| UGC NET Comparative Study of Religions Syllabus |
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STUDY OF RELIGION |
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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 |
PRE-HISTORICAL RELIGIOUS FORMS |
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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 |
MODERN TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION |
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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 |
HINDUISM |
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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.) |
JAINISM |
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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 |
BUDDHISM |
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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 |
JUDAISM |
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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 |
CHRISTIANITY |
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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 |
ISLAM |
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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 |
