Chapter 1: The Asian Sages Flashcards
How is a sage distinct from a shaman or priest?
a. Sages are more interested in living well and wisdom, and sharing that wisdom with others so they can live a good life. b. Sages have mystical and transcendent powers, whereas shamans, priests, and prophets are more concerned with rituals or practices. c. Sages are mostly concerned with religious hierarchy. d. Sage is a term that is used to describe shamans, priests, or prophets generally.
a. Sages are more interested in living well and wisdom, and sharing that wisdom with others so they can live a good life.
The English word Sage is derived from the Latin sapiens, which is translated to mean which of the following?
a. Teacher
b. Master
c. Wise
d. Old
c. Wise
If you were to describe the yin and yang in Chinese cosmology to a friend not in this course, which description would be the most accurate representation?
a. The yin and yang represent the logical fallacy of a false dichotomy in which two polar opposites are represented as the only choices despite a range of possible options. b. The yin and yang are an either-or representation of everything in the universe being one of two possible sides: good or evil, dark or light, feminine or masculine. c. The yin and yang is a symbol from the 1990s' youth culture most commonly seen in necklaces and tattoos. d. The yin and yang are interdependent forces that balance and bring about harmony from opposites.
d. The yin and yang are interdependent forces that balance and bring about harmony from opposites.
Which concept best describes the way of heaven and earth that cannot be understood analytically, one at a time, or individually?
a. The Tao
b. Yang
c. Ignorance
d. Yin
a. The Tao
Do Lao-Tzu and the Buddha have different views about the goal of seeking the Tao?
a. All Taoist goals are similar, understanding that the good is innate while evil comes about from a lack of cultivating virtue. b. Yes. Lao-Tzu thinks we ought to set aside our own interests and spread compassion to others while the Buddha thinks that we need social training. c. Yes. Lao-Tzu thinks we need to follow the way and abandon social cultivation, whereas the Buddha thinks we ought to set aside our own interests and spread compassion to others. d. No. The Tao is unchanging, permanent, and not open to individual critical analysis.
c. Yes. Lao-Tzu thinks we need to follow the way and abandon social cultivation, whereas the Buddha thinks we ought to set aside our own interests and spread compassion to others.
During the period of the warring states, there was great moral and political chaos. Which of the following best describes the ancient teachings of the sages in response to the “breakdown of the rule of heaven”?
a. The sages emphasized the pursuit of profit and maximizing self-interest.
b. The sages had to advocate for warlike strategies and methods given the context of their current society.
c. The sages focused on achieving harmony and virtue here and now.
d. The sages encouraged individuation and competition.
c. The sages focused on achieving harmony and virtue here and now.
The Tao de Ching written by Lao-tzu is one of the most important ancient texts. What is the book about?
a. It explains how the Tao is ineffable.
b. It is a book of contradictions.
c. The book explains what Tao is.
d. This book of poems refutes Confucian ideals.
a. It explains how the Tao is ineffable.
How can the ancient sage Lao-tzu criticize contemporary Western thinking in regard to truth about life given his nonrational and nonlogical approach?
a. Lao-tzu wouldn’t criticize the West because sages do not engage in cross-cultural judgments.
b. Lao-tzu would say that the West is concerned with objectivity, dogmatism, rationalism, scientism, and technology, all of which obscure the truth because the Tao cannot be explained through these concepts.
c. Lao-tzu was a recluse and had no regard for worldly politics of any culture and saw no value in distinguishing different -isms because nothing is permanent.
d. Lao-tzu would say that the West is concerned primarily with individualism and materialism; it lacks compassion; and therefore, it is concerned with what is best, not what is correct.
b. Lao-tzu would say that the West is concerned with objectivity, dogmatism, rationalism, scientism, and technology, all of which obscure the truth because the Tao cannot be explained through these concepts.
