Stephanie McCrary
3/3/03 and 3/1003 Notes
Religions of India

3/3/03: Guest speaker on Sikhism
possible final exam questions:
5 main K's that Sikhs follow?
1. Kesh (hair): they don't cut their hair (body or facial hair) They also don't pierce their skin, have tattoos, or wear makeup. No circumcision.
2. Kanga (comb): both men and women wear their hair in a bun on top of their heads. Men put the comb in the front of their buns,under their turbans and women put the combs in the back.
3. Kirpan (knife): mostly used for ornamental or symbolic reasons. They fight
for the right to woship (symbolic reason). The kirpan can be tucked in the front of their turban.
4. Kacchera (undergarment): like boxer shorts with a drawstring. Used for chaste and modesty.
5. Karha (bracelet): used as a reminder of their faith and devotance to their religion.
Late 60's, Yogi Bajan brought Sikhism to America.
Males take the middle name of Singh (lion or fighter for justice.
Women take the middle name of Kaur (princess)
Most Sikhs are vegetarians. They can eat dairy products because the cow doesn't get hurt when they milk it.

The professor then did a little lecture on Buddhism after the guest speaker.
Mahayana Parables:
1. Burning house. Father lures children out of the burning house with attractive gaudy play things (toy carts - goat, bullock, and deer)
Did the father lie to his children?
No. He gives them the trivial trinkets even though the real reward is saving their lives.
The theravada teachings are like flashy trinkets or toys used by the Buddha as a recruitment tool.
Burning house- world of suffering and desire. Escape from reaching nirvana.
Real purpose of Buddha is to prepare people for more advanced Mahayana teachings.
Prodigal son parable:
2. Father is Buddha. Son is us (or theravada followers afraid of the truth.)
The Buddha taught according to our capacity to learn in the early days.
Parable of the Physicians:
3. Sons won't make the antidote while their father is present. He leaves, leaving behind the antidote.
Point: why the Buddha didn't stay behind as the Buddhisatha, but went to final nirvana.

3/10/03 Notes
A few people read their Faith Interviews
A study guide was given to us for the final exam starting Monday, March 17th at 7:30 AM and ends Thursday, March 20th at 5:00 PM.
On March 17th (Monday) there will be a review session in Building 19/Rm 241 at
6:00 PM.

Zen Buddhism: Za Zen: sitting meditation
goals: calmness, inner peace
enlightenment and the realization of oneness of all things. No bhakti and metaphysics.

Buddism: theravada: simple philosophy: no bhakti or metaphysics.
Buddism: mahayana: bhakti, metaphysics, and texts read like Upanishads.

If interested, an awesome church to visit is the First Christian Church. 1166 Oak Street. Service is held every 11th of the month. (Interfaith Religious Service of Prayer and Reflection)