REL 201 Asian Religions

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Uses reflective and critical reading, thinking, writing, and discussion to explore the principal components of the dominant religions in Asia: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Traces the historical development, fundamental beliefs and practices, and recommended lifestyle of each. Includes how to study a religion.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Recommended: Placement into WR 121Z (or higher),or completion of WR 115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify the central figures, both human and divine, of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
Articulate each religion’s central cosmological and philosophical beliefs.
Describe the lifestyle recommended by each religion.
Explain and critically analyze the beliefs and practices among the principal sects.
Use strategies to thoughtfully and respectfully engage those who hold a different religious worldview.
Articulate personal worldview as a way to better understand the worldviews of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
Use various forms of written and verbal discussion to articulate understanding and practical application of Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Write coherent essays using textual support, documentation (where applicable), and standard grammar/mechanics.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Content Outline

Introduction to the Study of Religion
- Religion defined
- How to study religions
- Worldview
  - Meaning for adherents
  - Values held
  - Practices lived
- Conduct
- Engage diverse perspectives with thoughtfulness and respect
- Learn in disagreement
- Openness to new insights and understandings creates better learning
Hinduism
- Beliefs and values
  - Dharma
  - Moksha
  - Karma
  - Samsara
  - Reincarnation
  - Jiva
  - Guru
  - Yugas and Hindu cosmology
- Four yogas as ways to God
  - Intuitive knowledge (Jnana)
  - Loving devotion (Bhakti)
  - Work (Karma)
  - Mental concentration (Raja)
- Four life stages
  - Student
  - Married/householder
  - Retired/forest dweller
  - Sannyasin/renouncer
- Castes
  - Hereditary
  - Restrictions on marriage, dining, interaction
  - Relationship to Karma
  - Types
    - Brahmins (priests)
    - Ksatriyas (administrators, warriors, nobles)
    - Vaishyas (farmers, merchants)
    - Shudras (manual laborers)
    - Untouchables/outcastes
- Gods
  - 330 million
  - Creator (Brahma)
  - Preserver (Vishnu)
  - Destroyer (Siva)
  - Goddesses (Kali, Durga)
  - Atman
  - Brahman
  - Krishna
  - Scriptures
  - Vedas (including Upanishads)
  - Mahabharata (including Bhagavad-Gita)
- Practices
  - Puja
  - Pilgrimage
  - Sacrifice
  - Worship of rivers and trees
  - Widow burning
  - Practices
Buddhism
- Founding of Buddhism out of Hinduism
  - Buddha
  - Four sights - old age, sickness/disease, death, monk
  - Middle way
  - Bodhi tree
- Practices
  - Four truths (suffering, selfish craving/karma, cure, Eightfold path)
  - Eightfold path (right - view, intent, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration)
  - Meditation
- Beliefs and values
  - Nirvana
  - Impermanence
  - Karma
  - No-self
  - Sangha
  - Arhat
  - Bodhisattva
  - Emptiness
  - Three refuges
  - Bodhisattva vows
- Types of Buddhism
  - Theravada
  - Mahayana
    - Pureland Buddhism
    - Tibetan Buddhism
    - Zen Buddhism
- Key figures
  - Nagarjuna
  - Bodhidharma
  - Dogen
  - Ananda
- Scriptures
  - Heart Sutra
  - Dhammapada
  - Koans
- Buddhism today
  - Anti-war/violence
  - Contemporary figures (e.g. Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, Dalai Lama)
  - Buddhist psychology (e.g. Mark Epstein)
  - Ambedkar and untouchables rights
Taoism
- The founding of Taoism
  - Lao-Tzu
  - Chuang-Tzu
- Types of Taoism
  - Philosophical
  - Religious
- Scriptures
  - Tao Te Ching
  - Book of Chuang-Tzu
- Beliefs and values
  - Tao
  - Te
  - Yin
  - Yang
  - Wu-Wei
  - Chi
  - Relativity of values
  - Detachment
- Practices
  - Ancestor worship
  - Shamans
  - Rituals
  - Temples
  - Pilgrimage
- Taoism today
  - Late 20th century
  - Feng Shui
  - Acupuncture
  - Tai Chi
  - Falun Gong