Unit 2 Different groups in Buddhism

 Therevada Buddhism- means way of the elders, started after a split at the third Buddhist
council, based on original practices and beliefs of buddha and early monastic elders, found in
sri lanka and Thailand, teachings taken from the tripitakan words from buddha passed down
orally by monks, core teachings-anatman ego self-imprisons us and once free of ego we can
reach nirvana -enlightenment comes from ones efforts not other intervention- disciplined
meditation is a key practice.
 Mahayana Buddhism-known as the greater vehicle, found in china and Japan, based on
historical buddha teachings- shunyata being both free from permanence and non-existence,
all being is connected, all should strive for collective enlightenment, become bodhisattva
someone who helps others reach enlightenment, 2 branches of Mahayana -tibetan and zen
Tibetan-found in Tibet and Mongolia, called esoteric meaning that it is quite secretive and
special, uses trance to recover lost wisdom, uses rituals and chanting and systematic teaching,
they believe ibn a pantheon of buddhas which is a number of gods in a particular religion
and dharma protectors- they way of higher truths and the teachings of the religion, also have
unique beliefs- belief in the reincarnation of lineage of certaii teachers and the belief that a
buddha can be shown is human form like Padmasambhava the person who brought this type
of Buddhism
Zen, emphasises meditation, korea, meditate in order to gain enlightenment, traditions
emphasise direct communication so zen teachers are chosen to teach the dharma, belief of
dharma transmission it is a line of authority each master passed on the teachings to students
some of them became masters and thought it top their students and carried on

Different groups in islam

 Sunni- started after the death of the prophet, disagreement of who the successor will be sunni
belief is the prophets father in law abu bakr should be the first caliph a muslim religious
leader whose authority is believed to be derived from Mohammed saw
 Shi a muslims-follow true teachings of the prophet and his family ahl al bayt, they believe
that the prophets son in law ali ibn abi talib is the true successor, imam should lead the
community infallibly incapable of being wrong
 Sufism-mystical dimension of islam, important ritual is zikr they encounter God through
meditation, chant and whirling dance movement
 Islam in sa-differences in the application of principles in the quran, traditional vdn ultra
conservative muslims, modernists are anyone calling for the reinterpretation of islam,
pluralism and post modernism are evident in the new muslim theories.

Different groups in Christianity

Christian was used to describe those who followed the teachings of jesus christ in Syria, jesus
was believed to be the messiah the saviour of the world,1054 split to roman catholic and
eastern orthodox church, leadership in catholic church is hierarchical
 African initiated churches-it was influenced by Christianity but integrated African culture
into the religion ceremonies, churches bishops and prophets are central figures, members take
part actively in service, dancing and healing are important parts of the service
African traditional religion
Believe in God as the creator the ancestors and ritual performance, ancestors play a
intermediary role between god and the living, ancestors in spirit for mare found everywhere,
ancestors use animals as messengers, in sa to speak to ancestors one must burn incense or
imppepho a herbal medicine used by diviners and herbalists, icamagu says the basic structure
is the clan, clan ancestors are their intermediaries.

Different groups in Hinduism

 Vaishnavism- is monotheistic the worship Vishnu, based on the vedas, puranas and the
bhagavad gita text, bkati devotion to a personal god is a key practice
 Shaivism- monotheistic and worship shiva, shiva is associated with sexuality birth and
destruction, shiva is often depicted meditating or dancing.
 Shaktism- they worship devi as brahman or as the energy of shiva the impersonal brahman
 Smartism-teaches that all paths lead to the source of all being, three aspects to god Trimurti,
brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and shiva the destroyer,

Different groups in Judaism

 Orthodox jews- believe that god gave them the whole torah at mount sinali, the Jewish law
halakha must be strictly obeyed, Hasidic jew try their best to avoid the influences of modern
culture dressing differently and living separately
 Conservative jews- believe that the torah was given by god through ideas that humans
meditated, they accept the law but agree that it needs to be adapted to modern times
 Reform Judaism-torah was written by humans over time, they want to keep the values
enshrined in the law but do not accept the halakha as binding, all jews are equal they pray
together and is no separation, they subscribe to the principle of tikkun oplam-the pursuit of
social justice

Bahai faith sects that broke away either disappeared or now have very few followers.

