The Five Pillars of Islam

1. It is central to a Muslim's identity and practice of the Islamic faith because it proclaims the belief in the oneness of Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.

2. It allows them to participate in a worldwide fellowship.

3. It shows that they believe that those who have much should help lift the burden of those who are less fortunate.

4. Those who fast are able to relate to people who endure hunger everyday. Fasting underscores the creature's dependence on God. It calls one back to one's frailty and dependence. It also sensitizes compassion.

5. I think the hajj is a pillar of the Islamic faith because it strengthens people's devotion to God. This practice is different from other world religions because most world religions do not make it a fundamental requirement to venture off to a holy site. There are sites that tie back to the importance of the religion's practices, but there isn't a place that followers have to visit. The hajj is similar to some world religions Mecca symbolizes a holy site where followers pay their respects, just like other religions honor holy sites for their religious devotion.

6. I think praying five times a day is a challenge this day and age because people may not always be in the right situation to come out and pray. Fasting is a challenge because there are so many tempting places to help satisfy the cravings.

Names of God

            The title “The Compassionate” describes a God who exudes endless amounts of love for his children. He will do anything for the sake of each person’s well being. Despite our constant mistakes, he never fails to cast His love upon us. His kind spirit is seen in the daily blessings and miracles we experience. He is compassionate for giving us the blessing so of free will and intellect. He did not have to give us the freedom to think and act on our own. In doing so, he risked receiving devout obedience from us. In spite of it all, God still bestowed us with the capacity to be in control of our lives. And even though we are extremely vulnerable to sin, he still accepts us when we sin and hurt Him. He welcomes us with warm arms because he has unconditional love for us.

            The title “The All-Knowing” is feminine because mothers are seen to be the comforter who knows the answer to everything. Mothers hold a role where they serve as the caretaker for all. In order to be a caretaker, one has to be capable to tackle the many occurrences that can conflict one’s family. A mother knows when to choose sternness over lightheartedness in a situation. She knows how to advise her children so they can be on the right path. Her sole intent is to see her kids perform at their best so they can fulfill God’s plan. In that, she has to be aware of many things so they can make God happy. In relation, God is a caretaker for his children. Being a caretaker makes him all-knowing. In order for Him to propel us in a positive direction God has to be aware of everything.

            The title “The Sovereign” defines someone who is in control over their power. To be sovereign is to have control over one’s affairs. One who is sovereign is all-powerful over a specific subject. Traditionally, men are viewed to be the all-powerful characters in society. In the past and in today’s world, it is more common to see men in the powerful positions. Naturally, many people see men as the ones who have the leverage to speak words into action. Men are able to make things happen because they embody strength in performance. They are able to physically move things, but they are able to support and maintain units (families, companies, or countries). A man is supposed to use his power to generate prosperity. Like the shared view of men’s sovereignty, God is sovereign in his Creation. He has power over His creation and He is in full ownership of his power. No one is able to take his power because of the strong immensity it holds. He uses his power so he can ensure His desired vision for humanity. If He does not utilize His power, then our true potential would not be feasible.

            The title “The Protector” instantly speaks masculinity. Men are viewed as the protectors of the children and women. Their strength is the power that enables them to produce security. Men provide security through their protection from harm. Men serve as the ones who will fend for their beloveds. They are physically strong, so their bodies make it possible for them to protect people from violence. But they also provide security through financial assistance. In the past, men were seen as the ones who made the money to bring home to the family. Their efforts made it possible for the family to eat and enjoy being a strong unit. Men are also seen as the ones who protect their children before they go out into the world as adults. They advise and shield their children so they can grow into dignifies people. Like modern men, God is the protector for all of his Creation. He makes it possible for nature to flourish and nourish the bodies of human beings. He ensures the vitality of every human life. He uses that spirit to engulf us in his grace so we can live out His plan for us.

            “The Compassionate”, “The All-Knowing”, “The Sovereign”, and “The Protector” accurately refer to the same God because He is a God of many attributes. God is our mother and father in one. He serves as the source of warmness when we need assurance. He is omniscient in his ability to guide us down the correct path. He is omnipotent so he can live in a world that is up to his standards. He is protective of his children because we are His flock and we shall follow according to His will. God is the light, the way, and the path. He is a melting pot of many attributes because he reflects the humane qualities that make up our beings. 

