1. INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION REL 2000 NOVEMBER 13, 2009 VALERIE J. JOHNSEN Introduction to Religion

2. The Human Problem  What is the Human Problem?

3. Modern Secular Theories  Marx  Freud  Plato

4. Religious Theories  Stoic  Christian  Confucianist  Theravada Buddhist (next slide)

5. Theraveda Buddhist  Based on Karma  There are no souls (an-atman) merely karmic streams. We are dependent originations - a compounded process of the five aggregates:  Form (Rupa)  Consciousness (Vijnana)  Sensory Feelings (Vedana)  Will or Volition (Samskara)  Conceptualization (Samjna)

6. Four Noble Truths  Life is Suffering  The cause of suffering is grasping (clinging, craving, attachment)  There is a way to end suffering  That way is the Noble Eight-fold Path Noble Eightfold Path Right understandingRight livelihood Right intention Right effort Right speechRight mindfulness Right actionsRight concentration

7. Soteriology

8. Paths to Salvation/Liberation  Faith  Devotion  Disciplined Action  Meditation and Insight

9. NEXT WEEK  How you might study for the final (first thing)  Modernity and Secularity  The Great Debate:  Is religion (the outer human system of beliefs, practices, and symbols etc) relevant in modern Western society?