1b06 Buddhism study/ tutorial questions
RS 1B06 World Religions 2012-13 Prof. A.M. Pearson QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW and TUTORIAL DISCUSSION (Term One only) In addressing the following questions for tutorial discussion and review purposes, make reference to the lectures, any films, supplementary material and Jakobsh text in particular. These questions are helpful preparation for the quizzes and the exam.
I. HINDUISM (1) Definitions of Hinduism: Why is Hinduism particularly difficult to define and encapsulate? (2) The Earliest Stage of Indian Religion: What is noteworthy about the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (or ‘Harappan’) and its (possible) contribution to features of later Hinduism? (3) The Religion of the Vedas: Who were the “Indo-Europeans”? What are the origins of the Vedas? What were the chief features of Vedic religion? What is the role of the Vedic gods? How and why do humans worship them? (4) The Upanishads: What are the Upanishads? What were some of the questions posed during this period and in these texts? What alternatives to Vedic ritual did they offer? (5) Brahman and Atman: Define the terms Brahman and Atman and discuss how the Upanishads attempt to explain the relationship of Atman to Brahman. (6) Karma: What is the Hindu doctrine of karma? Explain the relationship between karma and rebirth. Discuss the benefits and liabilities of embracing such a view as karma and rebirth. (7) Moksha: What is moksha? How does detaching oneself from pleasure and pain relate to the attainment of moksha? (8) Yoga and meditation: What does the term ‘yoga’ refer to? Why are there different types of yoga? (compare Hatha, Raja, and Kundalini). What are their purposes? [Be aware that the way the term ‘yoga’ is used in the Bhagavad Gita differs somewhat from the way it is used when referring to one of the above types of yoga.] Why would Patanjali's eight steps in his Yogasutras include ethical precepts? How do these practices work together for the end goal? (9) The Bhagavad Gita: Review the summary of key teachings of the BG. What are the “three ways to liberation” explained in this text? (10) The Caste System: What are the five main social classes found in India? How is this system justified in Hinduism? Does this division of society have parallels with other cultures?
(11) The Stages of Life: Highlight the four stages of life shaped by the ancient upper-caste ideal. How do women and lower castes fit into this schema? (12) The Four Aims (purusartha): What are the four aims/goals according to the Dharmashastras, and how do they relate to stage in life and caste? What are women’s ‘duties’?
2 (13) Devotional Hinduism and Hindu Gods: (a) How is bhakti expressed in the poems/songs of the ‘saints’ both from South India (the Alvars and the Nayanmars) like Appar, and from North India (the bhaktas) like Mirabai? How is bhakti expressed in other Hindu religious literature? (b) What is puja? Who officiates? Where? What are the elements in a puja? (c) Which major gods constitute the Trimurti and what interlinked forces do they represent? (d) What is the avatara concept and how does it relate to the figures of Rama and Krishna? Who is Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita? (e) Describe and analyze some of the features and symbols associated with Shiva. How does he differ from other gods? (What are the symbols associated with Vishnu?) (f) Explain the concept of a female consort of a deity. If there are goddesses in Hinduism, why has women’s religious/social status been lower than men’s?
II. SIKHISM (1) Who is the founder of Sikhism? What are the significant events recorded about his life, especially in the Janam Sakhi literature? (2) What are its most authoritative texts? How is the “holy book” treated in the Sikh tradition? (3) Who are the Sikh gurus and what roles did they play in the formation of Sikh identity and traditions? (4) What is the Khalsa? Who can be a member? How? (5) What are the “five Ks” and their significance? What issues have arisen in Canada around them? (6) How do Sikh teachings bear similarity to or depart from Hindu (and Muslim) ones?
III. BUDDHISM (1) The Life of the Buddha: Outline the Buddha’s life according to the legends. What were the ‘four sights’? What happened under the Bodhi tree? What was the Buddha’s last advice to his disciples? (2) The Basic Teachings of Buddhism: (a) What was the Buddha’s first sermon about? What is meant by the Buddha’s “noble silence” (on metaphysical questions), that is, what kind of questions did the Buddha leave “undeclared” and why? What were the most important questions about existence on which the Buddha concentrated? What facets of Indian Vedic belief and practice did early Buddhist literature reject? And why? (b) The Four Noble Truths: (i) What kind of suffering does the first noble truth refer to? (ii) Describe dimensions of desire found in the Second Noble Truth. (c) What are the Five Precepts? How do ethical teachings relate to the Four Noble Truths?