Islam Webquest

Task #1
1. 2.1 billion people
2. Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Guinea, and Indonesia.
3. Indonesia has the most Muslims.
4. There are 2,595,000 Muslims in the United States.

Task #2
1. Muslims must believe in one God.
2. They must believe in the angels of God.
3. They must believe in the books of God, especially the Koran.
4. They must believe in the prophets of God, especially Muhammad.
5. They must believe in the Day of Judgement.
6. They must believe in the supremacy of God's will.

The best struggle is when someone sacrifices his well being for the sake of Allah.
God is more forgiving to his creation than a mother is to her child.
A perfect Muslim is someone who uses their words and actions to keep humanity safe.

Task #3
1. The Koran provides human beings with wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc. It also establishes what a good relationship with God looks like. It also provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.
2. The Koran exists only in Arabic.
3. It was sent down during the month of Ramadan.
4. The angel Gabriel commanded Muhammad to read and he said that he was not a reader. So the angel Gabriel taught him some verses from the Koran and Muhammad memorized them.

Task #4
1. The Five Pillars of Faith: Testimony of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting. and pilgrimage. In order to perform the Testimony of Faith one must recite the quote, "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Muslims pray five times a day. The prayer can be recited anywhere, and they must face Mecca. Almsgiving is a way to care for the poor. Fasting is done so Muslims can reflect on their spiritual lives. In doing this they can repent for their sins and dedicate themselves back to Allah. The pilgrimage to Mecca is seen as an expression of devout faith.
2. They are important because they will strengthen their faith and service to Allah.
3. It's impossible to cheat on the Five Pillars because each person is in submission to God, making it necessary that they devote themselves fully.
4. The Five Pillars is similar to Christianity because Christians are expected to pray, to give to the poor, to recite a creed, and to fast during Lent.

Task #5
1. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for the people. Muslims show their acknowledgement by fating during daylight hours.
2. They are not allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day, the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends.
3. It can be destroyed by the telling of a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath, and greed or covetousness.
4. Muslims celebrate the Lavlat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power).
5.It is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking).gggg
6. The Koran was first revealed in this month, the gates of heaven are open, and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in hell.
7. The devils have been chained in Hell, so he can't tempt believers.

Task #6
1. The star and the crescent symbol originally came from the Ottoman empire.
2. White, black, green, and red are dominate colors for Arab flags.
3. Green is an important color in Islam.
4. Islamic art is not restrained to religious subjects like Christianity.
5. Islamic art focuses on the spiritual representation of objects and beings, and not their physical qualities.
6. . Islamic divorce rules favor men.
7. The Muslim call to prayer are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear.
8.The baby's first taste should be something sweet.
9. After seven days, the baby's head is shaved.
10. It is tradition to choose the baby's name on the seventh day.

