Religon Buddhism - Term Paper Example

? Religion – Buddhism Religion – Buddhism Introduction Religious practices, values and beliefs exist in every culture and society, from the most simple to the most complex. The universality of religion is as remarkable as its diversity. Some religions worship a single supreme being; others are polytheistic. In Buddhism, the central figure is a great teacher, and the idea of god is elusive. The objective of the study is to research on a religion other than one’s own faith. For this purpose, the religious practices of Buddhism would be the focus. The discourse would initially proffer a brief historical background of Buddhism, prior to determining its common practices and core beliefs. Likewise, the paper would present a personal experience visiting Buddhists’ place of worship and to relay the responses from a devotee’s point of view. History Diverse research literatures have expressed different views on the exact origin of Buddhism. There are studies tracing the roots of Buddhism from the Indus Valley civilization and the Aryans (A View on Buddhism, 2006, pars. 1 & 2). In a website About Buddhism (2007), its history indicates that “the founder of Buddhism in this world is Buddha Shakyamuni. He was born as a royal prince in 624 BC in a place called Lumbini, which was originally in northern India but is now part of Nepal” (About Buddhism, 2007, par. 1). Likewise, History World (n.d.) identified Nepal as Buddhism’s point of origin, with Siddhartha Gautama, a Nepal prince, “follows an ascetic life for six years before deciding that a middle path between mortification and indulgence of the body will provide the best hope of achieving enlightenment. He resolves to meditate, in moderate comfort, until he sees the light of truth. One evening he sits under a pipal tree at Buddh Gaya, a village in Bihar. By dawn he is literally buddha, an 'enlightened one'. Like any other religious leader he begins to gather disciples. He becomes known to his followers as the Buddha” (History World, n.d., 1). Common Practices Buddhism reveals three common trainings or practices consisting of sila (“virtue, good conduct, morality”); samadhi (“concentration, meditation, mental development”); and prajna (“discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment” (Robinson, 2009). As averred by Robinson (2009), the practice of sila was premised on the principles of equality and reciprocity. Devotees are taught to acknowledge equality in stature of all living things and to practice, what is commonly known as the Golden Rule. The underlying idea for this practice is self-preservation. No one wants harm to be inflicted upon oneself. If everyone adheres to this principle, ultimately, no harm befalls mankind – the good of all is preserved. By this, an individual treats everyone else with respect, grace and concern. This in turn, develops good relationship to others, consistent with their belief in karma. Core Beliefs The core beliefs of Buddhism centers on reincarnation, on diverse cycles of rebirth, karma, and on Nirvana, or the state of being free and liberated from suffering (Robinson, 2009). They also believe in Four Noble Truths, the Five Precepts, and the Eightfold Path, among others. These beliefs focus on respect for all living things, ending suffering through the eightfold path, and following commandments which are almost synonymous with the Catholic’s Ten Commandments, specifically highlighting avoiding killing, stealing, telling lies, misusing sex and consuming liquor or drugs, among others. Worship Visit There is a Buddhist temple in Knost Drive, Mims, Florida known as the White Sands Buddhist Center. It rests on a 16-acre peaceful and beautiful land very near the Atlantic Ocean. There is complete serenity, simplicity and cleanliness in the worship place – a conducive environment for meditation and reflection, of seeking inner peace and enlightenment. The monastery’s ceremonial hall serves as a worship place for devotees. The statue of Buddha is strategically located at the front and center area to be seen by all. There are no pews and worshippers sit in cross legged position on carpets appropriately laden on the floor. Only flowers and candles adorn the worship area. The worshippers listen to the monks pray, chant from religious manuscripts and musical instruments are heard with the chanting. Interview with a Buddhist After the worship, one was able to interview a devotee of Buddhism and responded to the following questions, to wit: 1. Is your religion an actual way of life for you? How integral is it to your daily life? Yes, religion is a way of life. It actually gives me strength and courage to face daily challenges in a serene way. The teachings and practices of Buddhism focus on meditation, reflection and seeking peace and enlightenment to achieve Nirvana – a sense of pure and sublime happiness. 