...Women Status and Eastern Religions The Eastern religions are a major part of the world religions. They have a significant influence on the women status. We will try to examine Korea’s Shamanism, Japan’s Shintoism, and India’s Buddhism and attempt to see how women status be change throughout the course of the time. Since two thousand five hundred BCE, Shamanism is an indigenous religion in Korea. Shaman is a medium between the physical and spiritual worlds. Typically, Shamans are mostly women. They are responsible to contact spirits, to obtain wisdom, guidance, future knowledge, healing cures, and good fortune. In order to becoming a Shaman, there are three steps. First, one is called to be a Shaman. One cannot be a Shaman by one’s will and need to be chosen. Second, one will first experience a lot of suffering. For example, one will have illness, madness, poverty, family issues. Third, one will experience spontaneous prophecy and trances. If the one refuse the call, one will suffer more illness and misfortune. If the one accept the call, it will lead to relief of the suffering. If the woman is in a marriage, the marriage tends to dissolve. Shaman bonds with other shaman. The young shaman will get train by the older shaman. After the initiation ceremony, prophecies will come pouring out of the new Shaman. She is able to make a living. She will provide wisdom from the spirits: great mother spirit, deceased ancestors (clan leader individual). Primary...
Words: 1836 - Pages: 8
...started the spiritual journey early in their lives, they both were in different types of Buddhism but they had similar philosophy and teachings.Gautama is the primary figure in Buddhism. Mahavira has accounts of his life properly regarded as a reformer of Jainism. this shows that they both are important figure in their respective religions. 2. The four passing sights that gautama saw was a sick person, elderly person, a peaceful monk,and a dead person. These sights made him question things. 3. The 4 Noble Truths 1.All life is full of suffering, pain and sorrow. 2.The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are based on illusions. 3.The only cure suffering is to overcome desire 4.There is a eight fold path to overcome desire 4. Buddhism is referred to as “The Middle way” because it is in between the way of a hard life and pleasure. 5. The term used in the suttas for one thing to be abandoned to enable a clear knowing. In the Avijja Sutta it is expressed as the lack of understanding that anything gives rise to attachment is unworthy of attachment”. The ignorance of attachment arising in the consciousness will keep us bounded to the cycle of life 6. The King Asoka’s empire converted 7. Theravada buddhism teaches the concept that God is not relevant but Buddha also known as “The awakened one” is the supreme sage. Buddha is the fully enlightened one. There avada Buddhism believes that one must achieve...
Words: 397 - Pages: 2
...Buddhism and Christianity have their similarities and some differences of their early spreadings around the world. Both religions are offshoots of other religions. Christianity spread throughout the Roman empire after Jesus had died and the Jews wanted a messiah to help them. Buddhism spread through Southeast Asia because during the time of the fall of the Han Dynasty people went to Buddhism as a comfort religion. The two religions have different ways to reach salvation. In both religions, Jesus and Buddha never wrote down their teachings and the spread of their teaching was through their disciples and or missionaries. Christianity is an offshoot of Judaism and Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism. In Christianity, Jesus was born a Jew and lived as a Jew for many years of his life. Jesus followed and worshiped the Jewish law. Just like in Judaism, Jesus emphasized God’s love and teachings of the need of morality, justice, and do good work for others, but because Jesus claimed to be the messiah everything changed. Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism...
Words: 625 - Pages: 3
...Buddhism versus Jainism Darryn C. Greene Strayer University World Religions 212 Professor Veronica Slater January 24, 2014 | The beliefs of Buddhism and Jainism follow similar paths but do have conflicting principles that makes them both very unique in their own way. The key creators of Buddhism and Jainism, Guatama and Mahavira, were contemporaries that came from the same social class. Their upbringings were so closely tied which may explain why the religions share similar doctrines. Most historians agree that Buddhism originated in northern India in the 5th century B.C.E. The tradition traces its origin to Siddhartha Gautama (or Gotama), who is typically referred to as the Buddha (literally the "Awakened" or "Enlightened One"). Siddhartha observed the suffering in the world and set out to find an antidote. Gautama Buddha, the originator of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC in the reigning Kshatriya family of the Lichhavi tribe in Lumbini, in the foothills of Nepal. His father was the Chief of this tribe. It was prophesized that Gautama (who was named Siddharth) would become a saint and renounce the world. Therefore, his father took all possible care to keep Gautama in a palace full of luxuries and comfort. The preaching of Lord Buddha revolves around attaining salvation from worldly sufferings, universal brotherhood, peace and non-violence. | Gautama Buddha during his reign discarded the Vedic Brahmanical system, which separated the society into many castes and...
