A guru who is looking for the Bliss by practicing the sun mediation.
Friday, April 23, 2010
9. The Seven Dimensions of Religion in WHEN SCHOLARS STUDY THE SACRED
As Ninian Smart defines religion as “an organism with seven dimensions” in Andrea Diem’s book, When the Scholars Study the Sacred; Diem lists the seven dimensions of religion that characterize the main aspects of all belief systems.With religion being an “organism,” Smart is emphasizing how religion is not static and is actually ever changing, just as all living things are. These seven dimensions can define and allow students to examine the unique differences between each religion, and how each key component comes together to form a certain culture’s faith.The first dimension discusses the notion of myths in each religion. Myths should not be mistaken for entirely false testimonies, for they can hold some level of historical truth. However, the historical truth is most likely combined in with hagiography or embellished accounts and symbolism. On theother hand, another type of myth may however be purely symbolic, meaning that the story is told in highly figurative language that is not able to be tested to prove as factual.
The second dimension covers the act of rituals, which are activities “that connect one with the sense of the sacred.” The third dimension, which directly coincides with the ritual dimension, addresses the experiences someone in a certain religion may go through, such as a “religious experience of the sacred, or feeling of the numinous.” The experience of the sacred may be summoned by the act of rituals, causing a connection with something mystical possibly through an elevated state of consciousness.
The fourth dimension talks about the doctrines, or “philosophy or belief system of the religion.” They are either written down in a sacred text or transmitted through oral tradition.The fifth dimension tells us about the ethics or “moral codes of the group.”This code of morality tells us what is the ethically acceptable behavior of certain groups. The sixth dimension explains how the social aspect is the organizational form of religion. This calls for a sense of social norms and values, along with group bonding.
And lastly, the seventh dimension describes how material forms are used in each religion and can include any materials that “help connect the individual believer to the sacred”. These materials can be, but are not limited to, books,buildings, clothing, and other physical material goods. These material items are elevated to a higher status because of hagiography when they are “viewed as a direct manifestation or embodiment of the sacred.”
10. Applying Seven Dimensions to Hinduism
(1) Hinduism is known for their rich mythology with their stories of Brahma,Shakti, Ganesha, Shiva, and countless other gods and goddesses who are actuallyconsidered to be all the “same god or divine energy, nameless and without form.”
(2) Hindus practice a multiple array of rituals which include bowing while pressing palms together, then uttering the words “namaste”, which translatesfrom Sanskrit for “I bow to you.” This greeting represents respect for each other and to the divine as well. Although Hindu women now where bindis (reddots on the forehead) as a fashion statement, they were originally intended to focus in on the chakra (energy point) during meditation and also for good luck.
(3) Hindus practice yoga to improve their meditation and to help with their path to a richer spiritual life. They may practice Bhakti Yoga (the path of loveand devotion), Karma Yoga (the path of right action), Ja Yoga (the pathof meditation), and Na Yoga (the path of mystical understanding).The ultimate experience in Hinduism is finding the “absolute truth within your being.” To find the absolute truth, one must be reborn and their souls must “transmigrate” to reach Moksha, or salvation.
(4) The most important and oldest doctrine to the Hindu belief is that of the four Vedas, written in the ancient Sanskrit language. These four sacred texts are divided into the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. They contain holy hymns and ritual practices from ancient India. These doctrines focus on how the individual’s soul (Atman) can reach the ultimate truth (Brahman) through focused meditation and karma.
(5) Hindus practice dharma, or “individual ethics, duties and obligations”with their moral actions or ethics and believe in karma Since Hindus believe in the cycle of Samsara (rebirth), ahisma (non-violence) and how Karma affects your next life, they do not eat cows because they believe they are sacred and are more useful alive than dead. Hindus also believe in reaching Moksha, or salvation.
(6) Socially, Hinduism has nearly 1 billion members and is the third largest religion in the entire world.Its teachings have highly influenced other religions such as Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism as well as revolutionary peace figures such as Martin Luther King Jr.
