...Techniques Christianity and Buddhism Christianity is very well known and practiced through out the world. Christianity's worship techniques are some of the easiest to follow and understand. Christianity worship is mainly done in some type of church or more modern temple which resembles a church. In other religions such as Buddhism, worship can be done directly from ones home or at a temple. Christianity worship techniques include to first select a passage from the bible being used. Then the next step would be to prepare oneself mentally and physically for communication with God. This step is sometimes known as the Ready Yourself State. The next step(Read the Word) is to read the word of God from the selected passage from the bible and to let the word of god settle in ones heart. This step is more of a meditation technique to focus ones mind on the word of God. The next step is known as the “Reflection on the Word”. In this step the person meditating should try and make a connection with the meaning of the passage in order to try and start a conversation with God, because that is the ultimate goal. The next step known as the “Converse with God” involves deep heart to heart meditation with God. This step is a desired and fulfilling step because this is when the person meditating declares their faith, love, repent, and asks for forgiveness. The last step is “Conclude and Resolve” In this final worship technique, it is time to thank god for their heart to heart conversation, and also...
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...The absolutist position that Adam Gopnik takes against Buddhism, as Robert Wright laid out, seems indicative of the exact position of duality that Buddhism does not favor. Specifically, when Gopnik says “Science is putting names on things and telling stories about them, the very habits that Buddhists urge us to transcend” he implies that naming something is giving it a self – which is unclear. Why does something have to have a self just because it is named? This kind of thinking (something has to be one thing, and if it is that one thing, it cannot be another) is precisely the habit that “Buddhists urge us to transcend,” not “putting names on things.” Every object/person/idea can have more than one way of believing or existing, multiple facets...
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...Somewhere in the sixth century BCE Buddhism was born, born from a single man Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha. After gaining his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha didn’t think that the rest of the world could handle all that he had learned. He did not want to teach others, nor did he want to spread his wisdom. Until at last his great compassion came over him and he started to gain the respect of few by going to his old peers first. By starting with other intellectuals he secured that they at least had the capacity to learn what he had to teach. From this point on he spread his philosophy on the middle path with everyone who would listen. He preached pacifism and that it was wrong to take any life be it a man’s or any lesser being’s. He taught that the noble eightfold path was the route to end all suffering, and that the individual was the most important factor in achieving enlightenment. The Buddha taught about the five aggregates, the notion that the human being is made up of matter, sensation, consciousness, perception, and mental formations. In all of his teachings however the Buddha did not do so much as a lay a groundwork for which his followers could build a society on. The Buddha was acting out of compassion in that he had found the way to end his suffering and wanted to help others do the same. He was not however trying to build himself up as a God, and create a religion under which he was the focal point. Since this was not his goal, he did not get into politics...
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...Buddhism What is Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion that dates back about 2,500 years ago or so. However, Buddhists may argue that Buddhism is not a religion but more of a philosophy or a way of life. To better comprehend Buddhism, “the Buddha once told the story of the blind men and the elephant” (pg.1). The purpose of the story was emphasize the complexity of Buddhism. That it shouldn’t be generalized based on any single part of it. The other purpose of the story told “is that there are many kinds of blindness” (pg.2). This was to raise awareness that our minds have a great influence on what we want to see. Ultimately, to attempt to define Buddhism is almost impossible because arguments can be raised from any stand point of view. The Buddha was a prince born in modern day Nepal, around 566 BC in what was known then as the Terai lowlands. His birth name was Siddhattha Gotama. His first 29 years of life were lived in full commodities and luxuries. He had never been exposed to the many peasant issues such as: poverty, sickness, famine, and death. He came to the realization that happiness could not be purchased nor held in simple materialistic things. Money does not guarantee happiness. “He was thunderstruck by the discovery of old age and ordered his charioteer to return immediately to the palace where he reflected upon what it meant to grow old”” (pg. 22) Just like Buddha I can relate to his awakening when I was 20 years old I was involved in gang activity. I was foolish...
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...Difference in Chan Buddhism and Indian Buddhism Indian Buddhism and Chan Buddhism differ from each other in a few ways. The Chan belief to achieving enlightenment one must be able to study, eat enough, and have a place to live. The Chan Buddhism belief in instantaneous enlightenment, whereas this belief isn’t available to Indian Buddhism. Both Indian Buddhism and Chan Buddhism belief in karma, that every actions has its consequences and that what happens to us are from actions that have been in the past. First, Chan Buddhism believes in the four noble truths which are, life is suffering, suffering is due to attachment (to an illusion), there is an escape from attachment/illusion, and the solution lies within the 8 fold path. There Is another form of meditation in Chan Buddhism, which is, Rinza. Rinza is a form of meditation hat gives instantaneous enlightenment. One gains enlightenment through good deeds, for example doing something without noticing it, this will lead to the instantaneous enlightenment. They also believed in the Soto, which is gradation of Enlightenment. The 8-fold path consists of Right view, Right intention, Right speech, Right actions, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right concentration/meditation. Second, A lot of the Buddhism was based on a lot of core concepts in Hinduism (possible, due the similarity in name). Buddhism all started in India, so India is the heart of Buddhism. Buddha was born is Brahmin Caste system. Which...
