Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies Spring 2013 Sacred Books of the World Second Writing Assignment Due Friday, May 10, 2013 Comparing and Contrasting Sacred Ethical Texts from the Abrahamic Religious Tradition with the Asian Religious Tradition This is a hermeneutical paper. The purpose is to have you start interpreting texts. Think of the hermeneutical triangle: text, context and interpreter. Be aware of yourself as the reader and the context of the sacred book. The paper is to be the study of the similarities and differences between ethical texts from an Abrahamic religion and an Asian religion. See Ethics section in each chapter. Pick a short manageable text (three or four verses). For example: take a small passage an ethical text in Judaism (Exodus 20), or Christianity (Matthew 5- 7) or Islam (Surah 17). Compare it with an ethical text of an Asian religion (Section 8 from the Tao Te Ching, the ethics of the Eight Fold Path or a passage from the Bhagavad Gita.) What religions are texts connected with? Who wrote them? When were they written? What is the historical setting? What is the core ethical teaching of the text? Is there ethical tension within the religion between the ethical ideal of the text and the practice within the religion? What is the genre of the text? Does it focus on rules or on building character? Are there similar ethical principles, for example, the Golden Rule or the Golden Mean? In summary, you should give your critique of the texts of both religions from your point of view as expressed in your autobiography. What do you agree with and what do you disagree with? Most importantly, what is the basis of your agreement or disagreement? What are your ethical principles? This paper should be 4 pages, double spaced. Proof read after using the spell checker for words the spell checker does not catch, for example, steal/ steel, Bible/ bible, alter/altar, manner/manor, definitely/defiantly. Have a first reader review the paper. Steps to writing a university paper: 1) Read, think, and take notes. 2) Write a first draft 3) Have a first reader review your paper (pay attention to proof reading) 4) Edit and submit David Newcomer (1/30/13) Sacred Books of the World Central Washington University RELS 201.002 This is a religious studies class and when we study religion through the lens of sacred books it is important to experience and/or observe the text in practice. Each of the world's religion has a distinct style of worship, so the purpose of this assignment is to visit religious services to get a firsthand account of religion outside of the classroom. During this visit you will need to pay close attention to your surroundings, be able to explain what happened during the service and how it felt during your time there. If you get a sense of the sacred at this service, try to describe what it was like. This report should be two pages, double spaced. Pay particular attention to.

1. Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Spring 2013
Sacred Books of the World
Second Writing Assignment
Due Friday, May 10, 2013
Comparing and Contrasting Sacred Ethical Texts from the
Abrahamic Religious Tradition with the Asian Religious
Tradition
This is a hermeneutical paper. The purpose is to have you start
interpreting texts. Think of the hermeneutical triangle: text,
context and interpreter. Be aware of yourself as the reader and
the context of the sacred book.
The paper is to be the study of the similarities and differences
between ethical texts from an Abrahamic religion and an Asian
religion. See Ethics section in each chapter. Pick a short
manageable text (three or four verses). For example: take a
small passage an ethical text in Judaism (Exodus 20), or
Christianity (Matthew 5- 7) or Islam (Surah 17). Compare it
with an ethical text of an Asian religion (Section 8 from the Tao
Te Ching, the ethics of the Eight Fold Path or a passage from
the Bhagavad Gita.)
What religions are texts connected with? Who wrote them?
When were they written? What is the historical setting?
What is the core ethical teaching of the text? Is there ethical
tension within the religion between the ethical ideal of the text
and the practice within the religion?
What is the genre of the text? Does it focus on rules or on
building character? Are there similar ethical principles, for
example, the Golden Rule or the Golden Mean?

2. In summary, you should give your critique of the texts of both
religions from your point of view as expressed in your
autobiography. What do you agree with and what do you
disagree with? Most importantly, what is the basis of your
agreement or disagreement? What are your ethical principles?
This paper should be 4 pages, double spaced. Proof read after
using the spell checker for words the spell checker does not
catch, for example,
steal/ steel, Bible/ bible, alter/altar, manner/manor,
definitely/defiantly.
Have a first reader review the paper.
Steps to writing a university paper:
1) Read, think, and take notes.
2) Write a first draft
3) Have a first reader review your paper (pay attention to proof
reading)
4) Edit and submit
David Newcomer (1/30/13)
Sacred Books of the World
Central Washington University RELS 201.002
This is a religious studies class and when we study religion
through the lens of sacred books it is important to experience
and/or observe the text in practice. Each of the world's religion
has a distinct style of worship, so the purpose of this
assignment is to visit religious services to get a firsthand
account of religion outside of the classroom.
During this visit you will need to pay close attention to
your surroundings, be able to explain what happened during the
service and how it felt during your time there. If you get a sense

