Category: Religious studies

Commentarial writing is at the heart of most Buddhist traditions of study. The śāstra tradition developed Buddhist philosophical systems through detailed commentary on sūtra and abhidharma texts. To this day, line-by-line explanations of Buddhist texts remains one of the most common forms of Buddhist teaching.
In this paper, you will just select a particular section of Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra to explain in the form of a commentary. Your commentary should help to explain the meaning of the stanzas that you select both 1) in relation to an aspect of foundational Buddhist teachings that we have studied so far and 2) through examples and images drawn from your own experience as a college student in 2024. The commentary should be approximately 750 words long (at least 500 words and no more than 1000)
(I’ve provided all the readings for you so you can get a sense of what I am learning, this will be crucial for later on in the essay. Remember you are only choosing a section of text, do not analyze each chapter, in fact, just a section in a chapter. The in-class notes I’ve taken pictures of are also key to explaining the chapters, helping analyze the section you choose. )

Prompt: After reading the Stone chapter on Fundamentalist-Modernist debates and then viewing the first 36.34 minutes of the video, Protestant Spirit, USA (BBC, 1977), please write a response comparing the two main Protestant churches profiled in this section of the video (that is, Conservative Baptist and Liberal Methodist).
Though these two Protestant churches are presented by the BBC narrator as different, can you name (and explain) at least two notable similarities that these two groups share? In addition, please identify and discuss briefly two aspects of the modernist/fundamentalist debates of the 1920s highlighted in the Stone chapter on Canvas that seem to have continued to the present day (or at least until the end of the 1970s).
Format: Please use a sentence and paragraph format and save in a Word document.
Length: 2 pages of text (12 pt Times Roman font).

Please refer to the task sheet, I’ll do the speaking.
Note: For point 4, try come up something deeper than simply “Donations” the teacher said it specifically in class, and I’m counting on you to come up with a good idea.
It’ll be a letter grade, getting a B is easy for me and this task is not that complex, so I’m AT LEAST expecting an “A” range for this task otherwise it’ll be an unsatisfactory order.

Below is a list of 10 short answer terms and 3 long answer prompts. You are to answer 4 of the 10 short answer prompts and 1 of the 3 long answer prompts.
For each short answer (150-250 words), (1) define the term (4 marks), (2) indicate why this term is important (4 marks), and (3) make a novel connection to another concept in the course, a real-world phenomenon, or a key concept in some other field of study. Make sure to adequately explain concepts that are not covered in this course.
For the long answer (550-800 words), the answer will be graded out of 20 possible marks. You are to formulate a reasonable thesis (4 marks), integrate course information (8 marks), and engage critically with the material (8 marks). There are several ways to answer the prompt. The most important factor is consistency in your argument.
You must submit your own answers to these questions. They must be in your own words.
Submit the answers as one Microsoft Word or PDF document to this assignment.
Short Answer (150-250 words each) (choose 4)
The five spiritual faculties
IAA model of mindfulness
The Wheel of Rebirth
Spiritual bypassing
Detraditionalization
Right view
Scientific naturalism
McMindfulness
The Second Noble Truth
The four foundations of mindfulness
Long Answer (550-800 words) (choose 1)
If you had to translate the term “dukkha” using one word, what would it be? What makes your chosen word helpful? What does your chosen term leave out?
Imagine that you wish to cultivate Wrong Mindfulness. Given what you know about the noble eightfold path, how would you go about doing that?
Modernist Buddhists tend to interpret rebirth metaphorically. Traditionalists tend to interpret it literally. Which of these views seems more reasonable? Justify your answer.This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Short Answer 1 – Definition
Did you define the concept well?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 1 – Importance
Did you explain why this concept or term is important in this course?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 1 – Novel Connection
Did you connect this concept or term to other parts of the course or to other bodies of knowledge in an insightful way?
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 2 – Definition
Did you define the concept well?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 2 – Importance
Did you explain why this concept or term is important in this course?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 2 – Novel Connection
Did you connect this concept or term to other parts of the course or to other bodies of knowledge in an insightful way?
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 3 – Definition
Did you define the concept well?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 3 – Importance
Did you explain why this concept or term is important in this course?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 3 – Novel Connection
Did you connect this concept or term to other parts of the course or to other bodies of knowledge in an insightful way?
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 4 – Definition
Did you define the concept well?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 4 – Importance
Did you explain why this concept or term is important in this course?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShort Answer 4 – Novel Connection
Did you connect this concept or term to other parts of the course or to other bodies of knowledge in an insightful way?
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLong Answer – Thesis
Are you arguing for something in this long answer?
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLong Answer – Integration
Are you drawing together material from across the first five lectures in your discussion?
8 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLong Answer – Critical Engagement
Are you approaching the material you are discussing critically?
8 pts
Total Points: 60

