LET’S
recite, from memory, the Four Noble Truths
1) “all life is suffering”
2) “suffering is caused by desire”
3) “removing desire eradicates suffering”
4) “8-fold path is the way to remove suffering“
this poem demonstrates devotion (or “bhakti”) to Krishna by identifying with his dark coloring
what is “I’m Colored with the Color of Dusk”
this “dimension” of religion is sometimes referred to as the “legal” dimension and provides a set of guidelines by which to live
what is the “ethical dimension”?
this legend “details“ the origins of the Buddha as a way to teach practitioners
what is “The Legend of the Buddha Shakyamuni”?
this concept refers to the fundamental nature of existence
what is “ultimate reality“?
in this religious tradition, Ultimate Reality (aka “Brahman”) is viewed as permanent.
what is ”Hinduism”?
in this religious tradition, there is “no unified Ultimate ‘Reality’”
what is “Buddhism”?
this epic poem is about a warrior torn between his dharma
what is the Bhagavad Gita?
describe the three yogas (margas) articulated by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita
what are “karma” (yoga of action), “jñana” (yoga of wisdom), & “bhakti” (yoga of devotion)?
this “dimension” of religion, according to Ninian Smart, often describes the origin(s) of things
what is the “mythological dimension”?
this figure stands in contrast to the Arhat, or “worthy one” in Mahayana Buddhism
who is a “bodhisattva” (aka a “buddha in training”)?
what are the moral dilemmas Gautama Shakyamuni navigates in the Legend of Buddha Shakyamuni
what are “old age,” “illness,” and “death”?
this ancient (Hindu) hymn “Recites the origin of the cosmos in the sacrifice of a Cosmic Man (or Being)” (Dr. Layton).
what is the “Purusha Sukta”?
this form of Buddhism, open to monks and laity alike,” is also known as “The Greater Vehicle”
what is “Mahayana”?
this oldest form of Buddhism, also called “The Way of the Elders,” is known as “The Lesser Vehicle“
what is “Therevada”?
explain how Hinduism shapes how one views oneself
the atman (self) is a part of Brahman (Ultimate Reality), “the fragment of Brahman that connects the self to permanent being” (Dr. Layton)
tl;dr: it’s all connected.
explain how Buddhism shapes how one views oneself
there is no (singular) atman (self). rather, there is “anatman.”
tl;dr: you are a product of your environment
this yoga (or “marga”) rejected institutionalized forms of Vedic worship in favor of a more democratic approach
what is “bhakti” (yoga)?
Buddhism teaches this is the “ideal“ way of living
what is “following the 8-fold path”? or “what is ’The Middle Way’?”
this is the primary way Hinduism teaches practitioners how to live
what is “following one’s dharma?”
this yoga is similar to the Noble Truth that attachment (or desire) creates suffering
what is “karma”?
explain how the core principles of Mahayana Buddhism finds expression in the “Parable of the Burning House”
answers will vary but may include:
the Rich Man = a bodhisattva
the children = us
the Burning House = the world
the vehicles = the different expressions of Buddhism
the “lie” = “skillful means”this yoga is similar to the Noble Truth that the 8-fold path is the way to attain liberation.
what is “jñana yoga?”
define and describe the Buddhist concept of “skillful means”
it’s a “Distinctive approach to teaching the dharma” that aims to “Cultivate proper mental disposition for the novice to perceive the truth of the Dharma rather than conveying information about the Dharma” (Dr. Layton)