World Religions Day 7

Research day 2

Students continued their religious research today and were asked to find quotes from religious texts or from a major figure in the religion.

They were then asked to interpret those quotes and to address their meaning from the point of view of the religion.

Buddhism

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."

A student's interpretation: "If we think horribly then we become horrible. What you think is pretty much what you are."

Hinduism

"We cover all things with the lord by perceiving the divine presence everywhere. When the consciousness is firmly fixed in God -the conception of diversity naturally drops away; because the One cosmic existence shines through all things. As we gain the light of wisdom we cease to cling to the unrealities of this world and we find all our joy in the realm of Reality."

A student commentary: "I think that everything in this book that I read was extremely bright and makes me want to go do something great. Everything in the text was just positive minded and positive enlightenment."

Islam

"Allah-there is no god but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting Supporter of all; no slumber can overtake him, nor sleep; His are all things in the heavens and on Earth. Who can intercede with him except with His permission? He knows what is before them or behind them. Nor can they compass anything of His knowledge except if He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the Earth. He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Highest, the Supreme (in glory). "(2:255)

A student's interpretation: "Everything in this world happens because Allah wants it. He is almighty."

Judaism
"... the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to G-d who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7

A student's interpretation: "(It is) saying that no matter what happens, you return t where you came from. You will always go back to the G-d that created you. Your spirit (will)."