Words: 1127 - Pages: 5
...and ways of life. Here one from each category will be looked at. Buddhism has origins in Indian subcontinent with shared and unique beliefs. These beliefs have no doubt have caused discrimination and conflict throughout time. The same is true for Asians. They are people that were vary separated from the world, and when trade lines were opened so were their differences. What makes these groups different has caused pain, but their experience has been much like any other group through history. Buddhism has a unique set of beliefs and principles that are adhered to by its followers. The religion is nontheistic that is comprised of many practices, traditions, and beliefs based on Siddhartha Gautama, who is known as the Buddha (Buddhism, 2014). Buddha itself means the enlightened one. Gautama had a privileged upbringing and eventually grew tired of that life style. He searched for a greater meaning of life, and in that search he developed the four noble truths. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering (Basics of Buddhism, 1999). Suffering and how to end that suffering are the center ideas of the religion. Buddhists meditate in search of nirvana, the higher state of understanding where suffering stops. They follow the Eight Fold Path to work through the understanding of the Four Noble Truths. The path consists of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech...
Words: 1173 - Pages: 5
...3) Compare Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. How were these religions influenced by India's social structure? Although there are similarities to Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, they are more different than they are alike. The three most popular religions in India in the early 5th century B.C.E., and arguably still very popular in the region today, all have ties to the early Brahmanic religion that they were formed from and in some cases attempted to separate themselves from 1. Starting with Jainism, is a religion that was at its roots was an attempt to establish a new religion that went against or separated itself from the original Brahmanic religion. It came to life similar to the way Buddhism did by way of a person leaving their comfy life in search of religious freedom and investigation. One of the biggest points that Jainism established was that everything in the universe has a soul, even inanimate objects such as rocks and furniture have souls and that everything should be respected in that respect. Many of the earlier followers took such extremes that they did not eat anything, being that would destroy a life, and starved themselves to death. All of this was off of a premise called Karma. In summary, Karma is the fact that every action has a reaction, be that negative or positive depending on the person’s actions. In comparison, Jainism is not a huge religion such as Buddhism and Hinduism but still has a few million followers today and even was influential in the legendary...
Words: 702 - Pages: 3
...Buddhism has become a religion that millions across the globe have started to participate in. Many people believe in the idea of karma, that if one does good things, good things will happen to them. However, several people do not realize that many Buddhist practices such as karma and reincarnation are rooted in Hinduism. How do the different Hindu and Buddhist prayers compare and how are they used amongst the lay people? These two religions have stark differences with their methods of prayer, so how have lay Buddhists found a balance between Hindu traditions and Buddhist traditions? Buddhism is known as the middle path between the relaxed version of Hinduism and the strict rules of other religions such as Jainism. Buddhism attempts to break...
Words: 1793 - Pages: 8
...luminous space that remains. That space, according to the Kalachakra Tantra (Wheel of Time) is inseparable from beginning less and universal consciousness. | Nature of God/Creator | Buddhism is a nontheistic religion, which means they do not believe in any supreme being or God. Many People believe that Buddhists worship Buddha; this, however, is not the case. The Buddha was a human being; he is revered by Buddhist because he achieved what all Buddhists wish to achieve someday, enlightenment.Buddha’s name was Siddhartha Gautama, meaning “wish fulfiller” or “he who has reached his goal.” It is said that he lived for over eighty years during the fifth century BCE. At the age of 29 Siddhartha renounced his wealth and went on a search to find liberation from suffering. Siddhartha spent many years searching, learning and wandering on his journey and one night of the full mon in the sixth lunar month, it is said that he sat in deep meditation beneath a tree, and finally experienced supreme awakening. He spent decades walking and teaching ever-increasing groups of followers all over northern India. Out of the abundant and varied scriptures later attributed to Shakyamuni Budda, historians agree on the validity and centrally of a core of teaching that became known as the Dharma that he taught: the Four Noble Truths and The Noble the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Marks of Existence, and other guidelines for achieving liberation from suffering.(Fisher, 2013 pp. 138-140) | View of Human Nature...
