Eastern Religious Traditions - Essay Example

“Eastern religious traditions” Introduction Essentially, the Eastern religions refer to a family of religions native to Asia. Besides the numerous major religions attributed to the East, there exists a number of cults which include the animistic religions of native Asian people. It is significant to note that the Eastern regions blend the religious and philosophy jointly. This study observes that the followers of the Eastern religions are numerous and are well spread across the world. Some of the Eastern religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism and Islam. This study intends to examine the traditions that explain the beliefs attributed to Islamic and Buddhism religions. Tradition on Islamic Religion Accordingly, the tradition belief of the Islamic religion is peculiar in numerous ways; however, its pillars are fundamental in its description and appreciation. The Islamic tradition reveals that, the God, Allah of the Muslim believers is one, ancient with nothing foregoing Him; He is everlasting without end, abiding without termination and subsisting without cessation. This explanation intends to explain the strength and respect bestowed to Allah. It is imperative to note that the tradition attributed to the Islamic religion is immensely attributed to the major distinct features of Allah. They include transcendence, life and power, knowledge, will, hearing and sight, speech and works. It is realizable that from these distinct features the character traits of Allah are manifested. Some of them include a hearer. He hears His peoples supplication; He speaks in various forms such as commanding, threatening promising and forbidding. Moreover, the Quran describes Allah as the source of life and power as He manifests Himself as the Almighty, powerful and all subduing. “Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth?" Say: "It is Allah." Say: "Do ye then take (for worship) protectors other than Him such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Are the blind equal with those who see? Or the depths of darkness equal with Light?" Or do they assign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as He has created so that the creation seemed to them similar? Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One the Supreme and Irresistible.” (Holy Quran Chapter 13 Surah Raad verse 16). It is evident that this tradition of the Islamic religion involves God called Allah. This study reveals that, Allah is the God of the Islamic believers and none rescinds His command nor supplements His decrees. It is notable that His attributes as described do not resemble those of created things. For instance, He sees without eyes, He perceives without a brain and does creation without tools of work. This tradition on Allah is the evidence of the close relationship and devotion of the believers to Allah. This tradition connects divinity with numerous attributes, which include God’s speech, hearing and sight, mighty works, transcendence, life and power. This tradition reveals that the relationship between humankind and God exists. God manifests Himself to the people in numerous ways. Some of these include works, various benefits and His distinct attributes. However, this study finds out that all this is done on the basic principle that humanity affirms unity by safeguarding the articles of faith. Moreover, the relationship is exhibited in God’s essence without any associate and separate without any like. Several scriptures provide evidence of the description made in this paper about the existence of Islam and Allah. The scriptures are very clear about the attributes that make Allah distinct from other gods. For instance, the Quran chapter six Sura Anaam verses one says, “Praise is to Allah who created the heavens and the Earth and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who reject faith hold (others) as equal with their Guardian-Lord”. This scripture manifests that Allah is the Highest God, the creator of everything below and above the Earth. More over, the Muslims believe that Allah is the one God without any other partner, thee is no any other creature or entity inn the entire universe worthy of worship besides Him and the sole responsibility of granting life to anything belongs to Him. In addition, the Muslims believe that Allah sent His Muhammad who is regarded as the last prophet. Mohammad’s role is of the messenger for all humankind. Allah says about Prophet Muhammad in the Quran as “I have only sent you (Muhammad) as a giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind, but most men do not understand." Noble Quran 34:28. Above all the Muslims believe that Allah remains All-powerful, supreme, All-merciful and sovereign. In regards to the Muslims have learnt to have unwavering faith to Allah in the exact way described in the Quran. Similarly, Muslims have learnt to eradicate any hope of knowing the modality of His names and features. Tradition on Buddhism Religion This section considers the tradition describing the Buddhism religion. Buddhism was founded about 2500 years ago in India. It is defined as a way of looking at the world, which can relieve suffering and feelings of dissatisfaction wit life. This tradition refers to the story of a Buddha about a former King who ordered blind subjects to be assembled and divided into groups, which were assigned to an elephant and introduced to diverse parts such as tusks, trunk and legs. According to Damien Keown, the diverse description of the elephant was given depending on the part introduced to the blind. Over time now, the study and description of Buddhism has been given reference to this story and it has been noted that the Buddhism students have severally made conclusion upon study of a small portion of this wide and detailed religion. Damien Keown’s Essay “Buddhism and Elephants” says that the elephant is likened to Buddhism. Keown asserts that, the Buddhism aspects that have been studied can be likened with one of the parts of an elephant. The tradition describing Buddhism does not classify it as a religion. This is because most religions are associated with a god or a supernatural being who is believed to have created the universe and all that is in it. Buddhism, on the other hand, does not recognize the existence of a creator god; however, Buddhism believes and recognizes the existence of supernatural beings, which include gods and spirits. Keown indicates that its believers regard the Buddhism as the surest way of personal transformation through strict adherence of the four noble truths enshrined in the religion. They include Sanskrit, Pali, aryasatyani and cattari ariyasaccant. The truths are regard as the central doctrine of Buddhism Moreover, the tradition examination shows further that Buddhism does not have aesthetic attributes. It is non-aesthetic. The fundamental and practical aspects associated with Buddhism include public and private rituals. Buddhism is not a part of the more pronounced faiths linked with the sacramental aspects. For instance, the rites of initiation are performed when individuals are prepared to become monks. There are specific ceremonies that follow the monastic rules when practicing them. The relationship between the believers and the gods and spirits is not through the monks since the Buddhist monks do not exercise the priestly role of intermediary. In addition, Buddhism is described as one of the modest religion beliefs, which is guided by the total principle of ethics. This principle respects the right to life even if it is time of war. The religion does not appreciate any element of killing or getting rid of life. Another significant observation made in this study involves the perception of religion by the Buddhists that is a way of self –transformation motivated by meditation and self-conscious. Furthermore, this tradition depicts the aspect of divinity by the powers believed to be bestowed to the gods and spirits. These gods and spirits are believed to be the ones behind what we see today. However, Keown remains skeptical on the level of wisdom of the gods. Keown asserts that the humans might have a higher level of wisdom compared to the gods. It is notable that the Buddhists do not have a supreme God but believe in the existence of whom they do not worship. The Buddhism religion is immensely described in the scriptures, which capture numerous attributes of the gods and spirits. In addition, deep insight about the religion’s foundations is described in these scriptures and texts. Some of them include the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The scriptures act as a point of reference whenever individuals need to interpret circumstances. It is imperative to note that these scriptures are sometimes referred to as the schools of thought of the Buddhism practice. Comparison of the two traditions The major distinction between the two traditions about the religions is the belief in the gods. While the Islamists believe in Allah, the Buddhists believe in gods and spirits. In actual sense, the Buddhist does not recognize the existence of a supernatural being. In conclusion, the Eastern religions have distinct characteristics, which make the people believe distinctively on religious issues. However, interaction and outset appreciation of each other is slowly bridging the gap even in the religious backgrounds. It is imperative to note that, the Islamic religion is easily understood since it as aesthetic features compared to Buddhism. Buddhism being non-aesthetic has attracted numerous and diverse scholarly and experimental research intended to unearth the truths about this religion. Read More