Figures and Terms: Aboriginal and Early Religions (Unit 1)

Person/Term	Religion	Identify	Religious Importance
Animism	Aboriginal Spirituality	Belief that all things (human and non-human) have souls/spirits, and that the “being” lives on after death (as a spirit).	Instead of believing solely on the “Creator”, those who believe in animism turn to many spirits because they believe that they have more than one specific need in nature or in life. For example, a farmer may wish to please the spirit of the rain or sun. This is applying the relation and connection between all living things because we all depend on each other.
Zoroaster	Zoroastrianism	(lived sometime around 1700-600 BCE) He believed that polytheism did not meet the needs of the people of Persia. He then spent his life preaching, teaching, and fighting to convince people of the one God, Ahura Mazda. By the time of his death “Zoroastrianism” (the “Good Religion” was the state religion or Ancient Persia. There are many legends about Zoroaster that are extremely similar to those of Jesus.	Since Zoraster had a connection with this one God, Ahura Mazda, he was used as the main communication of Zoroastrianism. This religion believes that one should live a life of virtue for the benefit of both us and others. The battle between good and evil that exists in every person should be equal. For example, having a conscience can cancel out evil thoughts. This religion believes that an important balance between good and evil exists in the world, with good prevailing for the benefit of humanity.
Ahura Mazda	Zoroastrianism	Known as, the “Wise Lord” or the “God of Righteousness.” He was revealed to Zoroaster while he was meditating, thus beginning the religion of Zoroastrianism.	Ahura Mazda was revealed to Zoraster and the religion of Zoroastrianism begun. This religion believes that a balance between good and evil is good and that one should live a life or virtue for both the benefit of us and others. We should also act in accordance with the wishes of Ahura Mazda, the only one Supreme God.
Dakhma	Zoroastrianism	A Dakhma is a round, open-air structure with high walls, where the body a person is placed, after death. Many natural things (such as the sun’s rays or vultures) descend on and consume the dead person’s remains. Once the body is reduced to bones, they are swept into a special well located in the center of the Dakhma. Dakhmas are built on high, rock ground, away from populated areas.	This ritual of disposing corpses is a strong reflection of the values of the Zoroastrianism people. Rich and poor people are disposed of in the same way, representing equality of all before Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians also believe that the soul of a person is destined for something much higher and that the body must be given back to the earth.
Ahisma	Jainism	Ahisma is often described as the noblest form of religious conduct among the Jain people. Ahimsa emphasizes peace involving the entire lifestyle of a person. By following this, it is said that you will have the clearest path to liberation.	Ahisma followers believe: -that physical violence is not necessary -there should be a bond between all life forms on earth to emphasizes unity in nature to avoid harm to the earth -we should treat others with both physical and mental respect
Mahavira	Jainism	Mahavira grew up in India where Hinduism was the main religion practiced. Though Mahavira accepted some ideas of Hinduism, he felt that changes were still necessary. He was a jina (a conqueror) who wanted to give followers a clear path to enlightenment.	Jains believe that Mahavira was one of twenty-four holy teachers who were on earth to teach people “self-mastery”. Mahavira is not seen as a religious founder, only as a teacher to cover things already taught. His life and teachings we based on Ahisma (non-violence). Mahavira believed in Asceticism, so he gave up all worldly possessions, except for 1 piece of clothing. He was also a strict vegetarian. He lived a life of meditation until he reached enlightenment, becoming a “conqueror” at age 42. He taught male and female monks and built the philosophy of Jainism.
Ascenticism	Hinduism, Jainism	The process of “self-deprivation” of food, clothing, cleansing, and other pleasures in order to achieve a religious goal	This “self-deprivation” shows sacrifice to a higher power/spiritual figure/belief. This proves dedication and faith.
Karma	Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism	The “cause-and-effect” law: for every action is a consequence.	Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, believe that for every action there is a consequence. The consequence is determined by a higher power. With Hindus and Buddhists, who believe in reincarnation, having a bad Karma means being reincarnated, which is a punishment because they believe that life is pain and suffering. Having a good Karma would result in a better next life or Paradise. All three religions believe in either a good or bad consequence to every action.
Moksha	Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism	Salvation from the cycle of rebirth.	With Jainism, “The goal of the present life is to pay a “karmic debt” to achieve salvation or Moksha.” Moksha results in the elimination of the affects of Karma. To achieve Moksha, one must meditate and demonstrate the right conduct. To achieve right conduct, one must demonstrate a commitment to ahimsa to make a vow with the following principals: nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession. Ones life involves with proper conduct results in either Moksha in this life, or an improved rebirth in the next life. With Hinduism and Buddhism, the goal of life is to achieve Moksha (liberation) from the endless cycle of rebirths.
