World Religions study guide

With reference to each of the Four Noble Truths, explain Siddhartha Buddha's diagnosis of, and cure for, duhkha. Define key Terms.

Buddha's Four Noble Truths explain the cause and solution to human suffering. The first truth, dukkha, states that suffering and dissatisfaction are part of life. The second truth explains that suffering comes from craving and attachment, while the third teaches that suffering can end through eliminating craving. The fourth truth presents the Eightfold Path as the way to achieve nirvana and freedom from suffering.

Explain the Buddhist doctrine of Anatman, with special attention to how the Doctrine of Interdependent Origination unravels the self as a bundle of skandhas. Define Key Terms.

The Buddhist doctrine of Anatman teaches that there is no permanent or unchanging self. Instead, a person is made up of five skandhas: form, feeling, perception, mental, formations, and consciousness. These aggregates are constantly changing and depend on different causes and conditions. Interdependent Origination explains that nothing exists independently, meaning that self is not a permanent individual essence.

Explain the four-part cosmological theory at the heart of Jain practice.

Jainism teaches that the universe is eternal and does not require a creator God. Every living being has a jive, or soul, that becomes attached to karma through actions and desires. This karma keeps the soul trapped in samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Through ahimsa, self-discipline, and eliminating karma, a soul can eventually achieve moksha, or liberation.

What is the apparent paradox encapsulated in the Daoist doctrine of wu wei? Define key terms.

The apparent paradox of wu wei is that it means nonaction, yet it can produce effective results. It does not mean being lazy or literally doing nothing. Instead, it means acting naturally without forcing situations or fighting against the natural order. The paradox is only apparent because Daoism teaches that people can accomplish more when they work with the Dao rather against it.

What are the two associations of the Buddha’s so-called Great Departure?

Renunciation and the Four Sights

The Buddha professed to teach a “Middle Way.” What did he mean?

Extreme luxury and indulgence, and extreme self-denial and severe asceticism.

Theravada Buddhism does not subscribe to this belief or practice:

Does not emphasize the Mahayana Bodhisattva ideal of postponing final liberation to help all other beings achieve enlightenment.

As a general religious school of thought, Mahayana Buddhism holds that:

Teaches that all beings have the potential to achieve enlightenment and emphasizes compassion and the Bodhisattva path.

Which of the following best describes the respective beliefs of Pure Land and Zen Buddhism?

Pure Land emphasizes faith and devotion to Amitabha Buddha, while Zen emphasizes meditation and personal experience.

Vajrayana Buddhism refers to:

Also known as Tantric or Esoteric Buddhism. It uses mantras, rituals, meditations, visualizations, and mandalas.

Which of the following is not a possible food or beverage that devout Jains will consume?

Strict Jains practice ahimsa, avoiding meat, eggs, honey, and root vegetables because consuming or harvesting them can harm living being.

Which of the following best explains how Confucianism understands ren and li?

Ren means humaneness and kindness, while li means proper behavior, rituals, and social etiquette. They work together to create a moral society.

Which of the following best captures the conceptual shifts between the Shang Dynasty’s conception of Shangdi, the Zhou Dynasty’s conception of Tian, the Tian of Confucianism, and the Dao of Daoism?

Shangdi - Personal supreme deity.

Zhou Tian - Heaven and its authority over rulers.

Confucian Tian - Moral and ethical order.

Daoism’s Dao - Natural Way of the universe.

Which of the following is not a belief found in the I Ching?

Teaches that everything is constantly changing and emphasizes yin and yang, balance, harmony, and the patterns of the universe.