The Baha'i Studies Listserv
Exeriential, Mythic, Doctrinal, Ethical, Ritual, Social, and Material. I got
these out of my testbook on the study of world religions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups
Judaism
Experiential-knowing God through Kabbalah, Jeremiah's call to be a prophet
Mythic-the Haggadah (recited on Passover)
Doctrinal-the Covenant, the Shema, Maimomedes's thirteen principles of faith
Ethical-the Ten Commandments and other rules of Torah
Ritual-daily prayer, the Sabbath meal and observances, Passover's Seder,
reciting the kaddish
Social-cohesion of the Chosen People, Hasidism's zaddik
Material-yarmulke, mezuzah, shofar, matzo, huppah
Christianity
Experiential-experiencing the "fruits of the Spirit", relationship with Jesus,
emotional effects of the Eucharist
Mythic-Gospel accounts of Jesus' birth and other aspects of Jesus's life (such
as the Last Supper which underlies the ritual of the Eucharist)
Doctrinal-the Incarnation, the Trinity, apocalypticism, the Apostles' Creed,
the
Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, the Chalcedonian Creed, original sin,
predestination
Ethical-the Beatitudes, Jesus' commadment to love one's enemies
Ritual-elebration of the Eucharist, baptism, and other sacraments
Social-the Church, communities of monks and nuns, hierarchies within the Church
(bishops, presbyters, deacons), the Pope, the Patriarch of Constantinople
Material-cathedrals and churches, icons
Islam
Experiential-fasting during Ramadan, al-fana
Mythic-sacred narratives of Abraham's founding of Mecca and of Muhammad's
Ascension to Heaven
Doctrinal-Shahada (emphasizing monotheism), Sharia'a
Ethcal-wealth sharing, regulations against pork and alcohol
Ritual-prayer five times daily, various observances while on the hajj
Social-the Umma, the Imam, the Shaykh, the Pir
Material-the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Ka'ba, mosques
How would you create a profile of the Baha'i Faith using these stats?
Baha'i Faith
Experiential-
Mythic-
Doctrinal-
Ethical-
Ritual-
Social-
Material-
More examples:
Buddhism
Experiential-enlightenment, Nirvana
Mythic-biography of the Buddha, stories and descriptions of bodhisattvas
Doctrinal-Middle Way, Three Marks of Existence, Four Noble Truths
Ethical-Five Precepts, Eight Precepts, Ten Precepts, Bodhisattva Vows, ideals
of
wisdom and compassion
Ritual-Mahayana acts of relgious devotion and prayer to the bodhisattvas,
Vajrayana chanting, mandalas, and mudras
Social-Sangha, figure of arhat, Dalai Lama, lamas
Material-bodhi tree, mandalas
Zen Buddhism
Experiential-satori
Mythic-the legend of Buddha's choosing Mahakasyapa as his successor
Doctrinal-the distinction between sudden awakening and gradual awakening
Ethical-a concern for justice
Ritual-doukusan, zazen
Social-the dividion into the Five Houses of Zen, the master-disciple
relationships
Material-the meditation hall, the encouragement stick, sumie, Japanese garderns
Taoism
Experiential-living in accord with the Tao, as perfected by the sage
Mythic-legendary account of the birth and life of Lao Tzu
Doctrinal-philosophy of Tao, wu-wei, cosmology based on yin and yang
Ethical-views of nonagression and passive rule, Five Precepts, Ten Precepts
Ritual-in popular/religious Taoism, breathing exercises and other techniques
for
the pursuit of immotality
Ritual-in philosophical Taoism, it notably de-emphasizes ritual because ritual
is not true to the Way of Nature
Social-figure of the sage
Material-yin and yang symbol
Shinto
Experiential-unity with the kami
Mythic-an accounts of the origins of Japan
Doctrinal-beliefs regarding the nature of kami
Ethical-the primary virtues of bushido
Ritual-worship at the kamidana and shrines, the Great Purification
Social-Shinto priests and priestesses
Material-kamidana, torii, the Grand Imperial Shrine at Ise, Nachi Waterfall,
Mount Miwa
Confucianism
Experiential-knowing and being in harmony with Heaven and Tao
Mythic-acient accounts of the good rulers and ancestors of China's legendary
past
Doctrinal-Confucius's many teachings as set forth in the Analects
Ethical-jen, te
Ritual-behavior resulting from the doctrine of li
Material-paintings and sculptures of Confucius, Confucian temples
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