SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

HUMSS 3

INTRODUCTION
TO WORLD
RELIGION
AND BELIEFS
Quarter 1 – Module 1 - 4

Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________

Year & Section: _____________________

Subject Teacher: Miss JADE R. MANZANO

Your Answer will be written in a Yellow sheet of Paper. This module will be
compiled at the end of the 1st Semester.

-Ma’am Jade-
 CONTENT
CHAPTER 1: PILGRIMAGE TO SACRED SPACES: AN
OVERVIEW
Lesson 1: Defining Religion

What is Religion?

 Common Characteristics of Religious Worldviews

 The study of Religion
 The Religion and Spirituality
 The Major World Religions

Lesson 2: Blessing and Curse?

Lights and Shadows

When Religion Becomes a Curse

 When Religion is a Blessing

CHAPTER 2: INDIAN RELIGION

Lesson 3: Hindu Dharma

Lesson 4: Buddhism

Lesson 5: Daoism
 PREFACE

Religion is one among a significant variety of ways through which

human beings seek fulfilment as well as answers to their ultimate questions.
Each particular Religion is a worldview through which human beings see
themselves and their ultimate purpose and engage with their fellow beings
(human and nonhuman).

In Pilgrimage to sacred Spaces: An introduction to World Religions, we

will make use of the terms adherent, believer, and follower interchangeably to
refer the members of religion. Moreover, we will use the Analogy of
Pilgrimage, a spiritual journey toward a sacred space. After all, we are all
learners walking together on a lifelong journey of the spirit.

We know how challenging education and learning is today. You may be

concerned if learning will still be effective in the new normal. It will still be
effective, certainly, and it should be with the help of this called Blended
Learning.

What I Need to Know

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Give an example of a belief system or a worldview;

2. Differentiate religion from spiritual and theology;
3. Point out the relationship between the elements of religion and spirituality

How to Learn from this Module

To achieve the objectives cited above, you are to do the following:

1. Carefully read the lessons.

2. Take your time on going thru each lesson.
3. Answer the pre-test honestly; the purpose of the pre-test is for you to determine your
prior knowledge before going thru the lessons and activities.
4. If you have a hard time understanding the lessons and activities, please do take a
break. Having breaks between lessons and activities will give you some space where
you can absorb the lesson well.
5. You can use the internet if you need more information about the lesson.
CHAPTER 1: PILGRIMAGE TO SACRED SPACES: AN
OVERVIEW
Pilgrimage to Sacred spaces is a special kind of journey. It is not simply traveling for
sightseeing, but entering its unique elements. It includes tracing its origin, interpreting some
key verses from its sacred texts, identifying issues related to it, listening to its core teaching
and justifying its influence in the world today.

Lesson 1
Defining Religion
Religion has always been and remains a
powerful dimension of Human experience. “Being
Human”

Homo Religious is one way of describing the

human being. It is a nature of human beings to be
religious, beyond oneself in the service of something
or someone usually perceived as a greater than oneself
and as source of meaning and well-being.

Religious beliefs, expressions, and worldviews have

inspired and influenced humanity’s artistic,
philosophical, ethical, political, scientific, and economic endeavours.

Latin Religio which means “conscientiousness” or “reverence,” referring to the awe or fear
felt in the presence of a spirit or diety, and may be related to the Latin Religare which means
“to bind fast”

Religion is therefore one among a significant variety of ways through which human being
seek meaning and fulfilment. Each particular religion is a worldview, a lens through which
human beings see themselves and their ultimate purpose and engage with their fellow beings
(human and nonhuman).

MISSION 1
 Look for a Religious item or a Picture that allows a part of religious activity/ritual.
Describe the item guided by the question below. Write your Answer on the Blank Provided
below.

For Religious Item:

1. What it this Item?

Answer:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. What is it used for? What is its meaning or importance?
Answer:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

3. How does it connect you to God?

Answer:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. What does it say about God?
Answer:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. How is it supposed to guide the believer on how to behave and relate with
others?
Answer:______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

The Study of Religion

Theology is one way of engaging in a
formal study of particular religious tradition.
The term theology originated from Christian
tradition and is rooted in two Greek words,
theos meaning “god” and logos, “word” – the
verbal expression of human experience of
transcendent reality.

