Compare and Contrast: Theravada and Mahayana

Compare and Contrast: Theravada and Mahayana

	Theravada	Mahayana
Rituals	No birth or marriage, but death and funeral ceremonies. Spirit ceremony for illness or new homes. Initiation ceremony for males entering the Sangha and ordination ceremony on becoming a monk.	More lay orientated Sangha, initiation ceremonies ofr monks. Both have pilgrimages. More elaborate ceremonies for funerals
Sacred Texts	Focus on the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) that was passed down orally from the Buddha to the five arhats to the monastic order. Therefore scriptural knowledge and wisdom (panna) are important pursuits	Focus on scriptures about the many Buddha and Bodhisattvas. So Shastra (commentary) is considered significant as well as Agamas (early scriptures from appearing schools)
Doctrines/Beliefs	Siddhartha Gotama is the ultimate authority. Monks are given more authority than lay people. Monks aim for Nirvana while lay people aim for a good rebirth	The Buddha with other Bodhisattvas. Everyone can achieve Nirvana.
Religious Experiences	All boys are required to spend some time in monastery: monastic life is ideal. Males are superior to females, who are even described negatively as it seems related to reproduction and samsara.	Daily devotion (puja) and service to monks. Female bodhisattvas.

World' Wisdom -Buddhism

Main Ideas of Buddhism:

Anatta (pg 68)

First of all, Anatta is one of the Three Marks of Existence, meaning that there is no self or without a self. Self is combination of many physical and mental qualities but one quality alone doesn’t constitute me.

Right Mindfulness (Satupatthana Sutta) (pg. 71)

Right mindfulness is one of Buddhism’s most important teachings on the practice of meditation. It can hardly be learned in texts but consistent practices under a teacher.

The Four Foundations

It is the way to end the pain and to eventually lead to Nirvana.

Awareness of the Body

One retires to a solitary place, sits and watches his breathing mindfully. Additionally, he can walk, stand, sit or lie down while watching the breathing. Afterwards, he becomes mindful of any action and finally of the body. He also realizes the limitation of the physical body.

Awareness of Sensation

One can know or determine preference over a felt sensation.

Awareness of Mind

One can identify the state of his mind.

Awareness of Mind – Objects

Since one can identify the problem in the mind, he can overcome it.

Description of Nibbana / Nirvana (pg. 75)

End of Karma, Samsara and craving. End of greed, hate, delusion.

Description of Arahant / Arahat (76)

Noble person that has realized Nirvana.

Mahayana Buddhism:

Mahayana Buddhism - How is Mahayana broken down into 3 key innovations (describe each)

- Emptiness (pg 77 - 80)

it is an extension of dependent origination which states that every thing or event occurs, effected by combinations of other factors therefore no thing or event cannot bring itself into being a. k. a everything is empty of itself. Things are conditioned by various circumstances so nothing is absolute it goes back to Karma and impermanence. However emptiness is one that is the ultimate reality and pervades everything. Samsara and nirvana are relative realities. We live in the reality of emptiness at every moment. I don’t need a problem (suffering) or a solution (Nirvana). Just realize everything is empty.

Bodhisattva ideal (pg. 80 - 82)

Bodhisattva is a person who renounces his or her entry into Nirvana in order to help others achieve enlightenment. But he is also aware that there is no being (others) because everything is empty. Even with the knowledge of emptiness, they strive to liberate those confounded by illusion.

Devotional Buddhism (pg. 82 - 86)

Mahayana created devotional scriptures so that people of different abilities and background could understand emptiness. It is justified in the belief that Buddhism is not based on one historical person but the absolute reality. It is also based in the belief that everyone is equal in opportunities to attain enlightenment.

Buddhism Huston Smith

1. What is the biggest problem faced when trying to understand some of the core ideas / beliefs of Buddhism? (pages 112 - 113)

He wrote nothing, and the first Buddhist records were written after 150 years, raising the question of authenticity. Presumably, Buddha’s actual words weren’t preserved.

2. How does Smith describe / define Nirvana? Is it possible to conceive of what Nirvana is? Why or why not?

Nirvana is a stage in which fire is deprived of fuel and thus extinguished. The fire means the boundaries of the finite self and consequent desires. Buddha insisted that Nirvana was incomprehensible, indescribable, inconceivable, and unutterable. Just like wind cannot be seen, Nirvana cannot be perceived in anyway, beyond mind, thoughts, feelings and other human abilities.

