Eastern Religions Elements Matrix
Donna Williams University of Phoenix 10-02-2014
HUM 130 - Religions of the World
Michael Bickford

Eastern Religions Elements Matrix

Hinduism
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism
Countries of origin
India
India
China
China
Historical figures and events
Brahman, the Upanishads, the Purana’s, the Mahabharata, the Vergas, the Ramayana.
The three heavenly messengers, Siddhartha Gautaama, the wheel of Dhamma, Dhikkhu Sangha, Jainism, Veska day, Mara, Kuan Yin, and the caste system.
Confusious, several books including the book of changes, history, poetry, rites, Spring/Autumn annuals, Mencius, Husn Kuang, Husntzu, and several dynasties
The Spring/Autumn, and the Warring states periods. The Ming, Ching, and Song dynasties, the Laozi Daode Jing, and the Inner Alchemy.
Central beliefs
Continuity of life, reincarnation, karma, enlightenment, Brahman, doctrine of Maya, every human being has the potential to become a Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed.
Reincarnation, karma, all living entities are equal, treat others how you wish to be treated, mediation, enlightenment, Pranjua, suffering exists, there is a reason for it, and it ends by following the eight-fold path.
All people are good, worship of ancestors, education, ying, and yang represent opposite forces, which balance everything in life, worship, and follow elders or superiors.
Centers around “Dao” (the way of nature), core belief is harmony, and peace with nature.
Nature of God
Forms a complete spectrum, Brahman is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and abstract.
They believe in humanity, that each person decides his own fate, through karma, and enlightenment releases them from the reincarnation cycle.
There is a flow, and order in the Universe: Tao is the law of Nature, manifested through cycles and transitions (change of seasons, cycle of life, shifts of power, and time).
The Tao is elusive and intangible, yet has image, form, power, essence, keeps things in the universe balanced, and in order.
Dao is the origin of the universe, the basis, and law governing all existing things, combined with a skepticism of many gods.
Texts
Shruti (revealed), Smriti (learned), the verdas (Samhita, Brahmanas, aranyakas, Upanishads) the shastras, Itihaasas, and Puranas.

There are canonical (those linked to Gautama Buddha in one way or another), the sutras, vinaya, and abhidharma, and non-canonical texts.
Non-Canonical are formal and systematically written on the dharma, a collection of quotations, histories, and grammars.
The Analects (teach moral virtue), Mencius, the Great Learning, The Doctrine of the Mean, and western Inscription.
Tao Te Ching: the Daode Jing, the Zhuangzi, the spiritual ecology of the bodies’ inner landscape, and human transcendence over nature.
Ritual and practice
(sacred elements & their meaning)
Devotion to God, with sculptures, images, and shrines. Self-realization through mediation, Brahmacharga (development of knowledge and character), Grastha (focus on world pleasures), Vanaprastha (Adulthood), Sanngasu (the last years of life).
Regular visits to shrines showing respect before the image of Buddha, folding of palms (respect to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha), prostration (placing