Blog Post 22 - Ancient Western Religions

1. It began to flourish in ancient Iran, which was known as Persia. It flourished during the Persian Empire.
2. One Persia was conquered by the Greeks, aspects of Persian culture, including Zoroastrianism, spread far and wide.
3. When he was about thirty year old, an angel called, Good Thought appeared to him and brought him the Wise Lord also known as Ahura Mazda. Zarathustra recognized Ahura Mazda as the one true God, and he began to preach the radical message of monotheism to polytheistic people.
4. The Avesta is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, and the oldest material in the text is the Gathas. Zarathustra wrote the Gathas.
5. Ahura Mazda is eternal and universal goodness, controlling the cosmos and the destiny of human beings.
6. Ethical dualism is the belief in universal forces of good and evil.
7. The Lie is an evil, cosmic force.
8. Humans must choose between the truth and the Lie, between the beneficent spirit and the hostile spirit.
9. Heaven, or the House of Best Purpose is said to be forever in sunshine, and its inhabitants enjoy the company of the saved. Hell, the Worst Existence, is a foul-smelling, dark place where the tormented are forced to remain completely alone.
10. The traditional Zoroastrian is centered around agriculture. some of its ethical demands include caring for livestock and fields. A follower usually leads a simple life which includes telling the truth and doing what is right. /worship practices include prayer, which is to be done five times a day.
11. Zoroastrians who live in India.
12. The Iliad and the Odyssey.
13. The gods have human attributes. Their moral behavior is much more humanlike than godlike.
14. He was concerned with celebrating Zeus' great power and wisdom. The play Agamemnon explains human suffering as being a necessary part of the divine plan of Zeus.
15. An oracle is a sanctuary favored by a particular god, who communicated in some manner to those who visited the site. The most famous was at Delphi, where the Greeks came to confront Apollo. It had been considered a sacred site from early times and was thought to be the center of the earth.
16. Individuals had to choose to become initiates, and they went though some form of initiation ritual. Initiates experiences a personal encounter with the deity. And initiates gained spiritual renewal through participation in the religion and, as with most mystery religions, hope for a better afterlife.
17. The Eleusinian Mysteries.
18. Dionysus is associated with fertility, vegetation, and specifically the vine. Dionysus is often depicted in Greek art with vines and grapes.
19.  Their religious goal is to lea a pure life, through vegetarianism and other ascetic practices, so that the soul might eventually escape the body and fully realize its divine, Dionysian nature. 
20. Plato believed that we know things in this life partly because we have experienced them in previous lives. Knowledge, therefore, is recollection.
21. Plato's highly influential perspective that true reality consists of eternal and perect Forms, or ideas, and that the material, bodily world is an imperfect reflection of the world of Forms, dependent on them for all its qualities.
22. Both were called Savior and the intimacy of the worshipers' relationship with Asclepius bore a strong resemblance to the relationship with Christ celebrated by Christians.
23. The numina were supernatural powers, each in charge of a specific function. These powers inhabited a wide variety of spaces, such as fields, streams, trees, doorways, altars, and shrines.
24. Jupiter was the most powerful of all Roman deities.
25. Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn.
26. To be closer and more in tune with their selected gods.
27. Mithraism and the mystery religion celebrating the goddess Isis.
28. Osiris was killed and hacked into pieces by his evil brother. Isis searched far and wide, finally finding Osiris's body parts. She mummified him, which brought him back to life. Osiris became god of the underworld.
29. Emperor Augustus encouraged the worship not of himself, but of his genius, or guardian spirit. This focused worship on Rome, because the emperor's genius was thought to guard the welfare of the entire state.
30.They clashed because emperor worship contradicted their belief in only one God. The Romans grew suspicious of the Christians because their refusal to worship on behalf of the emperor implied that they did not support the state.

Judaism Questions

1. It is a house of assembly, a study house, and a house of prayer.

2. In a synagogue, there is an eastern wall where the holy ark is located. Th ark is the place for the Torah and the place for Jews to pray. The ark is above the ner tamid (the eternal light). The parokhet is the curtain that is the central part of the ark. It is designed in numerous ways. When you open the doors to the ark, there is a cabinet that is covered in velvet. This cabinet holds the Sifrei Torah. The Torah Scrolls are covered in cloth mantles. They are considered to be holy objects therefore they can not be thrown out even if they are old and worn out.

3. A rabbi is a teacher of the Torah. He is a religious person who has enough authority to be involved in the issues of Jewish law. There are different approaches to becoming a rabbi depending on which sect a man belongs to. The person must be Jewish. Most rabbis have a college degree and took classes in post-graduate rabbinical studies through a seminary. Unlike a priest, a rabbi has no more power than anyone else to perform certain rituals. The rabbi is the teacher of the Jewish faith.

4. It is a precious gift from G-d when Jews are able to push aside their worries and dedicate their lives to "higher pursuits" (Jewish Virtual Library).

5. The Torah refers to the Five Books of the Moses. But is can also refer to the whole Jewish bible. It includes all Jewish law and tradition. The Talmud contains the oral parts.

6. Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah G-d presented to Moses on Mt. Sinai stayed the same. They abide by laws of the Torah. Reform Judaism upholds the idea that the Torah was compiled over centuries, rather than being delivered at one time. It also states that individuals are supposed to change and grow, making them free to decide what to believe. Their worship services are in English rather than Hebrew. Conservative Jews believe humans had an influence in the writings of the Bible. They believe that it cam from G-d, but they also believe that humans have some impact on the Bible's writings.  that there was a human part in addition to the writings written by G-d. Some Conservative worship services are similar to Reform and others are close to Orthodox. Zionist Jews believe that their homeland resides back in Palestine.

7. Hebrew is the language of the early Jews. It is spoken by 5 million people in Israel.

8. Yiddish was the main language of Ashkenazic Jes in the shtetl. Mostly ordinary spoke this language, instead of scholars so it weak in describing items and abstractions. But it does contain numerous amounts of words and expressions that can be used to describe people and relationships.

9. Mazal Tov means "Congratulations". Shalom means "Hello" or "Peace" or "Goodbye". Mitzvah means "commandment" or "son of commandment".

10. Bris is the ceremony of circumcision. It is when the baby boy enters the Covenant of Israel on his eighth day. A Bar Mitzvah  is when a boy becomes the "age of responsibility for the commandments". A girl becomes a Bat Mitvah at the age of twelve. Jewish marriage is confirmed through the Kiddushin (betrothal) and Nisu'in (marriage). Te'naim (conditions for the marriage) are assembled and signed at a ceremony before the wedding. Jewish weddings are not held on the Shabbat because two celebratory occasions should not be celebrated simultaneously. The wedding is held under a chupah (a canopy). During the ceremony, the couple signs a ketucah. It is a certification that ensures the woman's well being if her husband dies or if she goes through divorce.

11. Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" in Hebrew. It is considered to be the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur takes place on the 10th day of Tishri. It means "Day of Atonement". It is the day when people's deeds and names are saved. In response to this occurrence, it is the last day to change one's judgement and ask for mercy. Hanukah is known as the festival of lights. It is the Jewish festival of re-dedication. Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt. It means to "pass through" or "pass over".

12. I knew that Jews celebrated Passover to honor the Israelites' triumphs over their trials on Egypt.

13. I was surprised to learn that Hanukah was not as big as I thought it was. I guess since it is one of the more widely known holidays, I presumed to think that it was a very important holiday.

15.  In my life, Rosh Hashanah is similar to New Year's Day. Like Rosh Hashanah, New Year's symbolizes a day of new beginnings and prosperity in the new year.

Buddhism Questions

1. Siddhartha Gautama
2. Old age, disease, death, and an ascetic. The first three sights were penetrating lessons about the reality of suffering and the impermanent nature of life's pleasures. The fourth passing sight filled Gautama with elation and hope.
3. A healthy spiritual life depends on a healthy physical life.
4. He first experienced the First Watch (evening) he perceived his own previous lifetimes. During the Second Watch (middle of the night) he was able to perceive the deaths and rebirths of all living things. During the Third Watch (late night) he discovered the Four Noble Truths.
5. The sangha was the first Buddhist monastic community. Its members are consists of men and women from all walks of life.
6. Buddha, dharma, and sangha.
7. They both regard time as cyclical. They maintain that the universe is eternal. They both believe in samsara.
8. The Buddha dismissed philosophical speculation regarding the nature of the world as being useless for the tasks of winning salvation. He thought sacrificial rituals of devotion to gods were equally useless.
9. Anatta, anicca, and dukkha. Impermanence (anicca) cause human beings to be nothing (anatta), and if there is no self, then there is no need for one to suffer (dukkha) because desires are nonexistent if the self does not exist.
10. Anatta means there is no ultimate reality within, no essence, underlying existence, no eternal substratum that is truly real. It means there is no self. It relates to the concept of Atman because in Hinduism, the goal is to find Atman within and be absorbed in it, as opposed to anatta, which focuses on the idea of there being no self, therefore there is no need to find anything.
11. It is the transference of a bundle of energy, which is patterned according to one's karma. The nature of one's rebirth depends on the status of one's karma.
12. Precepts: 1. Do not take life 2. Do not take what is not given 3. Do not engage in sensuous misconduct.  4. Do not use false speech. 5. Do not drink intoxicants. Other 5: 6. Do not eat after noon. 7. Do not watch dancing or shows. 8. Do not use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments. 9. Do not use a high or soft bed. 10. Do not accept gold silver.
13. It can be translated into "suffering," "frustration," "dislocation," or "discomfort." Dukkha means that things in life are not where they should be, therefore one undergoes suffering due to the misplacement.
14. Tanha is "desire," "thirst," or "craving." We have desires because we are attached to the things, and when we are without those attachments we encounter suffering (dukkha) due to the detachment we face from our pleasures.
15. 1. Right views 2. Right intentions 3. Right speech 4. Right conduct 5. Right livelihood 6. Right effort 7. Right mindfulness 8. Right meditation
16. Buddhas are different from their followers because the do not need a model to provide teachings leading to their awakening. They are able to accomplish their liberation on their own.
17. An arhat is known as the "worthy one" who has become awakened, is forever transformed, having experienced, through the transcendent state of enlightenment.
18. The literal meaning of nirvana is "blowing out." It is hard to describe nirvana because it can;t be understood until it is experienced. The most that can be said is that it is the total cessation of suffering, and thus is absolute peace.
19. The three divisions are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
20. Theravada follows the earlier texts, and thus tends to agree with the original teachings of the Buddha.
21. The literal meaning of Mahayana is the Great Vehicle. The name implies its superiority over Theravada Buddhism. It's the largest division pf Buddhism, claiming well over half the world's Buddhists.
22. Buddhist teachings prescribe shutting off the energy of desire to stop suffering.
23. The Dalai Lama is the head of the lamas institution. The role of acquiring the Dalai Lama is through rebirth. The lineage is believed to continue through the reincarnation of one Dalai Lama into the next. When the Dalai Lama dies, his successor is chosen through various mean such as supernatural things or more mundane things.
24. Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet.