3. How or what is Anatta, according to Smith? (115)

Anatta means soullessness. Buddha stated that there wasn’t spiritual substance passing onto the next life or everlasting self. Because One becomes new or different after every moment, dictated by Karma, there is no everlasting soul.

4. How does Smith describe the concept of transmigration and its relation to karma? (115 - 116)

No spiritual substance is transmigrated. But fragments of oneself such as experience, feelings or desires gets passed onto future self, which could be the self in the next life or that in a minute, according to the state he is in (Karma)

5. According to Smith, why did the Buddha belabor the concept of Annica?

Nothing in nature is identical with what it was the moment before. By accepting its impermanence, we can be freed from material desires. Anatta, and annica are so closely related and interdependent that I almost use interchangeably.

6. What is the biggest problem, according to Smith, when trying to answer the question "Do humans survive bodily death?" (117 - 118)

The biggest problem is that the answer to the question is ambiguous. Buddha didn’t want to invoke two extreme answers in followers by saying a definite one since the right answer is not discernable. Anicca and Anatta state that humans don’t survive bodily death whereas enlightened beings transcend the limitation.

7. When trying to understand the split in Buddhism, Smith argues that the divisions arise from three basic questions: What are the three questions and how do they relate to Buddhism? (120 - 121)

The three questions are the question of whether people are independent or interdependent, the question of the relation in which human beings stand to the universe and the question of what the best part of the humans is. Due to these questions, there was a division in Buddhism.

8. Smith outlines the basic differences between the schools in a single paragraph on page 121 - what are the main divisions he points out and what do the different names Mahayana and Hinayana (Theravada) mean?

One group pursues wisdom through meditation and another hold compassion preciously. The first group insists that one has to surrender a worldly position and become a monk in order to get enlightened whereas the second is less demanding for enlightenment cannot be achieved alone. Additionally, the second group acknowledges cosmic help.

Yana means a raft that carry people across life’s sea to the shores of enlightenment. The second group is called Mahayana for it is a bigger raft that carries not only the monks but also laypeople. Another automatically became hinayana, which is a little raft, however they called themselves Theravada, The Way of Elders since they don’t prefer hinayana. By changing their name, they also claim that their teaching is original from Gautama Buddha.

9. Read pages 122 - 127 and outline the major differences Smith gives for the division between Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

Mahayana focuses on Buddha’s life and his examples, claiming that the words from the Pali Canon are not adequate, whereas Theravada focuses on the Pali Canon, which is the earliest record, claiming their Buddhism is original for it studies the Canon. However the fact that Buddha came back from Nirvana to help others is an evidence for Mahayana to claim their authenticity.

Theravada	Mahayana
Individualistic	Interconnected
Self reliance, no gods	Brahamic existence
Wisdom, then everything follows	Compassion first
Sangha	laypeople
Arhat	Boddhisattva
Buddha as a sage	Buddha as a savior
Speculation is bad	Speculation is okay to make the concepts easier
Meditation to deepen faith and love	Rely on Buddha for spiritual strength
Fundamental to texts	Liberal to texts

Taoism Summary

Taoism

Part I

What is the human condition?

Humans are subject to changes, ascending and descending in their lives; People are born and they die. They should follow the natural order thus feelings, and needs should be allowed to manifest themselves as part of nature. Until the liberation is attained, they go through reincarnation. However, it should be noted that Taoism created by Lao Tzu doesn’t mention human condition thus no reincarnation. It is later joined in Hsien Taoism 200 year later.

What is the goal?

The Tao is the ultimate goal of Taoism. It could mean many things: God, the Truth, or the source of existence. To gain access to the Tao is to become an Immortal. When achieving the understanding of the natural world, one would gain experiential access to world’s wisdom and power, unifying with the primordial unity. At this point, he is in harmony with the world; anything he does benefits everything (Wu Wei).

How do we get there?

Meditation, inner alchemy and gigong forms are important to develop the understanding of the natural world. They are meant to focus awareness on the breath and flow of qi through bodies. The Taoist practice of aimless wandering through the natural world is supposed to rekindle the curiosity in nature and teach how to communicate with the spirits. There are many ways to attain the Tao as long as one respects the nature and acknowledges its change or impermanence, which leads to the Tao.