Words: 1703 - Pages: 7
...Exam To Mrs. Pia Brancaccio June 13th, 2013 1. Please select two works of Buddhist art from the Early Heian Period and explain: a. The political transition from Nara to Heian period. b. The religious changes we see taking place in Japan during this time. c. The main features of Buddhist art and architecture in the early part of the Heian period. Please include in your discussion an explanation on how these works of art and architecture were used by religious practitioners. Works selected: • Interior of the kondo, Kanshinji, Osaka, fig.151, page125 • Taizokai (Womb World) of Ryokai Mandara, fig.152, page126 The Heian period (794-1185) takes its name from the new capital established in 794 at Heian, or Capital of Peace and Tranquility, a variation on the Tang Chinese capital’s name of Chang’an (Everlasting Peace). The shift in power from the Buddhist community back into the hands of the powerful aristocratic family is fully realized early this period (794-951). Buddhism was allowed only a limited presence within the capital itself, reorients itself into esoteric cults focused on complex philosophies and rituals as well as into more populist “saviour” movement that helped for the first time spread the religion widely amongst the common people.One of the major events of the Early Heian period, the introduction into Japan of Tendai and Shingon Buddhism was precipitated by the loss of direction on the part of the Buddhism community that had led to the relocation of the capital. It was...
Words: 2230 - Pages: 9
...BUDDHISM By Heather Alexander Dr. James Wilcox World Religion 06/06/2012 I want to first give a little background on how the Buddha came about and how Buddhism came to be. The Buddha is said to be born the son of a king. Many scholars have tried to pinpoint his birth. It is believed that he was born around 563 B.C.E. There are other sources that suggest that it may have been a century later that he was born. His given name was Siddhartha Gautama. For the next 30 years or so it is believed that the prince lived a very sheltered life. Somewhere around his 29th or 30th year he decided he wanted to see the outside world. His father was extremely against it. He wanted to protect his son from the outside world. His father finally agreed and sent out troops to remove all of the old, sick, and ugly from the route that the prince would take. According to legend he took a total of four trips out of the grounds. On each of his outings he seen one of the “four sights” that his father tried to protect him against. The “four sights” are said to be a bent old man, a dead person, a sick person, and renunciate. After coming home for the final time he decided that the life he was living wasn’t what he really wanted. Siddhartha set out on a long journey trying to find what it was that he felt was missing .He wandered around for 6 years taking whatever food was given to him. At one point he was surviving on a grain of rice and a drop of water for the day. He eventually decided...
Words: 1786 - Pages: 8
...Buddhism- A Study on Buddhist Monks Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the culture of the Buddhist Monks and their culture. The goal is to research the origination, worldview, religion, roles of men and women within their community, education, language and finally beliefs. Upon the study of the Buddhist Monks culture, information gathered highlighted the importance of the teachings of Buddha who is renowned as the enlighten one in and around the Buddhist community. The universal definition of what culture is the total inherited ideas, beliefs, values and culture which constitutes as the shared basis of social action. This could not have been more accurate for the study of Buddhism culture. In our study, we gathered that Buddhism is a philosophy which encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices which is based on the teachings of the renowned Buddha. The religion of Buddhism stretches to an extensive degree. Like many other cultures, there are different extents of religion, from the extreme to the customary and finally, to the moderate. There is no doubt that the Buddhist culture is vast. This research was embarking study of the Buddhist Monks. Research teaches us their discipline is refined and is intended to be conducive to the arising of mindfulness and wisdom. Furthermore, we gathered that the information of this culture is an excellent tool, which can be instrumental in leading to the end of all suffering. Enlighten information...
