Chapter 6 Goals

6.1 Hinduism

• Understand how Hinduism arose in India.
• Define Brahmin, samsara, atman, karma, and Brahman.
• Identify the structure of the Vedas and its main components.
• Summarize the main themes of the Upanishads and explain the process of samara and karma and how they relate to atman, Brahman, and moksha.
• Explain what the Bhagavad-Gita is and how it differs in content from the Upanishads.
• Explain the principal differences between the Hindu philosophies known as Vedanta and Samkhya.
• Discuss some of the ways that modernity has affected Hinduism.

6.2 Buddhism

• Discuss the main ways that the Buddha’s views differed from the orthodox beliefs of the times.
• Explain the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths.
• Define anatta, dukkha, ahimsa, and anicca.
• Explain the concept of nirvana and how Buddhism says it can be attained.

6.3 Daoism

• Explain how the concept of the Dao parallels certain ideas in Western philosophy.
• Discuss the concept of wu-wei and how some Daoists try to integrate it into their lives.

6.4 Confucianism

• Know why Confucianism is called a humanistic doctrine and explain what Confucius hoped his teachings would do.
• Define li and ren and explain how these concepts fit into Confucianism.
• Define filial piety and what it means in practice to Confucians.
• Understand the Confucian attitude toward family and community, personal freedom, and individual rights.