Humanities 399
Non-Western Religions
Spring 2002
Professor David A. Salomon
Yoga/Hinduism Essay

You may opt-out of one essay. If you choose to opt-out of this essay, you must download the "Opt-Out Sheet" on the class webpage and submit it when the essays are due.

Choose ONE and only one of the following questions. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful essay. Your essay should be a well-developed, clear, logical and complete idea developed from a definite thesis statement. Use texts where appropriate to support your answer. You need not consult secondary sources for this paper, but if you do, give credit for the information you use. Unless otherwise noted, do not use Internet sources. Use the conventions of good essay writing; if you have doubts as to what those are, either see the instructor and/or visit the Writing Center.

Essays should be typed (double-spaced) and approximately 4-6 pages in length–no fewer than 4 full pages will suffice for this assignment, and longer than that is undoubtedly necessary to answer of the questions in any kind of depth. This paper is due on Thursday, February 14. Papers must be submitted on time. Papers handed in late will receive a one grade deduction for each class late. I will be happy to look at drafts ahead of time; in fact, I encourage it!

Read the questions carefully. Proofread your work.

1) Explain the release from finitude which is the goal of the Hindu life, what Hindus refer to as moksha or liberation. In your essay you should also discuss the meaning of samsara or reincarnation as Hinduism understands it, and why it is seen as something negative, to be ultimately transcended.

2) Discuss the four "facts" of life for Hindus (karma, samsara, dharma, and puja) and how each of these "facts" are achieved through Yoga philosophy.

3) Go to http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atrium/3256/patajdk.html where you will find an acceptable translation of the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali. Write an essay that addresses at least three but not more than six of the Sutras and explains their importance to the Yoga philosophy of thought in general.

Note: you should use either italics or underlining (but not both) to indicate a foreign word, term, or phrase.