RLGN 1420 Study Guide - Final Guide: Bhagavad Gita, Wakan Tanka, Orisha
21 Feb 2017
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Unit2
Animism—the notion that the entire cosmos is imbued with a spirit or soul.
anthropocentric, placing human beings at the centre of creation(与biocentric相对
Biocentric—a worldview that encompasses all of nature as related, equal, one and
the same. Human are not thought to be at the center of the world or superior to the
rest of creation.
koyaanisqatsi—meaning “life out of balance”
shaman, religious leader in Indigenous religion.
orisha—in the Yoruba tradition, orisa are projections投射 of the ultimate god and
serve as intermediaries on earth
Ogun—in the Yoruba tradition he is the god of iron and war
Olodumare-- the Yoruba High God
Esu(Eshu) —a trickster in the Yoruba tradition whose mischievous actions embody
the notion of “complementary dualism,” which is common to indigenous religions.
Wakan Tanka- a central deity to whom Oglala Lakota pray.
Wochangi—literally meaning “sacred influence,” wochangi refers to the powers and
influence inherent in all living being.
The worldview of Indigenous People
Humanity
Humans live in a biocentric world. Humans are not thought to be at the center of the world.
Problem
The basic human problem is failure to respect the intended spiritual equilibrium of all life.
cause: forgetfulness and individualism
Imbalance is caused by forgetting the way of life patterned after the spirtual and turning to a false,
error-filled path, resulting in “ life out of balance”.
End: Maintenance and Restoration of Harmony
the fundamental transformation in the tradition indigenous worldview focuses on maintaining
equilibrium with spiritual beings and forces and restoring the balance when it is lost.
Means: Patterning all life
Spiritual patterns involve individual rituals.
Sacred: Everything is spiritual
There is no suh strict distinction between the spiritual and material in the worldview common among
indigenous people, for whom “everything is alive” and therefore everything is potentially spiritual.
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Yoruba of West Africa: Harmony with Orisha
Problem
According to yoruba worldview, the fundamental problemhuman face is disconnection from the orisha,
from one another, from the rest of nature, and from our destinies and, therefore, from our true selves.
Cause: Forget our destinies
Nature of reality
Means of Transformation: Exchange with Orisha.
According to Yoruba worldview, the cosmos has three levels : Orun, Aiye, Ile
In the Yoruba tradition, the orisa act as a kind of intermediary between human beings and the created
order. As we have seen, the emphasis on particular ethical practices can vary depending which
orisa
are worshiped at any given time. In the case of Ogun, for example, the god of war and iron, certain
behaviours are required in the realm of justice.
The Ogalala Lakota of North America
As discussed in Young, conduct among the Oglala Lakota is intimately linked to their
relationship with the natural order. Proper relations with and respect for other people, animals, and
inanimate objects, is framed in terms of human attentiveness to the world around them so that they
might receive the sacred influence (wochangi) of other beings. The giveaway ceremony, as we have
discussed, is an important ritual for the Oglala, as it helps the poor and maintains social and
economic balance within the community.
Nature reality: the sacred hoop
The circle symbolism of the sacred hoop is representative of the principle of wochangi, as it highlights
the connections and interdependence of all living things. This interdependence is further highlighted in
the architecture of the Oglala’s traditional home, the tipi. The tipi, as seen from above, is in the shape
of a circle and symbolizes, both figuratively and literally, a living embodiment of spiritual unity.
Worldview:
harmony with the natural world for the Oglala Lakota Sioux takes on a regional
character in their relation to and reverence for the buffalo. With their homeland situated in and
around the vase plains of the mid-Western United States, relations with the buffalo serve as a sort of
gauge for living in harmony with the natural world. The decimation of the buffalo by European settlers
was therefore seen not only as a loss of livelihood and a source of food, but as a loss and separation
from , on a much deeper level, a part of themselves
Unit3
karma—result of action
dharma—duty, moral law, moral responsibility.There is a universal human “duty”
to pursue liberation and to pattern human life accordingly.
samsara—cycle of rebirth
moksha—enlightenment, liberation
kalpa
Vedas “Books of knowledge”, the four Vedas- Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva.
Upanishads—texts that developed after the four Vedas and that marked the
transition to a more contemplative tradition
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Brahman–the absolute, the One
Bhagavad Gita
Mahabharata—a Hindu epic of great length, of which the Bhagavad-Gita is one
section
Krishna—avatar of Vishnu in the Bhagavad-Gita, disguised as his charioteer
atman—the self that is eternal and indistinguishable from Brahman
Aryan—“noble one,” the name assumed by the people who moved into the Indus
Valley and laid the foundations for the tradition we now call Hinduis
bhakti—“devotion,” love, one of Hinduism’s moral paths
Avatar—incarnation, bodily form
Vishnu—great god of Hinduism who has many avatars
Shiva--, god who rules over cosmic processes of destruction and renewal
Kali, the one of the most well-known deities in Hinduism.
Brahmins—spiritual leader, priest, officiator at Vedic sacrifice
varna system：Brahman，Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras,
Dalits, “The downtrodden”, preferred name today for the lowest social class in India;
also called “outcastes”.
four stages of life(Hindu names not required), brahmacarya, the student stage, the
duties of which are given in the first section of the Laws of Manu selection;
girhasthya, the householder stage, when the young man who has completed his
studies is expected to marry and father children;vanaprastha, the stage of retirement
into the forest for a more contemplative life;sannyasa, the ascetic-mystical stage
whenone renounces worldly life altogether to find release from rebirth.
four goals of life (Hindu names not required),artha, wealth and power;kama, pleasure
and love;dharma, ethical responsibility or duty;moksha, liberation, release from
rebirth.
four paths of liberation, are the path of action (the ritual of the four Vedas might
be included here, along with the path of dharma discussed in the Bhagavad-
Gita); the path of bhakti, devotion (Bhagavad-Gita,Puranas); the path of knowledge
or contemplation(Upanishads); and the path of yoga (Upanishads).
rita—cosmic law, moral order
Arjuna-the main character of the Gita, a member of the warrior caste
The south Asian worldview
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Document Summary
Animism the notion that the entire cosmos is imbued with a spirit or soul. anthropocentric, placing human beings at the centre of creation( biocentric (cid:6629) Biocentric a worldview that encompasses all of nature as related, equal, one and the same. Ogun in the yoruba tradition he is the god of iron and war. Esu(eshu) a trickster in the yoruba tradition whose mischievous actions embody the notion of complementary dualism, which is common to indigenous religions. Wakan tanka- a central deity to whom oglala lakota pray. Wochangi literally meaning sacred influence, wochangi refers to the powers and influence inherent in all living being. Humans are not thought to be at the center of the world. The basic human problem is failure to respect the intended spiritual equilibrium of all life. cause: forgetfulness and individualism. Imbalance is caused by forgetting the way of life patterned after the spirtual and turning to a false, error-filled path, resulting in life out of balance .
