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Syllabus
Glossary
HKIS
Service Learning
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Who
am I?
Who is Buddha? __________________
(name)
Answer the following: At least 2-page (double-spaced) type-written response:
1. Discuss your attitudes toward religion/your spiritual identity.
If you are not sure how to proceed, here are some questions that might
prompt your thinking:
- Are you an active member of any religious organization?
- What have been your past experiences with organized religion?
- Have there been moments that you have felt especially close to God or
some divine force? Perhaps when you were young?
- Do you consider yourself to be a spiritual or religious person?
- Do you find a conflict within yourself between science and religion?
- Do you have big questions about life that you often think about or talk
about with your friends?
2. All of us have a spiritual part of who we are. By spiritual, I mean
that there is something within us that finds great energy and joy in seeing
or being a part of something beautiful, something that gives meaning and
purpose to life, or something that makes you feel that you are living
your life for something greater than yourself.
Examples:
- Doing service, helping the poor, giving hope to people, taking care
of babies, tutoring or teaching, raising money for a cause.
- Comforting friends in difficult times.
- Spending time with family during special holidays, birthdays. Honoring
parents and relatives. Carrying on something family traditions that are
beneficial to others.
- Seeing the stars on a quiet night. Walking through the snow on a cold,
crisp night. Seeing a sunrise or sunset.
- A sense of fighting for the same cause (even can be found on sports
teams).
- Playing the piano, creating a piece of artwork, perfecting a dance routine,
singing with others, writing poetry, taking a walk in nature, acting.
- Having late-night chats with friends about meaningful things in life.
- Doing excellent academic work - a hunger for knowledge and understanding.
- Doing meditation/prayer. Going on spiritual retreats with friends.
Some Questions:
- When do you feel most spiritual - most connected to God, your true self,
nature, or those around you? How do you/can you best experience or express
your spiritual growth (music, poetry, sports, dance, essay-writing, debate
and discussion, drama, compassion/service, meditation/prayer, etc)?
- What are the obstacles in your life - be they within your or outside
of you - that are keeping you from being your true self?
- Finally, how does your search relate to "Who is Buddha?" What
would you hope to gain personally from this course?
Option: I know that some of you would much prefer being CREATIVE rather
than writing. If you would like to create a poster, a portfolio, a Wheel
of Life diagram, a mandala, etc, let me know. [c:s:nt:spiriself]
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