RTS Midterm

True or False: One way to define religion is to say that it is a body of beliefs that addresses fundamental issues such as, "what is the meaning of life?" and "what is good and evil?" and "Why do we suffer?"

True

True or False: Religions, through their stories, rituals, worship, and community provide moral guidelines for believers

True

True or False: Most religions have an ethical dimension

True

True or false: In studying religion, there is no distinct between official religious teachings and traditions

False

True and False: an example of something is sacred is an icon or a cross

True

True or false: An example of an ordinary ritual is saying grace before meals

True

True or False: Profane is something that is non-religious and may even be contemptuous of religion

True

True or False: One way to define theodicy is: how can all knowing and all loving and all powerful god allow the innocent to suffer

True

True or False: The prologue of Job (read in class) deals with the issue of theodicy

True

Which of the following according to Kushner is a typical reason for our suffering?
a. punnishment for our sins
b. people get what they deserve
c. suffering is a test
d. to teach others or to learn something ourselves
e. all of the above are typical reasons cited for suffering

E. all of the above

The religions we will study have several things in common EXCEPT (which of the following)
a. they all seek to bring comfort to their followers
b. they are all monotheistic
c. they all offer thanks for the world's beauty and goodness
d. they all express awe and humility before the mysteries of the universe

B. they are all monotheistic

As we explore various religions, we should keep several questions in mind EXCEPT which of the following?
a. who, if anyone, is considered the founder of this religion
b. what is the historical background of this religion
c. does this religion have sacred writings or scriptures
d. what are religious practices of this religion
e. we should keep all of the above in mind when we explore various religions

E. we should all keep all of the above in mind as we explore various religions

Which of the following is a theory concerning the development of religion?
a. religions developed as a way to explain the mystery of nature
b. religions developed as a way to address deep psychological needs and fears
c. religions developed as a way to give meaning to social structures and foster social solidarity
d. religions are gifts from god
e. all of the above are theories concerning the development of religion

e. all of the above are theories concerning the development of religion

What is animism?
a. an animal
b. the belief that all things are endowed with a soul or spirit
c. the belief that only humans have souls
d. the belief that god is really one god in three persons
e. none of the above

B. the belief that all things are endowed with a soul or spirit

Some theorists believe humans have gone through several distinct changes in evolution in their attempts to control the world. Which of the following reflects the proper progression of those changes?
a. religion, magic, science
b. science, magic, religion
c. religion, science, magic
d. magic, science, religion
e. magic, religion, science

E. Magic, Religion, Science

Doesnt believe in god/goddesses

athiesm

Belief in many gods

polytheism

One god

Monotheism

Belief in one God, but acknowledges that other gods/goddesses exist for other people

henotheism

Those who neither believe nor deny the possibility of god

agnosticism

True or False: Mahavira is considered to the founder of hinduism

False (hinduism has no founder)

True or False: The holiday Holi is the Hindu New Year

False (holi is celebrated in February/march to celebrate spring)

True or False: Karma is the inexorable principle that a person's thoughts and deeds determine their fate in the next life

True

True or False: Om refers to the god Krishna, perfect, kind, and merciful

False (Om is the sound of the origin of the universe; Vishnu is the god who is considered kind and merciful, Krishna is his avatar)

True or False: Moksha is the Hindu concept of the wheel of rebirth that turns forever. Souls are reborn until they reach perfection

True

True or False: Bhagavad Gita is found within the text of a longer epic called the Mahabhrata

True

True or False: Among many sects dedicated to the goddess Kali, is a group known as THUGS

True

True or False: The final stage of a man is when he is a hermit, living alone in the forest

False (the final stage of man is a wandering beggar)

True or False: Cows are considered sacred to the hindus

True

True or False: Hassatan wins both of his wagers with God to destroy Job

False

This means that a person's individuality apart from Brahman-- the concrete world-- is an illusion

Maya

_______ is the word used to refer to the incarnation of a diety

Avatar

________ are teachers

Gurus

This is the essence of Brahman that is present in all people. It is the universal self, much like Westerners imagine a soul

Atman

_________ refers to eternal order, righteousness, religion, law, and duty in traditional Hindu life

Dharma

_________ a god with an elephant head. Hindus pray to him when they begin a new venture or feel frustrated by obstacles or happiness

Ganesh

The Hindu destroyer god, who makes room for new creations. Often lurks on battlefields

Shiva

Hindu Goddess of good fortune

Lakshmi

When a widow places herself on the funeral prye of her husband to be destroyed along with her husbands remains