2. What are some of the main practices, or daily components of your religion? We pray through devotional meditation which we can actually do in the temple or in our home. Other practices exemplify the teaching under the principles of reciprocity and equality, meaning, we respect each and every living thing’s existence – as there are reasons for their being. We try to share the blessing we receive to others through good deeds and also by praying for those in need. 3. What are some restrictions in your religion, if any, such as dietary, dress code, etc? Devotees of Buddhism are also diverse and teachings differ depending on the culture where they practice this religion. There are actually no restrictions in food that are allowed or forbidden to be eaten. However, in some countries, like in Tibet, for example, they do not eat fish, or chicken; in China and Vietnam, Buddhists practice avoiding five pungent spices such as onion, scallions, garlic, leeks and chives. But basically, Buddhists are known to be vegetarians because of the underlying belief in respect and love for living things and therefore it is not acceptable to kill animals for meat. In terms of dress codes, only the monks follow using either orange or yellow robes. Otherwise, devotees use traditional and contemporary clothes, as long as these are modest. 4. What is the favorite aspect of your religion? Why? I like the teachings on practicing self-control as a guiding force to follow all the core beliefs of Buddhism. We are encouraged to adhere to the Five Precepts and the careful selection of food influences the manner and level of climbing the spiritual ladder to reach a state of enlightenment and relaxation desired. There is always this goal for Nirvana, to reach the highest level of happiness and to look forward to being reincarnated in another life. 5. Do you feel that you are supported in your town, or in this country, practicing your religion, or do you feel any discrimination? I am thankful that the United States is very supportive of respecting people from diverse cultural and religious orientation to practice our religion. Not only are we allowed to express the values and beliefs taught in Buddhism in our temple, but our religious beliefs and practices are being incorporated in other aspects of life, such as in the delivery of health care and in being incorporated in organizations that include diversity in the workforce. 6. What is the most misunderstood element of your religion? Mostly that Buddha is our God and that Buddhists worship idols. Worshipping idols has actually been misunderstood not only in Buddhism, but in other religions, as well – even in the Catholic faith. But of course, we know better than being affected by people who misunderstand our faith. Buddhism is focused on loving nature and respecting what it has provided us. 7. Is it important to you that your family/children continue your religious practices/tradition? Yes. But since this is contemporary times, where people get to know and meet other people from diverse cultures and religions, it is part of one’s teaching to respect others. Therefore, if by any chance, one of our children get to know other religion and believe in their heart that they have a calling to follow it, then, as long as the respect and love for living things are adhered to, there should not be any problems with that. 8. Do you have any holy places or countries that are important to your religion and that you have been to? Why are they considered holy? As far as I know, the holy places considered by Buddhists are the place where Buddha was born, and that would be in Lumbini. The place where Buddha received enlightenment under the Bodhi tree is in Bodh Gaya, considered also a holy place. Actually, the places pertinent to Buddha’s journey like the first teaching at Dharma and the location where he died in Kusinagara. But unlike Islam, where they have to go on a pilgrim to Mecca, we are not obliged to do that. 9. What do you think is most unique about your religion in relation to other religious traditions? Or do you feel there are more similarities? I think the belief in reincarnation is unique, it is only similar with the Catholic religion in terms of believing that there is life after death. There are similarities in teachings, like the Five Moral Precepts are similar with five of the Ten Commandments; and the Golden Rule is also taught in the Catholic faith, and even in Islam. 10. If there were only one thing about your religion that you could share with the world, what would it be? I think it is the teaching of emptying oneself of material things and by practicing reflection and meditation, one is able to achieve a level of understanding and oneness with life. “...when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and the benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” - Attributed to BUDDHA (Chew, 2011) References A View on Buddhism. (2006). Buddhism in Historical Context. Retrieved 31 January 2011. < http://viewonbuddhism.org/pre_buddhism_history.html> About Buddhism. (2007). History of Buddhism. Retrieved 31 January 2011. < http://www.aboutbuddhism.org/history-of-buddhism.htm/> Chew, R. (2011). The Essence of Buddha’s Teaching. Retrieved 31 January 2011. < http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jun/buddha2.html> History World. (n.d.) History of Buddhism. Retrieved 30 January 2011. < http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab77> Robinson, B.A. (2009). Buddhism’s core beliefs. Retrieved 30 January 2011. < http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism1.htm> Read More