Mid-term essay questions:

  1. Explain the Absolute or Ultimate Reality of Hinduism
  2. Explain the relationship between dharma, karma, and samsara
  3. Write out the Four Nobel Truths
  4. How do Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism differ?
  5. What is the Daoist concept of harmony?

Hinduism The Absolute in Hinduism is Brahman. Brahman is ultimate reality. Brahman is an impersonal force or the fundamental substance of existence. Brahman is the all-pervasive essence that lied behind everything in the universe. Because of maya (illusion) we mistakenly believe that we are individual persons or atman. In reality we are not atman we are Brahman. Brahman cannot be described by positive characteristics except that some gurus say that Brahman is bliss. Since Brahman has no form, it is not depicted in pictures or statues.

Relationship between dharma, karma, and samsara: All life exists in a continuous cycle of life, death, rebirth and death called samsara or reincarnation. The goal of life is to escape samsara through moksha. A person can achieve moksha through yoga. Through yoga a person can reach a state of self-realization and enlightenment and achieve moksha and liberation from samsara. Along with yoga, a Hindu must also follow his or her dharma (law, virtue) to achieve moksha and release from samsara. When a person follows his dharma he achieves good karma and gets closer to moksha which is release from samsara.

Buddhism What makes Tibetan forms of Buddhism distinctive? Tibetan Buddhism includes traces of an older shamanistic folk religion which includes belief in spirits, magical rites, divination, and exorcism. Tibetan Buddhism is a mixture of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism with its preoccupation with Indian Tantrism. Tantrism in Tibetan Buddhism is characterized by esoteric teachings that include initiation ceremonies. These ceremonies center around the use of mandalas, mantras, rituals, and vows. Tibetan Buddhists worship a great multitude of deities and spirits. Another aspect of Tibetan Buddhism is its concern with helping a dying person “cross the borders of death”. Tibetans believe in bardo the place between life and death. There are six bardosor stages through which a person must go on his or her journey to Nirvana. These bardos are explained in the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

How do Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism differ?

Theravada is “The Way of the Elders”
strictly following ancient traditions and rules / Mahayana is the “Large Vehicle” there is room for many diverse ideas and apporaches
Theravada Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Gautama was only an enlightened man and did not become a god or divine being. / Mahayana Buddhists may believe that Siddhartha achieved a godlike existence
Theravada Buddhists do not pray to Buddha / Mahayana Buddhists may pray to Buddha
Theravada Buddhists do not believe in any god / Mahayana Buddhists may believe in gods
Theravada Buddhists do not believe in bodhisattvas / Mahayana Buddhists may pray to bodhisattvas
Theravada Buddhists must attain Nirvana through their own efforts / Meditation is important but not the only way to reaching Nirvana.
Nirvana may be reached only by monks / Nirvana may be reached by anyone
Theravada Buddhists focus on the Buddha’s example as a monk and live in monasteries spending much time in meditation / Mahayana Buddhists believe meditation is important but is not the only way to reaching Nirvana. Living according to Buddha’s Eightfold Path is more important.
Only men can be part of the sangha. / Men and women can be members of the sangha

The four noble truths:

  1. Life is dukkha, suffering.
  2. Dukkha or suffering is caused by tanha desire, craving, and attachment to the things of this world.
  3. The problem of suffering can be solved. Attachment to the things of this world can be conquered. To rid ourselves of dukkha, suffering, we must get rid of tanha. When we stop being attached to this world then we will no longer suffer. Dukkha and tanha can be overcome through nirvana. Nirvana means “no craving”. When we reach Nirvana we no longer crave the things of this life so Dukkha or suffering comes to an end.
  4. Dharma (the teaching of the Buddha) and the Eightfold Path is the middle way to nirvana and enlightenment. We can have victory over attachment to this world and can attain Nirvana through following the Eightfold Path.

What are the three characteristics of existence?

  1. Dukkha, suffering
  2. Anitya, impermanence
  3. Anatman, no-self

Confucianism and Daoism

  1. What is the difference between the teaching of Confucius and Laozi?

Laozi sought harmony between man and nature. Laozi’s approach was to cultivate your spiritual life. Heemphasized individualistic pursuit of the Dao. Confuciusemphasized harmony in society. He believed that by being virtuous and loyal society would function smoothly.

  1. In Confucius's teachings, what were the characteristics of the junzi?

The junzi is the ideal person, the gentleman, who is loyal, trustworthy, studious, respectful of authority, and hardworking.

  1. What is the Daoist concept of harmony? We can have harmony with the Dao by balancing yin and yang, practicing Tai Chi, following principles of fengshui, living a life of wuwei. And maximizing qi in our life.