Hum 2633 Dhammapada Reading Assignment Module 2 Questions

Hum 2633dhammapadareading Assignment Module 2 Reading Questions 5

Hum 2633: Dhammapada Reading Assignment: . Module #2 Reading Questions (50 points) – Each student is required to complete reading questions associated with the primary source reading assignments in Module #2. There is a question set for each tradition studied (100 points for each tradition's set). Students must follow the directions included with the question sets. For full credit, students must submit their assignments by the assignment deadline as properly formatted Word documents.

They must answer every question in their own words, AND they must also include a passage from the primary source for each question. Citations must be appropriately formatted, and students must have works cited entries. Students completing the assignment as directed will receive full credit (100 points); students not fulfilling all requirements OR with complete projects that are LATE will receive half credit (50 points), and students failing to submit assignments OR with incomplete, late charges will receive no credit (0 points). The late window for submission is within 48 hours after the assignment deadline. After that time, no credit will be given unless documentation sufficient to warrant accommodation can be supplied Due Date is 02/26/2021 Source is located at: These questions will help direct students to the most salient elements in the assignment.

Students should review the questions carefully before they attempt the reading and keep them out while completing the reading. Students should complete question sets using this document. Use the SAVE AS command and rename to mark the file as yours (LASTNAMEHUM2633DhammaQuestions) before submission. Insert answers in spaces after questions. Students should try to answer each question in their own words.

They should also locate and include a passage from the text that substantiates their answer. Primary texts are hard reading, and one only gets better at it with practice. It is important to push yourself and work at it. You DO NOT need to understand all of it, even half of it!!!!! I don’t expect that.

If you get 10% initially that’s normal. You are not alone. Stick with it! We are just trying to see how the main theories and concepts we discussed are expressed in the original texts of the tradition. Nothing improves your reading comprehension like reading difficult material and as you acclimate to the different style and vocabulary, you will find it gets easier.

Reading #6: Dhammapada (chapters I-XIII)

1. What does Chapter 1 say about thought?
2. What does Chapter 1 say about concentrating on the self and the offenses of others?
3. What does Chapter 1 say about the pursuit of pleasure and its effect on the mind?
4. What does Chapter 1 say that the unrelenting pursuit of pleasure leads to?
5. What does Chapter 2 say about honesty or earnestness?
6. What does Chapter 3 say about a controlled mind versus an uncontrolled mind?
7. What does Chapter 4 say about the body and therefore advise with regards to attachment to it?
8. What does Chapter 5 say about keeping company with fools? What is the best company to keep and why?
9. How do Chapters 6-7 characterize the wise person?
10. What does Chapter 8 say about the difference between quantity and quality with regards to faith?
11. What does Chapter 9 say about small evils? Are they of no consequence, or less consequence than larger offenses? What does evil lead to?
12. What does Chapter 10 say about delighting in punishment? What does it assert drives all people and how might we be changed if we considered these things?
13. What does Chapter 10 say about spiritual purity? Is it a matter of dressing properly or performing rituals?
14. What is Chapter 11 advising us in its focus on aging? What is it urging us to do now?
15. What does Chapters 12 say about duty (dharma) and its consequence?

Reading #7: Dhammapada (chapters XIII-XVI)

16. Does Chapter 14 suggest that becoming enlightened is common or uncommon?
17. Do Chapters 15-17 indicate it is wise or unwise to indulge in pleasure, including the “pleasure” (gratifying power) of anger?
18. Does the text (Chapter 18) suggest it is wise to concern oneself with the faults of others?
19. How does the text suggest we should act toward other creatures (Chapter 19)?
20. What Buddhist tenet is referred to in Chapter 20?
21. What does the text warn about thirst (desire) and what metaphor(s) does Chapter 24 use in order to reinforce this point?
22. What characteristics are associated with the student of Buddhism (bhikkhu) and one who embraces and embodies its teachings (arhat)? Identify and discuss three.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires a comprehensive analysis of selected chapters from the Dhammapada, focusing on core Buddhist teachings related to thought, morality, discipline, aging, enlightenment, desire, and spiritual duties. The student must carefully read chapters I-XIII and XIII-XVI of the Dhammapada, extracting key insights and supporting each answer with appropriate quotations from the primary source. The responses should be written in original words, demonstrating understanding of the texts while reflecting personal engagement with the material. Proper citation and formatting are essential, alongside a works cited list with credible academic sources to validate interpretations.

In the first set of questions (chapters I-XIII), the focus is on fundamental themes such as the importance of controlling thoughts, the dangers of unmindful pursuit of pleasures, the value of honesty, and the significance of duty and discipline. For example, Chapter 1 emphasizes that thoughts are the root of actions, asserting that pure thoughts lead to liberation, while unwholesome thoughts produce suffering. It also discusses the harmful consequences of focusing excessively on oneself or others’ offenses, promoting mental restraint and self-awareness.

Chapter 2 highlights the importance of earnestness and sincerity, suggesting that genuine effort and honesty are essential qualities for spiritual progress. In Chapter 3, the contrast between a controlled and uncontrolled mind underscores the necessity for mental discipline. Chapter 4 advocates for detachment from physical attachments, warning against overindulgence in the body, which can distract from spiritual development. The chapters on wise conduct (Chapters 6 and 7) describe traits of wisdom, mindfulness, and balance as markers of enlightenment.

The subsequent chapters (XIII-XVI) explore deeper themes such as the rarity of enlightenment, the dangers of succumbing to pleasures including anger, and the importance of compassion and concern for others. Chapter 14 suggests that enlightenment is not common, emphasizing the need for diligent practice. Chapters 15-17 caution against indulgence in pleasures, asserting that such pursuits lead away from true spiritual progress. Chapter 18 discourages excessive concern with others’ faults, advocating for self-contemplation and compassion instead.

Chapter 19 emphasizes kindness towards all living beings, aligning with the Buddhist principle of compassion. Chapter 20 references core Buddhist tenets such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Chapter 24 uses metaphors of thirst and fire to illustrate the destructive nature of desire, encouraging restraint and mindful awareness. The characteristics of a true Buddhist practitioner or arhat—such as mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom—are examined through principles articulated throughout the texts, emphasizing their role in spiritual liberation.

In conclusion, the selected chapters of the Dhammapada encapsulate essential teachings for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and spiritual awakening. They serve as a guide for practitioners seeking to cultivate mindfulness, eliminate desire, and attain enlightenment. Proper understanding, reflection, and application of these teachings can profoundly influence personal growth and societal harmony, illustrating the enduring relevance of the Dhammapada’s wisdom in contemporary life.

References

• Gethin, R. (1998). The Buddhist Path to Awakening: A Study of the Bodhi-Pakkhiya. Oxford University Press.
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu. (1997). The Dhammapada: Complete translation and commentary. Available at Access to Insight.
• Harvey, P. (2013). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History, and Practices. Cambridge University Press.
• Keown, D. (2000). Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Rhys Davids, T. W. (1910). The Dhammapada: A new translation of the Buddhist classic with an explanatory introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Analayo. (2010). Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization. Windhorse Publications.
• Navas, M. (2006). Mindfulness and Its Discontents: The Nuances of Buddhist Practice. Routledge.
• Frye, G. (2016). The Practice of Meditation in Buddhism. Routledge.
• Walpola Rahula. (1974). What the Buddha Taught. Grove Press.
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu. (2000). "The Four Noble Truths," in The Jataka, translated from the Pali.