(7) As for the material forms, Hindus have idolized statues of their deitiesof the Brahman, including that of Shiva, Shakti and Vishnu. Hindus also use prayer beads during meditation.
11. Applying Seven Dimensions to Buddhism
(1) As the seven dimensions of religion can apply to Buddhism, the myth dimension is directly relevant to the life and death of Buddha, himself. This historical myth, which does hold some truth value although not entirely attestable to pure historic fact, discusses the childhood and enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautauma. Since the life of Siddhartha Gautauma was recorded approximately 200-300 years after his death, details and exact information havebeen blurred. From what little information that has been saved over thecenturies, Siddhartha Gautauma was born a privileged prince, who renounced his wealth and power to be enlightened, and lived a life of simplicity, and thus began Buddhism.
(2) As for the ritual dimension, Buddhists practice meditation, where they have concentrate their mental energy. Buddhists also recite mantras, which aresayings that are repeated to have a spiritual power. Dharanis are longer sayings that are also chanted to ward off evil. Through repetition, Buddhists feel these words have a sense of power. Mudras, a nonlinguistic mean of communication and self expression with hand movements and finger positions, is also highly ritualized with Buddhists.
(2) As for the ritual dimension, Buddhists practice meditation, where they have concentrate their mental energy. Buddhists also recite mantras, which aresayings that are repeated to have a spiritual power. Dharanis are longer sayings that are also chanted to ward off evil. Through repetition, Buddhists feel these words have a sense of power. Mudras, a nonlinguistic mean of communication and self expression with hand movements and finger positions, is also highly ritualized with Buddhists.
(3) Buddhist’s “core doctrine” is the Eightfold Path, and also the Four NobleTruths.(4) As for the ethical dimension, Buddhists follow the Eightfold Path.Buddhists live by the belief system of the Four Noble Truths, which state that“All Life is suffering, Suffering is due to attachment, Attachment can be overcome, and there is a path for accomplishing this.” Also, Buddhists believe in karma, which is defined as “the sum and the consequences of an individual's actions during the successive phases of his existence.” Therefore, Buddhists choose to be vegetarians. Buddhists also believe in dharma, which if followed,can lead them to nirvana.(5) As for the social dimension, there are approximately three hundred million Buddhists found all over the globe.
(7) With the material dimension, Buddhists build stupas which are beautifully pointed shaped towers that accommodate sacred relics, and symbolically represents the “enlightened mind of the Buddha.” They symbolize the five elements with the square base representing the earth, the cone-shape is fire,the rounded dome for water, the canopy is air and the volume of the stupa is space itself. The Begging bowl represents when a young woman named Sujata offered the starving Siddhartha Gautauma a bowl of milk-rice, which he then accepted because he needed more physical strength to reach enlightenment. The bowl symbolizes the Buddhists’ monk's way of life by surviving off of what people place into their bowls as they travel from their monastery into local villages. Mantras are also recited through Tibetan prayer wheels.
(7) With the material dimension, Buddhists build stupas which are beautifully pointed shaped towers that accommodate sacred relics, and symbolically represents the “enlightened mind of the Buddha.” They symbolize the five elements with the square base representing the earth, the cone-shape is fire,the rounded dome for water, the canopy is air and the volume of the stupa is space itself. The Begging bowl represents when a young woman named Sujata offered the starving Siddhartha Gautauma a bowl of milk-rice, which he then accepted because he needed more physical strength to reach enlightenment. The bowl symbolizes the Buddhists’ monk's way of life by surviving off of what people place into their bowls as they travel from their monastery into local villages. Mantras are also recited through Tibetan prayer wheels.
12. Should not be More Than Seven Dimensions in explaining of a Particular Religion
When explaining a particular religion, I believe that seven dimensions, ritual, experiential, mythical, doctrinal, ethical, social, and material, are well enough. Therefore, there should not have more than seven dimensiond in explaining of a particular religion.
