Instructions for WVAP’s The main goal for WVAP’s: Pick three different religions from the unit we just finished, and compare and contrast them according to one particular topic. What’s more, you will include your own thoughts on the issue. All WVAP projects will be done on PowerPoint, and contain five slides, incorporating both text and images. You will submit all WVAP’s on Blackboard. Each BTG project must consist of 600 words (not counting the first page, that is, the title page). Instructions for WVAP’s In regards to the topics, you may choose from the following: Concepts of ultimate being Founders Sacred texts and authority The notion of self The problem of evil and suffering The view of salvation and the afterlife Rituals Ethics Religious experience Religious art Origins Instructions for WVAP’s So, then, the first slide will be your title page. This will consist of the three religions and topic you have chosen. Slides 2, 3, & 4 will consist of the view of that topic found in the three religions you have chosen. The fifth and final slide will consist of your personal reflection on the assignment. That is, you will tell us what your view is. For example, if you chose “sacred texts and authority” as your topic, you will describe which sacred text(s) guide your life, even if your religion is not included in the ones that you’ve chosen for the project. If you’re not religious, then you will describe which book(s) have had a big influence on your worldview. In either case, you must tell us why you have chosen your particular worldview, as opposed to other worldviews, and, if possible, provide a reason, or two, on why you think your worldview is true. Instructions for WVAP’s Here’s an example of a WVAP: Let’s say the three religions you chose are Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. And let’s say you chose as your topic: Concepts of ultimate being. So now then... WVAP Project #1 My three religions: Buddhism Hinduism Jainism My topic: Concepts of Ultimate Being Buddhism There is no absolute God in Buddhism. The Buddha did not explicitly deny the existence of God, but said that the question of God’s existence does not help one achieve enlightenment. That is, those seeking enlightenment need to concentrate on their own spiritual paths themselves rather than relying on any help from the outside, whether people or deities. The Buddha did not claim divinity or even a divine source for his teachings. He saw himself as only “one showing the way” to fellow monks and compared his teachings to a raft that should be left behind once the other side of the river has been reached. Although belief in an ultimate God is opposed by nearly all Buddhists, the Mahayana school developed notions of the Buddha and propounded the existence of many semi-divine beings, who are believed to hear prayers, help people with their needs in this life, and ultimately help one to attain Nirvana, the ultimate goal in Buddhism. .

1. Instructions for WVAP’s
The main goal for WVAP’s: Pick three different religions from
the unit we just finished, and compare and contrast them
according to one particular topic.
What’s more, you will include your own thoughts on the issue.
All WVAP projects will be done on PowerPoint, and contain
five slides, incorporating both text and images. You will
submit all WVAP’s on Blackboard.
Each BTG project must consist of 600 words (not counting the
first page, that is, the title page).
Instructions for WVAP’s
In regards to the topics, you may choose from the following:
Concepts of ultimate being
Founders
Sacred texts and authority
The notion of self
The problem of evil and suffering
The view of salvation and the afterlife
Rituals
Ethics
Religious experience
Religious art
Origins

2. Instructions for WVAP’s
So, then, the first slide will be your title page. This will consist
of the three religions and topic you have chosen.
Slides 2, 3, & 4 will consist of the view of that topic found in
the three religions you have chosen.
The fifth and final slide will consist of your personal reflection
on the assignment. That is, you will tell us what your view is.
For example, if you chose “sacred texts and authority” as your
topic, you will describe which sacred text(s) guide your life,
even if your religion is not included in the ones that you’ve
chosen for the project. If you’re not religious, then you will
describe which book(s) have had a big influence on your
worldview.
In either case, you must tell us why you have chosen your
particular worldview, as opposed to other worldviews, and, if
possible, provide a reason, or two, on why you think your
worldview is true.
Instructions for WVAP’s
Here’s an example of a WVAP:
Let’s say the three religions you chose are Buddhism,
Hinduism, and Jainism.
And let’s say you chose as your topic: Concepts of ultimate
being.
So now then...

