Jainism

Jains believe that the universe is uncreated and eter- nal. They are divided between two realities, jivas and ajivas. Jivas are souls. Ajivas are physical matter.

A Jains salvation come through the soul’s active desire and labor for its own release. Every Jain is expected to revere life, for beneath the karma that distinguishes individual creatures, humans and ani-

mals are the same.

Hinduism

Hinduism includes not only theology, but also social institutions, a legal tradition, a vast body of literature and art, and a great and varied mass of philosophy. Hinduism has no formalized creeds nor standardized forms of worship.

There are four goals of Hinduism: karma, a life in search of pleasures; arthra, the pursuit of politics; dhama, life according to the duties of their castes; and moshku, seeking the release from the wheel of rebirth because one is tired of other pursuits.

Islam

Islam Religion

Muslims think tath God created a g00d world. Havin been created, it is not eteranl, Itis sustained by the will og God, but God is not coursing through is as sap througha vine.

The world is made for humans to enjoy. Food is good. Drink, other than alchohol, is generally good. Comfortable clothing and shelter are good. Marrage 1s expected. Sex and procreation are good. Having Property and wealth is good, so long as believers remember to share with those in need. The world is; wonderful place, a kind of preview of conditions that can be found in even purer form in the next life.

Shamanism

In Shamanism, the shaman, or officiant goes intoa trance state and is believed possessed by a spirit control that speaks and acts through him. The shamai is responsible for the well-being of the territorial kin group. The position is often inherited, but the final © choice is made by the spirits who informa candidate of their interest during his first trance experience. Some duties of the shaman are diagnosing and curing illness, finding lost property, and foretelling the future. The Shaman also officiates at the re-intermen! ceremonies for the dead held every few years. In such religious contexts, the shamanisarespected | priest and moral arbiter through whom the people caf communicate with the spirits and gods.

Shamanism has very ancient roots in China. In the © early 20th century, shamans believed to be possessed by minor deities of the town participated in commu-_ nity ceremonies. There were also shamanesses witha clientele of unhappy girls and subordinate wives who”

had become possessed.

In Japan, the priests of some Shinto and Buddhist sects were shamans or shamanesses licensed after

purificatory rites.

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UPEI X-P RESS

March 26. 1992

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