UniquenessBuddhism is different from Hinduism in several ways:Buddhists do not believe in a soul; principle called anatmanBuddhists do not really follow the VedasBuddha himself was silent regarding concepts like the “self”Buddhists do not follow social castesBuddhists do not accept Hindu godsBasic principlesBuddha rejected the pantheon of Hindu gods; didn’t believe they were immortalBasically, concepts like “soul” and “god” were invented to protect our permanenceSystem of karma and samsara not the same eitherYet like Hindus, Buddhists acknowledge that there is suffering in the worldBuddhism is very complex and can verySamsaraIgnorance keeps one in the cycle of rebirthDesire, aversion, delusion also keeps the cycle goingYour new life is merely conditioned by your old oneLast thought of a dying person conditions the first thought of the new born babyLife force is always in fluxLife is always changingSuffering (dukkha) exists: all elements in nature involving suffering, but doesn’t mean one shouldn’t be miserable; be joyousThree kinds of suffering: natural pain, produced by change, conditional reality of existenceThirst or craving for suffering: this is ignorance of the real nature of things; we see things as permanent; they are notCessation of suffering: existence in ignorance= sufferingNirvana means “extinction”; it is freedom from; it is beyond reasoning; it is perspective, not a stateNoble eightfold pathRight understandingRight thoughtRight speechRight conductRight livelihoodRight effortRight contemplation or mindfulnessRight concentrationNirvana:Simple negation, like freedomFreedom from the cycle of rebirth: passionate attachment to reality and person and things, anger, ignoranceFreedom to act and be realMohayana Buddhism:Arose in south india, spread through central asiaPopularized the original teachings of BuddhaEnvisioned salvation/ nirvana for allWorship and exaltation of the Bodhisattva( a super being who has rid himself of all personal desires, but is waiting for all to be saved), one step below EnlDon’t have to be a monk to be a good BuddhistsBuddhaHeavenly bodyEarthly bodyAbsolute essence of universeTwo key concepts:Non-reality of objects: people began to see that external material things are bogusGreat personal compassion- social caste gone, love on another is central message of Buddha, Buddha wants you to attain NirvanaTantric Buddhism:Final phase of indian BuddhismPhilosophy based upon Upanishads, focus on tantrasEmphasizes meditation through visualization3 m’sMandala: represent the entire universeGoal is to visualize into a divine imageMudras: symbolic hand gestures, invoke spiritsMantras: chanting formulas used to help focus and bring prosperityOm is key syllableZen was the first form of Buddhism to gain large followings in north AmericaZen Buddhism: meditationMecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are holy cities for Muslims; why Jerusalem?On eve of judgment, Jerusalem will be place of refuge against the Anti-ChristThe Messiah will triumph there over evilMuhammad’s “night of Ascension”Muhammad is criticized along two lines:He was a war mongerHe was morally corruptThe QuranOnly with the Quran will Arabic be cementedThe Quran is the book of GodBut what about the other scripturesQuran as correctionThe Quran means “recitation” it is every Muslims duty to “recite” and learn it, it is an expression of pietyIt is about 80% the size of the new testament, with 114 chapters, or surasIt was received to Muhammad over 22 years, but is it a new text?Who wrote the Quran?The Quran is a scriptureGod is merciful and just (we’ve seen this before) Tawheed is the unity of AllahAllah G=guides us in three ways: through Muhammad, the Angels, and QuranAbsolute monotheism hereQuran is final revelation from God; it is unchangeableQuran on Scripture“the people of the book are a community in obedience.. they believe in Allah and the last day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and vie with one another for good works. They are of the righteous” (3:113-115)if someone kills another person.. it is as if he had murdered all mankind” (5:32)What are the major teachings of the Quran?No modern biblical criticism here, it is the eternal, literal word of GodAt the center is God, or Allah; more than 2500 mentiondGod is transcendent, all powerfulThe Quranic UniverseThree realms: heaven, earth, hellInhabitants of the world include angels, jinn’s, and humansJinn’s- made of smokeless fire. Invisible good or bad entities (word “genies”)Angels are he link between God and Humans, communicate divine revelationsFinally, human beings share a special relationship to GodGod breathed his/her spirit into him (15:29)Jinn (Satan, or Iblis)refused to bow before Adam; hence, expulsion and fall from heavenHumans are to implement Gods will.No original sin in the Quran, sin is not inherentSin for Muslims= disobedienceHumans created good, but are just limited creatures; death= result of mortal human condition, not sinFirst you sin, then comes repentance, then comes Gods forgivenessThe worst of sins involves ones relationship with GodShirk- idolatry; worshipping other Gods. Considered by some to be the one unforgivable sine, but the Quran seems to allow for leniencyRELG 102 1st EditionExam # 6 Study Guide Lecture: 18-21Lecture 18 (April 10) Uniqueness- Buddhism is different from Hinduism in several ways:o Buddhists do not believe in a soul; principle called anatmano Buddhists do not really follow the Vedaso Buddha himself was silent regarding concepts like the “self”o Buddhists do not follow social casteso Buddhists do not accept Hindu gods Basic principles- Buddha rejected the pantheon of Hindu gods; didn’t believe they were immortal- Basically, concepts like “soul” and “god” were invented to protect our permanence- System of karma and samsara not the same either- Yet like Hindus, Buddhists acknowledge that there is suffering in the world- Buddhism is very complex and can verySamsara- Ignorance keeps one in the cycle of rebirth- Desire, aversion, delusion also keeps the cycle going- Your new life is merely conditioned by your old one- Last thought of a dying person conditions the first thought of the new born baby- Life force is always in fluxo Life is always changingLecture 20 (April 22) o Suffering (dukkha) exists: all elements in nature involving suffering, but doesn’tmean one shouldn’t be miserable; be joyous