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Discuss some of the aspects of Hindu worship and devotion such as puja and the yogas. How was Hindu practice reformed during the 19th and 20th centuries? What are some of the practical differences between “folk Hinduism” (a literal belief in the many gods and goddesses) and those who espouse a more “monistic” or “henotheistic”…
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Answer any 2 questions from the Indigenous North American “Review Questions” or “For Further Reflection” questions from page 55 (2nd edition) or 57 of Invitation to World Religions.
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Generally outline several of the following basic notions in the Hindu world-view such as: karma, dharma, samsara, caste, moksha, atman, ahimsa, Brahman and maya. Provide an explanation of your own understanding of these concepts (some or all) and how they ideologically fit into the lives of Hindus.
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Describe one particular religious practice or element among African, Native American or Meso-American cultures. Examples might be drawn from the following list: vision quest, peyote, ancestor cults, village gods, ancestor or power figures, use of masks, Meso-American temples, burial practices, rites of passage, witches, twins in African lore, role of African kings, shamans, Meso-American gods,…
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Address some of the major themes and ideas that appear in the early Hindu Scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmanas). How are the Vedas different from the Upanishads? What are some of the concepts addressed in the Laws of Manu, Mahabharata, Ramayanna, Bhagavad-Gita and Puranas? Why are each of these works considered to be important? (You don’t…
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Outline some of the aspects of Meso-American polytheistic belief. How might you explain the propensity for human sacrifice among the native religions of Mexico?
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Compare and contrast various aspects of Native American and African belief systems. How are their mythologies similar? What are some of the problems inherent in the study of indigenous religion?
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Why do you think the early academic study of religion in the 1800’s was multidisciplinary? Write about how his came to be and give some of your own opinion on studying religion in this manner. (Chapters 2 & 5 of Embarking Upon the Study of Religion.)
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Look at the origin of the academic study of religion by Christian scholars. Trace some of the early history and reasons for the scholarly pursuit. Why did this come about in a Christian context in Western Europe? Look at some of the developments in the field of Philosophy in the 1700’s & 1800’s that led…
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What are the differences between Theology, Philosophy and The Study of Religion ? (See Chapter 4 of your text Embarking Upon the Study of Religion.)