Konrad A. Czynski, Ph.D.

Philosophy Department

Review Pages

 

11/25/17 - Rev-Pp for Judaism, Christianity, Islam & Sikhism. Exam-format to be designed - similar to previous exams: 3 Matching Columns + one in-class Essay on the Five Pillars of Islam + a 1-page typed Objective/Subjective Essay based on the Senator Joe Lieberman handout - Course-Evaluations at the exam

 

JUDAISM - upper124: title & subtitle = the Shema-prayer: "Hear, ..." - Intro-par: "Judaism began ... destroyed.": Elohim = a "name" for God  - Torah = "guidance & instruction" = 1st 5 Books of the Bible = the Tanach/TaNaKh - the "T(a)" stands for the Torah, N = Nebi'im, K = Ketubim

-- 124b: "God & His People": "During the ... negative.": YHWH (Yahweh) as too holy, so HaShem & Elohim & Adonai are used - the Shema = prayer-proclamation - Torah = guidance through law/commandments

-- bottom124a: on the "Passover Meal" = the seder celebrates the Exodus = divine rescue of Israelites from slavery in Egypt led by Moses

-- top126: Intro-par: Abraham & God's promise to him = covenant + on "Abraham's Travels": A. = the first Jew because of his "Obedience to God" = top127 + on "The Covenant" = God's promise of a destined land

-- top128: Intro-par on "The Laws of God": meaning of Torah + on Moses & the Ark of the Covenant + illustration&caption "Moses on Mount Sinai" + 129right" caption on "The Ten Commandments" = "tablets of stone"

-- 131right: on "Jerusalem and the Temple" + photo of the Western/Wailing Wall& caption: on the Temple in J'lem destroyed by the Romans in 70CE - to be rebuilt at the apocalyptic Messiah's coming

-- top132: Intro-par on "Jewish Worship" - prayer-service, not temple-sacrifice  - the Shema - the synagogue +  133right: worship & Torah-reverence

-- top134: Intro-par on "Studying the Torah" + central illustration&caption on "The Scrolls of the Torah": on Hebrew & reading and writing the scroll + photos on 135: "Raising the Scrolls" & the Yad & young men Torah-studying

-- top140: Intro-par on "Festivals" esp. the Sabbath - Passover - Yom Kippur & on "The Festival of Unleavened Bread"

-- 141-box: on Shabbat/Sabbath, Pesach/Passover, Yom Kippur

-- mid144left: image&caption on "The Temple" + bottom145: photo&caption "Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem" at the Western Wall, remnant of 70CE

-- 146-47: on "The Holocaust": Intro-par + on Marc Chagall's painting "The W C" + photos on "The Final Solution": history & symbolism

 

CHRISTIANITY: -- top150: Intro-par: "Christianity began  in ... Messiah.": Jesus (the) Christ/Messiah = the Anointed/Chosen One as fulfillment of the "Old Covenant" of the Torah + upper150: 1st par.: "God's power in ... forgiveness ... both God and man."

-- mid150right-top151left: on "Jesus' Teaching": "The Teaching ... world's population.": two commandments = love God & neighbor - the "good news" = gospel of salvation "from sin and death" (selfless love = agape in Greek)

-- top152: Intro-par on the "Incarnation" of God as the historical Jesus of Nazareth: "The Incarnation, from ... judge them.": Christians believe Jesus was "truly God and truly human" + xerox-handout on Nicene Creed

-- bottom153right: on "The Role of Mary" = the human virgin-mother of Jesus, to whom Christians pray for her compassion & intercession - Gabriel = God's angelic messenger: "This window ... our death."

-- top154: Intro-par on "The Life of Christ": " ...the Gospels ... wandering teacher ... (Matthew 7:12).": preached through parables, performed miracles, taught love of God & neighbor + READ "Caring for Outcasts"

-- top155right: on "The Gospels" = the 4 narratives of Jesus' birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension accord. to  Mt, Mk, Lk & Jn

-- top156: Intro-par on "The Last Supper": "The Last Supper ... Memorial Meal.": for Christians a commemorative, celebratory, ritual remembrance through "re-enactment" of Jesus' symbolic/sacramental meal of bread and wine with his 12 disciples/apostles

-- top158: Intro-par on "The Crucifixion": "Jesus was ... his execution." - Roman punishment under the authority of the Procurator, Pontius Pilatus + "The Crucifixion as Atonement" = re-union with God & death defeated + mid160left: on "Jesus Rises from the Dead" = the Resurrection + top160: Intro-par on "The Resurrection" celebrated at Easter

-- top162 from Intro-par: "All Christians ... known only to God ... Martyrs are ... their faith."." = on saintliness + top163right: Pastor D. Bonhoeffer

-- lower169: "Veneration of an Icon" & "Mount Athos"

-- top170: Intro-par on "The Reformation" of the early 1500s: "The Church ..., and salvation.": reform = to self-correct & be more faithful + bottom170: illustration of the "Fathers of the Reformation" esp. M. Luther & J. Calvin

 

ISLAM - top176: Intro-par on Islam: monotheistic affirmation of the One God to whom humans should be obedient - God sent prophets/messengers to guide/reprimand disobedient humanity, Muhammad being the last such person: "Human rebellion ... din [= moral-religious way of life]."

-- bottom176a-top176b: "Islam is often ... means 'entering into ... peace ... with God ... to him.'" Islam = doing God's will blesses the doer with spiritual peace

-- mid-bottom176b: Muhammad received God's call to "Recite!" God's revelations through the angel Gabriel/Jibril in a cave on Mt. Hira at Mecca in 610 CE when he was 40 years old. These revelatory recitations came to him for the next 22 years & were collected as the QUR'AN. "God has sent ... sent the Qur'an ... the last messenger, ... God's will." + top177a: Allah = the one who is the only God as affirmed in the Shahadah = the First Pillar of  Islam: "There is no god but GOD, and Muhammad is the messenger [= rasul] of GOD."

--  top178: Intro-par: "In Arabic 'Allah' means ... daily prayer (see p.186).": this reiterates the above, emphasizing Islam's affirmation of the One God, Creator and Judge, as more present in one's life than one realizes = "He is closer [to you] than the vein [pulsing life's blood] in your neck."

-- mid178: "The Declaration of Faith" = the First Pillar - meaning of Allah = al and ilah combined = "The [one and only] God"

-- lower178left: on the mihrab of the Great Mosque in Cordoba, Spain: empty but decorative alcove indicating the direction-of-prayer - qibla - for worshippers facing towards Mecca + photo&caption

--  top180: Intro-par on the life of Muhammad, b. 570, d. 632 - 610 CE = year of 1st revelatory vision-experience - Gabriel - the message of The One God to the polytheistic Meccans/Arabs to reject idol-worship

-- 180-81: on Muhammad's mystical/miraculous night-journey from Mecca to Jerusalem (= the Isra) & then his ascent to God's presence (= the Mir'aj): "Accompanied by Angels" + "The Night Journey" + "Mohammed [Muhammad] Ascends": God tells him to require prayer 5 times daily

-- bottom181: "Earlier Messengers" = Old Testament/Hebrew figures such as Moses/Musa & Abraham/Ibrahim, and NT figures such as Jesus/Isa, all revered as exemplary human prophet-messengers of The One God - READ in "The Buraq" that M. led A. & M. & J. in prayer in Jerusalem + xerox-handout extract: "We [= God speaking in the "royal We" = plural singular] have sent ... you [= Jews, Christians, Muslims] differed about."

-- 182left: Intro-par on the Qur'an = Islam's holy scripture = revealed Word of God "recited" by Muhammad to others as of 610 CE + "Recitation of God's Word" + caption on  "The Qur'an" with large illustration + caption "Eternal Utterance from God"

-- bottom184left: on "the Covenant" + top184: Intro-par: "The word jihad ... in oneself." = the greater jihad is overcoming sinful impulses/tendencies of moral & other weaknesses in oneself so as to strive in the way/path of God = to make the effort to act by God's will, not one's own + bottom188: lesser & greater jihad: "All able-bodied ... in oneself."

-- upper186: Intro-par on "The Five Pillars of Islam": What are they? And why Mecca?  = top187: the Ka'ba: photo&caption

-- 186-87: on the "Sacred Black Stone" + "The Sacred Mosque in Mecca" + "The Place of Abraham"

-- top194: Intro-par on "The Mosque" as place of worship & prayer + "Facing Mecca" + "Room for Prayer"

 

SIKHISM: top84: Intro-par. on the Sikh religion as "Devotion to the Guru": guru = teacher - meaning of sikh - on founder Guru Nanak (d. 1539, age 70) & Guru Gobind Singh & the ADI GRANTH = the GURU GRANTH SAHIB (Teacher-Book-Revered) = sacred scripture of the Sikh religion centered on The One God as the "True Teacher" = Sat Guru + bottom89: caption on "The GGS"

-- top86: intro-par. on the Life of Guru Nanak - his miraculous encounter with the Divine - command & obedience - dispossession & wandering guru + mid88caption: on GN: from Hindu heritage to journeying & teaching

-- top90: intro-par. on the Guru Granth Sahib/Adi Granth = the holy book of God's teachings through the words of gurus&saints - Guru Gobind Singh (= 10th guru) declared the GGS scripture to be the only GURU after his death (1708), thus the sacred text replaced human gurus + lower91: on the Adi Granth and the GGS + photos

top92: photo&caption + intro-par on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India - on the langar = the communal meal free & open to all faiths, offered in the temple/gurdwara instituted by Guru Nanak symbolizing equality of all before The One God - everyone sits on the floor - the GT is the holiest pilgrimage-site for Sikhs

*** EXAM for the 10:30 section - THURS 12/7 @ 11:30 AM

*** EXAM for the 1:30 section - WED 12/13 @ 11:30 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART I: BUDDHISM - 68 pts.

A) Your TYPED Objective/Subjective 1-page Essay @ 50 pts.

- OBJ. Part: @ 30 pts. - Explain "The Four Noble Truths" with the 4th being "The Eightfold Path" by clearly presenting the essentials. Use the helpful handouts.

- SUBJ. Part @ 20 pts. - Present your own reflections on how the Buddha's teachings - the Truths and the Path - might be relevant/meaningful to your/our everyday life/lives in the 21st century.

B) Matching Columns: 6 pairs of names/key terms @ 3 pts. = 18 pts.

PART II: CHINESE RELIGIONS - 3 Short-answer Questions with responses in complete sentences: 2 pts. + 7 pts. + 7 pts. = 16 pts.

PART III: JAPANESE RELIGIONS - 16 pts.

A) Matching Columns: 6 pairs of names/key terms @ 2 pts.= 12 pts.

B) 1 Short-answer Question with response in complete sentences @ 4 pts.

 

BUDDHISM: I have selected from the already handed-out, longer RevPp for our Exam, so no need to retype all the Buddhism RevPp here - I'll just indicate the selected pages:

- 60a-b + 61c: general themes + top62 on SG + top74: Intro-par & box + bottom75c & lower-mid76 on "Kuan [pron. Guan] Shih Yin"

CHINESE RELIGIONS - ONLY these pp:  top98: Intro-paragraph - China's plurality of religious traditions: C & T & B & Folk Religions + bottom-right103 on the virtue of "filial piety" & ancestor reverence

- top & upper100: K'ung-fu Tzu/Confucius's socio-ethical "Silver Rule" based on "Heaven's Will" for humanity's benefit

- top108: Intro-par on Taoism (pron. Daoism): on the WAY that is "the unchanging [eternal] principle behind [underlying/sustaining the patterns/rhythms of] the universe" - the goal: to be in harmony with the DAO, as exemplified by Master Chuang's experiences and reflections thereon, from whose autobiographical account I read in class

JAPANESE RELIGIONS - ONLY these pp: upper-mid110: "The main sources  of ... Shinto ... 'the way [= the Chinese character DAO] of the kami' ... shrines or jinja."

- mid110: illustr. of the uniquely Japanese shrine-gateway

- 111bottom-right: on matsuri = "worship" + 116a: Intro-par. on matsuri's rich array of spiritual meanings + "Translating the Will of the Kami" + the caption with illustr. "A Shinto Shrine" - we "visited" the Ise jingu Shinto shrine in class + top118: '... Shrine Shinto ... values." + top119: photo&caption: "A Buddhist Pilgrimage" on Shikoku where we "journeyed" in class following in Kukai/Ko-bo Dai-shi's footsteps

- top113: boxed illustr. & caption on Mt. Fuji & associated female deity

- bottom120 + mid121: on the Buddhist saint-figure/bodhisattva named Kannon-sama (fully Kanzeon bosatsu) - "Chapter 25: Kannon-kyo sutra" + "... Savior ..." + "Kannon" + "Praying for Help"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUDDHISM: top60: Intro-paragraph: on Siddhartha Gautama & his teaching/message - he became "the Buddha" = the Enlightened/Awakened One

- 60a: on SG's life - the 4 Sights/Signs & his decision to become a wandering ascetic/seeker (= sadhu) at age 29 - attained Enlightenment/nirvana (=the inner peace of sublime wisdom, ...) around the age of 35 after having practiced bodily austerities of extreme self-denial - his attainment happened in meditation at Bodh Gaya, seated beneath a pipal/fig/bodhi tree

- 60b: on the Four Noble Truths - SEE the handout: these acknowledge 1) that in Life we encounter sorrows/suffering/grief/pains = "trials and tribulations," 2) that selfishdesire/craving/covetousness is the principal cause of Life's heart-burdened distresses, 3) that this moral/psychological cause can be uprooted from our "heart of darkness" (= egoism/self-centeredness = "no voice of conscience") so as to end Life's painfulness - but how? = 4) that we follow the Noble Eightfold Path of W & M & M - SEE the handout. This dharma the Buddha taught his disciples who affirmed the Three Jewels: "I take refuge in the B, in his teaching/dharma, and in the Buddhist community/sangha." - top61b & lower68: on the "Wheel of Dharma" & "Triple Jewel" & "The Buddha and his Four Disciples"

- 61c: image & caption on the Buddhist "saints"/bodhisattvas = "wisdom-beings"/Buddhas-to-be: "those who ... nirvana but ... helping ... suffering." + below: 74-75 on bodhisattvas

- top62: Intro-paragraph on the life of SG from birth to death at 80 after 40+ years as a wandering teacher/guru

- top68: Intro-par. on Devotion = expressions of piety to other Buddhas & bodhisattvas + "Auspicious Actions": deeds of meritorious karma

- 69: symbolism of the Lotus Blossom & Lotus & the Buddha's Footprints

- top74: Intro-paragraph on "Celestial Beings" + box on "The Bodhisattvas" + bottom-right75: on Avalokiteshvara as the "saint" of compassion

CHINESE RELIGIONS: 98-99: in general on Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Folk Religions: Confucius, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Kuan Yin, Ch'an

- top&upper100: on Confucianism & "The Teachings of Confucius" - a "social, ethical reformer" + bottom-right103: reverence for ancestors

- top&upper102: on the Heavenly Mandate = the Command/Will of Heaven dictates how rulers must act for the benefit of the people by not neglecting their "Ritual Duties"

- upper106: Intro-paragraph on "Religious Taoism": the Tao Te Ching "The Scripture of the Way and its Power" - the Chuang Tzu = Master Chuang's book + top108: Intro-par. on Lao Tzu & the TTC & image

- JAPANESE RELIGIONS:upper110: on SHINTO = "The Way of the Kami" = to be in harmony with the divine aspects of Nature that is regarded as the sacred realm of kami/deities/spirits who are manifest in myriad forms - ancestral spirits are traditionally venerated

- 110a-b: on the kami according to M N (who lived about 225 years ago): "... In principle, humans, birds, animals, trees, plants, mountains, oceans, can all be kami. ..." - traditional belief in the kami express gratitude for Life's blessings

- mid110: kami are worshipped at Shinto shrines, whose entrance-gate is called a torii + 116-17: text & illustr. + bottom118

- mid-bottom111c: traditional rituals/ceremonies performed by Shinto priests & nuns at shrines (jinja) AND, in homes, altars for ancestral spirits = kamidana & for Buddhist figures = butsudan - Shinto is the national/familial Way of ritual worship (matsuri) of the kami - "... goodness to shine ..."

- top112: Intro-paragraph: "SHINTO has no ... the home."

- top113a: on "Mountain Deities": "In Japan, ... Of individual deities ... in her left.": on Sengen-Sama, divine spirit of Mt. Fuji

- top114: Intro-paragraph: "Japanese religion ... teaching.": for ex., praying to the Buddhist saint/bodhisattva named Jizo and making an offering at a Buddhist temple, then receiving an ema with a prayer-request written on it + upper115: Jizo protects children & travelers and "removes misfortune" bringing inner peace to those who have lost a child - image: 118

- upper118: "Shrine Shinto ... values." + top119: photo "A Buddhist Pilgrimage"

- bottom120 + mid121: on the bodhisattva Kannon (= Avalokiteshvara = Kuan-yin): Buddhist saint who looks upon this world, listening to - and blessing - those who invoke her with their pleas & lamentations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first knowledge-sharing "Exam" will be in 3 PARTS = 100 points: PARTS I & III will be done in class - NO book/notes - paper provided

PART I: HINDUISM Matching Columns: 12 pairs (@ 3pts. = 36 pts.) of names & terms to be matched with descriptive/explanatory phrases - you write a name/term's number on a blank next to the correct phrase - the 12 pairs will derive from the following:

- mid20b: on the Hindu "Trinity" = trimurti of deities: B & V & S

- lower20b: samsara: cycle of rebirths = innumerable lifetimes; moksha: liberation of the soul from the cycle to attain "union with God [Brahman] forever" (mid21b) + top38: on moksha

- bottom20b: karma: our deeds/actions with accountable consequences, ideally to be performed with a divinely-ordained moral imperative in mind = dharma/duty (mid21a)

- mid21b: avatara: "descent" into this world by a divine manifestation such as Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna

- lower21b: puja: ritual worship at home or temple + top35b

- 28a: on the goddess Lakshmi + mid40a: she is honored & celebrated at Diwali - "Festival of Lights"

- top31a: on the god Ganesh

- top32: Bhagavad Gita /"Song of the Lord" Krishna who counsels Arjuna + Ms. Singh's testimony: photocopy + http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2008/08/22/august-22-2008-janmashtami/25/

- top37: Varanasi: pilgrimage-city on the Ganges/Ganga river - Lord Shiva's "City of Light"/Kashi

- top40: on the joyful, exuberant spring festival Holi

- mid42a: the Anjali symbolic hand-gesture (a mudra) to greet someone saying "Namaste" = "I bow ..."

PART II: Your TYPED ESSAY @ 40 pts. Bring to class on exam-day a 1-page double-spaced Objective/Subjective Reader/Viewer's Reflection-Response Essay in which you 1) PRESENT in a summary way - with brief quotations & in your own words - WHAT Ms. Nidhi Singh tells us about her religious faith as she endeavors to live her faith-practice inspired by Lord Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, and then 2) EXPLAIN/ELUCIDATE your own thoughts about her testimony of Hindu faith. And I make no judgment - all your thoughts/reflections are created equal.

PART III: JAINISM 24 pts: 2 fill-in-the-blanks with sentences @ 2 pts. = 4 pts.   + 1 mini-essay @ 15 pts. explaining the 5 "Great Vows"  +  1 paragraph @ 5 pts. explaining the "festival of atonement"

- top46: on the JAIN religion - the Jinas = the tirthankaras

- mid46b: on the 5 "Great Vows"

- mid47a-mid47b: on the "festival of atonement"/Paryusana-parva + the last page of the RevPp photocopied from M. P. Fisher's book on World Religions

- top50: on the 24th tirthankara named Mahavira, historical "founder"/renewer, in the current Age, of the Jain religious/spiritual/moral path to moksha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HINDUISM: mid20b: the "trinity" of deities/gods = Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva = trimurti = three forms/manifestations of the Transcendent Divine called BRAHMAN in the Upanishads

- lower20b: atman = the eternal soul/spirit within human nature that is reborn/reincarnated innumerable times in a cycle of rebirths called samsara, from which the soul seeks ultimately to be liberated from its earthly/bodilyexistence to attain moksha

- bottom20b: karma = our deeds/actions with accountable consequences keeping our atman in the samsara cycle of lives until liberation/moksha union with Brahman

- top-mid21a: many religious paths/practices lead to moksha - all demand "individual holiness" = self-discipline/purification through non-attachment to worldly pleasures/rewards = performing dharma = "appropriate [moral/pious] behavior" following the Divine Will, as Lord Krishna counsels Arjuna, NOT following one's ego, as Ms. Nidhi Singh testifies - HANDOUT

- mid21b: moksha = release/salvation is attained when "you are detached from all feeling [= of possessiveness] tying you to the world," which is not our soul's destiny-realm, but, rather, to be with/in Brahman: "moksha is union [of the atman] with God [= Brahman] forever" = beyond Time&Space

- mid21b: persons, as devotees, can choose to be especially devoted to/pious toward gods/goddesses as avataras/incarnations/manifestations of The DIVINE as male/deva or female/devi: so, Vishnu & Krishna (bottom21); Lakshmi & Saraswati (27b)

- lower21b: puja: ritual worship, at home or in a temple, with sacred images (statues, pictures) to focus upon when chanting prayers/mantras & for placing offerings: see top35 with photo: "Worshipping at Home"

- 22-23: on the Trinity = Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva - the 3 illust&captions on Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, Shiva the Destroyer ("Destructor of Evil" - Nidhi S.) + Vishnu's quotation: "Only the unlearned [= unenlightened] deem ... triune [= 3-in-1] Self ... creatures."

- top24 + bottom25: Shiva is a complex deity with many attributes & roles such as Nataraja/"Cosmic Dance-Lord" dancing the world's end before its next re-creation by Brahma - statue-illust: "Dance of Death"

- bottom25b: on the goddess Parvati, mother of the god Ganesh + top26: on "The Mother Goddess ... number of goddesses." + 27b: on goddesses Lakshmi & Saraswati + SEE handout of Prof. Muesse's lecture + mid28a: on "The Goddess Lakshmi, Consort of Vishnu ... Mother of the World." + 37b: on Lakshmi

- top31a: on the god "Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles ... Lord of Learning." + illustration + bottom31a on Lord Ganesh: "Statues of ... to him.": he blesses the beginnings of activities + bottom37: "Shrine to Ganesh"

- top32: "Devotional cults [= ritual worship by devotees of deities] ... Bhagavad Gita ... revered ... Hindu faith." - as Ms. Nidhi Singh testifies in HANDOUT

- top34a: photo-illust of a Brahmin priest & caption: the priest performs puja as an intermediary between devotees and god or goddess

- top35b: on puja at home: "Most Hindus ... offerings ... prayers ... lamp and incense ... favorable." + photo-illust

- top36: on Pilgrimages: "People go ... tirthas, or fords, safe crossing ... Varanasi ... The ford ... from samsara to moksha ... northern India." + photo-illust of the Hindu pilgrim at the river Ganges/Mother Ganga + top37: photo-illust + on "Varanasi, City of Light ... Kashi ... they die." + bottom36: on "Ganga, the River Goddess" + bottom36-37: "Ashes ..." & "Funeral ..."

