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Religions

This guide is meant to expose students to different religions and the issues with equity, diversity, and inclusion needed for each to feel welcome.

Fiction

Explanation

This page covers those religions practiced in the Eastern Hemisphere. Though not trying to have an Orientalist perspective to them, it is inevitable for spatial purposes to put them on the same page.  The religions covered in this guide are:

  • Buddhism
  • Hinduism
  • Taoism
  • Confucianism (Though more of a philosophy, it is usually categorized as a religion)
  • Chinese Traditional faith
  • Sikhism
  • Jainism
  • Shinto
  • Cao Dai
  • Tenrikyo
  • Baha'i
  • Zoroastrianism 

Videos

"Ten Powerful Ideas from Ancient India-Wisdom from the Upanishads" TEDxPESUECC talk given by Roopa Pai posted on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel on August 27, 2019.

YouTube description: "Our first speaker spoke about the 10 powerful ideas from Ancient India : Wisdom from the Upanishads. Secular in their content and universal in their appeal, these compositions have life affirming secrets that contain ideas about life, the universe and everything relevant from the 700BCE to the 21st century. Computer engineer, journalist and children's author, Roopa Pai is the co-founder of Bangalore Walks and the winner of the Crossword Award for "The Gita for Children". She has published over 20 books, including the fantasy-adventure Taranauts. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."

TEDxSIBMBengaluru talk given by Anand Neelankantan posted on the TEDxTalks channel on May 1, 2019.

YouTube descriptions: "A Bestselling author, Mr. Anand Neelakantan, is well known for his unconventional take on Indian Mythology. In this talk about time as a relative concept, Anand Neelakantan challenges us to delve deeper into our preconceived notions about the functioning of the world.

"Mr. Neelakantan talks about how mythology keeps on reinventing itself - is nothing but the present, the same way it can be the future. “Future was yesterday, future is today, future will be tomorrow”. Anand Neelakantan is a reputed Indian author who has authored five books , largely related to mythology, with the most recent one being “Vanara". Anand’s “Asura” which sees Ramayana from Ravan’s point of view, is one of the recommended books in Amazon’s “Top 100 books to be read in a lifetime”. He is known for his unique way of storytelling in the mythology genre. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."

TEDxSotoSchool talk given by Olaf Kievit posted on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel on September 18, 2019

YouTube description: "A talk about the origins of Mindfulness in Buddhism, and the development and use of secular Mindfulness in everyday life. Olaf Kievit has a PhD in Chemistry, teaches Chemistry, Physics, and Mindfulness, and has over 15 years of meditation experience."

TEDxSevenoaksSchool talk given by Emma Slade posted on the TEDxTalks channel on February 6, 2017 

YouTube description: "Emma Slade, author or 'Set Free' and founder of the charity 'Opening Your Heart to Bhutan', talks about her path to buddhist, and the situation in which she found herself which caused this change. Emma was previously a successful investment banker and talks about the dichotomy between her current life and her previous occupation, and how this has allowed her to view the world in a fresh light."

TEDxJIBC talk given by Jeff Cartwright posted on the TEDxTalks channel on January 8, 2020.

YouTube description: "28 years as a Firefighter nearly led to Jeff becoming another statistic of first responders that are taken out by their mental health. Understanding the true meaning of Mindfulness and using this gift that is spoken about will change your life and allow you to control your own path to mental and emotional health. This inspiring talk will teach you how to "Live" and not just "Survive". After 28 years as a First Responder, Jeff transitioned into his work as a Crisis Management Specialist and Work Place Mental Health Facilitator. Jeff is an /instructor for the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) Fire Academy and an instructor for the Center for Counselling and Community Safety (JIBC). In the field of mental health, Jeff has developed many initiatives by introducing the latest techniques and training to the workplace. He is well respected for his ability to connect with people and provide them with direction to support mental health. Jeff was a valuable resource to the BC College of Pharmacists Robbery Prevention Task Force, which drafted new bylaws that came into effect September 15, 2015 in response to the opioid crisis. Jeff brings his admiration and knowledge of Eastern Philosophy into his life as a Facilitator for Workplace Mental Health Education and Leadership Training. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."

Talk given by Bryan W. Van Norden posted on the TED-Ed channel on October 27, 2015. 

YouTube Description: "Most people recognize his name and know that he is famous for having said something, but considering the long-lasting impact his teachings have had on the world, very few people know who Confucius really was, what he really said... and why. Bryan W. Van Norden reveals the man behind the mystery."

TEDxYouth@Brum talk given by Jaspreet Singh posted on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel on September 26, 2019.

YouTube description: "Jaspreet Singh came to Birmingham from India as an international student. He is the first international student and Sikh to be elected as BCU's SU president and was also elected to the National Union of Students' International Students Committee and Black Students Committee. Religion plays an important role in Jaspreet's life listen to his story."

TEDxPhillipsExeterAcademy talk given by Soina Jain posted on the TEDx Talks channel on August 11, 2021.

YouTube description: "For Siona Jain, "The Search" lies at the heart of her ever-changing relationship with God in Jainism and the barriers of language, her queerness, and her distance from the Jain community. In her talk, she shares her experiences practicing Jainism, the inspiration she found in her relationship with her late grandfather, and her journey barefoot along the Jain mountain. In doing so, she shares how we can all find comfort and meaning through difficult times in our lives. Siona Jain is a junior at Phillips Exeter Academy (Class of '22). In her talk, Siona discusses her commitment with Jainism, a small religion in India, in the context of her relationship with her grandfather. She hails from the suburbs of Chicago, IL with her twin sister. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."

"5 minutes on SHINTO-The Japanese Art of Living" posted on the Azumi Uchitani YouTube channel on December 7, 2020.

YouTube description: "What is SHINTO(神道)? SHINTO is a Japanese indigenous religion, more of a philosophy of life that brings harmonious living. SHINTO literary means, Way (道) of God (神).

"When it comes to Japanese religion, you may think of Buddhism. However, the most unique aspect of the Japanese way of life is deeply rooted in SHINTO, tracing back from Jyomon period 14,000 BC – 300BC. There is no Dogma, no founder. It is based on the belief that gods are in nature.

"We connect to the god through our seasonal and daily rituals for purification. SHINTO, a way of life is open to anyone.

"In this talk, I share the wisdom of SHINTO that we can incorporate into our daily life."

"The Harmony of Science and Religion: A Baha'i Perspective" a TEDxYouth@FHS talk given by Cameron Sabet posted on the TEDxTalks channel on May 21, 2018.

YouTube description: "The two governing bodies of his actions lie in his ceaseless need to satisfy his spiritual and intellectual curiosity inspired Cameron’s talk. He feels that these pursuits unconditionally complement each other as he continues to grow in his intellectual and spiritual capacities. Cameron is currently a sophomore and very ready to give his first Tedx Talk! Cameron is a member of the Metropolitan Washington Baha'i Choir, the Science Olympiad Team, and First Violin in the DC Youth Philharmonic. He loves losing himself in the harmony of music and liken it to the melodies of scientific discovery and religious passion. The two governing bodies of my actions lie in my ceaseless need to satisfy my spiritual and intellectual curiosity inspired Cameron’s talk. He feels that these pursuits unconditionally complement each other as he continues to grow in his intellectual and spiritual capacities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."

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