Religious Studies are another way of

engaging in an academic study of religion and
differ from theology in a number of ways.
While religious studies can be and often are
conducted by people who are in some way insiders, scholarship in religious studies is written
purposely include readers who are outsiders-those who have little or no previous knowledge
or investment.

Philosophy of religion, as the philosophical study of the nature and meaning of

religion, consists in analysing religious concepts, beliefs, and practices of religious adherents.

Psychology of religion attempts to explain religious behaviour by making use of

current theories in psychology.

Sociology of religion describes religious phenomena in terms of their function in

human societies.

Religious Anthropology studies the cultural significance of religious experiences,

ideas, and institutions.

MISSION 2

Find two adult believers in your community. These can be your parent, relative,
godparent, or neighbour. Interview them separately using the guide question below. Write
their answer in the blank provided below. (no limit of Sentences)

Interviewee 1
1. What is one core belief in your religion? What is its relevance to your daily
life?
Answer:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. What is the highest form of worship in your religion? Why is it considered so?

Answer:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Interviewee 2
1. Name one important law observed by a follower of your religion. What does it
bring about in the individual and community?

Answer:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. Identify one story or Myth that the community of believers read from your
religion’s sacred writings. What truth does it convey about life or relationships?
Answer:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Religion and Spirituality
Spirituality is a phenomenon related to religion. Religion and spirituality were
formerly linked, as can be seen in one dictionary definition of the term spirituality as “the
quality or state of being concerned with religion or religious matters.” However, nowadays, it
is more common for people to consider religion and spirituality as a being distinct and
separate from each other.

Basic Components of spirituality that must be practices in order to keep a healthy life of
spirit:

 Prayer or attending to his/her interior life

 Striving to live out the ethical demands
 Active involvements in a community

When these components are all present and come together, they keep an adherent well-
grounded and, influenced by core beliefs, mesh with the ethical, cultic, and communitarian
dimensions of religion.

MISSION 3

Formulate some brief descriptions of a person who is religious but devoid of

spirituality (left column). Do the same for a person who is both faithful to the religious
tradition and its spiritual (right column).

The Major World Religions

There are manifold varieties of religions existing in the world today. However, we will
limit ourselves only to the following, classified according to their geographical roots:

1. Religion from India ( Hindu Dharma and Buddhism )

- Hindu Dharma the oldest of the known religions and Buddhism
originated in the South Asian subcontinent of India. India remains the
home of Hindu Dharma, while Buddhism spread to other Asian
nations, like Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand, and
Vietnam.
Religious Devoid of Spirituality Faithful to Religious Tradition and Its
Spirituality
 2. From East Asia ( Daoism, Confucianism, and Shintõ)
- Daoism and Confucianism emerged in China, while Shintõ comes from
Japan. While there is some dispute whether Daoism and Confucianism
may be considered religions, they are usually counted as such because
they have, at times, developed certain religious aspects.
3. From Middle East ( Judaism, Christianity, and Islam )
- Judaism was the first evolve among the religions that began in the
Middle East. Along with Christianity and Islam, it prides itself with a
view of God who has revealed himself so that humanity can come to
know him. Adherents of these religions believe that God has spoken
and his words are contained in their sacred texts.

MISSION 3 (Study Question)

1. What does it mean for a human being to be “religious?”

_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

2. Identify and briefly describe the common concrete expressions or manifestations

or religious worldviews.

_____________________________________________________________________
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3. What are the common characteristics of religious worldviews?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4. Why should there be a study of religion?

_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

5. Distinguish between religion, theology, and spirituality.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

6. Identify the essential components of spirituality, and explain how these, when
practiced together, help sustain a healthy, spiritual life.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Lesson 2
Lights and Shadows
The Roman Catholic Church is one of the world’s largest enduring institutions, and
has undoubtedly made a lasting global impact and will likely continue doing so. It operates
the most intensive nongovernmental school system in the world.