Suttee

Also called untouchables

Dalit

Radical non-violence associated with Jainism

Ahismsa

There are four basic Vedic Books. Which of the following best describes the Puja Veda
a. it is the first and most important book and contains over 1000 hymns to the gods of the Aryan Pantheon as well as other material. It contains the basic mythology of the Hindu Gods
B. It contains rituals and popular prayers to be used in the home as well as spells and incantations to ward off evil
c. it means "knowledge of chants" and is a collection of hymns to be recited at sacrifices by priests
d. it means knowledge of chants and is a collection of hymns to be recited at sacrifices by priests
e. none of the above

E. none of the above

Which of the following is not found in the Vedas
a. hymns to the gods (mantras)
b. ritual materials (Brahmanas)
c. dancing instructions (somas)
d. forest treatises (Aranykas)

c. dancing instructions

Bhakti yoga...
a. is a path of discipline through work, mainly through performing one's caste duties
b. focuses on knowledge, usually lessons taught by ancient masters. The most important lesson is renunciation of attachment to this world
c. involves disciplining the body and mind through correct postures and breathing. It requires cellibacy (brahmacharya)
d. obtains release through personal devotion to a diety. This path leads to salvation through devotion and love of God

d. obtains release through personal devotion to a diety. This path leads to salvation through devotion and love of God

According to the code of Manu, what are Shudras?
a. they are the priests and academics. Concerned with teaching, studying, sacrafice, giving and accpeting gifts
b. they are rulers, military, warriors. Concerned with protection of the people
c. they are farmers, landlords, merchants, and traders. Concerned with protection of cattle, charity, lending, agriculture
d. they are peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs. Concerned with manual work and service without envy of the above three castes

D. they are peasants, servants, and workers in non-polluting jobs. Concerned with manual work and service without envy of the above three castes

True or false: the emperor ashoka helped spread Hinduism from India throughout Southeast Asia

False

True or False: the Mahayanists developed a class of divine beings called Bodhisattvas. These are compassionate beings who took a vow during their lifetime to delay Nirvana in order to help others on earth

True

Amitabha is associated with the Pure Land Sect

True

True or False: The Yellow Hats are led by the Dali Lama

True

True or Fasle: The buddha realized people were chained to the endless cycle of reincarnation because of Thana (craving)

True

True or False: The Buddha sought enlightenment through knowledge and asceticism but both failed him. Once he stopped desiring enlightenment, he found it.

True

True or False: The first of the four noble truths states that all suffering has a lasting end in the experience of enlightenment

False (this is the third noble truth, cessation. The first noble truth is suffering/pain)

Bodhidharma is typically associated with Zen Buddhism

True

True or False: Bardo refers to superior ones (priests) in Tibetan Buddhism

False (Bardo occurs 49 days after death before reaching nirvana)

True or False: Anatman refers to the presence of a soul in all human beings

False (anatman refers to the ABSENCE of a soul)

True or False: Mahayana Buddhism teaches that in addition to the original, public teachings of the Buddha were other principles taught in secret

True

The Buddha taught that what we THINK is the soul is not; rather, it's really 5 mental or physical faculties. Which of the following is NOT one of those mental/physical faculties?
a. the body
b. feelings
c. understanding
d. spiritual hunger
e. consciousness

D. Spiritual hunger

According to the legend of the buddha, the buddha's father wanted him to become a king and not the religious man. So he shielded his son from seeing 4 sights. Which of the following is one of those sights.
a. a dead person
b. an old person
c. a sick person
d. an ascetic monk
e. all of the above

e. all of the above

In the original teachings of the buddha, in buddhism there are ...
a. no authorities
b. no elaborate rituals
c. no salvation from outside ones own work
d. no miracles or divine interventions or supreme beings
e. all of the above

E. all of the above

This includes not taking a life; not taking what is not given to us; safeguarding the environment; and the avoidance of disordered sexuality

Right Action

When one becomes committed to the path. Recognition of the equality of all life as we cultivate deep compassion for all forms of life, including oneself

Right Aim (thought or intention)

Supporting yourself through meaningful work.

Right livelihood (living)

The recognition of the impact our worlds have on others and the avoidance of lying, slander, abusive language, gossip, rumors

Right speech

Creating a positive attitude which leads to a positive attitude that leads to positive action and enthusiasm for life. Living life to your fullest potential.

Right effort

Seeing the world as it really is, rather than what we believe it to be or want it to be.

Right understanding (view)

Ashima:

One of the great vows; defined as non-violence

Mahavira

Founder of Jainism; was the 24th Tirthankara, became a wandering ascetic at 30

Lao Tzu

Father of Taoism

The Dao/Tao

"the way" the tao is the unproduced producer of all that is; the source of all things

Kami

one of the Shinto deities; sacred powers present through the cosmos, worshipped in shrines; There are innumerable Kami that can be worshipped. Kami is vital in meditating.