Exam I Review
Introductory Concepts
Religion (in comparison and contrast to Theology)
Religio
Theos
Structuralism
Functionalism
Phenomenalism
Myth/Mythology
Ritual
Sign
Symbol
Vocabulary and Concepts for Hinduism
Advaita Vedanta
Agni
Aryan
Ashrama (Student, Householder, Withdrawal, Renunciation)
Atman
Bhagavad Gita
Bhakti (yoga, movement)
Brahma
Brahman
Caste (Priestly, Warrior/Royal, Skilled, Unskilled)
Churning of the Ocean (creation myth)
Circular Time
Darsan
Hindu
Indra
Indus River Valley Civilizations
Ishtadeva
Jati
Karma
Krishna
Lingam-Yoni
Maya
Natyashastra
Purusartha (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha)
Ramakrishna
Ramayana
Rig-Veda
Sanyasi
Samsara
Shakti
Shankara
Shruti
Shiva
Smriti
Soma
Trimurti
Upanishads
Veda, Vedic
Vishnu
Vivekananda
Yantra
Yoga
Discussion Questions
1. Define and explain the nature of myths, rituals, and symbols. How do they work? How is one a reflection of the others? Give examples.
2. What are the components of the trimurti of Hinduism? What are their functions, both separately and interactively? What does their collective nature express about Hinduism's perception of energy, time and the universe?
3. Define the word darsan and explain how the experience of darsan is central to the Hindu perception of a) creation, b) the sacred/holy image, and c) other human beings.
4. In what ways can Hinduism be described as an ongoing creative tension between "world affirmation" and "world renunciation?" How and why are both present? What examples of this tension can you provide from Hindu thought and practice?
5. Discuss the importance of the fine arts (visual/performing) in popular Hindu devotionalism. What is "Bhakti Yoga" and what role does it play in devotional practice?
Exam II Review
Vocabulary and Concepts for Buddhism: note also the terms listed below in the Chinese Dynasty categories
Amiddha Buddha
Anatta
Anicca
Arhant
Ashoka
Bodhidharma
Bodhisattva
Buddha
Buddha Nature
Chaitya Hall
Chakra (Tibet)
Dalai Lama (Tibet)
Dana
Dependent Origination
Devaraja
Dhammaraja
Dharma
Eightfold Path
Four Noble Truths
Four Passing Sights
Gelugpa Sect (Tibet)
Hinayana
Jataka Stories / Tales
Jao tee (Thai Buddhism)
Kahtin (Thai Buddhism)
Karma
Lotus Sutra***
Mahayana
Mandala (Tibet)
Mantra (Tibet)
Middle Way
Mudra
Nirvana
Non-Duality/Duality
Sangha
Samsara
Siddhartha Gautama
Sila
Stupa
Sutra
Sutra in Forty-Two Sections
Tahm boon (Thai Buddhism)
Tantra / Tantric (Tibet)
Theravada
Three Jewels
Tipitaka
Vajrayana (Tibet)
Yantra
Mahayana Buddhism in India / China:
Han Dynasty (206-BCE-220 CE)
Silk Road Trade (Han Dynasty)
Chinese reactions to Buddhism (Confucian, Daoist)
Aniconic / iconic Images of the Buddha (covered in Indian Buddhism)
Six Dynasties Period (220-589 CE)***
Buddhism in Northern China***
Buddhism in Southern China***
Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE)
Tientai Buddhism (progressive, harmonized teachings)***
Huayan Buddhism (essential unity of all things)***
Pure Land Buddhism (Amiddha, Guan Yin)
Chan Buddhism (Bodhidharma, Kung-an / Koan)
Ox-Taming (Herding) Pictures
The Great Persecution of Buddhism 842-45 CE
Sung Dynasty (907-1279 CE)***
Landscape painting- religious content and teachings
Discussion Questions (this pool may be added to or otherwise revised-- check back!)
1. Compare and contrast the Mahayana and the Theravada traditions of Buddhism. Provide-- and explain-- at least three examples of characteristics that distinguish one from the other. When and why did the division occur?
2. Explain the Buddhist doctrine of anatta. How does this doctrine contrast with Hindu belief and practice? In our text (The Buddhist Tradition), in what two ways does the monk Nagasena explain this concept to King Menander?
3. Explain the various levels upon which one may understand the "First Noble Truth," i.e., that life is "suffering." What does suffering entail? How is even happiness a form of suffering?
4. Explain the circumstances and conditions that led to Buddhism's introduction into China. How was Buddhism received? What issues and challenges did Buddhist teachings face in China that were different from their Indian origins? What made Buddhism's introduction into Chinese culture (and many others) a success?