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...------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- The purpose of the Daishonin’s Buddhism is to enable us to win in life and in society. Especially when we’re faced with hardships or challenges, which are the time to read the Gosho, the writings of Nichiren Daishonin. By doing so, our outlook will brighten. The light of hope will dispel the darkness. And the bright sun of courage will rise in our hearts. ------------------------------------------------- When we embrace the Daishonin’s Buddhism of the sun, which illuminates the entire world, there is no knotty problem that we cannot surmount. Practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism enables us to transform karma into mission. Those who have suffered the greatest deserve to enjoy the greatest happiness. As Nichiren Daishonin states: “When once we chant Myoho-renge-kyo, with just that single sound we summon forth and manifest the Buddha nature of all . . . living beings. This blessing is immeasurable and boundless” (WND-1, 887). We all possess within us the most precious and respect-worthy life-state of Buddhahood. The aim of promoting our movement for kosen-rufu through dialogue is to address, awaken, and draw forth the Buddha nature inherent in each person’s life. When we earnestly chant daimoku and courageously reach out to others in dialogue, we can enable many people to form a connection with Buddhism and thereby spread understanding of the Mystic Law. When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with our whole...
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...Critical Thinking Part I – Analysis of Buddhism Origin A young prince named Siddhartha Gautama was whole heartedly affected by the poverty, disease, old age, and death he witnessed from beyond the gates of his shelter. Gautama rebelled and took drastic measures that included abandoning the life he was given, self denial of nourishment, and extended periods of meditation in which he achieved the highest level of knowledge called nirvana, hence the name the Buddha, which means “the Enlightened One” (Carner, 2005, p. 114-115). Identity Buddhism is a dharmic religion that charted off from Hinduism and thus becoming independent of Hindu’s vague philosophy and unsatisfying goals (Carner, 2005, p. 114). While Buddhism is a religion, it is also a philosophical belief system in terms of life in general; it teaches how to save oneself from life’s suffering and aguish by following very specific rules through doctrines known as Pali Canon, which were developed shortly after the death of Gautama. Pali Canon also called the Tripitaka, contained rules for conduct, methods for spiritual attainment, and the ethics taught by the Buddha (Rast, Contender Ministries, n.d.). Meaning The Buddha developed what is called the Four Noble Truths which he taught were the principles to live by in order to attain enlightenment. According to the beliefs of Buddhism, through his own efforts man can save himself from human desires, misery, suffering, and pain...
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...Buddhist Meditation Implications for Physical and Psychological Health RELIG2212 Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices April 13, 2009 RELIG 2212 Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices April 13, 2009 I. Introduction a. Meditation as a central role in Buddhism b. Thesis statement: there is great potential for Buddhist meditation techniques to provide both physical and psychological health benefits. II. Meditation and anxiety a. Meditation and anxiety reduction b. Study by John Miller on Clinical Implications of a Mindfulness Meditation- Based Stress Reduction Intervention in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. III. Meditation and health a. Meditation and cardiovascular disease/blood pressure b. Study by Vernon Barnes on the “ Impact of Transcendental Meditation on Cardiovascular Function at Rest and During Acute Stress in Adolescents with High Normal Blood Pressure.” IV. Meditation and neurology a. Meditation and mind and brain functioning/neuroscience b. Visual imagery/attention studies c. Studies on virtuous mental states/meditation on lovingkindness V. Conclusion: These scientific studies demonstrating lowered stress and blood pressure, and demonstrating the possibility for a better understanding of brain functioning, make it clear that there is a great potential for Buddhist meditation techniques to provide health benefits and advances in modern science. Under a Bodhi tree, a man in robes vows to remain in seated meditation until...
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...circle, a popular motif in Zen art, represents the entire universe in a single, perfect stroke. Although simple, images like this are difficult to paint successfully and thus must be done with a clear mind focused on the task. Abhaya Mudra (Gesture of Fearlessness) Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness, and the abhaya mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. The gesture is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent, and palm facing outward. The gesture is an ancient one, demonstrating that the hand is empty of weapons and thus indicating friendship and peace. To western eyes, it looks like the gesture meaning "stop." In both cases, the gesture implies fearlessness before a potential enemy. In Buddhism, the gesture is a symbol of the fearlessness—and thus the spiritual power—of the Buddha or bodhisattva who makes it. According to Buddhist tradition, the historical Buddha made this gesture immediately after gaining enlightenment. And later, when the historical Buddha was about to be attacked by an angry elephant, he held up his hand in the fearlessness gesture and immediately calmed it. The gesture of fearlessness is is only seen on Buddhas or boddhisatvas and appears most commonly in standing images. In Thailand and Laos, the abhaya mudra is seen on the walking Buddha (also called 'the Buddha placing his footprint'), a posture unique to that region. When the right hand is in the abhaya mudra, the left hand usually hangs loosely at...
