CSS Comparative Study of Major Religions Past Papers & Syllabus

CSS Comparative Study of Major Religions past papers and syllabus.

CSS Comparative Study of Major Religions Past Papers

SYLLABUS: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAJOR RELIGIONS
Total Marks: 100
Time Allowed: 3 hours

NOTE: This paper is optional for only Non Muslim candidates. They may either opt Islamic Studies OR this paper as may suit to them.

I. Introduction

II. Hinduism

Historical Background
Indus valley civilization, Aryan invasion theory, Vedic Dharma, Brahmanism
Scriptures:
Sruti: Vedas, Upanishads, Smirti: Manu Smirti, Sutras, Puranas, Great epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata
Hindu Doctrines:
Dharma, Vedanta, Karma, Transmigration of Souls, Moksha (Liberation)
Ways to Liberation:
Karma marga (Works/Rituals), Jnana marga (Wisdom), Bhakti marga (Devotion)
Hindu gods:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Trimurti, other gods and divinities
Major Hindu Sects:
Vaishavism (Manifestation avatars), Saivism (Supreme God & Phallic worship), Saktism (Goddess worship)
Hindu society:
Caste System, Ashramas (Stages of life)
Hinduism in the Modern World
19th century reform and revival movements, Contemporary Hindu Tendencies and movements

III. Buddhism

Historical Background
Life of Gautama Buddha, Formation and spread of Buddhism, Rivalry between Brahmanism and Buddhism
Scriptures:
Tripitaka: Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka
Teachings and Doctrines
Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, The four noble truths, Eight fold Path
Buddhist Sects:
Theravadas (Hinayana), Mahayana, other schools and sects
Buddhism in the Modern world

IV. Judaism

A brief history of Jews and Judaism:
From Abraham to Moses, peace be upon them all, From Moses to establishment of Jewish rule, Destruction of Jerusalem and dispersion of Jews in the world,
Jewish Scriptures:
Tanakh (The Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings), Mishnah and Talmud
Articles of faith and basic teachings:
Ten Commandments, The thirteen principles of faith propounded by Moses Maimonides (1138-1204)
Jewish holidays and festivals:
Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), Pesach (Passover), Sukkot (Tabernacles) Purim
Jewish Worship:
Daily prayer, fasting, Sabbath
Jewish sects and movements
Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Zionism, Kabbalah, Hasidism

V. Christianity

Historical background:
Jewish background of Christianity, Life and of Jesus Christ (Through the Four Gospels), Life and the role of Paul (Through the Letters of Paul), Formation and spread of the Christian Church, Christianization of the Roman Empire, Reform movement
Scriptures:
The Holy Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
Basic Doctrines:
Original Sin, Incarnation of God, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Atonement, Trinity
Christian Sects:
Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism Sub-denominations: Lutherans, Reformed and Presbyterians, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Unitarians
Christian Festivals and Holidays:
Advent, Christmas, Easter, Pentecost
Christian worship and Sacraments
Baptism, Eucharist, Communion, Lord’s Supper, prayer, fasting, psalms, music,
Christianity in the Modern Times
Encounter with modernity, modern theological trends, Missionary movement, Dialogue and relationship with other religions

VI. Islam

Introduction and Historical Background
Islamic concept of religion, universality of religion and diversity of shari’ahs, Sirah (Life) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, The era of rightly guided caliphs of Islam
Sacred Scriptures:
The Holy Quran, Hadith
Basic Doctrines and Creed:
Tawhid (Oneness of God), Risalah (Belief in Prophets and finality of the prophet-hood with the Prophet Muhammad), Akhirah (Belief in Hereafter and the final reckoning by Allah the Almighty), Belief in angels, previous scriptures, predestination and human responsibility before God, infallibility of the Quran
Five Pillars of Islam:
Utterance of Shahadatayn (To proclaim the Oneness of Allah and that Prophet Muhammad is his messenger, salah (five daily prayers), zakah (compulsory charity), sawm (fasting in the month of Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah who can afford travelling to it)
Other Teachings of Islam
Equality of mankind, simplicity, spiritual purity and bodily hygiene, patience, contentment, moderation, social justice, Jihad, tolerance towards other religions,
Sects and Schools
Sunnis (mainstream Muslims), Shi’ahs (Special devotion for Hazrat Ali and Family of the Prophet), Khawarij (literalists), Mu’tazilah (rationalists)
Contemporary Islamic movements and tendencies:
Ikwan al Muslimun (Muslim Brotherhood), Jama’at-i-Islami, Tablighi Jama’at, Salafi movement, Fethullah Gulen movement in Turkey, Iranian revolution, extremist groups.