Final Exam

Question 1

The axis mundi/navel of the world

Answer 1

the center of the world. The symbolic connection between heaven, earth, and the underworld. Often seen as the world spiritual and cosmic center

Question 2

Ancient examples of the axis mundi/navel

Answer 2

Delphi (Greece)
Jeruselum (Israel)
Mecca (Saudi Arabia)
Yggdrasil (Norse Mythology)

Question 3

contemporary examples of the axis mundi

Answer 3

Mel’s Hole: an urban legend of Washington state about a bottemless pit that is rumoured to be supernatural

Question 4

Nature of apocalypticism

Answer 4

The belief that the world is moving toward an imminent, transformative end.

Question 5

Characteristics of apocalyptcism

Answer 5

The belief of an impending, cataclysmic end-time event where good and evil will be decisively resolved
Often dualistic: good vs. evil, light vs. darkness.
Expectation of divine judgment or cosmic renewal.

Question 6

How does the Atomic Cafe illustrate apocalyptcism

Answer 6

Illustrates apocalyptic thinking: survival manuals, “duck and cover,” and the expectation that nuclear war would end civilization.
reflects classic themes: destruction, judgment, renewal.

Question 7

How apocalyptcism is relevant today

Answer 7

climate change warnings, AI fears, pandemics, and societal collapse theories keep apocalyptic thinking alive.

Question 8

examples of contemporary apocalyptic movements

Answer 8

Fatima Movement (1917–present)
Late Great Planet Earth (1970)
Heaven’s Gate (1997)
Hindu Kali Yuga

Question 9

Nature of cultus

Answer 9

Cultus: Ritual worship, practices, and religious devotion to a deity or sacred figure.

Question 10

cultus association with apocalyptic movements

Answer 10

Provides structure, purpose, and identity (ritual fasting, purity laws, prayer, preparing for the end).

Question 11

The introductory story of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, through his acceptance of
rice milk from Sujātā.

Answer 11

Born into luxury as a prince, lived a sheltered life.
Upon seeing suffering (the Four Sights: old age, sickness, death, ascetic), he renounced worldly life to seek enlightenment.
Practiced severe asceticism to near death.
Turning Point: Sujātā, a village girl, offers him rice milk — a moment of compassion reminding him of the Middle Way (balance, not extremes).
This acceptance leads to his awakening under the Bodhi tree.

Question 11

siddhartha gautama

Answer 11

The Buddha — represents enlightenment, compassion, Middle Way.
Usually a statue of an emaciated man in a criss cross praying position

Question 11

whether or how Bilbo represents the
Campbellian hero cycle

Answer 11

Innocence and call to adventure
refusal of the call
supernatural assistance and meeting a “mentor”
crossing of the threshold
belly of the whale (when he gets separated by the goblins)
Road of many trials
meeting with goddess (ring)
woman as temptress AND ultimate boon (arkenstone)
Master of two worlds and Triumphed return

Question 12

guanyin

Answer 12

Visualized in flowing robes, feminine form. represents compassion, mercy.
She is a bodhisattva, a being who has achieved enlightenment but chooses to stay on Earth to help others achieve it

Question 13

The axis mundi

Answer 13

Trees (Yggdrasil), mountains (Mount Zion), buildings (Kaaba), pits (Mel’s Hole) — vertical link between realms
Visually represented by a three leveled image: a bright sky, a tree in the middle, a dark underworld

Question 14

omphalos

Answer 14

a rounded stone (especially that at Delphi) representing the navel of the earth in ancient Greek mythology.

Question 15

Delphi (Greece)

Answer 15

The omphalos stone (placed by zues after launching 2 eagles who meet in Delphi) marked Delphi as the earth’s navel – the point where gods communicated with humans.

Question 16

Jeruselum (Israel)

Answer 16

The Temple Mount, considered the spiritual center for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, is seen as the axis where Heaven and Earth meet.

Question 17

Mecca (Saudi Arabia)

Answer 17

The Kaaba (islamic holy site) is the spiritual center for Muslims; every prayer points toward it.

Question 18

Yggdrasil (Norse Mythology)

Answer 18

The cosmic tree linking nine worlds – gods, humans, and the dead.

Question 19

Fatima Movement (1917–present)

Answer 19

Catholic belief in apocalyptic warnings from Virgin Mary apparitions to three shepherd children in Portugal (e.g., warnings of world wars, Hell, communism).

Question 20

Late Great Planet Earth (1970)

Answer 20

Hal Lindsey’s bestselling book predicting the end times through Biblical prophecy (Rapture, Antichrist, Armageddon). Fueled Evangelical apocalyptic belief in America.

Question 21

Heaven’s Gate (1997)

Answer 21

UFO cult that believed Earth would be “recycled” and escape was possible via death to join a spacecraft trailing the Hale-Bopp comet.

Question 22

Hindu Kali Yuga

Answer 22

The current age in Hindu cosmology, marked by moral decline and chaos, preceding cosmic destruction and renewal.

Question 23

Heaven’s Gate (cultus)

Answer 23

Strict rules (celibacy, uniform clothing) as ritual preparation for “ascension.”

Question 24

Christian Evangelical groups (cultus)

Answer 24

Prayer and moral purity in preparation for the Rapture.

Question 25

Mahayana Buddhism

Answer 25

meaning "Great Vehicle," is a major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the bodhisattva ideal: individuals who strive to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, rather than just themselves

Question 26

Avalokitesvara (Guanyin in China)

Answer 26

Compassionate savior; helps all beings. Gender-fluid — sometimes male, sometimes female, reflecting non-duality (beyond male/female opposites). Uses upaya (skillful means) to appear in forms best suited to help others.

Question 27

Upaya

Answer 27

skillful means or methods used to guide others toward liberation or enlightenment

Question 28

Tara

Answer 28

Female bodhisattva in Tibetan Buddhism; embodies active compassion. Many forms (Green Tara for protection, White Tara for healing).

Question 29

Princess Miao Shan

Answer 29

Chinese legend — refused marriage to pursue spiritual life; after death, became Guanyin. A symbol of ultimate compassion and sacrifice.

Question 30

Non-duality

Answer 30

Gender and self/other distinctions are illusions. non-duality is the understanding the nature of reality and our place. Recognizes that things appear to be separate (duality), but ultimately lack self-nature or independent existence

Question 31

Gender fluidity

Answer 31

acknowledges the conventionality and relativity of gender differences, suggesting that they are ultimately meaningless in the face of ultimate truth. transcends gender boundaries