In a society driven by consumerism: statues, incense and orange robes are pivotal images that first come to mind when the religion of Buddhism is mentioned. However, for Venerable Miao Lai, a practicing Mahayana Buddhist, her lived expression and practice runs much deeper than the material objects and is a faith that money cannot buy.
The shaven head, robed, petite frame and humble mannerisms of Lai make her the very image of everything expected of a conventional Buddhist. Perhaps this stereotypical appearance and perception of Buddhism is what has driven society’s understanding so far from the core values and morals of Buddhism, yet these fundamental…, are applicable to the life of every individual. http://religions.iloveindia.com/images/buddhism.jpg
In 2011 an estimated 2.46% of the population, 528,977 people within Australia identified as Buddhists. (Buddhism Australia, 2017). Lai is just one of many attempting to make a difference. Venerable Miao provides a refreshing point of view, suggesting a need not for more, but for less. Less clothes, less reliance upon modern technology and less attachment. She states, “In our practice we try to keep life simple…simple is the best…” This doctrine is evident in her practice and expression of her faith, her life is a clear representation and reflection of the Mahayana Sutras. In interview, she reveals the primitive and timeless message of Buddhism that has been lost in the eyes of our consumer driven contemporary society.
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In document 5, Zong Mi, Buddhist scholar, talks about the similarities of the 3 traditions of Confucius, Laozi, and Buddha. He stresses the importance of all philosophies as being that of creating an orderly society with respect. It is interesting that a Buddhist scholar is favored by the Tang imperial household in the early ninth century since after 845 CE Buddhism was denounced in the empire. However, Buddhist scholars were very common at this time as many credited the survival of the area to the religion. The scholar, being favored by the royalty, probably tried to greatly influence them to accept and encourage Buddhism. Moreover, Zong Mi finds the commonalities of doing good deeds, punishing the wrong, and rewarding the right to further highlight that the essence of all the teachings is the same. As shown in document one Buddhism provides a clear path to attaining peace in the world and within
Wu Zhao, the first female emperor of China, rose to power during the Tang Dynasty and her active role with Buddhism fabricated a perpetual impact in the Chinese society as a whole. There is no doubt that Buddhism and the Tang administration, under Wu’s reign, formed a symbiotic relationship with one another. She is considered to be one of the most prominent advocators of the religion during the era. Her efforts to spread of Buddhism and the monetary support help Buddhism to expand throughout the people significantly, which provide the religion another source of financial income to spread even further. Regardless of Empress Wu’s intention, she has furnished the religion in numerous ways, but what did she receive in return? This proposes
Originating in north - eastern India, the Buddhist tradition has grown to be popular and an intellectually complex religion. With a unique culture, this differentiates Buddhism from other religions. The complexity of Buddhism influenced by Buddhist schools changes an individual 's perspective and attitudes. Interpretation of the stimulus will vary from a Theravada to a Mahayana Buddhist as their core beliefs of Buddhism differ from each other. This essay will analyse the views of a Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist towards the cartoon drawn by an Australian cartoonist and artist, Michael Leunig. While also examining the stimulus’s association towards The First Noble Truth, The Fourth Noble Truth and Eightfold path, Buddhist beliefs and The Five Aggregates; matter, sensation, perception, mental formation and consciousness.
“What does Eastern Religions mean to Americans?” Starting in the 19th century, Buddhism began to make its way to America through the immigration of the Chinese whom brought their religious traditions with them. Buddhism continued to gain popularity in America when Buddhist texts, as well as Buddhist teachers, were brought here to share and spread their religion. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s/early 1960’s that we see the interest in Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism, blossom throughout the country. Through the memoir “Sacred Hoops” by Phil Jackson, an NBA player and coach, we are able to see how Zen Buddhism not only altered his life, as well as his players, but how the religion also adapts to American culture. From reading both “Sacred Hoops” and learning about Buddhism throughout this semester, I would argue that Eastern religions, specifically Zen Buddhism, is not only a way for Americans to escape the reality of American culture but also provides a complete alternative to Christianity and other similar religions that are predominate in America.
Even when we are presented with answers or guides to the many questions we have about life and to how we should live, as inquisitive animals, we strive to enhance our understanding and so begin to learn that perhaps, ultimately, the answers don’t simply come from outside but also from within us. This is then perhaps the greatest implication of this paper, finding new ways in understanding what the true way of life is for human beings and what the true way of life is for ourselves. In the discussion of Zen Buddhism, William A. Young’s framework’s itself must first be explained and understood.