Unit 3 unique features of religion

Things that make religions uniwue can besocially divisive. People believe that the unique
aspects are ture and other religions that differ ris falde therefore making their religion
superior
Unique features of African traditional religions

 Role of ancestors-has no founder, religion was revieled to the first generation and gave them
all the laws and taboos concerning how to live in harmony, told to marry fro reproductive
 purposes and parents must lead by example to promote good motal values, the death of the
first generation was the beginning of the ancestors, they then became the messangers of the
creator and supervisers of the physical world, they live mainly through elderly who in turn
teach the youth orlly and through rituals, this is how the religion is carried on.
 No special days of worship-the creator created all days so it is seen as disrespectful to see
other days as holier, which shows that there are degrees of holiness,
 Emphasis on practice-religion has no sacred text it rather relies on teachings and ritual
practice within the community, believed that a book can become outdated, rituals daily life
and social interaction are where morality are practiced and enforced, some practitioners
stared writing teachings and ritual activities so generation to come can follow their beliefs
and practices
 Communal way of life-individualism is discourages and is seen as inhuman, The philosophy
emphasizes communal identity and harmony, guided by respect for oneself, others, elders,
and the spiritual world. Punishments for disrupting harmony come from the Creator via
ancestors rewards as well. Elders lead by example, while youth are seen as reflections of their
parents.
 The Concept of Ubuntu-The concept of ubuntu in African Religion emphasizes respect,
empathy, and helping those in need without expectation of reward. It involves practices like
ngoma (lending wealth to the poor) and ilima (community assistance in tasks like building
homes or farming).
 A Clan-Based Religion-Clans form the foundation of religious and social structure, with
every person expected to know their family tree for identity and reference. The clan
comprises both paternal and maternal lineage and guides worship practices and social
relations.
 Leadership-Elderly people, both men and women (oogogo noomkhulu), are the major leaders
in African Traditional Religion.life experience, they can see when harmony is disturbed and
also if God and the ancestors are displeased. The elderly are the advisors of their respective
clans and also of the community. There is no general trend of gender differentiation as that
depends on the roles played in a particular ritual. Leadership is based on birthright, and some
spiritual activities are performed by special people, according to their birthright.

 Punishment and Reward Now-Belief in ancestors means reward or punishment happens in

life, not after death. Good deeds are rewarded by ancestors, while disturbing harmony leads
to misfortune. Culprits publicly repent for forgiveness, followed by healing based on
sincerity.

Unique features of modern hinduism

 Sri Venkatesananda, a Hindu reformer, outlined Hindu views on other religions at the 1893
World Parliament of Religions. Key elements include:
 Reincarnation: Hindus believe in spiritual evolution through reincarnation, where beings are
reborn into higher or lower forms based on their spiritual progress.
 Tolerance and Unity: Hindus embrace diversity in beliefs, viewing all religions as varying
degrees of truth. Hinduism accommodates multiple paths to the divine and promotes
tolerance of different beliefs.
 Explanatory Framework: Hinduism uniquely harmonizes all religions, offering an inclusive
perspective that allows individuals to remain committed to their own faith while recognizing
the validity of others.

Judaism
 Early Judaism-Judaism: Belief in one God, worshipped in a central temple. Different aspects
of God understood through different names.
 The Nature of God in Judaism-Jews see God in five ways: God with human qualities, God as
above human understanding, God in everything, God's relationship with Israel, and God as
the Creator of all.

Christianity
 Belief in Jesus Christ as God's Son is unique. Christians believe God became human to save
people, which is contested by Jews and Muslims. Because like pictures and becoming human
places limitations on god, Christians say because god is omnipotent that god can take human
form.
 Christianity and Hinduism-British rule in India led to interactions between Hindus and
Christians. Missionary efforts faced challenges but influenced religious dynamics.

The Buddha and Buddhism

 The Buddha was human, not divine. Buddhism emphasizes personal responsibility and
enlightenment attained through individual effort and practice.
 Buddhahood is achieved through wisdom and practice, not by birthright. Buddhism
encourages anyone to follow the path to enlightenment.
 Buddhism accepts other religions, emphasizing similarities in teachings rather than
differences in morality.
Islam's Unique Features

 Rejects the idea of one religion holding all truth, acknowledging blessings from God upon all
people regardless of faith.
 The Qur'an is preserved exactly as it was during Muhammad's time, believed to be the literal
word of God.
 Islam guides all aspects of life, covering religious rituals, morality, and societal matters, as
taught by the Prophet Muhammad.