If you were going to live according to the teachings of Lao-tzu, should you pursue the yin and yang equally?
a. Yes, you cannot have the yin without the yang, so you should strive for neutrality or balance.
b. No, the yin is to be preferred because you should turn away from common values.
c. No, the yang is to be preferred because it is more powerful than the yin.
d. Lao-Tzu is indifferent because what is bad will become good and vice versa.
b. No, the yin is to be preferred because you should turn away from common values.
Wu-wei translates to “doing nothing.” How could you best describe the concept of such inaction?
a. It literally means “to lazily do nothing.” Float along. Que sera sera; whatever will be will be. Sprezzatura. Let it be.
b. Wu-wei means “to act but without control or a goal.” For example, instead of trying to solve world hunger, you donate food to people you see on the streets.
c. The only motive one should have is to sit idly while the world is in chaos.
d. Wu-wei is a contradiction because to do nothing is to do something.
b. Wu-wei means “to act but without control or a goal.” For example, instead of trying to solve world hunger, you donate food to people you see on the streets.
How does Confucius think that a teacher can bring about political reform?
a. By cultivating moral virtues such as li, which means “rules of conduct and sense of propriety.”
b. Treat them like “the small man,” inferior like women, so that patriarchal rule is continuous.
c. Confucius thought that people were innately bad, so you must rule with an iron fist to make the citizens comply.
d. Fear is the only way you can bring about order in society
a. By cultivating moral virtues such as li, which means “rules of conduct and sense of propriety.”
In what ways would Confucius criticize contemporary Western culture?
a. He would give credit to the West for their inclusion of women but would criticize democracy.
b. He would criticize the West’s notions of individualism and autonomy because he believed in humanism and social preservation rather than individual creation.
c. He would reject atheism because he understands that the next life is just as important as this one.
d. He would criticize the people who protest against the government and social injustice because he cared more about individual moral cultivation rather than societal moral cultivation.
b. He would criticize the West’s notions of individualism and autonomy because he believed in humanism and social preservation rather than individual creation.
What constitutes a great or noble gentleman or chun-tzu according to Confucius?
a. He is a petty and vulgar man.
b. He is impulsive, astute, and recognizes himself as noble.
c. He looks to others for help as well as competition.
d. He improves himself and follows the Mean
d. He improves himself and follows the Mean
The noble character of the chun-tzu is best characterized by which of the following:
a. Jen
b. Political power
c. Bloodline
d. Wealth
a. Jen
What were the four signs Siddhartha saw that changed his life forever?
a. Other sages, other religions, proof that his father was evil, and his cousin-bride
b. Starving animals, rituals, businesses his father destroyed, and unhappiness
c. A homeless beggar, a diseased man, a dying man, and an ascetic
d. Luxury, pleasure, women, and festivals
c. A homeless beggar, a diseased man, a dying man, and an ascetic
Why did Siddhartha become an ascetic?
a. He wanted to suffer because up until then, he lived a plush and wealthy lifestyle. He wanted to experience poverty first-hand.
b. He was mad at his father for keeping him locked up in ignorance; leaving was his revenge.
c. To go in search of truth and answers to questions about the meaning of life.
d. To escape an unhappy marriage where he was forced to marry his cousin.
c. To go in search of truth and answers to questions about the meaning of life.
What did Siddhartha learn through his asceticism?
a. That self-denial is an adequate way of living that puts you in touch with what is most important
b. The Middle Path—that you cannot find enlightenment by destroying the body nor through overindulgence
c. That if you go long enough without food, people will be impressed by your fervor
d. That you should care about what others around you think
b. The Middle Path—that you cannot find enlightenment by destroying the body nor through overindulgence
Why was the Buddha referred to as a bodhisattva?
a. Because of his enlightenment and choice to teach others. He reached Nirvana through meditation and decided to postpone his own release to share the knowledge with others so that others could find supreme release too.
b. Bodhisattva is another word for self-actualization and separateness, which the Buddha achieved in the river while in a lotus pose.
c. That is the name for any savior who intercedes on behalf of others.
d. Because he was under the bodhi tree when he meditated and reached enlightenment, and so bodhisattva translates roughly to “one who meditates under the bodhi tree.”
a. Because of his enlightenment and choice to teach others. He reached Nirvana through meditation and decided to postpone his own release to share the knowledge with others so that others could find supreme release too.
