1. Discuss the birth story of the Buddha as it is told today, including symbolic elements and the meaning of the symbols.
2. Discuss the "Four Passing Sights" and why they convinced Siddhartha that he needed to leave his family and embark on a spiritual journey. What did he learn about impermanence and suffering from the Four Passing Sights? Discuss the experiences in Siddhartha's life that brought him to reject extremes and come to a belief in the "Middle Way."
3. List and discuss Buddha's "Four Noble Truths," including the Noble Eight-fold path. You do not need to list all eight elements of the Eight-fold path, but indicate the three main topics that it covers and what is taught in each section. What is meant by "suffering"?To what extent do you find this an adequate description of the causes and cure for suffering? Explain.
4. Compare Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism. What are differences in understanding the God and the interpretation of the Buddha? What is the role of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism? Discuss the primary focus of Pure Land Buddhism. What is the role of a koan in Zen Buddhism? What is the color of the wind?
5. How might one's approach to work, material wealth, and natural resources be focused differently if one were to use a Buddhist lens?
6. Discuss Thich Nhat Hanh's approach to meditation (mindful breathing, mouth yoga and telephone meditation) and to conflict resolution. What is the role of compassionate listening? How might a cell phone or some other technology remind you to, "Stop your thinking, stop your talking, and come back to the island of self"? Discuss what he means by "Buddha nature" and how that relates to you.
7. Relate the story of Guru Nanak and the origins of Sikhism. Discuss Hindu and Muslim elements that are part of Sikhism today, and ways that Sikhism differs from Hinduism and Islam.
8. What is the relative size of Sikhism as a world religion today?
9. What four changes did Guru Gobind Singh introduce into Sikhism? What are the 5 K's? (You may use the English names.)
10. What are the three complementary traditions that are found in China, and what is the distinct importance/function of each tradition?
11. Discuss the meaning of yin/yang. Explain what it might mean to say that Daoism and Confucianism are like yin and yang to each other.
12. How would you describe the Dao? Explain several of the common images of the Dao found in the Dao de Jing. Discuss the principle of wu wei and how one might apply it. To what extent do you think Daoist principles are compatible with or in contrast to the primary culture of the United States?
13. Relate a summary of Confucius's life story, explaining some of the major defining events of his life. In what ways does he exemplify the "Perfect Person"?
14. What was the problem that Confucius identified in his society, and how did he propose to address it? What do you see as the ultimate goal of Confucius' teachings?
15. Discuss four virtues that are taught in Confucian ethics, including the Five Constant Relationships. How might the culture of the United States be changed if these four virtues would be given primary focus in society?