Part II

Key Concepts

1. Daojia and Daojiao – they are knowledge about two aspects of Taoism; Daojia is the philosophical Taoism that pertains to reflections of the Taoist sages, whose primary texts are Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi. Daojiao is the religious Taoism that explains religious activities of Taoism such as rituals and ceremonies.

2. Tao – it is the goal of Taoism. Explanation at “What is the goal?”

3. Yin and Yang – the elementary energies representing femininity and masculinity, which complement each other. They symbolize the balance of polarities, which produce the natural world. They are inter-related and mutually dependent; one cannot exist without another. The mixing movement represents its interrelationship and continuous interchanging into each other. The colors of white and black emphasize coexistence while little circles within them mean interdependent nature. Basically, it’s quintessential embodiment of interdependent balance.

4. Qi – the energy or force that every being requires to live on. It flows through meridians, which are the channels in the body in order to energize. It is central to the yogic Taoism.

5. The Five Elements – they are the five basic constituents of the natural world: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. The Ten-Thousand Things is the expression of the various ways that the five elements can combine to produce all the things in the natural world. They support and destroy each other, depending on their nature and connection.

6. Inner Alchemy (neidan) or Qigong – It’s a way to utilize and strengthen Qi in the body. Three types of Qi called The Three Treasure of Jing, Qi and Shen are cultivated by practicing Inner Alchemy, which eventually lead to the Tao. Inner Alchemy also implies that human bodies are vessels for the spiritual journey rather than something to be transcended; bodies are to be cultivated not to be tortured by starvation.

7. The Three Treasures – They are types of Qi that can be strengthened by Qigong practice. Jing or reproductive energy is located in the lower dantian of the lower abdomen. Qi or life energy is located in the middle dantian of the thoracic cavity aroud the heart. Shen or spiritual energy is located in the upper dantian of the head. Three dantians are the places for storing Qi.

8. The Three Purities – they are three highest deities like Trinity, representing three aspects of the divine nature. The Jade Pure One (Yuqing) a.k.a the Celestial Worthy of the Primordial Beginning is the central deity of the Three Purities. He appeared simultaneously at the beginning of time. He is known to create the writing system with the pattern of the world. So he is honored as the source of learning and author of the Taoist scriptures. The Supreme Pure One also known as The Celetial Worthy of the Numinous Treasure is the attendant of the Jade Pure One with the task of teaching the lesser beings Taoist scriptures. Lastly, The Grand Pure One also known as The Celestial Worthy of the Way and its Power manages the human world, appearing in many forms, one of which is Laozi, author of the Tao Te Ching.

9. The Bagua – The eight trigrams made for divination systems: Yijing and Fenshui, using Yin and Yang.

10. Grott-Heaven and Wholesome Earths – the imaginary place in China’s sacred mountains where Immortals reside. However it generally refers to places where spiritual energy is potent. The terrestrial branch of Fengshui and the practice of aimless wandering are relevant to those places.

Ritual

Worship

Baibai – It is the practice of offering incense to an altar, which represents the separation of pure from impure. Falling ashes are impure air that sinks whereas the smoke is pure air that rises. This practice also renders the human body as a connection to earth and sky with metaphors of ashes and smoke.

The arrangement of objects varies from sect to sect however there is a general style. The Sacred Lamp is centrally placed in front of the Deity being honored, representing the light of the Tao that permeates the entire cosmos. Two candles are placed on both sides of the Lamp, representing the moon or Yin and the sun or Yang. Three cups are located in front of the Lamp. The left cup contains water for Yang. The right one contains tea for Yin and the center on contains grains of uncooked rice for the union of Yin and Yang since rice demands both energy of Earth and Sky to grow. Five Plates of Fruit and Five Bowls of Food follows after the cups, representing the Five Elements. Fruits represent earlier heaven form characterized by a creative relationship between the elements whereas the food represents a destructive relationship. Lastly, an incense burner is located in front of the plates and bowls, representing the lower abdominal area of human body called lower Dantian where heat is generated to purify the Three Treasure. Within it, three incense sticks represent the Three Treasure.