- top38: on Paths/"Routes to Moksha ... release from ... samsara ... karma, the way of [egoless/selfless] action ... to take up ... dharma (see p.20)."

- 38a: photo-illust & caption: "Roles in ... student, or brahmacharya [= to act with God in mind] ... enlightenment."

- 38b: illust&caption: "Sadhus under a Tree" + top-mid39b: photo: "The Mark of Shiva" - in box: "The Life of a Sadhu" = ascetic, pious, mendicant/wandering "holy man"

- top40: "Hindu festivals, which ... Holi, Diwali, ... Holi, originally ... each other." + bottom40: "The Red Powder ..." & "Spring Flowers" + top41: "The Prince joins in"

- mid40: ONLY on Diwali: photo+caption: "Diwali celebrates [the god] Rama's ... inviting Lakshmi ... mid-November."

- mid41b: on "Janmashtami: The birthday ..." - this year: August 14, 2017 + Ms. Nidhi Singh in HANDOUT

- mid42: on symbolic hand-gestures = mudras: ONLY Anjali = means "I bow ... you." = greeting a person you fold your hands together saying "Namaste."

- upper42: on the "Sri [= Holy/Divine] Yantra" = cosmic design + illust+caption: symbolizes the importance of Shakti = divine goddess-power, as Prof. Muesse explains in the HANDOUT

JAINISM: top46: In India (2011 census) only 4 and a 1/2 million JAINS follow the spiritual, ascetic, ethical teachings of the revered JINAS who conquered/overcame/purified the unworthy karma in their soul's life-journeys leading to moksha, the eternal state of a siddha, a liberated soul/jiva - illust+caption on 49b

- 46b: the 5 Great Vows = guiding moral principles: ahimsa - non-violence; satya - truthfulness; brahmacharya - with God in mind being celibate until marriage (such as a student); asteya - non-stealing; aparigraha - non-avarice = not being obsessed with possessions/status, thus to exercise self-restraint, and being vegetarian & having a socially beneficial career/occupation

- mid47a-upper47b: "Concerning public ... with none.'" + HANDOUT on the religious 8-10 day "Festival of Atonement" - READ the daily meditation-prayer in mid47b: "It begins by forgiving ... 'Friendship ... forever.'"

- top50: on the 24th teacher - titled tirthankara - named Mahavira (= "Great Hero/Man") who taught how to lead souls to moksha by fording across the ocean/river of the rebirth-cycle/samsara: "In Jain thought, time is ... contemporary of the Buddha ... renounced the world at age 30 ... liberated soul." + lower50a: on "Newborn Mahavira ... distress them."

- top53b: photo+caption on "Lord Bahubali": + top57: photo+caption "At the Feet ..." - IN CLASS we watched this in M. Wood's docu-film-clip

- top54: "ASCETICISM   Although the vast ... renunciation five 'Great Vows' ... vegetarians ... nonviolence [= ahimsa]."

- 54a: photo+caption of Jain "Shvetambara Nuns on Pilgrimage ... mouth-guards ... attain it."

- mid-top56: "Usually Jain temples ... inner sanctuary ... Worship can ... darshan, ... puja ... emulate them."

- 56a: on "Ambika, the Mother Goddess": photo+caption: "For help ... tirthankara."

- top57b: in box - text+photo "Worship at Home"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RevPp for the HINDUISM chapter: 125: look at the Image and read the Caption on the divine Lord Shiva

- 127: India as a holy land: read on "Hindu Sacred Sites" = holy places for worship, pilgrimage = "a multitude ... from temples to roadside shrines" to ancient cities like Varanasi on the holy river the Ganges/"Mother Ganga" (Ganga Mata) + upper147: "Holy Rivers   The Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna, ... and dying." + Image&Caption + 146 "Holy Towns" + upper-mid146: "A Land of Holiness ... held sacred."

- mid128-mid129: "Is Hinduism a ... spiritual paths to ... religious domain ... dharma and moksha ... cycle of life and death that every soul [atman] ... state of bliss [joy/beatitude - ananda]."  +  lower129: Image&Caption: temple to the divine Lord Vishnu, the Preserver/Sustainer of all + Image&Caption: 160

- upper131: on the VEDAS: "In India, ... sacred poems ... box, below)." + in the box, the Image &Caption: The Vedas = ancient hymns of prayer & worship to gods like Varuna in the Rig Veda (I read a few verses in class) in the Sanskrit language + mid159b: Image&Caption: brahmin-caste priests chanting Vedas

- sidebar132: on ahimsa & Gandhi + mid160-161: "Mahatma ... practice."

- mid132: "Most of the later ... dharma ... Bhagavad Gita ...to one God ... Krishna or Vishnu ... two millennia.": meanings of dharma - pious devotion to a devotee's "favorite" god/goddess, such as Sarasvati or Lakshmi, both honored during Navaratri/"Nine Nights": see the box - lower153: "The festival ...honored." + Image&Caption

- lower137: on the divine Lord Krishna: "Vishnu's ninth incarnation [avatar], Krishna ... Bhagavad Gita ..., and peace," + upper139: on the Bhagavad Gita: "One of the ... Arjuna ... Vishnu) ... (dharma) ... soul who seeks ... supreme being." + Image &Caption + in-class docu-clip celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday in temple (in VA)  with Ms. Nidhi Singh, who is a devotee of Lord Krishna - HANDOUT

- lower149: Image&Caption: "A man ... goddesses.": ritual prayer-worship is called PUJA

- top152: "Rejoicing in the Divine    Hindu festivals ... birthdays ... Holi ... flowers)." + lower152: Image&Caption - pelting people with colored powder & liquids: we saw Michael Wood get colored, enjoying the celebration

- upper-mid156 on KARMA in relation to moksha: "One distinctive ... religions [= Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism] ... many lives ... Liberation ... Rebirth ... cycle ... multiple lifetimes."

RevPp for BUDDHISM: top-lower164: "Buddhism takes ... Siddhartha Gautama ... the Buddha ... 'awakening' (bodhi) ... to preach ... 'Four Noble ... Eightfold Path' ... 184-5)." + image&caption: SG meditating at Bodh Gaya, place of his Enlightenment: intro-overview of SG's life & teachings

- upper-mid166: "About a century ... Theravada [= "Way of the Elders"] ... Tibetan Buddhism ... Dalai Lama ... Mahayana, or 'Great Vehicle' [= "Wide Raft" carrying all to the Other Shore of nirvana] ... bodhisattva ... himself.": geographical expansion of Buddhism - the north&east Asian tradition called Mahayana - on "wisdom-beings/saintlypersons"/bodhisattvas of spiritual attainments/powers

- top168-mid171: "The Life of the Buddha ... previous lives ... Jataka tales ... death or parinirvana ... three sights ... seek release ...'Going Forth' ... 'Middle Way' ... dharma [= teachings as written in sutras] ... samgha ... stupas ... community.": a more detailed overview of the Buddha's life & teachings - see photo&caption on 173 for a stupa

- 173b (sidebar): on Mahayana Buddhism: "Around the beginning of ... Hinduism.": the bodhisattva ideal of compassion - "celestial" holy beings are acknowledged

- mid175 (in box): on the history of Tibetan Buddhism: "The Priest-Kings ... Dalai Lama ... 194)." + photo&caption: Potala residence in Lhasa, Tibet

- top-mid176: on "Celestial [= Heavenly] Beings ... bodhisattvas ... path to nirvana.": more on the "wisdom-being" of compassion  + mid183: "The Mahayana ideal of ... filial piety.": monks/nuns & lay people, all, can become bodhisattvas + top184a (sidebar) on "The Bodhisattva Ideal"

- mid184-upper185: "The basic guide ... harmful action.": on the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Noble Eightfold Path" = 1) wise understanding, 2) moral dedication, 3) meditation (= the inward-turning from the worldly self) + read bottom185sidebar on the "Five Precepts"

- top193b (sidebar): on the "Pure Land" Mahayana branch in Asia: "The tradition of ... Amitabha ... Amida ... 'Western Paradise' ... 253-54)." + upper177: "The best ... Amida Butsu [= Amitabha Buddha] ... efforts."

- top-upper194: "The Buddhist community, or samgha ... together.": laity and monks/nuns

- top194a: photo&caption + "Persecution in Tibet": on the 14th Dalai Lama, awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1989 - we "met" him talking to B. Walters

RevPp for Japanese Traditions: mainly BUDDHISM, a little on SHINTO:

upper-mid238: "Japan's indigenous [= native] ... Kami no Michi ... The roots ... kami ... century CE.": overview + bottom238: "Thus, the line ... kami (see p.249)."  + 249: on Hachiman: image & 2 captions: a Shinto kami venerated as a Buddhist monk-saint = bosatsu/bodhisattva

- upper240-top241: "... most Japanese would ... both ... Indeed, the 'Pure Land' ... need.": syncretistic co-existence (= harmonious blending) of Buddhism & Shinto + upper244: "Toward the end ... Ryobu Shinto, or 'Double Shinto,' ... divine entities."

- lower243: on Prince Shotoku: "In 587 [CE] the future ... to declare Buddhism ... Horyuji ... Japanese Buddhism."

- upper248-upper249: "Japanese Buddhism, ... butsu ... bosatsu ... Amida, Kannon, and Jizo ... 'Pure Land,' or Western Paradise ... Guanyin ... protector of ... compassion ... concerned with children ... died ... to redeem souls ... the distinction ... blurred ... numbers of Japanese.": on 3 important sacred/divine beings - celestial/heavenly buddha & bodhisattvas - in Japanese Mahayana Buddhism

- mid253: on the monk Honen & 'Pure Land' Buddhism: "The first of the ,,, Amida Buddha ... nembutsu ... 'namu ... (''Call upon Amida Buddha.')." + image&caption

- mid254: on Honen's disciple, Shinran: "What sets Shinran ... 'personal savior' ... rebirth in the 'Pure Land.'" + image&caption

- bottom256-mid257: "However, the state ... In Mahayana Buddhism, ... The first, ... The second, ... easily pursued (see pp.266-7)." + 266: "Matters of death ... eventually nirvana ... nembutsu ... haven of the 'Pure Land.'": on '"Pure Land" Buddhism

- lower257: image&caption of the classic Zen rock&raked gravel garden at the Ryoanji, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto

- lower258 in the box: on the most important Shinto shrine at Ise: "The destination ... Shinto universe." + image&caption: see the torii, typical Shinto gate/entranceway to a shrine + lower260: image&caption on the famous Miyajima torii

- lower261 in the box: on Mount Fuji - Fuji-san - as an honored kami: "A fascination ... of pilgrimage." + image&caption - also sacred to Japanese Buddhists

- mid-bottom263: on devotional, pious religious worship-practices, both Shintoist and Buddhist: "In addition to ... bosatsu or kami ... her beneficence [= blessed kindness]."

*** EXAM for 1:30-class: Friday 12/9 at 11:30 AM

*** EXAM for 10:30-class: Monday 12/12 at 11:30 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RevPp for the ISLAM chapter for the Exam on THURSDAY, Oct. 20th, as in the Syllabus. Our Retrospective review-class on Islam is next Tuesday 10/18.

- top-mid90: "Islam is the ... "submission" ... will of God ... God (in Arabic Allah, "The One God") ... (salam) ... Muhammad ... Prophet [nabi], or Messenger [rasul], of God ... Quran ... humankind ... Hadith ... legal thought.": general intro-overview of Islam

- top-mid94: historical context - 7th c. = 600s CE: "The Islamic tradition ... Mecca ... Medina ... Muhammad ... no political unity."

- upper95: "The Islamic community, or Umma ... ca. 610 CE ... pure monotheism ... 622 ... Hijra ... calendar.": historical events - 1st divine revelation to Muhammad in 610, at age 40 - the Hijra

- 95a-95b in the box: "Muslims believe ... Between Abraham and Muhammad, ... Noah ... Moses ... Jesus ... 'Abrahamic' ... 'People of the [eternal, divine] Book' ... respect.": Muslims affirm that God revealed His Truth/Word to humanity at different times in history, with Muhammad being the last - the culmination or "seal" - of God's chosen Prophets & Messengers: "For each successive ... the Quran."

- lower97: photo & caption - reminder of Islamic civilization in Spain for centuries between 700s and 1400s - remember we traveled to Cordoba & Granada in the docu-clip shown in class: "The Court of the ... 1492." - the southern region is Andalusia; Iberia = Spain

- top101b on "The Names of God": the invocation called the Basmala + top104a: on "The Basmala": "With one exception ... provides."

- top-mid101: on Sufism = the Sufi path of mystical religious experience & spiritual devotions (poetry, music, dance): "Mysticism, ... 'friends' ... see p.107)." + upper103: "Central to ... regions." + in the sidebar: poet - Jalal al-Din al-RUMI

- top-mid104: on "The Word of God   The Islamic tradition ... Quran ... 'recitation' ... suras ... angel Gabriel ... ayat 1-2)." + bottom104 in the box: on "The Quran in Islamic Life ... of healing." + photo&caption: on the sacred scripture of Islam = the Quran

- 105 sidebar: on the "Hadith: The Way of ... spoken directly.": Sayings/Utterances/Actions/Deeds of Muhammad as exemplary guidance for worthy behavior = being obedient to God's will, not one's own

- top106-top107: on Muhammad's life and calling: "The Prophet and Messenger ... Hadith ... Quran ... Mount Hira ... angel Gabriel ... Hijra ... communal history ... this period."

- lower107: on Muhammad's Isra and Miraj : "For Sufi ... and Jesus ... proximity [= nearness] to God.": on Muhammad's miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the Divine Presence

- 112a: on "Mecca and the Kaba   The most ... to humankind.": focus of one's prayer-direction and pilgrimage-goal of the Hajj + top112: "The remarkable unity ... mosque ...settings." + bottom113 in the box: "The characteristics ... opposite).": on Mecca - the Kaba - the mosques as buildings for congregational & individual prayer/worship

- top114-upper116: on the Five Pillars of Islam: "Duties of Worship ... Shahada ... prayer ... almsgiving ... fast ... Ramadan ... the Hajj ... state of purity." + 117 in the box: on "The Pilgrimage to Mecca" + photo&caption

- lower118: on the angel Gabriel/Jibril: "In the Quranic ... above the earth." + illustr&caption

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review Pages for Exam #1 from IWR - chapter on JUDAISM:

- mid16: "As a religion, Judaism ... holiness.": the One God, the Torah (= law/teaching = Bible), the Jewish people who collectively are called Israel = they who strive to be worthy creatures of God, and who are called to be holy as "a light unto the nations" through exemplary, humble obedience to God's commandments/mitzvot = "ethical monotheism"

- upper18: focus on Moses (c. 1300 BCE): "[God] entered into a personal covenant ... Jacob ... new name, Israel ... Led by Moses ... birth of [ethical] monotheism.": God promises; God commands; people obey with faith, thereby becoming worthy of God's grace = blessing + illustration&caption on p. 19: Moses on Mount Sinai received God's LAW

- mid22-mid23: on Yohanan ben Zakkai, "founder" of the rabbinic role of the synagogue-community's leader/teacher in the post-Temple-destruction (by the Romans, as of 70 CE - see illust/caption: 22) centuries: "While Jerusalem ... the Pharisees (see box, above)." + top23: on the Pharisees & Y. ben Zakkai + illust/caption. And remember my reading from the prayer-book/Siddur about Y ben Z's comforting counsel to Rabbi Joshua about performing "acts of loving-kindness" in place of Temple sacrificial rituals

- 24: photo&caption: Torah scroll

- 26a: illust/caption on the mezuzah + upper43: "With the redefinition ... mezuzah ... importance."

- top30-upper31: from "The Living Law" read "The primary religious ... Torah ... Pentateuch ... Tanakh ... Torah scrolls ... direction of Jerusalem.": the Bible's book-divisions + 31b: on "The Books of the Bible" + illust/caption & photo&caption and look at 34-35

- lower36: the boxed section on Moses + illust/caption

- upper37: on Rabbi Hillel (c. 2000 years ago): "The prototypical [= best example of] rabbinic ... tikkun olam ... Go and study.'" = The Golden Rule of do no hurtful/hateful evil to your neighbor/fellow human being phrased as an admonition/warning

- upper-mid38: from "The Way of Israel" read "In Judaism, ... walk in this world.": acts of loving-kindness = good deeds of compassion towards others: "Providing for ... tikkun olam ... modern world." + what former Senator Joe Lieberman tells us in the handout on is ideal

- upper39: "There are two ... Yom Kippur ... against God.": confession of sins, asking forgiveness + on Yom Kippur: top46: "Rosh Hashanah ... 'Days of Awe' ... below)." + lower46a: on Yom Kippur

- mid39: on Kashrut: "keeping kosher": "The Jewish dietary laws ... submission to the will of God.": for ex., no milk and meat dishes together

- 41b: on the "Wailing/Western wall" + illustr/caption + the illust/caption on 48

 

 

- top42-mid43: on the importance of the Synagogue and the Jewish Home: "While the Second Temple ... mezuzah ... utmost importance." + illust/caption: 42: "Torah ark" (tabernacle) in a synagogue

- 44a: on Sabbath/Shabbat observance = the sidebar: "The scholar ... Shabbat ... writings." + what Sen. Joe Lieberman tells us in the handout about his Sabbath-observance

- upper47 + illust/caption on Passover: "On the full moon ... Exodus [= liberation/exit] from Egypt ... from bondage." Israelites led by Moses out of Egypt celebrated/commemorated + photo&caption

+ I'll make use of some things from the 2 handouts: 1) Prof. David Myers' presentation on Judaism  2) Sen. Joe Lieberman 's remarks on tikkun olam and his Sabbath-observance 

 RevPp from the chapter on CHRISTIANITY:

- upper-mid54: general overview of founding history 2000+ years ago and essential beliefs: "Shortly after ... Protestantism." + photo&caption - Christianity encompasses 3 main branches  +mid57: "All would hold that ... Creation'"

- top58-mid59: on the 4 Gospel-narratives in the New Testament = Christian scriptures (= sacred writings believed to contain divinely revealed truths/teachings) about the life and ministry of Jesus/Yeshua of Nazareth: "The foundational ... his [divine] messiahship."

- mid-bottom59: essentials about the death by crucifixion (Good Friday) and miraculous resurrection (Easter) of Jesus: "As significant to ... their preaching."

- lower59b: on Christ: "The word 'Christ' ... 'Chrestos.'"

- mid60: on the preacher, missionary & Epistle-Letter-writer St. Paul: "In the years ... and law." + lower69 on the New Testament Letters, esp. by St. Paul + handout with extract from his First Letter to the Corinthians

- mid62: "Discontent came ... name stuck.": on Martin Luther & Protestantism  + lowerleft62:  illust&caption on Martin Luther

- mid65: on the Trinitarian "mystery of faith": "The Trinity is ... Western Churches." + look at illust&caption

- top-mid68: on "The Christian Canon": collection of authorized scriptures: "The Bible is ... 'Old Testament' ... New Testament ... four 'gospels' ... 'The Gospel' [= the Good News of salvation/redemption]."

- mid-lower70: on "The Virgin Mary" + illust&caption: "Throughout the centuries ... Protestant worship."

- lower75 & 75b: on Jesus' scripture-based teaching: "However the heart ... enemies." + on "The Good Samaritan" parable + see handout

- 80a: on "Christmas" (in the sidebar)

- upper81a: on "Easter": "Easter, the commemoration ... calendar." + ilust&caption

- lower83: on "The Lord's Day": "By the .second ... my blood'." + illust&caption: The Lord's Supper/Eucharist

- upper-mid84: "At the heart of ... Salvation, the term ... soul ... in Christianity.": belief in eternal life after death + handout with the Nicene Creed

Regarding Prof. David Myers' handout:

I. A & B & C: on the Sh'ma/Shema its meaning - daily reminder of living in accord with the love-commandments & the tikkun olam ideal

II. B: The Torah = Sacred Scripture, esp. the 1st 5 books of the Bible = God's revealed Law/Teaching  to Moses - Torah + Prophets + Writings = TaNaKh

IV. D = Mezuzah     F = Shabbat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/28/15: GOR - CHRISTIANITY: mid266a: "The small town of Nazareth ... Yeshua or Joshua ... in Bethlehem.": historical context of the birth of Jesus

- bottom266a-upper266b: "The [Jewish] people of Judaea ... Messiah ... greed.": Messianic hope - King Herod

- mid-bottom271b + top-mid274a: "Jesus' lifetime ministry ... The [4] Gospels ... 200 A.D. [= CE = 1800 years ago].": on the 4 "Good News" narratives of salvation/redemption + mid274a: "In his time, Jesus ... a storm.": miracles + mid-lower274b: "As that fame spread, ... do likewise.": parallels - the parable of the "Good Samaritan [= "Stranger"]

- lower275a-top276a: "The dramatic events ... Eucharist ... 'thanksgiving' ... sacraments [= sacred acts] ... attracting crowds. ... of Jerusalem.": Passover events: Last Supper - Crucifixion

- upper276a-mid276b: "The Gospel of John ... the Son of God ... Messiah ... Resurrection.": supernatural events: Easter-Resurrection

- top277a-bottom277b + upper-mid281a: "By the time the Romans ... Saul ... Paul ... Paul corresponded ... letters [= Epistles] ... New Testament ... henceforth.": on the life & missionary-journeys of Paul the Apostle [= Messenger] + handout with extract from his First letter to the Gentile Greek Christians in Corinth, Greece on Agape = selfless love

- bottom282b-top284a: "In the spirit of ... Constantine ... Helena ... empire-wide council ... 325 [CE] ... Nicene Creed ... 381 [CE] ... added ... world to come.'": on the Roman emperor Constantine & his mother, Saint Helena

- top285: intro-paragraph on the biblical scriptures: "Jesus grew ... translations."

