Shared Flashcard Set

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RELI 304
Nava Religion class
45
Religious Studies
Undergraduate 2
05/03/2010

Additional Religious Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
4 arguments for Gods existence
Definition

1. Cosmological

2. Argument from design

3. Moral Argument

4. Pascal's wager

Term
Cosmological argument
Definition

Why is there something and not nothing?

Universe is ruled by laws of cause and effect, so you need a cause 1st - has to be one because logically there cant be an infinite regression.  2nd God stands as the final purpose and end of human life (Telos)

Term
Argument from design
Definition
Universe is extremely complex, intelligent, design, purpose, therefore reasonable to assume something equally as intelligent and purposeful created it.
Term
Watch analogy
Definition
Walking along you find an intricate watch, you would assume that someone intelligent and purposeful made it.
Term
criticisms of design argument
Definition

how to account for chaos, or things that are unreasonable, purpose-less.

David Hume- the universe seems awfully cruel and impersonal.

Term
Moral argument
Definition
Morality is in all cultures, this sense of right and wrong (conscience) must have been planted in humans by an ultimate law giver
Term
criticisms of moral argument
Definition

Where does evil come from?

Morality is beneficial for the preservation of the human species.

Moral values are culturally and historically determined, they fluctuate. 

Term
Pascal's Wager
Definition

recall a wager is betting w/ the unsure.

Know its uncertain but believes in the risk, only proven if you try.

Meaning and purpose of god will only become clear and evident after one begins to live a life w/ love and compassion.

Knowledge of god will only occur after the act of living a loving life.

Term
misconceptions of Pascal's wager
Definition

it is better to wage there is a god and be proven wrong then it is to wage there is no god and be wrong.

 

A self serving idea, not very christian 

Term
Ibn Arabi's poem Wonder
Definition

Love is at the heart of religions and love grounds as the fundamental structure of the universe.

 

My heart is open to all religions, people of the world, and most importantly love.

Term
Buddhist - Sunyata
Definition
Emptiness (ultimate reality:non personal)
Term
Buddhist - upaya
Definition

doctrine of expedient means.  

 

All teachings and doctrines are believed to be meaningless unless they are cultivated and developed in the course of one's life.

Term
Buddhism - anatman
Definition

doctrine of no-self; its an illusion to believe in, and independent self.  We are all radically dependent and inter connected with each other.  

 

Criticism of the illusion of separateness 

Term
4 noble truths
Definition

1. Life is suffering

2. The causes of suffering

3. Suffering can be ended : Hope

4. Path to Nirvana or Enlightenment

Term
Life is suffering - Buddhism
Definition

-physical, emotional, and spiritual

-all human achievements are threatened by a feeling of emptiness and meaningless 

Term
Causes of Suffering - Buddhism
Definition

Ignorance- lack of understanding abou the world and life plus lack of self understanding ... ignorance leads to fear, anger, hate, violence suffering (the slippery slope...Buddhism is a challenge to overcome these things- overcome fear)

Misdirected Desires- Jealousy, greed, envy, anger, sloth ,gluttony, lust

Term
Suffering can be ended: Hope - Buddhism
Definition
Nirvana: liberation from the cycle of rebirth.  A state of perfect peace, bliss, serenity, love.  Similar to the idea of heaven.
Term
Path to Nirvana or Enlightenment - Buddhism
Definition

-Ethical and moral discipline - Nirvana cannot be achieved without developing your capacity for compassion and goodness.