It’s a fundamental practice that incorporates the idea of yogic Taoism and the Tao: Three Treasures, Ying and Yang, Five Elements etc. The purpose of it is to pray.

Festivals

There are seven major Taoist holidays based on lunar calendar: Chinese New year, Lantern Festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Day. They are also traditional Chinese festivals that are not so specific to Taoism alone.

Chinese New Year is celebrated by many religions, however the majority of the deities are Taoist: the Jade Emperor, the Kitchen God, Hongjun Laozu, Tainguan.

Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the year and commemorates the birthday of Tianguan, Taoist god responsible for good fortune. On that day, people hang lanterns and walk with them, enjoying Tangyuan- a kind of dumpling made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with sweet feelings. Eating the sticky Tangyuan symbolizes family unity (sticking together) and happiness.

Tomb Sweeping Day is meant to celebrate the coming of spring and to remember the ancestors with the burning of joss paper called spirit money.

Ghost Festival is to honor the ancestors when the lines of communication between the three realms of Heaven, Hell and Earth are more open than any other times. The ghosts and sprits come to the living unlike Tomb Sweeping Day where the living visits the dead. Joss paper is used and empty seats are left in a table to invite the ancestors. Another tradition is floating down a small paper boats to guide the ancestors back to where they belong.

Double Ninth Festival is on 9^th day of the 9^th lunar month where nine is the typical yang number in Chinese numerology. A day with two nines is considered to be imbalanced so people go hiking or drink chrysanthemum wine to protect themselves from two much of yang energy. The climbing of mountains represents climbing to a higher position, symbolic of an increase in health, happiness and prosperity as well as longevity that the number nine is also associated with. Chrysanthemum is supposed to have many physical and spiritual benefits. Traditionally flower cake is consumed as well because rice cakes are called gao which is homophone for height, linking back to climbing the mountain. The last tradition is that people carry dogwood as a way to prevent disease and protect health and prosperity.

However I got the impression that most of them are based on Confucius ideas: Family, ancestors, though Double Ninth day is authentically Taoist. Confucius and Taoist ideas govern China.

Sacred Text

Tao Te Ching is the most important scripture in Taoism, written by Laozi (Lao Tzu), creator of Taoism. Tao means way – the natural order of the universe. Te means virtue and Ching means a canon, therefore Tao Te Ching is the canon of the way and virtue. The book is composed of 81 short poems, ranging from political advice of rulers to practical wisdom for people. Metaphor and poetry are used frequently in the text, implying the Tao cannot be taught explicitly but it should be achieved by experience while learning Tao Te Ching is supposed to help the thinking.

The first lines of the Tao Te Ching state that the Tao is ineffable, transcending language. Texts cannot teach the Tao.

The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way;

The names that can be named are not unvarying names.

It was from the Nameless that Heaven and Earth sprang;

The named is but the mother that rears the Ten Thousand Things, each after its kind. (chap. 1, tr.Waley)

The Tao Te Ching promotes knowledge and humility. Knowledge in Taoism is not only about knowing facts but also about the self thus creating humility. It is based on teaching how to act at an individual level.

Knowing others is wisdom;

Knowing the self is enlightenment.

Mastering others requires force;

Mastering the self requires strength;

He who knows he has enough is rich.

Perseverance is a sign of will power.

He who stays where he is endures.

To die but not to perish is to be eternally present. (chap. 33, tr. Feng and English)

The Tao Te Ching recognizes polarity and relativity of the world, rendering them natural. Nothing is forced but fluid.

When Beauty is recognized in the World

Ugliness has been learned;

When Good is recognized in the Wordl

Evil has been learned

In this way:

Alive and dead are abstracted from growth;

Difficult and easy are abstracted from progess;

Far and near are abstracted from position;

Strong and weak are abstracted from control;

Song and speech are abstracted from harmony;

After and before are abstracted from sequence.

Many translations are written by people with a foundation in Chinese language and philosophy who try to convey the original meaning. However, it is written in classical Chinese, which is hard for well-educated native speakers to understand. When I was trying to get a copy of it, the most popular version of Tao Te Ching in Amazon is written by an author who doesn’t understand Chinese. I guess even the inaccurate translation doesn’t void its authority. More like, there is no authority on it because everything comes from personal interpretation so if the inaccurate version gives some ideas, it’s good, because one learns something.