Forever etched in my mind is a picture of my father sharpening his pocketknife on a small whet stone. The stone was about 1-inch wide, ½ inch high, and 6-7 inches long. It always laid in the windowsill of the kitchen. He would moisten the whet stone, sit on the couch, and pull out his pocketknife and slowly, expertly slide the knife back and forth on the stone, with the cutting edge against the stone, then flipping the knife to the opposite side as he pulled the blade toward him. Back and forth, he would sit and sharpen for 15-20 minutes whenever his knife needed it. That sharpening kept his blade ready for use at a moment’s notice and, being raised on a farm in the Great Depression, a sharp tool was important for day-to-day life. While this is not specifically iron sharpening iron, it represents the importance of the friction, resistance, and effort it takes to stay sharp and usable.
Proverbs 27:17 (new tab) says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (New International Version Bible, 197/2017). In an organization, nurses rarely work in complete isolation. Of course, you render care privately, but typically there is a cadre of other nurses just outside the door, or a colleague is a phone call away. These nurses are your iron. When a nurse has a different opinion than you, do you automatically dismiss their position, or do you listen and then share your opinion in an open dialogue? Talking things over with a friend or colleague always helps refine your thoughts. Consider gathering a group around you of those nurses interested in sharpening each other, sharpening each other with the intent of growing each other, not cutting to hurt.
You can learn from each other and sharpen your thinking. In this discussion, you will share ideas on patient care and learn from each other through discussion on medications, labs, and general nursing interventions. Through your feedback to one another, you will sharpen the iron of the other nurses in your class, and in the end, we will improve patient care by sharing and sharpening each other.
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
Identify the spiritual benefit of discussion with peers.
Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Read the Getting Started section.
Watch the following video:

Respond to the following prompt:
Share about a time when another nurse “sharpened” you or you sharpened another nurse.
Submit/Post by the end of the workshop.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+27%3A17&version=NIV

OVERVIEW
During this project, the student will complete four assignments using the techniques of
observation, interpretation, correlation, and application. These are the four components of
inductive Bible study outlined in Everyday Bible Study. Among other things, the student will
examine a given passage of Scripture, consult various Bible study tools, and employ the structure
as well as techniques detailed in the Everyday Bible Study text.
INSTRUCTIONS
Using the correct and provided templates, inductively study the given passage. Please be sure to
pay attention to the specific instructions for each section in the templates so that the answers
provided are correct, complete, and sufficiently detailed.
• The Observation Assignment is due at the end of Week 2.
• The Interpretation Assignment is due at the end of Week 4
• The Correlation Assignment is due at the end of Week 5.
• The Application Assignment is due at the end of Week 7.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

OVERVIEW
During this project, the student will complete four assignments using the techniques of
observation, interpretation, correlation, and application. These are the four components of
inductive Bible study outlined in Everyday Bible Study. Among other things, the student will
examine a given passage of Scripture, consult various Bible study tools, and employ the structure
as well as techniques detailed in the Everyday Bible Study text.
INSTRUCTIONS
Using the correct and provided templates, inductively study the given passage. Please be sure to
pay attention to the specific instructions for each section in the templates so that the answers
provided are correct, complete, and sufficiently detailed.
• The Observation Assignment is due at the end of Week 2.
• The Interpretation Assignment is due at the end of Week 4
• The Correlation Assignment is due at the end of Week 5.
• The Application Assignment is due at the end of Week 7.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

