Description and Process

The source texts explorations will be more in-depth in which you work with a text of set of texts and provide a discussion of that text and what we learn about religion from studying that text. Second, a comparison of that text and the second text. All of these readings explore spirituality, some of them through accounts of specific spiritual experiences.

Requirements and Format

Must include:

Text:Open by providing a quotation of the passage(s) to be discussed:

Daoism: The More TaboosUnder Heaven FROM THE DAODEJIN (P 187)

Therefore the Sage says:

I do nothing,

And the common people change of themselves.

I stay still.

And the common people get things right for themselves. (187)

Summary: Follow with a summary of what this passage is saying. If there are technical terms of ideas that are unique to this religion, explain them to reader, please provide citations if necessary.

Context: Discuss the text of quote, and where it fits into the larger religion? Is it from a particular author or era? Does it represent a particular perspective of that religion, or is it from a text whose importance is generally shared? What does this context for the text help understand about this passage?

Understanding: Discuss what the passage helps us understand more about this religion. What does it show us? What do we learn by reading this text that we might miss if we just used the textbook or a general information source like that for understanding the religion?

Meaning: Discuss what is most interesting and meaningful from this passage for us as human beings, whether we are part of this religion or not. This may be something about the ideas or teachings that is worthy of consideration by anyone, or it may be something we learn about human beings and how they experience their world in the context of religion.

Comparison (with second text): Start including a significant comparative discussion as part of analysis. This can be added as a comparative section where and discuss how what has been explored in this text compares to other texts studied, can include this comparison as part of discussion of the Context, Understanding, and Meaning.

Text for comparison:

Buddhism: Interbeing Thich Nhat Hahn

Neither defiled or immaculate.

Defiled or immaculate. Dirty or pure, these are concepts

We form our mind. A beautiful rose we have just cut and

Placed in our vase is immaculate. (77)