The Catholic Church has, to its embarrassment, also inspired violent movements, such
as the Crusades and the inquisition. It is two millennia of history are marked by worldly and
corrupt officials, schisms, intolerance, and even the violation of human rights in the attempts
to proclaim its truth and to safeguard its adherents from error. The late and great Blessed
John Paul II, at the end of the second Christian millennium, humbly acknowledged such
shortcomings and, in behalf of the entire Catholic Church, asked for forgiveness: “As a
successor of Peter, I ask that in this year of mercy, the Church should kneel before God and
implore forgiveness for the past and present sins of her sons and Daughter.”

When Religion Becomes a Curse

The psychiatrist James L. Griffith identifies three related purposes that religion
serves:

1. Religion helps ensure security.

2. Religion helps build to strengthen the individual sense of self as being worthy and
competent.
3. Religion helps reduce personal suffering, for self or others.

How does religion become a curse instead of a blessing?

Living in a filled with threats to well-being, social beings will tend to seek safety
within a strong, intelligently-organized group. Throughout human history, religion has served
as a strong cohesive bond. It is manifested in the readiness of people to sacrifice their
individual lives out of loyalty to religious adherents becoming morally blind because of a
misguided sense of loyalty to their religious group.

Each religion has recommended means for coping with life’s sufferings.
Unfortunately, many of these recommendations propel religious behaviors to untoward
consequences. When one chooses to withdraw from the material world in order to reduce
offering, efforts to solve practical problems within one’s society can cease. Over time, this
may increase suffering for others. Violence, directed toward one by ascetics or toward others
by zealots, is often committed in the hope of gaining God’s favour through obedience and
Sacrifice.
When Religion is a Blessing
How does religion become a blessing?

The practice of authentic spirituality makes religion work wonders. Common themes
may be found in spiritualties associated with ancient religious traditions.

1. Encounters with the Sacred/Transcendent as personal experiences that stimulate

reflection, creativity, and ethical behaviour.
2. Commitment to an ethic of compassion.
3. Emotional postures of resilience.
4. Emphasis on prioritizing the well-being of individuals, whether oneself or others, over
the needs of a religious group.

MISSION 1

Cite one element or Characteristic of a religion (preferably your own) that can both
cause positive and negative effects on family or society.

Element or
Characteristic of a Positive Effect Negative Effect
Religion
MISSION 2

Answer the following question on the blank provided below. 3 to 5 sentences

1. What makes religion strongly influential to human beings and communities?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Religion has influenced humans to either heal or harm; it has been both a blessing and
a curse. How do you feel about this?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. If religion is perceived as either a blessing or a curse, how are its adherents
responsible for this?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 CHAPTER 2: INDIAN RELIGIONS

Festival in Indian Religions

Suppose you are the country’s delegate to a UNESCO-sponsored intercultural

camp that aims to promote understanding and fellowship among young people who
belong to different faith traditions. You have been informed in the beginning of the
camp that the culminating activity, a festival will be held where each group of
delegates will have a feature a cluster of religions that they do not belong to. You have
picked the Indian religions.

The Goal is to present to your co-delegates, particularly to those who are

adherents of Hindu Dharma and Buddhism, the depth of your understanding and
appreciation of their religions.

MISSION 1

The Following are the statements that express significant ideas about Hindu
Dharma and Buddhism. Write True if you agree with the statements; false, if not.

1. The Indian religions teach the law of karma.

2. There is only one way to attain salvation in Hindu Dharma.
3. The God of Buddhism is the Buddha.
4. The sacred texts of Hindu Dharma are classified as “heard” and
“remembered”.
5. Hindu Dharma and Buddhism both acknowledge the important of the
Vedas.
6. While Buddhism is of Indian origin, it has more adherents outside India.
7. Like Buddhists, the followers of Hindu Dharma aim to be freed from the
cycle of rebirth.
8. Buddhism teaches that human beings cannot overcome suffering through
their own efforts.
9. Hindu Dharma teaches that the divine manifests itself in many forms.
10. Those who follow the Indian religions are expected to undergo all
traditional life-cycle rituals.
 HINDU DHARMA
Would you prefer to live only once
and get it over and done with? Or
would you rather live again, with a
chance to set things right, but not
know what form of life you will
assume in your next incarnation?