Unit 4 inter religious relationships past and present

In RSA
 Historical Perspectives

Christianity came to South Africa during colonial times. In 1804, religious freedom was
granted, allowing different Christian denominations and Muslims. Some missionaries were
criticized for ignoring indigenous beliefs, but they also helped with education and health.
Africans and missionaries influenced each other, leading to Bible translations and adoption of
Christianity by some Africans.

 Relationships between Religions since Democracy

Since 1994, religious leaders have tried to improve relationships. Some people still have
strong beliefs, but they come together during crises. They work together in situations like
caring for AIDS patients and fighting against pornography. Organizations like B'nai B'rith
and LifeLine show how different religions can work together to help others.

Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion in Africa

During the 20th and 21st centuries, Christianity and Islam grew in African countries. North
Africa, once Christian, converted to Islam over time. South of the Sahara, people adopted
Christianity or Islam while keeping African Traditional Religious beliefs. New African
Christian churches emerged with a local identity. Recently, Pentecostal churches, often linked
with American churches, have grown.

The Global Picture

Historically, religious relationships were often tense, leading to wars. Yet, cooperation
between religions has occurred too. Pope John Paul II stressed peace and visited sacred sites
of different faiths. During crises like tsunamis, people of various religions come together to
help.
Organizations Promoting Inter-Religious Relationships
Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII):

 Vision: To work for unified interreligious understanding and respect in South Africa.
 Activities: Organizes events for dialogue, rituals, and celebrations among different faiths.
 Mission Statement: Celebrates religious diversity and promotes interfaith harmony and
cooperation.
Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA):

 Founded in 1959.
 Aims to:
 Witness to the gospel in an interfaith environment.
 Engage constructively with Muslims for peace.
 Programs include initiatives for women, youth, education, peace, and reconciliation.

Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA):

 Established in 2002.
 Unites religious communities across Africa for peace.
 Achievements:
 Bringing together diverse religious communities.
 Sending interfaith delegations to conflict areas.
 Organizing peace camps and youth consultations.

African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP):

 Founded in 2002.
 Largest and most representative multi-religious platform in Africa.
 Guiding Principles:
 Respecting religious differences.
 Supporting local interfaith structures.
 Upholding representivity, subsidiarity, and solidarity.

Global Interfaith Dialogue

The World Conference of Religions for Peace and World Parliament of Religions encourage
global dialogue. The Parliament, held since 1893, addresses pressing issues like AIDS and
climate change. The Charter for Compassion, initiated by Karen Armstrong, mobilizes people
worldwide around the principle of compassion, shared across all religions, for a just and
peaceful world.
Unit 5 religions and conflict
Religions and Conflict
Religions are meant to inspire peace and harmony, but sometimes they lead to conflict. These
conflicts can be within a religion (intra-religious) or between different religions (inter-
religious).
Intra-Religious Conflicts
In places like Northern Ireland and Iraq, conflicts have occurred within the same religion. For
example, between Catholic and Protestant Christians in Northern Ireland or different groups
within Islam in Iraq.
Inter-Religious Conflicts
In areas like Palestine, conflicts involve different religions, such as Jews and Muslims. These
conflicts can be complex and longstanding.
Conflict in Darfur, Sudan
In Darfur, Sudan, conflict has historical roots in ethnic and cultural divisions. Although most
people are Sunni Muslims, the conflict is not inherently religious. It was triggered by
attempts to impose Islamic law and worsened by competition for resources and the legacy of
slavery.
International Response
International organizations like the African Union and the United Nations have intervened to
protect civilians and address the crisis. Diplomatic pressure has been applied to the Sudanese
government, and peacekeeping forces have been deployed.
Role of Religion
While religion is not the main cause of the conflict, religious organizations have played a role
in providing humanitarian aid. However, they have not been able to stop the violence.

Analyzing Conflict and Religion

To understand conflicts involving religion, it's important to:
Analyze historical context, including ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions.
Critically assess the current situation, looking beyond surface explanations.
Examine the role of religious organizations and leaders, considering their actions and impact.
Summarize findings to understand the overall role of religion in the conflict.