1. Download and print the Spiritual Growth Assessment from Lifeway by clicking here.
2. Read and Complete the Spiritual Growth Assessment from Sluiceway. This assessment is rather detailed and requires Spiritual Growth Observations from three (3) individuals. Please begin early and DO NOT procrastinate on this project as there are no extensions on the due date.
3. After completing the ENTIRE Spiritual Growth Assessment from Lifeway, in a SEPARATE word document, record your response in essay form to #2. d. i. ii. and iii., page 7.
4. In the SAME word document record your responses to page 10 of the Spiritual Growth Assessment listing the “Season,” “Discipline,” and “Name of Study.” – Please note that the Name of Study MUST contain the Name of the Study, the author, the date it was published, an ISBN # if applicable and any other way to specifically identify the “study” you will be utilizing during the particular Season (you must have 4 new studies you will use).
5. After completing all of the above steps, save your word document and submit it/attach it here. – DO NOT take a picture or “scan” the assessment and submit it that way, it MUST be typed and submitted as a new Word Document.
* This project is due Friday, 8:00 a.m. (EDT) – assignments submitted past this due date/time will NOT be graded and receive a grade of “zero”.
** You will only be turning in the word document, not the entire assessment. use the names Alyssa Smith, Alyssa Medley, and Virginia Brewer

Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“What about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?’
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” (New International Version Bible, 1973/2017, Mark 8:27-29 (new tab))
Faith Integration Message
In the first 8 chapters of the book of Mark, the following miracles are recorded:
Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others (Mark 1).
Jesus healed a paralyzed man who was let down through the roof of a house (Mark 2).
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand (Mark 3).
Jesus calmed the storm (Mark 4).
Jesus heals a woman with a bleeding condition (Mark 5).
Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two small fish (Mark 6).
Jesus healed many people including a man who was deaf and could hardly talk (Mark 7).
Jesus fed the 4,000 with seven loaves and a few fish (Mark 8).
Despite all the miracles that Jesus had performed up to this point in his ministry, Mark 8:11 states that the Pharisees still asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. What did they consider these miracles to be if these examples were not signs from heaven? The Pharisees refused to believe that Jesus was the Son of God despite all their religious training.
When it comes to religion and spirituality, one key point is the question Jesus asked of his disciples: “What about you?’ He asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’” (New International Version Bible, 1973/2017, Mark 8:29).
How would you answer this question?
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
Identify who Jesus Christ is in your life.
Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Read the devotional and passage in the Getting Started section.
Respond to the following prompt:
Who do you say Jesus is? Provide reasoning for your response.
Submit/Post by the end of the workshop.
You are not required to respond to any posts.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A27-29&version=NIV

1. Download and print the Spiritual Growth Assessment from Lifeway by clicking here.
2. Read and Complete the Spiritual Growth Assessment from Sluiceway. This assessment is rather detailed and requires Spiritual Growth Observations from three (3) individuals. Please begin early and DO NOT procrastinate on this project as there are no extensions on the due date.
3. After completing the ENTIRE Spiritual Growth Assessment from Lifeway, in a SEPARATE word document, record your response in essay form to #2. d. i. ii. and iii., page 7.
4. In the SAME word document record your responses to page 10 of the Spiritual Growth Assessment listing the “Season,” “Discipline,” and “Name of Study.” – Please note that the Name of Study MUST contain the Name of the Study, the author, the date it was published, an ISBN # if applicable and any other way to specifically identify the “study” you will be utilizing during the particular Season (you must have 4 new studies you will use).
5. After completing all of the above steps, save your word document and submit it/attach it here. – DO NOT take a picture or “scan” the assessment and submit it that way, it MUST be typed and submitted as a new Word Document.
* This project is due Friday, 8:00 a.m. (EDT) – assignments submitted past this due date/time will NOT be graded and receive a grade of “zero”.
** You will only be turning in the word document, not the entire assessment. use the names Alyssa Smith, Alyssa Medley, and Virginia Brewer