- mid287a-lower287b: "In the ninth and ... Orthodox ... icons ... before them." + the photo-illustration with caption & look at double-photo on 294-95

- photo on 289 + caption on bottom288: on the grand church Holy Wisdom/ Hagia Sophia that became a mosque, now a museum & heritage-monument in Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul

- 303: on the typical aspects of the Christian worship-service

- top306a-lower306b: on "The Protestants ... In 1517 ... Martin Luther ... in 1611.": on the Protestant movement of "protestors" for reform of the Roman Catholic Church called the Reformation of the 1500s

- top316a-lower316b: "In the long run, ... abolition [of slavery] movements ... Rev. Desmond Tutu ... Richard Allen ... Joseph Smith ... Book of Mormon ... of the world.": Rev. D. Tutu = Anglican archbishop of South Africa & Nobel Peace Prize Laureate - the AME Church - the Ch of J C of Latter-day Saints = Mormons

- mid319b-mid320a: "Pope John Paul II's Cuba ... Second Vatican Ecumenical Council ... freedom of religion ... international organizations.'": on the 1960s R C Church Council's declarations to be open/welcoming toward the world's religions+ in class my comments on the declaration "In Our Time"

 

- GOR - ISLAM: upper337a-bottom337b & top-lower340a: on the founder of Islam, Muhammad, Prophet/nabi & Messenger/rasul - his life: "In that time [= 6th c. CE = 1400 years ago], ... By the age of 40 ... in the year 610 ... [Archangel] Jibril, Arabic for Gabriel ... Prophet Muhammad."

- lower340a-lower341b: on "The Qur'an    The word Qur'an ... 114 chapters ... a prayer: In the Name of Allah [= Arabic word for The One God], ... Merciful [ = the Bismillah - see p. 403b] ... Islam, ... surrender [= submission/obedience to God's Will, not our ego-centered will] ... implement God's Will."

- mid345a-top346a: on the importance of the flight in 622 from Mecca to Medina = the hijra - on the Kaaba [read caption at bottom 346 + see 2-page photo 348-49]: "While Meccans ... hijra ... the earliest monotheistic patriarch [= Abraham/Ibrahim] ... in Arabic."

- upper347: intro-paragraph + Ch. 1 verses 1-7: The Prayer: "In the Name ... gone astray.": includes the Bismillah

- bottom351a-mid352: on the Five PILLARS of ISLAM (= arkan al-Islam): "In his farewell sermon, ... shahada ... bearing witness ... salat ... prayer ... zakat ... almsgiving ... fasting during ... Ramadan ... hajj ... international community of worship."

- 357: on WORSHIP: prayer - the mosque - the Bismillah: "Five times ... God-conscious one." + Look at photos on PRAYERS at chapter-end 390-95

- top375b-mid376a: "A glorious Muslim civilization ... Cordoba ... Granada ... filigrees [= decorated with fine, lacy patterns] the walls.": on the achievements of Muslim civilization in Spain 700s-1200s

- look at photo + caption on 381 AND look again at 289 with caption: the church-mosque-museum Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

 

 

Monday 11/16/15 - Revised Syllabus of the reading-schedule for WEEKS XII-XVI, and I include our exam-dates which have not changed, of course.

WEEK XIII - T 11/17: GOR: 306a-329: Christianity III  *** Reading-notes to the Islam chapter handed out

- Th 11/19: GOR: 333-mid353: Islam I

WEEK XIV - T 11/24: GOR: bottom353-374: Islam II

- Th 11/26: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

WEEK XV - T 12/1: GOR: 375-395: Islam III    *** Review-pages on Christianity & Islam handed out & on my web-page   *** Guest-presenter Ms. Marah Omar, a Muslim student of mine, who will speak to us about her religious tradition in its essentials and as she practices it, and she'll use a Power-Point presentation.

- Th 12/3: GOR: 396-397: "EPILOGUE" = essay-reflections on being religious by HH the Dalai Lama  +  RETROSPECTIVE I: Christianity

- WEEK XVI: T 12/8: RETROSPECTIVE II: Islam & comments on the Exam-Format

- WED 12/9: STUDY DAY

WEEK XVII: Tues 12/15 - Exam at 11:30 AM for the 1:30 class & Course-Evaluations

- Wed 12/16 - Exam at 11:30 AM for the 10:30 class & Course-Evaluations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUDAISM: top201: quotation from the Torah, Book of Exodus 20:2 = God's declaration = the monotheistic affirmation to Moses and the Hebrews/Israelites liberated from Egyptian bondage/slavery

- lower203a-lower206b: on Abraham as the Patriarch whose obedience to, and faith in, the One God who commands him to leave Haran for the "Promised Land", and thus makes him the "Founding Father" of the Jewish religious tradition through his son Isaac: "Abraham and the Patriarchs ... in power."

- top209a-bottom209b + 212a-215b: on Moses, leader of the Exodus: "Most most likely ... Passover ... Five Books of Moses, the Torah ... carrying it with them."

- 221b-mid222a: "Ezra's Revival ... to our Lord.'": Ezra's leadership - the Second Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem by the returned exiles from Babylon - reads from the Torah (= Books of Gen, Ex, Lev, Num, Deut) in public (the entire Hebrew Bible is the TaNaKh = Torah, Nevi'im, Khethuvim

- 223: selected Scared Scripture passages: intro-paragraph: "Judaism ... standing." - the Shema = the essence of Jewish monotheism = faith-declaration from Lev. & Deut.

[on the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible c. 125-100 BCE = the Septuagint: "... 72 Jewish scribes ... Hebrew originals." This Greek Bible was quoted by the writers of the New Testament scriptures and was read from in the religious services of the early Greek-speaking Christian communities

- top225b: on the synagogue as worship-service gathering-place: "The symbolic ... assembly hall ... of Delos."

- 229: on the Jews as "The People of the Book": devotional practices at home & in the synagogue to sanctify daily life - READ Rabbi Jeremy Rosen's essay (246-247) on how through piety/spirituality & morality Jews obey "God's law" conveyed in the Torah + read Sen. Joe Lieberman's personal testimony in photocopy-handout

- 230b-upper231b: on the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the Qumran caves (1940s) - evidence of tefillin worn by the Essenes, a separatist sect - photo on 224 - King Herod's enhancement of the Second Temple - the Holy of Holies: on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement = fasting, prayers, confessionals

- 234a-b: c. 70CE Roman forces destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem because of Jewish insurrection - only the Western ("Wailing") Wall left standing - photos: 238-39-40

- lower234b + 236a-upper237b: the Jewish Diaspora = exiled Jews beyond the Holy Land - Rabbi J. ben Zakkai - role of the rabbis in dispersed communities with synagogues for fellowship, worship-service, and Bible-study = the Talmud: "Dispersal from ... traditional Judaism."

- lower240a-top241b: on Moses ben Maimon's faith-principles: "One person ... messianism."

- lower248a-mid248b: "In the early ... your beards.'": on Hasidism = mystical sects - the Baal Shen Tov - the rebbe as spiritual leader of the "Pious Ones"

- mid250a-upper251b: "Many of the ... Judaism  Today ... of the deceased.": various branches of Judaism - synagogues with Torah scrolls - in the direction of Jerusalem - no painted or sculptural imagery (as also in Islamic mosques)

- 256 + 260-61: In the Footsteps of Abraham, patriarch of the three monotheistic "Abrahamic faith-traditions" = Judaism and Christianity (through the "spiritual" descendants of Isaac and Jacob) and Islam (through Ishmael)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/7/15: Here are the RevPp + the Exam-Format for BUDDHISM for our Retrospective-class on TUES 10/13 - the exam is on THURS 10/15:

- 135 (chapter title-page) + 136a-b + upper139a: "Sometime in the fifth century [= 400s BCE] ... visited today.": on Prince SG's early life - the 4 Sights - Bodh Gaya + see photo on 137

- upper139a-mid140b: on "The Buddha's Path   Siddhartha Gautama achieved ... Four Noble Truths ... Noble Eightfold Path ... Three Jewels ... monastic life."

- mid-bottom146b: on the stupa for Buddhist relics: "Monumental ... within it." + photo on 147

- mid149a-bottom149b: on "The Pious King" named Ashoka: "The geographical ... edicts ... many stupas ... spreading the word.": his importance for Buddhism's advance across Asia + HANDOUT on him

- top-lower154a on "Buddhism in Sri Lanka" - role of Ashoka's son: "The story of ... stands nearby."

- 158-59: Rev. Ms. Lobsang Dechen's autobiographical story - The Nun's Project - SEE below Exam-Format PART III

- lower164a-upper164b: on the monk-wanderer named Bodhidharma (= "Wisdom-teaching") - called Daruma in Japanese: "Bodhidharma, as this ... Ch'an ... Zen ... ultimate nirvana.'"

- lower174a-mid174b: on the Buddhist "wisdom-being" = bodhisattva (or "saint") named in Japan Kannon, who is the embodiment of "infinite compassion" - Guan-Yin in China, Avalokiteshvara in India - and whom HH the Dalai Lama humbly seeks to emulate

EXAM-FORMAT - no notes or book at exam - lined-paper provided

PART I - MATCHING COLUMNS: 8 items to pair @ 2.50 = 20 points

PART II: OBJECTIVE ESSAY @ 20 points - handwritten in class: Based on your reading of the HANDOUT + pp. 139-40 in GOR on the FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS, compose an essay in which you objectively and adequately EXPLAIN each of the 4 N Ts  (4-4-4-8 pts.)

PART III: OBJECTIVE ESSAY @ 20 points - handwritten in class: Based on your reading in GOR (158-59) of the Tibetan Buddhist nun Lobsang Dechen's autobiographical essay "A Buddhist Nun's Story," compose an essay in which you objectively present, with a brief quotation or two OR your clear paraphrase, HER understanding of, and HER daily practice according to, HH the Dalai Lama's teachings about "taming" our (restless-monkey) mind.

PART IV - OBJECTIVE and SUBJECTIVE ESSAY @ 40 points - typed - double-spaced - 1 full page - due on exam-day in class: Based on your viewing of the interview/conversation between HH the Dalai Lama and Barbara Walters that we watched in class, compose an essay in which you 1) objectively present any significant/meaningful idea/topic that the Dalai Lama said  that particularly grabbed your interest/attention, and then 2) subjectively express your thoughts/reflections as to WHY you chose WHAT you selected to write about. Here's the link  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Barbara+Walters+and+the+Dalai+lama&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=C8DAA6D2C59EABF8C8FFC8DAA6D2C59EABF8C8FF 

 

 

 

 

 

9/16/15 -  Hi, Folks here are the Review Pages for our Retrospective on TUES and our Exam #1 on next THURS 9/23

- mid-bottom77a + upper81a: on the VEDAS: "Hindus believe ... exhaustless.'": ancient collections of hymns & prayers, such as the Rig Veda, to gods & goddesses, who represent specific "divine" aspect of cosmic Nature

- 80 + bottom of 81 - sculpture & picture-caption: on the god GANESHA who helps people with their undertakings & projects and removes obstacles

- bottom81b-lower82a: "Hindus have ... the same Ganga.": the GANGES as India's holiest river for purifying body & mind through various rituals of cleansing & praying

- mid87b: PUJA means worship involving prayers & offerings in a temple or before "a family altar" in the home + 118 on this Daily Practice of "Seeing the Divine"

- bottom87b + to mid91a: "Riverbank cities ... from the [perpetual] cycle of rebirth [= samsara].": on the holy pilgrimage-city of VARANASI on the Ganges where Hindus bathe to be physically and mentally pure and to "shed all sin" + upper99a: "A belief in reincarnation [ = rebirth in a new body-form for a new lifetime] ... KARMA ... 'action' [ = our deeds - ideally, good, virtuous acts as we do our moral duty called dharma] ... becomes evil.'": we are/become WHAT we do in word, deed, and thought = how we behave reveals WHO we are in our innermost self = our character is molded/shaped/formed by our behavior. Ultimately, our soul/spirit - atman - seeks liberation/MOKSHA from samsara in order to join with The Divine Ultimate Spirit (= God) beyond time & space - the joining/union/linking/binding of the human self to the Divine Self is the essential meaning of religion 

- mid99b: AHIMSA - non-violence/non-injury = do no harm to living creatures "either by word, thought or deed" = M. K. Gandhi's ethical ideal that inspired the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Civil Rights protest movement + on M. K. Gandhi: upper120a-mid120b: "In March 1930 ... assassinated." + what Arvind Sharma says about Gandhi who inspired him: pp. 100-101 "What Hinduism Means to Me"

- lower104: from the LAW CODE of MANU: "Wound not ... creatures.": variation of the "Golden Rule" of loving-kindness towards all = "Love thy neighbor ... ."

- 106a: "[Prince Arjuna is] horrified ... books of Hinduism.": on the sacred scripture Bhagavad Gita = "Song of the Celestial/Heavenly Lord" who is the god LORD KRISHNA, an avatar = incarnation of the god Lord Vishnu - and who is the guide/guru/mentor as charioteer to the prince - AND this holy text inspires Ms. Nidhi Singh = what she tells us in the report on Janmashtami http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2008/08/22/august-22-2008-janmashtami/25/  - follow the link to view again her presentation + reread the handout that I gave you of the transcript, which is given at the link also

- 121b: on the KUMBH MELA = a major pilgrimage of every 12 years to the holy city of Allahabad: "The insistent pulse ... world history." + photos on 124-25 with caption on bottom123 + in class film-clip documentary extracts from Bruce Feiler's SACRED JOURNEYS

- mid123a: on the festival called HOLI that allows anyone & everyone to throw colored powder & liquids upon each other: "The spring ... festival of color." + in class viewing of Michael Wood's joyful experience

Regarding the Exam-Format - only on HINDUISM:

PART I = 12 pairs forming MATCHING COLUMNS of 12 items, each to be matched with the only appropriate phrase - you will write the correct number of a given item on a short line next to the explanatory/descriptive phrase - 12 @ 2.50 pts. = 30

PART II - In-class handwritten ESSAY @ 30 pts. - lined paper will be provided by me - no notes: you will compose an Objective/Subjective essay based on your reading of Arvind Sharma's essay: OBJ = present/sum up what Prof. Sharma tells us about Gandhi's vision of religious tolerance in India and the world: esp. mid100b-top101a: "For my generation ... religious tolerance." + lower101b: "This [= tolerance], however, does not ... another.'"  SUBJ = your reflection/thoughts about that

PART III - Typed ESSAY @ 40 pts. to be handed in on exam-day THURSDAY 9/24: topic = OBJ/SUBJ ESSAY on Ms. Nidhi Singh's affirmation of HER OWN Hindu religious practice and faith - NOT specifically what she tells us about the Janmashtami festival as such - but, rather, what she explains to us about 1) how Hindus envision The Divine (= One yet Many) and 2) how the Bhagavad Gita inspires her to live her faith fully - use the photocopy handout + the link given above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Sunday 12/7/14 - Exam Format @ 100 points - nothing typed this time:

- PART I - Confucianism: Matching Columns - 5 pairs @ 5 pts. = 25

- PART II - Taoism/Daoism: A)  Matching Columns - 4 pairs @ 5 pts. = 20   B) solid Paragraph @ 5 pts. = Topic: Explain the 5 Precepts/Moral Principles which Chinese Daoists have always lived by - see p. 184a in IWR

- PART III - Shinto: Matching Columns - 5 pairs @ 5 pts. = 25

PART IV - The Baha'i Religion: Essay @ 25 pts. - substantial half-page minimum. YOU CAN BY-PASS/IGNORE READING OUR BOOK'S CHAPTER-SECTION ON THE BAHA'I FAITH. Instead, based on our viewing of Prof. Berkson's lecture + my handout of his lecture-notes, be prepared to explain - in a HANDWRITTEN in-class, at least half-page but substantial Essay (paper provided by me) - the Fundamental/Key/Basic BELIEFS of the Baha'i Faith-Tradition (founded in Persia/Iran about 160 or so years ago). There is a very helpful summary-version on the first page (in a box "Baha'is Believe") of the web-site <www.bahai.org> 

 

12/3/14 - Review Pages for our last exam on Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto and the Baha'i religious tradition. Exam yet to be designed - format to be announced on Tuesday 12/9, our RETROSPECTIVE DAY. Exam-dates are: THURSDAY 12/11 @ 11:30 for the 1:30 section: FRIDAY 12/12 @ 11:30 for the 10:30 section. We'll do Course-Evaluations at exam-time.

- upper-mid179a: "CONFUCIANISM   Confucius, or ... The genius ... in society.": on Master K'ung's socio-ethical ideal that was ordained/authorized by Heaven

- lower179a-top179b: "TAOISM [pron. Daoism]   Taoism goes ... The genius ... indefinable.": on The WAY - Lao Tzu/"Old Master"

- mid-lower179b: "SHINTO  Shinto is ... The genius ... of nature.": essentials of Japan's native tradition

- upper-bottom181a: CONFUCIANISM:  "THE GOAL ... TEACHERS ... TREASURY ... Jen [pron. ren] ... between people."         = benevolence

- upper182: "A key idea ... xiao [pron hsiao] ... passed on.": devotion to parents/elders

- top183a-upper183b: "TAOISM   Tao is a ... FIRST STEPS ... THE GOAL ... TEACHERS ... in tune with this.": the basics = texts & figures and the Tao/Dao = the universal ordering principle of the world's patterns in Nature and in human life

- topleft184 in the box: "When people ... Te Ching.": verses of wisdom

- upper184a-lower184b: "PATHS TO ... Five Precepts ... Seven Virtues ... AWE ... JOURNEY ... what we can.": Taoist ethical principles - practices like meditation ("sitting in forgetfulness" = "the fasting of the mind" - Zhuangzi ... Wu-Wei [= effortless action] ... 'going with the flow' [= being in the zone]  ... what we can.": down-to-earth and mystical aspects of Taoism

- upper185b-mid186b: "SHINTO    FIRST STEPS ... THE GOAL ... TEACHERS ... TREASURY ... PATHS ... AWE ... JOURNEY ... wash their hands.": ancient Japanese religious tradition = the "WAY of the KAMI/spirits/divinities" = kami no michi - shrines & worship rituals

- BAHA'I: mid175a-lower175b: "BAHA'i  "The earth ... FIRST STEPS ... THE GOAL ... brotherhood of humanity.": historical & essential aspects + in the box: just "They have been sent ... of the Wolf"

- upper176b-lower177a: "AWE AND  ... Praise of God.": prayer & worship

- top-box on 177: helpful summary of "BAHA'I   at a glance"

+ the very helpful Handouts of Prof. Mark Berkson's lecture-notes to Daoism/Taoism & Shinto & Baha'i

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/22/14 - RevPp for EXAM #2 on BUDDHISM: mid43a: "Awake!" on S G as the historical Buddha = "the Awakened/Enlightened ONE": "Buddhism is a ... for life."

- mid43b: "In a nutshell ... Buddhists believe ... of rebirth.": the path/quest for "escape" = liberation from the rebirth-cycle leading to nirvana  +  46a: on Nirvana: "Nirvana (nibbana ... abhinibbuta.": ultimately it "cannot be imagined" as beyond words - a blissful mode of being beyond the samsara cycle of multiple rebirths  +  top51b: on "The Wheel of Life"

- 44a-44b + top45a-b + upper46b: on "The Life of Siddhartha Gautama": from palace to becoming an ascetic to a wandering teacher: "The Ascetic" given his "Change of Heart" leading to his "Awakening" about "The Path": S G the B shows the Way/Dharma through his life's journey and teaching/dharma.

- bottom46b-top47a: on DHARMA: "... Buddha taught dharma ... Buddhist goal."  +  READ to ponder: upper48a: "Here, there is room ... dharma ... out!"

- mid48b: on "Other Buddhas" in the Mahayana (= northern Asian) branches of Buddhism which revere saintly figures called Bodhisattvas = "wisdom-beings" embodying compassion: "Mahayana Buddhism tends ... Bodhisattvas ... loving one.'"  +  bottom45a: "Types of Buddhism": "The earliest form ... Compassion ... their shores." + top55a on COMPASSION = metta in Sanskrit: "One meditation ... Samadhi.": really a variation of the "Golden Rule" of respecting/loving your neighbor as yourself

- bottom48b-bottom49a: on Buddhist Scriptures = the "Three Baskets" = 3 collections, including the Dhammapada = "The Way of [= shown/explained by] the Teaching" - extract read in class + lower50a: quotation on hate/love

- top49b + photo: on the SANGHA: "The sangha is ... and nuns."

- bottom50a-50b  +  bottom51a on the Path + bottom51b on "Right Mindfulness" on the heart/essence of the Buddha's teachings: the "Four Noble Truths" - the 4th Noble Truth is the "Noble Eightfold Path"

- mid56a: on "Taking Refuge" in the "Three Jewels": "Buddhists speak ... 'I go ... aroma of virtue."

- top57a + photo: on Buddhist stupas = pilgrimage-sites with enshrined relics of (= revered "holy" objects associated with) the Buddha: "Stupas are ... decorated."

- mid60a-top60b: on HH the Dalai Lama: "A belief developed [centuries ago] ... fortune!" + bottom64b-top65a  + in-class viewing of interview with the Dalai Lama

- photo on 62 + mid55b in box: "Tibetan monks create ... Buddhist precepts." + in-class viewing of a news-clip about Tibetan monks at NDSU 2 years ago

- bottom65: very helpful summary-overview = "Buddhism      at a glance ..."

*** The exam-format has yet to be decided, but it will be very similar to our first exam, including a typed ESSAY - topic to be determined.

 

 

 

MON 9/8/14 - Selected pages form IWR for Exam #1 - HINDUISM and JAINISM

HINDUISM: top20a: on AUM / OM = the sacred, cosmic syllable/sound echoing divine creation - uttered in chants and prayer-hymns

- top21b: on BHAKTI = pious devotion - worship by devotees - toward the Divine, envisioned in a chosen "personal form," such as Lord Krishna or ...  +  bottom31-top32 on one's "chosen deity" - god or goddess

- bottom21b-mid22b: on the VEDAS = ancient sacred scriptures such as prayer-hymns in the Rig Veda to gods like Varuna, "who is loving towards" worshippers

- upper23: on Lord VISHNU & his avatars, who teach or rescue ... like Lords Rama and Krishna

- bottom23a: on BRAHMAN, the One Ultimate Transcendent Divine Spiritual Reality of many manifestations as gods and goddesses -- and on the atman = "inner self or soul"/spirit within human nature

- upper25a: in the box on the BHAGAVAD GITA = "The Song of the Celestial/ Heavenly Lord Krishna" = scared scripture cherished by Hindus, such as what Ms. Nidhi Singh tells us in the 3-minute video-clip that we watched - here's the link to the docu-clip + transcript  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2008/08/22/august-22-2008-janmashtami/25/

- in the GITA, the divine Lord Krishna teaches Prince Arjuna about his duty = DHARMA and the yoga paths to follow in order to be pure to attain "closeness to God" (who is Krishna as avatar of Lord Vishnu)  +  bottom27b on DHARMA, also spoken of by Ms. Singh as her duty to do good for God's sake = "to do the right things, not questioning why or what I'm going to get in return ..."