13. Faqir Chand's Realiziation on Religious Experiences
When Faquir Chand was posted for field services in 1919 in Iraq during the First World War, a bloody revolt took place in his head quarters at Davinia. With several of the staff killed, Faquir Chand was placed in charge of the railway stations of Hamidia. The stakes were very high as the attacks kept proceeding, while ammunition dwindled away. Faquir Chand then had a vision ofhis Guru, the Holy Form of Hazur Data Dayal Ji, who told him “Faqir, worry not, the enemy has not come to attack but to take away their dead. Let them dothat. Don't waste your ammunition." This message was then followed by the Subedar Major, and the enemy peacefully took away their dead, and the supplies necessary for survival were dropped off the next morning by the airplanes.When Faquir Chand returned to Baghdad, he was greatly surprised when was greeted with worshipers and offerings. He questioned the people as to why they were worshipping him when he is not their Guru, and the people responded with“On the battle field we were in danger. Death lurked over our heads. You appeared before us in those moments of danger and gave us direction for oursafety. We followed your instructions and thus were saved." As confused as Faquir Chand initially was with his new found disciples, he soon realized that in the eyes of the people he saved, he was their savior. He then wisely stated how “"Whosoever remembers God in whatever form, in that very form He helped His devotee.”Faquir Chand’s religious experience can explain the beliefs of others than his own because it shows how an individual’s religious encounter can shape theiridea of their Spiritual Master. Basically, anyone can be a God in the eyes of someone else, and it is that individual's personal experience that they may see God.http://elearn.mtsac.edu/philosophy/unknowing1.htm
14. Krishna's Advice to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advises Prince Arijuana to find his inner self before deciding whether or not to take part in a battle which the prince later realized was against his own family and friends. Prince Arijuana is stuck in amoral conundrum and is very confused as to what he should do; therefore he seeks out the advice of Krishna. Although Krishna never directly answers Arijuana’s question on whether or not to fight in the war, Krishna gives PrinceArijuana the moral freedom to do what he felt was right by telling him to just find his inner self. This mirrors the Yogic and Vendantic philosophies and beliefs about Arijuana’s need to choose the right path, without any bias from the advisor. Without Krishna’s bias, Arijuana has complete and total freedom over his decision about fighting in the battle. I believe Krishna’s advice is justly wise because it allowed for Arijuana to choose the path he saw fit, and then explains how it truly is up to the individual to choose their own path. Basically, Krishna’s advice represents how we each have individual control over our actions and emotions, and essentially our destiny. It is our choice to do good or bad, however we must understand ourselves to know what is right.http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/gita.htm
15. The Life and Teachings of Ramana Maharshi and Charan Singh
Both Ramana Mahashi and Charan Singh were revolutionary philosophers of their time whose profound intelligence has enriched the study of world religions. Through their life’s work and philosophy, we have a better understanding our own consciousness and why, we as humans are on an on goings piritual journey.Ramana Maharshi, who was first known as Venkataraman, was born on December1879 in Triuchuli, where he grew up just an average boy, then later studied atschool in Dindigul. Ramana Maharshi was extremely philosophical even at the young age of 17 with his continuous questioning of self-consciousness. As he repeatedly asked himself “Who am I?” he came to the realization that “I-ness” or questioning your own existence comes from self-awareness and consciousness. Ramana Maharshi philosophized how the source of what we know is the real world is merely “Pure Awareness.” He gave an answer as to why we ask ourselves these questions and enlightened the world with his discovery of how our brain and consciousness function.Similar to Ramana Maharshi, Charan Singh became very philosophical with his continuous questioning of “the nature of man's spiritual quest” and became highly religious even at a very young age. Charan Singth then met his spiritual guru named, Baba Jaimal Singh, and after 9 years, became a shabd yoga master with a large following. Charan Singh had even initiated more than 125,000people into his practice, just as Maharshi had wide spread support.Charan Singh concluded that to transcend this earth, we must let our physical bodies “die” and