-Intellectual and spirtual discipline, Meditation, prayer, study

-Breakthrough, INtuitive in Nature, insight into the nature of reality as an immediate apprehension not based on reason or logic alone

Term
Trimurti
Definition

Brahman - the creator

Vishnu - has many different Avatars, including Krishna

Shiva - creator and destroyer

Term
Shiva
Definition

creator and destroyer, 4 arms and dancing

1. outstretched hand, be not afraid, peace

2. drum of creation

3. Fire of destruction, of evil

4. take refuge in his mercy pointing to feet

Term
Avatar
Definition
manifestation of a God ex. krishna of vishnu
Term
Saguna
Definition
Gods with attributes, polytheism, God has many different faces, images, persons
Term
Nirguna
Definition
God without attributes, monotheism, god is beyond al attributes and manifestations
Term
inherent tolerance in Hinduism
Definition
Beyond both polytheism and monotheism, it has features of both.  Different ways of speaking of the divine, saguna and nirguna.  Rig veda... truth is one, the wise call it by many different names
Term
Krishna and the Milk maids
Definition
The moment when one of the milkmaids thinks she is dancing alone with Krishna, Krishna disappears...the implication is that when one thinks that god is only with them and you alone, thats when you loose god
Term
Neti
Definition

God is neither this nor that...

You cannot name god, or describe him

Term
Via Negativa
Definition

What cannot be said about the divine

you can only say what god is not, its not possible to describe what he is

Term
Names of Buddha 3
Definition

1. Siddhartha Gautama

2. Tathagata (thus gone one)

3.Kakyamuni (sage of the sakya people)

Term
Diana Eck - What she learned?
Definition

Revelation that christianity does not have a monopoly of wisdom, love, and truth.

In India met people who had examples of love, compassion, forgiveness, etc.

Started the study of religion and being in love - requires a sort of commitment 

Term
4 reasons for suffering in Vedanta
Definition

1. Ignorance

2. Clinging to what is impermanent

3. Egocentrism

4. Fear

Term
Ignorance 1 of 4 Vendanta suffering
Definition
Not know the true nature of reality.  People that are ignorant in any way will suffer in many different ways, in not knowing the true nature of reality and not know their true selves.
Term
Clinging to what is impermanent
Definition
ex. money, power, material possessions
Term
Egocentrism 3 of 4 Vedanta 
Definition

all the religions believe that egocentrism is an obstacle to salvation, enlightenment, et.c

This is completely the opposite of how religion wants people to live

Term
Fear 4 of 4 Vendanta
Definition

anger, fear, ignorance ... dark side, suffering, hatred, violence, etc.

People that are indifferent are often viewed as a threat

The fear of death, to become wise is to overcome fear of death

Term
Liberation Theology
Definition
Comes from a movement by the African american and latin american communities, if you are oppressed you have a deeper connection with religion, from this deep connection made their won...re-thinking the idea of God from non-euro cultural perspective.  This did not imply a rejection of european ideas of God, only an expansion of those ideas; a more inclusive idea.
Term
4 paths to wisdom in Vedanta
Definition

1. Raja Yoga

2. Bhakti Yoga

3. Jnana Yoga

4. Karma Yoga

Term
Raja Yoga 1 of 4 vedanta wisdom
Definition

Meditation and spirtual exercises

If you want to achieve wisdom, you have to develop your spirit and soul, become more soulful, not just more intelligent

Term
2 of 4 Bhakti Yoga vedanta wisdom
Definition
the practice of love, Unless you are loving, you will not achieve wisdom, without love you can have no wisdom
Term
3 of 4 Jnana Yoga Vedanta wisdom
Definition
Intellectual, philosophical approaches, intellectual exercises, the studying and reading of the religious traditions
Term
4 of 4 Karma Yoga Vedanta wisdom
Definition

the view that god is present everywhere, in all of the universe.

leads to the idea that god is in the animals, earth, trees, rivers, etc.

the importance of vegetarianism and humane treatment of animals, vegetables and animlas are gods creatures too

Term
Tao Te Ching
Definition

The tao that can be named is not the Tao

 

tao - the way

 

ther is wisdom and truth in all the religions

Term
Bodhisattva
Definition
one who delays nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment
Term
Vimalakirtri Sutra - Emptiness
Definition

 

Q- What is empty

All constructions about emptiness are empty (images, ideas, symbols, concepts, emotions)

 

further of the theme of Neti

 

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