According to the Upanishads, to reach the state of moksha is…
- … to go to Heaven as a reward for a virtuous life.
- … to be reincarnated into the highest caste of society (the Brahmin caste).
- …to gain special knowledge and therefore to be released from the cycle of reincarnation.
- … to not know the answer to this question.
The traditions associated with the Upanishads believed that human beings are essentially…
- …a continuous and coherent set of experiences, thoughts and attitudes.
- …a spiritual substance that is distinct from every other person’s spiritual substance.
- …a physical body.
- …a spiritual substance that is not distinct from anyone else’s spiritual substance.
The Upanishads claim that there is a problem with pleasure. The problem is …
- …pleasure tends to lead to pain.
- …pleasure is hard to get.
- …pleasure leads to attachment.
- …Brahman commands that you not seek pleasure.
According to the Upanishads, joy is a state wherein
- One always gets those objects that they desire in this life.
- One has absolute control over the influences outside of oneself.
- One desires only to be one with Brahman.
- One is cleared of all anxieties and desires.
According to Buddha
- Although atman = Brahman, we cannot acheive this through meditation.
- There is a persistent self that is required in order to control your thoughts.
- There is nothing more to the self than a collection of thoughts.
- None of the above.