Introduction to Buddhism

         The Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal. He was born into wealth. His family was a royal family of a small kingdom of the Indian-Nepalese border. He had a comfortable upbringing, but his attachment to material things was disrupted when he discovered old age, sickness, and death. His exposure to such morbid views caused him to question the meaning of life. His reaction to the world's sadness inspired him to leave his kush life and adopt the traditional Indian path of the wandering holy man. The goal was to find the Truth of life. His new conversion of life transformed him into a devotee of meditation. After a while, he lived out ascetic practices. He was so devoted to his lifestyle that he began to starve himself. Despite his mission in engaging in various methods, he wasn't able to solve the mystery of life and death. He came to realize that he needed to try something different. So he decided to look into his heart and mind, where he used direct experience and intuition to be his guide to the Truth. In order to reach Enlightenment, he sat under a pipal tree for 40 days. After the extended days, he finally reached Freedom. Throughout the the 45 years of his life, the Buddha traveled through India to spread his understanding. His influence touched all types of people, resulting in some of his disciples reaching Enlightenment. He is seen as a model for Buddhists to emulate in order to reach Enlightenment.

       The 'Three Jewels' are seen as integral ideals in Buddhism. They consist of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Incorporating these three jewels is the key to becoming a Buddha. The Buddha is the yellow jewel and it refers to Buddha and Buddhahood. Going for refuge to the Buddha is using him as your model in your life. Engaging in this allows you to accomplish Buddhahood. The goal of this is to coherently view the nature of reality. Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha. It is also the teaching that was created when the Buddha actualized his knowledge and taught it to others (his Enlightenment). Dharma is also the practices that are written down in the scriptures. The Sangha is the spiritual community. It also pertains to the people you share your spiritual live with.The support and guidance of other people will help you reach your path towards Enlightenment.

      The Threefold Way consists of ethics, meditation, and wisdom. The ethical code known as Five Percepts are 'principles of training'. Wisdom will help you understand reality. Meditation helps transform the mind. It also helps bring about concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a clear view of reality.

      The first noble truth is that "All existence is dukkha". This idea focuses on the sufferings of life. Existence is difficult, and it brings hardships and suffering. The second truth is that we suffer because we have desires. The third truth is that in order to stop our suffering, we need to eliminate our desires. Lastly, in order to eliminate our desires we need to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

     The Eightfold Path consists of: 1. Right Understanding or Perfect Vision 2. Right Resolve or PErfect Emotion 3. Right Speech or Perfect Speech 4. Right Action or Perfect Action 5. Right Livelihood or Perfect Livelihood 6. Right Effort or Perfect Effort 7. Right Mindfulness or Perfect Awareness 8. Right Mindness or Perfect Samadhi. It serves as a source of guidance and wisdom to live our lives.