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...What is Buddhism? General Information Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path - a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood. Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator God, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realise and utilise its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion. There are around 350 million Buddhists and a growing number of them are Westerners. They follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterised by non-violence, lack of dogma, tolerance of differences, and, usually, by the practice of meditation. Who was the Buddha? Buddhism started with the Buddha. The word 'Buddha' is a title and not...
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...priest Tannen and the Confucius scholar Ishida Ittei who later both had massive impact on shaping the ideas of Yamamoto on the Way of samurai. Later on his master’s death, Yamamoto was at his age of forty-two. He was forbidden from committing senppuku by the government, which was against his idea that “the way of samurai is found in death” (Yamamoto, 23). The failure to demonstrate his loyalty in disembowelment motivated him to go into seclusion and to protest against shogunate rules in a way that he communicated his thoughts on what makes a warrior a way warrior to a young samurai who later used them compiling the book Hagakure. The focus of this article will lie on identifying in which ways Yamamoto’s way of samurai was influenced by Buddhism and Confucius ideas. One of the themes that run through the book is loyalty. From the perspective of Yamamoto, being loyal and obedient to his master is the most essential character for samurai. This idea has the strong relationship with Confucianism. Confucius advocates a social hierarchy with scholar on the top, followed by peasants, artisans and merchants....
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...the idea of Buddhism. Buddhism was based off of Hinduism. While they had their similarities, they were very different. Gautama said that people need to let go of the beliefs of Hinduism to fully accept Buddhism in their heart. In China, there was something called Confucianism. It was not necessarily a religion, but a philosophy. Confucianism created social order in China. There was also something in China called Daoism. Daoism was very different from Confucianism in the fact that it focused less on social order, but that it focused on being close to nature. Daoism also was different in the fact that it says logic cannot explain nature nor how it was created. Over time, Buddhism spread into china. This is present in document 7. The Daoist people understood its reasoning and where much more likely to adopt it. Confucius people were much less likely to adopt it and did not disagree with it at all. However, in the end Buddhism and Confucianism c-existed and the reactions of people were positive, negative, or blended. Positive people accepted and defended it policies, which is apparent in documents 1 and 2. Others blamed it for China’s social and political problems, which is depicted in documents 4and 6. Some people remained indifferent and blended Confucianism and Buddhism, and is displayed in documents 3 and 5. Document one is a quote from the first sermon preached by the Buddha, and is about the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are four beliefs of Buddhism and are about...
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...abbreviated translation from the Chinese Classic novel: Xi You Ji (The Journey to the West) composed by Wu cheng’en. The whole book is narrating the story of Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty traveling west to India to get the scripture, which is considered a greater vehicle that can be the salvation to all beings. Although apparently the idea of Buddhism is shown as the major concept throughout the whole small talk, the other two Teachings including Confucianism and Daoism are also sufficiently blended in the whole master piece. As a matter of fact, Monkey blends Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism together, which form in Neo-Confucianism. Throughout the whole book, their characteristics and the experience they went through show the ritual and benevolence in Confucianism idea, adopt the natural way in Daoist philosophy, and explain the path to reach Nirvana in Buddhist belief. The backgrounds of the main characters can represent the influence by three Teachings. First of all, in the whole book, Tripitaka blended the Confucianism ritual and benevolence traits into Buddhism suffering Nirvana process, and eventually got the true meaning of Buddhism and became a Bodhisattva. Tripitaka, the core character of this west Journey, was the son of Chen O who received the first place at the final Court Examination and married the daughter of the minister. Civil Exam was an examination that adheres to Confucian values. In other words, Tripitaka was actually born this life in the family that had...
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...Buddhism To begin Buddhism originated in Northern India towards the end of the sixth century B.C. (Layman 3). The founder of Buddhism was a noble of the Sakya clan whose name was Siddharta Gautama his first name means “he who has accomplished his objectives”. However, faithful Buddhists refer to him as “Buddha” meaning “enlightened one”. The Buddha is called the enlightened one because after leaving his wife and son in search of answers to the cause of sorrow and suffering in the world, the Buddha remembered how he once experienced a flash of inspiration while meditating. The Buddha decided to try meditation for answers. He found a spot under a tree commonly referred to as the “bodhi tree” it was under this tree where the Buddha felt he found the meaning of life, and a way to live that would bring freedom from all bondage and get the deepest satisfaction. This story seems a little far-fetched; I feel as though if I were living back in those days I would look at the “Buddha” as if he was a joke. I don’t see how by just sitting under a tree how the “Buddha” got such a large group of followers by just thinking of an idea that just suddenly popped in his head. Anyway, who am I to criticize, this has obviously worked for him and has caused a tremendous following. I guess the meditation process isn’t that bad after all, since Buddhism has turned into such a big phenomenon. The topic of Buddhism caught my attention because recently a lot of stars have started practicing...
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...religious beliefs. However, there were also some similarities based upon their religions such as governing rules. At one point, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism all played a role in the Chinese government during the Han and Yuan Dynasties. One difference was in the religion itself. While the Han Dynasty believed in Confucianism, the Yuan Dynasty believed in both Buddhism and Daoism. The Confucian principles taught that the material world is truly real. It also taught that it was the “heart” of the state government. Confucians believed that fulfillment comes from participating in the world....
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