along with that, any pleasures and attractions. This death would allow us to find “utter peace radiant infinity.” Since Singth believes how “the human body is a cage” similar to that of a naive bird in lovewith its cage, he believes the human body is holding us back from something much greater. This correlates to Ramana Maharshi’s philosophy of how “the world is not material; it is an aspect of consciousness,” because they both agree that it is not our body and desires that should define us as human beings. Instead, it is something much more complex than pure material wants.Both Charan Singh and Ramana Maharshi are held in very high esteem for their contribution to religious studies. Charan Singth is revered for reaching the eternal Realm of Truth, or Sach Khand, with the help of his master, meditation and understanding of consciousness. His close relationship to his guru was essential to Charan Singh’s heightened spirituality. Ramana Maharshi also reached high levels of heightened spirituality. Aside from being one of the greatest Indian philosophers like Charan Singh, Ramana Maharshi also genuinely practiced ahisma (non-violence) with his compassion towards people, including criminals, as well as animals. When Ramana Maharshi was robbed in 1924, he hadevery opportunity to punish the thieves, but rather benevolently said “they havetheir dharma, we have ours. It is for us to bear and forbear. Let us not interfere with them." As one thief gave him a blow upon his left thigh, Ramanareplied, "If you are not satisfied you can strike the other leg also.” This situation embodies his calm, peaceful and wise disposition to life. Ramana Maharshi also wonderfully treated and respected all animals. The animals themselves trusted him, so much so that even potentially dangerous ones were known to surround him but cause no harm. Ramana Maharshi and Charan Singh’s teachings and principles have transcendedtheir lives, as they have both passed away at old ages. Their wisdom and exemplary dispositions will be a role model for all humans of any religious denomination.
16. The Reason of Sikhs' Bearing Arms
As Sikhism places an emphasis on ahisma (non-violence), it may confuse someone as to why this peaceful, non-militaristic religion evolved into one that allowed bearing arms. It began when Guru Hargobind (1595-1644), son of Guru Arjan,convinced his followers that a proper Guru is their spiritual and military leader. He led the army against Shah Jahan, the Mughal emporer. Through this desire to rise politically and become independent, Sikhs went against their own core teachings and formed a military. Sikhism may also have evolved from peaceful to militaristic from their need of protection. Sikhs would carry weaponry such as swords, in case they needed it. With the need to bear arms andform a military, Sikhs did what they had to do to survive during the times.Although Sikhs do not condone murder, Guru Hargobind found a way to change the fundamental teachings to suit what he felt would be best for the people, or quite possibly, himself. Through this drastic change of beliefs, a religious observer can see how the fundamental beliefs of religion changes relative to the people and times in which it evolves from.
17. The Significant Differences Between Sikhism and Jainism
Although Sikhism and Jainism are both South Asian religions with high philosophical values, they differ significantly in their age, diet, ways of salvation, and most importantly, their concept of God. Jainism is the oldest known religion in India being most recently traced back to its latest tirthankara or prophet, Mahavira (599 - 527 BCE), whereas Sikhism is the youngest tradition and began in the 15th century in the state, Punjab. Eventhough both religions believe in karma and reincarnation of the soul, Sikhs are not required to be strict vegetarians, highly contrasting to the vegan diet ofthe Janis. A significant difference between these two eastern religions is their belief in how to attain salvation in their lives. Since Janis do not believe in a single God or multiples gods for that matter, they believe their salvation is gained solely through their own personal struggle and victory. Jains do not believe there is heavenly figure guiding them through life, but rather that the universe is a never-ending cycle. This drastically differs fromthe monotheistic beliefs of Sikhism of how there is only one creator and God,mostly referred to as Allah in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs believe they may gain salvation through serving Allah, and eventually becomes one with God.Both religions practice and revere Ahisma (non-violence), however Jains heavily emphasize this lifestyle more than Sikhs do. This can be seen historically when the Sikhs wanted to rise politically, formed a military and beared arms.
