World Religions Fall 2001 Quiz #5 makeup 12/4/01Name:______________________

Respond to the following essay questions. Be succinct -- information is much more important than volume. This is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

What is atman? How does the evaluation of the relationship between atman and Brahman differ slightly in the various forms of Indian religious thought? How would Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva variously interpret the Chandogya Upanishad's statement, "Tat Tvam Asi"?

What is kama yoga? Discuss who practices it, what are its practitioners' goals, and what are its philosophical/religious/magical underpinnings.

Hinduism is sometimes presented as a polytheistic system, sometimes as a monotheism, and occasionally even as an atheism. Pick one of these approaches and try to make a case for it. Remember, in order to make your case, you must acknowledge the arguments for the other positions and try to show why your position is closer to the truth than their’s.