- mid28 in the box on KARMA = one's deeds affecting one's spiritual destiny in a next life = determining one's next reincarnated state of being - ultimately one seeks to become so pure in order to be freed/liberated from SAMSARA = the cycle of many many rebirths/reincarnations - that is, the soul/atman attains "oneness" with BRAHMAN having been released/liberated/enlightened fully self-actualized in the sublime, blissful state of MOKSHA

- upper30: on Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi and the moral ideal of AHIMSA - non-violence/non-harming others, including animals and other "sentient beings" - a prime moral value/principle in Buddhism and Jainism   +  see photo on p. 31

- upper34b: on PUJA = traditional daily worship at one's home-shrine (with images of deities & offerings of food and/or flowers ...) as well as in a temple/mandir

- lower39b: on the spring festival HOLI when colored powder & liquids are joyfully thrown about

- lower-half41: the helpful overview on Hinduism summing-up the essentials

JAINISM: upper188a: in "First Steps" on MAHAVIRA (= Great  Hero/Man"): his life leading to his being called a Jina/Conqueror, who conquered ego-driven desires/attachments to worldly things

- lower188a: in "The Goal": Jains also seek MOKSHA, freeing the pure soul/ATMAN from SAMSARA (=seemingly endless cycle of reincarnations) - the soul, dwelling in human form, becomes purified through living in accordance with the 5 "Great Vows" as given on mid189a = the "Five [Moral] Principles," including AHIMSA, of course

 

 

 

 

JAPANESE TRADITIONS:

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Ise+Shrine&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=BAB33C75908BAAA481D7BAB33C75908BAAA481D7

 

This is the link to the (7-minute) conversation that we watched about the ISE Shinto Shrine. Your typed Essay-Part of the exam will be similar to what you did regarding Mazu-worship: Present THE ASPECTS of the discussion about the Ise Jingu (Shinto shrine) that grabbed your interest, and then explain WHY. Double-spaced - within 1 page, but the minimum is a SOLID, thoughtful half-page.

CHAPTER-PAGES:

upper-mid238: "Japan's indigenous [= native] ... Kami no Michi ... The roots ... kami ... century CE.": overview + bottom238: "Thus, the line ... kami (see p.249)."  +  on Hachiman: image & 2 captions: a Shinto kami venerated as a Buddhist monk-saint = bosatsu/bodhisattva

- upper240-top241: "... most Japanese would ... both ... Indeed, the 'Pure Land' ... need.": syncretistic co-existence 9= blending) of Buddhism & Shinto + upper244: "Toward the end ... Ryobu Shinto, or 'Double Shinto,' ... divine entities."

- lower243: on Prince Shotoku: "In 587 [CE] the future ... to declare Buddhism ... Horyuji ... Japanese Buddhism."

- top-lower246: on the variety of kami, including the "Sun Goddess": "The Japanese word kami ... Ancestral spirits ... 'heavenly kami' Amaterasu ... at Ise." + lower247: image&caption about Amaterasu

- upper248-upper249: "Japanese Buddhism, ... butsu ... bosatsu ... Amida, Kannon, and Jizo ... 'Pure Land,' or Western Paradise ... Guanyin ... protector of ... compassion ... concerned with children ... died ... to redeem souls ... the distinction ... blurred ... numbers of Japanese.": on 3 important sacred/divine beings - celestial/heavenly buddha & bodhisattvas - in Japanese Mahayana Buddhism

- mid253: on the monk Honen & 'Pure Land' Buddhism: "The first of the ,,, Amida Buddha ... nembutsu ... 'namu ... ('I put my faith in Amida Buddha.')." + image&caption

- mid254: on Honen's disciple, Shinran: "What sets Shinran ... 'personal savior' ... rebirth in the 'Pure Land.'" + image&caption

- upper-mid257: "In Mahayana Buddhism, ... The first, ... The second, ... easily pursued (see pp.266-7)." + 266: "Matters of death ... eventually nirvana ... nembutsu ... haven of the 'Pure Land.'": on 'Pure Land' Buddhism

- lower257: image&caption of the classic Zen rock&raked gravel garden at the Ryoanji, a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto

- lower258 in the box: on the most important Shinto shrine at Ise: "The destination ... Shinto universe." + image&caption: see the torii, typical Shinto gate/entranceway to a shrine + lower260: image&caption on the famous Miyajima torii

- lower261 in the box: on Mount Fuji - Fuji-san - as an ancient kami: "A fascination ... of pilgrimage." + image&caption

- mid-bottom263: on devotional, pious religious worship-practices, both Shintoist and Buddhist: "In addition to ... bosatsu or kami ... her beneficence [= gracious kindness]."

- 264left sidebar: on "The Return of the Dead" = celebrating & honoring the ancestral spirits/kami  during the several-day festival Obon, going to graves or being devotional at home with rituals at the kamidana as well as the butsudan: "One of the most ... both Buddhism and Shinto."

 

 

 

SUN 4/13/14 - CHINESE TRADITIONS: upper200: "China's religious traditions ... harmony ... perspective." + lower200: "Confucianism, Daoism, ... holds true.": overview of the "Three Teachings"  +  mid202-203: on Confucianism, Daoism, & Buddhism in China: "The major spiritual ... Master Kong [= Confucius] ... ren ... xiao, filial piety [= to honor parents, to revere ancestors] ... Dao ('Way') ... order and harmony ... Buddhism ... of Chan ('Meditation' [= Zen, in Japanese]); see p. 219)."

- top-mid204: "Many core beliefs ... Reverence for ancestors ... Tian ('Heaven') ... 'Mandate of Heaven' [= Tian ming] ... be deposed.": importance of Heaven as ordering principle for the World/"Our Land" = Tian Xia - as in the movie HERO + see upper222a

- upper205: on Confucius: "Born in 551 BCE at ... virtue [such as ren = benevolence, humaneness and xiao = devotion to one's parents] ... their position."

- bottom205-upper206: "Tradition holds that Laozi [= Old Master], ... Dao De Jing ... Zhuangzi [also, Chuang Tzu = Master Chuang; full name Chuang Chou] ... the Dao ... points of view.": on Daoist figures & teachings

- 209: box on the goddess "Mazu, the Empress of Heaven" + YouTube 10-min. video-clip http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mazu&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=32BE59B0EEB8EF823B8B32BE59B0EEB8EF823B8B

- 211: "In Confucian ... Confucius' understanding ... will of heaven ... Mandate ... Son of Heaven ... Earth.": on Heaven + top222b in box: "The emperor ... dynasty."

- 211: "Mahayana Buddhism ... (Guan Yin) ... above right).": focus on the bodhisattva named "Guan Yin the Merciful [= Compassionate]" on 211: right sidebar: her role and attributes

- topt212 - left sidebar: READ on "The Dao De Jing"  - wu wei = ""go with the flow of constant change""/""doing what is natural, not artificial/conventional"" - Laozi, the Old Master/Sage -- see p. 203 on wu wei: "noninterference" - remember Zhuangzi's acceptance of the pattern of life-events like the seasonal changes

- lower212: "Confucius' own ... Analects [collection of his sayings and brief anecdotes and dialogues with disciples] ... rites (li) [= ritual behavior and appropriate ways of interacting with others in society] ... virtuous government ... harmonious society ... their meaning.": Confucian ideals

- bottom212-mid213: "The foundational ... the Zhuangzi [= the collection of his writings, some of which are by others in his school of Daoist thought] ... of fancy."  +  mid217-upper218: "Like Confucianism, ... flux ... p.209).": note our xeroxed handout: "fate"/"destiny" is too abstract for the 2 characters wu hua = "Transformation of Things" = everything undergoes perpetual change, which is a natural experience = ziran = spontaneous process, like growth from infant to adult

- box on 215: on the ancient sage-king YU, who performed heroic deeds for the people's welfare: "From the Chinese ... deity." + image&caption

- mid216-upper217: "Confucianism places ... ren [= profound kindness; selfless regard for others] ... good intent [= good will/thoughtfulness]." + image&caption

 

 

 

SAT. 3/29/14 - RevPp for BUDDHISM: top-lower164: "Buddhism takes ... Siddhartha Gautama ... the Buddha ... 'awakening' (bodhi) ... to preach ... 'Four Noble ... Eightfold Path' ... 184-5)." + image&caption: SG meditating at Bodh Gaya, place of his Enlightenment: intro-overview of SG's life & teachings

- upper-mid166: "About a century ... Theravada [= "Way of the Elders"] ... Tibetan Buddhism ... Dalai Lama ... Mahayana, or 'Great Vehicle' [= "Wide Raft" carrying all to the Other Shore of nirvana] ... bodhisattva ... himself.": geographical expansion of Buddhism - the north&east Asian tradition called Mahayana - on "wisdom-beings/persons"/bodhisattvas of spiritual attainments/powers

- top168-mid171: "The Life of the Buddha ... previous lives ... Jataka tales ... death or parinirvana ... three sights ... seek release ...'Going Forth' ... 'Middle Way' ... dharma [= teachings as written in sutras] ... samgha ... stupas ... community.": a more detailed overview of the Buddha's life & teachings - see photo&caption on 173 for a stupa

- 173b (sidebar): on Mahayana Buddhism: "Around the beginning of ... Hinduism.": the bodhisattva ideal of compassion - "celestial" holy beings are acknowledged

- mid175 (in box): on the history of Tibetan Buddhism: "The Priest-Kings ... Dalai Lama ... 194)." + photo&caption: Potala residence in Lhasa, Tibet

- top-mid176: on "Celestial [= Heavenly] Beings ... bodhisattvas ... path to nirvana.": more on the "wisdom-being" of compassion  + mid183: "The Mahayana ideal of ... filial piety.": monks/nuns & lay people, all, can become bodhisattvas + top184a (sidebar) on "The Bodhisattva Ideal"

- mid184-upper185: "The basic guide ... harmful action.": on the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Noble Eightfold Path" = 1) wise comprehension, 2) moral dedication, 3) meditation (= the inward-turning from the worldly self) + read bottom185b on the "Five Precepts"

- top193b (sidebar): on the "Pure Land" Mahayana branch in Asia: "The tradition of ... Amitabha ... Amida ... 'Western Paradise' ... 253-54)." + upper177: "The best known ... Amida Butsu [= Amitabha Buddha] ... own efforts."

- top-upper194: "The Buddhist community, or samgha ... together.": laity and monks/nuns

- top194a: photo&caption + "Persecution in Tibet": on the 14th Dalai Lama, awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1989

- upper197: "More recently, ... regions." + lower197: box on Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, is no longer under house-arrest, elected to the Burmese Parliament in 2011

 

 

 

RevPp for the ISLAM chapter for our next Exam on FRIDAY, March 14th, as in the Syllabus. The RevPp for the chapter on Hinduism will be ready next Monday 3/10 for our Retrospective on Hinduism next WED 3/12 - to be typed below. Retrospective on Islam is next Monday.

- top-mid90: "Islam is the ... God (in Arabic Allah ... Muhammad ... Prophet [nabi], or Messenger [rasul], of God ... Quran ... humankind.": general intro-overview of Islam

- top-mid94: historical context - 7th c. = 600s CE: "The Islamic tradition ... Mecca ... Medina ... Muhammad ... no political unity."

- upper95: "The Islamic community, or Umma ... ca. 610 CE ... pure monotheism ... 622 ... Hijra ... calendar.": historical events - 1st divine revelation to Muhammad in 610, at age 40

- bottom95a-mid95b (in the box): "Between Abraham and Muhammad, ... Noah ... Moses ... Jesus ... 'Abrahamic' ... 'People of the [eternal, divine] Book' ... respect.": Muslims affirm that God revealed His Truth/Word to humanity at different times in history, with Muhammad being the last - the culmination or "seal" - of God's chosen Messengers

- lower97: photo & caption - reminder of Islamic civilization in Spain for centuries between 700s and 1400s - remember we met Isa Lopez & his mother in the docu-clip shown in class: "The Court of the ... 1492." - the southern region is Andalusia

- top101b on "The Names of God": the invocation called the Basmala + top104a: on "The Basmala": "With one exception ... provides."

- top-mid104: on "The Word of God   The Islamic tradition ... Quran ... 'recitation' ... suras ... angel Gabriel ... ayat 1-2)." + bottom104 in the box: on "The Quran in Islamic Life ... of healing." + photo&caption: on the sacred scripture of Islam = the Quran

- top-lower106: on Muhammad's life and calling: "The prophet and Messenger ... Hadith ... Quran ... Mount Hira ... angel Gabriel ... Hijra ... communal history (see p.95)."

- 112a: on "Mecca and the Kaba   The most ... to humankind.": focus of one's prayer-direction and pilgrimage-goal of the Hajj + top112: "The remarkable unity ... mosque ...settings." + bottom113 in the box: "The characteristics ... opposite).": on Mecca - the Kaba - the mosques as buildings for congregational & individual prayer/worship

- top114-upper116: on the Five Pillars of Islam: "Duties of Worship ... Shahada ... prayer ... almsgiving ... fast ... Ramadan ... the Hajj ... state of purity." + 117 in the box: on "The Pilgrimage to Mecca" + photo&caption

 

RevPp for the HINDUISM chapter:

- 125: look at the Image and read the Caption on the divine Lord Shiva

- 127: India as a holy land: read on "Hindu Sacred Sites" = holy places for worship, pilgrimage = "a multitude ... from temples to roadside shrines" to ancient cities like Varanasi on the holy river the Ganges/"Mother Ganga" (Ganga Mata) + upper147: "Holy Rivers   The Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna, ... and dying." + Image&Caption + see BELOW on 146

- mid128-mid129: "Is Hinduism a ... spiritual paths to ... religious domain ... dharma and moksha ... cycle of life and death that every soul [atman] ... state of bliss [joy/beatitude - ananda]."  +  lower129: Image&Caption: temple to the divine Lord Vishnu, the Preserver/Sustainer of all + look at the Image&Caption on upper160

- upper131: on the VEDAS: "In India, ... scared poems ... box, below)." + in the box, the Image &Caption: The Vedas = ancient hymns of prayer & worship to gods like Varuna in the Rig Veda (I read a few verses in class) in the Sanskrit language + mid189b: Image&Caption: brahmin-caste priests chanting Vedas

- mid132: "Most of the later ... dharma ... Bhagavad Gita ...to one God ... Krishna or Vishnu ... two millennia.": meanings of dharma - pious devotion to (as Madhuri told us in class) "your favorite god" or goddess, such as Sarasvati or Lakshmi, both honored during NAVARATRI ("Nine Nights"): see the box - lower153: "The festival ...honored." + Image&Caption

- lower137: on the divine Lord Krishna: "Vishnu's ninth incarnation [avatar], Krishna ... Bhagavad Gita ..., and peace," + upper139: on the Bhagavad Gita: "One of the ... Arjuna ... Vishnu) ... (dharma) ... soul who seeks ... supreme being." + Image &Caption + in-class docu-clip celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday in temple (in VA)  with Ms. Nidhi Singh, who is a devotee of Lord Krishna - HANDOUT on Monday 3/10

- upper-mid146: "In time, ... divine mother ... 'Mother India' ... map of India ... hold sacred."

- lower149: Image&Caption: "A man ... goddess.": ritual prayer-worship is PUJA

- top152: "Rejoicing in the Divine    Hindu festivals ... birthdays ... Holi ... flowers)." + lower152: Image&Caption - pelting people with colored powder & liquids: we saw Michael Wood get colored, and (if time on MON 3/10) from Outsourced we'll see the merry mayhem

- upper156 on KARMA in relation to moksha: "One distinctive ... religions [= Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism] ... many lives ... Liberation ... Rebirth ... cycle ... multiple lifetimes."

 

 

  Selected RevPp for EXAM #1 on CHRISTIANITY in IWR:

- upper-mid54: general overview of founding history 2000+ years ago and essential beliefs: "Shortly after ... Christian tradition." + look at the Chronology on lower56 from "ca. 4BCE to "392 [CE]" + upper68: "The Bible ... of time."

- mid54: Christianity encompasses 3 main branches: "There are hundreds ... Protestantism."

- top58-mid59: on the 4 Gospel-narratives in the New Testament = Christian scriptures (= sacred writings believed to contain divinely revealed truths/teachings) about the life and ministry of Jesus/Yeshua of Nazareth: "The foundational ... his [divine] messiahship." + mid68: "The core ... 'the Gospel.'"

- mid-bottom59: essentials about the death by crucifixion (Good Friday) and miraculous resurrection (Easter) of Jesus: "As significant to ... their preaching."

- lower59b: on Christ: "The word 'Christ' ... in Syria."

- mid60: on the preacher, missionary & Epistle-Letter-writer PAUL: "In the years ... and law." + lower69 on the New Testament Letters

- bottom60: "As it spread ... the empire.": obstacles overcome, esp. with the emperor Constantine's decree/edict of religious tolerance - Milan, 313CE

- mid62: "Discontent came ... name stuck.": on Martin Luther & Protestantism  + Image&Caption

- mid65: on the Trinitarian "mystery of faith": "The Trinity is ... Western Churches."

- lower66: on the Christian saint & Spanish mystic: "St. Theresa of Avila, ... rapture." + Image&Caption

- mid-lower70: on "The Virgin Mary" + Image&Caption: "Throughout the centuries ... Protestant worship."

- 73b: on "Angels" + Image&Caption: "The title of ... in his dreams.": archangels as "messengers," such as Gabriel - the Annunciation

- lower75 & 75b: on Jesus' scripture-based teaching: "However the heart ... enemies." + on "The Good Samaritan" parable + see Handout

- upper76 + Image&Caption: on "The Lord's House" = Church: "The term ... gather publicly."

- 80a: on "Christmas" (in the sidebar)

- top81a: on "Easter": "Easter, the commemoration ... in haste."

- mid83: on "The Lord's Day" + Image&Caption: "By the ... service."

- upper-mid84: "At the heart of ... Salvation, the ... soul ... Christianity.": belief in eternal life after death

- 86a: on the "Social Gospel": As Christianity ... and racial equality.": the Salvation Army - William Booth

+ Handout: extracts from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" sermon-address in D.C., Aug. 1963, expressing the "social gospel" (parallels tikkun olam)

 

 

 

Review Pages for Exam #1 from IWR - Chapter on JUDAISM:

- mid16: "As a religion, Judaism ... holiness.": the One God, the Torah (= law/teaching = Bible), the Jewish people who collectively are called Israel = they who strive to be worthy creatures of God, and who are called to be holy as "a light unto the nations" through exemplary, humble obedience to God's commandments/mitzvot

- upper18: on Abraham (c. 2000 BCE) and Moses (c. 1300 BCE): "[God] entered into a personal covenant ... Jacob ... new name, Israel ... Led by Moses ... birth of [ethical] monotheism.": God promises; God commands; people obey with faith, thereby becoming worthy of God's grace = blessing + illustration&caption on p. 19

- mid22-mid23: on Yohanan ben Zakkai, "founder" of the rabbinic role of the synagogue-community's leader/teacher in the post-Temple-destruction (by the Romans, as of 70 CE - see illust/caption: 22) centuries: "While Jerusalem ... the Pharisees (see box, above)." + top23: on the Pharisees & Y. ben Zakkai + illust/caption. And remember my reading from the prayer-book/Siddur about Y ben Z's comforting counsel to Rabbi Joshua about performing "acts of loving-kindness"

- 26a: from "An Everlasting Covenant" read "The exclusive ... (Shema) ... and Numbers." + illust/caption on the mezuzah

- mid-lower26: on God the transcendent Creator, whose divinity is beyond human comprehension: "Judaism emphasizes ... 'the Merciful One')."

- top30-upper31: from "The Living Law" read "The primary religious ... Torah ... Tanakh ... Torah scrolls ... direction of Jerusalem.": the Bible's book-divisions + 31b: on "The Books of the Bible" + illust/caption and look at 34-35

- lower36: the boxed section on MOSES + illust/caption

- upper37: on Rabbi Hillel (c. 2000 years ago): "The prototypical [= best example of] rabbinic ... Go and study.'" - tikkun olam

- top-lower38: from "The Way of Israel" read "In Judaism, ... walk in this world.": acts of loving-kindness = good deeds towards others: "Providing for ... tikkun olam ... entered it."

- upper39: "There are two ... Yom Kippur ... against God.": confession of sins, asking forgiveness + on Yom Kippur: lower46a

- 41b: on the "Wailing/Western wall" + illustr/caption + the illust/caption on 48

- top42-mid43: on the importance of the Synagogue and the Jewish Home: "While the Second Temple ... mezuzah ... utmost importance." + illust/caption: 42

- 44a: on Sabbath observance = the sidebar: "The scholar ... the centuries."

- top46: on Yom Kippur: "Rosh Hashanah ... below)." + lower46a: sidebar on Yom K

- upper47 + illust/caption on Passover: "On the full moon ... Exodus [= liberation/exit] from Egypt ... from bondage."

