and meditative traditions

Folk Buddhism

India and Iran

Zoroastrianism

Asia

• Ancestors
• Heroes
• Nature Spirits

Gain Power

Creation and Tricksters

Hinduism

IR and Hinduism

reject material feelings, possessions and relationships

Jainism

IRs

Hinduism

Hindu

• Reverence for the Vedas
• Acceptance of the Caste System
• People extend from Brahman

Hinduism

Meditation

India

Nepal

• Water
• Ashes
• Fire

Reincarnation and Karma

Buddhism and Jainism

An elephant

Jainism

The time periods in the life of Buddha

Gautama

Mahavira

Jainism

Jainism

Tibet

Buddhism

Right

Angust and Upangas

Sri Lanka

Jainism and Buddhism

Vehicles

Enlightenment