Spirituality Guide

Origins: “Sikhism was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538). At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment and God. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the oppressive Hindu concept of caste.” [Source]

His main message was recorded to be “devotion of thought and excellence of conduct as the first of duties”. For Sikhs and Hindus, he was a Prophet who gave to the world the gospel of love, goodwill and reconciliation

Beliefs: Like some other religions, humans are ’stuck’ in the cycle of reincarnation until they are able to move beyond the distractions of social conflict and worldly pursuits. A spiritual union with god will result in salvation.

“Nanak distinctly emphasised the irrelevance of outwardly observations such as rites, pilgrimages or asceticism. He stressed that devotion must take place through the heart, with the spirit and the soul.” [Source]

God: Sikhism is monotheistic. God created all and full understanding of God is beyond the ability of humans. Nanak taught that God must be seen from the ‘inner eye’ which required meditation of followers.

Principles:

Abortion - Abortion is generally forbidden in Sikhism, as it interferes in the creative work of God - who created everything and is present in every being.

Sikhism and Contraception - Sikhs have no objection to birth control.

Euthanasia and suicide - Sikhs have a high respect for life which they see as a gift from God. Most Sikhs are against euthanasia and suicide, as they believe that the timing of birth and death should be left in God’s hands.

Sikhism and Organ Donation - Sikhs have no objections to the donation and transplantation of organs.

Dharam Yudh - Just war - Sikhism has a concept of the Just War. It’s called ‘Dharam Yudh’, meaning war in the defence of righteousness.

Other sources of information:
Sikhism @ Wikipedia
Sikhism @ Religious Tolerance
Sikhism @ BBC
Sikhs.org

Shinto, the native religion/philosophy of Japan, is as old as Japan itself. Shinto encompasses the activities of the Japanese people in worshiping all the deities of heaven and earth.

Origins: Unlike other religions, Shinto does not have a known founder or sacred scripture. Shinto emerged out of the traditions and activities, being called ‘Way of Kami (the deity or the deities)’.

Beliefs: In contrast to many monotheist religions, there are no absolutes in Shinto. There is no absolute right and wrong, and nobody is perfect. Shinto is an optimistic faith, as humans are thought to be fundamentally good, and evil is believed to be caused by evil spirits. Consequently, the purpose of most Shinto rituals is to keep away evil spirits by purification, prayers and offerings to the kami. [Source]

God: Shinto followers worship various kami (spirits or spirit gods). These sacred spirits take the shape of various landmarks, living things, as well as forces of nature. Humans become kami after they die.

Principles:There are “Four Affirmations” in Shinto:

1. Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
2. Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits.
3. Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
4. “Matsuri”: The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.
[Source]

Other sources of information:
Shinto @ Wikipedia
Shinto @ Religious Tolerance
Shinto @ Japan Guide
Shinto @ BBC
What is Shinto?

According to traditional Jewish Law, a Jew is anyone born of a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism in accord with Jewish Law. Judaism differs from many other religious and cultural groups in that it is a combination of culture, ethnicity, and religion all wrapped up into one.

Origins: “At its core, the Bible is an account of the Israelites’ relationship with God from their earliest history until the building of the Second Temple (c. 350 BCE)… Abraham, hailed as the first Hebrew and the father of the Jewish people, rejected the idolatry that he saw around him and embraced monotheism. As a reward for this act of faith in one God, he was promised many offspring: “Look now toward heaven and count the stars/So shall be your progeny.” (Genesis 15:5)” [Source]

Beliefs: Judaism is interesting and quite different from other religions in that it has no dogma, no formal set of beliefs that one must hold to be a Jew. In Judaism, actions are more important than beliefs, though there is room for belief in Judaism.

The closest that anyone has ever come to creating a widely-accepted list of Jewish beliefs is Rambam’s thirteen principles of faith. Rambam’s considered his thirteen principles of faith the minimum requirements of Jewish beliefs.

God: Followers of Judaism believe that there is only the one G-d and that the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent being is neither male or female. G-d is just, merciful, and the creator of everything who transcends time.

