Appendix 6: Glossary
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The
following list includes brief descriptions of some religious groups and other
terms used in the survey report that may be unfamiliar to readers.
Related to Buddhism
Jodo Shinshu
Meaning “True Pure Land School,” Jodo Shinshu is a Japanese branch of Mahayana Buddhism. Shinran, a
disciple of the Buddhist monk Honan, established the branch, which focuses on
the celestial Buddha Amida, seen as the embodiment of wisdom and compassion.
Practitioners of Jodo Shinshu chant Amida’s name as an expression of gratitude
and joy.
Mahayana
Meaning “great vehicle” in Sanskrit, Mahayana is one of two major forms,
or “vehicles,” of Buddhism. It emphasizes that all followers (Mahayanists)—lay and monastic alike—can work toward
and attain enlightenment. Mahayanists strive to become bodhisattvas, or “wisdom
bodies,” who work toward enlightenment for themselves and all beings. Sects
include the Madhyamika, Yogachara, Nichiren, T’ien-t’ai, Zen, Jodo Shinshu and
Vajrayana schools. Mahayana is sometimes known as Northern Buddhism because of its
popularity in China, Japan and other northern Asian nations.
Nirvana
Defined
in the survey as “the ultimate state transcending pain and desire in which
individual consciousness ends.” Also defined by some experts and practitioners
as the ultimate state transcending suffering and escaping the cycle of rebirth. In Buddhism, the ultimate goal of
all beings is to reach nirvana.
Theravada
Meaning “the way of the elders” in Sanskrit, Theravada
is the most traditional vehicle of Buddhism. In
Theravada Buddhism, the monastic community, or sangha, is considered primary.
Monks and nuns work toward enlightenment, while lay practitioners support and
sustain them in exchange for spiritual merit. Theravadin work toward becoming
arhats, or “worthy ones,” who have attained enlightenment through study,
insight, meditation and observance of the more than 200 precepts of the
monastic code. Theravada is sometimes known as Southern Buddhism because
of its prevalence in Sri Lanka and other South Asian nations.
Vajrayana
Also known as Tibetan or Tantric Buddhism, Vajrayana
developed from the Mahayana tradition but is often considered as a distinct
form, or third vehicle. Followers use meditative practices, mantras (chanted syllables),
mudras (ritual gestures) and mandalas (symbolic diagrams) in attempts to reach
enlightenment in one lifetime. The Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa order of
Vajrayana Buddhism.
Vipassana
Meaning “insight,” vipassana is an ancient technique of
meditation that Theravada Buddhists practice to understand the complete nature
of things, liberate the mind and, ultimately, reach nirvana. It is also the
name of a modern movement within Theravada Buddhism.
Related to Christianity
Charismatic
A Christian
who engages in spiritual practices that are considered gifts of the Holy
Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, but is not a member of a Pentecostal
denomination. Most charismatics belong to Catholic, Orthodox, mainline
Protestant or evangelical Protestant denominations.
Pentecostal
A
Christian who belongs to a denomination or independent church that emphasizes
the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, divine healing and
direct receipt of divine prophecy. These experiences are seen as evidence of
the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Renewalist
An
umbrella term used to refer to Pentecostals and charismatics. These movements
place great emphasis on God’s ongoing, day-to-day intervention in human affairs
through the person of the Holy Spirit. Renewalists believe that the power of
the Holy Spirit is manifested through such supernatural phenomena as speaking
in tongues, miraculous healings, exorcisms and prophetic utterances and
revelations.
Related to Hinduism
Diwali
The
Hindu “festival of lights,” Diwali is also an Indian national holiday that is
often celebrated by non-Hindus, including Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. The
holiday represents the triumph of good over evil.
Hare Krishna
The
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as the Hare
Krishna movement) was founded in the U.S. in 1966. It is considered by many to be a sect of Hinduism
devoted to the Hindu deity Krishna. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is
among the movement’s best-known devotional practices. Followers also practice bhakti, or devotional, yoga. The group’s central
Scripture is the Hindu text Bhagavad Gita.
Moksha
Defined
in the survey as “the ultimate state transcending pain and desire in which
individual consciousness ends.” Hindus believe moksha is the ultimate goal for
all beings—the liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth.
Shaivism
While
Hinduism does not have a central authority, scholars recognize four major sects
or traditions, including Shaivism. Followers emphasize reverence for god in the
form of Shiva, the lord of time and change. Other sects include Shaktism,
Vaishnavism and Smartism.
Shaktism
One
of the four major sects or traditions of Hinduism, Shaktism views the Supreme
Being as a goddess in the form of the Divine Mother, also known as Shakti or
Devi. Shakta practices include chanting, holy diagrams, yoga and various
rituals.
Smartism
One
of the four major sects or traditions of Hinduism, Smartism follows the
teachings of ninth century monk and philosopher Adi Shankara. Smartas accept
all six major Hindu gods as forms of one Supreme Being and believe that moksha
is achieved through scriptural study, reflection and sustained meditation.
Vaishnavism
Another
of the four major sects or traditions of Hinduism, the Vaishnava tradition
emphasizes devotion to god in the form of Vishnu, the preserver, who followers
believe has at least 10 incarnations. The tradition has a strong monastic
community.
Vedanta
From
the Sanskrit words meaning “the goal of knowledge,” Vedanta is the
philosophical basis for Hinduism, though many followers believe it is universal
in its application. The philosophy is based on interpreting ancient Sanskrit
scriptures, particularly the portion of the Vedic texts known as the Upanishads.
Other
Abrahamic faiths
Christianity,
Islam and Judaism are monotheistic traditions—that is, their
theologies are built on belief in one God—that recognize Abraham as their first prophet; they
are therefore known as the Abrahamic religions.
Jainism
Jainism is an ancient Indian
religion with the core belief that living a life of harmlessness and
renunciation is the path to the ultimate goal of bliss and liberation from the
cycle of birth and rebirth. Jains believe that any soul that has reached bliss
and liberation becomes a god-like being without physical form. The religion’s
theology does not include a creator god. Jains believe that all living beings—including
animals and plants—have souls and should be treated with respect and
compassion.
Sikhism
A
religion that traces its origin to the late 15th century in the Punjab region,
which today straddles the border between India and Pakistan. Sikhs (from the
Sanskrit for “disciples”) follow the teachings of a line of 10 gurus who lived
from 1469 to 1708. Their Holy Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, is considered
the religion’s 11th and perpetually living guru, or spiritual authority. Sikhs
believe in a single, formless god and share some beliefs and practices—such as
reincarnation, meditation and chanting—with Hinduism and other religions with
Asian origins. But they reject idol worship, the caste system and what they
consider “blind rituals” such as fasting and pilgrimages.
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