18. The Sikh holy book
The Sikh holy book, The Guru Granth Sahib, is fundamentally different than anyother religious scriptures because it is considered as their living Guru. In contrast to the Bible or the Koran, which are both held in high reverence to their religions, The Guru Granth Sahib is much more than just written holy words in a book, it is actual Guru of the Sikhs.It consists of a compilation of religious and mystic poetry written by an array of spiritual leaders from the 12th century to the 17th all over India and Persia, with some authors not even belonging to the Sikh faith. It also holds avast collection of hymns and writings, which reflect the times they were written during.This Sikh holy book is significantly different from other faiths because in other religions, when their leader or guru dies, a new one is appointed or succeeds their predecessor. With the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no appointingof a new guru because the book will be their constant leader. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus enshrined in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
www.sikhnet.com/s/GuruGranthSahib
19. Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in tongues is defined in the Charismatic and Pentecostal Christian religion as an “individual's salvation through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit."However, that may be a very bold claim to make for a state of heightened neurological consciousness, similar to that of a sexual orgasm, which caninvariably be seen in other cultures and religions in correlation to the contextin which it is experienced. During a sexual climax, the brain reaches a certain state of euphoria, which is similar to what those who experience the speaking intongues marvel. Since the Christian belief system seems to classify speaking in tongues as a gift from the Holy Spirit, this should signify that it is only Christians who may experience this mystical phenomenon. However, everyone iscapable of reaching this heightened state of mind given the right circumstances and context. Speaking in tongues is not reserved to only those belonging to the Christian faith because it may be explained through other means such as a neurological state of mind rather than a religious experience where the Holy Spirit blesses you with a gift of speaking a language you are unfamiliar with. When Christians experience this phenomenon, they transfer and project it into a theological gift from God instead of crediting their own complex neurology. Therefore, speaking in tongues is not a unique experience solely for Christians, but a merely a state of super consciousness. Each individual’s experience with speaking in tongues varies within the surrounding they are present in, as well as their culture. The ability to have this experience has nothing to do with religion whatsoever; rather it has everything to do with the powers and capabilities of an individual’s mind. However, the way they interpret the experience is relative to each person’s cultural upbringing and attributed to the ways in which they were raised.
20. Will Gods Amaze By What They Have Seen at Modern Religions !!!
Buddha and Buddhism:If Siddhartha Buddha were to see how Buddhism evolved from his original teachings, I think he would become rather disappointed with some aspects. I am sure he would not be too pleased about being portrayed as an overweight god because he was an avid faster and did not view himself as a deity. Also, Ithink Siddhartha would be highly disappointed with the material desires of several Buddhists, for Buddhism core teachings center around no attachment tothis world. However, several of his teachings still remain strong such as fundamental Buddhists strictly following the eightfold path and four noble truths. Traditional Buddhists are very disciplined and rigourously live bythese codes, which I think would please Buddha.
Mahavira and Jainism:If Mahavira were alive to see the state of Jainism in this day and age, I believe he would be pleased with his disciplined followers. Since Jainism is such a small religion in terms on numbers and not influence, those who follow the teachings have done so with full devotion. Also, since Jains do not feel the need to convert others to join their religion, those who are part of Jainism do so willingly and whole heartedly. Perhaps Mahavira would be disappointed withsome of his followers because although Jainism is a very small religion, it has grown sizeably since Mahavira passed on. It would be inevitable that some of Mahavira’s teachings would be lost throughout the course of time, and perhaps Mahavira’s strict guide lines on how to attain Moksha (salvation) were slightly altered.
Krishna and Hinduism:I believe Krishna would be very surprised at the wides pread influence and diversity that the belief of Hinduism has on this world. Being the world’sthird largest religion, Hinduism has a massive following with several sects influenced by their geological position as well as their cultural and social surroundings. For the most part, I believe Hinduism’s original teachings of finding your own path to divinity have with stood the test of time, with somes light alterations and variations. Therefore, I believe Krishna would be satisfied with the state of Hinduism in this modern day.
