Animism Of Buddhism
Religion is considered an important aspect to many cultures because it can provide peace of mind, unity within cultures and different views on life and death. Buddhism is derived from the word Buddha, which means awakened, wise or learned, which was one of the many characteristics Siddhartha Gautama, the founder behind the theory of Buddhism, created and used. Buddhism was a key part in Gautama’s life, his ultimate goal to seek spiritual enlightenment, which is hard today to trace any relations of Buddhism. Personally one of the most unique features of Buddhism is the Dharma. The Dharma is the considered to be important teachings of the Buddha, that his closest followers practiced. The ultimate goal of his followers was to reach a state of
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Nirvana which is the rebirth after one's present life has came to an end. In short, Nirvana is the teachings of the circle of life in both death and rebirth. With Dharma there are teaching and practices that people need to follow in which there are three stages that are practiced. The first stage is to learn the path of wise people and how they both learn and act. The second stage is learning and reflecting on what one has learned during his extensive studies of the religion. Finally, the third stage is designed to improve a person’s mentality. Personally, learning about Buddhism I feel as if the Dharma is the most unique feature because it emphasis’ all of the teachings and the importance to the people studying and practicing this particular religion. The entire philosophy of Buddhism is typically summarized into the four noble truths: all forms of existence involve some suffering, suffering arises because of unrealistic expectations, suffering can be eliminated by eliminating unrealistic expectations, and lastly, there is a method to be followed to eliminate them. The method discussed is summarized to "Do what is beneficial, avoid doing harm, and keep the mind pure." Buddha Gautama states to the kings in that society, to urge them to distribute the wealth and provide education to the less fortunate. By doing this will create a more level playing field, so the poor won’t have to steal from the wealthy, and overall violence will decrease. Buddha doesn’t want the human race and society to forget the word virtue and meaning of life itself. All of this could be avoided if the government would protect the poor rather than continuously serving the wealthy. The idea of providing selfless service to one's society was emphasized in some of the Mahayana sutras that came into prominence in the first several centuries CE.
Animism is considered to be a religion that many don’t know of or have practiced.
Animism is a name that is directed towards a complex of primitive beliefs that imputes a soul or spirit to all things both animate or inanimate. It is derived from Latin anima which is breath, spirit and life. The idea of Animism was derived from one of the earliest anthropological accounts of the origin of religion. Tylor’s theory, created by Edward B. Tylor in 1866, states that the first religious thought that primitive humans ever had was from their journey in their dreams. Savages believe that within themselves some part is conscious and physical in which they can travel long distances instantly and even survive after death. From a simple experience of traveling and seeing others in dreams, the basic forms of the religion were created. In the mid to late 1800’s, Herbert Spencer and James G. Frazer worked on an extensive work called The Golden Bough. This work was influential in the beginning of the 20th century which contributed to Tylor’s theory. By adding to Tylor’s theory, they discussed that in a variety of myths, humans and animals could keep their souls/spirits somewhere other than their own body. It was noted that Tylor, Frazer, and others had only merely tied ethnographies, traveler's tales, and missionaries' accounts, together, taking elements from each to prove a point about humanity as a whole. What they missed was they didn’t bother to understand particular people in detail. Even if animism no longer serves as a general explanation for the origins of human religion, it is useful as a descriptor of certain religious modes of thought and conduct within anthropology. This religion is very unique and interesting to learn about because it not considered to be widely used in many cultures. I found that Shamans were an interesting contribution to this religion because they are regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolent spirits, who
typically enters into a trance state during a ritual, and practices divination and healing. I have heard the word shaman before but never truly understood what they did and who they are. Their main goal is to restore the physical body of an individual back into balance and as a whole by treating illnesses by mending the soul. I find it powerful that shamans can visit other worlds and dimensions in order to bring guidance to lost souls and restore balance within the spiritual world and human world.
