Buddhism 

First set of page numbers (in bold) refers to the 8th edition of Fisher, Living Religions; the second set (italicized) is from 7th ed.; second set of page numbers (non-italicized) is from the 6th ed.; third set (italicized in parentheses) is from the 5th edition of Fisher..
 

ETHICAL

1. What are the basic myths or origin stories (cosmogony) associated with the religion?

           141.20-30 140.20-30 135.4-14  (148.8)  Does not focus on original stories.

2. What virtues does the religion advocate?

            156.20 154.20 150.12 “Mahayana:the path of compassion and wisdom”

167.10 165.15 154.24  (168.10-25)  Mahayana: altruistic compassion and wisdom

177.15 174.27 169.23  (182.28)  love, compassion, service to others

Zen: infinite gratitude to everything past, infinite service to everything present, infinite responsibility for everything future (Huston Smith on film, “The Wisdom of Faith: Hinduism and Buddhism”)

3. Does the religion prescribe a way to enlightenment or salvation? If so, what does it call this state?

            Nirvana

            143.20-144.27 142.15-143.5 137.15-138.12  150.20-152.10 Eightfold Path to enlightenment

            Zen: Kensho, satori

4. Does the religion hold that everyone or only some people can attain enlightenment or salvation?
            139.15 138.15 133.6  (145.27)  The Sangha (order of Buddha’s disciples) came from all castes.

151.7-9 149.12-15 In Theravada (called Hinayana by Mahayanas), the Sangha is ultimately the community of realized persons. On the conventional level, the Sangha is the community of bhikshus and bhikshunis,

 139.12-14 138.12 133.3 The spiritual community of followers of the dharma, both bhikshu (145.25) and householders.

5. Does the religion hold that clerics belong to a higher moral or spiritual order than lay people?

            In Theravada Buddhism, monastics are distinct from the common people.

            Buddha-nature

  6. What impact has the religion had on the way of life of its followers? On the surrounding culture?

POLITICAL:

7. What are the major political divisions of the religion? (In Christianity, for example, major divisions would be Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicanism and Protestantism.)

            149.28 147.27 142.26    (156)  Theravada (Hinayana), path of mindfulness

156.15 154.20 150.12   (163)  Mahayana: path of compassion and wisdom

166.5 164.20 154.1   (167) Vajrayana: indestructible way to unity

160.15 158.20 158.10   (170)  Zen: great way of enlightenment

164.4 161.27 161.10   (174)  Pure Land: calls on Amida Buddha

164.25 163.1 162.15   (176)   Nichiren movement

            180.1 176.28  171.17  Ambedkar: suffering of some is caused by social oppression

8. Does the religion have a central authority that determines orthodox beliefs?

            158.30 159.a-d 157.7-11 167.a-d 156.12  (169.28)  Tibet: Dalai Lama: spiritual and political leader

9. Has the religion at any point in its history accepted the status of an official state religion?

            166.15 165.1-2 154.9  (167.27) Tibet under Songtsan in the 7th century.

            178.1-7 Buddhism has been invoked to support nationalism in Sri Lanka/

10. Does the religion accept a just war or does it advocate non-violence?

            Non-violence

11. Does the religion accept spiritual leaders--such as ordained clergy, shamans, and the like?

           139.14 138.12 Bhikshus (monks)

139.17 138.17 133.7  (145.30) bhikshuni (nuns)

           167.14 165.20 155.2  (168.24) lamas

12. Does the religion take a position on class division in society?

            Opposes it.

13. What is the role of women in the religion? Has the role changed over the years?

139.25-30 138.27-139.3 Buddha asserted that women were as capable as men of achieving enlightenment.