3 (d) The Three Marks (or conditions) of Reality: What are the “three marks”? How does Buddhism explain the concept of no permanent identity? What is reborn? How does Buddhism explain karma and rebirth without a soul? How do the preceding concepts differ from Hindu understanding? (e) What is nirvana in Buddhism? What does it look like? How is it different from the Hindu concept of moksha? What degree of enlightenment might a layperson hope to attain in this life? (3) Spread of Buddhism: What actions are attributed to King Ashoka that aided the spread of Buddhism? To which areas of the globe was Buddhism spread initially? (4) Theravada Buddhism: Where is Theravada Buddhism found today? How do Theravadins see the goal of the Buddha’s teachings? Who is the ideal? What is the “key virtue” and why? (5) The Pali Canon: What are the Buddhist “scriptures” and what are the topics covered in the “three baskets”? (6) Theravada Art and Architecture: What are the common poses of the Buddha when images of him began to be used? What is a stupa? What is a pagoda? What are their roles in the practice of Buddhism?
(7) Mahayana Buddhism: New Ideals, New Teachings, New Literature (a) Discuss the concept of “skillful means” in Mahayana. Why do Mahayana sects show such a wide variety in attitudes toward uses of art, ritual, and the pursuit of worldly success? How do the teachings in this doctrine differ from Theravada views? (b) What new texts are added to the Buddhist Canon by followers of Mahayana and how is their inclusion and authority explained? (8) The Spread of Mahayana in East Asia (China/Korea/Japan) (a) How and when was Buddhism transmitted to China, Korea and Japan? (b) What Buddhist Mahayana features appealed to the Chinese and why? (Which Buddhist values and practices conflicted with Chinese ideals?) (c) Describe some key beliefs and practices of Pure Land Buddhism. (d) How does the Zen Buddhist experience of satori relate to the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation? (and other Zen training techniques)
IV. RELIGIONS OF CHINA (Japan, Korea) (a) Why is the English word “religion” problematic when applied to the Chinese scene? (b) What are unusual features of the relations between religions in China? (c) Highlight some of the elements of early Chinese belief that provided the basis for later developments in Chinese religions. (d) Who are the supernatural beings in Daoism and Confucianism and what roles do they play in the lives of the Chinese people?
4 CONFUCIANISM (1) The Dao in Confucianism How is the Dao most clearly made manifest according to Confucianism? (2) The Life of Confucius: What are the basic features of Confucius’ life? What is his significance in Chinese history/thought? (3) Living According to Confucian Values
(a) What were Confucius’ central goals in formulating his teachings? Why did Confucius believe that education was so important? (b) Describe the Confucian ideal person or “excellent” human being and how you would recognize one. (related to the main Confucian virtues) (c) What are the Five Basic (or “Great”) Relationships and why are they necessary for a stable society according to Confucianism? Why do so many of them deal with the family? (d) Is Confucianism optimistic or pessimistic about human nature? What are the social implications of this belief? (4) Confucian Literature: What are the texts associated with Confucius? What role or function has the Confucian canon played in Chinese history?
(5) The Development of Confucianism as a Religious System How did Confucianism respond to the Buddhist challenge? (For example, in the Neo-Confucianism movement). Do such changes in worldview and emphasis represent a departure from or a natural extension of early Confucian teachings?
(6) Confucianism and the Arts: Why is calligraphy the premier Confucian art form? Why did Confucius view the arts as a moral and civilizing force, and a force for peace?
DAOISM (The Early Philosophers and Teachings of Daoism, & subsequent developments) (1) Describe the style and focus of the Daodejing. Why does this text begin by saying that the Dao is nameless? What does it mean? (2) Why and how did Zhuangzi use stories to illustrate basic Daoist teachings, such as on the concept of wu wei? (3) Describe some of the concerns and practices of Daoism as it developed (for example, some of the Daoist techniques for extending the life span). How does such an interest in the body and the quest for longevity reflect Daoist worldviews?
