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Religion: Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Scope

Theories: Origin of Religion

Study of Religion: Aims and objectives

Dimensions of Religion: Doctrinal, social, moral code of conduct, devotional praxis

Religion’s Relationship with other Disciplines: Theology, Ethics, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Culture and Arts

Early forms of Religious Expression: Mana, Magic, Fetishes, Shamans, Totem, Taboo, Ancestor worship

Nature of Holy: Animism, Naturism, Theism, Polytheism, Henotheism, Deism, Monotheism, Pantheism, and Panentheism

Task and Objectives: Myths, Rituals, Rites of Passage, Sacraments, Prayers, Festivals, Sacrifices

Religion of the Major Civilizations: Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese.

Meaning and Nature: Syncretism, Mysticism, Schism, Sect, etc.

Zoroastrianism: Beliefs and Practices

Approaches to the Study of Religion: Anthropological, Sociological, Phenomenological, Psychological, Historical, and Experiential.

Challenges to Religion: Atheism, Agnosticism, Existentialism, Humanism, Marxism, Rationalism, Materialism, Secularism, Relativism, Globalization, Clash Civilizations.

Modern Trends in the Study of Religion: Holistic or all-inclusive approach, interfaith understanding and dialogue, co-existence, human rights, empowerment of the Subaltern or social justice, gender equality, ecology and environment, world peace and harmony.

Religious Authority: Tradition, magician, diviner, scripture, seer, saint, reformer, founder, prophet

Nature of Vedic Religion and Culture

Vedic Literature – Samhita-s, Aranyak-s, Upanisad-s

Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Tantraism, etc.

Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta

Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Purana-s

Bhakti and Reform Movements of the Medieval Period

Modern Reform Movements (Brahmosamaja, Aryasamaja, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.)

Sramana Culture and Tirthankara Tradition (Rsabhadeva to Mahavira)

Main Sects of Jainism – Digambara and Svethambara

Prakrit Agama Literature and Prominent Acaryas

Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy

Contribution to Arts and Architecture

Social Aspects of Jainism

Contemporary Developments of Jainism

Jain Pilgrimage and Jain Festivals

Background, Life and Teaching of Gautama Buddha

Pali Tipitaka Literature and Mahayana Sutra-s

Main Sects – Hinayana, Mahayana, etc.

Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy

Contribution to Arts and Architecture

Expansion of Buddhism Outside India

Social Aspects and Revival of Buddhism

Origin and Development: Creation, the Call of Abraham, the Call of Moses, the Exodus, the Covenant on Mount Sinai

Hebrew Scripture: Pentateuch (Torah), Prophets (Nibium), Writings (Ketubium)

Jewish Beliefs: Ten Commandments, Talmud, Midrash, Passover, Messiah, etc.

Jewish Celebration: Sabbath, Synagogue Assembly, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles

Jewish Ethics: Covenant consciousness, Mosaic Laws, Jubilee stipulations, marriage and family

Importance of Jerusalem

Major Denomination of Judaism

The Life and Message of Jesus Christ

The beginning of Christianity and the Sermon on the Mount

Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures

Main Christian Churches (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant)

Important Beliefs and Teachings of Christianity

Christian Life: Worship, Rituals, and Mysticism

History of Christianity in India h. Contemporary Trends in Christian Theology

The social, religious condition of Arabia before the advent of Islam

Life of the Prophet Mohammad and the basic teachings of the Quran, the establishment of the Islamic community and the Madina state.

Introduction of Hadith and Fiqh and some important Muhaddith (Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim) and Faqi (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Malki Imam Hanbal)

Some important Muslim thinkers: Ali ibn e Ha