What is the most interesting thing you have learned so far in this class? Why?

What is the most interesting thing you have learned so far in
this class? Why?

The most interesting things that i have learned in class are scattered among the many lectures.
i enjoyed learning about faqir chand, and how visions were in fact figments of peoples imaginations, then i found it very interesting how it was very possible that people were high when they had visions back then, and how the shamans of those times would psiss in ab owl and have their followers drink it, and the urine having the essence of those drugs would in turn also have visions, thinking that the drink was holy. i also found it extremely interesting the way religions have changed over the years, and learning to read in an objective pov.

How would the theory of consciousness as a virtual simulator help explain the belief in mysticism?

How would the theory of consciousness as a virtual simulator
help explain the belief in mysticism?

The theory of Consciousness as a Virtual Simulator would help explain the belief of mysticism, because it would explain in a way that nothing in this life is real at all, and that the only thing that is real is our consciousness, that once we shed this body, only then will we be able to truly reach the final destination of our souls, or our conscious mind.

Why does Richard Dawkins think that believing in God is a delusion?

Why does Richard Dawkins think that believing in God is a
delusion?

Richard Dawkins thinks that believing in god is a delusion because, he firmly believes that religion was a mere byproduct of natural selection. he is a firm believer in natural selection, and believes that religion is not necessary to maintain social order. he also says that religion is a virus, and speaks negatively about how it spreads narrow mindedness, causing prejudice against homosexuals.

How does Darwinian evolution help explain why religions arose in the first place?

How does Darwinian evolution help explain why religions arose in
the first place?

Evolution can easily explain the reason why religions exist all across the world today. Evolution is the theory of survival of the fittest, where a favorable trait will succeed in life over a trait that is unfavorable. therefore, given 100 human beings, where 20 of them were superstitious, believing that an evil demon lived in the bushes, would out survive the 80 who were not superstitious. this is caused by the theory that those who are SS(superstitious) would run whenever they heard a russeling in the bushes, where as those who are not SS would stay, and 99% of the time those who are not SS would be right, but that 1% of the time, they die, making those who are not SS an unfavorable trait.

We have all evolved from the best of the best, so SS because SS is a favorable trait we all have inherited that trait, and so we have become religious.

What are the common features in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism? Be sure to be accurate here.

What are the common features in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and
Sikhism? Be sure to be accurate here.

The main common features in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are the ideas of samsara, and moksha. samsara is the idea of reincarnation, and that karma would play a factor in their next life, moksha is the state of enlightenment, where one is free from the cycle of samsara, and is able to come to the ultimate realization.

Imagine the following scenario: Buddha, Mahavira, Krishna, and Guru Nanak are asked about the religions founded in their name. If you could show them

Imagine the following scenario: Buddha, Mahavira, Krishna, and
Guru Nanak are asked about the religions founded in their name. If
you could show them how their religions evolved over time (centuries
after their death), which specific parts do you think they would NOT
recognize or acknowledge. In other words, which part of their
religions would they see as CONTRADICTING their original intentions.
This is a speculative question, but be sure to ground it with some

pertinent quotes/facts/details.

The way that religion has evolved so rapidly is completely amazing, if this situation were to happen, neither Buddha nor Mahavira would be able to recognize their religions at all
Buddha would have questioned the authority of the Dali lama, and Mahavira the reason why they lack focus of mediation.Krishna would have wondered whether he taught the hindus at all because of their apparent disregard for the scriptures. Guru Nanak's peaceful self would be balffled at the way sikhism has evolved into a religion of violence.

Explain why speaking in tongues is not a unique religious experience only bestowed on Christians. How did your teacher relate such a phenomenon with s

Explain why speaking in tongues is not a unique religious
experience only bestowed on Christians. How did your teacher relate
such a phenomenon with sexual experiences? Clue: think neurology and
think cultural variabilities.

Speaking in tongues is really no special feet as David Lane, of Mt.Sac, put it ; "when i was young, the preist told me to come up to the altar, and confess my sins yada yada yada, then he told me to speak, and i started speaking in tongues. why did this happen? this situation was comparable to one putting a microphone in front of your face right when ur having an orgasm, and telling you to start speaking, the result is an utterance of unrecognizable words."

How is the Sikh holy book, The Guru Granth Sahib, fundamentally different than other religious scriptures, like the Bible or the Koran?

How is the Sikh holy book, The Guru Granth Sahib, fundamentally
different than other religious scriptures, like the Bible or the
Koran?

