The belief systems and practices of ancient cultures are often referred to as "old religion". Its definition is somewhat arbitrary, but it often includes Christianity and various forms of Islam. It also includes religions from India and Arabia. Although they are not fundamentally similar, they share certain characteristics. While they rely heavily on reason, the old religions can also rely upon revelation or intuition to construct a belief system.
Ancient religions
The ancient world was infused with religious beliefs and practices. These religious leaders were charismatic and traveled along many different routes. They were the primary determinants for human culture, and human life. In antiquity, religious beliefs were universal and widespread.
These beliefs are rooted within diverse cultural traditions. This MA course, Ancient Religions MA, explores these traditions from ancient China and the Mediterranean, providing new insights into how ancient religious systems functioned. The MA programme can be tailored to the research interests of individual students.
Hinduism
Hinduism has many traditions. It is an ancient religion. Its beliefs center on the sanctity of life and the concept of Brahman, the supreme soul. Hindus believe that there is a concept of karma, rebirth, as well as salvation. Hindus are highly religious.
Although there is no known historical founder of Hinduism it has developed over time, through periods of ritual, enlightenment and reformations. Since there is no central text to Hinduism, the tradition is a mix of different religions.
Buddhism
Buddhists believe that life is eternal and subject to suffering. They search for truth within themselves, and seek to understand Buddha's teachings. They are constantly reborn, reliving past lives. Because of this, they constantly strive to improve themselves. Buddhism is a philosophy that there is no single answer.
Buddhism is a major world religion with 376 million adherents around the world. It began in India around the sixth-century B.C.E. and has since spread to Southeast Asia (China, Korea, Japan) and Korea (Korea). Today, Buddhists can still be found in more that 170 countries.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is an ancient religion. Avesta was one of the earliest texts. The Avesta is composed from sacred verses known as Gathas and was composed by Prophet Zarathushtra. These were orally passed to his followers. The Avesta contains five Gathas containing seventeen hymns. Scholars of Zoroastrianism stress the centrality of the Gathas. Gathic principles forbid excessive ritualism and emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and human reason as co-workers with God.
The Zoroastrian religion has its roots in ancient Persia and may be 4,000 years old. During the Persian dynasties, Zoroastrianism was the state religion. Many of its followers fled Iran for India, where they now practice the religion in a minority. Today, Zoroastrianism has 100,000 to 200,000 followers around the world. It has a long and varied history and has survived by influencing other religions.
Maya
In the ancient Maya religion, earth is considered to be two different entities. Maya considered the earth to be the back of a gigantic crocodile. The sky, however, was a double headed serpent. The name for the sky is similar in meaning to the word "snake", and the constellations have cross-bands. The Maya also saw the sun and moon as symbolic of the celestial bodies.
Maya art contains many symbols that represent death and the underworld. Some of their symbols and glyphs include crossed bones, disembodied eyes and defleshed jaws. Pawahtun, the patron of scribes, was another god they had. Ix Chel is a Maya god of childbirth. Chak Chel, her sister, was a weaver and was patroness to the islands of Cozumel.