Suggested Essay topics 1. What is Buddhist attitude towards life? 2. Describe some important features of the Buddhas personality.

3. What is the Buddhist analysis of human life? 4. Explain in brief the Buddhist concept of no-soul or Anatta. 5. No soul or Anatta is a characteristic of Buddhism as a religion. Discuss. 6. Is the Buddhist concept of karma a determinism? 7. Is Buddhist concept of karma an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth? 8. Buddhism is pessimistic. Discuss in the light of Buddhist Teaching of suffering. 9. Why Buddhism starts with Dukkha or suffering? 10. Discuss the Buddhist concept of Happiness. 11. Buddhism teaches annihilation. Discuss in the light of Buddhist concept of Nirvana. 12. Why the noble eightfold path is described as transcending the two extremes of austerities and sensual indulgence? 13. Explain the Buddhist concept of Nirvana. 14. Discuss the Buddhist way of life in the light of noble eightfold path. 15. How the Buddhist meditation related to a better life? 16. Discuss the importance of mindfulness in our life. 17. Discuss the Buddhist attitude towards death. 18. Discuss the importance of five precepts in our life.

The Four Noble Truths form the basis of Buddhist beliefs. Explain the Four Noble Truths and show how they were illustrated by specific events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). * Buddhism prescribes the Eightfold Path as a way to more closely approach nirvana. Choose at least four components of the Path and describe how you observe those goals in your life. (Note: This questions neither assumes you are, nor requires you to be, a Buddhist.) * If you were Buddhist, would you be a Therevadan or a Mahayanan Buddhist? Of course, you answer should both explain your choice and display an understanding of basic beliefs of that particular form of Buddhism. * Is Buddhism a religion? Some say that it obviously is a religion. Others argue that it is instead a "philosophy of life". Still others claim that it is a "non-theistic" religion. Explain your position on this issue. Defend your answer with specific reasons and arguments. * We watched the film Kundun in class. The film is rich in symbolism and ritual. Choose at least three specific examples from the film, and explain what you believe they reveal about Tibetan Buddhism. (Be specific.) * Imagine that you are a film reviewer. Your task is to review Kundun. Assume that your intended audience is a "World Religions" class, and you are free to comment about whatever aspects of the film that you choose. * You've been appointed the new United States Special Envoy to Tibet. Prepare a plan of action that you would recommend to President Obama and Congress. In particular, make clear what you believe our policy towards China should be on this issue. (I don't want you to stop at vague goals. Recommend specific actions.) * Assume Huston Smith uses his influence to win you a four-week stay in a Zen monastery. Explain what you believe you would get out of this experience. In what ways do you think it would benefit you? What might be particularly difficult for you? (Take this in whatever directions you would like to go...)