1. Cosmological

2. Argument from design

3. Moral Argument

4. Pascal's wager

Why is there something and not nothing?

Universe is ruled by laws of cause and effect, so you need a cause 1st - has to be one because logically there cant be an infinite regression.  2nd God stands as the final purpose and end of human life (Telos)

how to account for chaos, or things that are unreasonable, purpose-less.

David Hume- the universe seems awfully cruel and impersonal.

Where does evil come from?

Morality is beneficial for the preservation of the human species.

Moral values are culturally and historically determined, they fluctuate. 

recall a wager is betting w/ the unsure.

Know its uncertain but believes in the risk, only proven if you try.

Meaning and purpose of god will only become clear and evident after one begins to live a life w/ love and compassion.

Knowledge of god will only occur after the act of living a loving life.

it is better to wage there is a god and be proven wrong then it is to wage there is no god and be wrong.

A self serving idea, not very christian 

Love is at the heart of religions and love grounds as the fundamental structure of the universe.

My heart is open to all religions, people of the world, and most importantly love.

doctrine of expedient means.  

All teachings and doctrines are believed to be meaningless unless they are cultivated and developed in the course of one's life.

doctrine of no-self; its an illusion to believe in, and independent self.  We are all radically dependent and inter connected with each other.  

Criticism of the illusion of separateness 

1. Life is suffering

2. The causes of suffering

3. Suffering can be ended : Hope

4. Path to Nirvana or Enlightenment

-physical, emotional, and spiritual

-all human achievements are threatened by a feeling of emptiness and meaningless 

Ignorance- lack of understanding abou the world and life plus lack of self understanding ... ignorance leads to fear, anger, hate, violence suffering (the slippery slope...Buddhism is a challenge to overcome these things- overcome fear)

Misdirected Desires- Jealousy, greed, envy, anger, sloth ,gluttony, lust

-Ethical and moral discipline - Nirvana cannot be achieved without developing your capacity for compassion and goodness.

-Intellectual and spirtual discipline, Meditation, prayer, study

-Breakthrough, INtuitive in Nature, insight into the nature of reality as an immediate apprehension not based on reason or logic alone

Brahman - the creator

Vishnu - has many different Avatars, including Krishna

Shiva - creator and destroyer

creator and destroyer, 4 arms and dancing

1. outstretched hand, be not afraid, peace

2. drum of creation

3. Fire of destruction, of evil

4. take refuge in his mercy pointing to feet

God is neither this nor that...

You cannot name god, or describe him

What cannot be said about the divine

you can only say what god is not, its not possible to describe what he is

1. Siddhartha Gautama

2. Tathagata (thus gone one)

3.Kakyamuni (sage of the sakya people)

Revelation that christianity does not have a monopoly of wisdom, love, and truth.

In India met people who had examples of love, compassion, forgiveness, etc.

Started the study of religion and being in love - requires a sort of commitment 

1. Ignorance

2. Clinging to what is impermanent

3. Egocentrism

4. Fear

all the religions believe that egocentrism is an obstacle to salvation, enlightenment, et.c

This is completely the opposite of how religion wants people to live

anger, fear, ignorance ... dark side, suffering, hatred, violence, etc.

People that are indifferent are often viewed as a threat

The fear of death, to become wise is to overcome fear of death

1. Raja Yoga

2. Bhakti Yoga

3. Jnana Yoga

4. Karma Yoga

Meditation and spirtual exercises

If you want to achieve wisdom, you have to develop your spirit and soul, become more soulful, not just more intelligent

the view that god is present everywhere, in all of the universe.

leads to the idea that god is in the animals, earth, trees, rivers, etc.

the importance of vegetarianism and humane treatment of animals, vegetables and animlas are gods creatures too

The tao that can be named is not the Tao

tao - the way

ther is wisdom and truth in all the religions

Q- What is empty

All constructions about emptiness are empty (images, ideas, symbols, concepts, emotions)

further of the theme of Neti