...ESSAY Ian Stevenson and Cases of the Reincarnation Type JIM B. TUCKER Division of Perceptual Studies Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA e-mail: jbt8n@virginia.edu Ian Stevenson began studying children who claim to remember previous lives— an endeavor that will surely be remembered as the primary focus of his life’s work—almost by accident. Enjoying a successful mainstream career with some 60 publications in the medical and psychiatric literature to his credit, he had become chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Virginia in 1957. The following year, the American Society for Psychical Research announced a contest in honor of William James for the best essay on‘‘the topic of paranormal mental phenomena and their relationship to the problem of survival of the human personality after bodily death.’’ Ian, who had said when he interviewed for the chairman position that he had an interest in parapsychology, had been intrigued by the concept of reincarnation and in his readings had come across reports of individuals claiming to have memories of previous lives, or‘‘apparent memories of former incarnations,’’ as he called them. The reports came from a number of sources, such as books, magazines, and newspapers. Ian analyzed 44 of them as a group in a paper that won the contest and was subsequently published in 1960 (Stevenson, 1960a,b). He was impressed with the similarities...
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...Hinduism Paper HUM/130 June 8, 2012 Hinduism Paper The Hindu concept of god is confusing to most Westerners. The religion is generational and its beliefs and traditions are hard for those not brought up in the belief to comprehend. God to those of the Hindu faith is an omnipresent deity. Most Western religions see the supreme being, or god, as an individual and give the deity an individual identity. Hinduism does this to some degree, but recognizes thousands of god and goddesses Hinduism has a polytheistic concept of god at first glance. (McDowell & Brown, 2009). There are thousands of gods and goddesses that worshipped by its adherents. Three of the major deities in Hinduism are Vishnu, Rama, and Shiva. Vishnu is steadfast in the principles of order, righteousness, and truth. Rama is the deity of chivalry and virtue. Shiva is the deity of death and dissention. The text and my conversation with a follower of Hinduism seemed contradictory. I assume that my conversation with the follower was confusing due to the language barrier. Her words and descriptions were different than those in the text used in this class and the books that I use for research. Though there is a polytheistic view of a god in Hinduism, there is a monotheistic concept of a singular entity. Trimurti is the absolute entity that consists of the deities of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). This entity could seen as the Holy Trinity recognized in Christianity. Hinduism...
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...* Skip to Navigation * Skip to Content TermPaperWarehouse.com - Free Term Papers, Essays and Research Documents The Research Paper Factory * Join * Search * Browse * Saved Papers ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form Search Bottom of Form * Home Page » * Religion Topics Hinduism Worldview In: Religion Topics Hinduism Worldview Hinduism Worldview 1. The Question of Origin. The beliefs of a Hindu can be very confusing with the question of origin because they believe in so many different God’s and there are so many different sects. What unifies the sects though is the worship of Braham. It would be my guess that they believe that Brahma, the creator God, Is what brought them into existence. 2. The Question of Identity. To a Hindu all forms of living beings are a manifestation of God. They do not see themselves above animals or even plants. They belief that because animals and plants give them sources of food that they should be worshipped. 3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose. There are 4 goals in life for a Hindu. To have pleasure, wealth, harmony, and liberation. The first two consume each person because it causes suffering. The other two fulfill them. The concept of Salvation is to overcome the evil desires (pleasure and wealth) and achieve the last two to become moksha (the release of the evil). 4. The Question of Morality. Like the previous question they strive to be moksha. They have to release all the evil doings...
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...our destiny.” (http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/nineb/) I now know more about Hinduism beliefs from the research of this paper. It is a belief that believes in karma, reincarnation, and in one God. Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion? The Hindu's have always known this philosophy of freedom of action, for the reason that they had a perfect religion, a religion on which one aspect of God was characterized as human, and their various Deva's are nothing but various characteristics of human nature, each of them adored and worshipped. In this way not only God, but the whole human nature in all its aspects was adorned and worshipped. Hinduism, which is actually known as the Sanatana Dharma or Eternal Truth, has many uniting belief systems. Hinduism definitely has some uniting beliefs that all people of the faith follow. Hinduism teaches that all living things are Brahman in their core. In other words, all living things are Brahman, or God. Enlightenment is attained by becoming tuned in to the Brahman within. Only then can one reach Nirvana. The release from the wheel of life that allows access to Nirvana is known as “moksha.” What are the cultural and societal influences that have made Hinduism vital to the region in which it originated? The Religious leaders kept hereditary influence by teaching reincarnation. This was threatened by the Jainists and Buhddists in ancient India. Buhddists believed that you could 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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...looked at as a political leader, Tibetan Buddhists still look to him as their direct connection to Buddha. Throughout the paper, many connections have been made to aspects discussed in religious studies classes. Three aspects that are prominent in the Buddhist religion, especially those directly reflected in the ways of His Holiness, would be the Dalai Lama’s attention to Buddhist doctrines, his social dimensions, and Buddhists’ overall devotion to prayer. In Buddhism, one doctrine that has stood the test of time would be reincarnation. The idea that the soul can begin a new life in a new body (human or animal) after one has died is very important to Buddhists. Although all Buddhists believe in reincarnation, the reincarnation of Dalai Lamas is unique to Tibetan Buddhism (Jones, 2131). The second connection to elements of religion would be social dimension because the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has a social presence in both religion and, formally, politics. Lastly, Buddhists take part in prayer numerous times throughout the day. There is a particular prayer specific to Tibetan Buddhism and that would be “Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ.” This prayer can be found on numerous objects and Tibetan Buddhists, especially the Dalai Lama, say it throughout the day because of its relation to the last Dalai Lama and his quest for compassion (Jones, 2131). When given the chance to research a religious figure outside of a faith familiar to their own, one begins to realize the diversity around them. There are...