Guru Nanak and Sikhism:Since Sikhism was originally a peaceful religion which later evolved into amilitaristic one, I believe Guru Nanak would be saddened with the history and state of his religion. I can only imagine the heart break Guru Nanak would feel knowing that his followers felt the need to form an army and bear arms, and partake in a war all for the sake political and indepent gain. He would probably even be more disappointed knowing that his followers believed that these were the right and necessary actions to be taken, and that they were honoring their religion with their brutal actions.
21. The Common Features in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism are all Eastern religions with similar philosophical beliefs. All four religions highly value ahisma, or non-violencein their actions, thoughts and daily lifestyle. Another common feature is theirhigh esteem for vegetarianism. Although it is not required by all religions, itis up to the individual’s conscience to have compassion towards animals, for itwill help with their karma. These four main Eastern religions place a great emphasis on the law of Karma, which is basically how you act and treat others will directly affect you in your next life, either positively or negatively. This brings me to the last similarity of these religions: the belief of reincarnation. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism all believe that human life is spent in a cycle of birth, life and then rebirth all determined by thekarma attained in the previous life. All four religions view life as something they want to break away from, therefore their ultimate goal is to escape from the cycle of life in order to reach bliss whether that is with their God or just an eternal state of bliss.
22. Darwinian Evolution to Religion
When Charles Darwin created his theory of natural selection in1859, it revolutioned the way in which scholars viewed religion. Instead of amystical system of beliefs powered by the divine, Darwinian evolution aruges how religion is merely an evolutionary trait that humans have acquired in order to seek meaning in a meaningless world. Basically, religion allows man to believe there is more to life than just death, and thus give meaning to our lives. Humans who believe their life has meaning are more likely to reproduce, and thus pass on their genetic code to their offspring. With the scarcity of resources with all species competing to survive, humans adapted to include religion intheir lives as an evolutionary advantage. Essentially, humans learned to createa theater of consciousness, where the brain interprets and believes meaningless notions for the sake of keeping us alive longer.23. Richard Dawkins The God Delusion
Biologist Richard Dawkins contends that believing inGod is merely a delusion because there is no scientific fact that He is theactual creator and designer of the universe. Being an atheist himself, Dawkinsfocuses more on the scientific aspect of the creation of the world, andcompletely denies the possibility that there was divine intervention in theprocess. Dawkins’ offers a rather convincing counterargument to the origins oflife when he explains Darwinism, evolution and natural selection. Thus, hearuges that there may be no actual God or any deity for that matter, other thanin the minds of the believers. This mental delusion is the sole cause for whyreligion is so prevalent, and will continue to be in our culture forever.
24. The Theory of Consciousness as a Virtual Simulator
The theory of consciousness as a virtual simulator explains why humans believe in mysticism. Our consciousness has evolved to simulate events, meaning that our brain has adapted to create an imagination. Basically, our minds are capable of imagining and truly believing in complete and total nonsense. Therefore, our consciousness is designed to think of the world in a certain way. This could be considered a problem because it means that the fundamental structure of our minds is deceiving us on a daily basis. The theory of consciousness explains how our ability to accept the meaningless as reality is the foundation of mysticism.
25. You Open up My World
This class is the most interesting class that I have ever taken in my student life. I enjoyed learning about the origins and teachings of religions, moreover; I found most interesting and thought-provoking were the discussions on the delusions of God and religion. I have never heard in my life heard so many scientific explanations for things I believed were essentially the work of the divine, and how science can ultimately prove how religion is probably the biggest sham of all to mankind. It has completely changed my entire outlook on life and religion as a whole. Moreover, Dr. Lane you teach us to think outside of the box by eliminating our narrow minded small world. You open up my mind and change my perspectives to the world. Thank you Dr. Lane.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I suppose You Think Your Religion is Right ...
