Taoist beliefs and practices

-Tao is the first- cause of the universe

-Recognize unity of all things; the Tao surrounds everyone

-Time is cyclical

-Promote health

- Follow the art of wu- wei ( do nothing)- choose the natural paths through life

-One should not engage in forced or unnecessary action

Spreading

2.Questions for test

Origin of Hinduism
Major branches of Hinduism
Religious views of Hinduism
The main concept of Taoism
Views of religious Taoism
Meaning of the Taoists’ symbol.
Taoists’ views on life

3.Glossary

Adherent- приверженец, последователь-ізбасар

Trinity- троица- штік дай

Deity- божество- дай

Destruction- разрушение- ирату

Spirit- дух- рух

Universe- вселенная-алам

Task for IWS

Origin of Hinduism ( 1) p, 124-126
Hinduism views on life (1), p. 123-126
Forms of religious Taoism (2), p.100-105

Task for next lecture:

Main principles of Confucianism(2), p. 90-92

Task for office hours

Hinduism in India (2), p.72-74

Reference

Mandatory

A History of the World Religions, L. 1990( KAU library), p. 123-145
Музафарова Н.И. История религий. М., 2004, стр. 72-89, 95-100, 100-105

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia

Recommended

John Perry, Social Web ( KAU library), p.56-67

http://www. bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions

1 Sikhism

Sikhism is the youngest of the world ‘s 4 great monotheistic religions. It was founded in the 15 century by Guru Nanak. There are 18-20 mln. Sikhs in the world, 80% of them live in the Punjab state in Northwest India, where the faith began. There are about 500,000 Sikhs in Britain, 225,000 in Canada and 100,000 in the USAю

The word “ Sikh” in Punjabi means “ disciple” ( of the Gurus).

Basic Sikhs teachings

Sikhism emphasizes social and gender equality, and stresses the importance of behaving altruistically.

Equality
God is accessible without priests
Accept other faiths
Live in the world
Devotion can take the form of action as well as prayer.
A good world is just and fair to all: Social justice is to be supported. The use of force as a last resort is justified to uphold it.
Death is not the end.

The Sikhs code of conduct

The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurdwara or temple. The principal Sikhs scripture is the Adi Granth, often called the Guru Granth Sahib.

Sikhs history. Sikhs in the contemporary world.

In the end of the 17 century the Sikhs were persecuted in the state of Moguls and when the Mogul ruler ordered to cut the 10-th Guru into parts, the Sikhs rebelled under the leadership of the 10-th Guru Govind. In 1699 Govind formed a powerful military detachment of Sikhs- Halsa and they began the struggle for the formation of their own state. Govind in 1708 was killed but the first Sikhs’ state was formed in Punjab ( later it was abolished by the British)

In 1966 the government of India permitted the foundation of the Sikhs’ administrative region in Punjab, but the struggle went on, the main demand- formation of Sikhs state Khalistan. They are condemned in terrorist acts ( I. Gandhi, R. Gandhi)

2 Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is a small religion with about 140,000-200,000 members. Yet its importance is great because

History

The religion was founded by Zarathushtra ( Zoroaster in Greek). Conservative Zoroastrians assign a date of 6000 B.C. to the founding of religion, other- 600 B.C. Zarathushtra lived in Persia, he preached monotheism. Z. became the official religion of various Persian Empires.

A form of Z. was the chief religion of pre-Christian Armenia. By the 6 century, Z. had spread to Northern China via Silk Road.

In the 8 century a large number of Iranian Z. fled to India.

Beliefs.

Z. combines elements of monotheism and dualism. Central to Z. is the world’s constant struggle between Good and Evil. The cosmic dualism between good and evil stands in contrast to the Abrahamic faith of Judaism, Christianity and Islam when Satan is no way equal of God and is a creation of God.

The resulting cosmic conflict involves the entire universe, including humanity, which is required to chose one path of the two to follow.

Z. gave 3 commandments to his followers:

1) Humata- good thought

2) Hukhta-good word

3) havarshta- good deeds

The holy book is the Avesta.

Practices.

Questions for test

1. Origin of Sikhism. Its political direction

2. Sikhism in history of India

3. Main beliefs and rituals of Sikhism

4. Main beliefs of Zoroastrianism

Glossary

Disciple –ученик, последователь- ізбасар

Task for IWS – Sikhism and political life in India

Task for office hours- Zoroastrianism in Kazakhstan

Reference

Музафарова Н.И. История религий, М. 2004. стр. 86-93