Comparative Religion Mind Map
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism #
Chinese Traditional
Mahayana #
Taoism/Daoism
Confucianism #
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion?
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
2) Who were the important people, leaders and empires in the religion?
5) Where did the religion begin?
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context?
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Between 600 BCE and 600 CE, during the time that Buddhism and Jainism were created.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
Judaism
Commonly made statues of gods and paintings depicting goodly figures.
11) Comparison to Taoism
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Gita. Smrti and Sruti. Mahabharata and the Ramayana, and the Bhagavad Gita
Meditation, yoga, contemplation, yagna (communal worship), offerings in the temple. To follow dharma, i.e. eternal laws
Indian subcontinent
Women can become priestesses or nuns.
CASTE SYSTEM! Made it nearly impossible to move from caste distinctions
Mainly in India and Nepal.
Culture and economics shaped Hinduism over time, emperors would promote and spread Hinduism across the Indian subcontinent
Both worshiped in temples, had common use of statues and pictures, holy days/holidays, and one main goal to achieve in life + AMSCO
CASTE SYSTEM
No particular founder, Gupta and Maurya empire.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroatrisniam
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
Persia, in 6th century BCE. because Cyrus the Great started the Achaemenid Empire.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
The Avesta, the Gathas
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Fire is used in Zoroastrian worship. Zoroastrians also pray 5 times a day. Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
Persia
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Ahura Mazda, Zarathustra Haechataspa Spitama or Zoroaster (Greek) or Zartosht (Parsi), Ohrmazd, Ahriman, and Cyrus the Great
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Equal to men
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Permitted, there are several drawings regarding Prophet Zoroaster and symbolic images of God (Ahura Mazda).
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Everybody was considered equal in Zoroastrianism, so there was not much social sdsiputes due to less religious tension
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Middle East, Central Asia and Northern India. This was because Cyrus the Great spread Zoroastrianism throughout his empire.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
The religion has died out. This is because the Persian empire is no longer, but it still has a major impact on religion today
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
It brought about the idea of heaven and h*ll, and good and evil
Judaism
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
530 BCE to79 CE by Abraham. The Jewish Diaspora was happening at the time, also the Jews were being captured and used as scapegoats.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
Tanakh (Jewish Bible) , Torah.
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Prayers 3 times daily, with a fourth prayer added on Shabbat and holidays. Shacarit prayer in the morning, Mincha in the afternoon, Arvit at night; Musaf is an extra Shabbat service. By accepting the covenant, they choose to follow God's commandments. A unique ethnicity. Early monotheists.
5) Where did the religion begin?
The Levant
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Equal to men in eyes of God and in the Law (Halakha). Woman traditionally have been granted more equal rights than most other world cultures. Today, traditions among the Orthodox and the Reform movements differ greatly.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Ancient times: Not allowed as it is considered Idolatry. Today, great artwork is encouraged. Statues of people are fine, but not as religious icons.
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Hereditary privileged priest class--Kohen and Levi. Jews were thrown around the world, rejected one too many times, and used as scapegoats time and time again.
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Existing in Israel for 1500 years, but the Romans in 70 CE kicked all Jews out. Jewish Diaspora happens. Now the majority live in Israel, USA, Canada, Russia, France, England.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
The religion started to wane away, not as many Jews today due to Holocaust and other untimely killings of Jews.
11) Comparison to Islam
Both were monotheistic, believing in only one God. God has always existed, none existed before him and will exist forever.
Both have holy days, and must ask for forgiveness from God in order to "rinse their sins" Source
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
The Holocaust. Horror seeing one religion being tortured and wrenched and twisted down to seem inferior and not socially righteous.
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Islam #
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
Founded between 570 to 622 BCE. At the time there was extensive trade routes, ideas spread along them. Muhammad critiqued the religions that passed through the trade routes, and wanted social justice so he taught his own ideas.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
The Qur'an, and traditions of the Holy Last messenger Muhammad, called 'Sunnah' which is found in narrations or 'hadiths' by the men around him.
