What is the difference between ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and ‘Bhakti Devotion’?
Advaita Vedanta is a term that refers to the liberation of oneself from limitation. Mankind is ignorant of his limitless nature and he needs to seek knowledge to liberate himself. Conversely, the Bhakti devotion is love for God through knowledge.
What is the difference between the ‘Upanishads’ and the ‘Bhagavad Gita’?
The Upanishads refer to knowledge (Brahma) that gives its followers philosophical and spiritual vision. The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu scripture that contains various philosophical guides. Its use of theism and dualism differentiates it from the monism of the Upanishads.
How would you interpret the ‘Dhammapada’?
The Dhammapada is the most widely-read Buddhist scripture. To interpret a portion of scripture, one needs to focus on the history behind the saying. It is also necessary to know the occasion that prompted the saying.
What is a ‘koan’ and how would you go about interpreting it
A Koan may be a question, narrative, or statement that teachers in Zen use to provoke thought. It can be interpreted by first avoiding the literal translation of the saying. One must find the context from where the Koan emerges. It must also involve a holistic and nondual nature.
What are the three main branches of Buddhism?
The three branches of Buddhism are Vajrayana (a collection of spiritual techniques used to enhance Buddhism), Mahayana (dwells on selflessness and universal compassion), and Nikaya (the oldest school of Buddhism and bases its practices on the Pali Canon).
What are ‘wu-forms’? And how would you interpret the Tao Te Ching?
The wu-forms include the wu-shi which is a meditative path, wu you, which is freedom from the ego, and wu-Wei which is the state of leaving things undone. One can interpret the Tao Te Ching by reconciling contradictions in the writings.
What are the three theological strands in the Old Testament?
The 3 strands include the Pentateuch (Torah), the Prophets, and the Hagiographa or Ketuvim. This last division consists of miscellaneous scriptures that may be historical or poetic like Psalms and Ezra. The Prophets refers to books written by prophets like Joshua and Isaiah. The first five books containing Jewish Instruction are the Torah.
What is ‘Form Criticism’ and its use in interpreting the Old Testament?
Form criticism refers to the analysis of the Bible using the history of the literary form that led to that portion of scripture. For instance, the book of Genesis may be analyzed based on the saga, which was an oral tradition that focused on the incredible. The act of breathing into man’s nostrils was thus a legend.
Discuss the ‘Talmud’and the three major divisions of modem Judaism
The Talmud is a collection of the practices and laws of the Jews. It talks about the Sabbath, festivals, ethics, and jurisprudence. Modern Judaism consists of Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative Jews. Orthodox followers are the most traditional and practice of all aspects of the Torah. Reform Jews are liberal and observe a few traditions. Conservative Jews have merged traditional and contemporary practices.
Discuss Jewish mysticism, the ‘Zohar’, and the Tree of Life
Jewish mysticism refers to those components of Jewish tradition that dwell on mystical creatures and experiences. The Zorah is a commentary on Jewish mysticism in the Torah and deals with sin, evil, God, redemption, and the origin of the earth. The Tree of Life is a pictorial illustration of the way the universe came to exist.
Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke referred to as ‘synoptic gospels’?
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic Gospels because they contain sequences, phrasings, and similar narratives. They have similar perspectives and largely talk about the life and accomplishments of Jesus.
When and why was the New Testament made into a canon?
The New Testament was made into a Cannon in the 4th Century AD. This was done to establish which books were apostolic and which ones were not. The Early church needed an authoritative text to use as expansion into Africa and Europe exposed it to fake texts. The canon would facilitate translations, and protect them from splits.
What is the ‘Q Gospel’ and why is it significant?
Q-Gospel refers to the belief that the Gospels of Matthew and Luke were not direct, eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ work but were derived from another document called Q. This claim can help liberal Christians to differentiate between truth and uncertainties about Jesus in the canonical gospels.
What are the three main divisions of Christianity?
Othrodox, Catholics, and Protestants are the three main divisions. Orthodox followers believe in maintaining ancient customers and carry out baptism, communion, and chrismation on infants. Catholics dwell on Papal authority, seven sacraments and practice infant baptism, teen and first communion, Protestants focus on biblical preaching and mostly baptize adults.
What is the philosophical difference between Augustine and Aquinas?
Aquinas believed that rational thinking was more important in tackling evil while Augustine focused on faith. Aquinas believed that man always seeks perfect goodness while Augustine believed that man should always seek God. Aquinas judged goodness based on the will and not the consequences while Augustine focused on the consequences of their choices.
What is John Calvin’s TULIP theology?
TULIP theology is a way of understanding God’s nature and how to maintain it. The letters in the contraction represent perseverance, irresistible grace, limited atonement, unconditional election, and total depravity respectively from right to left.
What is religious ‘Pluralism’, ‘exclusivism’, and ‘inclusivism’?
Religious pluralism is the belief that the idea and practices of all religions are valid and everyone can attain salvation or enlightenment. Exclusivism is the belief that only a certain religious group knows the truth about God and others cannot gain salvation. Inclusivism is the belief that one’s religious group knows the truth but that it can be found in other faiths; however, these groups are unlikely to experience salvation.
How does Mustafa Ruzgar deal with Islam and religious pluralism?
Mustafa Ruzgar states that pluralism in the sense that all religions aim at the same ultimate is incompatible with Islam. He adds that other faiths should coexist peacefully with Muslims and be free from coercion or compulsion.
Compare ‘enlightenment’ in Eastern religions with ‘salvation’ in Western religions
Enlightenment in some Eastern religions is regarded as useful for peaceful or harmonious living on earth. Salvation is a way of getting to heaven. Salvation is sometimes earned (Judaism, Islam) and it is believed through faith in Christianity. In the East, it is earned through greater knowledge.
Which scripture in the class interested you and why?
The Tao Te Ching was particularly insightful because of its philosophical depth. It is highly practical and readers can use it in any part of their lives.