Week 3: Thursday, September 8. Hinduism.
Read in NAWR 1. Wendy Doniger. “Introduction: The Zen Diagram of Hinduism,” pp 55 – 68. See Canvas for specific selections from NAWR 1.
Hinduism: Selected texts from Hundu Scriptures:
In NAWR 1. Read pages 77-94. Give careful attention to the “Hymn of the Primeval Man” pp 92-94. What does this hymn suggest about the Hindu concept of what it means to be human?
In NAWR 1. Read pages 122-135. Again, what do these texts suggest about the Hindu understanding of what it means to be human?
In NAWR 1. Read pages 176-209. Selections from the two great Hundu epics, the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. Be aware of how the narratives function to teach fundamental religious concepts and values. How do these texts instruct about the meaning of life, and how life should be lived?
In NAWR 1. Read pages 305-348. Vernacular Hinduism. In Hinduism the most popular and common way to ultimate union with the totality of being is bhakti, “love”.
Academic Essay: As one of the eight required academic essays you may submit one about this weeks readings. The entries are to be two to three pages [625 – 900 words]. In your essays you will properly reference the reading materials using proper APA citations.
Appropriate topics that can be included in the academic essays are:
How do the readings assigned for this week fit in with the course overall? How do they relate to material already covered?
Did something confirm what you already knew, believed, or suspected? What was the source of the information you brought to the material? How do the readings relate to your own life experience and background?
Was anything surprising to you? Why?
Was anything completely new to you? Does this build on what you already knew, or does it challenge strongly held beliefs? Does it make a difference? Why?
What questions did the readings raise for you that you would like to see discussed in class? Can you propose some possible answers to your questions based on what you already know.
The focus of each essay however is to be on the current reading assignment.
Course Descriiption:
A survey of the sacred scriiptures of seven of the world’s great living religious traditions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Special emphases is given to how these scriiptures reflect the belief systems, moral teachings, rituals and institutional structures of these traditions as they touch upon and reflect the universal human quest for ultimate meaning.
A basic understanding of the beliefs and practices of several of the Worlds’ many religions and of the significant roles these religions have played and continue to exercise in shaping human history and social interactions can significantly contribute to an individual’s ability to succeed in today’s increasingly intra-dependent world. Some familiarity with and appreciation of various examples of religion and of religious expression and practice is essential no matter what one’s own religious persuasion. Throughout this course, the following general curricular goals will be emphasized: the quest for ultimate meaning, a liberal arts foundation, appreciation for diversity, ethical insight, and a focus on gender.
