Online
Resources: Faith Traditions
|
| |
General
Resources |
| |
|
 Religion
Showcase
(web site will open in a new browser
window)
Select a religious tradition from a drop down menu on this
site to read an overview of that faith's thought, beliefs, and practices.
Twelve
major world religious traditions and spiritual styles are included.
Each
page summarizes the religious tradition and provides links to web sites with additional
information. The site is a resource of the Center for Youth Studies. |
| |
 Buddhist
Resources
|
| |
|
The
History, Philosophy and Practice of Buddhism (web
site will open in a new browser window)
This is an educational
web site which provides an overview of Buddhism, including explanations
of:
- The
differences between the two major schools of Buddhism (Mahayana
Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism)
- The Four Noble Truths
- The Eightfold Path
- Buddhist
symbols
- Other elements of the faith
The site is developed
and maintained by Mary Hendriks, co-owner of eSilkRoad.
Buddhanet:
Buddhist Information and Education Network (web site
will open in a new browser window)
Buddhanet offers basic
study guides to Buddhism as well as an e-library, audio, news, and other Buddhist
resources.
"BuddhaNet is a not-for-profit organization affiliated
with the Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc. (BDEA), which was
first established as a Vipassana Meditation Centre over nine years ago
in Sydney by an Australian
meditation monk Ven. Pannyavaro. BDEA has since evolved as a Buddhist
Information
and Education Service" (from their web site).
|
| |
 Hindu
Resources
|
| |
|
A
Summary of What Most Hindus Believe (web site will
open in a new browser window) These nine beliefs offer
a basic summary of Sanatana Dharma's spirituality. This article appears
on Beliefnet, an independent "multi-faith e-community" providing information and
inspiration on a variety of religions and spiritual belief systems.
Puja:
Expressions of Hindu Devotion (web site will open
in a new browser window) This site from the Smithsonian
Institution explores Hindu worship known as puja which is the act of showing reverence
to a god or to aspects of the divine. The online guide for educators offers
background information, activities, a bibliography and a resource list about puja.
The site complements the award-winning exhibition "Puja: Expressions of
Hindu Devotion" that was on exhibition at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the national
museum of Asian art at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Everything
You Ever Wanted to Know About Hinduism (and then some) (web
site will open in a new browser window) An introduction
to Core Beliefs, Origins, Geography, Religious Rituals, Gods and Goddesses, Sacred
Places, Saints, Sacred Texts, and Symbols of Hinduism. Web site was created
by the 1997-1998 World Studies Class Hinduism Option at The Arkansas School for
Math and Science.
The
Hindu Universe (web site will open in a new browser
window) Information and links to many aspects of Hinduism
and Hindu life. (Note: site contains random web ads, some
of which may not be suitable for children.)
|
| |
 Islam
Resources
|
|
|
Islam:
Empire of Faith (web site will open in a new browser
window) The companion web site to the the PBS video series
Islam: Empire of Faith. Resources include: - An introduction
to Islam including God (Allah), the Five Pillars of Islam, the Koran and Tradition,
and Islam Today
- A look at Islamic culture including art, architecture,
and literature
- The role of Muslims in significant innovations in math,
engineering, astronomy, medicine, and paper and publishing
- Profiles of
major figures in Islamic history and faith
- A timeline
- Educational
resources for teachers to use with the video
- A behind-the-scenes look
at making the video series
Understanding
Islam and Muslims (web site will open in a new browser
window) Offers short answers to numerous questions such
as: - What is Islam?
- Who are the Muslims?
- What do Muslims
believe?
- Do Islam and Christianity have different origins?
- Who
is Muhammad?
- What is the Qu'ran?
- What are the 'Five Pillars' of
Islam ?
- What do Muslims think about Jesus?
- Why is the family
so important to Muslims?
- What does Islam say about war?
- How does
Islam guarantee human rights?
- Islam in the United States
- The Muslim
World
The web page was incorporated from the book,
Understanding Islam and the Muslims, prepared by The Islamic Affairs Department,
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington DC., Consultants The Islamic Texts Society,
Cambridge, UK, 1989.
|
| |
 Jewish
Resources
|
| |
|
Judaism
101 (web site will open in a new browser window) Judaism
101 is an online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places,
things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs. This web
site, authored by Tracy R. Rich, has clear and easily understood information about
Jewish holidays and practices, as well as about people, places, things, language,
scripture, and customs. The web site includes audio clips, such as Jewish music
appropriate to various holidays and celebrations and the sound of a shofar. Writing
predominantly from the Orthodox perspective, Ms. Rich is a traditional observant
Jew who is Educational Director for LegalEdge Software and a member of Congregation
Or Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Learn
About The Jewish Game Of Dreidel (web site will open
in a new browser window) Simple instructions, including a
pattern, for making a dreidel. Site also explains the meaning of the Hebrew letters
on each side of the dreidel and describes how to play the game.
Speak
Hebrew with Moshe and Leah (web site will open in
a new browser window) Join Moshe, Leah and friends on their
first day speaking Hebrew. An armchair adventure as they pick up their first Hebrew
words. Designed for children, this web page is part of Jewish Literacy site published
by Aish HaTorah. The animation on the site requires the free Flash player from
Macromedia.
|
| |
 Sikh
Resources
|
| |
|
Gateway
to Sikhism (web site will open in a new browser window) An
extensive site of resources and information on Sikh history, gurus, way of life,
scriptures, sacred places, and FAQs.
Sikhism
Home Page (web site will open in a new browser window) This
site offers an introduction to Sikhism and its history, beliefs, philosophy, and
way of life.
Gurmukhi
- The Sikh Alphabet (web site will open in a new
browser window) An illustration and explanation of the
Gurmukhi Alphabet with its 35 letters and nine vowel modifiers.
|
|
A
Mission Study resource from the United Methodist Women