- 48a: sidebar on Reform Judaism + 51b: sidebar on R J: as of the 19th-century

+ I'll make use of some things from the 3 handouts: 1) Moses M's "13 Articles of Faith" - note the Rabbi Hillel quotation  2) Prof. David Myers' presentation on Judaism  3) Sen. Joe Lieberman (Connecticut) 's remarks on tikkun olam and his Sabbath-observance

 

 

 

Friday, NOVEMBER 29-Monday, DECEMBER 1, 2013

JUDAISM: "Judaism is ... 1200 BCE.": on the Torah & Moses - see Fig. 9.1 on 179a

- bottom179a-bottom180b with Fig. 9.2: "Bar Mitzvah: ... bar mitzvah ... tallit ... tefillin ... Shema ... Mitzvot ... mezuzah ... tzedakah ...mourners.": on the b-m ceremony, its meaning with holy objects - Torah-derived commandments + top182: Fig. 9.4  +  on the Shema: mid196a-upper196b: "The Shema ... 'Hear, O Israel! ... Deut. 6:4-9)."  +  David Myers' handout on the Sh'ma

- lower181a-mid183a: on the history of the Jews (= ancient Hebrews/Israelites) - Moses & the Torah (= Pentateuch = 1st 5 Books of the BIBLE) - studied intensely by observant/devout Jews, esp. Rabbis and Rabbinic students: 192a - Fig. 9.12

- bottom187a-bottom188b + Fig. 9.9: "One view of the Torah ... of the Temple.": on the Torah as "Law, Teaching, and Observance" & on the Talmud (Fig. 9.10) = 2 huge collections of biblical commentaries by Rabbis in the 400-500s CE in Jerusalem & Babylon (in Iraq)

- top-bottom186b: "A major instrument ... Mount Sinai.": on holy days in the Jewish calendar: Yom Kippur, Hannukkah (coincides with Thanksgiving this year 2013), Passover (usually at Easter-time in spring) + top187: Fig. 9.8

- top-mid190b: on the "Rabbis": "After the destruction ... thousand years.": Rabbinic Judaism developed after the Jerusalem Temple's destruction in 70 CE by the Romans

- mid-bottom190b: on "Messianism": "Prophetic sayings ... the prophets." - on the meaning of the Messiah/mashiach in Jewish history - past & future

- mid193b-mid194a: on Hasidism as a mystical branch of Judaism: "In eighteenth century Poland, ... into worship."  +  top194: Fig. 9.14

- mid194a-mid194b; "The Spectrum of Observance    Jewish practices ... judgment.": on the dietary laws/regulations = kashrut = eating kosher-prepared food + bottom195: Fig. 9.15

- upper-lower195a: on Reform Judaism: "As early as ... common good." + mid196a: "Notwithstanding differences ... redeeming the world [= tikkun olam]."  +  from my handouts, esp. about Senator Joe Lieberman & David Myers' handout: on the Sh'ma, mezuzah, tikkun olam, the Sabbath/shabbat

CHRISTIANITY: 200: TIMELINE: birth & death of Jesus, executed by the Romans = Crucifixion - the 4 Gospels - Temple destroyed - Council of Nicaea (in Turkey)

- mid-bottom201a: "In order ... 28:20).": the Early Christians = Jewish followers of Jesus in Judaea who believed Jesus of Nazareth to be the divine Son of God & Messiah - died on the Cross, Resurrection from the dead 2 days later (= Easter) - remained on earth with followers for 40 days = all declared as articles of faith in the Nicene Creed = my Handout

- mid202b-top204a: "Shortly after ... under Nero.": on Saul/Paul of Tarsus & his mission-journeys of preaching/teaching/letter-writing to Greek-speaking communities in the eastern Mediterranean region - Fig. 10.4 + see Handouts

- mid209a-top209b: "In 311, ... the empire.": on the emperor Constantine's "Edict of Toleration" (Milan) legalizing Christianity

- bottom210: image of Jesus Christ from a Roman catacomb: Fig. 10.10

- top-mid212b: "Constantine and ... in Palestine [= Judaea].": Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea - the CREED formulated: see my Handout = the essential/traditional beliefs of Christians

- upper-mid219b; "Two world wars ... been made.": importance of Vatican Council II seeking unity among Christians AND respectful harmony and mutual understanding between Christians and followers of other religions  +  mid219b-upper220a: "Catholicism Today  ...  among nations.": on Roman Catholic Christianity: papal primacy, V C II, Pope John Paul II + Fig. 11.2

- mid226b-mid227a: "In 1517 [Oct. 31st], a German ... sixteenth century.": on Protestants (ML, JC, King H VIII) and the Roman Catholic Church's Council of Trent (1540s-1560s) to undertake reforms for religious renewal

- mid231b-top233a: "Light for the ... various nations.": on V C II in relation to the world of believers & non-believers + lower233a-upper233b: "A Catholic Teaching ... Gaudium et Spes [= "Joy and Hope"] ... history (n. 1).": from one of the Vatican II Declaration-Documents

- mid235a-bottom235b: "The [Eastern] Orthodox Church ... Pope's primacy [= the Pope speaks with ultimate authority on matters of faith & morals].": on Orthodox Christianity in general

- 237a: Fig. 12.1 + 245a: Fig. 12.10: ICONS = Orthodox stylized holy images

- upper241-mid241b  +  Fig. 12.6 = ICON of the divine Trinity: on Orthodox theology = beliefs about God as TRIUNE = three-in-one: "God, who revealed ... between people."

- lower-bottom250a: "People of the Word ... recited aloud.": Protestant worship emphasizes Bible-reading and preaching thereon: see Fig. 13.1 on 251a  +  mid251b: "Christians believe ... in the Eucharist [= symbolic/sacramental bread and wine shared at the worship service among congregation members remembering Jesus' "Last Supper"]

- mid-bottom253a: on Martin Luther (see Fig. 13.4): "From his ... O, Lord." + my Handout on his "95 Theses" against the sale of Indulgences (= certificates of pardon) for the forgiveness of sins toward salvation

- upper256a-upper256b: "Justified by Faith ... love in the world.": the Lutheran perspective on what it means to have faith in God

- top259a-mid259b: on different Christian churches/denominations/branches: "A century after Martin ... religious scholars." + Fig. 13.8: King Henry VIII, who established the Church of England = the Anglican Church in England in the 1530s, thus creating a Protestant Church separated from the Roman Catholic Church to today

ISLAM: 265a-mid266a: "Introduction   Grounded in ... elements of Islam.": Islam historically appeared through Muhammad to whom revelations from "the One God" voiced by the archangel Gabriel/Jibril came to him at age 40 in 610 CE - his "recitations" of what would be his inspired utterances formed the holy scripture Qur'an - the Five Pillars (see below)

- lower266b-mid268b: "Islam and and Muslims ... supports modern Islam.": the Qur'an - mosques - submission/obedience to God's will - the umma - tawhid = "the oneness [= unity] of God" - the shahada - "five pillars" = faith-declaration. prayers 5 times daily, Ramadan fasting, pilgrimage = hajj, charity/almsgiving = zakat + Figs. 14.2 & .3

- upper269b-top272a: "The Prophet Muhammad and ... on Allah [= the Arabic word meaning] the One God.": the prophet's life - receiving the Quranic revelations - submission to God's will (= islam - Muslim = the one who obeys God's will, not one's own ego) - Khadija - the hijra in 622 CE to Medina from Mecca - return to Mecca in 630 - d. in 622 CE at age 60 (b. in 570 CE)

- upper274a-b: "The Qur'an, the Sunna ... to Muhammad himself.": BIG TYPO! "Hu...d" should obviously be MUHAMMAD - on the Qur'an: 114 suras/chapters - the verses of God = ayat Allah = "signs of God" = pointing one's mind/remembrance toward God - Abraham (and his first-born son, Ishmael) as Islam's forefather prophet - Muhammad's non-Quranic words & deeds for contemplation/imitation collected as the hadith forming the Sunna tradition

- top275a-mid276b: "Allah, God the Creator ... known to Muhammad.": the meaning of the Arabic word "Allah" - God's attributes: mercy/al-Rahman and compassion/al-Rahim - see my handout on the Bismillah - belief in angels - see Fig. 14.12

- lower276b-bottom277a: "The Prophets, Jesus ... only for believers.": prophets/messengers of God (= nabi & rasul) before Muhammad such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus/Isa - Mary/Maryam, Jesus' Virgin Mother (all these revered persons are spoken of any number of times in the Qur'an)

- 277b-bottom278b: "The Five Pillars of Islam ... solidarity among believers." + read my Handout + see Fig. 14.14 & Fig. 14.6 on 270: declaring the shahada, praying daily, formal giving to the needy (= zakat & sadaqa), fasting during the entire month of Ramadan, going on pilgrimage to Mecca = the hajj (we watched parts of a docu-film on "ordinary" pilgrimage called the umrah)

+ Handout of parts of Prof. Berkson's lecture on Islam = 15 mins. in class Tues 12/10

 

SIKHISM: 109a-mid110: "Introduction   The word Sikh ... Gurur Nanak [fl. 1500 CE] ... Guru Gobind Singh   'fie k's' ... 'the Khalsa' ... Timeless One') [= the Divine One as Lord Eternal Truth]." + photo Fig. 5.1

- lower114b-mid116b: "Beginnings   Sikh religion begins ... Guru Nanak   his musician companion, Mardana [see Fig. 5.8], ... Ikk Oan Kar ('One Being Is') [= there is One God - monotheism] ... and practice.": life of G N & his teachings & Sikh practices

- mid116b-bottom117b: on "The Khalasa" and importance of Guru Gobind Singh (fl. 1700 CE) - the 5 K's - the Holy Scripture = Guru Granth Sahib: "The tenth and final Guru, ... for generations."

- upper119a-lower120a: on the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib: "Just before he ... their fellow beings." - see Fig. 5.12 & on 112-13: Figs. 5.4 & .5

- bottom120a-top121a: "Doctrine   Sikhs believe in the ... our global community.": on Sikh monotheistic beliefs and ethical values

- mid121a-mid122a: "Worship   Whether in shrines or at home ... gurdwara ... Golden Temple ... Amritsar ... free eatery.'": on Sikh religious worship - see Figs. 5.13 & .14

- lower-bottom125b: "The Opening ... The gift [= the inspired knowledge of the One God given to all by] the Guru." - see my handout for another translation + on Sikh beliefs and the holy symbol = the "Ik oankar" + see my Handout of parts of Prof. Mark Berkson's Lecture

 

       *** Regarding the Exam-Format, I have NOT YET designed it, but it will be similar to our previous exams with Matching Columns for each Part = the 4 religions + probably 1 or 2 in-class hand-written short Essays with topics indicated in advance - NO typed Essay this time

 

 

 

Monday 10/21/13 - RevPp from the SHINTO chapter 8 in ROW:

-159a-160a: "The word Shinto refers ... Japanese people.": meanings of SHINTO & of kami - on Shinto shrines & rites/rituals

- 163b-165a: "KAMI: Powers of Life ... village (ujiko).": just take note of the range of what are classified as kami = man-made and Nature-made phenomena -- on goshintai = "divine bodies" (or, holy, symbolic vessels/objects for the kami to indwell) which have many forms identified with the kami

- lower166a-b: "Buddhism from Korea ... and vice versa." + Fig. 8.7: Buddhist figures became identified with kami, such as the figure in Buddhist monk robes named Hachiman + on Hachiman READ the HANDOUT with image

- 170a-171a: on SHRINES: "The presence of ... home as well.": on Shinto shrines (= jinja) as places of worship & pilgrimage + Fig. 8.11: the gateway to shrines called the torii

- 172b-173a: on the Grand Shrine at Ise honoring the sun-deity/-goddess called Amaterasu O-mikami (= the Great Revered Kami named Amaterasu): "A special focus ... a white cloth.": on the every-20-year rebuilding of the most sacred Shinto shrine, as we saw in the news-video last week. + on the Ise Grand Shrine READ the Handout with image

EXAM FORMAT - 100 points

PART I - Taoism: Matching Columns - 5 pairs @ 3 = 15 pts

PART II - Confucianism: Matching Columns - 5 pairs @ 3 = 15 pts.

PART III: Shinto: Matching Columns - 5 pairs @ 3 = 15 pts.

PART IV - TAOISM:  In-class handwritten ESSAY @ 20 points - no notes or book - on Zhuang-zi/Chuang-tzu's Taoist philosophical perspective on his wife's death - as in HANDOUT

PART V - CONFUCIANISM: Typed 1/2 to 1 page ESSAY due on exam-day @ 35 points: Topic: Upon reading Analects 2.4 = on p.152a in ROW & another translation as in HANDOUT, compose your thoughts in response to: How might the stages (several? all?) of Confucius's inner-life's journey offer YOU lessons/guidance in living in today's 21st-century world?

Monday 10/16/13: RevPp for Exam #2 on Taoism, Confucianism & Shinto:

TAOISM: from Chapter 6 in our book ROW - lower134a-upper135b + Fig. 6.7: "Dao   The Chinese word dao ... heavenly Dao.": on the expansive meaningS of "the Way/Path/..." from earthly Nature's vitalizing energy to the heavenly Ordering-Principle of  cosmic reality - - Humanity's attunement to the universal Dao through harmonizing with the natural world

- top136a-lower136b: "Lao-zi   Lao-zi, the great ... kings of China.": on the "Old Master" and his "The Way and the Power of the Way" Dao De Jing + Fig. 6.8

- bottom137b-upper138b: "Qi and Wu Wei ... other than effect.": on the "life-force/-energy" = Qi, and on "effortless action/doing" = Wu Wei: both partake of the Dao's creative naturalness

+ handout-passages on Chuang Tzu/Master Chuang and the Tao Te Ching/Dao De Jing (different ways to transliterate Chinese words)

+ handout-passages on Taoism

-- from Ch. 7 CONFUCIANISM: mid144a-mid145b: "Confucius and Confucianism    The term ... fuzi, 'master.'": on Confucius's life and aspects of his legacy: the "Ru school" that carried on his teachings emphasizing the "noble-hearted person" = junzi ... + bottom146b-top147a: "After Confucius died ... born with.": the ideal of ren = benevolence/humane disposition towards others = "humanity" = compassion ... AND the guiding principle of daily life = li = "ritual propriety" in social relations

- top-lower149b: on HEAVEN: "While ritual is ... ways of Heaven (Analects 3.24 [= Sayings , Ch. 3, Saying # 24]) + from handout "Mellowing in the Way"

- mid154b-mid155b: "In contrast [to a Legalist School emphasis in governance], Confucius proposed ... hands and feet.": Confucius's ideas on governing

- lower156a-b: excerpts: "Is it not a ... (Analects 1.1)  +  "A person of ... prominent." (Analects 6.28)  + "Superior [= noble-hearted] persons ... the [morally] inferior ... opposite." (Analects 12.16)

+ handout-passages on Confucianism

- from Ch. 8 SHINTO yet to be selected

 

 

Thursday, 9/26/2013: here is the Exam-Format for Exam #1 @ 100 points: These 3 PARTS have two columns, with the items (= names, key terms/concepts) of the left-column being numbered and the right column being phrases with a small blank-space next to each. You will write the number of a left-column item on the blank to match both as the correct pair. Each item on the left can only be used once; each phrase is valid for only 1 specific item. 

PART I - HINDUISM: Matching Columns - 6 pairs @ 3 pts. = 18

PART II - BUDDHISM: Matching Columns - 8 pairs @ 3 pts. = 24

PART III - JAINISM - 6 pairs @ 3 pts. = 18

The above PARTS are to be done in class on paper I will provide, of course.

PART IV - a typed ESSAY @ 40 points - 1-page in length max, 1/2 page minimum, using standard 12-point font, double-spacing between lines - due on exam-day in class. At page-top put your NAME and give your essay an appropriate TITLE. You will choose ONLY 1 out of the  following 3 topics:

1 - HINDUISM-option: First, REread attentively the extract # XII, 6 from the BHAGAVAD GITA on p. 76b, and then bottom76b-top77b: "The above extracts ... divinity.": After your REreading, compose an Essay in which you explain - both in your own words and with brief quotations from our book - what the god, Lord Krishna, promises he will do for those devotees, like Prince Arjuna, who live their lives faithfully devoted to him, their "Celestial Lord." Be sure to include what Lord Krishna expects of his devotees as they practice their pious devotion (= bhakti).

2 - BUDDHISM-option: First, REread attentively mid87b: "... the figure of ... before all else."  + bottom93a-top94b: "The Bodhisattva, ... The Vow of ... of saviors.": After your REreading, compose an Essay in which you explain - both in your own words and with brief quotations from our book - the compassionate role of the Bodhisattva = "wisdom-being", who is a saintly figure, male or female, concerned for others. Be sure to include the named Bodhisattva to illustrate the role.

3 - JAINISM-option: First, REread attentively mid-bottom101a on the 5 "Great Vows." After your REreading, compose an Essay in which you explain - both in your own words and with brief quotations from our book - the 5 Jain ethical ideals intended to guide people's lives. Be sure to explain the primary importance of  ahimsa.

Tuesday 9/24/2013 - Selected RevPp for the JAINISM chapter in ROW:

- 95a: on Jain & jina: "The Jain tradition ... of the conquerors."

- 95b: on V. Mahavira (5th century BCE): "The Jain tradition ... of rebirth."  +  lower96a-97b: "Jains consider ... a kevalin [= renouncer who separates him/herself from worldly concerns] like him.": seeking moksha/liberation beyond our everyday, worldly life which hinders/obstructs us on the spiritual path to liberation as we are purifying our karma = our everyday deeds/words/...

- 98b-top99a: on the 2 major branches/sects: Digambara & Shvetambara: "By the fourth ... white robes.": D - "sky-clad" = naked or nearly so - ""wearing the sky"" ; S - wear white, simple robes, often with mouth-mask

- 100a-upper101a: TEACHINGS: on karma - on the jiva = eternal soul/self/spirit of life - on ajiva = karmic obstruction on the life-path of purification to liberation - on ahimsa = non-harming: "Jains believe that ... is moksha."

- mid-bottom101a: on the 5 "Great Vows": "Asceticism is a term ... their lives.": ahimsa; truthfulness; never stealing; being morally self-controlled, being sexually restrained or abstinent; not being materialistically acquisitive/possessive

- 103b: Fig. 4.7  with caption: "A fifty-five ... water." +  Michael Wood's docu-clip on Bahuballi, a prince who renounced/gave up his worldly privileges and became a jina and revered as a Tirthankara = "ford-maker" who crosses over showing others the way

- mid105a: on Gurudev Chitrabhanu's NYC Jain center & teaching: "Chitrabhanu teaches ... the world." Born in 1922.

- mid106b: "The Jain ascetic ideal is ... by Mahavira.": jiva vs ajiva = constant struggle of the jiva to conquer the worldly/bodily "trap" of ignorance and negative karma in order to attain liberation in an ultimate state of purity

MON 9/23/13 - Selected RevPp for the BUDDHISM chapter in ROW:

- 79a-b: "More than 2,500 ... and the community [of Buddhist monks, nuns, lay people].": on Siddhartha Gautama who became known as the Buddha  = "the Awakened/Enlightened One" - the Fourth Noble Truth is the Noble Eightfold Path from suffering in samsara to nirvana beyond worldly time&space - the Three Refuges/Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma = teaching/law/duty, and the Sangha (or, Samgha) = the Buddhist community world-wide

- mid82b-mid84a: "Around 563 BCE [= Before the Common Era, dated as of the time of Christ 2000 years ago] ... and contemplation.": on SG - his quest - the 4 Noble Truths, with the 4th as the 8fold Path - SEE the Handout on #1-8 = Wisdom, Morality, Meditation

- lower85a: on Nirvana: "Nirvana constitutes the end ... a mystery.":  a state of beatitude = joyful blessedness without the imperfections of our worldly world

- mid86a-mid86b: "The Buddha (also ... gain merits.": the role of lay people (= non-monks/nuns) - generosity - the Three Jewels

- top87b: on the "Three Baskets" = tri-pitaka = 3 collections of Buddhist scriptures on the Buddha's teachings as such - the Dharma (= very many sutras), on the rules/principles governing how monks & nuns should live - the Discipline, and philosophical writings by Buddhist monks over the centuries inspired by the Dharma (= abhi-dharma)

- mid-bottom87b: on the Mahayana (= Wide/Great/All-Encompassing Vehicle/Raft) branches (north Asian) of Buddhism emphasizing compassion for others embodied in the saintly figure called a bodhisattva (= "wisdom-being"), who vows to bring ALL sentient/living beings to "salvation" = nirvana: "Lay people still ... to salvation."  + lower93a-b: on the "Vow of the Bodhisattva": "May I ... other beings."

- bottom90b: "In 1578, ... Dalai Lama ... and attention."  +  photo & caption on upper92

- lower92b-upper92a  +  Fig. 3.17: on the Japanese ZEN (= "meditation" - from the Chinese CH'AN tradition, ultimately derived from Buddhist dhyana = contemplation/meditation) branches (Soto, Rinzai, ...) open to all who seek "awakening" applied to their daily lives, as the Zen master explained to Huston Smith how to infuse/pour into your everyday life "Infinite gratitude to all things past, infinite service to all things present, infinite responsibility to all things future. That is Zen." So, our lives should be conducted with thankfulness to those who came before us & now guide us (= ancestors, parents, ...), with kindness to people & animals we encounter, and with conscientiousness in our activities so that they contribute to a better world for future generations.

MON 9/16/13 - Selected Review pages for the HINDUISM chapter in ROW:

- 61a-62b: Introduction: In ancient Hinduism, more than 2500 years ago, there were the VEDAS = sacred scriptures (from oral handing-down to being written) including ritual prayers and hymns (= songs/chants) to Deities/Divinities such as the god Varuna (image on p.69 - Fig. 2.11), who forgives & blesses. (I read an extract in class in which the worshipper ask for pity and forgiveness for sins.) Over the centuries, prayerful, loving devotion of (= bhakti = deep piety toward) particular gods & goddesses developed, with worship + offerings (flowers, food, ...) placed before statues of, for ex., Lord Krishna, while beholding the image and being "seen" by the god (= darshan, As M.B. explained)

- 64a: "A rite [or ritual act] of adoration [ or worship], ... par excellence [= above all].": puja is the religious term for a wide variety of devotional/pious practices by devotees of gods and goddesses - at home in shrine-rroms, in temples, at or in sacred rivers like the Ganges/Ganga, ...

- lower65a-top65b: on Mahatma Gandhi and his life-guiding principles: satya-graha = "pursuit of truth" (as explained by his grandson in the docu-clip) and ahimsa = non-violence/non-harming in thought, word & deed

- mid67b: more on the VEDAS - esp. the Rig Veda: "The Vedas are ... salvation."

- bottom71a-top73a: "The word Yoga ... material universe.": on YOGA as more than physical exercises (as Huston Smith explained to us in the docu-clip): yoga means the discipline of harmonizing mind and body so as to ultimately join/unite the spirit-within us and the Divine Spirit through "living in accordance" with moral values = virtues (p.72a), such as reverence/respect for all life, eventually (outside of Time and Space) leading to "spiritual liberation" (= moksha) from the ever-on-going cycle of birth-life-death-rebirth called samsara (= transmigration or metempsychosis) of the spirit/soul/atman journeying through many many lifetimes seeking to "do good karma" (= perform virtuous deeds) in order to attain a state of purity, and thereby be worthy of liberation

- bottom74b-75b + 76b-top77b: on the sacred scripture "Celestial [Heavenly] Song" - Bhagavad Gita, "Song/Hymn about Lord Krishna: "The Bhagavad Gita ... interpretation of Hinduism." + "XII.6. Those who place ... humanity and divinity.": Prince Arjuna strives to do his duty - his dharma as a warrior/kshatriya - in devotion (= his bhakti) to Lord Krishna, who offers guidance/counsel that will ultimately lead Arjuna to liberation from samsara and be in union with Lord Krishna (in one chapter Krishna reveals himself as the Lord of the Universe, which overawes Arjuna), who transcends Time and Space - that ultimate, blessed union is Krishna's promise to his devotees, like Arjuna

 

 

 

Oct. 4, 2012 - Greetings, All! Here are the Review Pages from the BUDDHISM chapter in our IWR book, including several sections from the few pages on CONFUCIANISM. I will design the exam-format over this weekend and will present it to you in our Retrospective review-class on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in preparation for Exam #2 next Thursday, Oct. 11th. The exam-contents will be based on/derived from these selected book-pages PLUS selected passages - yet to be specified - from recent xeroxed handouts on Buddhism (such as Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's essay-extract), and on Confucianism. We will examine both of these today in class - Thursday 10/4/12.