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...body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.” Prince Hiddhartha Gautama or the Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. His name means, “One who has achieved his aim.” When resting under a Bodhi Tree in Gaya, the prince gained his goal of enlightenment and experienced three spiritual breakthroughs; 1. He developed the ability to recall his past lives and life events resulting from death and reincarnation. 2. He learned that deeds, whether good or bad that occurred during past lives, directly relate to subsequent reincarnations. 3. He learned to attain nirvana. The Buddha learned during this experience to put aside physical and mental deviations such as fear, exhaustion, delusion, doubt, desire, thirst, hatred craving, lusting, and temptation. Placing the physical aside, he could completely focus on the spiritual gaining enlightenment and the knowledge that in this final step of development, reincarnation would not recur. After attaining enlightenment, he began the...
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...perfect human, to essentially improve humanity. Designer babies do share a common goal of eugenics, the desire to improve humanity. However, just because both designer babies and eugenics share a common goal, does not mean designer babies are a reincarnation of eugenics is exaggerated. The purpose of allowing designer babies is to eliminate generic diseases and saving thousands of lives, hence, improve...
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...My Personal Philosophy Essay People develop and shape their personal philosophy during the whole life. Some circumstances may radically change our views, depending on our age, social status and personal qualities. As for me, at this stage of my life I can’t say it for sure that my personal philosophy is complete and well-shaped. In my research paper I want to express my views on several sides of human life. I’d like to attract attention to such concepts as sense of life and happiness, good and evil, morality and faith in God, love and death, eternal life values, karma and religion. I’ll answer the questions what love and happiness mean for me personally. I understand that the concept of life philosophy is really versatile and it’s hard to express personal views on so many aspects. That’s why my research deals with only those things which are important for me at this stage of my life. If you look at life from different sides for some period of time, and then gather all your thoughts into one picture – that would be your life philosophy. Humans strive to find out and clearly define the sense of their living, and feel unhappy and desperate without it. Each person has his own sense of life and discovers it for himself only. There are people who live their lives without asking what they are living for. Personally I have always been concerned with this question and I think it is important to have at least some slightest peace of sense in life. Sometimes I feel myself broken and empty...
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...Traditional and Nontraditional Culture Paper By PSY 450 Michele Wagner April 14, 2014 Traditional and nontraditional culture paper America versus Indian culture Around the world, there are numerous cultures that are traditional and nontraditional. Traditional cultures are rules, beliefs, values of rural and non-industrialized group in which their practice is very strict and are non-willing for any social change or innovation (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Nontraditional cultures are grounded on more modern views and are willing for any modification mostly base on technology, science and media (Shiraev & Levy, 2010. Comparing and contrasting American and Indian cultures would facilitate to identify the traditional and nontraditional values, belief and behaviors among these two cultures Similar Values in Indian and American Cultures Despite being on opposite sides of the world, some values are shared between Indian and American culture. One similar value is the importance placed on religion or faith. While religion is more prominent in Indian culture, it is also present in American culture as it’s seen in the constant battles for keeping the name “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, in the phrase “In God We Trust,” on American currency, and open discussion of faith. On the other hand, in India pictures and statues of deities are commonly seen, worship takes place openly, and religious expression in fashion and accessories is more prevalent. Another shared value between...
