-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- үштік құдай
Deity- божество- құдай
Destruction- разрушение- қирату
Spirit- дух- рух
Universe- вселенная-ғалам
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
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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
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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
www. pyracantha.com/Zoroastrianism.html