I. HINDUISM (1) Definitions of Hinduism: Why is Hinduism particularly difficult to define and encapsulate? (2) The Earliest Stage of Indian Religion: What is noteworthy about the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (or ‘Harappan’) and its (possible) contribution to features of later Hinduism? (3) The Religion of the Vedas: Who were the “Indo-Europeans”? What are the origins of the Vedas? What were the chief features of Vedic religion? What is the role of the Vedic gods? How and why do humans worship them? (4) The Upanishads: What are the Upanishads? What were some of the questions posed during this period and in these texts? What alternatives to Vedic ritual did they offer? (5) Brahman and Atman: Define the terms Brahman and Atman and discuss how the Upanishads attempt to explain the relationship of Atman to Brahman. (6) Karma: What is the Hindu doctrine of karma? Explain the relationship between karma and rebirth. Discuss the benefits and liabilities of embracing such a view as karma and rebirth. (7) Moksha: What is moksha? How does detaching oneself from pleasure and pain relate to the attainment of moksha? (8) Yoga and meditation: What does the term ‘yoga’ refer to? Why are there different types of yoga? (compare Hatha, Raja, and Kundalini). What are their purposes? [Be aware that the way the term ‘yoga’ is used in the Bhagavad Gita differs somewhat from the way it is used when referring to one of the above types of yoga.] Why would Patanjali's eight steps in his Yogasutras include ethical precepts? How do these practices work together for the end goal? (9) The Bhagavad Gita: Review the summary of key teachings of the BG. What are the “three ways to liberation” explained in this text? (10) The Caste System: What are the five main social classes found in India? How is this system justified in Hinduism? Does this division of society have parallels with other cultures?
(11) The Stages of Life: Highlight the four stages of life shaped by the ancient upper-caste ideal. How do women and lower castes fit into this schema? (12) The Four Aims (purusartha): What are the four aims/goals according to the Dharmashastras, and how do they relate to stage in life and caste? What are women’s ‘duties’?
2 (13) Devotional Hinduism and Hindu Gods: (a) How is bhakti expressed in the poems/songs of the ‘saints’ both from South India (the Alvars and the Nayanmars) like Appar, and from North India (the bhaktas) like Mirabai? How is bhakti expressed in other Hindu religious literature? (b) What is puja? Who officiates? Where? What are the elements in a puja? (c) Which major gods constitute the Trimurti and what interlinked forces do they represent? (d) What is the avatara concept and how does it relate to the figures of Rama and Krishna? Who is Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita? (e) Describe and analyze some of the features and symbols associated with Shiva. How does he differ from other gods? (What are the symbols associated with Vishnu?) (f) Explain the concept of a female consort of a deity. If there are goddesses in Hinduism, why has women’s religious/social status been lower than men’s?
II. SIKHISM (1) Who is the founder of Sikhism? What are the significant events recorded about his life, especially in the Janam Sakhi literature? (2) What are its most authoritative texts? How is the “holy book” treated in the Sikh tradition? (3) Who are the Sikh gurus and what roles did they play in the formation of Sikh identity and traditions? (4) What is the Khalsa? Who can be a member? How? (5) What are the “five Ks” and their significance? What issues have arisen in Canada around them? (6) How do Sikh teachings bear similarity to or depart from Hindu (and Muslim) ones?
III. BUDDHISM (1) The Life of the Buddha: Outline the Buddha’s life according to the legends. What were the ‘four sights’? What happened under the Bodhi tree? What was the Buddha’s last advice to his disciples? (2) The Basic Teachings of Buddhism: (a) What was the Buddha’s first sermon about? What is meant by the Buddha’s “noble silence” (on metaphysical questions), that is, what kind of questions did the Buddha leave “undeclared” and why? What were the most important questions about existence on which the Buddha concentrated? What facets of Indian Vedic belief and practice did early Buddhist literature reject? And why? (b) The Four Noble Truths: (i) What kind of suffering does the first noble truth refer to? (ii) Describe dimensions of desire found in the Second Noble Truth. (c) What are the Five Precepts? How do ethical teachings relate to the Four Noble Truths?