ORIGIN OF HINDU DHARMA

The term Hindu is a transliteration of the

Sanskrit word Sindhu, meaning “of the
Indus [river valley].” It was first used by the Muslim conquerors of India to refer to its
inhabitants who refused to adopt Islam and was later also used by British imperialists.

Those who follow the ancient religious traditions of India rarely refer to it,
Hinduism; many prefer to simply call it Dharma or, as we will refer to it, Hindu;
Dharma. Some prefer to it as Sanātana Dharma, the timeless and universal Dharma. It
may be helpful to think of what is popularly known as Hinduism or Hindu Dharma as
referring to a family of religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent as early as
3000 B.C.E. with no clearly identifiable founders.

Hindu Dharma has been described as the “cradle of Spirituality” and “the
mother of all religions” because of its influence on virtually every major religion, and
as it has given rise to other religious traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and
Sikhism.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

The Indian subcontinent found in South Asia can be described as a land that is
chiefly agricultural, and is also isolate from its neighbours. The rich alluvial soil in
Indian valleys, made fertile by abundant drinkable water from rivers, supports a large
population, which tends to personify nature as a generously nurturing but sometimes
moody mother.

ORIGINS

Around 1750-1200 B.C.E., warlike nomadic tribes of light-skinned people

known as the Aryans began migrating into India from present-day Iran “Land of
Aryan.” In their own language, Sanskrit, which will become the language of Hindu
Dharma, the term Aryan means “nobel.” The Aryan tribes were led by chieftains
called rajas.

Three basic Classes in Aryan society (twice born):

1. The Kshatriya, rulers and warriors

2. The Brahmin or priests
3. The Vaishya, commoners such as farmers, artisans, and merchants.

SACRED TEXTS

Sacred Hindu Dharma Writings:

Shruti (Heard) – are sacred writings containing eternal truth heard from the Gods, i.e.,
divine revelation.

Smriti (Remembered) – are lesser sacred texts with privileged knowledge as

“remembered” and handed on by ancient human sages.

The Vedas were oral traditions passed among generations that were later
transcribed in Vedic language, an early form of Sanskrit. The bulk of their material
emerged between 1500 and 400 B.C.E.

Four books or Collections of Vedas:

 Rig-Veda – Collection of over a thousand mantras or hymns to Aryan gods

accompanied by mythology and used by Hindu Dharma priests officiating at
sacrifices.
 Yajur-Veda – “incantation” is a guide for Brahmins assisting at ritual sacrifices
that need to recite prayers.
 Sama-Veda – consists of “chants/holy songs,” verses condensed from priestly
hymns in the Rig-Veda.
 Atharva-Veda – comprises domestic rituals, popular prayer, and magic spells to
ward off evil.
MISSION 2

Identify the following statement given below. Write your answer directly in a
yellow sheet of paper.

1. It was first used by the Muslim conquerors of India to refer to its inhabitants
who refused to adopt Islam and was later also used by British imperialists.
2. The timeless and universal Dharma.
3. referring to a family of religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent and
described as the “cradle of Spirituality” and “the mother of all religions”
4. The Warlike nomadic tribes of light-skinned people around 1750-1200 B.C.E.,
is known as?
5. The oldest sacred books in Hindu Dharma and are the basic source of its
worldview. Oral traditions passed among generations that were later
transcribed in Vedic language.
6. Sanskrit “Heard” sacred writings containing eternal truth heard from the Gods,
i.e., divine revelation.
7. “Incantation” is a guide for Brahmins assisting at ritual sacrifices who need to
recite prayers.
8. Comprises domestic rituals, popular prayer, and magic spells to ward off evil.
9. Sanskrit “Remembered” that are lesser sacred texts with privileged knowledge
as “remembered” and handed on by ancient human sages.
10. Collection of over a thousand mantras or hymns to Aryan gods accompanied by
mythology and used by Hindu Dharma priests officiating at sacrifices.
 IN THE SACRED SPACE
ORIGIN OF BUDDHISM

Buddhism began in India in the sixth century B.C.E, as another interpretation

of Hindu Dharma. Like Jainism, another alternative interpretation of Hindu dharma, it
rejected the authority of the Vedas and offered liberation from the endless cycle of
samsara based on the efforts of the individual. But unlike Jainism, the founder of
Buddhism proposed a “middle way” between worldliness and extreme asceticism,
giving it mass appeal among Indians for several centuries.

