...reincarnation as a path to liberation from the physical world. It is a common thought that both Buddhists and Hindus believe in the concept of reincarnation as the transmigration of a soul to another body after death. Hindus believe that life on earth is not a discrete event that occurs once. They believe that a soul makes multiple appearances on earth through reincarnation. This soul is a permanent, conscious entity that inhabits a body, and at the time of death, leaves that body and goes on to assume another body. In Hindu belief, this soul is not limited to reincarnation in human beings, but rather any living being including animals and plants. The soul has a karma that follows it through the transmigrations. This karma is a “log” of good and bad deeds it performed in its past lives.1 If a soul has a good karma, it may be reincarnated in a human body, the most prized form. After many rebirths, the soul can be freed from reincarnations by achieving this ultimate state of nirvana.1 However, Buddhists believe in anatta, which means no soul or no self. They believe that there is no essence of an individual self that survives death. The Buddha taught of impermanence, meaning that everything is in a...
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...In 1902, German economic historian Werner Sombart published ‘Der Moderne Kapitalismus.’ In his piece, he hypothesizes that there is such a thing as a “spirit of capitalism” a spirit which has worked as a guiding force in the evolution of modern capitalism (Green 1973). Werner does not offer any explanation as to what the nature of this spirit might be, or where it came from, but he does argue that this spirit is responsible for the development of capitalism in the modern world. After reading Werner’s work, German sociologist Max Weber, one of the founding creators of sociology, seized upon Werner’s idea and set out to explain the origins of this spirit of capitalism. Weber’s visit to America, the heart and soul of capitalism, in 1904 brought him his answer. While in America, Weber observes that matters of business are very closely related to religious affiliation. This attitude manifests itself in many ways, but one example he provides is the story of a man’s visit to the doctor: “the patient’s statement of his church membership was merely to say: ‘Don’t worry about the fees’ (Gerth & Mills 1946, 304).” This, of course, meant that this man was financially sound, because he belonged to a specific church community. Weber explains: “Admission to the congregation is recognized as an absolute guarantee of the moral qualities of a gentleman, especially of those qualities required in business matters (Gerth & Mills, 305).” Essentially, in order to become a part of a religious sect, a...
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...nature of the Soul and saw living spirit in all forms of creation. God wedded with Maya. Rituals were performed to honor nature and to build a bond between God, and the souls of men and the earth. Like many shamans Druids were skilled with herbalism and holistic remedies.” (http://www.ehow.com/about_5402033_history-druids.html) Very little is known about the ancient druids in literature. They were somewhat secretive, mystical and left no written accounts of themselves. We are left with later descriptions by Greek, Roman, and medieval Irish writers, and there are very few Druidic images. They have been called sorcerers, healers, seers, and professionals. Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian mentions that the Gauls have a lot of respect for the Druids, which were their magicians. The earliest known written reference to the druids dates to 2200 years ago. In the second century AD, a druid was seen as a member of the educated professional class, among Celts during the Iron Age. The druidic class included law speakers, poets, and medical practitioners. Greek and British texts describe them as clergy like characters and masters of healing, science and spirituality. Today druids are seen more romantically as seers of the forest and wise philosophers, than professional businessmen dwelling in the forest. Various disturbing themes emerged in a number of the Greco-Roman accounts. Druids performed animal and even human sacrifices. They came to believe in a form of reincarnation. This certainly...
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...“river,” used by outsiders to describe the people of the Indus River Valley. Hindus themselves refer to their religion as sanatama dharma, a word emphasizing the fulfillment of duties (dharma) appropriate to one’s class (varna) and stage of life (asrama). Hinduism has no founder or date of origin. The authors and dates of most Hindu sacred texts are unknown. Scholars describe modern Hinduism as the product of religious development in India that spans nearly four thousand years, making it the oldest surviving world religion. Most Hindus respect the authority of the Vedas (a collection of ancient scared texts) and the Brahmans (the priestly class), but some reject one of both of these authorities. Hindu religious life might take the form of devotion to God or gods, the...
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...What Buddhist traditions lead to spiritual growth and eventually spiritual enlightenment? Where did it originate from and why? How has these traditions changed with the movement and progression of Buddhism? Spiritual growth and enlightenment in Buddhism come through practicing the beliefs they emphasise like, asceticism, meditation through yoga and fasting, knowledge of Buddhist texts, and Anatman. Originating in asia and spreading through the world, it has had many advances and changes including the separation of Theravada and Mahayana The word Buddha means The Awakened One, coming from the Sanskrit root budh – 'to wake'. He is a man who has woken fully, as if from a deep sleep, to discover that suffering, like a dream, is over. The historical Buddha was however a man like any other, but an exceptional one; what he rediscovered was a way that anyone can walk, providing that they are so inclined. The historical Buddha Gautama was not the first Buddha. There had been others who had walked...