3. of the sacred at this service, try to describe what it was like.
This report should be two pages, double spaced. Pay particular
attention to the use of sacred books and how they are used in
worship and ritual.
Visiting a Christian Religious Service
1. Denomination of Faith - Which branch of Christianity
(Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Protestant) are you
exploring during this visit?
2. Architecture and Interior Organization - Where is the service
taking place? Are there stained windows, banners, benches,
chairs, bulletin boards, artifacts, a library, etc.?
3. Style of Worship - liturgical, order of service, bulletin,
formal, informal?
4. Music - Is it classical, contemporary, or another style? Do
you see a choir or instruments?
5. Sacred Texts - What translation? Which texts? Who reads the
text?
6. Prayer - Is it recited, personal, or silent? Who prays at this
service?
7. Form Service was Given - Was it sermon, homily, spoken
word?
8. Theology - What ideas were presented?
9. Posture in Worship - Are you standing, sitting, kneeling,
touching?
10. Authority - Hermeneutics, who interprets the scripture and
how?
11. Intangibles - Is there a sense of the sacred?
Ashlee Godwin, revised 3/28/2013
Sacred Books of the World
RELS 201.002
This is a religious studies class and when we study religion
through the lens of sacred books it is important to experience
and/or observe the text in practice. Each of the world's religion

4. have a distinct style of worship, so the purpose of this
assignment is to visit religious services to get a firsthand
account of religion outside of the classroom .
During this visit you will need to pay close attention to
your surroundings, be able to explain what happened during the
service and how it felt during your time there. If you get a sense
of the sacred at this service, try to describe what it was like.
This report should be two pages, double spaced. Pay particular
attention to the use of sacred books and how they are used in
worship and ritual.
Visiting a Jewish Religious Service
1. Denomination of Faith - Which branch of Judaism are you
exploring during this visit?
2. Architecture and Interior Organization - Where is the service
taking place? Are there banners, benches, chairs, bulletin
boards, artifacts, a library, a Torah Ark, ect.?
3. Style of Worship - Liturgical, order of service, bulletin,
formal, informal?
4. Music - Is it classical, contemporary, or another style? Do
you see a choir or instruments? Group or individual singing?
5. Sacred Texts - What translation? Which texts? Who reads the
text? What language is the text in?
6. Prayer - Is it recited, personal, or silent? Who prays at this
service? What is the mood of prayer?
7. Form Service was Given - Was it sermon, homily, spoken
word?
8. Theology - What ideas were presented?
9. Posture in Worship - Are you standing, sitting, kneeling,
touching?
10. Authority - Hermeneutics, who interprets the scripture and
how? Male or Female (most denominations may not have female
leaders)?
11. Intangibles - Is there a sense of the sacred?
*Keep in mind these questions: What did you expect? What was
different from those expectations?

5. Ashlee Godwin, revised 3/28/2013
The branch of Judaism that I chose to explore was Pari-
Nirvana in Portland, Oregon at Buddhist Temple. The reason I
chose to explore this branch of Buddhism was because I’ve
heard a lot of people talk about the Seattle based band Nirvana
and after I heard their music, I later learned that Nirvana is a
branch of Buddhism. I also learned that the lead singer of
Nirvana, Kurt Cobain, considered himself to be Buddhist and
when he was growing up, he had an imaginary friend named
“Boddha”, which many people thought he was trying to say
Buddha. This is what sparked my interest in exploring this
religion.
The meditation takes place on the floor. There are no
chairs or benches. People kneel down on the floor while they
meditate.
It is very colorfully decorated in some sections but overall they
try to have earth toned colors to set the mood. They have statues
inside the building and decorations. Some statues of Buddha and
others are just fancy golden colored decorations. This visit was
one hour.
I would say this service is very ritualistic and formal
because it’s very organized and from what I got out of this
service is a lot of spiritualization and self-realization. After the
service, the gathering is very informal because many people
socialize with one another since they aren’t able to do that
during the service. For some, they socialize because that’s the
only time they ever see each other. Some people don’t see each
other outside the temple.
There is music. Music is usually chanted by the people
who attended the service. Those who attend service regularly
help choose what chants will be chanted with the people who
attend the service.
A Monk, also known as teachers, reads the readings and