The Guru Granth Sahib the religious text of the Sikh's is a very interesting book, because of its interesting history, but also because of the fact that this book was written by several gurus, and was not claimed to have been inspired by any superior being. where as the Bible and the Koran both claim to have supernatural backgrounds, the Guru Granth Sahib was a compilation of hymns that describe god, written by man.

In what significant ways is Sikhism different than Jainism? Be sure to substantiate your answers.

In what significant ways is Sikhism different than Jainism? Be
sure to substantiate your answers.

The Main way that Sikhism Differs from Jainism, is the Jainism's lack of belief in a god, and that they never ask for god, Jainism attempts to achieve moksha, or escape of the cycle of samsara, through their own means, primarily controlling of the senses. they believe that the right view, the right knowledge, and the right conduct will lead them to the ultimate realization of divine consciousness. Jainist's chant the Navakar Mantra as a respectful act, more than a religious one, and believe that one makes his or her own destiny. The sikhs on the other had believe firmly in chanting the name of god, and the leader ship of a guru, and fate. The Sikhs also do not worship any idols, unlike the Jainists who worship idols of Jinas, Arihants, and Tirthankars

Why do you think that Sikhism evolved from a non-militaristic religion into one advocating the bearing of arms? Be sure to back up your answer.

Why do you think that Sikhism evolved from a non-militaristic
religion into one advocating the bearing of arms? Be sure to back up
your answer.

Sikhism evolved from a peaceful religion, to a religion whos traditions involved bearing arms simply because they were practically forced to. Religious prejudice against sikhs began almost immediately after its founders death, creating strife between sikhs and many religions, many of the sikhs were forced to carry swords for their own self defense, and in case of the possibility of war at any time.

Compare and contrast the life and teachings of Ramana Maharshi with Charan Singh (as mentioned in the Enchanted Land).

Ramana Maharshi Vs Charan Singh

Charan Singh

• "We are drops of love from the sea of god"
• "our association of mind & body cause us to lose sight of our true selves"
• "surrender your entire being to the "Ocean of Love""
• brought about great social change ; the dera an area of living for many followers donated by charan singh himself, the property is worth millions of dollar

Ramana Maharshi

• "I-ness is not life in the body, but consciousness"
  
• "The world arises in a field of consciousness."
• "There is no beginning or end to consciousness"
• based on an experimental realization
• everything is in your head, the body is only something your head is saying you have, how do u know it really exists?
  

In the Bhagavad Gita, briefly describe Krishna's advice toArjuna in terms of whether to fight or not to fight. Do you thinkKrishna's advice was wise?

In the Bhagavad Gita, briefly describe Krishna's advice toArjuna in terms of whether to fight or not to fight. Do you thinkKrishna's advice was wise? Why? Why not?

In a nutshell what Krishna told Arjuna was that he had to fight, because it was his role, his dharma, or responsibility as a warrior to fight, and that not fighting would lead to disgrace, which was worse than death itself. Arjuna, who was kind at heart, was indecisive on whether he should go to war or not, because those he fought against were essentially his own relatives, cousins, and loved ones.but krishna again counseled him, reminding him of samsara, and how the human body is merely a container for the indestructible soul. Krishna Continues to say that death is inevitable for those who are born, and for those who are dead, birth was also a sure thing, therefore, he should not mourn things that were inevitable.

What was the secret that Faqir Chand realized in Iraq and how does it help explain religious experiences and beliefs other than his own?

What was the secret that Faqir Chand realized in Iraq and how does it help explain religious experiences and beliefs other than his own?
When Faqir Chand was in Iraq, he had a vision from a "guru" that told him that the enemy only wanted to collect their dead. he told his officer, and just as he foretold the enemy came to collect their dead. when he returned home, to his suprise he was worshipped as a guru because he appeared to others in visions. Chand however, had no idea that he had appeared to them, and therefore came to the conclusion that visions of gurus were not the gurus appearing to them at all, but in fact a figments of their own imagination.

Do you think that there should be more than seven dimensions in explaining a particular religion? If not, why not. If yes, can you detail which dimens

Do you think that there should be more than seven dimensions in
explaining a particular religion? If not, why not. If yes, can you
detail which dimension you would add.

I believe that when explaining certain religions, an 8th dimensions could possibly be added such as apologetics for christianity. i think that every true religion has a form of this, and it is necessary for the religion to survive, because without it, a religion is bound to fail. for example the guru who died right before he was about to arrive in another country, his sect would have surely failed had his followers did not come up with an excuse for why it happened.

