Discussion
Both religious traditions originating in the Indian subcontinent presented in Chapters 3 and 4 of the textbook draw upon common core religious beliefs, yet they also reveal significant differences. Eastern religious traditions draw upon a typical eastern epistemology that recognizes the integration and interrelationships among all things, particularly all living things.
1) What are the Vedas and what is the notion of shruti texts? How does this notion of shruti texts compare with the notion of sacred Scripture among adherents of the western religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam?
2) What is the notion of karma as it is understood in Hinduism and Jainism? How does karma relate to the concepts of samsara and moksha?
3) What is the caste system in India? How does the caste system differ from social stratification in many western societies including the US? What are the religious implications of stratification?
4) What did Mahavira experience during his twelve years of meditation and pursuit of heightened spiritual awareness? What relationship can you suggest between fasting, mortification of the flesh, physical pain and suffering and the achievement of liberation and "perfection?"