Worksheet

Question 1

What do Hindu’s believe about Holy Scriptures?

Answer 1

Hindu -> Vedas (wisdom), Upanishads (philosophical extension), Bhagavad-Gita (poetry, Mythology)

Question 2

What do Buddhist’s believe about Holy Scriptures?

Answer 2

Buddha -> Three baskets (discourses, disciplines, reflection). Lotus Sutra (Mahayana).

Question 3

What do Jew’s believe about Holy Scriptures?

Answer 3

Judaism -> Tanakh (torah, prophets, writings) and Talmud (interpretation and narrative illustration)

Question 4

What does Islam believe about Holy Scriptures?

Answer 4

Islam -> revelation to Muhammad by Gabriel, Night visit to Jerusalem (Moses, Abe, and JC; 7 levels of heaven); Qur’an (uncorrupted) and Hadith (life of Muh)

Question 5

Hindu’s believe about God/gods?

Answer 5

Hindu –> Brahman = ultimate reality. Manifestations are: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (sustainer), Shiva (destroyer)

Question 6

Buddhist’s believe about God/gods?

Answer 6

Buddh -> No one God.

Question 7

Jews’s believe about God/gods?

Answer 7

Jud -> hwhy; Sovereign, Spirit, Eternal, Personal, Powerful, Compassionate, Imminent, Transcendent

Question 8

Islam about God/gods?

Answer 8

Islam -> Monotheistic; shirk; Transcendent (unknowable), Powerful, Knowing, Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Sovereign (deterministic)

Question 9

Hindu about humans?

Answer 9

Hindu -> Atman = true self/soul gets reincarnated. Has desires. 4 stages of life. Caste system.

Question 10

Buddhist about humans?

Answer 10

Buddh -> No self/identity, just soul (atman). Take refuge in Buddha, Teachings, Community.

Question 11

Jews about humans?

Answer 11

Jud -> live according to commands and in harmony; we can chose; chosen (service, not privilege)

Question 12

Islam about humans?

Answer 12

Islam -> born innocent, not sinful (just weak and forgetful), good deeds cancel bad deeds

Question 13

Hindu about salvation/righteousness?

Answer 13

Hindu -> Moksha = liberation from Samsara.

Question 14

Budd about salvation/righteousness?

Answer 14

Buddh -> Escape from Samsara

Question 15

Jews about salvation/righteousness?

Answer 15

Jud -> By God by living by His will

Question 16

Hindu means of salvation/righteousness?

Answer 16

Hindu -> renounce human desires, discover truth of Brahman. By paths: Devotion, Knowledge, Action.

Question 17

Budd means of salvation/righteousness?

Answer 17

Buddh -> rid desire, follow 8 fold path

Question 18

Jews means of salvation/righteousness?

Answer 18

Jud -> atonement, live according to will, obedience,

Question 19

Islam means of salvation/righteousness?

Answer 19

Islam – 5 pillars (Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving [purification of greed], Confession, Pilgrimage)

Question 20

Hindu view on eternity?

Answer 20

Hindu -> Brahman is the ultimate reality. The world is magic/trickery.

Question 21

Budd view on eternity?

Answer 21

Buddh -> time has no beginning and end, reincarnation till enlightenment, Nirvana.

Question 22

Jew view on eternity?

Answer 22

Jud -> resurrection, immortality, messiah coming, disagreement on details

Question 23

Islam view on eternity?

Answer 23

Islam -> resurrection, god is final judge based on weighing evil and good deeds, no assurance [except die in jihad]

Question 24

3 forms of Judaism

Answer 24

Jud -> 3 forms of Judaism (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative)

Question 25

Hindu similarities to Christianity?

Answer 25

Hindu -> Avataras sim. To incarnation of JC; God has come to help and save; grace

Question 26

Budd similarities to Christianity?

Answer 26

Budd -> principles (kill, steal, etc.); Abstaining from sex is option, not mandate.

Question 27

Hindu differences to Christianity?

Answer 27

Hindu -> Avataras are story, not history; 10 incarnations vs. 1 incarnation; Saviors are less morally perfect; Grace based on law; Krishna forgives at no cost to himself; Humans are divine; problem is ignorance, not sin; effort+grace

Question 28

Budd differences to Christianity?

Answer 28

Budd -> lamps to ourselves (not the world); desire is the root of suffering; worship smiling Buddha (not suffering servant); escape suffering vs. conquer suffering by enduring; no God.

Question 29

Islam differences to Christianity?

Answer 29

Islam -> no surety in eternity; Scriptures have no human influence; no resurrection;

Question 30

What is the doctrine of dependent arising? (Buddhism)

Answer 30

Doctrine of Dependent Arising - no creator - no cause and effect - Liberation = break a link in the chain - Weakest links are ignorance and craving

Question 31

What does Buddha mean?

Answer 31

• Buddha = the Awakened One

Question 32

What does Shakyamuni mean?

Answer 32

• Shakyamuni = the wise man of the Shakya tribe