       

Hinduism Questions

1.      Moksha is a release from this ordinary, finite, limited realm of existence into the infinite ocean of the divine.

2.      The Upanishads state that Brahman and Atman actually one. Brahman is Atman. All reality id one. An analogy would be how despite not seeing salt in salt water, it’s still present. The same goes with Brahman. Even though Hindus do not see Brahman he is everywhere in the universe.

3.      Brahman is Atman. All reality—the universe, oneself, and everyone else—shares one essence. And that one is Brahman. Or Atman as well.

4.      Because the divine reality of Brahman or Atman is beyond the reach of the senses and of thought, humans need accessible points of contact with the divine. Hinduism’s many deities provide these points of contact, each with its own personal characteristics.

5.      Samsara is known as the “wheel of rebirth, “ the individual is reincarnated from one life-form to another.

6.      The Bhagavad-Gita is Hinduism’s most popular sacred text.

7.      Karma and dharma connect the divine with this world. Karma determine the nature of each reincarnation. It states that every action produces an outcome that is justified by the action’s moral worthiness. Karma determines all he particular circumstances and situations of one’s life. It holds people responsible for their actions. Dharma is the ethical duty based on the divine order of reality. Dharma is the complete rule of life.

8.      The four classes of the caste system are Brahmin which consists of priests; kshatriya which consists of warriors and administrators; vaishya which consists of farmers, merchants, and artisans, and shudra which consists of servants and laborers.

9.      Krishna encourages Arjuna to engage in war because Arjuna needs to fulfill his duty. The battle of a sacred duty is beneficial. Abandoning his duty would only hurt him rather than save him.

10.  The first stage is the stage of a student. It last until marriage, while the student studies the Vedas and other sacred literature. The second stage is the householder. This stage consists of pursuing a career and raising a family. The beginning of the third stage is the birth of a grandchild, which is known as the forest dweller stage. During this stage, a man retreats from worldly bonds in order to engage fully in a spiritual quest. The fourth stage is the sannyasin or wandering ascetic. It is for forest dwellers who are engaged in the world, but not attached to it.

11.  Kama is a goal of life. Kama consists of pleasure. A next goal is artha, or material success. Yearning for artha leads to the goal of dharma, which is the duty of each Hinduu. The last goal is to reach moksha which is the release to a an infinite world. 

12. The three paths to liberation are to be active, to gain knowledge, and to experience emotional attachment. The "active path" is for those engaged in the day-to-day tasks of earning a living and raising a family. "The Path of Knowledge" is intended for those with talent for philosophical reflection. It requires the follower to devote a great deal of time to learning and meditation. "The Path of Devotion"(emotional attachment) is most suitable for those to whom emotional attachment comes naturally. Worship requires a focusing of attention on the divine, and away from the adherent's selfish concerns.

13.   The three most important schools of Hindu philosophy are Vedanta, Sankhya, and Yoga. The three approaches are in harmony regarding the attainment of knowledge over the ignorance that binds the self to samsara.

14. Three important gods and goddesses are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
15.   An avatar is an incarnation, or living embodiment, of a deity, commonly of Vishnu, who is sent to earth to accomplish. Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu. Rama is another avatar; he's the hero of the Ramayana which is an epic poem from ancient times that has a big influence on Hindus.
16.  The Bhagavad-Gita is most closely associated with bhakti marga.
17. Household and village rituals, holy places, and cow veneration are three aspects of Hindu devotional life.
18. Mahatma Gandhi was a religious reformer. He helped India gain independence. His insights continue to fuel Hinduism's tendency to accept all wisdom as lighting the way to the divine.
19. The Indian government in 1948 officially forbade the discrimination against outcastes. Governmental programs have been created to further promote the economic and social rights of the marginalized people.
20.       Sati is the burning of a widow. Since 1829, sati has been officially forbidden. It does still occur, but rarely. 
21    In 1974, the Indian Partition caused Muslims and Hindus to fight each other as the two parties traveled to either Pakistan or India.

