final eastern thought

What is Arjuna’s main dilemma in the Bhagavad-Gītā?

He is torn between his duty (dharma) to fight as a warrior and his moral revulsion toward killing his family and teachers.

What is dharma in the Gītā?

One’s cosmic and social duty; the right action determined by one’s role and stage in life.

What is Karma Yoga?

Acting without attachment to the results; offering the fruits of action to Krishna.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Devotional love for Krishna as the path to liberation.

What is Jñāna Yoga?

Realizing the eternal Self (ātman) beyond the body and mind.

 Why does Krishna say killing isn’t truly killing?

Because the ātman is eternal and cannot be destroyed; only bodies die.

What are the gunas?

Sattva (clarity), Rajas (desire/activity), Tamas (inertia/ignorance).

What does Krishna’s cosmic form (Ch. 11) symbolize?

The unity of all beings in God and the vastness of divine power.

Why is the Gītā considered “theistic yoga”?

 Because it presents multiple yogas but ultimately places them in devotion to Krishna.

Why is the Gītā located at the moment before battle?

To illustrate the crisis of moral action and the need for spiritual clarity in real life.

Why is Bhīṣma’s death important?

He represents the collapse of the old order and the transition to a new dharma.

What are the three major yogas in the Gītā?

Jñāna (wisdom), Karma (action), and Bhakti (devotion).

What are the Four Noble Truths?

(1) Life involves suffering (dukkha); (2) Its cause is craving; (3) Ending craving ends suffering; (4) The Eightfold Path leads to freedom.

What is anattā?

No permanent self; the person is a changing process.

What is anicca?

Impermanence — everything changes.

How does the Dhammapada describe hatred?

“Hatred never ceases by hatred; by love alone it ceases.”

What is the Buddhist view of karma?

Intentions create consequences for one’s mind and future experiences.

How does Buddhist karma differ from Gītā karma?

 Gītā: metaphysical and tied to duty; Buddhism: ethical psychology based on intention.

What is the Four Noble Truths for Life (4NTL) main purpose?

To translate Buddhist insights into everyday life practices like mindfulness and emotional regulation.

How does 4NTL explain the cause of suffering?

By focusing on craving and resistance to reality.

What is the definition of yoga in the Yoga Sūtras?

“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind” (citta-vṛtti-nirodha).

What are the Eight Limbs of Yoga?

Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, Samādhi

What is Puruṣa in Patañjali?

 Pure consciousness, the true self.

How does liberation occur according to Patañjali?

By disentangling Puruṣa from Prakṛti (mind/body).

How is Patañjali’s meditation different from Buddhist meditation?

 Patañjali aims for absorption into pure consciousness; Buddhism aims for insight into impermanence/no-self.

What is ren?

Humaneness; deep empathy and moral concern for others.

What is li?

Ritual propriety; structured behaviors that cultivate virtue.

Who is the junzi?

The exemplary person; morally cultivated through lifelong learning.

How does Confucius think moral change happens?

Through daily practice, ritual, self-reflection, and guidance from good models.

How do Confucians view emotion?

Emotions must be refined, not suppressed.

What is Stephen Angle’s main argument in “Growing Moral”?

 Morality is a process of continuous growth, not a static set of rules.

What is a moral exemplar?

Someone whose actions inspire moral development in others.

How does Angle modernize Confucian ethics?

By explaining how virtues can be cultivated through small, daily improvements and reflective practice.

What is the Dao?

The natural, spontaneous, ungraspable Way underlying all things.

What is wu wei?

Effortless action; acting without force or struggle, aligned with nature.

What is ziran?

Naturalness or “self-so-ness”; things being themselves without interference.

Why does Laozi value water?

 It is soft yet powerful, humble yet unstoppable — a metaphor for Daoist virtue.

How does Daoism criticize Confucianism?

Confucians impose rules and rituals; Daoists prefer simplicity and unlearning.

How does Pooh represent Daoism?

Pooh acts simply, naturally, and without overthinking — he embodies wu wei.

What do Rabbit and Owl represent?

 Rabbit = overcomplication; Owl = intellectualism detached from wisdom.

What is Sunzi’s central strategic idea?

Win without fighting; achieve victory through intelligence and adaptation.

How is Sunzi influenced by Daoism?

By valuing flexibility, responsiveness, and working with circumstances.

Why is deception important for Sunzi?

Because psychological advantage often wins battles before they begin.

What was the central philosophical question of the Warring States period?

How can we end the chaos, suffering, and absurdity of the Warring States?

What is meant by “A Hundred Schools of Thought”?

A period of intense intellectual activity with many philosophical schools attempting solutions to social disorder.

What are the six major schools of Chinese thought?

Confucianism, Mohism, Logicians, Yin-Yang/Naturalism, Daoism, Legalism.

What does Confucianism affirm as the solution to social chaos?

Returning to old customs, culture, virtues, and moral traditions.

What is the Confucian view of how to fix society?

Fix the relationships → fix the society.

What does Confucianism say about leadership?

Leaders must rule by moral example.

What are the five key Confucian relationships?

Ruler/Subject, Father/Son, Husband/Wife, Elder Brother/Younger Brother, Friend/Friend.

What is “The Way” (Dao) in Confucianism?

The proper moral path, tradition, and way of being human.

What is virtue (dé)?

Moral excellence and character power that influences others.

What is harmony in Confucian thought?

Social and moral balance achieved when each person fulfills their role properly.

Who is the junzi?

The “gentleman” or superior person who practices virtue consistently.

What is the role of ritual (li)?

Ritual preserves culture, guides behavior, and creates harmony.

Why does Confucius emphasize ancient texts?

 Ancient wisdom preserves correct moral traditions and social order.

Why is music important in Confucianism?

Music cultivates emotions, harmonizes the heart, and supports moral development.

What are the Analects?

A collection of sayings and teachings attributed to Confucius and his disciples.

Why are the Analects central to Chinese thought?

They provide the foundation of Confucian ethics, politics, and culture.

What is the purpose of zazen for Dōgen?

Zazen is itself enlightenment — not a method to achieve enlightenment later.

What is “just sitting” (shikantaza)?

Meditation without goal or object; pure presence.

How does Dōgen’s view differ from Patañjali’s?

Dōgen rejects striving for a special state; Patañjali aims at samādhi through disciplined stages.

What is Ikkyū’s main theme?

Confronting death directly to awaken genuine, unpretentious living.

Why does Ikkyū use shocking imagery?

 To cut through illusions and remind readers of impermanence.

What does “unfettered mind” mean (Takuan Soho)?

A mind that does not stop, cling, or fixate; freely moving like flowing water.

How does Takuan connect Zen to swordsmanship?

A mind that freezes becomes slow and dies; the warrior must be mentally fluid.

How is Takuan similar to Daoism?

Both emphasize spontaneity, flow, and non-grasping.

What does Ujjayi breathing cultivate?

Focus, calm energy, and control of breath — Yogic prāṇāyāma.

What is shamatha?

Calm abiding — stabilizing attention (Buddhism).

 What is vipassanā?

Insight into impermanence, suffering, and no-self.

What is metta meditation?

Cultivation of loving-kindness toward self and others.

What is laya yoga with Om?

Using mantra to dissolve mind into stillness.

What is jinzuo?

 Confucian quiet sitting to refine emotions

What is neiguan?

Daoist inner observation of energetic states.

What is shikantaza?

Zen “just sitting”; pure, objectless awareness.

What is maranasati?

 Death-awareness meditation to face impermanence.

What is kōan / kanna practice?

Contemplating paradoxical phrases to break conceptual thinking.