After reading Awakening, chapter 19, answer the following questions.

1. What was the character of Buddhism in Japan before the arrival of Zen? Was Zen just one more variety of Buddhism, or would it be accurate to say that in some ways it was a revolutionary new movement?

2. How do Rinzai and Soto differ?

3. Could you imagine yourself staying at a Zen monastery sometime? Explain.

4. Do you agree that sumi-e and haiku are very similar art forms? What makes them so similar? What makes them "so Zen"?

5. It is said that Chado brings together all of the elements of Zen. What are those elements, and how does Chado bring them together? Would you like to participate in a Chado ceremony? Explain.

Dinty Moore's Accidental Buddhist takes a look at Buddhism in America. All three forms of Buddhism that we discussed in this course -- Theravadan, Tibetan and Zen -- are examined in these short, readable, informative and very funny essays.

Your assignment is to describe 6 places, in some detail, that Dinty Moore visits and to offer your ideas on what he learns in each place.

Clearly explain three theories of collective behavior. Provide one clear example of each of the three theories

Analyze the differences between John the Baptist and Jesus in terms of teaching, activity, style, and perceived identity using the gospel of your choosing as a test case (be clear which gospel you’re choosing and, of course, cite your verses). Do these differences suggest to you that Jesus learned from John in some capacity? Explain why or why not.

explain the notion of a social movement, as well as the four types of social movements (not stages of development). Provide one clear example to illustrate each of the four types.

Illustrate why do you need to have a PDP [performance development plan] (word count : 400-500, from the book 'Skills for Success' by Stella Cottrell).

If you were told a story by a person from another culture, would you be able to justify the character's motivations through your own cultural context? Please explain why or why not. Refer back to the readings in the chapter to solidify your answer.

The readings for today discuss some negative impacts of racism on minorities and their families. What are the challenges of responding effectively to racism in one’s everyday life? Can you compare/contrast some strategies for response and what outcomes tend to result?

Not counting the microphone and electronic system used to make a recording, is there room in the world for music without the presence of electricity? Or is electricity almost required today. What type of music do you listen to and does it use electricity to make the sounds (see “synthesizer” for review). Does electricity detract from purity or add to the possibilities? Are there any historical milestones you would like to reference in your discussion. If you play an instrument how does it require electricity? If it doesn’t how do you feel about it?

PLEASE CHECK MY GRAMMAR:

In the Battle of The Buldge, The 101st Airborne and several other untits, took on a much larger group of Ferman soliders with heavy artillery. They inflicited more damage to the enemy but did take heavy losses. They held the area while defenses could be arranged around Bastogne. They fought and held the area from December 16 to December in terrible conditions. They did not have the needed medicdal supplies or ammunitions. They were survinging the freazing temputres by living in foxholes and not eating and hardly ever sleeping. They did not give up and held the posotion while being surrounded and cutoff from supplies. The General Pattons 3rd Army deffeated the German line and provided access to thier supply. They than had to take the cities of Foy and Nocile due to a lack of soliders. Easy Company and other units attacked Foy. Easy company froze in the foratd attack with D company took the lead in the attack. After succesfuling making the Germans rereat to Noville, Easy company set out to take the city of Noville. Easy company lead the attack and the city of Noville was succesfull. This victory helped establish the proof of traning for the soliders and showed that our Army can be better than Germanys by the leadership and helped establish the Amercian moral superiroty over the Germans ath the "Battle of the Bulge.

Sociology:

Imagine that you are a reader of a newspaper that has a section that allows ‘letters to the editor.’ (This is where readers are able to write and submit a short article arguing for some point of view). Three such hypothetical letters are below. Imagine that you are writing a response to these letters. Write a response in which you use your social psychology knowledge to argue against the letter writer.

(1) I am writing to discuss the recent incident in which 12 teenagers were caught smoking marijuana at a party. These kids seem to be blaming it on everything but themselves: ‘Peer pressure’ is their latest excuse – as if other people could cause people to engage in illegal activities! I am appalled at this behavior – these kids should be thrown in jail to be taught a lesson. This just confirms my beliefs that teenagers are nothing but trouble. Why can’t people behave like moral human beings? What has happened to personal responsibility in this country? I’ve never been in trouble with the law (other than one time I was caught speeding – but that was different – I was late for a very important meeting and I had no choice!). This generation simply doesn’t care about what’s right or wrong anymore. -Marie Lamont

What is the rationale for using random assignment in experimental group research designs? In other words, what benefit(s) does using random assignment have in a study? How is random assignment different from random selection?

Give an example of stereotyping that you see in everyday life. Explain what would need to happen for this to be eliminated.

Buddhism shares many of the same concepts and words with Hinduism. Sometimes, the two religions use the same word, but their understanding of that word is different. This has much to do with Buddhism coming out of the Hindu context, but also wanting to reform some Hindu thought. How would you explain the Buddhist understanding of karma and samsara? Are these explanations different from Hinduism? Were there other shared concepts between the two religions that Buddhism interpreted differently?