Buddism Religion Influence over Contemporary Business Practice - Coursework Example

Abstract. Several Religions have influential bearings over our political, economic, social and cultural predispositions. Practices and indulgence of a person is a result of his beliefs he had lived. The Catholic doctrine for instance briefs the “way” a man should lived in the prevailing society such as Jesus had His way during His time. However, several interpretations in the Bible had resulted to disgruntled Catholic living. Each has his own interpretation that sometimes veers in the original context of the Bible. Apparently, culturization brings about the decline in values of different Catholics. Even Catholics devotees’ way of living and mingling in the society are in question. Such is the widespread ill state that tends to annihilate the world’s largest religion. The fourth largest religion, Buddhism is considered an ancient religious belief way back 430 BC. But this has survived in Asia and even spreads throughout the West and Europe. This religious piece tends to bring harmony of soul within nature and righteous living in the society. But society implies a general thought. Most of the time, there are a lot of factors that influence our decision in personal life as well as decisions within the business. It surfaced on how we manage several tasks in the business environment, on how to intervene with superiors and subordinates, on how to crop down our business competitors. Religions are our expressions in daily living, without it, our life is compartmentalized on what we perceive, touch, hear or see. The living substance within us is what keeps our mind in the harmonized nature, in uprightness and morality. Others have otherwise said and adhere on the point that there is no morality context on business which is inherently wrong. Business in general term often used in production and facilitation of goods and services. Goods and services refer to luxurious and basic commodities that man deem as essential for living. With the upsurge of technology and innovation and while we are in the Age of Machines, every object associated with it are in fact subject to moral questions. That is obvious enough. One facet of business is marketing scheme which advertisement is employ to entice customers to buy the products. Most often, carnal power is used to motivate customers. There are no restrictions whether the advertisement used is obscene, vulgar and uses foul language to destroy morality. In the prevailing society today, freedom is not a nonchalant; it is often practice by everyone else. Expressing oneself is one of the factors of business. Often, business has to assure its global position while breaking the neck of their competitors. That is the essence of capitalism. There is free trade yet there are no assurances for success. While many had become fools in the business category, several inquisitive minds has out there to question, what is the role of religion to moderate such materialistic nature of men? Is there such any? Given that business owners served the interest of the people, what lies within the mutual relationship in the business web is the supposed responsibility of the former to the latter in all aspect among of which is morality. Every involvement of an individual into wholly organized or disorganized entity has a moral effect. It is likened to materialism against spiritualism. The spiritual matter of a person is gradually affected by material things. On the other hand every man’s decision is framed by his principles and faith and faith is ultimately what yields in religion. This paper however aims to trace the origin of Buddhism as this is my focus, how does it managed to survive amidst the criticism when the world religions was on its height. Furthermore, it is also in this way to rationalize the impact of modern Buddhism on contemporary living particularly business. Other religions such as what has above mentioned showed that the teachings in the doctrine were apparently have to be the channel in living a healthy spiritual life even in the business world. Because there are greater chance to be engulf by evil in money making such as business, the directives of different religions has sought to live in moderation and tranquility, in a simple manner of living and helping the less unfortunate. That is often heard in different sermons in the Catholic teachings and even in other religions. The society has teaches everyone to accept the concept of materialism, but this was being denounce by the founding father of Buddhism. While it is true that Buddha live as pauper, had this effort transformed his followers even to this day to live the way he lived? This has yet to be determined while delving on the past to present mode of Buddhism. Introduction. Asia has been considered as the cradled of great civilization as well as the cradled of world religions. One of the finest religions it had moulded is Buddhism. With the introduction of Buddhism it not only elucidated the virtue of meditation but had instilled a philosophy that is far different from the polytheistic nature of Hinduism. The caste system that prevails in India during even during these days becomes even the basis in choosing the leaders