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Five pillars: Testament that there is one God and Muhammad is his messenger (shahadah); prayer five times daily; fast during Ramadan; charity to the poor (zakat); pilgrimage (Hajj). Say, "He is Allah , [who is] One, Allah , the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent." - Quran: Surah Al Ikhlas. Slave women served as concubines, and all women were not allowed to study in the presence of a man related to them.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
Arabian Peninsula, Mecca at Mount Hira.
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Prophet Muhammad, Abbasid Empire, and Umayyad Empire
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
The prophet said "Do good to and serve your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then the near relatives and then those who come after them." Islam's honoring women is the great status of the mother in Islam.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Images of God or prophets not permitted. Art takes the form of calligraphy, architecture etc. Muslims distinguish themselves from other groups by not drawing lifelike human works, which could be mistaken as idolatry. No image is representative of God
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Fragmented politically, it was a bureaucracy. Kinship remained the foundation of social relations in the early Islamic world. Powerful merchant elites happened in many cities. Islamic caliphs led to discrimination toward non-Arabs. Slavery was allowed, but Muslims could not enslave other Muslims
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
The religion spread through the Prophet of Muhammad's preaching, and then he and his followers fled and created a community on the Arabian Peninsula. The community continued to grow over the course of Muhammad's lifetime, eventually making very widespread.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
The religion has moved to be dominant in Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Niger
11) Comparison to Judaism
Both were monotheistic, believing in only one God. God has always existed, none existed before him and will exist forever.
Both have holy days, and must ask for forgiveness from God in order to "rinse their sins" Source
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
It is the fastest growing major religion in the world today, spreading throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Mahayana
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
Created in the first century CE from in the context of debate about proper Buddhist doctrine and practice, about monastic discipline, and particularly about the ongoing presence of the Buddha after his death as well as the nature of enlightenment itself.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
Prajñāpāramitā Sutras
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Meditation, regularly visit to temples to make offerings to the Buddha.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
India
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) or sometimes Amitābha, King Ashoka
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Equal to men, are able to become clergy-people. Anyone of any gender identity can become a Mahayana Buddhist, gender is impermanent and fluid.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Statues are used for meditation and prayers.
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Social Structure remained as: Buddhist Monasteries; Buddhist Monks; Buddhist Nuns; Buddhist Lay People; Buddhist Pilgrims
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Asia, Australia and North America. It spread through the Silk Roads. Buddhism gained new ideas and thoughts, and formed this philosophy
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
Ditched the 8-Fold Path
11) Comparison to Taoism
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
Basically the first religion to have formed as it did on the Silk Road. It combined ideas and thrived throughout India and Asia
Theravada
Theravada
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
Created in 4th century BCE. Schisms occurred in the empires, resulting in Theravada rising, and Mahayana branching off.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
Pali Canon, namely Tipitaka
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Donation (alms-giving, etc.), Morality, and Meditation (insight). (Morality is nobler than donation and meditation is nobler than morality.)
5) Where did the religion begin?
India subcontinent
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Siddhāttha Gotama, Maurya Empire, and Gupta Empire
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Women can join the Sangha. In the Dharmic approach, the Buddha was the very first to allow women into monastic life.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Statues of the Buddha are objects of meditation.
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
The social structure had to support the practice of Dharma, so monks and nuns - the Sangha - were created.
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Asia, Australia and North America.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
Modernist movements have been incorporated into Theravadins lifestyles
11) Comparison to Confucianism
Both worshipped in temples, distribution mainly over Asia, and atheists can take part in the religion + AMSCO
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
Influenced the Myanmar's, who were 80% Theravada Buddhists
Taoism/Daoism
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context ?
Created in approx. 550 BCE, at the time of the Zhou Dynasty. Origins are shrouded in mystery, but the founder is said to be Laozi.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion?
