SOCSCI 2J03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Rupert Gethin, Absolution

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Social Sciences
• Course: SOCSCI 2J03
• Professor: Lonnie Magee

Document Summary

Fruits of the ascetic life and the utility of gift giving. Gift giving has been a social function throughout many cultures and societies throughout history. This paper will provide a critical analysis of gift giving to religious figures as described in sayings of the buddha, by rupert gethin (2008). Ascetic life, gethin details king aj tasattu of magadha"s attempt to achieve inner peace and absolution after he murders his own father (gethin, 2008). To do this, he seeks the wisdom of the six titthiyas, religious teachers belonging to different groups, and lastly, the blessed one (gethin, 2008). Through the conversations with the titthiyas, specifically p rana kassapa, Makkhali gos la, ajita of the blanket of hair, and lastly the blessed one, insight is given into the buddhist and titthiyas perception of gift giving in their respective religions. The first titthiyas visited, p rana, discusses the non-existence of action (gethin, 2008).