I - BUDDHISM: upper43b: "In a nutshell": the essentials of the Buddhist Path: "Buddhists believe ... of rebirth."

- top44a-upper46b: First Steps: on the Life of Siddhartha Gautama - the Ascetic - (in box) "Change of heart" - Awakening: how SG became the Buddha = "Enlightened/Awakened One"

- lower45a: "Types of Buddhism": Theravada & Mahayana - Bodhisattva & compassion: "The earliest form ... close to this."

- 46a: on Nirvana just read in this box for a general sense of "what cannot be imagined" = the goal of living in accord with the Noble Eightfold Path

- bottom46b-top47a: on the meanings of Dharma in Buddhism

- mid48b: on "Other Buddhas" and Bodhisattvas: compassion

- bottom48b-mid49a: on Buddhist sacred Scriptures: "The first Buddhist ... 'The Way of the Teaching.'"

- top49b-lower50a: on the Sangha: the Buddhist community of monks & nuns - and lay people - the Buddha's denial of caste-status & affirmation of  equality

- bottom50a-bottom50b: on the Four Noble Truths + (in the box) on the Noble Eightfold Path + lowermid-bottom51a: on "the [Eightfold] Path [of the Buddhist Dharma] as a Guide" to attain/reach nirvana

- 55b: in the box on Mantras & Mandalas + photo on p.62 - and remember the news-items we watched on the Tibetan monks at NDSU (easy to watch - just Google it)

- bottom55b-lower56a: on the "Five Precepts" and on "Taking Refuge"

- bottom56a-mid57a: on Shrines and Viharas and Stupas: where & how Buddhists worship - on relics + photo on p.57

- 58a: on Vajra and Mala: symbols and objects for praying

- lower60a-top60b: on HH the Dalai Lama + photo - and remember "our" conversation-encounter with the DL thanks to BW (also easy to watch - just Google it)

- mid61a: on the Buddhist festival of Wesak (Vesak - Vesakha) celebrated in the spring - April-May

- top65b: on the "Boy and the Ox" symbolic picture-story + image on p.64

- lower65: (in the box) helpful summary-overview "Buddhism ... at a glance"

II - CONFUCIANISM: upper179a: on Confucianism in general

- from lower-mid-180b to lower-mid182a: First Steps + The Goal + Teachers of the Way + Treasures of the Heart (jen [ren] & li) + Paths to Peace: values such as "filial piety" (respectful devotion towards elders - hsiao) and "duty" (moral obligation/righteousness/...) contributing toward social harmony + Awe and Wonder: ritual (li), such as honoring one's ancestors PLUS, as I mentioned above, the handout I gave out last class Tuesday 10/2/12

*** Over this weekend I will prepare our Retrospective - and I urge you to examine these Review Pages before Tuesday's class - and I will design the exam-format; I won't add anything, but if I decide not to subtract something from the above I will tell you on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

9/10/12 - Greetings, Folks! Here are the selected Review Pages on Hinduism and Jainism for our Exam #1 on NEXT Thursday 9/20. I suggest that you begin your own reviewing in preparation for our in-class RETROSPECTIVE on NEXT Tuesday 9/18. By then I will have designed the exam-format and will present that to you in class that day. (Not SCANTRON - no Multiple Choice questions - in the Syllabus I briefly mention the kind of format I usually use = the middle of p.3)

                 I - Review Pages from the chapter in IWR on HINDUISM:

- mid19b: "In a nutshell" = summary-overview of Hinduism as an ancient religious tradition teaching about Humanity's interconnections with the Divine//God however conceived

- lower19b-top20a: "The genius" = meaning the characteristic nature of Hinduism: one mountain-summit; many paths to reach it

- top21b in box: on bhakti = meaning pious devotion to the Divine//God however named, however envisioned

- upper-mid22b: "Early Beliefs": quotation from Vedic scripture = prayer-hymn to the ancient deity Varuna in the Rg [Rik] Veda -- Veda means knowledge in the deepest sense, plus ritual imbued with wisdom + p.24b: on the Shastras/Scriptures, esp. the Vedas

- upper23 in box: on the avatars/manifestations/incarnations of the divine Lord Vishnu, esp. #7 & #8

- 24a: on the Hindu "Trinity" of gods: B, V & S  +  the image of Shiva with caption = Nataraja, Lord of the [Cosmic] Dance (docu-clip with Huston Smith)

- upper25a in box: on the Bhagavad Gita: essential story-themes  +  our xeroxed hand-out: the helpful Introduction (by Philip Novak) and the section #20 on "Karma Yoga" = egoless deeds performed in God's name  +  image with caption on p.26

lower27b-28a-upper28b: on DHARMA and KARMA (in the box): meanings of these central belief-concepts - notice AHIMSA and Gandhi as an example of doing your moral/righteous duty NOT for your own sake - like Prince Arjuna's moral action in the B Gita  + upper30 (in box): on M. Gandhi's life & ideals + photo with caption on p.31

- lower30b-upper31a: on the Hindu (and Jain and Buddhist) ideal of "Reverence for Life" + go back to upper27b: from "The atman [= soul/spiritual essence] is ... Brahman [= God/the Divine] within ... Namaste ... other person."

- mid31a: on the holy river Mother Ganga/Ganges & the pilgrimage-city Varanasi (also called Kashi as well as Benares) - we travelled there in our BARAKA docu-clip

- lower31a-top32b: on one's "chosen [= favorite/devoted-to] deity" = Ishta Devata - the Divine as both the One and the Many, as with the avatars of Lord Vishnu + see photo with caption on p.35

- lower33b: ARTI, the ceremony we've seen twice in the video-clip celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday, in a temple in Chantilly, Virginia

- upper34b: on PUJA = worship at home or in a temple/mandir + see lower33a on Mandirs

- 38b: on 2 festivals - DIVALI and DUSSHERA + lower39 in box: on the festival of HOLI

- lower41 in box: Chapter-Summary: "Hinduism    at a glance ..."

                    II - RevPp from the 2-page Chapter in IWR on JAINISM 

- upper188a: "First Steps" = on Mahavira, the '"ounder" - his life & attainment

- lower188a: "The Goal" = moksha/liberation, very similar to the Hindu & Buddhist idea of ultimate escape from samsara (the eternal cycle of many lives) - it appears, at first glance, to be a non-theistic religious path, yet ... + lower189a: "Awe and Wonder": worship even of certain "Hindu deities"

- lower188a-upper188b: on Jain teachers/gurus = the Jinas/Tirthankaras/"Ford Makers" = those who make a ford-way to show us how to cross/ford the rivers of life

- mid188b: "Treasury ...": Jain beliefs about the "soul" in all sentient beings = animals, insects, ...

- lower188b-mid189a: "Paths ...": pure AHIMSA in one's activities - the "Five Principles" (or "Five Vows") + photo with caption on p.189

- upper189b: "Journey ...": ages upon ages of Humanity's journey and then the Tirthankaras come to teach free-will ... AND I will show a docu-clip (Michael Wood) on the Jain tradition with a celebration of Lord Bahuballi, a Jain saint

 

 

 

 

 

OCT. 20, 2014 - REMEMBER the "AT A GLANCE" on p. 141 helpful for reviewing

 ***From the Chapter on CHRISTIANITY in IWRS: 117a: "God and Man": "Christianity ... and earth.": essentials of the faith + "Yeshua": on Jesus: "Jesus, ... wandering teacher [= rabbi/Master].": biographical sketch

- 117b: "In a nutshell": "Christianity began ... favour.": historical perspective and theological "mystery of faith"/paradox + top118a: "The genius": "Christians would ... in the flesh.": again, faith-essentials

- 119a: on JESUS: "Joseph is ... Christian Creeds.": expanded, Gospel-derived, biographical sketch

- 119b: "Jesus' Ministry": "The [4] Gospels give ... and Savior.": the apostle Peter's testimony from ACTS in the NT + historical facts + the GOSPELS = narrative framework for Jesus' sayings, parables, sermons, miracles, sufferings, death & resurrection

- 120b-lower121b: on the TRINITY + top121: "The developing message" = doctrines formulated AFTER Jesus based on Scripture + Paul's Letters & other NT writings, culminating in the Nicene Creed of 325/381CE + see image of St. P on p.123

- top123a: Quotation from the Gospel according to Mt: "Therefore go ... the age." + upper123a: "The Twelve" = Apostles/Disciples + lower123a on "The Tradition of the [12] Apostles"

- bottom123b + 125a: on "The Bible" = OT & NT - the 4 Gospels, the Acts, the 21 Letters/Epistles + Book of Revelation/Apocalypse

- 124a-b: on 3 historical figures: St. Paul (d. 67CE), Martin Luther (d.1546): their achievements = importance

- top126a-128b: from quotation: "Indeed, ... life." to "Atonement": on faith-affirmations/declaration = the Creeds, esp. the Nicene + on Key Beliefs - creedal doctrines + on the Crucifixion = Sacrifice of the Cross = atonement for human sin + the Resurrection

- top129a-upper130a: on the CHURCH = assembly of believers/ecclesia + on Christian Prayer + on the "Lord's Prayer" = the "Our Father" + KO'D's thematic analysis of the 3 prayer-themes

- mid130b-top132a: "Right Living" as a committed Christian: "the Key" = the Quotation on top130: "So in ... Prophets." = the "Golden Rule" - SEE again p.12b for other quotations: Rabbi Hillel, the QUR'AN, ... + on the "Beatitudes" = J's "Sermon on the Mount" on saintly living despite the world's antagonisms - so, "Rejoice and be glad ... heaven, ..." + top131: on the Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. & Mother Teresa as exemplars of "Right Living": social justice & human dignity

- photo on 132: pilgrim prostrated in prayer + bottom133a-b: on WORSHIP from Early Christian times to Modern times + top135b on "Holy Communion" as the heart of worship-service following J's instruction quoted by St. Paul in I Cor. on top-left136

- lower135a-b: on symbols in Christian art, esp. the CROSS: "Pictures of ... a mystery."

- top136b: on the "Resurrection" of Jesus from death, celebrated at Easter-time + top138a on Easter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***From the Chapter on ISLAM in IWRs: top142: quotation = Sura 1:1-2 of the QUR'AN that includes the Bismillah: see lower146b-top147b: on "The One God"

- 142-lower143a: intro-par + on "Islam and Allah" with definitions & Qur'an-quotation the Fattiha prayer - on Muhammad & the Ka'aba+ 143b: on ancient Arabia: Makkah/Mecca & Muhammad: "Muhammad transformed ... reckoned with."

- top144a: "The genius" = essentials of Islamic faith & on Muhammad and Jesus: "Islam is ... a prophet."

- lower144a-lower146a: on the life and spiritual/mystical experiences of Muhammad, esp. upper144b = "The Revelation": from "Trader and Seeker" to being "The Prophet": take note of his wife Khadija - Muhammad as "one of the hanifs" - 622CE = the Hegira - d. 632CE + lower149b: "The Seal of the Prophets"

- topright149: Sura-quotation: "All believe in ... our return." + 150a: "Prophets and messengers": on Muhammad's predecessors in the Bible, esp. "Jesus ('Isa')": "Jesus is revered ... though." + upper155a-b: on "Prophets"

- bottom150b-151a: on "The [sacred] Books" of God's revelation culminating in the Qur'an: "The messengers ... compiled." + top155a: on "Books"

- lower151b: just on the Shariah: "Besides the ... Sunnah."

- mid154a-top155a: "Treasury of the Heart" = on the 5 "Pillars of Islam" = faith-essentials: "Muslims teach ... in white robes." + top154a on The One God

- top155b: on "Angels": remember the Angel Gabriel (Jibril)'s role = top144b: "Angels are ... the Merciful.'"

- topleft156: the "Call to Prayer" = "God is ... no [other/false] god but [the one true] God."

- 156b: on SALAT and WUDU"  = on praying: "Muslims are ... this way." + 156b-mid157a: on "The Call to Prayer" & "Formal Prayers": In Muslim ... own prayers." + bottom157b: on "Worship and the mosque"

- mid-bottom157a: on "The Night Journey" of Muhammad = the Isra  and the Mir'aj = mystical experiences from Mecca to Jerusalem and "through the seven heavens"

- top157b: on "Meditation": prayer beads = subha": saying God's 99 holy names & mantra-like prayer-utterances

- bottom160a-mid161a: "Journey into Mystery" - on "Refusal of Symbols": the Ka'aba - see photo on 152-53 - on the Ummah = the global community of all Muslims of allnations

- bottom161a-top161b: on the Sufi mystical path in Islam: "The Sufis are ... upon earth." + photo on 160

- mid161b-top163a: on RAMADAN and the 2 festivals = Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha - and note the "night of Power" = Laylat ul Qadr celebrating when Muhammad first received a revelation on Mt. Hira - and note the connection with Abraham in the "festival of sacrifice" + lower163a-b: on the HAJJ

- upper163b-bottom164a: on the meaningS of Jihad: "Islam faces ... held sway."

- mid164b-bottom165a: on "Jews and Christians" as "people of the Book"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***From the SIKHISM chapter in IWRs: 66a: "A LATECOMER   Sikhism is ... 1499   mystical experience ... [Guru] Nanak in [the Punjab] an area ... of one God.": essential facts

- 67a-b: "In a nutshell ... 'disciple' [ or learner/student] ... Nanak ... their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib ... holy men." + "The genius ... the heart and personal devotion to God.": the Guru-succession of 10 - the hymns

68a-mid68b: from "First Steps" to "God is Everywhere": - the quotation: "There is no Hindu, ... whose path ... ? ... God's path." - Guru Nanak  ((I understand now why K O'D says on mid81b that "death is a release into the path of God ..." = a Sikh metaphor for God's presence to whom the soul journeys on "paths of righteousness" (BIBLE - Psalm 23:3: "He [God] guides me on paths of righteousness for His name's sake.")

- top69a: on "Nanak's mission" = his journeys + photo-&caption

- 69b: on "The GOAL" - quotation - on "God is One" (= "God the one Creator") + from top70a to bottom 70b: "Nanak taught ... serve others." + on the Ek Aum-Kar symbol + 79b: on "The Mystery of God": as you read these passages, take note of Nanak's "theology" = "God has no form, ..." and the necessity of the 10 Gurus' teaching-guidance to help our "divine spark within," summed-up in 4 points = "The Gurbani" = instruction on the "Utterances" = Guru Nanak's 4 teaching-points = "There is one ... serve others."

71b: "The return": key ideas, such as reincarnation again - release/union = mukti and the devotions/disciplines of chanting & meditation, study, worship (home & gurdwara), service & charity: "The soul wanders ... and charity."

- top73a: on "The Guru Granth Sahib" = lit. "Teacher-Book-Revered" + bottom73a: on Guru Gobind Singh (d. 1708) who finalized the Adi Granth's form & contents as the culminating Guru

- 73a-top74a: "Treasury of the Heart" = quotation + on the "Mool Mantra": "Sikh belief ... many lifetimes.": here K O'D reiterates through the "M M" key beliefs presented already

- bottom74a-top75a: on the Khalsa brother-/sisterhood

- top74b: on "Equality" [woman/wife = ardhangi = "the better half"]: "There are no ... or status." + 85b: on "Women": "The role ... and worship."

- 75a-b: "Paths to Peace": quoted prayer + "The Name of God": "Sikhs are ... chant his praises."

- bottom77a-top78b: "Awe and Wonder": quotation + on the Gurdwara - Inside - on the Granth + top79a: on the langar: we've seen this in Prof. M. B.'s lecture

- see above on 79b: "The Mystery of God" + p. 70: the Gurbani

- top81b: on "The Five Ks"

- bottom81b: on "Death" = reunion with God after our day of life's journey into night - provided our soul-spark/atman is pure and worthy

- 82a: on Amritsar + photo on 76: the "Pool of Nectar" in which devotees - like the man on 76 - at the Golden Temple are, if I may say, blessed/graced, but Guru Nanak would say that God's grace/blessing is found everywhere, so long as one is mindful in remembering God: bottom-paragraph: "Guru Nanak ... Sikh history."

 

EXAM FORMAT: PART I - ISLAM - Matching Columns - 10 pairs @ 2.50 = 25 pts.

PART II - ISLAM - In-class Essay: EXPLAIN the Five Pillars of Islam @ 25 pts.

PART III - SIKHISM - Matching Columns - 10 pairs @ 2.50 = 25 pts.

PART IV - SIKHISM - In-class Essay: EXPLAIN the 4 essential principles of Guru Nanak's teaching = the Gurbani.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*** OCTOBER 20, 2014 - From the JUDAISM chapter in IWRs: 88a-b: Intro-paragraph: "The Jewish faith ... a messiah.": key themes

- 89b: "In a nutshell": "Judaism ... his laws.": again, key themes, esp. COVENANT + box on top99: "The Hebrew .. time again."

- 91a: on ABRAHAM: "With the story ... to 1700 BCE.": obeying God's "call" to go forth from Haran (orig'ly from Ur) to Canaan, the "Promised Land" - blessings promised to A's descendants from Isaac and Ishmael

- 91b: on MOSES: "Moses is ... 'Way' or 'Revelation.'": "The greatest prophet" to whom God gave the 10 Commandments essential ethical code with the TORAH = the Five Book of Moses = the 1st five books of the Hebrew Bible - heroic rescuer of Israelites in Egypt = the Exodus

- top92a-mid92b: "Moses and the name of God": "Moses had a ... Moses' vision.": the "Burning Bush" miraculous encounter on "holy ground"  (YHWH)

- mid95b-top98a: on the 3 T's: TORAH = 1st 5 biblical books & TENAKH = the Hebrew Bible in 3 parts (TALMUD = corpus of biblical commentaries by rabbis from Jerusalem & Babylon assembled between c.200 & 500 CE)

- top98b-bottom99b: on the SHEMA: "Hear, O Israel: The ... the emperor."

- 100a-b: on the MESSIAH and THE WORLD TO COME: "The term ... to Come.": beliefs in "an ideal blessed ruler" and "being taken into glory of seeing God"

- 103a-b: on ETHICS and BLESSINGS, with quotations from the Bible: Exodus & Dueteronomy - the Commandments and reciting blessings: note the meaningS of b'rakhah + 104a: on the 10 C'ments: "The Decalogue, ... animal offerings.": ethical guidelines = the Temple destroyed, "acts of loving-kindness" instead of tangible altar-sacrifices

- top104b-mid-upper105a: "KIDDUSH and the HOME ... the heart ... remember their Creator.": on the Shabbat/Sabbath & from Sen. Joe Lieberman = handout + photo 106-7

- 105b: the box on the SYNAGOGUE: "'Synagogue' is ... in Hebrew.": facts about the place of worship

- lower105a + 108a: on the TEMPLE: "The Hebrew Bible ... Temple offerings.": on the 2nd Temple (enhanced by King Herod) and "Holy Place" in Jerusalem pre-70CE

- mid112b-top113a: on the High Holy Days = Days of Awe, such as Yom Kippur = the Day of Atonement (= confession & forgiveness)

- 115: At A Glance section - helpful for reviewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXAM #3 FORMAT: PART I: JUDAISM:  Matching Columns: 12 pairs @ 2 points = 24  PART II: CHRISTIANITY: M Cols: 10 @ 2.20 = 22   PART III: ISLAM: M Cols: 10 @ 2.20 = 22   PART IV: SIKHISM: M Cols 8 @ 2.50 = 20  PART V: Essay-Question: Choice of 1 out of 2 @ 12 pts.: EITHER 1) JUDAISM: Explain the importance of Shabbat/Sabbath with specifics, including Senator Joe L's understanding and observance of the weekly Sabbath. OR 2) ISLAM: Explain, offering pertinent specifics, the "Five Pillars of Islam."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY June 30, 2012 - RevPp for EXAM #1 on HINDUISM & BUDDHISM & JAINISM:

HINDUISM: upper18a-b: "Hindus believe ... Sanatana dharma ... common concepts [= dharma, ...] ...BCE.": antiquity of what we call "Hinduism" - no historical founder - has always been = both ancient AND contemporary = a LIVING tradition still developing

- top19a: "Hinduism includes ... millennia.": old and new co-exist = a multiplicity of practices/...

- mid19a-top19b: "One or Many?" (Prof. Kim Knott would say BOTH One AND Many): "Hindus have different ... related to."  +  we add a # 5 from the handout (Profs. M. Muesse & M. P. Fisher): the Devi - worship of the (Great/Maha) Goddess and her avatars forming Shaktism = various practices expressive of bhakti/piety/devotion to the Devi as Amma/Mother/Benefactress, such as Lakshmi ... - goddesses as consorts/wives to the gods - Prof. KK affirms that Hinduism is "polytheistic and monotheistic." - echoed by Ms. Singh in the news-clip we saw: "... one God, three forms ..."

- 19b: "In a nutshell": "Hinduism is ... journey [= cycles of samsara] ... reincarnation ... atman ... offerings.": key themes, such as openness = many paths to the summit of Divine Ultimate Reality: bottom19b-top20a: "Hinduism practices ... many routes ... one faith." = religious traditionS/a plurality of "ismS" forming Hinduism = sanatana dharma

- top20b: the M. Gandhi quotation: "Whilst ... is God.": c/d/r = Brahma./Vishnu/Shiva = the trimurti  +  top24a: on the "Hindu Trinity": "Some ... power."

- upper21a: "We cannot tell ... gods and goddesses ... clay seal ... language.": see handout to be passed around in class

- top21b: on Bhakti: pious devotion to a god or goddess of a devotee = ishta devata - "yoga" = to unite/join/yoke/become as one: "Bhakti yoga ... by this."  +  mid29: "Bhakti yoga is about devotion to a personal deity."  +  lower34b: "Yogic exercises ... spiritual sky.'" - you might glance at WIKIPEDIA on bhakti

- bottom21b-upper22a: on "The VEDAS": "Scriptures gradually ...  [500s BCE] men were renouncing ... gurus ... meditation to free ... atman ... teachings.": SG the Buddha and Mahavira, the Jain Tirthankara (p.188a) both lived c. 6th cent/ BCE  +  the handout on the Upanishads with ISA and KENA extracts  +  lower23a-b: on "Brahman and atman.": "The search for ... the soul."

