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The Nature of Life

Explore the sanctification of life in Judaism, sin and salvation in Christianity, submission in Islam, karma and dharma in Hinduism, the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism, going with the flow in Taoism, and becoming more fully human in Confucianism. Discover how these teachings shape our perception of reality, guide our actions, and lead us on a journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Reflect on deep questions about the nature of existence and how these ancient wisdom traditions can help us navigate the complexities of the modern world.

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The Nature of Life

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  1. The Nature of Life How to live a holy life

  2. How the religions see it • Sanctification (Judaism) • Sin & Salvation (Christianity) • Submission (Islam) • What goes around comes around (karma & dharma) (Hinduism) • The Four Noble Truths (Buddhism) • Go with the flow (Taoism) • Become more fully human (Confucianism) • Life in this world is an illusion

  3. Sanctification of Life: Judaism • Life as sacred • Purpose of life is to make this world a more holy place • Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) • Sin is to be avoided by following God’s law • Sin is to be atoned for through personal sacrifice/offering, correct the mistake

  4. Sin & Salvation: Christianity • The Fall & Original Sin • Inherently sinful nature of humanity (sin cannot be avoided) • Salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (it is done for us) • Repentance (recognize one’s sinful nature and accept the sacrifice on your behalf)  • Sins are forgiven, our sinful nature is overcome

  5. Submission: Islam • Free will of man vs. God’s will • Submit to God’s will in this life • Build a society based on submission to God’s will  • Reward in the afterlife

  6. Karma & Dharma: Hinduism • Samsara: the cycles of birth-life-death-rebirth • Atman: the individual soul • Karma: law of cause and effect that leaves its mark on our soul and affects our rebirth • Dharma: the cosmic and social law, how to live righteously in this world to gain the best karma – the organization of life

  7. HinduismVarna: 4 castes, social duty • Priests & teachers • Nobles & warriors • Merchants and farmers • Servants & hired hands

  8. HinduismAshrama: 4 stages of life • Student • Householder • Retirement • Renunciation

  9. HinduismDharma: 4 goals of life • Pleasure • Success • Duty to society • Spiritual life

  10. The Four Noble Truths: Buddhism • Life involves suffering • The cause of suffering: self-centered desire • There is an end to suffering: Nirvana • The way to end suffering: the 8-fold path

  11. The Eight-fold Path: Wisdom: • Right understanding • Right motivation (think good thoughts) Morality: • Right speech (speak good words) • Right action (do good actions) • Right livelihood Mental Discipline: • Right effort • Right mindfulness • Right concentration

  12. Follow nature’s lead: Taoism • Tao: the “way” of nature • Humans are part of nature • Nature has a natural balance and harmony • Yin-Yang: harmony of opposites • Wei-wu-wei: “active non-action” go with the flow, do not interfere

  13. Become more fully human: Confucianism • Jen: human-heartedness/Benevolence • Reciprocity: the Golden Rule (do not do to others as you would not have others do to you) • The five constant relationships: • Husband & wife • Parent & child • Older & younger sibling • Older & younger friend • Ruler & subject

  14. Life in this world is an illusion • “Consciousness Only” school of Buddhism • Gnosticism • Christian Science, Unity & other “New Thought” religions • Vedanta Hinduism: • Maya = illusion (projection of the mind of god) • Lila = play, game (of the gods) • Avidya = ignorance (of our real existence) • Our real existence is not material Life is but a dream, all the world’s a stage

  15. Deep thinking questions • What similarities do you see amongst some of these ideas? • How would the belief that this world and life is an illusion affect how someone would live that life? • Your questions…

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