Apply those seven dimensions to Buddhism (taking any sect or group within that tradition) and describe, in brief, how they are incorporated within Bud

Apply those seven dimensions to Buddhism (taking any sect or
group within that tradition) and describe, in brief, how they are
incorporated within Buddhism as a whole. Details are key.


Buddhism;
Myths: The birth of Siddartha
Legend of Amitabha

A Journey to the West ; arguably just a chinese folk tale

Rituals: Meditation
Worship
Pilgramages
Mandalas
Ecantations of Mantras with use of Mudras
Religious Experiences: Similar to the hindu state of samdhi, a buddhist can also reach a state
of trance-like peacefullness through meditation
Doctrines: Pali Tibitaka
Mahayana Sutras
Four Noble Truths
Noble Eightfold Path
Three Marks of Existence
Dependent Origination
Samsara
Nirvana
Skandha
Cosmology
Karma
**Buddhisms origins are of hinduism, which explains why they share many of
the same values

Ethics: The Patimokkha - 227 rules for monks
Ten Precepts
Sacred Mandala
Social Institutions: Theravada School
Mahayana School
Vajrayana School
Religious Objects : Begging Bowl; one of the few posessions of a Buddhist Monk
Image of Buddha
Prayer Wheel
Stupas/Pagodas
Religious Art

Apply those seven dimensions to Hinduism (taking any sect or group within that tradition) and describe, in brief, how they are incorporated within tha

Apply those seven dimensions to Hinduism (taking any sect or
group within that tradition) and describe, in brief, how they are
incorporated within that Indic system. Details are key

1.Myths - Bhagavad Gita Ramayana
Puranas
(arguably; The Vedas)
2.Rituals - Bindi
Tilak
Birth Sanskars
-Punsavana
-simantonnyana
-jatakarma
-namakarna
-nishkarmana -annaprasana
-marnavedha
-mundan
-upanayana


marriage sanskars
-Jayamaala -madhu-parka
-Gau Daan & Kanya Pratigrahan
-vivaha-homa
-shilarohan & Laaja Homa
-Sapta-padi
-Surya Darshan & Dhruva Darshan
-ashirvada
3.Religious experiences - Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses
Samadhi - ecstasy/trance
4.doctrines - Vedas(Rigveda / samaveda / Yajurveda / Atharvaveda)
Sutras ( Shrautasutra, Grihyasutra & Dharmasutra ) Puranas
Epics (Bhagavad Gita & Ramayana)
Brahmanas
Aranyakas
Upanisheds
5.ethics - the ethics of hinduism are quite simple, as long as one understands the concepts of ahimsa, dharma, karma, and the practice of ashima, one understands the view points of hinduism almost in its entirety. Ahimsa teaches hindus to be as peace keeping as possible, Ahimsa teaches non violence, and therefore when making decisions, they must choose those which will harm people the least, though the exceptionn for violence is in self defense. dharma, is the belief that one should do as his role requires him to do, for example a warrior must fight wars for glory, and not for evil etc, in other words, everyone must do their duty. karma - karma is a concept that is a little bit more difficult to grasp, contrary to popular belief, karma is not always necessarily a good or bad action that will happen in this life, but rather is an accumulation of all the good & bad happenings that depend upon ones actions in all of ones lives, this of course is with the assumption that the belief of samsara, better known as reincarnation is true. The practices of Ashima restricts hindus from eating meat making them vegetarians. with these considerations, the views on popular debatable topics are as follows;

Abortion - whatever is best for everyone - ahimsaAnimal Cruelty/Animal rights - animals should have rights, treat them well - karma/samsara
euthenasia - an interesting topic, euthnasia as we know it is not allowed, but a form of suicide known as prayopavesa is permitted, which is essentially the starving of ones self. 6.social institutions - mostly temples, taj mahal
7.material forms of the religion - Yantra Linga Cows & Religious art

What are the seven dimensions to religion, according to Ninian Smart, and mentioned in Andrea Diem's book, "When Scholars Study The Sacred?"

According to Ninian Smart the 7 Dimensions are;
1.Myths - sacred stories
2.Rituals - practices of the faith
3.Religious experiences - feelings of the overwhelming presence of something beyond this world
4.doctrines - philosophies of the religion
5.ethics - the laws of the religion
6.social institutions - churches/temples etc
7.material forms of the religion - sacred object

each of these play critical roles in a religion, and a religion would most likely fail without even one of these.