No, Buddhist who understands the Buddha's teaching thinks that other religions are wrong. No one who has made a genuine effort to examine other religions with an open mind could think like that either. The first thing you notice when you study the different religions is just how much they have in common. All religions acknowledge that mankind's present state is unsatisfactory. All believe that a change of attitude and behavior is needed if the human situation is to improve. All teach an ethics that includes love, kindness, patience, generosity and social responsibility and all accept the existence of some form of Absolute. They use different languages, different names and different symbols to describe and explain these things; and it is only when they narrow-mindedly cling to their one way of seeing things that religious intolerance, pride and self-righteousness arise. Imagine an Englishman, a Frenchman, a Chinese and an Indonesian all looking at a cup. The Englishman says, "That's a cup." The Frenchman answers, "No it's not. It's a tasse." The Chinese comments, "You're both wrong. It's a pet." And the Indonesian laughs at the others and says "What fools you are. It's a cawan." The Englishman gets a dictionary and shows it to the others saying, "I can prove that it is a cup. My dictionary says so." "Then your dictionary is wrong," says the French- man "Because my dictionary clearly says it is a tasse." The Chinese scoffs at them. "My dictionary is thousands of years older than yours, so my dictionary must be right. And besides, more people speak Chinese than any other language, so it must be a pet." While they are squabbling and arguing with each other, a Buddhist comes up and drinks from the cup. After he has drunk, he says to the others, "Whether you call it a cup, a tasse, a pet or a cawan, a cup is meant to be used. Stop arguing and drink, stop squabbling and refresh your thirst." This is the Buddhist attitude to other religions.
Cited from www.buddhanet. net
Life of Buddha
The Buddha by BBC portrays about the life of Buddha by showing how a normal person becomes the Buddha.A baby was born into a royal family in northern India. He grew up in wealth and luxury but eventually found that worldly comfort and security do not guarantee happiness. He was deeply moved by the sufferings that he saw all around and resolved to find the key to human happiness. When he was 29 he left his wife and child and set off to sit at the feet of the great religious teachers of the day to learn from them. They taught him much but none really knew the cause of human suffering or how it could be overcome. Eventually, after six years study and meditation he had an experience in which all ignorance fell away and he suddenly understood. From that day onwards he was called the Buddha, the Awakened One. He lived for another 45 years in which time he traveled all over northern India teaching others what he had discovered.
In this movie "Mar-Nat" is portrayed as the bad inner evils. Those inner evils disturb in various forms to prevent Buddha to become Enlightenment one. Such as appearing seductive sexy girls and later those girls disappear by spoiling at their faces and bodies. Later again, "Mar-Nat" attacks Buddha with various kinds of weapons and animals, but Buddha responds kindly with forgiveness to "Mar-Nat" Finally, Buddha conquers all barriers and he become the Buddha.
Depiction of "Mar-Nat" attacking to Buddha
On Reincarnation
A gross misunderstanding of about Buddhism exists today, especially in the notion of reincarnation. The common misunderstanding is that a person has led countless previous lives, usually as an animal, but somehow in this life he is born as a human being and in the next life he will be reborn as an animal, depending on the kind of life he has lived.
This misunderstanding arises because people usually do not know-how to read the sutras or sacred writings. It is said that the Buddha left 84,000 teachings; the symbolic figure represents the diverse backgrounds characteristics, tastes, etc. of the people. The Buddha taught according to the mental and spiritual capacity of each individual. For the simple village folks living during the time of the Buddha, the doctrine of reincarnation was a powerful moral lesson. Fear of birth into the animal world must have frightened many people from acting like animals in this life. If we take this teaching literally today we are confused because we cannot understand it rationally.
Herein lies our problem. A parable, when taken literally, does not make sense to the modern mind. Therefore we must learn to differentiate the parables and myths from actuality. However, if we learn to go beyond or transcend the parables and myths, we will be able to understand the truth.