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...has a bigger belief towards western religion, eastern religion, or no religion at all (atheism), the idea of life after death exists in the minds of many. All the major world religions teach that life continues after death. As for my religion, Christianity; the beliefs can be generally classified as a linear, whereas the faith traditions such as Buddhism and a few others can be classified as mainly cyclical. Cyclical is the opposite of linear, People do not just live and die once, but can be reborn a number of times (and live a series of lives) before reaching their final end-state. After death, the soul (or the essence of a person) is reborn in this world to live a new life. The process of being re-born into the world is also known as reincarnation. This continuous cycle of life is known as samsara, and it is the aim of every Buddhist to achieve freedom from it so that they will no longer be reborn into the world. Buddhists believe people are continually reborn into this world, unless they have achieved liberation (freedom) from samsara (the continual process of birth, death and rebirth). The Buddha experienced samsara when he saw the effects of old age and sickness, leading to death. Freedom from samsara occurs when a person has reached nirvana. Buddhism began as a way to address the suffering that exists in the world, and was not overly-focused on ultimate salvation. Salvation in early Buddhism was nirvana; it is ultimately not a place or state, but the end of rebirth. Buddha...
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...literature that suggests a strong relationship between spirituality and medicine. With this information, healthcare providers must ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care inclusive of the body, mind and spirit are addressed. Healthcare personnel provide care to a culturally and religiously diverse people. Healthcare personnel must take this diversity into account. This paper will examine three less known faiths- Buddhist, Hindu, and Islam and compare them with Christianity and discuss their differences and commonalities. This paper will discuss the findings and the insight the author has gained through a series of interviews with the people of these three religions. Faith Diversity and the Healthcare Provider: Final Draft Introduction Patients’ emotional and spiritual needs are not disengaged from the patients’ physical and physiological needs but are considered an integral component of their recovery. There is evidence in medical literature that suggests a strong relationship between spirituality and medicine; a survey conducted shows ninety-five percent of Americans believe in God and research shows that forty percent of patients feel that physicians should discuss pertinent religious issues; however only eleven percent of physicians do (Anandarajah & Hight, 2001, p. 81). The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCHAO) has acknowledged that patients “psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural values affect how they respond to their care” (Clark, Drain, &...
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...Death in Its Many Forms Abstract The many forms of death will examined and discussed in this paper. From the study of Thanatology which pertains to death and how it is feared by many people of all ages. Also involving the theorists who debated and studied on this topic. Along with that there are religious perceptions of death and how one’s soul will live in the afterlife or take the form of another being. It will also discuss how people grieve over a deceased loved one and how to cope with those feelings. At the same time, this paper will give examples of how people deal with death in the movie Remember Me. Death in Its Many Forms Death is often seen as sad event or even too scary to think about. The views and traditions of death are very different around the world. Some believe there is an afterlife while others believe in reincarnation. There also many ways to mourn or grieve over the loss of a loved one. Even though there are many different ways to look at death, there three that stand out the most; thanatology, religious views, and bereavement. Thanatology The word thanatology actually comes from the Greek word thanatos, meaning death (New World Encyclopedia Contributers). Thanatology is the actual study of death and dying of the social and emotional aspects itself. Also involving the experience of the deceased’s loved ones and how the deceased’s life was celebrated. Nonetheless, Thanatology isn’t sad but it is the acceptance of dying and reaffirmation of...
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... Maria-Goretti Etor Grand Canyon University HLT-310V Professor Todd Fowler May 31st, 2015 Abstract This paper gives an extensive view at the accompanying beliefs: Buddhism and Christianity. The reader will see the way Buddhism is even more a reasoning than a religion that spotlights on the brain similar to the inventor of disease and wellbeing. The reader will likewise find that Christianity is a religion that has confidence in one God, the inventor of all. This paper records the different segments that each of these religions may use at some time to impact mending including petition to God, reflection, droning, the utilization of healers, and so on. This paper additionally characterizes what is essential to individuals when watched over by suppliers whose convictions contrast from their own. Introduction Religious practice is one of the oldest traditional practices of the world till date, times may change, technology may advance, but vital beliefs of the people never alter. Before the advent of these religions, people believed in different things...
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...Western Governors University FDT4 – Task 2 Hispanics Food Traditions Celebrations Corn Language Mexico Independence Day Tortillas Religion Catholic Cinco De Mayo Beans/Rice Pinata Day of the Dead Asians Food Traditions Celebrations Chicken, Duck, Fish, Fresh vegetables Language Chinese New Years Noodles Religion Buddhism Lantern Festival Rice Tea Ching Ming Festival FDT4 Task 2 D. Kentucky Subcultures It takes a great deal of patience and understanding to be a teacher in a culturally mixed environment. The educational environment that I plan to teach in consists of cultures made up of Asians and Hispanics. I wish to better understand these two cultures so that I can understand the differences and provide a teaching environment that will be valuable in my classroom. In order to accomplish this, I have researched the foods, traditions and celebrations of two Kentucky subcultures, which are Asians and Hispanics. In the state of Kentucky, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011, Hispanics make up 138,563 of the total population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011, Asians make up 52,201 of the total population. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 a) E. Hispanic Culture - Foods Hispanics are well known for starting and overseeing authentic Mexican restaurants. The love of Mexican foods by the majority of Americans has kept the Hispanics in business for many years. Corn is the main base in foods of most...
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