FIVE GREAT RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD

HINDUISM BUDDHISM JUDAISM CHRISTIANITY ISLAM
Founder/Date unknown The Buddha
ca. 500 BCE		 Moses
ca. 1250 BCE		 Jesus of Nazareth
ca. 4 BCE - 30 CE		 Mohammed
ca. 620 CE
View of Human Life in This World Maya Life is dukkha Life (including human history) reveals the presence of the holy, especially the history of the people of Israel Life reveals the presence of the holy, especially as revealed in Jesus the Christ Life is in the hands of Allah Most Merciful
Ultimate Reality Reality is One Reality is One The Lord is God, the Lord is One God is One (in Trinity of persons) Allah is One
Problem of Human Existence individuality/finitude of self individuality/finitude of self injustice, insensitivity in human relationships; estrangement injustice, insensitivity in human relationships; estrangement all know God's law, but some refuse to obey God
Goal of Human Existence
  • disengagement
  • "no-self"
    		•
  • disengagement
  • "no-self"
    		•
  • full engagement
  • giving of self to communion
    		•
  • full engagement
  • giving of self to communion
    		•
  • full engagement
  • giving of self to communion
    		•
    Ultimate Fulfillment moksha:
  • beyond history
  • mystical union
  • loss of "selfhood"
  • ineffable oneness
    		•  nirvana:
  • beyond history
  • mystical union
  • loss of "selfhood"
  • ineffable oneness
    		•  "Day of the Lord"
  • transformation within history (affects "beyond")
  • ideal communion, including nature
    		•  "reign of God"
  • transformation within history
  • (affects "beyond" -- beatific vision)
  • ideal communion, including nature
  • including class, race, sex
    		•
  • beatific vision
  • reward (and punishment)
    		•
    Means to Reach this Fulfillment
  • self-discipline
  • self-initiated
  • sometimes help from the Gods
    		•
  • self-discipline
  • self-initiated
  • sometimes help from boddhisatvas
    		•  Divine initiative; gift of Law & Covenant, Land and People Divine initiative; gift of life & work of Savior (JC) who transforms persons and world through the Cross Divine initiative; gift of the Teaching of the Prophet Mohammed, the Mouthpiece of Allah Most Merciful
    Resources for Belief and Practice
  • Vedas
  • Gitas
  • Yoga
  • Rituals/feasts
    		•
  • Buddha's Teaching
  • Example of the Buddha
  • Meditation
  • Rituals/feasts
    		•
  • Tanak
  • Talmud
  • Halakah & Haggadah
  • Rituals/feasts
    		•
  • The Bible (OT+NT)
  • Tradition
  • Laws
  • Rituals/feasts
    		•
  • The Holy Qu'ran
  • Shariya
  • Hadith 
  • Rituals/feasts
    		•
    Truth Claims Spiritual insight is accessible to humans Spiritual insight is accessible to humans Divine Revelation
  • Uniqueness of the Torah & Divine Election of Israel
  • God's Truth given to Israel in order to save the nations
  • God's universal will to save
    		•  Divine Revelation
  • Uniqueness of Jesus the Christ and his saving death/resurrection
  • God's Truth of salvation is the sovereignty of Jesus Christ
  • God's universal will to save
    		•  Divine Revelation
  • Pure Faith of Abraham completed in the teaching of Mohammed, God's last prophet and a preacher; M brings God's message to humankind
  • Muslims reject Jesus' crucifixion, but accept virgin birth as sign that J. was also a prophet (Jesus not divine son; violates monotheism)
  • God's salvation open to all who will be obedient to M's teaching
    		•
    Attitude toward other Religions There are many paths to the same goal 'The Buddha rains dharma on all' The "Scandal of Particularity" in the Election of Israel The Sovereignty of Jesus the Christ; the Grace of Christ abounds, even outside the Church Mohammed fulfills God's Revelation; unbelievers will perish
    Final Attitude? Listen. E.g., Thomas Merton: God speaks to us in three places: 1) the Scriptures; 2) our deepest Selves; and 3) the Stranger