PHIL 210 Exam#2 Review PDF

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SHORT ANSWERS: 1)

What is “dualism,” what are Zoroastrianism’s two kinds of dualism, and how does Zoroastrianism conceive of the role of humanity in those dual dualisms? Dualism, is the view that there are two fundamentally different kinds of things (beings) in existence. Dualism in Zoroastrianism is the existence of, yet complete separation of, good & evil. This is recognized in two interconnecting ways: Cosmically (opposing forces within the universe) & Morally (opposing forces within the mind). Cosmic dualism refers to the ongoing battle between Good (Ahura Mazda) and Evil (Angra Mainyu) within the universe. It is important to understand that Angra Mainyu is not GOD’s equal opposite, rather that Angra Mainyu is the destructive energy that opposes God's creative energy. This creative energy is called Spenta Mainyu. God created a pure world through his creative energy, which Angra Mainyu continues to attack, making it impure. Aging, sickness, famine, natural disasters, death and so on are attributed to this. With cosmic dualism we have life and death, day and night, good and evil. One cannot be understood without the other. Life is a mixture of these two opposing forces. Moral dualism refers to the opposition of good and evil in the mind of mankind. God's gift to man was free will; therefore man has the choice to follow the path of Evil (druj - deceit) or the path of Righteousness (asha - truth). The path of Evil leads to misery and ultimately Hell. The path of Righteousness leads to peace and everlasting happiness in Heaven. As with cosmic dualism, we have the polarity of happiness and sadness, truth and deception and so on but with an emphasis on choice. This choice is crucial as it determines whether we are the helper of Ahura Mazda or the helper of Angra Mainyu. When all of mankind chooses the former over the latter, evil will finally be defeated and Paradise on earth will be realized. In practice, modern Zoroastrianism has a positive outlook. It teaches that Mankind is ultimately good and that this goodness will finally triumph over evil. This could be seen as a retrenchment from the faith's original purity of dualism.

2)

Using the Four Noble Truths, explain the Buddha’s diagnosis of, and cure for, the human condition. The four noble truths are what Buddha learned while meditating under the fig tree. The 1st noble truth, suffering or stress is inherent in human life. The 2nd noble truth, the cause of suffering is our desire for permanence. The 3rd noble truth, to cure ourselves of suffering, we must eliminate its cause-desires The 4th noble truth, we end trishna (thirsty) desires, and hence suffering, through the noble eightfold path. Buddha’s diagnosis and cure for human condition- containing your suffering by observing ethical precepts, taming suffering by contemplating the Buddha’s wisdom, and releasing your suffering through meditation.

3)

Explain the surprising conclusion of the Buddhist doctrine of Anatman, with the special attention to how the Doctrine of Interdependent Origination conceives of the self as a bundle of Skandhas. Conclusion of Anatman (Buddhist Doctrine) = no self, meaning that we are nothing but a bundle of myriad sensations (skandhas). How Doctrine of Interdependent origination conceive of the self as a bundle of skandhas? = there is nothing to you over and above this bundle. One’s self is instead a nexus of an infinite sprawling butterfly effect, or the Doctrine of Interdependent origination. Therefore, one’s sense of self is dependent on other things. One’s action shap the lives of those to come.

4)

According to Hinduism, there is really only one thing, although there appear to be many things; and there is both one divine reality and many gods. Why? Brahman is infinite knowledge, infinite bliss, infinite being. Brahman essentially is everything therefore there is only one thing. Within Brahman there is Atman, which is the appearance of what is actually Brahman.

5)

What is the special puzzle presented by Karmic yoga, and what is Khrishna’s soulution to that puzzle? It is about ethical action and caring about other human beings, the puzzle presented is what about the outcome of actions. Is the fulfill the ethical duties to the actions but don’t be attached to the outcome. the outcome of your actions shouldn’t matte.

6)

Why are sounds of spiritual significance in Hinduism, and what is the threefold significance of ‘om’ in particular? The sounds of spiritual significance in Hinduism are important because they bring us closer to divine knowledge and oneness to the divine. All that we can know is in sounds. ‘OM” has three parts, A: is the profane world of walking consciousness, U: is the dream world of dreaming consciousness, and the M: is the absence of worlds that open up in deep dreamless sleep. AUM: together is the elision of boundaries between self and world as one wakes up into oneness with the divine.

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1)

Which of the following best defines the four following terms: Ahura Mazada: the high spirit worshipped in Zoroastrianism, the main. Angra Mainyu: the god of darkness and destruction; evil god. Amesha Spenta: immortal and holy, description of the gods. Daevas: gods with disagreeable characteristics.

2)

To what does ‘yoga’ refer, in terms of its Hindu origins? Within Hindu Yoga, yoga literally means the yoking or unity or attunement of Atman and Brahman. The way to achieve liberation from Samsara (process of reincarnation).

3)

Theravada Buddhism does not subscribe to this belief or practice: Theravada Buddhism does not subscribe to this believe or practice: subscribes to the way of the elders; the oldest way to practice Buddhism. To work on the salvation with diligence. No one can help you on your path to nirvana, you are left to your own individual efforts. Nirvana is unattainable outside the ordained life and the goal is to one who attains parinirvana .

4)

As a general religious school of thought, Mahayana Buddhism holds that: Mahayana Buddhism, is the greater vehicle, the greater wider path to nirvana that one can take.

5)

Which of the following best describes the general beliefs of Pure Land and Zen Buddhism? Pure Land, is in which anyone can be reborn to a life free of suffering, all you need to do is ask with faith in Amitabaha. Zen Buddhism, is Sadartha’s refusal to put enlightenment into words, flower sermon, enlightenment is a quasimystical or nonlinguistic experience to attain.

6)

Vajrayana Buddhism refers to: Vajrayana Buddhism, to allow an ordinary person to attain bodhisattva status within a single lifetime.

7)

What are the two associations of the Buddha’s so-called Great Departure? Two associations of the “Great Departure” = Literal: departure from the immense wealth and political power destined to become his. Figurative: departure from the path of happiness.

8)

The Buddha professed to each a “Middle Way.” What did he mean? The “Middle Way” is, the practice between sensual indulgence and self-mortification.

9)

What is the difference between shruti and smrti? Shruti = is that which is heard, the Vedas (Hinduism’s sacred scriptures), OM (aum). Smrti = that which is remembered; the Ramayan and the Mahabharata...