Exam I Review
Introductory Concepts
Religion (in comparison and contrast to Theology)
Religio
Theos
Monotheism
Pantheism
Polytheism
Anthropomorphism
Structuralism
Functionalism
Phenomenalism
Aetiology (Etiology)
Teleology
Myth/Mythology
Ritual
Sign
Symbol
The "Protestant Bias" in scriptural scholarship
Bibliolatry
Bibliomancy
Canon
"Sitz Im Leben"
The three-stage development of scriptural scholarship
Primary uses of scriptural texts
Advantages and disadvantages of scriptural texts
Vocabulary and Concepts for Hinduism
Advaita Vedanta
Agni
Aryan
Artha
Ashrama
Atman
Bhagavad Gita
Bhakti
Brahma
Brahman
Brahmanas
Brahmin
Caste
Circular Time
Darsan
Dharma
Hindu
Indra
Indus River Valley Civilizations
Jati
Jnana
Kama
Karma
Kshatriya
Manu, Law of Manu
Maya
Moksha
Puja
Purusartha
Raja
Rig-Veda
Sanyasi
Samsara
Shahkti
Shruti
Shudra
Shiva
Smriti
Trimurti
Upanishads
Vaishya
Varna
Veda, Vedic
Vishnu
Yoga
Discussion Questions (this pool may be added to or otherwise revised-- check back!)
1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of reliance on scriptural texts in the study of Western religions? Is textuality in itself a good or a bad thing? Why?
2. What is meant by the "Protestant Bias" in the history and development of religious scholarship? Beyond simply defining the term, explain its effect upon the traditional Western approach to the study of world religions and their texts (or lack thereof).
3.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?
4. 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.
5. Define and explain the nature of a) caste and b) karma. How are they related to one another? What are the ethical and/or moral implications of this relationship for the Hindu? For a Westerner-- an American, for example?
6. 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?
Exam II Review
Amiddha Buddha
Anatta
Anicca
Arhant
Bodhisattva
Buddha
Buddha Nature
Dependent Origination
Dana
Dharma
Dukkha
Eightfold Path
Four Noble Truths
Four Passing Sights
Karma
Magga
Mahayana
Mara
Middle Way
Nirodha
Nirvana
Non-Duality/Duality
Sangha
Samsara
Samudaya
Siddhartha Gautama
Sutra
Tanha
Theravada (Hinayana)
Three Jewels
Three Marks of Existence (Anatta, Anicca, Dukkha)
Tipitaka
Vajrayana
Mahayana Buddhism in China:
Han Dynasty (206-BCE-220 CE)
The Sutra in Forty-Two Sections
Silk Road Trade (Han Dynasty)
Chinese reactions to Buddhism (Confucian, Daoist)
Earliest Corporeal Images of the Buddha
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)
Ox-Taming Pictures
The Great Persecution of 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 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?
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?