OLLI0158 - From Krishna to Mohammed: A World Religions Primer

Course Description

Our explorations of the religions of the world will avoid the encyclopedic approach for a more focused engagement with two religions that arose in Southeast Asia (Hinduism and Buddhism) and two Western religions (Judaism and Islam). These religions of the East and the West are distinct not only in terms of place of origin, but also are different in terms of their fundamental orientation to this life and ‘the life to come.’ Those of Southeast Asia are often characterized as ‘religions of release’ (seeking a path that will allow one to be released from this world and the burden of life) while those of the West are characterized as ‘religions of repair’ (seeking a path to making this a better world and a better life for self and others). We will investigate whether these characterizations are valid by way of readings in their sacred texts, seeing their sacred spaces, exploring their rituals, and investigating their theological and moral decrees. This course will be recorded.