People will say "If such is the case why not speak directly so that we will be able to come to an immediate grasp of the truth?" This statement is understandable, but truth is often inexpressible. We cannot speak TRUTH, only words ABOUT Truth. Thus, writers and teachers have often resorted to the language of the imagination to lead the reader from a lower to a higher truth. The doctrine of reincarnation is often understood in this life.
Reincarnation is not a simple physical birth of a person; for instance, John being reborn as a cat in the next life. In this case John possesses an immortal soul which transforms to the form of a cat after his death. This cycle is repeated over and over again. Or if he is lucky, he will be reborn as a human being. This notion of the transmigration of the soul definitely does not exist in Buddhism.
Buddha Said...
Buddha said, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." Buddha says that we should not believe in something because all people think it is true or good. We are the masters of ourselves,we have to pilot ourselves in life without influence of what is good and true that all people are talking and doing about. That really make sense to me that every individual is easily following or doing what most people think is right and good. That mean individuals are easily influenced by groups. So, most of us are doing or following what most people are doing or thinking without thinking by themsleves that it is good for them or that it is given a meaningful life to them.
Bullshit Religions ?
Everything has good and bad in our lives; good and bad always go hand in hand. Yes, Religion is bullshit, but religion give us some meaningful ways to live in life. Religion is the turth lie for human beings to leran between good and bad or right and wrong behaviour moral sense. So, positive result that we can not reject is religion has brought better world to us. If everyone knows there is no God nor religion is suck, and there is no heaven or hell,Nobody will care about what they are doing. I will do whatever i want and you will do whatever you think is right. So, there will be a lot of crimes every day and our humankind can not go forward to the better world beause we do not have good behaviour moral sense. Yes, Religious is Bullshit, but it does something better for humankind under the Gods.
Is God Angry?
God created the world, and if human beings disobey the laws and orders of the God, so will the God punish us by direct or indirect ways? Natural Disasters, indirect way punishment, is nothing to do with the Gods.Most of the forests on earth have destroyed because of logging. Legal or illegal over logging causes deforestation, and deforestation can cause negative effect to all people around the world.
Forests greatly take part in shaping climate; trees and plants play an important role as balancing climate by removing heat-trapping greenhouse gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone from the air and holding them in their leaves, roots, wood, and soil. When trees are destroyed, the greenhouse gases release into the atmosphere, where they cause global warming. Global warming is a way nature strikes back, but it is nothing to do with the God.
Moreover, nature can cause us a lot of trouble in a variety of ways such as fires, storms, cyclones, flooding, and drought, for sure we are the cause of it all, nature is simply responding to the conditions we create by releasing carbon dioxide. Forests provide protection from these disasters by taking in green house gasses, slowing down climate change, but we still over cutting them down for our own sakes. So, that is plain to see it is nothing to do with the God and Natural disasters. If you do not care Nature, Nature will not care you.
How about if the God punished you in direct ways such as, you lose your job and your lover break up with you? Again, Nothing to do with the God. Beauce of down turn economic situation, yes sure, if you are not good enough you will lose your job. For the reason your lover break up with you is beauces he/she finds out the new one who is better than you in everything. Nothing to do with God.
Not Heaven Nor Hell
There is no God, there is no heaven or hell those ideas are all right for me, but there is no life after death is something hard to believe for me. So, What are we going to happen after this life? Will we dissaper forever? If it is like that, we are living just only for this life. Or, Will our souls will return as other forms of life to the earth. The "Ghost" movie is one of the examples of returning to life after death. But, I am still wandering what we will happen after death?
Some Similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism
Some Similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism are that both religions belive that existence of a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, governed by Karma. As I am a buddhist, I agree upon that. Buddhism believes that birth, death, and rebirth are cycling.The only way to cut off that cycle is to reach Nate-Ban where there are no more birth, death, and rebirth. Moreover, Like Hinduism, buddhism believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived.So,a Buddhists who want to have a good life at next life must stay sinlessly in present life. If they can not stay in a sinless life, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth will happen again and again by the form of as human beings or animals.
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