3. WVAP Project #1
My three religions:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Jainism
My topic:
Concepts
of
Ultimate
Being
Buddhism
There is no absolute God in Buddhism. The Buddha did not
explicitly deny the existence of God, but said that the question
of God’s existence does not help one achieve enlightenment.
That is, those seeking enlightenment need to concentrate on
their own spiritual paths themselves rather than relying on any
help from the outside, whether people or deities.
The Buddha did not claim divinity or even a divine source for
his teachings. He saw himself as only “one showing the way” to
fellow monks and compared his teachings to a raft that should
be left behind once the other side of the river has been reached.
Although belief in an ultimate God is opposed by nearly all
Buddhists, the Mahayana school developed notions of the

4. Buddha and propounded the existence of many semi-divine
beings, who are believed to hear prayers, help people with their
needs in this life, and ultimately help one to attain Nirvana, the
ultimate goal in Buddhism.
Hinduism
Many gods or incarnations of gods are worshiped by Hindus.
Chief among them are Shiva, a fierce figure representing both
the creative and destructive sides of divinity as well as the ideal
of yogic meditation, and Vishhnu, who incarnates himself many
times through history in order to bring the message of salvation
to man.
Vishnu's incarnations (or avatars) include Rama, a benevolent
king, and Krishna, an impetuous, violent, and erotic figure. The
gods are sometimes amoral; their freedom from the usual
restraints necessary to humans is often celebrated, and they are
often represented with sexual imagery.
Many lesser cults worship a complex variety of gods, all of
whom are usually seen as manifestations of the one supreme
being, Brahman. Brahman is seen by many Hindus as a
personal, loving God who desires the salvation of all men. More
usually, however, he is described as a supreme, impersonal
being completely above all creation and uninvolved with life on
earth.
Jainism

5. Jains do not believe in a God or gods in the way that many other
religions do, but they do believe in divine (or at least perfect)
beings who are worthy of devotion.
This makes it difficult to give a straight answer to the question
"is Jainism atheistic?" The scholar Heinrich Zimmer suggested
that a new word was needed: transtheistic, meaning
"inaccessible by arguments as to whether or not a God exists".
Some writers regard the jinas as 'gods' because the jinas are
venerated by Jains in the way that other faiths worship gods or
God. Jains venerate them because they have achieved
perfection, and have become liberated from the cycle of birth
and death.
The jinas are the ideal state of an individual soul's existence,
and are worshipped as a perfect example for Jains to aspire to.
So the only 'gods' that exist for Jains are pure souls that are
omniscient, perfectly happy and eternal.
All of us could become such a 'god' because every being has the
potential to become such a perfect soul.
Personal Reflection: What is My Concept of Ultimate Being?
In regards to my own views of Ultimate Being, I tend to lean
towards Buddhism. The idea of karma, enlightenment, and
Nirvana, seem to make sense. We’ve all heard the saying, “what
goes around, comes around.” I’ve seen that idea take place in
my own life, as well as in the lives of friends and family. And
in a way, this captures the essence of karma. I’d like to think
that the good acts that I do will have a lasting impact on the
lives of others as well as my own life. That is, the idea of my

6. good deeds affecting my future (Nirvana, perhaps?) sounds very
appealing.
I also like the idea of meditating in silence, like Zen monks, to
seek inner peace and harmony. Life is hard, and we’re always
in a rush, and it’s hard to focus on what is truly important. It’s
so easy to get distracted by things that don’t matter, and taking
time to meditate can offer us many benefits—spiritually,
emotionally, mentally, and physically.
In regards to the reasons I believe it’s true, I don’t think I can
provide rational arguments for Buddhism. Rather, I think
Buddhism is true based on the experiences I’ve had. And if you
read a wide variety of Buddhist thinkers and philosophers, they
will tell you the same thing.
Rubric for WVAPCriteria
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Content
30 pts.Meaning is not understood or incorrect.
Personal reflection is vague or general, not connected to
religions and topic.
Word count is less than 600 words.
Meaning is understood, but is partially incorrect.
Personal reflection is somewhat specific, partly connected to
religions and topic.
Word count is less than 600 words.Meaning is understood and
accurate.
Personal reflection is specific, thoughtful, and directly
connected to religions and topic.
Word count is at least 600.Creativity

7. 5 pts.Lacks images, or images do not relate to content to any
degree.
Does not include any images, interesting colors, or designs.
Images somewhat related to content.
Some interesting colors and designs are included.Images are
wholly relevant to the content.
Colors and overall design is rich in aesthetics.Writing
5pts.Creates barriers to understanding.Some errors; writes
informally.Up to college standards