Reincarnation	Aboriginal spirituality, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism	The rebirth of a soul over several lives until it achieves release.	With aboriginal spirituality, there are many beliefs and stories involving reincarnation. The “Sioux” believe that 4 souls leave a person after their death. One soul journeys along a “spirit path” and is judged by an old women who determines whether the spirit should reconnect with ancestors, or return to earth as a ghost. The other souls enter fetuses and are reborn into new bodies. The Iroquois believe that souls can enter man-made objects, like spears. Other Aboriginal groups believe that souls inhabit the many stars of the Milky Way. With Jainism, (a religion that also believes in reincarnation) the goal of one’s present life is to pay a karmic debt in order to achieve salvation and the concept of reincarnation is also believed in. With Hinduism, the endless reincarnation is called samsara. With Buddhism and Hinduism, they believe that life is suffering and to be reincarnated is a punishment. The goal is to achieve liberation.
Sallekhana	Jainism	A holy ritual of gradual fasting to death.	Mahavira (famous teacher of Jainism) died of Sallekhana. Sallekhana is not considered an eating disorder, nor it is considered suicide. Sallekhana is considered to be a sacred and holy practice for spiritually fit individuals, usually monks/nuns, and must be supervised by religious authorities. It is looked at as “death with dignity and dispassion”. Voluntary death by fasting shows renunciation of worldly possessions and it allows the participants to die with full meditation, maintaining their vows until the end of their existence.
Jiva	Jainism	The soul. Jains believe that all natural things have souls. Even building blocks of nature (atoms) posses individual souls.	When atoms are combined to form larger objects (ex: a human), a soul will emerge encompassing the size of that object. Therefore there is a defined link between the physical and spiritual world established by the “building blocks of nature” and souls.
Tao	Taoism	The way. To practice the way of nature and to understand how to achieve balance between opposing forces.	With Taoists, they believe that Tao is the force that existed before all things: “By giving birth to one, Tao gave the world a mechanism for balance. The birth of two means the birth of opposites. The birth of three refers to the existence of heaven, earth, and humanity.” Therefore the creation of everything is related back to Tao. This is the explanation for creation for the Taoist people.
Lao Tzu	Taoism	The founding of Taoism is related to Lao Tzu. But people are still unsure if he even existed because: 1.) Lao Tzu means “old master” which is a title, not a name; 2.) Scholars noticed the works of Lao Tzu could possibly be a combination of work done by 3 different people. If Lao Tzu did exist, he may have been a man named Li Erh, an archivist at the royal place of Luoyang.	If Lao Tzu was Li Erh, we can put together a rough biography of the father of Taoism. Lao Tzu is sometimes known as an older contemporary of Confucius. He kept his job at the royal court until he was very old. As he was about to leave the province of Cu’u, a border guard recognized him and asked him to leave some wisdom behind. It was then where Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching (a short collection of wise verses that incorporated the heart of the “way”. “One should live in accordance with Tao in order to maintain a sense of personal and communal harmony with the world.”
Wu wei	Taoism	The act of “not doing”. Leaving things alone and letting nature take its course.	Wu Wei does not mean “laziness”. It is a spiritual request to leave things alone and let nature take its course. So, people should not try and manipulate others’ thoughts and minds into thinking a certain way, instead, people should have faith in the Tao and allow people to find their own way based on Tao which underlies all existence.
Confucius	Confucianism	(Aka: K’ung Ch’iu/K’ung Futzu) After the death of his mother, he became a teacher and built a reputation as a man or virtue who cherished Chinese culture and values. Believed that the only way to improve society was to teach people the ways of the Yellow Emperor and encourage people to take responsibility for their actions.	Under Confucius’ guidance as the Minister of Justice, Lu became known for justice and fairness. The power of Confucius made people very envious and he eventually left Lu. Was an excellent teacher to the time he died and has 72 disciples (each who mastered 6 arts) and 3000 followers. Confucius and Mencuis made the foundation of Confucianism, but it was Hsun Tzu who brought it to life. Confucianism is the pursuit of Tao.
5 Virtues	Confucianism	The 5 Virtues are what Confucians should demonstrate and practice: Jen: goodwill, sympathy, politeness, generosity Yi: rightness, respecting duties as guardians of nature and humanity Li: art of right conduct, demonstrating inner attitude with outer expression Chih: wisdom, demonstrating Jen, Yi, and Li Hsin: faithfulness and trustworthiness, indicates how the wise person has come to be a visible example of goodwill, loyalty, and propriety.	For a Confucian, the Way of Heaven is achieved by practicing the 5 Virtues.
Shinto	Shinto	Polytheistic religion with no founder, ritual use of scripture, or organized teaching. Embraces both aspects of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Using these 3 faiths equally led to Shinto being absorbed by Buddhism.	According to Shinto tradition, spirits exist everywhere and are called kami, which means “high” or “superior” but is commonly used as “God” or “Deity”. The kami are found in everything from rocks to trees to animals, even thunder. The emergence of kami is described in the story of Izanagi and Izanami, a brother and sister who got married and gave birth to several deities, each resigning over a different aspect of nature. These spirits are worshiped.
Kami	Shinto	The spirits that underlie all existence.	Ritual purity is critical and if the appeal to kami is made by a priest or believer, it is to be successful. There are two types of purification rituals: yutate, and norito. Kami are called upon and worshipped. These spirits are in all natural things from the offspring of Izanagi and Izanami. The two key components of Shinto ritual are purity and pollution that both must appeal to kami.