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...Hinduism Religion Hinduism is the third world’s largest religion. Which has about a billion of followers. Hinduism is a term that came form in the nineteen century when British foreigners named the people living in the region of the Indus River for the purpose of the census Berea. Hinduism has a lot of religions roll up in to one. A more contemporary name is Sanatana Dharma (Fisher, 2005). Santana means ageless, eternal, Dharma means religion which has to do with natural law, ethics, social welfare and health. Dharma is a holistic approach to social coherence and the good of, corresponding to order in the cosmos,” (Fisher, 2005). In Hinduism “the spiritual ranges from extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality, from the heights of self devotion to a deity to the height of abstract philosophy, from metaphysical proclamations of the oneness behind the material world to worship of images representing a multiplicity of deities,” ( Fisher, 2005). They say there are more than a million deities in India and they believe the divine to have countless of faces. Since there are million of divine that have countless faces then there must be million of ways to worships. Societal and Cultural influences made Hinduism vital to the region in which it came form a lot of traditions and social systems that were supported by the people of India or fellow experts of Hinduism. Retrieved (Oct 3, 2010) from http://www.helium.com/items/953157-a-brief-history-of-hinduism In so cultural traditions...
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...His compassionate, patient, innovative and ameliorative tendencies created the religion of Buddhism, which is based solely on human kindness and the search for the end of mortal suffering. His simple, yet original idea of living in a state of well-being between the extremes of self-mortification and over-indulgence revolutionised India’s belief system in both his own time and subsequent ages. His new-found path to enlightenment was forged through his earnest belief and morals – not through his former social standing and reputation to effectuate reformation, despite being from a royal upbringing. Buddha also influenced the Hindu teachings of Yoga, where the Eight Fold Path was integrated to their own teachings, allowing emphasis upon spiritual development including “ethical disciplines, postures, breathing exercises, control of the senses, concentration… and meditation.” (American Institute of Vedic Studies, 2012) Mark Epstein, an American psychiatrist and author...
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...The “Axial Age” is a period coined by Karl Jaspers that took place between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE where there were major philosophical and religious developments across the world. Many different philosophers such as Socrates, Confucius, and Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha), spread their beliefs throughout their respective countries. Eventually, the people, including the governments/rulers, around them adopted their ideologies and integrated them into their societies. During the chaotic Autumn and Spring Periods in the East Zhou Empire in China, Confucius; a bureaucrat from the Lu State, believed that a combination of ritualistic order, respect, and strong leadership were the keys to a functionable society due to growing up around much...
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...Hinduism Hinduism is generally regarded as the world’s oldest religion. Hinduism consists of thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BCE. Hinduism is different from Christian and other monotheistic religions because it does not have a single founder, a single concept of deity, and a single holy text Hinduism, also known as Sanatana Dharma at this time is the name applied to all the various religious practices in India, which do not have the unification of Indian originated religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, or Sikhism. (Fisher 2005) In the text Living Religions it says “The spiritual expressions of Sanatana Dharma range from extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality, from the heights of personal devotion to a deity to the heights of abstract philosophy, from metaphysical proclamations of the oneness behind the material world to worship of images representing a multiplicity of deities”. According to tradition there are 330 million deities that are worshipped in India. One such deity is Vishnu. Vishnu is a deity that is beloved as tender and merciful. Vishnu has become regarded as a supreme person and has been worshipped since Vedic times. Another deity that is worshipped in Hinduism is Lakshmi. Lakshmi is an ancient goddess that is associated with prosperity and regal power. Lakshmi is often depicted as a radiant woman sitting on a waterborne lotus flower ( Fisher 2005). Each deity that is worshipped...
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...oldest of the known Vedic scriptures, which praises and implores the blessings of the devas. The devas is the controlling force in the cosmos, deities who consecrate every part of life ( Fisher, 2005). The Vedas consist of four parts, the earliest being the Samhitas, hymns of praise. The second is the Brahmanas, directions about performance of the ritual sacrifices. The third part of the scared hymns are the Aranyakas. They are the writings from the people that went to the forest to meditate as recluses. The last is the Upanishads, which is the teaching from highly spiritual masters that explain the personal transformation that results from psychic participation (Fisher, 2005). Reincarnation is one of several doctrines central to all forms of...
