Carefully, and with clear examples, compare and contrast the religions of Hinduism and
Buddhism:
(1) The existence and nature of God or gods
(2) What Ultimate reality is
(3) Ultimate purpose for the individual
Part 2:
There is a famous argument for the existence of the transcendent that has come to be
called, “The Argument from Desire”. It goes back centuries, even millennia but was made
popular in the 20th century C.S. Lewis. The argument for desire goes like this:

1. Every human desire must have an object that satisfies it (e.g., we have the desire of
   hunger, and there is food; we have the desire of love: and there is friendship; etc.), or
   else the desire itself could never be explained.
2. There is a human longing that no natural thing (i.e., nothing on earth, in time, or in
   all the universe) can satisfy.
3. Therefore, there must exist some ultimate, transcendent goal or reality.
   Part 2:
   Reflect upon and thoughtfully discuss EITHER
   (A) Which of the three religions you talk about in Part 1 correctly describes/explains that
   ultimate longing, how that religion does so, and why you think that religion does so (e.g,
   do we ultimately desire freedom from suffering, or being absorbed into the divine?).
   

OR 


   (B) If none of those three religions correctly describes/explains that ultimate longing,
   explain (don’t just say) why not. Give details about the religions and human experience
   to support your answer (e.g. we don’t just want freedom from suffering, but perfect love).
   Note: You are not graded on your opinion, but on your ability to demonstrate your
   understanding of the religions and communicate clearly your own thinking.

Sample Solution