and paragon of Hinduism in which Buddhism is greatly refuting. Buddha the founder of Buddhism is implicitly censuring the social classes as he had abandon his wealthy living and practice the way the pauper was. This implies that a religion’s presence is not there to aggravate the conditions of the poor but to augment their intrinsic worth in the society. That is why in the profess religion of Buddhism it had eliminated to choosing the higher caste but rather the door is wide open for anyone regardless of caste. This mark the beginning of a new religious philosophy as it embark to bring the highest form of wisdom through the meditative process and finding the way through enlightenment. It surely had survived even without the written records and relied much through the words of tongue of the many followers of Buddha as they spread the way through enlightening oneself. Even in modern living, Buddhism in Asia is proliferating, Buddhist are characterize through their tranquil mind even in the midst of dissension, and a clear way of perceiving things. They revere their religions that much and are ready to sacrifice themselves to gain peace within the lands of discord. Thence even Buddhist business men and businesswomen practice the way of meditation in order not to engulf by greed and fascination over the brimming money in the world of business. History. Buddhism started of his way when Siddharta Gautama decides to abandon his wealthy living and lived in grief stricken poverty. A prince in a ruling house in Lumbini, Nepal, Gautama during his early age has followed the low less path leaving his wife and son in order to live in an unconventional ascetic way. Buddha’s family line was considered of great honor. He was the son of the head of the Sakya warrior caste bearing the private name Siddharta, later he was known as Sakyamuni (Sage of the Sakyas). During his early age, Buddha showed interest on meditation and reflection. His father wanted him to be a warrior rather than a religious philosopher. To subject himself to his father’s wishes, he married at an early age and participated in all worldly life in the court. It is in this time he realizes that his self-indulgent existence remains dull and thus has decided to leave his home and began wandering in search for enlightenment. In the tradition, Buddha had encountered an aged man, a sick man, and a corpse. It in this point he realizes that suffering is inseparable in life, it is a part of it, common to all humankind. After acknowledging the first of his noble truths, to forsake his family, wealth and power in quest for truth, this turning point has known as the Great Renunciation. As Hinduism tackles the course in India during the time of Buddha, however its height has weakened the religious stronghold since many had seek for personal religious sect. During this time several religions has yet to be born. During the first year of wandering of Buddha, he first investigated Hinduism. Owing his knowledge on Hinduism to some famous Brahman teachers; however for Buddha Hinduism frailties were elucidated in the existing Hindu caste system justified by the futileness of Hindus asceticism. Buddha has practice asceticism in a different way over a period of six years thus fully comprehending that a middle path between mortification and indulgence of the body will provide the best hope of achieving enlightenment. When discomfort engulfs him, he used to meditate to achieve the so called ‘moderate comfort’. Buddha used to sit in front of a pipal tree (other termed it as bo tree) at Budh Gaya in the village of Bihar. Through this moment came to be the so called “the Enlightenment” and Buddha was called literally the “enlightened one”. Buddha achieved enlightenment through his so called “Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path” and he assumes the title Lord Buddha which means one who has awakened. Like any other priests or monks who founded a new era of religious philosophy, Buddha began to gather followers. His first sermon takes place in the Deer Park at Sarnath near the sacred Hindu City of Varanasi. Similar to the Sermon of Jesus on the Mount, it has in form the same historical importance and moral elevation of the many Catholics. Through his unrelenting sermon, he had gained the five disciples that rejoined him in preaching at Benares. Accompanied by his followers, they traveled through the valley of River Ganges, spreading his doctrines, gathering followers and establishing monastic communities regardless of their caste. The problem over Hinduism is their consideration of the caste system. Their deities were all above the caste system. Caste system today is similar to the disparity between the poor, the middle class families and the wealthy and elites. But caste system in India outcast the very low class such as the untouchables. They are required to do the dirtiest job and are paid equally with their class status. If Buddha was a political figure, he is also aiming to eliminate classes which are apparent in his way denouncing his wealthy living and enjoins the poor and the pauper while in pursuit for truth. When Buddha had gained numerous followers, he returned to his town to convert his wife and child and other members