Throughout the course of time and contained within most historical references that discuss, analyze and theorize about ancient as well as modern religions there is almost always a reference to symbols as they relate to the multitude of religions. Specifically, this paper discusses symbols of rebirth and hope for the six religions our class focused on: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. Now each of these religions has a variety of symbols that represent anything from life to death but I want to narrow it down to symbols of rebirth and hope.
Keywords: Christianity, Cross, Bible, Baptism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Nirvana, Hinduism, Taoism
[...] The Four Noble Truths are symbols of hope and rebirth in that they validate the suffering of everyday life (Noble Truth Life is suffering); they offer a cause for this suffering (Noble Truth Suffering has a cause: craving and attachment), they offer hope that the cause can be overcome (Noble Truth Craving and attachment can be overcome); and finally, they offer the solution (Noble Truth The Eightfold Path right understanding, right purpose, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right alertness and right concentration). [...]
[...] Cows are symbols of hope and rebirth in that they can support many while living, they can propagate and produce offspring to continue providing resources and they provide much needed resources to the earth when they die. Taoism Taoism is a religion that does not believe in a God and it was incorporated as the state religion of China in the fifth century. It is based on the work, The Tao-te-Ching, supposedly written around 600 B.C. and attributed to the philosopher Lao Tse. [...]
[...] Reflections and Learning about powerful symbols of Hope and Rebirth I think that I have gained respect for the various mediums that can and do become symbols in a religion. The most prominent thing I think I have come to understand through my research is that religions must have symbols that worshippers can refer to when they are not actively involved in a ceremony or worship service. If individuals could not get hope from something other than the designated leader of the church, the religion itself would stand little chance of survival. [...]
[...] All in all, religious symbols of hope and rebirth provide one of the most powerful influences when people are deciding to follow a specific religion or when changing religions. Let's move on and take a look at some of the symbols specific to each of the six religions mentioned above. Symbols of Rebirth and Hope Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the belief that there is one omnipotent God that created the entire universe and who rules and rewards his people for their faith and their efforts to live their lives by his example. [...]
[...] Hindu Symbols of Hope and Rebirth The Vedas earliest known Sanskrit literature from the Brahmic period (Bowker are hymns compiled from sacrificial ceremonies from an earlier oral tradition. The Vedas contain thousands of hymns that are believed to have been copied or recorded by a person sitting near or at the feet of a sage or master. These are the basis of the Hindu religion and are very powerful symbols of hope and rebirth. Karma like Buddhism, this is a nebulous idea that is hard to define. [...]
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