174.10  178.25-28    In West, centers led by women (not in 6th edition)

Full ordination of 135 nuns from 23 countries in 1998

175.27 International gatherings have been held to enhance the role of women in Buddhism.

14. Does the religion permit a married clergy?

            164.17 162.20 162.2-3  (176.8) Shinran in Zen “broke with monastic tradition by marrying”

15. Has the religion increased or decreased in numbers during the past century?

            171.8  169.12 163.22  (178) Has spread to the West

16. Does the religion advocate social engagement or personal salvation? If so, which receives the greater emphasis?

            Both  

            177.15 169.15 169.20-26  (182.25) Walpola Rahula: love, compassion, service to others

            180.1 176.28 171.17  (184.15) B. R. Ambedkar: born an untouchable; returned Buddhism to India revised second noble truth: the suffering of some people is caused by oppression

METAPHYSICAL
 

17. Does the religion accept a belief in a soul, spirit, or the like?

            144.30 143.20 138.20  (152.16)  No eternal soul to be reborn

18. Does the religion hold there is one God (monotheism), many gods (polytheism), or no god (nontheism)?

            141.10 140.12 134.5  (147.7) nontheistic

19. What evidence or proof is offered in support of the existence of God?

20. Does the religion hold that God is something to strive for?

            142.1 141.3-8 135.18  (148.17) Four Noble Truths

            142.8 141.10 138.24  (148.20) dukkha/dukha

            142.22 141.20 136.26  (150.1) Anicca (anitya), Anatta (anatman)

21. Is faith or reason given greater emphasis in the religion?

22. What position does the religion take on the question of belief in an afterlife or immortality--such as heaven, hell, and reincarnation?

              162.25-30  162.10-14  (176.10-25) reincarnation, literal and metaphorical

            141.20 140.20 Buddha did not focus on questions of life after death.

23. Does the religion accept that the ultimate reality is (or could be) female?

141.20 140.20  135.5  (148.5) Buddhism does not focus on an afterlife or ultimate reality.

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL

24. Does the religion regard a particular locale (land, city, and so forth) as holy or sacred?

            168.22 166.30 158.3  170.15 Tibet: Dharamsala, in the mountains of northern India, has become a magnet for spiritual seekers

            160.15 162.15 161.25-30  175.1 Zen: Pure Land Buddhism: mountains are revered as places to which the dead ascend and from which the deities descend.

25. Does the religion have special places or locations for worship?

            Temples

             179.10 a zendo: a zen meditation hall  (not in 6th, 7th  or 8th ed.)

26. What are the religion's major holy days or festivals?

            170.5-171.8  168.8-169.10

27. What are the basic doctrines of the religion?

            Karma, dharma (“the doctrine or law as revealed by the Buddha”), Four Noble Truths

28. What are some of the major symbols associated with the religion?

29. What are the major texts or sacred documents?

            150.5 148.25 Tipitaka (Theravada) 156 in 5th ed.

            150.15 Sutras (Mahayana) (not in 6th ed.)

30. What attitude does the religion advocate toward other religions? Is it exclusivist or universalist?

            Inclusive

31. What is the nature of the service, ceremonies, or worship (format, participation of congregation)?

            Readings and sharing of meal

32. Who is regarded as the founder of the religion?

            135 Siddhartha Gautama (Gotama)

33. Does the religion actively seek converts through missionary activity?

           168 175.5 169.30 Dalai Lama’s speaking tours have revived interest in Buddhism 

174.15  169.30 171.3-10 178.28 Thich Nhat Hanh

           
 

EXPERIENTIAL:

34. What is the religion’s position on prayer, meditation, exorcism, chants and dance?

            Thang-kas and Mandalas are used as a focus of meditation

35. What are some individual practices—such as confession?

            Non-violence

36. What are the religion’s attitudes toward healing and health—such as laying on of hands, “faith healing,” and the like?

           174.23 171.12-15 168.8-12  (179.10-15) meditation as therapy

37. What is the place of prophecy and oracles in the religion?

38. Is the religion critical of lack of religion—of secularism, for example?

39. What is the role of sacrifice in the religion?

            133.16  (143.28  146.20)  Buddha forbade animal sacrifice, saying it was hypocritical to atone for wrongdoing by sacrificing an animal (destroying life).

 40.  How does the religion incorporate the “cards down” point of view—from the Rawls Game? Who can turn the cards down? Who or what is represented when the cards are face down? What does it mean in this religion to turn the cards down? When should the cards be turned down? Why should the cards be turned down? How does the religion respond to failure to abide by the rules created with the cards down.

           See The Game of Philosophy, pages 134-135.

41.  What is the concept or concepts of forgiveness in the religion and what role does the concept play?

              http://www.hsuyun.org/chan/en/features/outreach/607-forgiveness.html

              This site contrasts Buddhist and Christian notions of forgiveness.