Principles: 1. G-d exists
2. G-d is one and unique
3. G-d is incorporeal
4. G-d is eternal
5. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone and to no other
6. The words of the prophets are true
7. Moses’ prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of the prophets
8. The Written Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) and Oral Torah (teachings now contained in the Talmud and other writings) were given to Moses
9. There will be no other Torah
10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men
11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked
12. The Messiah will come
13. The dead will be resurrected
[Source]

Other sources of information:
Judaism @ Wikipedia
Judaism @ Religious Tolerance
Judaism @ BBC
Judaism 101

Jainism may be a ‘minority’ religion with over four million followers, but it is another one of the world’s oldest religions, with its beginnings found in India.

Origins: “Jainism traces its roots to a succession of 24 Jinas (”those who overcome”, or conqueror) in ancient East India. The first Jina is traditionally believed to have been a giant who lived 8.4 million years ago. The most recent and last Jina was Vardhamana (a.k.a. Mahavira, “The Great Hero”) He was born in 550 BCE) and was the founder of the Jain community. He attained enlightenment after 13 years of deprivation. In 420 BCE, he committed the act of salekhana which is fasting to death. Each Jina has “conquered love and hate, pleasure and pain, attachment and aversion, and has thereby freed `his’ soul from the karmas obscuring knowledge, perception, truth, and ability…” [Source]

Beliefs: Followers of Jainism believe that all living beings have a soul and that we are all responsible for our own souls - jivas. Compassion to all life is very important to Jainism and not only is killing absolutely abhorrent but vegetarianism is quite common. Jainism also has the belief in reincarnation in which a soul (jiva) is transferred to the next body immediately upon death. That body can be human or animal. Deliverance from the cycle of reincarnation is achieved when a soul is freed from all karma.

God: “Jains view God as the unchanging traits of the pure soul of each living being, chiefly described as Infinite Knowledge, Perception, Consciousness, and Happiness (Ananta JnÄ?na, Ananta Darshana, Ananta CÄ?ritra, and Ananta Sukha). Jains do not believe in an omnipotent supreme being, creator or manager (kartÄ?), but rather in an eternal universe governed by natural laws.” [Source]

Principles:Followers of Jainism are expected to follow five principles of living:

Ahimsa: “non violence in all parts of a person — mental, verbal and physical.” 3 Committing an act of violence against a human, animal, or even vegetable generates negative karma which in turn adversely affects one’s next life.

Satya: speaking truth; avoiding falsehood

Asteya: to not steal from others

Brahma-charya: (soul conduct); remaining sexually monogamous to one’s spouse only

Aparigraha: detach from people, places and material things. Avoiding the collection of excessive material possessions, abstaining from over-indulgence, restricting one’s needs, etc.

Other sources of information:
Jainism @ Wikipedia
Jainism @ Religious Tolerance
Jainism.Org
Jainism @ BBC

The word “Islam” means submission or total submission to God/Allah. Islam has over one billion followers in various sects.

Origins: Islam was ‘revealed’ to Muhammad, known as the prophet and messenger of Allah, during his life between 570 CE to 632 CE. By the time Muhammad passed away, many people had already begun to follow Islam. It has since then spread throughout the world.

Beliefs: Muslims hold six articles of belief: There is only one God without limit, called Allah. Muhammad received the Qur’an as a copy of the eternal Qur’an which is inscribed in heaven. God created heavenly beings called angels to serve God and they are opposed by evil spirits. God sent his prophets to the earth at their appointed times, and the Prophet Muhammad was the last and greatest messenger of God. There will be a last day of world history called the Day of Judgement. Good and evil will be weighed in the balance. The wicked will be punished and the just will enjoy eternal life in Paradise. Everything in the universe has a predetermined course. Nothing happens without the will or knowledge of God. [Source]

God: Islam teaches that there is only one god, known as Allah, and that Muhammad is God’s messenger.

Principles:
The practice of religious faith is also built on the five pillars of Islam:

* Shahadah (declaration of faith): “I bear witness that there is no god, but God; I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God.” By reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.

* Salaah (prayer): Muslims are required to pray five times a day, washing themselves before prayer and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.

* Zakat (charity): Muslims are required to give away a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.

* Saum (fasting): Muslims fast for one lunar month each year, a period called Ramadan. During this time, Muslims reflect on their behaviour and strive to purify their thoughts.

* Hajj (pilgrimage): If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime.

