Midterm/Exam 1

Indus valley civilization: time period, main features of the civilization, religion of Indus Valley,

Info: Indus valley in modern day Pakistan in 5500BC Two cities: Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Known for their advance drainage systems and homes Religion: Laid the foundation for hinduism; they were polytheistic and believed in the god Shiva Conclusion/Analysis:

Compare and contrast three main sects of Buddhism

Intro: Buddhism as a religion, similar to christianity, has different sects that are held under the umbrella of Buddhism Description: 1. The Theravada: provides teachings about cause and effect (karma), as well as pacifying meditations to create distance from difficult thoughts and feelings. Following these teachings - also described as the Small Way (Sanskrit: Hinayana) - the understanding arises that thoughts and feelings are not personal. This gives us the opportunity to act in a beneficial way and accumulate positive karma. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and Burma. 2. Mahayana: teachings attract people whose primary motivation in life is to be useful to others, also known as the Bodhisattva Attitude. The teachings and meditations of the Great Way aim to gradually increase compassion and wisdom. Supporting development on this way is the wisdom that the world is like a dream. Therefore, it can be changed through our thoughts, words, and actions. These Buddhist teachings spread chiefly through northern Asia - into Japan, Vietnam, China, Tibet, and Korea. For this reason, the Great Way (Sanskrit: Mahayana) schools are also known as Northern Buddhist schools. Their goal is to become not just liberated, but fully enlightened for the benefit of all. The Mahayana includes the Theravada teachings. 3. Vajrayana: Buddha's teachings described as the Diamond Way (Sanskrit: Vajrayana) are about the mind itself. These direct teachings that Buddha gave are for those who have a special kind of confidence. They understand that they can only perceive perfection outside because they have the same innate perfection inside. In Vajrayana, the Buddha is not considered a person; rather he is a mirror to our own mind. The teachings point out mind's perfect qualities directly. They are often known as Buddhist Tantra. When Buddhism was destroyed in its native land, these teachings survived mainly in Tibet. The Vajrayana also includes the Theravada and Mahayana teachings. Conclusion/Analysis:

Bhakti/devotional

Intro: Hindu have two common ways in which they worship/pray and show their devotion Description: 1. Bhakti: Devotional worship directed to one supreme deity; Performed on specific days; To worship and receive blessings. 2. Puja: The act of worship; Performed at a specific time, might be in morning, or evening; To make God happy or to ask for some wishes. Conclusion/Analysis: Relate to saints in christianity

The life of Buddha

Intro: Buddha means "Enlightened one" and commonly refers to Gautama Buddha. This was his life: Description: Son to king father, his mother prayed for child and dreamt of white elephant, she woke up pregnant. Son would either be a monk of king, so Buddhas father isolated him for 21 years. Buddha gets out and has 4 sites(Death, illness, old age, monk/aesthetic man). Became enlightened and created the 4 noble truths(1. Suffering exists 2. Desire is the cause 3. nothing lasts forever 4. Eightfold path). Eight fold path: path to nirvana. Once enlightened, Buddha went around and taught until his death. Conclusion/Analysis: Compare to life of christ and his story for salvation

Vedic religion: scriptures, main beliefs, sacrificial rituals, legacy

Intro: Came into India around 1500 BC Description: 1.Oral Scripture known as the Vedas 2. Vedism was a polytheistic sacrificial religion involving the worship of numerous male divinities (and a few goddesses), most of whom were connected with the sky and natural phenomena. 3. Ritual Sacrifice of animals, drinking Soma, sacred fire Was slowly derived into hinduism around 600-200 BC Lead to creation of the caste system Conclusion/Analysis:

Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism

Intro: Dalai Lama Tibetan Buddhism are two intertwining words. The Dalai Lama refers to an important religious figure who leads the Tibetan buddhist sect of Buddhism. Description: 14th dalai lama is currently alive he is the spiritual and temporal leader of tibetan Buddhism He is believed to be the reincarnation of past dalai lamas originating from Avalokiteśvara who was believed to be a bodhisattva of compassion Conclusion/Analysis: (Oct 2019)He recently celebrated the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak at Chandigarh University in India. He talked about peace amoung peoples through guru Nanak who was Hindu and went to mecca to support inter-religious harmony

Jain votive observances for monks and nuns and for laypeople

Intro: The practicioners of jainism follow a set of Vrata known as the mahavratas Description: 2 sects: Digambar(Sky clad): strict/conservative/extreme with no attachments Svetambar(Agile Clad): Laxed and "Evolved with time" 1. Ahimsa: No violence 2. Satya: Truth 3. Asteya: No Stealing 4. Brahmacharya: Chastity 5. Aparigraha: Non Possession/attachment Conclusion/Analysis: compare to ten commandments?

Three gems of Buddhism

Intro: The three pillars to buddhism. Each is required to achieve nirvana . Each represent a different sect of teaching for the buddhist people Description: 1. The Buddha: Belief we are all buddhas, or can become buddha. Refer to the three levels of Buddha(1. Buddha 2. Bodhizatva 3. Anhat) 2. The Dhamma: this refers to the teachings of the buddha such as the eightfold path or the middle path 3. The Sangha: Refers to all of the practitioners of buddhism(monks, nuns, lay-people) Conclusion/Analysis: Acts in the third pillar(sangha): During the Obon festival in Monterrey, the practitioners worked to fix their altar and return in to its former glory. This temple is nearly 100 years old and the number of artists who could repair it were dwindling Link https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/entertainment/art/the-salinas-buddhist-temple-has-restored-its-altar-for-the/article_c840e0a0-ae77-11e9-adda-7b506ad62cc7.html

Four noble truths of Buddhism

Intro: Buddha came up with the idea of the 4 noble truths during his journey towards enlightenment. Each truth is a statement about that, as the name implies, is true. Description: 1. Suffering: Life always involves suffering, in obvious and subtle forms. Even when things seem good, we always feel an undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty inside. 2. The Cause of Suffering: The cause of suffering is craving and fundamental ignorance. We suffer because of our mistaken belief that we are a separate, independent, solid "I." The painful and futile struggle to maintain this delusion of ego is known as samsara, or cyclic existence. 3. The End of Suffering: The good news is that our obscurations are temporary. They are like passing clouds that obscure the sun of our enlightened nature, which is always present. Therefore, suffering can end because our obscurations can be purified and awakened mind is always available to us. 4. The Path: By living ethically, practicing meditation, and developing wisdom, we can take exactly the same journey to enlightenment and freedom from suffering that the buddhas do. We too can wake up. Conclusion/Analysis: