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Why study religion? An understanding of the world’s religious traditions is crucial in helping us to appreciate not just the varied forms of belief and practice that we encounter at home, abroad and in the media, but also the influence that religion has on world affairs. This course offers an introduction to the study of religions, and in particular to six major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, including the various roles of their founders and leaders, their texts, rituals, practices and behaviors. This practical insight will enable you to develop a better understanding of different beliefs and worldviews and what these mean to their adherents. This material is taken from The Open University Course A217 Introducing Religions.
- Duration 1 hour 45 mins
- Updated Tuesday 13th April 2010
- Introductory level
- Posted under History & The Arts
Track 1: Introducing Religions
A short introduction to this album.
© The Open University 2008
- Read a transcript of this track - you'll need a PDF viewer, such as Adobe's free Adobe Reader
- Download this track from iTunes U - you'll need Apple's free iTunes software
- See details of the Open University course this album comes from
- Discover more from The Open University and iTunesU at open.edu/itunes
Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introducing Religions | A short introduction to this album. Play now Introducing Religions |
| 2 | The architecture of a mosque | The largest and most splendid mosque in India. Play now The architecture of a mosque |
| 3 | An important shrine in Delhi | The most important Sufi shrine in India in Awia near Delhi. Play now An important shrine in Delhi |
| 4 | Hinduism in an Indian village | How Hindu practice has changed in a small Indian village over the last 25 years Play now Hinduism in an Indian village |
| 5 | Varanasi: An important religious site | Varanasi, on the Ganges, is one of the most important Hindu religious sites. Play now Varanasi: An important religious site |
| 6 | The evolution of Hinduism | Hinduism is an evolving religion both in India and internationally. Mathura, the reputed birthplace of Krishna, is now an international centre Play now The evolution of Hinduism |
| 7 | The place of Enlightenment | Bodhgaya in northern India is famous for Buddhists and Hindus as the place where the Buddha gained enlightenment. It is a site of pilgrimage and prayer for monks and lay Buddhists from all over the world. Play now The place of Enlightenment |
| 8 | Becoming a Buddhist monk | Trainees come from all over Sri Lanka to a Theravada centre near Colombo to train as monks. For local people too it is an important cultural institution Play now Becoming a Buddhist monk |
| 9 | Everyday Jewish life | Leslie and Irene Lancaster on the everyday life of a Jewish family. Play now Everyday Jewish life |
| 10 | Greek orthodox Holy communion | Holy communion in the Greek orthodox church Play now Greek orthodox Holy communion |
| 11 | Three different Sikh temples | Comparing three very different Sikh temples or Gurudwaras, beginning with the most important shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar Play now Three different Sikh temples |
| 12 | The importance of music in Sikhism | On the importance and complexity of music in the Sikh religion Play now The importance of music in Sikhism |
| 13 | Initiation into a Sikh sect | Initiation into a strict Sikh sect Play now Initiation into a Sikh sect |
| 14 | A Sikh school | The Guru Nanak Sikh School in London Play now A Sikh school |
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