World Religion Buddhism - Essay Example

World Religion- Buddhism World Religion-Buddhism Buddhism preaches the principles of spiritual satisfaction and purity in actions for all its followers. It is for this reason that every Buddhist seeks to achieve nirvana through their actions. The essential knowledge of Buddhism is known best to the Bikkhu. This is the name given to Buddhist monks who follow the framework set for monastic discipline to satisfy the basic rules set down by Buddhist teachings. Thus, living a simple and aesthetic life, Buddhist monks aim to shape their lifestyle in a way that keeps their spirituality intact, allowing them a step closer to the ultimate goal: nirvana. A look into these lives can help better the understanding of each individual of Buddhism itself. Turning into a Buddhist monk can be a difficult job. This is of great precedence as it sets a pattern for the followers. The individual has to satisfy many percepts laid out for them. According to the Dalai Lama, three practices have to be fulfilled by the individual which allows them the status of a Buddhist monk. The first is to finish any attachment one might have to their material lives. The second is to remove any form of desire and instead replace it with complete devotion to the idea of reincarnation: Samsara. The third and last is to eliminate any ideas of cherishing the self. These are an important part of Buddhist religion not because of the lessening of attachment it provides towards the material world but because these essentials were completed by the Buddha himself. A visit to a Buddhist monastery was vital to truly understand the true meanings set behind understanding the work done by a Buddhist monk. As a gathering for followers, it has to be designed and controlled in a way that attracts and encourages Buddhist followers. It was for this reason that I visited Ram Bahadur, an old monk working in a monastery for around twenty years. While the monastery itself was beautifully decorated with huge pillars and carpeted floors, the residence of the monk was simple and clean. The two diversely different settings presented one clear message: the gathering place must reign in the beauty with which it attracts followers while the followers themselves must shun this outward beauty. The first thing vital to all Buddhist monks is a clear and vivid knowledge of the faith itself. This includes the idea of the four noble truths, the eight-fold path and the path towards enlightenment. It is for this reason that all monks believe in the idea of karma which is passed down from their actions (Harvey). Thus this allows them to commit the right physical and mental aptness to ensure that an equal reaction is not reaped. It is essential for the monks to possess a profound knowledge because these monks are later teachers of the religion. There were several aspects of Buddhism that were vague before the meeting with Ram Bahadur, only after conversing with him for an hour or two did these parts become more clear. While basic essentials like simple and aesthetic lives were known to be led by these monks there were still certain unknown facts. For instance the Buddhist monk has to agree to take refuge into the faith (FPMT). Not only are they given a specific period to understand the faith but also have to see if they can live up to the principles established by Buddhism in all their entirety. There is great prestige laid down for individuals who choose to continue to pass down Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha laid down rules about the Buddhist monks. Despite the word Bhikku which meant beggar, the Dhammapada states that he is called that not because he begs but because he can subdue all forms of evil, small or great (Inwood 1981). Thus by having no means to support themselves, the monk seeks alms which allow him to ponder over the material goods which are truly necessary for life. As had been discussed in the previous essay, this was exactly the path Buddha himself sought thus making it the right method chosen for his followers. Because Buddha gave great importance to ethics, this is seen as a vital part of the Buddhist faith. This is abundantly visible in the life that the monks must lead and the relationships they must form in their lives. Not only are the monks forbidden from having sexual relationships with anyone but this celibacy is accompanied by serious offence for any kind of lustful or suggestive behavior made by the monk. Thus the monk has to refrain from all the activities forbidden by the Buddha to ensure birth in a higher heaven which allows them to access Nirvana. This includes prohibition of intoxicants, theft and violence, even to the smallest of creatures. By following this path of virtue and purity, Buddhist followers are bound to reach their desired state faster. The teachings of Buddha play a vital role in the faith. It is for this reason that the Dharma or teachings expounded by Buddha are important to practice this faith. A monk’s duty is to instill these teachings at the right times into the followers lives. However, these teachings can not just be told to the listeners. It must be done at a time when the followers are listening and reflecting onto the words. This keeps a respect for the Dharma because it ensures that the listeners do not dispel it. A specific set-up has to be allowed to the monk reciting the Dharma. Not only does he have to be sitting higher than the audience but to interrupt him during the teachings is also considered rude. Instead, questions are encouraged at the end. Thus, as noted before, the teaching of Buddha’s words are important but a certain respect and etiquette is also attached to them. This allows the followers to live up to the name of Budh: awakening and knowing (Smith 1995). Physical actions are also considered vital for the followers of Buddhism. This includes bowing to a shrine or teacher. This is necessary not only for giving a form of respect to the teacher but any elder who is seen as knowledgeable is given his fair share of respect. It is with this that ideas like meditation play such an important role (Novak 1995). These body movements are helpful in establishing a harmony within oneself and society. Accompanying this is the ability for a perfect physical respect to bring about order and well-founded relationships in a community. Thus, the physical self and its presentation is not only vital in achieving peace within an individual but also in the world around them. Buddhism is a religion promoting peace and harmony to all those around them. It is difficult for many to understand the deep undertones behind each part of this faith. Not only is it one that asks humans to accept purity and spirituality but it is also one that encourages people to look within themselves to improve the world around them. Though previously known only as a philosophy it has now been given the status of a religion (Cabezon). It is only a visit to the monastery itself and a meeting with one of the monks of this religion that can truly open a follower to the true meaning and virtue hidden behind its age-old teachings. Bibliography Cabezón J, The Discipline and Its Other: The Dialectic of Alterity in the Study of Religion, p 24 Dalai Lama, How to Become a Monk or a Nun - Preparing for Ordination, Available from http://www.fpmt.org/IMI/firstletter.asp [Accessed July 27 2009] FPMT, How to Become a Monk or a Nun - Preparing for Ordination, Available from http://www.fpmt.org/IMI/firstletter.asp [Accessed July 27 2009] Harvey P, An introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history and practices, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, pp 40 Inwood Kristiaan(1981), Bhikkhu: Disciple of the Buddha. Bangkok: Thai Watana Panich, pp 4 Novak P 1995, The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of the World’s religions, HaperCollins, pp 95 Smith H (1995), The Illustrated World Religions: A guide to our wisdom’s traditions, San Francisco, HarperCollins, pp 60 Read More