Doctrines and Beliefs

Key Doctrine

The key doctrine is conforming to the nature so to attain the Tao. Wu-Wei is an example of it. It is the action of non-action referring to a state where actions are naturally conforming without a thought or effort to the world or “going with the flow”. In the Tao Te Ching Laozi introduces his ideal of the enlightened leader with the principles of Wu Wei, who is able to rule in a way that creates happiness and prosperity for all. The practice of Wu Wei is the highest form of virtue that is not premeditated yet spontaneous. There are kinds: Wu Nien – the thought of non-thought, Wu Shin – the mind of non-mind. It is emphasized in philosophical Taoism even though it a shared idea among all the denominations. It is not particularly intended for anyone: any Taoist pursues it.

Different schools of though / denominations

There are three main types of Taoist practice: Quanzhen (complete reality), Lingbao (Numinous Treasure), and Shangqing (Highest Clarity).

Quanzhen focuses on the Inner Alchemy, primarily concerned with longevity and immortality through the alchemy. Following the nature for the Tao, studying the Five Elements and Yin and Yen are important. Its Qigong is so akin to raja yoga. So it is the yogic Taoism.

Lingbao focuses on religious ideas along with reincarnation borrowed from Buddhism. Five Talismans is the most important text. So it is the religious Taoism: it’s more based on ceremonies and rituals.

Shangqing focuses on meditation techniques with the recitation of the sacred canon, which transforms an attitude toward life; knowledge changes life. So it is philosophical Taoism.

Cosmogony and Cosmology

In the beginning is Wuji or Tao (Undifferentiated Unity). From it, Qi emerges, represented by complementary Yin and Yang – the emergence of duality/polarity out of the Unity or Tao. From Yin and Yang, the Five Elements emerges: Wood (greater Yang), fire (lesser Yang), earth (neutral), water (lesser Yin) and Metal (greater Yin), which lead to the eight trigrams (Bagua) – the formation of the elemental constituents of the phenomenal world. From the Five Elements, the Ten-Thousand Things are created – the world.

Religious Experience

Individual experience

Qigong is Taoist version of Raja Yoga based on Qi and meridian. Physical benefits of Qigong practice are conspicuous because it is like yoga. The smoother flow of Qi by Qigong creates positive and meditative minds. As the practice deepens, Qigong is supposed to open the third spiritual eye that allows seeing the patterns of the natural world, leading to the Tao.

Meditation

Aimless wandering is a Taoist practice of a walking meditation where understanding the world with sensory perception is required rather than thoughts. One just observes and appreciates the nature. It’s like vipassana meditation: one is focusing on senses, not understanding philosophical thoughts.

Ethics and Moral Conduct

There are ten precepts with twelve vows, recorded in the Chischu Yujue (Red Writings and Jade Instructions). They are adapted from the Bodhisattva vows of Mahayana Buddhism in the 5^th century, where practitioners vow to attain liberation for other’s benefits. As usual, abstinence from killing, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct and intoxication is emphasized.

Some in the Ten Precepts that are unique to Taoism are “Maintain purity and be withdrawing in your social interactions”, and “Don’t be envious if others are better than yourself ! Don’t contend for achievement and fame! Be retiring and modest in all things” the former means modesty and the latter means humility.

Among the Twelve Vows, it is “I will receive the teachings and spread them so that innumerable living beings may be saved,” reflecting the Buddhist idea of Bodhisattva. They are so simple that interpretation doesn’t cause division between sects.

Useful Websites.

http://taoism.about.com/

http://www.comparativereligion.com/man.html#07

http://www.daoistcenter.org/terms.html

http://www.goldenelixir.com/index.html

Islam Take Home Test

Paper 1

1) a) The main doctrines of Islam referred to in the verse are Shahada implying Tawhid, Muhammed, and divinity of Koran sent by Allah and promulgated by Muhammed .

b) Without spiritual guidance by Allah, specifically Koran, people would forget fitra, committing ghaflah. They accumulate transgression and will go to Jahanam on Yawmuddin, according to judgment of Allah.