This piece represents the very tenets of Buddhism at its most extreme. Those that wish to evade the suffering of the human existence should remove themselves from the materialism of it to the fullest extent possible. This is one of the
Buddhism originated in the early Fifth century BCE, from the teachings of Siddhartha Buddha (Fisher, 2005). Plagued by the desire to help end human suffering, Buddha reached a state of pure enlightenment showing him the way to end earthly suffering. Through meditation, people can control the desires of their human nature. By gaining control of our desires we can end our suffering. He taught his wisdom to all that wanted to learn. After his death, three main forms of Buddhism emerged; there was the Theravada’s, the Mahayana’s, and the Zen Buddhists (Fisher, 2005). For the sake of this report, the local Buddhist
After conducting my research on the daily practices of Buddhism, my mind kept going back to one of the first articles discussed in the class. In the article it briefly discusses how Buddhism, even though commonly viewed as a lifestyle, can be viewed as a religion by his criteria. Jane considers the core principles of Buddhism such as being kind to your neighbor, loving one another, genuineness, and inner peace that she deems more important than all other actions that could be done in her life; This idea gives her reason to act the way she does each and every single day.
As a scholar taking the class ‘Introduction to World Religions”, I had the opportunity to take part in a culture that is not normally found in the western world. I entered the Mon Buddhist Monastery in Akron, Ohio on October 2nd, 2016 only to be amazed at their way of life. Going into the temple, I knew of the basic religious practices and traditions that the monks and Buddhists had participated in daily. When I was coming up to the monastery, it did not look like anything other than an old brick building, but once we were inside it looked like a recreational area. Somewhere where they would meditate, hold daily activities, and teach the younger Buddhist about their way of life. On the far back wall, there was a stunning shrine dedicated to the Buddha where one would pray. Many figurines were displayed as well as flowers and offerings along it.
The tendency, of sacrificing, or changing parts of one’s culture in order to adapt to a new culture, is experienced by almost everyone who has any culture other than the predominant one. Nguyen was just an individual who had to let go of some aspect of her culture in an attempt to blend in, but there have been whole religions and followers who go through this process. One example of a religion that had been Americanized is Buddhism. Although there have been proper and preserved denomination of Buddhism in America, there have also have been groups such as Buddhist Churches of America that have changed their method and practice to fit in America (Seager 3). To assimilate into American society Buddhist Churches of America has tried to resemble
Over the years, Buddhism has become one of the most popular religions in America. In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) estimated that there were approximately 2 millions Buddhist in the US, which is around 0.7% of the population. As Buddhism’s popularity continues to grow, it is not surprise to see a lot of Buddhist’s tradition integrated itself into the American culture. There is already a tremendous amount of Americans who converted themselves into the religion alone. Therefore, certain issues began to arise as this integration continues, one of them being the role of women in Buddhism. Widely known as the religion of peace and kindness, not many people realized that Buddhism is also a religion of gender equality. There
Although Buddhist ideals are progressive and inclusive, Buddhist practices fall short in illustrating these very same ideals. Gender is undeniably an important factor in Buddhism as it unfortunately defines one’s role in the order and in many ways one’s Buddhist destiny. Since the establishment of the religion, women in Buddhism have always been inferior to men. Even as the Buddha allowed the admission of women into the Buddhist order, his formation of rules allowed the inequalities to trail right along. Gender inequality in Buddhism is contradicted in multiple aspects including Buddhist texts, teachings, practices and reality.
In the East Asian Buddhist tradition women’s’ roles varied across different cultures and schools of Buddhist thought. In Japan, women played a more crucial role in the introduction and development of the tradition. In the stories told about the transmission of Buddhism into Japan, Empress Suiko has a central role in supporting and spreading Buddhism. According to the legend of Gangoji, the monastery was founded through the “struggle and spiritual foresight of two great cultural heroes,” one of them being Empress Suiko (Stevenson, 299). Women, as patrons and practitioners, also played a big part in the introduction of Buddhism into Japan (Meeks, 326).
Buddhism in the twenty-first century is still applicable in such a fast paced and confusing world. Despite all of our advanced science and technology, we understand even less our reason for existing and we know more than ever just how big the universe is and how uncaring. These circumstances drive people to seek out spirituality even today in order to achieve the basic comfort required for them to conduct their daily lives. The recent episodes of tremendous violence have placed an unsavory patina of stifling ignorance over the religions of Christianity and Islam as they continue to carry on like demented spinsters in the decaying finery of their former glory with no intention of acknowledging the catastrophe of their current circumstances. Buddhism, with its sterling values of moderation, peace, and detachment from the impermanent things of this world, now appears dignified and splendid as the ancient beauty of Asia to modern seekers. No longer do we seek judgment and rigid, inexplicable rules from our God, with the hellfire and damnation that once drove us onward. We crave logic and sense from our world and in those circumstances, this faith tells us that lusting after expensive cars and clothes which we do not need will make us miserable. That is easy to understand. That makes
In the United States there are over four million buddhists, one thousand temples, study groups, or Buddhists associations (Monroe 108). This number has come from just one man searching to find happiness and eventually enlightenment. Buddha’s story is how buddhism became a religion all over the world. It teaches a peaceful manner, reveals the key to happiness for the mind, and eliminates the desire in life. Not just the history of buddhism is important, but how it has spread through the world and what it looks like today.