Yoruba

            The Yoruba tribe is a group that lives along Western Africa. They are dispersed throughout western regions of central Africa, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. They tend to live in cities such as Ife, Oyo, and Ijebu. The Yoruba's population is not only exclusive to Western Africa, they are also present in the United Kingdom, United States, and Brazil. They share borders with different tribes that also inhabit West Africa.

            The Yoruba view the world as being separated by two worlds-- heaven and earth. Heaven is the unseen place where ancestors and gods reside. Earth is the present home for humans where each person experiences normalcy. The tribe seeks to keep the balance between humans on earth and gods and ancestors in heaven to avoid evil paths. Among the Yoruba tribe, more than 401 gods exist. Their main god is Olorun, while the other gods known as orishas serve as messengers for the Yoruba people to communicate to Olorun. Despite the absence of holy sanctuaries dedicated to Olorun, his presence is called upon to receive blessings.

            Wood, metal carvings, plants, and animals are some symbols that the Yoruba use to depict their gods and ancestors. The OrisiL'nlt, the arch-divinity of Yoruba pantheon is seen as old, white, and adorned with white ornaments. The priests are dressed in white, OrisiL'nlt's temple is washed in white, and his emblems should stay in white containers. The symbolism of white emphasizes the importance of holiness and purity. Ifa is a process of divination that represents the wisdom that connects humans to Orunmila's (god of wisdom) divine nature. Concrete items are symbolic of Orunmila's omniscience and wisdom.

            In the east, the god Esu watches over. In the west, the god Sang6 watches over. In the south, the god Obatruci watches over. In the north, the god Ogun watchers over.

            Olorun is the supreme god of the Yoruba who hold the "original source of power". As members of the Yoruba tribe, it is their duty to dedicate their lives to Olorun. Because he is so distant from earthly occurrences, he is only worshiped in prayer. He does not have any special rituals or shrines that honor his presence. The orishas serve as lesser deities that play the middle men between the Yoruba and Olorun. There are countless orishas that the Yoruba worship. The Orisha-nla created the earth. The Ogun is the god of iron and war. He resides in the border area between the ancestors and the other orishas. Esu is considered to be a good and evil god, thus making him a trickster figure in the Yoruba tribe. He is considered a trickster because he's a mediator between heaven and earth and he possesses two contradictory natures.

            One taboo is that the priests of Esu should stay away from coming into contact with palmnut oil. They should avoid contact with plamnut oil in order to prevent unleashing Esu's anger. They should also stay away from palmwine to sustain their ritual sanctity when pertaining to the god Obdtdld. Priests and devotees should stay away from black things and uplift white items in order to maintain ritual sanctity. Because devotees and priests represent holiness and purity, it is imperative that they strive to embody the characteristics that are associated with the color white.

            The shaman's role is to communicate the ancestor's messages to the living. In order to capture a genuine effect, the shaman imitates the deceased through costume to relay consoling messages.

            Divination plays a key role in a Yoruba's life. In order to acquire one's future, one will go to a diviner. A diviner is a priest who practices divination. Through divination, someone's future can be foretold. Information for one's future enables one to appropriately walk through life to fulfill their destiny. Another ritual is when someone mediates between the living and the ancestors. The mediator goes into character by wearing a mask and costume to be a living representation of the dead. The mediator emulates the deceased person to relay messages to the living.

  

Sources

http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/yoruba_tribe.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_people

http://obafemio.weebly.com/uploads/5/1/4/2/5142021/04-1_162.pdf

40 Questions

1.  They are called primal because they mostly derive from the religious traditions that will be studied in the book. Characteristics are that they provide special insight into the mythic and ritual dimensions of religion. Primal religions stem more or less from primal beginnings. It has been the traditions of no literate people. Myths are passed down to each generation. It is the traditions of the tribal people.

2.       The ancestors created the landscape and created various forms of life, such as human beings. They organized humans into tribes, legislated each tribe’s territory, and established each tribe’s language, social rules, and customs.

