After doing the readings, seeing the class lectures, and watching the film for the week, reflect on all the material we went over and write a response to it – your reactions, new information you may have learned, were surprised by or felt was significant, critiques, revelations (did the video change your previously held views or perceptions?), etc. Do any of these ideas relate to your own life or beliefs? Be specific rather than general (e.g. use examples from videos/readings in your discussion). You will be graded on grammar/spelling as well, so please write them as professional and academic papers. These should be 400 words minimum (no maximum) and uploaded to Canvas as a word doc, pdf, or txt file.
For this week, break your response into three sections:
1. Discuss the ideas from the primary Jain scriptures – “There is No Creator”, “The Plurality of Souls” & “All Creation Groans Together in Torment” – what are your main take aways? Do you agree or disagree with any of their arguments? Why or why not?
2. Next look closely at Buddhism, particularly the ideas from the 4 Noble Truths on suffering, the idea of Anatman/Sunyata, and Dependent Origination. While I discuss briefly in my lecture, they are discussed in more detail in the readings. What are your thoughts on these concepts?
3. Finally, give any insights you may have gotten from the “Story of India EP2: Power of Ideas” documentary, as well as anything you thought was interesting from my lecture.
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