of his families. For a period of 45 years, Buddha had gone that far in his missionary activities. When he was about 800 years old, he died in Kusinagara after eating a contaminated food. Buddha’s demise did not mark also as the final end of Buddhism. Its golden age has about to transpire especially in different empire to different nations. Prior to the death of Buddha, his disciples requested him to appoint any successor. Yet, he refused to appoint any one saying that his followers must have to work out for their own salvation with diligence. Subsequently, his death marks the beginning of Buddhism partition since his teachings was not put to record, only oral traditions had managed to survive. Several flaws now arise on this matter, thus Buddhism needed to maintain a community unity in order to avoid veering to other path. A religion cannot survive without unifying its members and forming a council that will serve as the religion’s stronghold. The remaining disciples of Buddha had come to conclude that the monastic order must have to pursue an assembly meeting in a unilaterally agreed time to reach on a certain agreement especially on matters regarding doctrine and practice. Councils. Buddhism has four major councils that paved way to modern practices of Buddhism. The first council had taken place after the death of Buddha. It was held at Rajagrha (Rajgir at present). The council was initiated to deal with the actual teachings of Buddha and proper monastic discipline. They had arrived into an agreement that was also warranted by their fellows Buddhist. The second council was coordinated after a century when many monks and religious followers of Buddhism live in astray and practicing what they denounce before, the vices of the world. When there is no definite way of a living a monk will have to abide, some of these great followers had indulged themselves to the use of money. (Monks had to live in meager conditions and must not get acquainted with money), the drinking of palm wine (although drinking is not prohibited but excessive intake of it may inflict the disease of the soul, it may incite into loss of focus and reflection) and other irregularities. It was agreed to this council that such practices are deem unlawful. This major event has caused the sudden collapse of Buddhism into several fractions. A schism was formed between the Masahingkas and the Sthaviras, the stricter elders and the aggressive followers of Buddhism. The council was not able to address the problem. Tensions have momentarily risen over the Elders and the new believers for a period of time. The third council of Buddhism was during the reign of Ashoka Maurya, mainly called to purify the large numbers of monks during his time and expelled all considered heretics who joined the order of monks only for loyal patronage. The council refuted all offending viewpoints and removes all its believers. The Buddhist Scripture (Tipitaka) was first compiled and additions have been made unto its body guided by the so called ‘subtle philosophy’ (abhidharma) and form the doctrine (dharma) and monastic discipline (vinaya) that was conveyed during the first council. The third council tackles also the endeavor to spread Buddhism to other kingdoms by sending various missionaries to other nations in hope of converting its entire people including the kings and the nobles that rule that nation. The fourth council was undertaken through the leadership of Kanishka. It was held to restore peace among various Buddhist sects, but the Theravada Buddhism refused to acknowledge the humility of the council. The Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Paths. Buddha has attained enlightenment through various assessments during his Great Transformation. His four noble truths depicts that there are substance that meant to mingle in everyday living, it is indivisible to happiness. However, this can be eliminated by detaching ourselves as an object of the world, to refrain ourselves to material pleasure rendered by what we often perceive. Thus he has come to up to a conclusion that: 1. Suffering exists. 2. Suffering arises from attachments to desire. 3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases. 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eight Fold path. The Eight Fold path was: a. Right view. b. Right thought. c. Right speech. d. Right action. e. Right livelihood. f. Right effort. g. Right mindfulness. h. Right contemplation. (Essentials of Buddhism. 