The Supernatural in Different Religions

Nancy Alanis

Arjun Subedi

OverviewDefinition of the SupernaturalStories about every religion with interpretationExplanation to why there is less belief of the Supernatural

in the present time compared to the pastGeneral interpretation of why all the stories were told

SupernaturalDefinitions of the Supernatural:The spiritual realm beyond human existence that is

thought to control the natural worldThe unusual experiences that lack a scientific

explanation or phenomena alleged to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure

Religions Hinduism• Christianity• Buddhism• Islam

Hinduism

Gods

Lord Vishnu Sugriv Lord Rama

Saraswoti

Hanuman

Demons

Kali GODMahishasura

Danab Ravan

Lord Vishnu and his ReincarnationsVishnu as matsya (fish)Vishnu as Kurma (Tortoise)Vishnu as Bahara (Boar)Vishnu as Narshingha (Lion)Vishnu as Vamana (Dwraf)Vishnu as Parsurama (Human)Vishnu as Lord Rama (Human)Vishnu as Lord Krishna (Human)Vishnu as Buddha (Human) Founder of BuddhismVishnu as Kalki (hasn’t occurred yet)

Supernatural in Hindu religion

Incarnation and evolution- ComparisionAdam’s Bridge

Hindu epic Ramayana:- Monkey god had power that every stone he touched would float.

Created a bridge between Lanka (Now Sir lanka) and India

Adam’s Bridge

Archeological finding suggests it is a man made bride and was made approximately 1,750,000

Year old

Archeological Findings Ancient port city

Dvaraka (15th -16thBc) Birth place of Lord KrishnaDvaraka mentioned in Mahabharata

Mahabharata War: Did it really happen?Kurukshetra, the scene of the great Mahabharata war,

Iron arrows and spearheads have been excavated and dated by thermoluminence to 2,800 B.C.E., the approximate date of the war given within the Mahabharata itself.

ChristianityThe Resurrection of Jesus ChristProphecy

Savior of sins

Physical body would resurrect

Soldiers guarded door and removed rock

Importance of the Resurrection

They knew he had resurrected because

his body was gone and he appeared to

his apostles and mother.

It symbolized that his sacrifice was accepted and therefore our sins would be forgiven and we can live in happiness with God.

If he hadn’t resurrected then it would mean it wasn’t accepted and discredit that Jesus was the son of God.

Opposing views

Critics of the Resurrection have some theories:There is no evidence besides scriptures to say it was true.

Jesus’ body could have

been stolen

It could’ve been removed by his apostle’s to make sure that his prophecy would come true.

Interpretation

Human’s ask questions and need

answers

This answers the question of

where we end up and that God looks

after us and cares about us

Science doesn’t give us an answer after death and Science doesn’t show that anyone cares for us

Buddhism

Birth of Buddha- Supernatural 9th incarnation of God Vishnu

Buddha was born in the garden from Queen Mayadevi Queen and her son (Buddha) were showered with perfumed blossoms, and two streams of sparkling water poured from the sky to bathe them. And the infant stood, and took seven steps, and proclaimed “I alone am the World-Honored One!”

Buddha’s Seven steps

Seven Steps:• East• West• North• South• Up• Down• Here

Story of Eagle and DoveKing gives his own flesh to save the life of Dove

from EagleHe was reincarnated as Buddha

This story teaches us the result of good deeds

Story about blind man and an elephantFour blind men touch different part of the elephant and

interpret elephant differently:1. Like a rope (tail)

2. Like a Wall (Belly)

3. Like a Cloth (Ear)

4. Like a tree trunk (Legs)

Same thing different way of looking – God is also like elephant- one god different way of looking at it.

Religious tolerance - Buddhism

IslamTwo Stories:

Muhammad’s Night Journey

The power of Jin and Iblis

Muhammad’s Night Journey

Muhammad is the most important prophet to the Islam religion. He was the founder.

Story: The angel Gabriel came at night and took Muhammad on a journey.

They visited all the past prophets like Abraham and Adam.

Finally he saw Allah where only he could enter, not the other prophets and talk to him.

Allah Muhammad to have his people pray 50 times a day to him. Moses made him negotiate for less (5).

InterpretationIslam considers Muhammad its greatest prophetHe is the only one who can see Allah out of all the

prophetsTheir religion isn’t new and that they too

honor past prophets that are mentioned

in other religions

Explanation of 5 prayers a day.

Iblis and the JinDevil, demons, snakes, zombiesRoam the Earth without being seenCause evilIblis is like the Christian SatanHe and the Jin were created by Allah They refused to obey his orders Can’t be seen, only through deeds

InterpretationShows the consequences of what happens if one disobeys

Allah.Shows that one should worship Allah to stay away from

the evil like Iblis and the Jin.People have morals unlike the JinGives a reason why there is evil and suffering in the

world.

Why was there more belief before?No Scientific explanationsTechnology

ConclusionThe brain wants a coherent and unified perception of the

worldFeelings are taken way by ScienceTeaches morals and ethicsGives consequences

Work Cited Night Journey:

http://www.geocities.com/alummah2000/NightJourney.html http://www.answering-islam.org/Gilchrist/Vol1/3d.html

Jesus’ Resurrection: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12789a.htm http://www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/contemporary-scholarship

Iblis: http://web.uvic.ca/~rpn/files/iblis.html

Definitions: http://web.uvic.ca/~rpn/files/iblis.html

Archeological findings (Hindu) http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/507/1/Migration_Diffusion_6_56.pdf

Adam’s Bridge http://krishna.org/nasa-images-discover-ancient-bridge-between-india-and-sri-lanka/

….Work cited (cont.)Buddhism

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhaintro.htmlhttp://books.google.com/books?

id=etsZSgzVcxoC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=hindu+religion+reincarnation+science+evolution&source=bl&ots=g4v1O3xqyi&sig=2gne5h4AMfvOCf1fM0-81IdhsQg&hl=en&ei=GRLJSbXpIZnItgeLgKmfAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA26,M1

Questions?