1. The Nature of Life How to live a holy life

2. How the religions see it  Sanctification (Judaism)  Sin & Salvation (Christianity)  Submission (Islam)  What goes around comes around (karma & dharma) (Hinduism)  The Four Noble Truths (Buddhism)  Go with the flow (Taoism)  Become more fully human (Confucianism)  Life in this world is an illusion

3. Sanctification of Life: Judaism  Life as sacred  Purpose of life is to make this world a more holy place  Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)  Sin is to be avoided by following God’s law  Sin is to be atoned for through personal sacrifice/offering, correct the mistake

4. Sin & Salvation: Christianity  The Fall & Original Sin  Inherently sinful nature of humanity (sin cannot be avoided)  Salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (it is done for us)  Repentance (recognize one’s sinful nature and accept the sacrifice on your behalf)   Sins are forgiven, our sinful nature is overcome

5. Submission: Islam  Free will of man vs. God’s will  Submit to God’s will in this life  Build a society based on submission to God’s will   Reward in the afterlife

6. Karma & Dharma: Hinduism  Samsara: the cycles of birth-life-death- rebirth  Atman: the individual soul  Karma: law of cause and effect that leaves its mark on our soul and affects our rebirth  Dharma: the cosmic and social law, how to live righteously in this world to gain the best karma – the organization of life

7. Hinduism Varna: 4 castes, social duty  Priests & teachers  Nobles & warriors  Merchants and farmers  Servants & hired hands

8. Hinduism Ashrama: 4 stages of life  Student  Householder  Retirement  Renunciation

9. Hinduism Dharma: 4 goals of life  Pleasure  Success  Duty to society  Spiritual life

10. The Four Noble Truths: Buddhism 1. Life involves suffering 2. The cause of suffering: self-centered desire 3. There is an end to suffering: Nirvana 4. The way to end suffering: the 8-fold path

11. The Eight-fold Path: Wisdom:  Right understanding  Right motivation (think good thoughts) Morality:  Right speech (speak good words)  Right action (do good actions)  Right livelihood Mental Discipline:  Right effort  Right mindfulness  Right concentration

12. Follow nature’s lead: Taoism  Tao: the “way” of nature  Humans are part of nature  Nature has a natural balance and harmony  Yin-Yang: harmony of opposites  Wei-wu-wei: “active non-action” go with the flow, do not interfere

13. Become more fully human: Confucianism  Jen: human-heartedness/Benevolence  Reciprocity: the Golden Rule (do not do to others as you would not have others do to you)  The five constant relationships: –Husband & wife –Parent & child –Older & younger sibling –Older & younger friend –Ruler & subject

14. Life in this world is an illusion  “Consciousness Only” school of Buddhism  Gnosticism  Christian Science, Unity & other “New Thought” religions  Vedanta Hinduism: –Maya = illusion (projection of the mind of god) –Lila = play, game (of the gods) –Avidya = ignorance (of our real existence) –Our real existence is not material Life is but a dream, all the world’s a stage

15. Deep thinking questions  What similarities do you see amongst some of these ideas?  How would the belief that this world and life is an illusion affect how someone would live that life?  Your questions…