World Religions Report - Assignment Example

? Practicing the Spirituality of Buddhism Introduction Investigating the primary religion of Buddhism is one which offers different insight into worship and belief. This particular religion is known for the deep Eastern roots that have become a part of the West and which continue to develop into different schools of thought that one can apply to their life. When looking at individual practices as well as the background of Buddhism, one is able to see specific doctrines and teachings that are applied to one’s life. This is furthered with comparisons of other religions, such as Christianity, the secondary religion investigated, to define the various roles and concepts that are formed with religious beliefs. Background of Buddhism Buddhism is an older religion with origins began in India, Burma and China, where it is still widely practiced. The main principle of Buddhism is to find the Middle Path which consists of the Four Noble Truths. The objective is to see how one can move through this lifetime and reach enlightenment of the spirit. This is followed by the Eightfold Path, which is eight different mechanics which one needs to reach the same enlightenment, or nirvana. Wisdom, morality, right views, resolve, speech, action, effort and mindfulness are the Eightfold Path to obtain enlightenment. The result is that one is able to go through a self – transformation on the intellectual, emotional and moral levels, which is what the Buddhists believe to help one move into enlightenment (Keown, 2009). The spread of Buddhism to the West has not only led to the different components of the main mechanics and teachings. This includes two sectors of Buddhism, including Theravada or Mahayana. The Theravada belief is the ancient belief, stating that the teachings are based on the original teachings for enlightenment. The Mahayana practice also has the main techniques and foundation from the ancient practices. However, this has moved into alternative perspectives and techniques based on practice, such as transformative beliefs, practical solutions for today’s needs and an expansion in the meditation techniques (Fowler, 1999). Interview Summary The interview that was conducted occurred after visiting a Buddhist temple at KSA. The outer area of the temple seems like a regular structure building that was used later as a temple. The landscaping has a large amount of greenery and is kept to create a sense of invitation in the building. The internal area of the building has the wheel of Buddhism in various areas, the statue of the laughing Buddha and various paintings and icons that are representative of the religion from the East. An assembly hall is located in the internal area as well as several rooms to the side for worship, meeting and to look into the Buddhist literature. These are each well decorated with the Buddhist symbols and signs, the Buddhist statue and other figurines from the East. A program was being held with the doctrines and beliefs that were associated with the temple, combined with several who were visiting. A Buddhist, by the name of Aaron, was found after the program that agreed to taking the interview and which had time to answer the questions that I required (see Appendix A). Aaron was in his mid – 40s and was a frequent member at the Buddhist temple outside of his main job as a computer programmer. The information was recorded on an iPhone then transferred to paper later. The individual interviewed had been practicing Buddhism for over 15 years with the basis being in Christianity. The pull toward Buddhism began with the individual not feeling a strong enough basis toward the Christian beliefs while wanting more with the foundation of belief. The individual then decided to visit a Buddhist temple in the area to create a different understanding of religion. The origins of the practice are not practiced by family or relatives while creating an individual approach to the idea of reaching enlightenment. However, the individual also noted that practicing Buddhism did not cause him to lose the foundations of the original beliefs of Christianity. The concepts of Buddhism which the interviewer looked into were based on changing perspective and gaining balance in life. The practice which was considered was formed around meditation then adding these mechanics of keeping the mind clear into everyday life. This was combined with visiting programs and Buddhist temples. The individual stated an interest in traveling to learn more about Buddhism and to visit the well known monasteries and temples in the East. The individual noted that it was easy to practice Buddhism in KSA because there was a community of individuals that practiced together as well as information that was readily available. The individual also noted that the individual approach to each person reaching enlightenment and overcoming with practical steps made it even easier to practice the religion without having interference from the outside community. The Mahyana practices were the basis of beliefs that the interviewer belonged to. However, he stated that there wasn’t as much of a difference in the practicality of the belief systems, leading to the conclusion that the difference was based only on the categorization which had occurred later between the two divisions. When asking how he would teach his children Buddhism, he stated that he would teach them the techniques and offers the foundation, such as through meditation and the services offered. However, he also recognized the importance of introducing children to the other beliefs that were a part of the system while allowing the child to learn as much about the religion as desired. When asking how Buddhism had changed the individual’s life he stated that the beliefs and growth in spirituality was able to further develop. This was combined with the ability to see things from a different perspective and angle with the interviewer recognizing that this path was one which was continuous and altered the way in which he thought about enlightenment. When asked about the application of Buddhism, the interviewer stated that there wasn’t a part that he disagreed with or wished wasn’t there. This was because of the practicality and individual growth that was associated with the beliefs. The information which came from the interviewer was remembered accurately only because it was recorded, allowing the behaviors and the different responses to easily be observed. However, it would have been a preference to read this or to be in an area that was quiet, such as a library. The individual did not take the Myers Briggs Test. The experiences that contributed most in the development of the personality could be seen with the idea of practical application and meditation. It seemed that the individual interviewed was not as interested in doctrine or community, but was interested in the development one could move through to reach enlightenment. The summary of the interview then showed how one made a journey into discovering Buddhism as a practical way to discover spirituality and to focus on different ideologies which were associated with the concept of spiritual and individual growth. The individual interviewed was genuine in responses and was not self – monitoring. This could be noted with the quick response to the question while keeping a relaxed attitude with the answers given. There wasn’t enough detail given or personalized answers that would cause the individual to have a sense of being self – monitoring. The strongest influence of this attitude may have been the environment and the program which the individual had just come out of. There were also specific roles from the person’s identity. This didn’t necessarily come from race or gender, but instead was formed with the background of the individual coming from a strong Christian religious belief making the responses seem more sincere. Comparison with Christianity The concepts which related to the interview and to the ideas of Buddhism