2) 2) a) This verse tells us about freewill that Allah has given us so that we can decide between the good and the evil.

b) the Islamic understanding of evil is that there is no ultimate existence of evil that tempts people to do malignment but human beings are responsible for what they choose to do, whether evil or good. Satan mentioned in Koran is mental aspect of human minds that tend to pursue the path of evil such as greed or etc. It can be overcome by following Allah’s words in the Koran, the Five Pillars and Hadiths.

Paper 2

1) Compare and Contrast the basis for authority of Quran and Hadiths

Authority of Quran and Hadiths is different as evident as how Quran starts as Allah says whereas the Hadiths do as the Prophet says.

Muslims believe that the Quran in its entirety is the words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the final message. Muhammad distinguished clearly between his own words and the words of Allah. After revelation came onto him, he ordered followers not to dictate his prophetic words in the Quran but Words from Allah in order to insure that they wouldn’t be mixed up. Hadiths are Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad. It includes narrations of his deeds and words that helps understand the Quran and its application.

However they are similar in a way that they are both exemplary to follow with authority over Muslims.

“almost all religions traditions condemn the intentional killing of another human being, except in specific cases such as retaliation’ an eye for an eye’, war or criminal punishment ’”

2) how far does the underlying principle of this statement apply to Islam?

The underlying principle of the statement applies to Islam to a great extent. The policy of an eye for an eye called “The law of equality” is well prescribed in the Quran (2:178) as well, meaning it is permissible to slay the murder the same way he slew his vitim. However instead, a relative of the slain can make an exception so that the murdered can pay with monetary assets rather than a life, slave or wife.

O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty. (The Noble Quran, 2:178)"

1) “… then marry women of you choice, two, three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly then only one” (Quran 4:3)

“you are never able to do justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, but turn not away from a woman altogether (Quran 4:129)”

3) with reference to the two verses above from the same Medinian sura ( revealed soon after the battle of Uhud), analyze the possible reasons for the practice of polygamy in Islam.

After the battle of Uhud which caused casualties on men, they were a number of widows and orphans however they weren’t allowed to make a living themselves, due to the laws in the Quran. Therefore by allowing polygamy, the vulnerable population could sustain their lives with a new husband and father.

After taking over the Mecca, Muslims needed to stabilize the mayhem as soon as possible, and the way they chose is combining two families by marriage in order to create alliances

As verses mentioned, men are allowed more than one wife up to four because men tend to covet other women, which causes infidelity. However men wouldn’t commit infidelity because they can marry more wives, keeping himself to his wives (which is a pretty odd explanation).

2)

Islam IV

What is the human condition?

Islam shares the story of genesis with Judeo-Christianity however it differs from them, when it comes to the concept of original sin. Adam and Eve committed transgression of disobeying Allah’s rule and Allah punished them. However they repented, and were forgiven by Allah therefore the rest of humanity doesn’t suffer, due to the original sin. It also leads to a belief that humans are not born sinful, but divine-natured (Fitra) so they are entitled to self-respect and healthy self-image. when they forget their divine origin, that’s a sin called ghaflah and it has to be reminded by religious acts.

Where are we going?

On the day of judgment (al-Qiyamah), humans will be decided on which afterlife (Akhira) they will live. According to Allah’s judgment, people will go to either Jannah or Jahannam. People with spiritual lethargy which ghaflah induces will go to Jahnnam and vice versa. Each soul will be held accountable for its actions.

How do we get there?

In order to go to jannah, humans shouldn’t forget about their divine origin and its innate demand to do good deeds. Since they get distracted by ghaflah, having faith in Quran and practicing Five Pillars: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj will help them stay on the course. Above pillars include accepting Muhammed and Allah as well as surrendering oneself to Allah (Islam). Every sin would be forgivable except for Shirk referring to worshiping polytheistic gods, which is an express ticket to janaham.

Islam Themes

Rituals

-Lifetime

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and is also the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able Muslim who can afford to do so. It is a demonstration of submission and devotion to God. Everyone is required to wear same white sheet, signifying equality.

-Artifacts

Black Stone is an Islamic ancient sacred stone building towards which Muslims pray in the center of Kabah. It is as symbolic as cross for Christians no matter what the origin is.