* Ijma means ‘the agreement of Islam.’ It is an important mechanism for resolving theological conflicts because it is embodies a sense of past community in present action.

* Sharia is the sacred law of Islam, based on the divine revelations contained in the Qur’an and sunna.

* Dietary requirements. Animals have souls and so need to be slaughtered in a special way. This is the meaning of halal (permitted).

Other sources of information:
Islam @ Wikipedia
Islam @ Religious Tolerance
Islam.com

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has over 900 million believers all over the world.

Origins: Some of the earliest evidence of the Hindu faith dates back to 3000 BCE. “Archaeological excavations in the Punjab and Indus valleys (right) have revealed the existence of urban cultures at Harappa, the prehistoric capital of the Punjab (located in modern Pakistan); and Mohenjo-daro on the banks of the River Indus.� [Source]

Beliefs: Hinduism is an extremely diverse religion. Although some tenets of the faith are accepted by most Hindus, scholars have found it difficult to identify any doctrines with universal acceptance among all denominations. Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include Dharma (ethics/duties), SamsÄ?ra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various Yogas (paths or practices). [Source]

God: Hinduism is very diverse in that is spans polytheism, monotheism, atheism, and more. There is a mine (simplified - perhaps oversimplified) split between those who focus on the soul - the atman - and the brahman - the supreme spirit as two sides of the same soul. Realizing that they are the same is the ultimate goal. The other side of the split considers Brahman and worship him or her through the god of choice (depending on the sect).

Principles [Source]:
Abortion - When considering abortion, the Hindu way is to choose the action that will do least harm to all involved: the mother and father, the foetus and society.

Animal Ethics - Because Hinduism is a term that includes many different although related religious ideas, there is no clear single Hindu view on the right way to treat animals

Capital Punishment - There is no official Hindu line on capital punishment. However, Hinduism opposes killing, violence and revenge, in line with the principle of ahimsa (non-violence).

Contraception - There is no ban on birth control in Hinduism.

Euthanasia and Suicide - There are several Hindu points of view on euthanasia and suicide. Most would say that assisting death brings bad karma because it violates the nonviolence principle. But there are accepted Hindu ways to bring about death.

Organ Donation - No religious law prohibits Hindus from donating their organs and tissues.

War - Like most religions Hinduism includes both teachings that condemn violence and war, and teachings that promote it as a moral duty.

Other sources of information:
Hinduism @ Wikipedia
Hinduism @ Religious Tolerance
Hinduism @ BBC

Standing as another religion originating many centuries ago, Confucianism is also not truly a religion. It is widely regarded as a ‘code of conduct’ for life rather than any sort of religion. Confucianism relies primarily on rhetoric to explain Confucius’ ideas on moral, political, philosophical and other types of issues.

Origins: Confucianism has survived through many years of being accepted, then suppressed, and once again accepted on a much wider scale. It was started by K’ung Fu Tzu (commonly pronounced Confucius in English). He lived during the Chou dynasty, spending much of his life wandering and giving advice to rulers. He wrote many things on morality and ethics. Confucianism gradually developed from his teachings and writings.

Beliefs: Confucianist philosophy at its best leads to healthy and content people, which is one goal of Confucianism. Importance is placed on honesty and the principles listed below.

God: “His way to please God or the gods is through a “good conduct” with your family, neighbors, and society… if you are a good person, God is going to like you…â€? [Source] Confucianism has no church, no teachings on the worship of God or gods, and also no teachings on life after death.

Principles [Source] :
The “Jen”: The essence of all his teachings may be summed up under this one word ‘Jen’. The nearest equivalent to this difficult word is “social virtue”. All those virtues which help to maintain social harmony and peace like benevolence, charity, magnanimity, sincerity, respectfulness, altruism, diligence, loving kindness, goodness are included in Jen.

His “Golden Rule” is: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do unto others”. “The injuries done to you by an enemy should be returned with a combination of love and justice”.

The “universal virtues” are: Wisdom, Benevolence, and Fortitude… Asked about what is “Benevolence”, he answered: “It is to love all men”; what is “knowledgeâ€?? “It is to know all men”… The “perfect virtue”: “Gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness”.

Other sources of information:
Confucianism @ Wikipedia
Confucianism @ Religious Tolerance
All About Confucianism