- upper22b: quotations from the "Rg [= Rig/Rikh] Veda" focused on the forgiving god Varuna

- topleft24: quotation from the Chandogya Upanishad

- 24: image of Shiva Nataraja = Lord of the (cosmic) Dance

- upper24b: on the Shastras/scriptures: "The Hindu term ... Vedas ... Upanishads ... years ago.": hymns and discourses

- upper25: very well-stated "boxed" comments on the BG  +  read our handout (the explanatory intro's are by Prof. Philip Novak): the god, Lord Krishna (himself an avatar of the god Vishnu), as the guru of the warrior of Arjuna: "Bhagavad ...divine being."  +  again, Ms. Singh's comments regarding Krishna in the GITA and in the temple/mandir

- mid25a-upper25b: on the 2 epics: the Mahabharata & the Ramayana  +  images on 26 & 38

- mid27a-bottom27b: on "Tat tvam asi" and "Dharma": "The Upanishads ... atman ... Brahman ... Namaste ... as 'duty' or ... ahimsa ... Gandhi ... Gita ... as Mother ... of a goddess ... sadhus ... of ISKCON.": key themes/ideas/concepts

- mid28: on the meaning of KARMA in relation to samsara and moksha and bhakti's personal focus: "Hindus believe in ... presence of God."

- lower29b-lower30a: on CHANTS = mantras = intoned, prayerful utterances = mini-hymns of praise/supplication/...

- upper30a-b on M. Gandhi and non-violence/ahimsa: "Ahimsa means ... in 1947."  +  photo on 31  +  lower30b: "Reverence for Life": "Hinduism teaches ... the atman within."

- mid31a: on Mother Ganga: "The River ... on the water.": Ganga-ji = Revered Mother Ganga and pilgrimage-cities like Varanasi  +  our docu-travels +  photo on 32

- upper33a: on Images: "Physical objects can ... demand sacrifice."  +  image on 33

- lower33b: on ARTI: "Each day ... puja ... also used.": on ritual worship = puja  +  on Puja: upper34b: "Puja is ... the night."

- lower 39: on HOLI (We saw Michael Wood get rainbowed!): "Holi is a spring festival ... a tale of Krishna ... throw things [= colored powder/liquids] at their teachers. [Please not in our class!]"

- And for your own reviewing of the chapter, read on 41 the summary-points = "Hinduism ... at a glance ..."

 

From the chapter on BUDDHISM: mid43a: "AWAKE!": essentials of Buddhism: "Buddhism is a way  ... for life.": Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha in his quest to find a "remedy" for/liberation from the suffering in the perpetual cycle of samsara influenced by caste which was rejected by the Buddha - and the Middle Way/Path was his enlightenment-message + upper43b: "In a nutshell": "Buddhists believe ... of rebirth."

top44a-mid46b: from "First Steps" up to & including "The Path": highlights of SG's life = his experiences from the palace in Lumbini (Nepal) to the pipal (bodhi/wisdom) tree in Bodh-Gaya (India) [We "visited" both places with Michael Wood.] - include also "Change of Heart" regarding the Four Sights that propelled him on his quest

- 46a: on Nirvana: "Nirvana (nibbana in Pali) ... abhinibbuta."  = extinguishing the flame of self-centeredness within our personhood = self-purification = putting out the fires within of unwisdom/ignorance, greed/craving, anger/animosity and other unvirtuous, egoistical impulses = what the Dalai Lama calls "afflictive passions" = irrational emotions that afflict us like a disease, inflicting pain/sorrow on ourselves and others - the cure? compassion = blessings upon ourselves and others, as Sylvia Boorstein presented to us (OnBeing.org) in her metta-meditation

- mid48b: "Other Buddhas": "Mahayana ... loving one.'": later holy figures seen as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas/"Wisdom-beings"

- lower50a-bottom50b; "Treasury of the Heart - 'Hate is ... The Four Noble Truths ... - The Noble Eightfold Path - ... avoiding extremes.": the thematic heart of the Buddha's teaching/dharma  +  lowermid-bottom51a: "The Path as a Guide": "The Eightfold ... and morally.": the focus is on acknowledging/uprooting and rejecting/abandoning self-centered karmic deeds, then walking "in the footsteps" of the Buddha on that Path, following "The Five Precepts": bottom55b-top56a: "Meditation seeks ... or drugs.": how to live/embody/enact the moral principles as a worthy Buddhist

- mid60a-top60b; on the Dalai Lama whom we have "met" several times, like today in Michael Wood's presentation of the Buddha's life & teaching (((tulku is the Tibetan word for the tradition of recognizing a very young boy-child as a reincarnated, recently deceased holy figure - as in the movie Little Buddha)))

65a-b: REVIEW for general knowledge "Buddhism     as a glance ..." + the Prof. G. Fiero hand-out

 

From pp.188-89 on JAINISM: 188a: "First Steps"  +  "The Goal": on Mahavira's life and on the Jain religious vision - note parallels with SG's life

- 189a: the box of "Five Principles" = the Five Great Vows - note parallels with Hinduism & Buddhism

 

EXAM FORMAT - total points-potential = 100

HINDUISM: I - Matching Columns: 10 pairs @ 2 pts. = 20   II - Match numbered word-bank Terms with Statements: 8 @ 2 = 16   III - Essay-Question: Choice of 1 essay-topic out of 2 @ 16: #1. Present the importance/meaning of Lord Krishna's role/message in the Bhagavad-Gita.  #2. Present the significance of Gandhi's principles & place in Indian history and his inspirational role for others in world history.

BUDDHISM: I - Matching Columns: 8 pairs @ 2 = 16  II - E-Q: Choice of 1/2 @ 16: #1 Present the significance of the "Four Sights" in the life of Siddhartha  #2: Explain the the meaningS of the "Four Noble Truths."

JAINISM: Your TYPED 1-page objective/subjective ESSAY @ 16 pts. due on exam-day: Explain the meanings of the "Five Principles" for Jains - and then respond to "Could these be relevant to a 21st-century person - believer or not - such as yourself?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY 12/5/11 - The exam dates & times are given below, as also in the Syllabus - Scroll down to after the ISLAM review-pages.  The exam-format is as follows:

PART I - JUDAISM: Matching Columns: 12 items @ 2 pts. = 24 pts.

PART II - CHRISTIANITY: Matching Columns = 28 pts. -  A) 14 items @ 1 pt. = 14   B) 14 items @ 1 pt. = 14

PART III - ISLAM: Matching Column: 12 items @ 2 pts. = 24 pts.

PART IV: In-class Essay-Question: Choice of 1 out of 3 options. Choose EITHER Rabbi David Saperstein (pp. 192-93), an American Jew, OR Archbishop Desmond Tutu (p. 277), a South African Anglican churchman, OR Ms. Shirin Ebadi (p. 333), judge and lawyer who is an Iranian Muslim, and READ carefully what our author presents about your chosen person in his or her "Religion in Public Life" section of our text, and be prepared on exam-day to compose in-class, on dated paper that I shall provide, your essay-response to this question: How does the person's RELIGIOUS FAITH inspire/guide him/her in fulfilling their dedication and commitment to various social causes? You must present biographical and other pertinent details, drawn from your reading of the relevant text-section, to offer specific support for your statements.

THURSDAY 11/17/11 - finalized on 11/30/11: RevPp for EXAM # on Judaism, Christianity & Islam - Remember the helpful KEY TERMS at the end of each chapter

JUDAISM: top143: "Judaism, which ... the prophets.": intro to Judaism in gen'l - "Israel" & Torah

- bottom143 + top144: "The Jewish sense ..., the Talmud.": the Tanakh - biblical history: the Temple - Talmud = law & lore = commentaries & interpretations

- mid-bottom145: chart & caption on the Bible's divisions: Torah = Pentateuch - T+N+K = Tanakh

- 147: map & caption: Abraham's obedient trek + upper148-lower-mid148: "Covenant  A unique ... to God's commands.": God's "covenantal relationship" with Abraham after Noah = obedience to God's Will

- mid-lower149: on "Abraham's Willingness to Sacrifice Isaac" = God's "test" of A's faith

- top151-top152: "One who escaped this fate [= death as an infant in Egypt] was Moses ... inscribed the commandments." + lower152: "The Ten Commandments": on the importance of Moses

- 158: photo of the Western Wall & caption + upper159: "Spurred by anti-Roman ... twenty centuries.": on the destruction of the Second Temple in 70CE

- mid-lower159: "Rabbinic Judaism   Judaism could have died ... community worship.": on the role of the rabbis & the synagogue

- mid-lower160: "In addition ... [in box] Hillel the Elder": on Rabbi Hillel & his teaching

- lower-bottom161: "The Mishnah became ... spiritual power.": on the Talmud = collection of biblical commentary/interpretation

- lower166-top168: "During the sixteenth century ... from the Holy One.": on Isaac Luria's ideal tikkun olam - Hasidic holiness = joyous piety inspired by a teacher, the Baal Shem Tov - "remembrance of God"

- upper-mid177: "Nevertheless, there are certain ... all existent things.'": meanings of Torah - Jewish monotheism

- lower178: on "Love for God": "The essential ... Deuteronomy 6: 4-9": the central prayer = Shema Israel = "Hear, O Israel! ..."

- upper-mid181: "The Torah, as indicated ... expressions of faith.": 613 commandments & the "Noahide Code" = moral principles - Talmud & rabbinic tradition

- mid184: on "The Jewish Sabbath ... day to find.'": holy, weekly "day of rest" - Rabbi Nina B. C.'s quotation

- top-upper187: on the holy day of Yom Kippur: "The ten ... and grace."

- 192-93: about and by Rabbi David Saperstein: tikkun olam, ...

- upper-mid194: "Given this approach, ... non-Orthodox rabbis.": on Reform Judaism - Rabbi Maria F.'s quotation

- upper-mid196: "As a result of ... beloved is mine.": on women in contemporary Judaism + photo & caption

CHRISTIANITY: 204: "Christianity is a faith based ... any other.": general intro

- upper-mid206: "Christian beliefs about ... gospels ... Christian community.": New Testament scriptures, esp. the 4 Gospels (Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn) as testimonial accounts of Jesus' life and teachings + 223: see the list of NT books

- bottom207; "According to the Christian ... Colossians 2:9).": Jesus as God incarnate affirmed by St. Paul, author of the Letter to the Colossian Christians

- mid208; "According to the gospels, ... Mary ... Bethlehem ... by Gentiles.": on the Christmas story = birth-story of Jesus in the manger + art by Giotto "The Nativity" + 259: illus & caption

- top-upper209: "The New Testament is ... John the Baptist ... well pleased.'": on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River + image & caption

- top210-top211: "In John's gospel, ... Messiah ... Dietrich Bonhoeffer ... follow Christ.'": the call to discipleship = overcome self-centeredness in order to do God's will

- top213a: on David Vandiver: "Born into ... its future." + upper-bottom213b: "Vocationally and ... become a minister ... a new Reformation ... civil rights ... supports that.": DV's Christina faith-commitment

- top-upper215: "The main thing ... did it to me.'": J's message of love for God and neighbor + lower214: parable (= story-lesson) of the Good Samaritan

- upper-mid219: "Jesus claimed ... good shepherd ... Crucifixion ... of sins.'": J and the Jewish authorities + mid-lower219: "The anti-institutional tenor ... of silver.": J in Jerusalem at Passover - Last Supper - Judas' betrayal + 220: image & caption

- lower220-upper222: "All four gospels ... Messiah, the Son of God. ... blasphemy ... Pontius Pilate ... execution by crucifixion (see image & caption: Rembrandt, 1653) ... King of the Jews' ... Joseph of Arimathea ... from the dead.": on the  Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

- mid-lower222: "That seemed to ... visited the tomb ... Resurrection ... of the age.'" + upper-mid223: "It was the Resurrection ... be saved.'": from defeat to triumph - Peter's faith-affirmation

- mid223-top224: "According to ... Ascension ... who believe in God.": on the Ascension, a faith-doctrine

- top-mid225: "One of the persecutors ... Saul ... new name, Paul. ... new mission.": on St. Paul the missionary apostle + image & caption: Caravaggio, 1601 - wrote leters/epistles to teach Gentile converts + bottom228: "What became ... Paul ... Corinthians 16:14.": St. Paul on self-sacrificing love

- top230-top231: "Although Jesus ... creeds ... Nicene Creed ... Christology ... for our salvation.'": on the counsels convened by the Emp. Constantine - doctrinal declaration of essential beliefs

- top235: photo & caption + mid235: "Despite periodic ... of these.": 2 main branches of the Christian church - Latin Western & Orthodox (Greek, Armenian, Ethiopian, ...) + look at chart on p.241

- mid237 + bottom237-top238: on St. Francis of Assisi + photo & caption: medieval preacher & founder of the Franciscan Order of Friars

- lower237: "One remarkable ... prophecy.": on the saintly nun Hildegard of Bingen, abbess & creative person

- upper240-top242: "Despite the genuine ..., or Mass).": on Martin Luther & the Protestant Reformation - 1517: his 95 theses - only 2 sacraments + lower244: "Despite the great ... in 1962 by the Second Vatican Council ... on interpreting it.": ecumenical closeness, yet differences

- mid245: "As the Protestant ... authoritative truths.": the Roman Catholic "Counter-Reformation" - Council of Trent, 1545-63

- bottom246-top247: "In the late ... to occupy.'": on social-reformer Protestant women like S. Grimke

- lower-bottom247: "Another major ... call God.": on the Second Vatican Council, 1962-65 (Vatican II) and ecumenism - respectful acknowledgement of Judaism & Islam + see photo & caption on 267

- upper248-upper249: "After its 1054 ... Desert Fathers." + list for the Eastern Orthodox tradition: branch-churches

- upper252: "Another distinctive ... icons ... of Russia).": on the significance of icon paintings + photo & caption

- upper-lower254: "For Christians, ... back to God.": on the central belief that Jesus as Savior is God incarnate

- mid256-upper257: "In most forms ... of earthly life.": on the sacrament (= "holy act") of the Eucharist (= "thanksgiving") + photo & caption

- mid-bottom261: "One of the ... monastics." + photo & caption on 262: on Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and author

- mid264: "According to the ... idolatry.": Mary, mother of Jesus, as venerated holy figure

- lower268: "On the other ... 'unchurched.'" + top269: photo & caption on Pastor R. Warren

- lower269 on Evangelicalism: "A highly active ... Pentecostals.": on Evangelical Christianity in general

- upper-lower272: on 2 important Pentecostal figures in 20th-c. America - Wm. J. S. and A. S. McP.: "One who was ... leadership roles."

- 277: on Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and his quoted words: "During the years ... we see it.'"

- top-lower280: photo & caption + "Another area ... of the world.'": on Mary as a role-model for Christian women

ISLAM: top289: "In about 570 CE, ... and Christianity.": gen'l intro to ISLAM, which means "submision/obedience" of your self-will to God's Will

- mid292: "When Muhammad ... knew not.'": at age 40, Muhammad received the first revelation from God (= "Allah" in Arabic) through the internediary of the Archangel Gabriel/Jibril

- mid296-lower297 + image & caption: "The Qur'an   The heart of ... recite it.'": on the hole scripture of divine revelation + on the hijrah of 622 = the flight from Mecca to Medina/Yathrib: mid294: "Pilgrims to Mecca ... hijrah ... Prophet's message."

- bottom299: on the 1st Pillar of Islam = the Shahadah: "The first sentence ... Most Merciful." + image & caption

- upper301: "In Muslim [really should be "Islamic"] belief, God ... totally to God.": the faith-affirmation that shares its essence with Judaism & Christianity

-304-5 + 307-8: on the "Five Pillars of Islam" = creed/faith-declaration, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage: "The basic spiritual practices ... Shahadah ... (salaat) ... zakat ... Ramadan ... hajj ... with remembrance of God." + image & photo & captions on 310 & 311

- mid-bottom318: on the Sufi mystical path to God: "Poetry has been ... Rumi ... to experience it."

- 333a-b: on the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ms. Sirin Ebadi, former Iranian lawyer & judge, now in exile AND from her Nobel Speech: "In 2003, Iranian lawyer ... she explained." + "Islam is a religion ... social status."

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EXAM-FORMAT is as given above - similar to the other exams. And there will be several bonus-point questions.

*** Exam-Dates: for the 10:30 class - FRIDAY 12/9 @ 12-2 p.m. in CB 109

for the 11:30 class - TUESDAY 12/13 @ 12- 2 p.m. in CB 109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY 10/1/11 - selected review-pages for EXAM #2 from our text:

*** JAINISM: mid51: "Jainism's major ... spiritual seeker." + lower51-upper52: "Finally after ... evil in the world.": on Mahavira, "Great Spiritual Hero," the 24th Tirthankara - also called a Jina (= "victor/winner over the passions"), became a teacher who "forded," or led the way to, a Path of renunciation for others to follow

- lower52: one sentence on the Jain branch (or "denomination"/sect) called Svetambara: "The Svetambara ("white ... liberation." + photo&caption on 53

- lower53: on "Freeing the soul" (= jiva or jivatma = soul-spirit): "In the midst ... samsara ... purifying one's ethical life ... a Jina (a "winner over ... principles.": the soul/jiva, journeying through the cycle of samsara, can, over many lifetimes, reach spiritual perfection, becoming a Jina like Mahavira, a victor who triumphed over the lower human nature in its bodily existence

- lower54: "The story of [Prince] Bahubali" = he renounced his share of the kingdom after fighting with his brother: "First, they looked ... arms are very powerful.' ... twelve years ... Vines ... Snakes ... was liberated.": revered holy figure - his very lengthy meditation standing motionless - honored with a festival centered on his 50-foot statue (in-class docu-clip with Michael Wood) + photo on 53 + mid62: "And in South India ... of worshipers."

- mid55: on AHIMSA: "The principle ... karmic effects [= consequences of deeds].": first major ethical principle = not to harm in thought, word, deed + READ in box - from a sutra: "All breathing, ... the world."

- mid-lower57: on APARIGRAHA: the second "central Jain ideal is ... can be free." = not to be possessed by/obsessed with our worldly possessions = avoid impermanent attachments: WHY? to attain "inner peace"

- upper58: on ANEKANTWAD (= "not-one-ness") = recognizing "more than one" valid perspective: "The third ... grasp of the truth." = not to be stubbornly judgmental = be open-minded as illustrated by the elephant parable = multiple viewpoints contributing to the whole truth

- mid-lower59: on the vows, esp. the major first 5 for lay persons, men & women, ordinary folk - not monks or nuns - who in their everyday lives "cannot carry ... one's possessions."  + top62: on the holy days leading to "Forgiveness Day.": "Among all Jain festivals, the ... and sharing.": the virtue of forgiveness = acknowledging that you did NOT keep to your vows, but will atone/make amends for your "sins" so as to be pure in seeking liberation

- top61b (= second column): M. P. Jain's testimony about his spiritual practice in daily life: "' I have a spiritual ... your own soul also.": How does Mr. M. P. Jain practice his religion day-to-day? He offers specific details - and thoughts - about his worship and on ahimsa, among other matters

*** EXAM-FORMAT for Exam #2 on WED 10/12 will include:

- PART I: JAINISM - A) Matching Columns - 10 pairs  B) 1 Essay-Question: You will compose an essay-style response - which means a substantial paragraph of at least 6 complete, non-repetitive, sentences, offering specific details - to this ESSAY-QUESTION #1: What does Mr. M. P. Jain tell us about his spiritual practice of the Jain religion in his everyday life? Be prepared to offer specifics, with a couple of briefly quoted phrases.

- PART II: SHINTO - A) Matching Columns - 10 pairs  B) 1 Essay-Question: You will follow instructions given above for PART I: B) - focused on the testimony of a Shinto priest, Rev. Hitoshi Iwasaki, as on p.132: question formulated BELOW:

*** No required questions on Zoroastrianism, but I will offer several optional Bonus-Points questions mainly related to Zoroastrianism - possibly Jainism too.

MONDAY 10/3/11:  SHINTO: top117: title & subtitle + mid-lower117: on "The roots of Shinto": "Shinto [= divine way/path/teaching] has no founder ... (way).": the Way of (or the Way to being in harmony with) the kami/divine spirits/gods&goddesses = spirit-deities manifest in Nature (and in animals & persons, such as ancestors) associated with sacred places like Mount Fuji 

- mid-lower118 + photo&caption: on Mt. Fuji as sacred place of pilgrimage with many shrines upon its slopes: "Living close to ... heart [= kokoro] of life.": Shinto encourages reverence for Nature as full of a divine presence (= kami) that takes many forms bestowing blessings

- mid119: "Honoring the Kami": on the nature of the divine presences/kami, such as the sun-goddess Amaterasu Omikami: key theme = "All of the natural world - land, trees, ... people - is thus joined in kinship as the spiritual creation of the kami. Although the word kami ... awe in us." = Shinto affirms "the eternal miraculousness" of just being alive in this wondrous, created world of ours

- 120: on Shinto shrines: "It is thought that ... guardian kami." + "Most important ... bridges, and such.": tens of 1000s of Shinto shrines in Japan - the shrine at Ise honoring Amaterasu is preeminent, reconstructed periodically

- top122: more on shrines: "The earliest places ... by the high priest." + upper123: photo& caption - the torii (= lit. "the bird alights" - or plural) is the iconic gateway-entrance to the Shinto shrine-sanctuary where "worship is imageless" (top123) - in contrast to Buddhist temples with statues

- WED 10/5/11: regarding festivals, today  we learned about the annual summertime festival celebrating the kami of one's ancestors called O-Bon - we watched a video-clip in which a man explained that the ancestral kami visit the home, remain for several days, and at the end of O-Bon, in the city of Kyoto, prayers are written on wooden slats and burned, asking the ancestors to continue to bless their families

- mid125: on ritual Purification = misogi which removes tsumi = "impurities"/"imperfections" (""sins"") from our spiritual self: misogi can be with water (in a river, under a waterfall, ...) or, as the Shinto priest, Hitoshi Iwasaki, tells us on bottom125+top127: "When I am watching the ... spiritual misogi [purification ritual]." + 126: photo&caption + 130: photo&caption + bottom131 on the misogi ritual performed at the TSUBAKI Grand Shrine in Seattle: "In Washington state, ... solve problems." AND we "visited" this American Shinto shrine via its rich website and looked at other misogi-photos: <www.tsubakishrine.org> (possible topic-option to explore for your Essay)

- mid129: on what was once traditional "State Shinto" concerning the Imperial House: "Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989) ... his son." - who is the present Emperor Akihito.