-Rites of passage

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islam calendar when Muslims go on fasting, refraining from eating, drinking, having sex, smoking and indulging in anything that is excessive or ill-natured from dawn until sunset. It is intended for self-discipline, empathy and religious experience

-Worship

Salat is one of Five Pillars, referring to the formal five times prayers with formal procedures prescribed in Quran. The purpose of Salat is to show devotion to Allah as well as to put the life back in perspective by actions on regular intervals.

-Festivals / holidays

Eid al-Adha is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God but instead was able to sacrifice a ram. Eid is also about spending time with family and friends as well as thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. One third of meat is give to the poor as a gift. It occurs at the end of Hajj.

-Gender issues

Hijab is head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women, interpreted as suppression on women by the West. However it’s intended for women’s sake presenting modesty, privacy and morality, which protects from malicious men.

-Societal rituals (worship, dietary laws)

Zakat is one of the Five Pillars, referring to the giving of small percentage (2.5%) of one’s possessions to charity to the poor and needy as the welfare contribution to poor and deprived Muslims. Zakat is not supposed to be used for Islamic community or religion but the poor and deprived. It teaches empathy

Text

-Some key text (prayer)

Say thou (O Muhummed to the people): "I am but a man like you: it is revealed to me by inspiration, that your God is One God: so stand true to Him, and ask for His forgiveness". And woe to those who join gods with God. (HOLY QURAN 41:6)

This prayer states Muhamed was a human but god therefore Muslims shouldn’t worship him but Allah.

-Composition of Quran

Muhamed was bombarded with divine revelations that afterwards were written down by recitation and dictation in Quran. The language used in Quran is rhythmically written that citing it sounds like a song. It is also narrated in first person of God unlike gospels. It is continuation of Old and New Testaments. It’s doctoral rather than historical and it’s organized, starting from the longest verse from the shortest one.

Doctrines / Beliefs

-Statements of belief – creeds

Shahada is the first of five pillars, Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of Allah and acceptance of Muhamed as his prophet. It is considered most important part of five Pillars because it indicates faith in Islam itself. â ilâha illallâh, Muḥammadur rasûlullâh "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God

-Eschatology

al-Qiyamah, the Last Judgment. All people will be judged, according to accumulation of their virtue and misdeeds. The righteous will go to Jannah and the opposite will go to Jahannam. It’s the same as Christian eschatology.

-Cosmology

The Quran mentions seven heavens and a vast universe sustained by Allah. There are Judged Universe (Divine) where people live forever after judgment, and Test Universe where things are imperfect.

Religious experience

-Group / individual experience

Jumuah is a congregational prayer that Muslims hold every Friday led by Imam, brought together by the Muezzin and it’s intended for communal purpose.

Ethics and moral conduct

It is based on Quranic teachings for which Muhamed was sent. Ethics is focused on unified community based upon Islamic piety, an Ummah and oneness of Allah, humility and piety.

-What are the beliefs concerning marriage, dress, elders, killing, divorce?

Islam considers marriage as a solemn family relationship between a man and a woman, based on mercy and love. It is social and legal relationship intended to strengthen and extend family relationship. It begins with a search for an appropriate partner and ends with an agreement of marriage, the contract, and the wedding party. Of course they seek guidance from Allah.

-What is blasphemy?

Blasphemy in Islam is any irreverent behavior, which offends a Muslim. The Quran condemns such behavior and Sharia provides penalties for blasphemy including fines, imprisonment, flogging, amputation, crucifixion, hanging or beheading. Muslim clerics may call for the killing of an alleged blasphemer by issuing a fatwa. Blasphemy includes to speak ill of Allah, to find fault with Muhammad, to insult ay prophet and members of Muhamed’s family, to draw a picture to represent Muhammed or to make a film which features a prophet, to write Muhammad’s name on the walls of a toilet, to name a teddy bear Muhammad and to state facts such as Muhammad’s parents were not Muslims, etc.

-sharia (divine) law and qanun (human) law

Sharia refers to the way Muslims should live, derived from the Quran and Hadith. It’s considered God’s law and cannot be changed by humans in contrast to Qanun, manmade law enacted by temporal authorities. Traditionally, Islamic jurisprudence interprets and refines Sharia by extending its principles to address new questions, even though there are different interpretations depending on the school of thought. Sharia deals with many aspects of life, including crime, politics, economics, banking, business etc.