How is the Buddha’s death similar to Socrates’s death?
a. They both drank hemlock and posed like a tiger as muscle spasms took hold.
b. They shared no fear of death, welcoming it as a mark of the end of their suffering.
c. They both wanted to avenge the person responsible for their death.
d. Their deaths are not similar; the Buddha ate spoiled food while Socrates was executed by the government.
b. They shared no fear of death, welcoming it as a mark of the end of their suffering.
What are the Four Noble Truths?
a. Share your wealth, get rid of your ego, share knowledge with others, and forgive
b. Develop the self; the more you develop yourself, the more you minimize suffering; give away all your possessions to others in need; and habituate regular medication and cleansing rituals
c. That life is suffering; suffering is caused by humans’ self-interested thinking, egocentrism, and desire; but you can get rid of the suffering by getting rid of your desires; and lastly, follow the Eightfold Path
d. Asceticism, meditation, cleansing and ritual in a river, and self-sacrifice
c. That life is suffering; suffering is caused by humans’ self-interested thinking, egocentrism, and desire; but you can get rid of the suffering by getting rid of your desires; and lastly, follow the Eightfold Path
What is the best summary of the purpose of the Eightfold Path?
a. It is a list of rules just like in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), learning to accept the things that we cannot change.
b. It states that by changing our emotions, we can become rational and change our lives to reach enlightenment.
c. To end suffering, you need wisdom, right conduct, and right mental training (panna, sila, and samadhi, respectively).
d. It is akin to the Ten Commandments; all prescriptions are the same except there are eight instead of ten because it lacks a commandment about idolatry.
c. To end suffering, you need wisdom, right conduct, and right mental training (panna, sila, and samadhi, respectively).
Would the Buddha criticize the contemporary Western world?
a. No. The Buddha’s teachings show us that he was a community member without judgment; he sought to understand, not prescribe.
b. Yes. The way the Western world intellectualizes everything, alienates nature, and would run counter to the Buddha’s teachings.
c. Yes. He would criticize the wealthy for staying in their castles, staying safe from the suffering that people in poverty face.
d. Yes. He would criticize the Western world nowadays because of the media and how people share information as truth even when it is not founded on empirical evidence.
b. Yes. The way the Western world intellectualizes everything, alienates nature, and would run counter to the Buddha’s teachings.
Which of the following statements describes a key difference between Buddhism and Taoism?
a. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, whereas Taoists believe in the here and now.
b. Buddhists prioritize renunciation of possessions, whereas Taoists focus on meditation.
c. Buddhists focus on karma whereas, Taoists focus on nirvana.
d. Buddhists believe in a personal god, whereas Taoists do not.
a. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, whereas Taoists believe in the here and now.
Are there any similarities between Confucius’s view and the Buddha’s view?
a. No. The Buddha believed in extreme measures or action, whereas Confucius believed in moderation or the Mean.
b. Yes. They both believe in a hierarchy within society where sages are at the top.
c. No. The two sages were vastly different with almost no overlap of ideas or shared definitions of the same terms.
d. Yes. Virtue and self-reflection are required for personal growth and understanding. Both also believed in the Middle Path or Mean.
d. Yes. Virtue and self-reflection are required for personal growth and understanding. Both also believed in the Middle Path or Mean.
If Confucius, the Buddha, and Lao-tzu had lunch together and were to discuss the Western world, what would they think is the biggest problem facing Western societies’ attitudes or ideas?
a. The way yoga is practiced in the United States
b. Individualism
c. The inclusion of women
d. Capital punishment
b. Individualism
a