In China, Buddhism in its Mahayana variety influenced and was influence by

Daoism and Confucianism. Impelled by Buddhist missionaries, Koreans introduced
Buddhist teaching to Japan, where a Shinto-influenced variety, Zen, emerged.

THE LIFE OF SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

Buddhism began in history with a founder, Sidhartha Gautama, better known

by his title “The Buddha” or “Enlightened One” and referred to by East Asian
Buddhists as “the Sharyamuni” or “sage of the Sharya people.” The life and teachings
of the historical Buddha are absolutely essential to understanding the character of the
Buddhist worldview.

FOUNDER OF BUDDHISM

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism who later became known as

“the Buddha,” lived during the 5th century B.C.
Gautama was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Although
he had an easy life, Gautama was moved by suffering in the world.
He decided to give up his lavish lifestyle and endure poverty. When this didn’t fulfil
him, he promoted the idea of the “Middle Way,” which means existing between two
extremes. Thus, he sought a life without social indulgences but also without
deprivation.
After six years of searching, Buddhists believe Gautama found enlightenment while
meditating under a Bodhi tree. He spent the rest of his life teaching others about how
to achieve this spiritual state.

MAJORE DIVISIONS IN BUDDHISM

Like its mother religion of Hindu Dharma, Buddhism may also be considered
as a family of religious worldviews. Buddhism was divided into two major groups:
Mahayana and Theravada.
Theravada Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and

Burma (Myanmar). It is sometimes called 'Southern Buddhism'. The name means 'the
doctrine of the elders' - the elders being the senior Buddhist monks.

This school of Buddhism believes that it has remained closest to the original
teachings of the Buddha. However, it does not over-emphasise the status of these
teachings in a fundamentalist way - they are seen as tools to help people understand
the truth, and not as having merit of their own.

Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism (or the Mahayanas) can be defined as a major

movement in the history of Buddhism which has its origins in northern India. It is
made up of many schools and reinterpretations of fundamental human beliefs, values
and ideals not only those of the Buddhist teachings. The recorded starting point for
Mahayana, also known as the 'Great Vehicle' because it embraces so much, is the 2nd
century C.E, but it is assumed that this tidal wave of shifts began to grow before that
date, building on existing schools and systems, and it continues today.

Activity 1:

Directions: Read and answer the questions about the Buddhism. Write the letter and correct
answer in a yellow paper.

1. The only remaining school. It is also tradition of the elders.

a. Mahayana
b. Buddhist
c. Theravada
d. Hindu Dharma
2. The founder of Buddhism who later became known as “the Buddha,” lived
during the 5th century B.C.
a. Siddhartha Gautama
b. Doctrine of the elders
c. Sharyamuni
d. Buddhist
3. The smaller and more conservative faction (“exclusive/lesser way”)
a. Mahayana
b. Buddhism
c. Theravada
d. Hindu Dharma
 4. In _______, Buddhism in its Mahayana variety influenced and was influence
by Daoism and Confucianism.
a. Sri Lanka
b. Thailand
c. China
d. Cambodia
5. Like Jainism, _________ began in India in the sixth century B.C.E, as another
interpretation of Hindu Dharma.
a. Mahayana
b. Buddhism
c. Theravada
d. Hindu Dharma

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. If Siddhartha Gautama was originally an adherent of Hindu Dharma, why did

he propose his “middle way” as an alternative religious worldview?
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2. How is Mahayana Buddhism different from Theravada Buddhism?
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