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Judaism - What is the human condition?
God created humans in His image and endowed them with free will. This free will leads to a constant choice between yezter ha-ra (bad inclination) and yezter ha-tov (good inclinations)
Judaism - Where are we going?
The emphasis is on this life. However, there is an expectation of the Messianic age of peace and justice, known as Olam Ha-ba
Judaism - How do we get there?
Through living a life in accordance with God’s will and in readiness for the coming of the Messianic age. Obeying all of the mitzvot (commandments) of the covenant that God has revealed in the Torah. Also, living in according with the Shema (declares God’s oneness)
Islam - What is the human condition?
Humans must strive to submit themselves to the will of God for, without divine guidance, they are likely to stray from the path of prescribed and prohibited actions that God has set out in order to prevent moral error.
Islam - Where are we going?
For the faithful, to eternal Janna (paradise) by obedience to God’s will, or by disobedience to God’s will to Jahannam (hell), which is reserved for those whom God has decided to punish eternally for committing grave sins and not repenting.
Islam - how do we get there?
We obtain salvation via submission to God’s will. This may be achieved by acknowledging tawhid (the oneness of God) and submitting to his will, as revealed by the prophet.
5 pillars of Islam
Shahada: profession of faith
Salah: Muslims are obligated to pray 5 times a day
Zakat: donating to poor
sawm: fasting (Ramadhan is the 9th month)
Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca
Qur’an vs. Hadith
The Qur’an informs beliefs and actions, relationships and practices, politics and business, responsibilities and hopes
Hadith is a collection of traditions used as a basis for Islamic law and history
Taosim - What is the human condition?
Tao, the way, is our original nature.
Nothing is evil, but things are out of balance because humans departed from the way.
Civilization has tried on nature → as a result we have created conflict and chaos
Taosim - Where are we going?
we are already there, but we have to realize it by becoming fully in accord with the Tao.
Everything flows out of the Tao, and will return to Tao → this is the fu (invariable law of nature that ensures everything returns to a balanced state)
Taoism - How do we get there?
We achieve living the way by:
1) living a contemplative life in nature (meditate, eat healthy, practice abstinence, be quiet in nature, etc)
2) taking no action → that is, not interfering with wu-wei (wu-wei stresses the importance of non-action)
3) balancing yin and yang →yin being female, dark, and receptive; yang being male, bright, and assertive
4) releasing ch’i (the life force)
Hinduism - What is the human condition?
Hindus believe humans are caught in samsara: the atman (soul) is condemned to an endless cycle of reincarnation as a result of karma (actions).
Bad karma has a corrupting effect on the universe
Hinduism - Where are we going?
To a favorable or unfavorable reincarnation after death OR to moksha (liberation from samsara and the consequences of karma)
Hinduism - How do we get there?
Either performing actions pertinent to the dharma (law or teachings) of Hinduism or the to the law or teachings of jati (one’s caste) → that is, the varnasharmadharma (pertinent to higher castes), or following one of the yogic paths
Buddhism - What is the human condition?
Buddhists believe that humans are caught in samsara, characterized by maya, tanha, and hatred/aversion → leading to dukkha
Buddhism - Where are we going?
To a favorable rebirth or enlightenment through entering nirvana, to Buddhahood, or Bodhisattvahood
Buddhism - How do we get there?
We achieve enlightenment by:
acknowledging the 3 jewels
joining the sangha
accepting the 4 noble truths
following the Middle Way/ Eightfold Path
following precepts consistent with a lay or monastic life, following the path of a bodhisattva and developing wisdom and compassion
Buddhist beliefs about samsara
Humans suffer because we are delusional, ignorant, and crave what isn’t real:
delusions of anger, attachment, and fear are based on ignorance or a lack of understanding
we suffer because something good stops or we are hurt
craving more of what we have or we want something that is causing use to suffer to end or change