3.       Symbols such as rocks, paintings, etc.

4.       A totem is the natural form in which the Ancestor appeared in the Dreaming. It could be a kangaroo, snake, rock, or other feature of the landscape. Taboo is when certain things are set aside for specific members or are forbidden to other due to their sacred nature.

5.       It is the reenactment of myth. It is only through ritual that the sacred power of the Dreaming can be accessed and experienced.

6.       They believe that ritual originated when they were taught to the first humans by the Ancestors in the Dreaming.

7.       Initiation rituals awaken young people to this spiritual identity, and redefine their social identity within the tribe. It also prepares them for a spiritual rebirth.

8.       The initiate’s two lower middle teeth are knocked out and buried into the ground. Circumcision for young boys is another act of initiation.

9.       Western regions of central Africa, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. 

10.   It is where the god Orisha-nla first began to create the world.

11.  Reality is divided into two separate worlds which are heaven and earth. Heaven is the invisible home of the gods and the ancestors. While the earth is the world of normal experience, the visible home of human beings.

12. He is the supreme god. He is the primary, original source of power in the universe.

13.  They are the lesser deities. They serve as mediators between Olorun and human beings.

14.  Orisha-nla is the god that most Yoruba beleive to have created the earth. Ogun is the god of iron and war.

15.  It is a mischievous  supernatural being. 

16.  Family ancestors gained their supernatural status by earning a good reputation and living to an old age, who are worshiped by their own families. Deified ancestors were important human figures who are worshiped by a number of people.

17. They mediate between the gods and ancestors in heaven, and the humans on earth.

18. Divination is when one's future can be learned. It's an important aspect of Yoruba religion because knowledge of one's future is considered essential for determining how to proceed with one's life.

19.  Scholars believe that humans first came to North America roughly around twenty thousand to thirty thousand years ago. They migrated from Asia, by crossing over the Bering Strait. Eventually, they spread out and inhabited large regions of North and South America.

20.  The Plains religion is representative of American Indian religion. Today the religion serves as the model of pan-Indian religion, a recent and popular movement uniting many tribes from across North America.

21.  Wankan Tanka is the Lakota name for the supreme reality. It refers to sixteen separate deities.

22.  Inktomi is the Kakota trickster figure. He is a mediator between the supernatural and human worlds.

23.  The Lakota believe that four different souls depart from a person after death. One soul will travel the "spirit path" of the Milky Way and other parts of the soul enter someone else and they are born again.

24. So they can gain access to spiritual power that will ensure greater success in activities such as hunting, warfare, and curing the ill.

25.  The sweat lodge is shaped to represent the structure of the universe. It's a hut that is dark and airtight. In the lodge, the person sweats profusely from the steam which causes them to experience physical and spiritual purification.

26.  The vision comes in the form of an animal or another facet of nature. The vision is usually accompanied with a vision.

27.  A sacred leader presides over the Sun Dance.

28.  The axis mundi is the axis or center of the universe. In Sun Dance it is a tree that represents the supreme being and it makes a connection between heaven and earth.

29.  Their bodies are the only thing they own, so they feel that is the most appropriate thing to sacrifice to their supreme being.

30.  It defies the common description of primal religions because they were a large developed civilization that made up a population of fifteen million. They are like other primal religions because they exhibit the importance of myth and ritual as its means for human sacrifice.

31.  Mesoamerica included present-day Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

32.  Teotihuacan is the origin of the cosmos. Quetzalcoatl created and ordered the world.

33.  Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl was a priest-king. He established the standard figure that a role model should if they have authority.

34.  They called their present age the Age of the Fifth Sun.

35.  There were five suns and they each had their own location. The universe was built around the center and the four cardinal directions.

36.  The human body was connecting the earthly realm to the divine.

37.  They could communicate with the others gods and make offerings through language.

38.  Moctezuma II mistook Cortes as the return of Quetzalcoatl. He then welcomed him with gifts.

39.  The Aztecs dedicated a time to join the living and the dead through rituals.

40.  The margins between the supernatural and human worlds overlap. Secular and sacred aspects are not separate, instead religious representations is present all around. The ancestors and the living communicate regularly.