Mary-Kate Scurlock
REL4050
Dr.Raouda
SUMMARIES OF RELIGIONS
Hinduism
HINDUISM IN GENERAL
Hinduism is a large religion that originated in India and has around 1 billion
adherents. This area where Hinduism originated is often considered as the cradle
of civilization. Hinduism is the most ancient of the living religions The term
Hinduism originates as a geographic destination, describing the people living
among the Indus River. Many consider Hinduism a polytheistic faith because
they associate all their different gods as separate gods, but in reality it is a
monotheistic faith because all the little gods are based off of Brahma and is a
subset of Brahma. While most people outside of the faith think of Hinduism as a
religion, it is actually more of a way of life.
Hinduism does not have a founder nor does it have a single authoritative text.
MARRIAGE IN HINDUISM
Marriage is considered an obligation and a sacrament in Hinduism. There are 7
types of marriage, usually most are arranged with consent given between the two
members and their elders, but also marriage ranges to kidnapping as well. It is
believed that marriage can span into 7 lives and is to help the people progress
spiritually because it is the relationship between two souls. The criteria for
marriage includes caste system, natal charts, family background, financial status
of the groom, appearance and character of bride and groom, and willingness of
parents. Hindu civil codes permit divorce but the hindu religion does not approve
as divorce.
TEXTS, RITUALS, AND INTERPRETATIONS
Although there is no single authoritative texts, Hinduism still has some main
important texts which are the Vedas and the Upanishads. These book teach that
girls can be Brahmacharis and can get an education.
One popular ritual was Sati. Sati consists of throwing a widow on her husband’s
early body. Now this is outlawed.
VIEW OF WOMEN IN HINDUISM
There is a wide range of views towards women in Hinduism. For example,
feminine energy is the thought to be the essence of the universe, but women
were treated poorly. Hinduism has the most prominent presence of female
deevine figures among the main world religions, but again women are treated
poorly and are seen as property. Sati was inspired from the goddess Sati who
burnt herself alive to prove her royalty and devotion to her husband. The practice
of Sati is throwing yourself on top of your dead husband’s corpse as self sacrifice
to die with him. This strengthens the idea about Hinduism’s poor view on women
because it is thought that women aren’t needed anymore once their husband is
gone so they commit suicide for their husband so they aren’t a burden to
society.Once Sati was banned by the British, widows were not allowed to
remarry. Widows were treated poorly and often lived together in large
communities to support themselves.
EDUCATION OF WOMEN IN HINDUISM
The vedas and the Upanishads says that girls can be Brahmachari and can get
an education. The texts mention that school was available for women. Most teachers
are men, but there are some women.
SEXUALITY IN HINDUISM
Sexuality is only understood in the cultural context of india in regards to Hinduism
But actually isn’t religious. Hinduism focuses on purity and sexual loyalty and it is
thought that women have lack of control over their sexuality.
BUDDHISM
BUDDHISM IN GENERAL
Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. They do not worship a god. The
founder of Buddhism was Siddhartha Gautama. He was a prince that lived an
extremely sheltered and perfect life. One day he escaped his palace and saw the
poverty of the world.When he saw this he felt guilt and renounced his kingdom.
He began meditating and found the secrets of life, so he began to preach the
doctrine of meditation. There are two sects of Buddhism, Mahayana and
Tantrism. Mahayana is mainly in the North and is famous i Japan and China.
This type wants to reach enlightenment with loved ones and want to convert
people to Buddhism. Tantrism is the Southern sect and is found in Burma and
India. This type wants to reach enlightenment by themselves, because everyone
is responsible for their own soul. There is also Vajrayana which is found in
Mongolia and TIbet. These people practice analytical discernment with
devotional heart.
MARRIAGE IN BUDDHISM
Marriage is considered a secular affair and is not considered a sacrament or
anything. Buddhists still can get a blessing for their marriage from a monk.
Buddha taught that wives should be obedient to their husbands but husbands
should respect their wives.
TEXT,RITUALS, AND INTERPRETATIONS
In Buddhism there are a lot of scriptures and texts. The Sutras and the Suttas
are believed to be the actual words of Buddha. Meditation, Mantras, Mudras, and
Prayer Wheels are important rituals in Buddhism. The interpretations of
Buddhism can be considered the different sects that are practiced in different
parts of the world.
VIEW OF WOMEN IN BUDDHISM
Many early images of women in buddhism were seen as negative. But in the
Theravada Sutta Pitaka suggests that the concept of gender differentiation can serve
as a hindrance to attaining nirvana. The Theravada also does not deny women the
ability to become awakened, but they are unable to lead a Buddhist community. But
there also all female communities where women monks lead their communities. Dalai
Lama does not oppose to a women being the head leader in the future..as long as she’s
pretty.
SEXUALITY IN HINDUISM
LGBT prejudices are cultural and not religious. Monks and nuns practice
celibacy. Sex is a serious monastic transgression. The four transgressions for
monks are sex, theft, murder, and falsely boasting.
CHINESE RELIGIONS
Chinese religion does not focus on god they focused on human relation and actions
Both Chinese and West religions have morals and souls
There are three main Chinese religions= Chinese Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucism
CONFUCISM
CONFUCISM IN GENERAL
Like Buddhism, Confucism is a moral philosophy rather than religion. Confucism
doesn’t believe in gods or an afterlife, and doesn’t have a priesthood. This
religion is based of the writings of Confucius a name coined by catholic
missionaries.
MARRIAGE IN CONFUCISM
Women are supposed to be obedient to their husband. They were their husbands
property and were to stay in the house. Husbands can divorce their wives, but
wives couldn’t divorce husbands. Husbands could divorce if the wife was unable
to bear children, if the wife was disobedient, jealous, or unfaithful. Women were
treated as objects of desire, and could be thrown away or sent back if their
husbands didn’t want them anymore.
TEXTS, RITUALS, AND INTERPRETATION
The main texts in Confucism are the Confucian Classics. It was thought that
these were written by Confucius himself, but actually wasn’t. Since Confucius
wasn’t a prophet, these texts are not sacred but instead are just a moral code.
They also have a book titled The Ceremonials that is just a collection of rituals.
When rituals are performed men and women are separated.
VIEW OF WOMEN IN CONFUCISM
The view of women is very poor. Women have little to no rights. Women are