relate to Christianity with both practices that are similar and different. The concepts in Christianity have a basis in reaching enlightenment, understanding and love. In Buddhism, this is the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. In Christianity, this relates to the Biblical scripture and the ideologies that pertain to the idea of living a moral life. The Christian beliefs relate directly to the main principles that are in Buddhism and which create practical solutions for how one should live their life and what the needs are for those that are in society. Creating this specific relationship between both shows that Buddhism and Christianity have similar principles and ideals while having the same type of relationship to one living the right life (Berry, 2004). While the similarities in the foundation are the same there are also differences in how both function from the basis and the new ideologies. The Christian ideologies of worship, are based on living according to the Bible and going to seminars and practices that relate to religious beliefs. The expression of religion includes practical applications and the moral basis that is associated with this. One that is living a Christian life will often relate to the idea of what it means to live as a Christian with how one treats others and the main principles that are linked to the concepts of living a moral life. The cultural and social beliefs further this with Christian communities that are in different regions and how one lives (Berry, 2004). The concept of Buddhism differs from this in the way that one lives a practical life. This begins with the understanding of meditation and daily practice as the main way in which one can live the right type of life. Enlightenment in Buddhism is another one of the differences, specifically which links to the understanding of the practicality and the way in which this builds on expectations with the individual Enlightenment. Whereas one performs ideas of morality in Christianity with the community, the enlightenment of the individual in Buddhism is more important with how one treats others. This continues with the cultural and social affiliations, specifically which are seen with the seminars and different ways of living that are promoted with the philosophy (Berry, 2004). Conclusion The concepts which relate to Buddhism and to Christianity define different practices and beliefs in how one decides to live. When examining the Buddhist beliefs, it can be seen that there is a direct relationship to how one decides to live and the relationship which they have to the practicality based on this. The interview which was conducted shows the same, main ideals in living the middle path and walking with practical steps while moving toward Enlightenment. While the foundations with Buddhism and Christianity are the same, there are also differences in terms of how one decides to live, the expectations for performing the right level of morality and the social and cultural associations which relate to this. The change is one which then creates a complete understanding of religious differences as well as foundations which remain the same. References Berry, T. (2004). Christianity and Buddhism: A Comparison and Contrast. New York: Winsome Books. Fowler, Merv. (1999). Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices. New York: Sussex Academic Press. Keown, Damien. (2009). Buddhism. New York: Sterling Publishing Company. Appendix A: Interview Summary 1-When did you start practicing or believing in Buddha? I began to practice and believe in Buddha over 15 years ago. During that time, I was interested in finding something outside of my own religion. I had grown up in Christianity and was no longer happy with the beliefs that were associated with this. I came across this Buddhist temple that we are in now and became curious about the practice. There were so many things that began to open up and change with my perspective that I continued to practice the techniques taught in Buddhism. 2-how did you know or learn about Buddha? Buddhism is something that is often looked at in school, like a chapter on religions of the East. I believe my first introduction came from that study and the need to know the basics about the beliefs of the East in terms of enlightenment. This was combined with visiting this temple and others. I am also considering to move even further into the practice by visiting some of the Eastern temples and sites that are known to hold a strong reverence for Buddhism. 3-how do you practice Buddha? The main part of this Buddhist belief is meditation. Every day, I add meditation into my practices and continue to work on clearing the mind. I combine this with visiting the Buddhist temples and monasteries on a continuous basis as well as reading different doctrines and beliefs associated with Buddhism. There are also strong communities that I begin to move into that help with the practices I am a part of. 4-Does your parents or relatives practice Buddha in a way different that yours? My parents are still Christian and there are no others that practice Buddhism, other than friends and those that I know that go to this temple and area of worship. I’m not sure if there is the ability to define how one practices Buddhism since it is based on individual enlightenment. 5-do you believe in any other religion beside Buddha? I still consider myself as a Christian and hold some of the beliefs that are a part of my foundation. However, I don’t practice this religion. I just believe that one can be any religion and even embrace all religions and still practice the philosophies of Buddhism. 6-Do you find difficulties practicing your religion in KSA? No. There is a strong community that I am affiliated with that also practices Buddhism. Everything else is developed with the individual progress toward enlightenment and how one can overcome situations. Even if I were the only individual practicing Buddhism in the community, I would still feel it is easy to practice because of the practicality of it. 7-in which Buddha’s group you belong? Theravada or Mahayana? I am a part of the Mahyaana Buddhist group. However, I have also looked into some of the doctrines of Theravada and consider them similar to the practices that I am currently involved in. 8-how you’ll teach your children Buddha? Is it enough to practice it with you or you must send them to special school? The only thing I wish for my children is to have a strong foundation with their own spiritual practice. Buddhism may not be the practice that they are drawn to over time. I don’t just want to introduce them to Buddhism. I also want to look at ways to help them recognize different forms of religion and spirituality. I will teach them what I know, such as meditation and some basic things about respecting life and nature. However, I will also support their own exploration in finding their own religious or spiritual beliefs and practices. The nature of the child will determine if they need to go to a special school or whether they will be able to practice with what I have developed. 9-How Buddhism has changed your life? Buddhism has helped me to look at everything from a different perspective. I am more balanced in what I do and am interested in the practical aspects of Buddhism. I believe that without Buddhism, I wouldn’t have been able to progress with my own beliefs and enlightenment and could not have developed further with my ideas of spirituality. I hope to continue on this path of opening up to different perspectives and realizing ideologies. 10-is there any particular part of Buddha you find it difficult to apply or you wish it wasn’t there? So far, I am happy with almost every part of the doctrine. There isn’t one part that one could say isn’t true or doesn’t relate to what I call spiritual common sense. Everything that is in the doctrine is about self development and positive attributes that one can develop over time. It is these doctrines that I enjoy most with Buddhism. Read More