2004. ) These teachings and doctrine of Buddhism were spread through oral traditions in the olden times. Only then during the time of Ashoka that compilation was made in order to adhere on the original teachings of Buddha. The division of Buddhism also what yields without the written teachings of Buddha, the new followers are on different way of viewing Buddha. Buddhism Influenced. During the reign of Ashoka Maurya, Buddhism expanded off to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos and to European countries such as Greece, Palestine, Egypt and Britain. The conversion of Ashoka is also one of the glorious moments of Buddhism. Ashoka Maurya and the monk Nigrodha was one of time on Buddhism flourish. Ashoka Maurya succeeds on his throne through a bloody feud between him and his father. After gaining the throne, he was confronted by several uprisings including that of the Kalingas. Ashoka has tried to suppress this revolt, but deep within him flared the ghost of the past. He was torn with anguish remembering the bloody feud he hailed while on pursuit for power. The Kalingas revolt illustrates the same desire for power and glory. His torment has gradually faded when he met the monk Nigrodha. The monk convinces him to live in peace and liberate his self from any misdeeds he has done in the past. Ashoka converted into Buddhism and aims to follow the footpath of Buddha. One of the major councils, the third major council was commence during his time. The council decided to send off missionaries outside the country and spread Buddhism. Ashoka in response to the decision agreed in the council, send his son and daughter as monk and nun to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka answered in warm welcome; King Devanampiyatissa Sri Lanka’s ruling power was persuaded. He converted himself into Theravada Buddhism along with his people. Furthermore the fourth council was held in the kingdom of Sri Lanka, t was actually documented in writing in Pali language encrypted in palm leaves. During the time when Ashoka converted himself into Buddhism, Buddhism is facing the problems on schisms. The one unified teachings of Buddha soon was dissolved into several branches, two of the most dominating division is the Theravada Buddhism and the Mahayana Buddhism. The Zen Buddhism will occur later. Buddhist Schisms. Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana which literally means the ‘Great Vehicle’ started off during the 1st century B.C. It is the result of a rebellion hailed by the Masangha people that rather have more liberal ideas and attitudes towards monastic traditions laid down by the community. They greatly opposed the stricter ruling of Elders which are now called the Theravada Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism practices the same deities’ profusion of Hinduism which perhaps the original people structuring the Mahayana are deities’ worshippers. It is in this supposition that they was not able to cast out their old traditions and had found a way to amalgamate their old beliefs on Buddhism. For instance, Buddha was not only viewed as a man but to some degree a God-like figure who rule the heavens. Buddha was perceived as having the threefold nature (trikaya). He has the body of essence, body of communal bliss and body of transformation, similar to the Christian doctrine of Holy Ghost. Gautama is one who has the body of transformation. Accordingly, Gautama is just one of the many Buddhas in the world. Other Buddhas exists in different time and in different occasion. Mahayana Buddhism believes that Bodhisattvas played an important role in bringing Enlightenment to others. It is likened to a saint in Catholicism who can influence others life and encourage them to enjoin God and live in the teachings of Jesus. Bodhisattvas are those that have attained enlightenment but rather choose to remain as part of the world to aid others in achieving enlightenment. Theravada Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism or the so called Hinayana which the Mahayana considered as the ‘Lesser Vehicle’ dwells on the original teachings of Buddha. They abide the rule of the historical Buddha. Theravada composed mainly of elders, thus Theravada connotes Theras or elders. The Theravada doctrine regards Buddha as supremely gifted human beings in contrast with the Mahayana transcendental Buddha postulation. The Theravada sutras have stated several Buddha but the main focus is the historical Buddha they revered. The Theravada doctrine bear a more complex cyclical human existence as it composed of various transient aspects, the dharma. This dharma is in no way connected to the soul (atman), hence there is no real self. Theravada philosophy is to achieve nirvana through disposing karma that shall be yielded by this dharma. Thus there is a need to manipulate the dharma. The Theravada is more of a scientific discipline rather a philosophical thought. Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is an offshoot of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism. The Zen Buddhism spreads throughout China and Japan. The primary doctrine of Zen is meditation in such a way to achieve mental receptiveness; it is achieving the Buddha-mind through meditation on emptiness. Thus the main focal point of Zen Buddhism is the power of meditation; the earlier affiliation of Buddha to meditation has paved his way through enlightenment. Zen Buddhism believes on this concept that to achieve enlightenment and to release the soul from worldly sins, one has to practice meditation in daily living. These great philosophical religions had all emerged in Asia. It is in this position that Asia considered as the cradled of the world religions and great Eastern philosophy. Colonialism has take place but the old religions and practices endure even to these days. In fact many great monks and priests have carried the religion to Western part of the world and in Europe as part of their mission to bring the good news from Asia. Many of