Welcome to the central hub for THEO 1432: The Religious Quest. This page serves as a dynamic study guide, consolidating resources, key concepts, vocabulary, and summaries from our comparative exploration of Hindu and Christian sacred texts. Our journey focuses on themes of Creation, Creativity, and Recreation/Play (Līlā).
This guide integrates the essential content previously found in `Study_Guide.html`. Use the navigation above or the table of contents (on larger screens) to explore. Remember, theology is faith seeking understanding – let's engage with these rich traditions thoughtfully and respectfully.
(Looking for the course syllabus? Click here)
These themes weave through our comparative study:
Established the course's theological framework (*fides quaerens intellectum*). Introduced the Hindu canon (*Śruti* - Vedas, its structure: *Saṃhitā, Brāhmaṇa, Āraṇyaka, Upaniṣad*) and the six orthodox schools (*Ṣaḍ-darśana*). Focused on *Mīmāṃsā* (ritual interpretation, *arthavāda*, *dharma* as action).
Comparative analysis of creation accounts: Genesis 1-3 (Elohim/YHWH, Imago Dei, Garden narrative, contrast with *Enūma Eliš*), ṚgVeda Hymns (X.90, X.121, X.129 - sacrifice, golden embryo, questioning), Proverbs 8-9 (Wisdom/Sophia personified, creation role), Psalm 104 (parallels/contrasts with Genesis 1, Canaanite context).
Introduction to Śāktism (Devī worship). Explored the *Devī Māhātmyam* (Smṛti text) through an allegorical lens (Suratha/Samādhi/Medhas, demons as inner obstacles). Discussed *Śakti* (divine power), the three *guṇas* (Tamas, Rajas, Sattva), and the iconography of Durgā and Kālī.
Focused on Advaita Vedānta (non-dualism). Studied the four *Mahāvākyas* ("Great Sayings") through key Upaniṣads: *Bṛhadāraṇyaka* (Ahaṃ Brahmāsmi), *Chāndogya* (Tat Tvam Asi - using analogies like clay, rivers, salt, seed), *Aitareya* (Prajñānam Brahma), and *Māṇḍūkya* (Ayam Ātmā Brahma - exploring Om and states of consciousness). Emphasized interpretive harmony (*Samanvaya*).
Introduced *Līlā* (divine play) via Sachs and Johnston Lørgen readings. Reviewed Vedānta schools (*Advaita* vs. *Viśiṣṭādvaita*) and causality. Introduced *Pramāṇas* (sources of knowledge), focusing on *Abhāva* (non-being/absence) via Kumārila Bhaṭṭa (milk-to-curd). Introduced Kṛṣṇa, the *avatāra* concept (using Narasimha story), and stories from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Kṛṣṇa eating mud, dancing on Kaliya) illustrating Līlā and the *Bhakti Mārga*.
Comparative study of central texts. *Bhagavad Gītā*: Context (Mahābhārata), Arjuna's dilemma, Kṛṣṇa's teachings on *Dharma*, *Karma Yoga* (detached action), the immortal *Ātman*, *Jñāna*, *Bhakti*, *Lokasaṅgraha*, *Brahman Nirvana*. *Gospel of John*: High Christology, *Logos* prologue, miracles as "signs" (*sēmeia*), "I AM" statements, knowing vs. believing, themes of light/darkness, water/spirit, role of the "beloved disciple," Father/Son relationship, foot washing.
School asserting *Advaita* ("not two"). Ātman = Brahman. Multiplicity is ultimately illusory (*māyā*) or relative (*ontic* difference within *ontological* unity). Liberation (*mokṣa*) through knowledge (*jñāna*). (See Feb 4 Notes, Feb 13 Notes)
School asserting "qualified non-dualism." Brahman is ultimate but possesses real attributes, including distinct souls (*cit*) and matter (*acit*) as its "body". Theistic, emphasizing *bhakti* to a personal God (Īśvara/Viṣṇu). (See Feb 18 Notes)
Divine action as spontaneous, joyful play, not driven by necessity. Explains creation and divine interaction (esp. Kṛṣṇa). (See Sax Reading, Johnston Lørgen, Feb 20 Notes)
Complex term: duty, righteousness, cosmic law, ethics, inherent nature. In Mīmāṃsā, it's "what is to be done" via ritual. In Gītā, includes societal duty (*svadharma*) and universal righteousness. (See Intro Handout, Jan 21 Notes, Mar 18 Notes)
Action, work, deed. In Mīmāṃsā, specifically Vedic ritual. Broadened in Gītā to all action. Includes the law of cause and effect shaping future lives (*saṃskāra*). *Karma Yoga* is detached action. (See Mar 25 Notes)
Valid means of knowing: *Pratyakṣa* (perception), *Anumāna* (inference), *Śabda* (testimony/scripture), *Upamāna* (analogy), *Arthāpatti* (postulation), *Abhāva* (non-perception/absence). (See Feb 25 Notes)
Types: Material (substance), Efficient (agent/shaper), Final (*telos*/purpose, e.g., Līlā). Discussed in relation to creation and different Vedānta schools. (See Feb 18 Notes, Mar 11 Notes)
*Śruti*: "Heard," revealed, authorless scripture (Vedas). *Smṛti*: "Remembered," traditional texts derived from Śruti (Epics, Purāṇas). (See Intro Handout, Jan 21 Notes)
"Great Sayings" summarizing Upaniṣadic truth: *Ahaṃ Brahmāsmi*, *Tat Tvam Asi*, *Prajñānam Brahma*, *Ayam Ātmā Brahma*. (See Mahavakyas Handout, Feb 4 Notes - Feb 13 Notes)
Three paths to liberation: *Karma Mārga* (action), *Jñāna Mārga* (knowledge), *Bhakti Mārga* (devotion). (See Intro Handout, Mar 18 Notes)
"Descent"; divine manifestation (esp. Viṣṇu) in worldly form. (See Intro Handout, Feb 20 Notes)
*Logos* (Greek): Word, Reason. Central in John 1. *Sophia* (Greek) / *Ḥokmāh* (Hebrew): Wisdom. Personified in Proverbs 8. (See Jan 23 Notes, Mar 13 Notes)
"Image of God" (Latin). Concept from Genesis 1:26-27. (See Jan 16 Notes)