Words: 3878 - Pages: 16
...Landon Thompson EALC 145 Professor Cheung 9 April 2010 Buddhism and Buddhist Characteristics of the Cave Chapels Along with Confucianism and Taoism, Buddhism is among China’s most influential religions throughout its history. Buddhism taught the Chinese to believe in the Four Noble Truths and to follow the Eightfold Path to achieve nirvana, or a state of complete understanding with the world. Buddhism’s influences stretched to all regions of the country; it became influential enough that Emperors even commissioned cave chapels to be dedicated to Buddhism and the Buddha. The cave chapels of Yungang, Longmen, and Dunhuang, although each different, are the most famous of the cave chapels and best capture the different styles and characteristics that were used throughout that time period. The Yungang caves in the Shangxi province of China are a series of caves, mostly carved into the cliffs. The Five caves of Tanyao are the most famous caved chapels in the Yingang area. Although they are each unique in their own matter, the five caves collectively are dedicated to the five previous Tabgatch rulers (Thorpe 164). The Five Caves of Tanyao (Caves 16-20), reflect the faith in a phase of reliance on lavish imperial patronage. The history of Wei, or Weishu, records that Fa Guo, the Administrator of Monks, required monks to pay homage to the emperor, declaring "the person who has the ability to advocate Buddhist faith is our sovereign. I am not paying...
Words: 1479 - Pages: 6
...HIST-T124 T1 Study Guide I. MULTIPLE CHOICE KEY CONCEPTS Early Humans and their Culture * Define “culture” * Identify the features of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Cultures Middle East * Define “civilization” * Explain the role of climate and geography in the development of Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations Near East * Explain the role of climate and geography in the development of Near Eastern civilizations * Identify the Hittites and Assyrians Indian Sub-Continent * Explain the role of climate and geography in the development of early Indian civilization * Recognize and identify key characteristics and features of Harappan and Vedic Aryan civilizations East Asia (China) * Explain the role of climate and geography on the emergence of civilization in East Asia * Identify and describe the key features of Shang and Zhou civilization The Americas * Explain the role of climate and geography in the development of civilization in the Americas * Focus on the Olmecs in Mesoamerica and Chavin de Huantar in the Andes Comparing the Four Great Revolutions * Identify and understand the main points of comparison and contrast between Chinese, Indian, Near Eastern, and Mediterranean philosophy and religion Philosophy in China * Identify and understand the key features and messages of Confucianism, Daoism...
Words: 1109 - Pages: 5
...denominations such as Baptists wait until the person is old enough to confirm personally their own Christian faith. In denominations where Baptism is the norm for babies, Confirmation is undertaken where the person personally affirms the vows undertaken for them when they were baptized as a baby. Christians believe worshipping in a group is important and this is usually called a service which takes place in a church on a Sunday (Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday). Each denomination worships in a different way. Some may be only slight while others are more noticeable. The most important differences are in the celebration of the Sacraments. Roman Catholics celebrate seven sacraments while Protestants accept only two (Baptism and Holy Communion). The Most important is the Eucharist (Holy Communion, Mass or The Lord’s Supper). The name Eucharist comes from the Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’. It is a service during which Christians remember the last meal that Jesus ate with his...
Words: 2821 - Pages: 12
...WORLD RELIGIONS – REL 212 World Religions | WEEK 1INDIGENOUS | The term indigenous is a generalized reference to the thousands of small scale societies who have distinct languages, kinship systems, mythologies, ancestral memories and homelands. These societies comprise more than 200 million people throughout the planet today. | Origin of All Things | Most indigenous peoples have creation stories where they believe the Creator or Great Father in the Sky made the earth, the animals and all humans. | Nature of God/Creator | Many believe that they have lost touch or even forgotten about a Creator that their ancestors knew, but disobeyed. They believe the dark gods of the spirit world are the ones to be afraid of or to placate. Thus they believe that the Creator God, if there is one, is distant, removed and angry with them. | View of Human Nature | Humans are often seen as lost or wandering from a true path that was lost to the ancestors long ago. Humans are seen as capable of good or bad and under the influence of curses, vows, incantations, or evil spirits. In this sense, they may be animistic. Many have a special shaman or witch doctor who is supposed to help them connect to the spirit world. | View of Good & Evil | Good and evil are seen as forces that compete for dominance in a person and in the world. Sometimes there is an ethnocentric idea that ‘our’ group is the good one and all outsiders are ‘bad’. This idea can lead to wars and conflicts. | View of...
Words: 4041 - Pages: 17