these religious practices are common today and are widely recommended especially in the growing discontent of the people. The society today has reshaped the values of the people primarily those who are engaged in money-making. Influence of Buddhism on Contemporary Business. Several business practices are rooted from the philosophical religious teachings of Buddhism. We often perceived this especially on decision making. It stemmed from the principle we believe our driving force. In one of the compilation of Zen Teachings, it stated there how the sages of Zen Buddhism manage to dismantle worries and troubles by avoiding rash decisions. One has to eliminate the initial feelings of fear in order to fully comprehend what should we be doing and how to confront different problems that will arise. Although there has been lacking of true document to warrant the situation in the prevailing business today, but management often have to forecast about what will happen to the future. Alternative plans were also drafted in order to avoid sticking on the original business plan just in case it will divulge business defeat. Furthermore, most large business has specific short term plans, medium term plans and long range plans to insure the success of the business and to avoid the worry feeling that it might collapse in the middle of its height. Delivering an action while the situation was not surveyed is a rash decision and shall cost the business greatly. The book also stated about different leadership styles. When a leader exercises abuse, it really goes that antagonism and resentment shall accumulate within the atmosphere of the business. Apparently, we can scrutinize a lot of it these days, not only on the business aspect but on political aspects too. Thus, it posited the characteristics that a leader must possess in order to attain synchronization. Accordingly, it should be based on courtesy and justice to. In attaining this, it does not just yield to external balance but also to internal balance as well. “A leader must be generous with the community while frugal with himself”, this is just one of the many good traits a leader must possess according to the Zen teachings. In modern business, a leader having the capacity to allow his subordinates to air whatever their grievances and to comment and praise is a good quality of good leadership. Furthermore, a leader must choose his words when conversing to his subordinates; any foul words will yield disagreement. In communication, all words must be clearly stated to avoid grapevine communication, because this will degrade the integrity of the business. Going back to India, they also have several practices that are applied on contemporary business. The famous Vispassana is applicable to business oriented individuals. It is to utilize meditation to reduce anxiety and tension especially on business problems. Business management often requires purchasing, production, quality control, administration, fund control and many others. These different undertaking require clear thinking and mind-setting, promptness and rationalizing. Therefore meditation is highly recommended to address business related problems. Social effects also yielding to drug and alcohol abuse will give rise to health problems; meditation therefore is not only applicable to business aspect but also to help eliminate several problems of the society. Business is often meant to understand as profiteering; yet, there is nothing wrong with generating profits only that one should integrate wealth to happiness and contentment but not to destroy lives. This is just one of the many aims of meditation. On this point it is important to leaf through on the past virtues of religion to attain the most desirable traits. Conclusion. It is inherent for everyone to practice his deep-seated belief in everyday course of life. This belief is the root of values and all good deeds a person usually imbued to other individual. It is practice even in the course of business. In fact, all business principles were attributes of religious philosophy. This is widely perceived in Asia, even during the time of colonialism wherein businessmen from the West has expanded off the East to influence Eastern people of their doctrines about running a business. Though these Western thinkers have left many footprints, still the Eastern mantra in business is prevailing into their domestic homeland. BIBLIOGRAPHY History of Buddhism. 2008. The Buddhist Encyclopedia. http://Buddhism.2be.net/History_of_Buddhism. 08 September 2008 Yoshiharu, A. & Brant, R. 2005. Zen Teachings. The Way to the Top. Astrolog Publishing House. Israel. Buddhism. 2005. Microsoft Encarta. 08 September 2008 Essentials of Buddhism. 2004. Available from www.buddhaweb.org. 08 September 2008 Religions of the world. 2004. Buddhism, based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. www. Religious tolerance. Org. 08 September 2008 Shah, Jayantilal. 2000. Vipassana and Business Management. Available from http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/manage/001-business.htm 08 September 2008 Boeree, George C. 1999. The History of Buddhism.Available from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhahist.html 08 September 2008 Read More