3 (d) The Three Marks (or conditions) of Reality: What are the “three marks”? How does Buddhism explain the concept of no permanent identity? What is reborn? How does Buddhism explain karma and rebirth without a soul? How do the preceding concepts differ from Hindu understanding? (e) What is nirvana in Buddhism? What does it look like? How is it different from the Hindu concept of moksha? What degree of enlightenment might a layperson hope to attain in this life? (3) Spread of Buddhism: What actions are attributed to King Ashoka that aided the spread of Buddhism? To which areas of the globe was Buddhism spread initially? (4) Theravada Buddhism: Where is Theravada Buddhism found today? How do Theravadins see the goal of the Buddha’s teachings? Who is the ideal? What is the “key virtue” and why? (5) The Pali Canon: What are the Buddhist “scriptures” and what are the topics covered in the “three baskets”? (6) Theravada Art and Architecture: What are the common poses of the Buddha when images of him began to be used? What is a stupa? What is a pagoda? What are their roles in the practice of Buddhism?
(7) Mahayana Buddhism: New Ideals, New Teachings, New Literature (a) Discuss the concept of “skillful means” in Mahayana. Why do Mahayana sects show such a wide variety in attitudes toward uses of art, ritual, and the pursuit of worldly success? How do the teachings in this doctrine differ from Theravada views? (b) What new texts are added to the Buddhist Canon by followers of Mahayana and how is their inclusion and authority explained? (8) The Spread of Mahayana in East Asia (China/Korea/Japan) (a) How and when was Buddhism transmitted to China, Korea and Japan? (b) What Buddhist Mahayana features appealed to the Chinese and why? (Which Buddhist values and practices conflicted with Chinese ideals?) (c) Describe some key beliefs and practices of Pure Land Buddhism. (d) How does the Zen Buddhist experience of satori relate to the practice of zazen, or sitting meditation? (and other Zen training techniques)
IV. RELIGIONS OF CHINA (Japan, Korea) (a) Why is the English word “religion” problematic when applied to the Chinese scene? (b) What are unusual features of the relations between religions in China? (c) Highlight some of the elements of early Chinese belief that provided the basis for later developments in Chinese religions. (d) Who are the supernatural beings in Daoism and Confucianism and what roles do they play in the lives of the Chinese people?
4 CONFUCIANISM (1) The Dao in Confucianism How is the Dao most clearly made manifest according to Confucianism? (2) The Life of Confucius: What are the basic features of Confucius’ life? What is his significance in Chinese history/thought? (3) Living According to Confucian Values
(a) What were Confucius’ central goals in formulating his teachings? Why did Confucius believe that education was so important? (b) Describe the Confucian ideal person or “excellent” human being and how you would recognize one. (related to the main Confucian virtues) (c) What are the Five Basic (or “Great”) Relationships and why are they necessary for a stable society according to Confucianism? Why do so many of them deal with the family? (d) Is Confucianism optimistic or pessimistic about human nature? What are the social implications of this belief? (4) Confucian Literature: What are the texts associated with Confucius? What role or function has the Confucian canon played in Chinese history?
(5) The Development of Confucianism as a Religious System How did Confucianism respond to the Buddhist challenge? (For example, in the Neo-Confucianism movement). Do such changes in worldview and emphasis represent a departure from or a natural extension of early Confucian teachings?
(6) Confucianism and the Arts: Why is calligraphy the premier Confucian art form? Why did Confucius view the arts as a moral and civilizing force, and a force for peace?
DAOISM (The Early Philosophers and Teachings of Daoism, & subsequent developments) (1) Describe the style and focus of the Daodejing. Why does this text begin by saying that the Dao is nameless? What does it mean? (2) Why and how did Zhuangzi use stories to illustrate basic Daoist teachings, such as on the concept of wu wei? (3) Describe some of the concerns and practices of Daoism as it developed (for example, some of the Daoist techniques for extending the life span). How does such an interest in the body and the quest for longevity reflect Daoist worldviews?