- 132: the testimony of the Shinto priest, Hitoshi Iwasaki: "We Japanese are ... waterholes, winds." = worshipping the kami, divine presences, in the midst of Nature, with, for example, Mount Fuji as a sacred space where the divinity/kami of the mountain may be honored with pilgrimage-visits to the shrines on its slopes  +  "I learned Shinto partly ... to unite." + "In Japan we have water ... has kami." ESSAY-QUESTION #2: What does Rev. Hitoshi Iwasaki tell us about his vision/understanding of Shinto? = What does Shinto mean to him? Be prepared to offer specifics with a couple of briefly quoted phrases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FALL 2011 - selected pages for EXAM #1 using our abridged text of LIVING RELIGIONS by Mary P.Fisher - RELIGION

*** HINDUISM:  top1(= top of p.1): "In the Indian ... census-taking.": Note that the HINDU tradition is the most ancient of the 3 other world religions "born" in the subcontinent: Buddhism & Jainism, both of about 2500 years ago - and Sikhism, of about 500 years ago. We'll be studying B & J.

- mid1: on dharma's various meanings - a key-word in Buddhism as well: moral duty, religion, teaching, principle, law, ...

- 5: on the earliest scriptures, originally orally proclaimed, called the VEDAS (= "sacred knowledge"): "They are a revered collection of ancient sacred hymns." - 4000plus years old - revealed to worthy sages called rishis - parts still chanted today at certain ceremonies

- top6: "The oldest of ... of dawn)." + photo with caption on Vedic fire-ritual still practiced - the Rig Veda includes hymn-prayers for divine-blessings

- upper8: "An important related ... as well.": Note the 3 key-words that are also important in Buddhism (which developed out of an ancient Hindu socio-cultural context  - in a way like early Christianity out of the Judaic matrix): karma (deed/s & consequences), samsara (reincarnation-cycle), moksha (liberation/release from the cycle - Buddhists also use the term nirvana) - also used in Jainism but with somewhat different nuances

- bottom9: "From ancient times, ... the Upanishads.": basic meaning of yoga + bottom9-top10: "The sages ... devotion.": just note that the 4 differentiated "paths" of yogic disciplines/practices are not mutually exclusive

- mid12: "Bhakti yoga  The final type ... intense love." + image with caption = Radha symbolizes the pious, devout, fervent worshipper of "the Supreme Person" = God/the Divine as Lord Krishna  +  top14: "Eventually bhakti - intense ... Brahman [the Supreme/Divine Self /God/the Divine, male or female] ... cosmic cycles."

- mid14: on SHAKTAS = devotees of the Supreme Divine as Goddess = Devi: "Worship of the feminine ... shakti."  +  upper-mid15: "Devi is known by ... Durga ... female form."  +  bottom14: image & caption on the goddess Durga  +  15: image & caption on the goddess Lakshmi  +  lowerleft15: "Another popular great goddess ... contamination."

- lower 16: on Lord Shiva: "Shiva is sometimes depicted ... of the ego."  +  upperleft18: image & caption of Shiva Nataraja: symbolism

- mid19: "The two great epics [= very lengthy poems full of dramatic stories with moral & religious teachings & lessons], the Ramayana and the Mahabharata ... cosmic cycles."  +  top22: on the essence of the Bhagavad-Gita = "The Song of the Celestial Lord": "The eighteenth book of ... spiritual aspirations."  +  top23: image & caption: Lord Krishna as the warrior Arjuna's guru = teacher counseling him about the performance of dharma = his moral & religious duties in the name of God, not for the sake of glory or ego-satisfaction

- bottom26-top28: on puja: "In addition to ... of the shrine."  +  lowerleft26: photo & caption: puja = worship for devout Hindus at home, at temples, ...

- mid28: "Hinduism also holds ... other goals.": on the 4 life-goals = 1. dharma (moral duty, ...) 2. artha (fulfill your potential in living well, ...) 3. kama (enJOYing Life, ...) 4. moksha (liberation from samsara = salvation, ...)

- mid29-end: on the "Sacred Thread Ceremony" for  brahmin-caste boys: "The ceremony may last ... everything he does.": note rituals for his parents & relatives so that "his initiation is a strengthening of his [socio-religious] identity" as a brahmin - photos & captions

- 31: today (Friday 9/2) in class we looked at colorful variations in the rice-flour & colored-sand designs that welcome and bless those entering dwellings - these "auspicious signs" are common in South India & are generally called kolam (SEE Wikipedia article) + top32: "Many expressions of ... everyday." : it's an art-form with religious purpose, like Tibetan Buddhist sand-mandalas and Navajo sand-art for healing & religious ceremonies (SEE Wikipedia on Sandpainting  - a perfectly valid 3-page Essay-topic for our course)

- upper-mid32: on "Reverence for Trees and Rivers": "Not only forests but also ... Narmada River ... (as are most Indian rivers [like the Ganges] ..., and back again." We already "visited" the holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges via a docu-clip + today (9/2) with Michael Wood (THE STORY OF INDIA - PBS, free online) we "pilgrimaged" to a city celebrating a festival honoring Lord Shiva - and via a web-site we went to Mount Kailash in Tibet where Hindu pilgrims go to honor Lord Shiva, patron-god of yogi ascetics in meditation

- mid35: "Holi is the riotously ... within Hinduism." + 36: "The jolliest of all Hindu ... flinging of paint ... throw paint on each other.": with M. Wood again we, barefoot, "participated" in Holi and were covered in colored powder&paint

- mid37: "At the end of summer, ... for an easy year.": on honoring the god, Lord Ganesh, who is invoked first in all rituals and who is the remover of obstacles, and is celebrated at Ganesh Chaturti + see image & caption: lowerleft on p.18

- upper37: on Lord Krishna's birthday/Janmashtami that we "celebrated" in Chantilly, Virginia, via an old video-clip: "In August or September, Vaishnavites ... products he loved." + photo & caption

- bottom37: on Divali (Oct. 26th this year) - the Lights Festival:"Divali, the happy ... setting of fireworks ..."  We ended class with a bang today!

- mid39: on Mahatma Gandhi: "To counteract ... universal religion." + We watched a docu-clip about him

- 43: on "Amma" - a guru who is a woman with a global following - photo & caption + bottom-paragraph: "Some contemporary ... Divine Mother." + We watched a docu-clip about her "hugging" 1000's of people at a huge gathering

- lowerleft44a-mid44b: on Dr. Karan Singh: "A brilliant orator, ... of the Divinity.": take note of 1) his broad-minded vision of humanity & religion,  AND 2) his puja honoring Lord Shiva: what he does & why

*** BUDDHISM: 67: intro-par: "About the same ... become free.": the Buddhist path leads to liberation from samsara = to nirvana - but we must strive to purify our deepest self

- top68-top71 (SKIP Timeline): "The one who ... Siddhartha Gautama ... radiant with light.": basic facts about the prince who became "The Enlightened/Awakened On" such as seeing the "Four Sights" which made him go forth from the palace in quest of his own spiritual path = the Middle Way summed up in the "Four Noble Truths"

- bottom73-lower76: on the Buddha's teaching = his Dharma: "The Buddha spoke of his teachings ... remains the same.": as you read, just take note of the Essential Elements of the "Four Noble Truths" and of the "Noble Eightfold Path" (= the Fourth Noble Truth) which encourages moral living and "mindfulness" - see mid85: "As one continues the [meditation] practice, ... everyday life."

- 74-76: on the Four Noble Truths - the Fourth = the Noble Eightfold Path: no need to be too specific; just be familiar with the basics of the FNTs as explained by M. P. Fisher and with the moral guidance for living conveyed by the 8 "aspects" or components of the Noble Eightfold Path, which lead to "liberation"/salvation from the samsara cycle of reincarnations culminating in nirvana = peace ("quietude of the heart")/tranquility/serenity beyond our ordinary, everyday understanding of "inner/spiritual peace" ((Really, words are inadequate to describe what transcends language. A parallel from the Christian scriptures - St. Paul's First Letter to the Christian converts in the Greek city of Corinth: I Corinthians 2:9:  "... as it is written, 'Things which has eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered [= are not conceived in] the heart of man, [are] all that God has prepared [after death] for those who love Him.'" - extended parallel: in his Letter to the Philippians 4:7: "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand."))

- 80: on King Ashoka the Great - 3rd century BCE: ruled from circa 270 to 232 BCE: "After the Buddha ... homeland.": a warrior-king who gave up violence - had stone-carved edicts made throughout the kingdom promoting Buddhist virtues - sent monks to transmit the Buddha's teachings beyond India - see map p. 81

- on WED 9/14, we "traveled" with Huston Smith to a ZEN Buddhist monastery in Japan, and HS explained to Bill Moyers how he attained tranquility/inner peace after almost 3 months of meditation and meetings with the master-monk/roshi, who challenged him to grasp a koan, which in his case was "Does a dog have a Buddha-nature?" - with the "answer" being No. ... on the koan in Rinzai Zen, see mid95: "Another tool, used ... Of all the things I see!"

- upper-mid82: "The Pali Canon Buddhists who follow ... and monastic discipline.": on the Buddhist scriptures collected as the "Three Baskets" including the Buddha's teachings = dharma; rules & practices for monks & nuns; scholarly treatises elaborating on the Four Noble Truths in the ancient Pali language

- lower-mid82-top83: "The Triple Gem [= The Three Jewels] Like Buddhists of all ... share the Dharma.": on the "Three Jewels" = the Buddha (= Siddhartha Gautama), the Dharma (= essentially the 4 NTs), the Sangha (= community of Buddhists = monks, nuns, laypeople)

- mid-lower88: on Mahayana Buddhism (= Great/Wide Vehicle/Raft = the North-Asian traditions) in its variety: "Additional Buddhist ... Buddhas themselves." & see map on 89

- lower88-mid89: on Buddhist saintly/holy figures called bodhisattvas = "wisdom-beings": "An early Mahayana ... fully enlightened." + mid90: "The most popular bodhisattva ... can be mastered." + image & caption on Guanyin (= Avalokiteshvara)

- TODAY Fri 9/16 we did more "travelling": glance at 104-5: an American Zen monastery in Upstate NY founded in 1980 by the man in the photo, John Loori, who died in 2009. So, Buddhism, 2500 years after Siddhartha, has settled in the West in the Catskill Mountains! (see WEBSITE) In that monastery is the complete set (10) of the Zen images we see on p. 94: READ the Intro-paragraph about what the images symbolize = the journey to Enlightenment by overcoming the worldly self. (see also at the WEBSITE)

- bottom96-lower97: "NICHIREN: ... LOTUS SUTRA While some ... and altruism.": on the 13th-century Japanese reformer named Nichiren - and the 20th-century socially-engaged Buddhist movement inspired by his Lotus-Sutra teachings called Soka Gakkai - guest-presenters in class on Monday 9/19 = Buddhism in the West in Fargo-Moorhead!

- 101: TODAY we "met" the Dalai Lama after having read his words "Humanitarianism and true love ... nations." We heard a few words when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and we watched a very lively and informative interview with him by Barbara Walters - it's on YOUTUBE - watch it, if absent.

*** Monday 9/19/11: I sent an email with info on the Exam-Format - to be commented on in class on Wednesday when we do our Retrospective.  The basics:  PART I = Hinduism - Matching Columns: 12 @ 1.50 = 18   PART II = Hinduism - Matching items with sentences: 8 @ 1.50 = 12     PART III = Buddhism - Matching items with sentences: 10 @ 2 = 20    PART IV = 2 short Essay-Questions - on Dr. Karan Sing's puja (p.44) AND the Dalai Lama's message (p.101)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY 12/6/10 - As I said in class today, here is the Exam-Format that I've been presenting to you all over the past 3 review-session classes. Total points-potential = 160, so 300 for the course.

PART I - JUDAISM - A) Matching Column: 12 items @ 2 =24   B) True or False Statements: 10 items @ 2 = 20

PART II - CHRISTIANITY - A) Matching Column: 12 items @ 2 = 24   B) True or False Statements: 10 items @ 2 =20

PART III - ISLAM - A) Matching Column: 12 items @ 2 = 24   B) True or False Statements: 8 @ 2 = 16   C) Essay-Question @ 14 pts. = Explain The Five Pillars of Islam based on upper-p.186: Quote in full the Shahada. And use "Ramadan" and "hajj" in your answer.

PART IV - in-class Essay @ 18 points - topic explained in the e-mail that I sent yesterday - and resending today: in brief, Present TWO examples of "The Golden Rule" quoted in full derived from our text on p. 208

*** The exam-day for BOTH classes is THIS THURSDAY, Dec. 9th [Jueves - el 9 de diciembre] @ 9-11 a.m. for the 9:30 class and 12-2 p.m. for the 12:30 class - in CB 109.

 

SUNDAY 11/28/10 - Here are the Rev-Pp for Judaism, Christianity & Islam. Exam-format to be designed - similar to others - ONLY on J, C & I.

JUDAISM - upper124: title & subtitle = the Shema-prayer: "Hear, ..." - Intro-par: "Judaism began ... destroyed.": Elohim = a "name" for God  - Torah = "guidance & instruction" = 1st 5 Books of the Bible = the Tanach - the "T(a)" stands for the Torah

-- 124b: "God & His People": "During the ... negative.": YHWH (Yahweh) as too holy, so HaShem & Elohim & Adonai are used - the Shema = prayer-proclamation - Torah = guidance through law/commandments

-- bottom124a: on the "Passover Meal" = the seder celebrates the Exodus = divine rescue of Israelites from slavery in Egypt led by Moses

-- top126: Intro-par: Abraham & God's promise to him = covenant + on "Abraham's Travels": A. = the first Jew because of his "Obedience to God" = top127 + on "The Covenant" = God's promise of abundant descendants in a destined land

-- top128: Intro-par on "The Laws of God": meaning of Torah + on Moses & the Ark of the Covenant + illustration&caption "Moses on Mount Sinai" + 129right" caption on "The Ten Commandments" = "tablets of stone"

-- top130: Intro-par: "Waiting for the Messiah" + bottom130: illustration&caption "The Messiah enters his kingdom": meaning & role of the Messiah

-- 131right: on "Jerusalem and the Temple" + photo of the Western/Wailing Wall& caption: on the Temple in J'lem destroyed by the Romans in 70CE - to be rebuilt at the apocalyptic Messiah's coming

-- top132: Intro-par on "Jewish Worship" - prayer-service, not temple-sacrifice  - the Shema - on the synagogue + 133right: on the synagogue as place of worship & Torah-study

-- bottom132: on the "Separation of Men & Women" at worship

-- mid133: on "Prayer Books" = the Siddur  & on "Separate Dishes" = being kosher = following dietary laws

-- top134: Intro-par on "Studying the Torah" + central illustration&caption on "The Scrolls of the Torah": on Hebrew & reading and writing the scroll + bottom134: on "The Inscription": "This is the law ..." - Jacob renamed Israel + photos on 135: "Raising the Scrolls" & the Yad & the young men at a Yeshiva studying the Torah with Talmudic commentaries

-- top138: Intro-par on "Divisions in Judaism": Reform & Orthodox movements + top139right: illustration&caption on "Reform Judaism"

-- top140: Intro-par on "Festivals" esp. the Sabbath - Passover - Yom Kippur & on "The Festival of Unleavened Bread"

-- 141: photo&caption on "The Festival of Chanukah" + on Shabbat/Sabbath, Pesach/Passover, Yom K., Chanukah

-- top143: photo&caption "Coming of Age": on a boy's Bar Mitzvah & girl's Bat M. = son/daughter of the commandment

-- mid144left: image&caption on "The Temple" + bottom145: photo&caption "Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem" at the Western Wall, remnant of 70CE

-- 146-47: on "The Holocaust": Intro-par + on Marc Chagall's painting "The W C" + photos on "The Final Solution": history & symbolism

CHRISTIANITY: xerox-handouts on the Nicene Creed & brief quotations from 1) the NT Gospel-narrative of St. Matthew: the Beatitudes & 2)  St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians on love/agapei

-- top150: Intro-par: "Christianity began  in ... Messiah.": Jesus (the) Christ/Messiah = the Anointed/Chosen One as fulfillment of the "Old Covenant" of the Torah + upper150: 1st par.: "God's power in ... forgiveness ... both God and man."

-- upper150right: "Because Jesus ... devotion to his mother Mary ... possible.": the Incarnation = "becoming human ..." & "Virgin Birth"

-- mid150right-top151left: on "Jesus' Teaching": "The Teaching ... world's population.": two commandments = love God & neighbor - the "good news" = gospel of salvation "from sin and death"

-- top152: Intro-par on the "Incarnation" of God as the historical Jesus of Nazareth: "The Incarnation, from ... judge them.": Christians believe Jesus was "truly God and truly human" + xerox-handout on Nicene Creed

-- bottom153right: on "The Role of Mary" = the human virgin-mother of Jesus, to whom Christians pray for her compassion & intercession - Gabriel = God's angelic messenger: "This window ... our death."

-- top154: Intro-par on "The Life of Christ": " ...the Gospels ... wandering teacher ... (Matthew 7:12).": preached through parables, performed miracles, taught love of God & neighbor + READ "Caring for Outcasts"

-- top155right: on "The Gospels" = the 4 narratives of Jesus' birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension accord. to  Mt, Mk, Lk & Jn

-- top156: Intro-par on "The Last Supper": "The Last Supper ... Memorial Meal.": for Christians a commemorative, celebratory, ritual remembrance through "re-enactment" of Jesus' symbolic/sacramental meal of bread and wine with his 12 disciples/apostles

-- top158: Intro-par on "The Crucifixion": "Jesus was ... his execution." - Roman punishment under the authority of the Procurator, Pontius Pilatus + "The Crucifixion as Atonement" = re-union with God & death defeated + mid160left: on "Jesus Rises from the Dead" = the Resurrection + top160: Intro-par on "The Resurrection" celebrated at Easter

-- top162 from Intro-par: "All Christians ... known only to God." = on saintliness + top163right: "Modern Saints and Martyrs": O. Romero & D. Bonhoeffer

-- top168: Intro-par on the Eastern Orthodox Church: "The Orthodox ... differences.": Christian denominations

-- top170: Intro-par on "The Reformation" of the early 1500s: "The Church ..., and salvation.": reform = to self-correct & be more faithful + bottom170: illustration of the "Fathers of the Reformation" esp. M. Luther & J. Calvin

ISLAM - top176: Intro-par on Islam: monotheistic affirmation of the One God to whom humanity should be obedient - God sent prophets/messengers to guide/reprimand disobedient humanity, Muhammad being the last such person: "Human rebellion ... din [= moral-religious way of life]."

-- bottom176a-top176b: "Islam is often ... means 'entering into ... peace ... with God ... to him.'" Islam = doing God's will which blesses the doer with spiritual peace

-- mid-bottom176b: Muhammad received God's call to "Recite!" God's revelations through the angel Gabriel/Jibril in a cave on Mt. Hira at Mecca in 610 CE when he was 40 years old. These revelatory recitations came to him for the next 22 years & were collected as the QUR'AN. "God has sent ... sent the Qur'an ... the last messenger, ... God's will." + top177a: Allah = the one who is the only God as affirmed in the Shahadah = the First Pillar of  Islam: "There is no god but GOD, and Muhammad is the messenger [= rasul] of GOD."

-- uppermid177: just note that non-revelatory sayings & deeds of Muhammad were also collected called the Hadith or Sunna, and that Islamic law - Shari'a - derives from both the Qur'an & the Hadith

-- top178: Intro-par: "In Arabic 'Allah' means ... daily prayer (see p.186).": this reiterates the above, emphasizing Islam's affirmation of the One God, Creator and Judge, as more present in one's life than one realizes = "He is closer [to you] than the vein [pulsing life's blood] in your neck."

-- mid178: "The Declaration of Faith" = the First Pillar - meaning of Allah = al and ilah combined = "The [one and only] God"

-- lower178left: on the mihrab of the Great Mosque in Cordoba, Spain: empty but decorative alcove indicating the direction-of-prayer - qibla - for worshippers facing towards Mecca + photo&caption

-- 179left: photo&caption on the minaret = the tower of a mosque as symbol & place from which the call-to-prayer is chanted by the muezzin

-- upper179: "Say, He is God" + xerox-handout: Sura 112 "Purity of Faith" = affirmation of God's Unity/Oneness

-- top180: Intro-par on the life of Muhammad, b. 570, d. 632 - 610 CE = year of 1st revelatory vision-experience - Gabriel - the message of The One God to the polytheistic Meccans/Arabs to reject idol-worship

-- 180-81: on Muhammad's mystical/miraculous night-journey from Mecca to Jerusalem (= the Isra) & then his ascent to God's presence (= the Mir'aj): "Accompanied by Angels" + "The Night Journey" + "Mohammed [Muhammad] Ascends": God tells him to require prayer 5 times daily

-- bottom181: "Earlier Messengers" = Old Testament/Hebrew figures such as Moses/Musa & Abraham/Ibrahim, and NT figures such as Jesus/Isa, all revered as exemplary human prophet-messengers of The One God - READ in "The Buraq" that M. led A. & M. & J. in prayer in Jerusalem + xerox-handout extract: "We [= God speaking in the "royal We" = plural singular] have sent ... you [= Jews, Christians, Muslims] differed about."

-- 182left: Intro-par on the Qur'an = Islam's holy scripture = revealed Word of God "recited" by Muhammad to others as of 610 CE + "Recitation of God's Word" + caption on  "The Qur'an" with large illustration + caption "Eternal Utterance from God" + xerox-handout of extracts # 97, 107, 110

-- top182right: "In the name ... astray." = Sura 1 = "The Opening" (= al-Fatiha) of the Qur'an

-- bottom184left: on "the Covenant" + top184: Intro-par: "The word jihad ... in oneself." = the greater jihad is overcoming sinful impulses/tendencies of moral & other weaknesses in oneself so as to strive in the way/path of God = to make the effort to act by God's will, not one's own + bottom188: lesser & greater jihad: "All able-bodied ... in oneself."

-- upper186: Intro-par on "The Five Pillars of Islam": What are they? And why Mecca? What is in Mecca? What is the Ka'ba? = top187 on the Ka'ba with photo&caption

-- 186-87: on the "Sacred Black Stone" + "The Sacred Mosque in Mecca" + "The Place of Abraham"

-- upper190: Intro-par on "Sufi Orders and Beliefs": the mystics of Islam who use music, poetry and "dance" (whirling motion) to experience God's presence + "Mystical Music" + "Sufi Orders" + "Dancing Dervishes" + "The Dhikr [= Remembrance-of-God] Ceremony"

-- top194: Intro-par on "The Mosque" as place of worship & prayer + "Facing Mecca" + "Room for Prayer"

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Philosophy | Bridges 359D
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