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...Chris tore up his driver’s license, social security card, and other form that could identify him so he can disconnect from his past life and start a fresh beginning. Siddhartha left the Brahman’s with nothing but his mind. Throughout their journey, they have both made friends along the way to help them progress in they’re advancement. Chris met a couple that gave him a place to stay and treated him like their own child. Siddhartha met Kamala and the Ferryman. Kamala taught him the knowledge of love while the Ferryman helped Siddhartha understand the way of the river. When Chris reached Alaska, he tried to seek spiritual enlightenment by starving himself and living in the wild away from society. Siddhartha starved himself and practiced asceticism as a way to reach...
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...Religions of the World Lesson 4 - Buddhism & Sikhism Assignment 4 1. Write a minimum of 500 word essay concerning an overview and summary of the Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 of your text. Discuss the knowledge you gained concerning the major topics and what confusion or uncertainty may have arisen through your research and studies. The first half of the paper should identify the author's main points. The second half of your paper should be your contribution. Offer an assessment of the author's points, apply the points to examples, support all comments and information with verifiable research, and do not give opinion. 1A. Buddhism began in northeastern India and is based on the teachings of Gautama. Buddhism is different from many other faiths because it is not centered on the relationship between humanity and God. Buddhists do not believe in a personal creator God. Siddhartha had found the path to Enlightenment. Siddhartha was born around the year 560 b.c.e. Nepal. He was born into a royal family and for many years lived within the palace walls away from the sufferings of life; sufferings such as sickness, age, and death and he did not know what these sufferings were. One day, after growing-up, marrying and having a child, Siddhartha went outside the royal palace and saw, each for the first time, an aged person, a sick person, a deceased body and finally a peaceful monk. He was worried by what he saw. He learned that sickness, age, and death were the inevitable fate of...
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...Group 3: Muñoz, Christian Marquez, Ray Ochoa, Lance Buduan, Anton CHAPTER I: The Problem and Its Background “The lived experiences and lifestyle of students before, during, and after joining small fraternities in Mawaque” Introduction a. Background of the Study Today in our society, there are many Fraternities that can be joined. Some are for brotherhood, some are for religious purposes, professions and many other forms of fraternities. Many students are interested to join fraternities for various reasons. Unfortunately, the real meaning of the word fraternity has changed. People nowadays think of a fraternity as a group of notorious brats claiming for brotherhood, who does chaotic and immoral acts. And that’s why people try to create their own small fraternities doing as such. In a certain community in a mabalacat, there are small fraternities created by students from a school in the community. These small fraternities make trouble in the community. They sometimes make riots and rambles in the streets of the community. This is a problem that the authorities are having a hard time to deal with since the members of these fraternities are high school students and they are not yet at the legal age to be imprisoned. Not only that, but these small fraternities ruin their lives. For example, instead of going home after class and spending the time studying or spending quality time with their families, they get involved into riots and rambles in the park or outside their...
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...The Religion Hinduism Hum/130 The religion of Hinduism is very complicated and has many different aspects to it, from cultural and social influences. This paper will discuss these many different aspects that make up this belief system, along with the liberation from earthly existence. The term Hinduism is not the main word used today for this religion, the term used in this modern time is Sanatana Dharma. The religion has a wide range of expressions and beliefs that is believed to have developed of the course of approximately ten thousand years. “The spiritual expressions of Sanatana Dharma range from extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality, from the heights of personal devotion to a deity to the heights of abstract philosophy, from metaphysical proclamations of the oneness behind the material world to worship of images representing a multiplicity of deities. According to tradition, there are actually 330 million deities in India. The feeling is that the divine has countless faces.”(Fisher, 2005, p. 69). There is a philosophical and metaphysical element to Hinduism. The Vedic age is believed to exist from around 2500 BCE. Many people believe that today’s Sanatana Dharma stems from this period. This worship consists of the praising of hymns and the worship of the cow. It is believed that the cow is a sacred animal. “In the Aryan Invasion Theory of Western historians, the highly organized cultures of the Indus Valley and the villages in other parts of the subcontinent...
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...systems, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism" and because of the wide variety in the Hindu religion it is often referred to as Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana means "eternal" or "ageless" and Dharma means "religion." Hinduism is said to be more than 3000 years old and its fundamentals of faith are even older. Sanatana Dharma is the traditional religion for most of India and is also practiced around the world. Hinduism religion comes in many different religion beliefs that have built-up over thousands of years (Fisher, 2005). Many of the threads of Sanatana Dharma may have existed in the religions practiced by the aboriginal Dravidian peoples of India (Fisher, 2005). The spiritual expressions of Sanatana Dharma range from extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality, from the heights of personal devotion to a deity to the heights of abstract philosophy, from metaphysical proclamations of the oneness behind the material world to worship of images representing a multiplicity of deities (Fisher, 2005). Sanatana Dharma have been lost and but they continue to coexist in the present day of India There are other well known beliefs in Hinduism that include karma, reincarnation, Sanatana and dharma. Karma...
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