6. they read texts that will apply to life. They read many teachings
and were read in English since many English speaking people
attend the temple.
The prayers and meditation are silent. People kneel on the
floor and pray and meditate. Many people travel from out of the
area to this temple because they are associated and based with a
temple in California.
The service was mainly meditation along with prayer and
chanting. At the end of the service, people did socialize with
one another.
The ideas that were presented were spiritualization and
self-realization. At the end of the service there are flyers,
handouts, and books that people can look at so if they are
interested in becoming a monk, they can read up on ways they
can become a monk. This includes reading more about self-
realization and spiritualization.
The posture in meditation was kneeling. People don’t
touch each other. People are in their own personal space and
keep their hands to themselves. If the temple is full, people can
stand, but you are encouraged to kneel instead or sit or stand.
The monks interpret the scriptures through chanting,
prayer, and meditation.
I would say this service is sacred, like many services.
During my time here, it was nice to learn about self-realization
and spiritualization. I also learned about myself. I learned about
self-reliance and it was nice to meditate and pray. It was
different at first, but it was good to step outside of my comfort
zone to explore other religions and see what they have to offer.
It was a good learning experience and it is something I wonder
consider doing again. I would consider exploring other religions
again.
Sacred Books of the World
RELS 201.002
This is a religious studies class and when we study religion
through the lens of sacred books it is important to experience

7. and/or observe the text in practice. Each of the world's religion
have a distinct style of worship, so the purpose of this
assignment is to visit religious services to get a firsthand
account of religion outside of the classroom .
During this visit you will need to pay close attention to
your surroundings, be able to explain what happened during the
service and how it felt during your time there. If you get a sense
of the sacred at this service, try to describe what it was like.
This report should be two pages, double spaced. Pay particular
attention to the use of sacred books and how they are used in
worship and ritual.
Visiting a Buddhist Meditation
1. Denomination of Faith - Which branch of Buddhism are you
exploring during this visit?
2. Architecture and Interior Organization - Where is the
meditation taking place? Are there benches, chairs, bulletin
boards, artifacts, incense, ect.?
3. Style of Worship - Ritualistic, order of service, bulletin,
formal, informal? How long was the session?
4. Music - Is it classical, contemporary, or another style? Do
you see a choir or instruments?
5. Sacred Texts - What translation? Which texts? Who reads the
text?
6. Prayer/Meditation - Is it recited, personal, or silent? This can
include meditation, chanting, walking, ect.
7. Form Service was Given - Was it guided meditation, sermon,
homily, spoken word? Were there different elements?
8. Theology - What ideas were presented?
9. Posture in Meditation - Are you standing, sitting, kneeling,
touching?
10. Authority - Hermeneutics, who interprets the scripture and
how?
11. Intangibles - Is there a sense of the sacred? Explore, in as
much detail as possible, the thoughts that arose in your time
there.

8. *Keep in mind these questions: What did you expect? What was
different from those expectations?
Ashlee Godwin, revised 3/28/2013
Sacred Books of the WorldCentral Washington UniversityRELS
201.001Visiting Religious ServicesWhat to look for – a
suggestive list
The purpose of this assignment is to experience religion as it
practiced in the living context. (See textbook p.12) In order to
more fully understand a religion, it is necessary to see it in
action. Your assignment is to describe what you experience.
What to look for – a suggestive list
1. Style of worship – liturgical, order of service, bulletin,
formal, informal
2. Music 3. Sacred Texts – what translation? what texts? who
reads the text?
4. Prayer – recited, personal, silent. Who prays?
5. Sermon, homily 6. Theology - What ideas were presented?7.
Posture in worship – when standing, sitting, kneeling, touching?
10. Authority – hermeneutics (who interprets the scripture and
how?)
11. Architecture and interior organization – stained windows,
banners, style of seating, technology, bulletin boards, artifacts,
library.
12. Intangibles – sense of the sacred.
In summary, where did the service take place? What happened
during the service? How did it feel, was there as sense of the
sacred?The report on the visit should be two pages, double
spaced. Pay particular attention to the use of sacred books and
how they are used in worship and ritual.David Newcomer,
revised 4/03/13