Daozang, a collection of 1400 texts organized in 3 sections which includes the Tao Te Ching, Zhuang Zi, I Ching, and some others.
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Philosophical maturity, virtuous conduct, internal alchemy, and some sexual practices. The Tao is the only principle. The rest are its manifestations.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
China
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Laozi, the Old Master
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
No distinctions between men and women, as both are seen as manifestations of the Tao.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Architects attempted to make buildings integrated into natural surroundings. Poets wrote about nature and human involvement.
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Did not affect social structure, though it appealed to peasants because of their connections to natural forces and the land.
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
China, Korea, to lesser extent Vietnam and Japan.
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
No real major changes occured
11) Comparison to Mahayana
Monasteries, temples, and shrines. Common use of statues and pictures. and atheists can take part in the religion. No such thing as sins, and homosexuality is allowed
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
GAVE BIRTH TO MARTIAL ARTS SUCH AS TAI CHI and QIGONG
Confucianism
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context?
Created in the 6th century BCE, while China was suffering from a period of instability. Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism emerged as new schools of thought from this period of instability.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the philosophy?
Analects of Confucius and Mencius; I Ching; Doctrine of Mean, etc.
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the philosophy?
Visit to temples to pay homage to Ti'en(God or Heaven), Confucius, and ancestors; To practice ('Jing zuo, ') or 'Quiet Sitting. Confucianism all about the brotherhood of humanity.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
China
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the philosophy?
K'ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) and the Chinese empire
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Socially inferior to men
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
No real change on art and architecture. Possible tapestries on Confucius
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Appealed to many people because it argued for respecting social hierarchies and traditions. Filial piety was the main belief amongst all families immersed in Confucianism
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Asia
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
The philosophy did not survive
11) Comparison to Theravada Buddhism
Both worshipped in temples, distribution mainly over Asia, and atheists can take part in the religion + AMSCO
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
Created schools to teach religion/philosophies
Christianity
Christianity #
1) How and when was the religion created? What was the historical context (what was going on at the time)?
Created by Jesus of Nazareth, during the reign of Augustus. What was going on around this time was Roman imperials persecuting Jews. the Jews were against the paganistic religion of the Romans and were zealots. The zealots took after Jesus's belief in one god, and it was declared legal by Constantine.
3) Which religious texts or other primary sources are important to understanding the religion/philosophy?
The Bible
4) What are the basic principles and practices of the religion/philosophy?
Believing in one god, living simple lives isolated from society, martyrdom, and afterlife. They pray a lot to God, and go to churches regularly.
5) Where did the religion/philosophy begin?
The Roman province of Judaea
2) Who were the important people, leaders, and empires in the religion/philosophy?
Jesus of Nazareth, the Roman empire, God, Christian preachers, Peter and Paul
6) How did the religion view the role of women?
Women could practice Christianity. No real restrictions for women being able to partake in the religion.
7) What impact did the religion have on art and architecture?
Crosses, monasteries, churches, religious morality towards God and Jesus
8) What impact did the religion have on social structure and interactions between groups?
Everybody was equal, and preachers taught the people Christianity. Fights broke out because of forced Christianity, and some people rejected the religion.
9) Did the religion spread? How and where?
Missionaries and preachers, throughout the world wherever it was accepted
10) What major changes have occurred within this religion?
No more branches off of Christianity, only one pure form of it
11) Comparison to Zoroastrianism
Christianity and Zoroastrianism similarities:
-Dualistic and cultural features still alive today
-Text and song to indoctrinate followers on good & evil
Source
12) 1 impact of this religion on World History
Shaped the United States, as it is based on God and Christianity
11) Comparison to Christianity
-Dualistic and cultural features still alive today. Text and song to indoctrinate followers on good & evil Source
Monasteries, temples, and shrines. Common use of statues and pictures. and atheists can take part in the religion. No such thing as sins, and homosexuality is allowed