Judaism is considered to be one of the oldest monotheistic religions that was formed in c.2000 B.C.E. in the Middle East. Jews believed that God appointed them to be his chosen people in order to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophet Moses, were the primary figures of the Israelite culture, who received God's law at Mt. Sinai. Judaism is a tradition conformed in the religious, ethical, and social laws as they are mentioned in the Torah. The Torah is known as the five books of Moses in the Hebrew Bible and was composed around 450 BCE along with other Hebrew scriptures. The Torah portrays the story of Israel’s exile, the reward and the rules required in order to retain the paradise in the Land of Israel. In addition, the Torah pictures a world based on God’s justice and equity to reveal the justice of the one and only God of all creation. Judaism is a struggle between God’s plan for creation and man’s will, which contributes to the theology of Judaism. The Torah traces the Hebrews back to Abraham, a shepherd who lived in Mesopotamia. In return for promising to abandon polytheism and leave Mesopotamia, God made a promise to Abraham. God promised to lead Abraham and his descendants to the Promised Land, and to make those descendants a mighty people. What I find interesting is that Judaism has 3 types of Jews: Reform, Orthodox and Historical. The Reform Jew was developed in the 19th century which made changes in the liturgy, doctrine and ways of life. Reform Jews reviewed the legitimacy of the changes made and regarded them as a reform. Orthodox Jews turned down the idea of change and stuck to the facts: it is in the works of God and the facts set in the same order as the facts in nature. In addition, Orthodox Jews considered the possibility that one can study science and take time to devote themselves to the Torah. Lastly, a Historical Jew, also known today as a Conservative Jew adopted the thought that change had the potential to become reform, with the use of historical facts to represent these theological truths. Even though Judaism is not one of the world’s biggest religions, it has had a significant influence on many cultures, geopolitics and the religions of Christianity and Islam.
These 3 religions, Buddhism, Animism and Judaism have similarities and differences within them. Judaism ties in with Buddhism because they both believe in the concept that people are considered good; “God is not only God but also good.” They all rely on ideology’s and strong beliefs that tie them together but in an individualistic way within their own cultures. These 3 religions all started from a specific foundation through one person who found each idea and concept intriguing in which they found a way to study it and distribute its importance. Animism practices chanting, dancing, healing ceremonies and procession trances, which has some similarities to Buddhism practices which are: meditation, chanting, mantras, devotion to deities, sacred mandala art. Judaism practices involve circumcision at birth, bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood, Synagogue services on Saturdays, Kosher foods only, and celebrates holidays related to historical events. Their practices may be different but the thought process and ideas behind each religion is similar to one other.
Nirvana which is the rebirth after one's present life has came to an end. In short, Nirvana is the teachings of the circle of life in both death and rebirth. With Dharma there are teaching and practices that people need to follow in which there are three stages that are practiced. The first stage is to learn the path of wise people and how they both learn and act. The second stage is learning and reflecting on what one has learned during his extensive studies of the religion. Finally, the third stage is designed to improve a person’s mentality. Personally, learning about Buddhism I feel as if the Dharma is the most unique feature because it emphasis’ all of the teachings and the importance to the people studying and practicing this particular religion. The entire philosophy of Buddhism is typically summarized into the four noble truths: all forms of existence involve some suffering, suffering arises because of unrealistic expectations, suffering can be eliminated by eliminating unrealistic expectations, and lastly, there is a method to be followed to eliminate them. The method discussed is summarized to "Do what is beneficial, avoid doing harm, and keep the mind pure." Buddha Gautama states to the kings in that society, to urge them to distribute the wealth and provide education to the less fortunate. By doing this will create a more level playing field, so the poor won’t have to steal from the wealthy, and overall violence will decrease. Buddha doesn’t want the human race and society to forget the word virtue and meaning of life itself. All of this could be avoided if the government would protect the poor rather than continuously serving the wealthy. The idea of providing selfless service to one's society was emphasized in some of the Mahayana sutras that came into prominence in the first several centuries CE.
Animism is considered to be a religion that many don’t know of or have practiced.
Animism is a name that is directed towards a complex of primitive beliefs that imputes a soul or spirit to all things both animate or inanimate. It is derived from Latin anima which is breath, spirit and life. The idea of Animism was derived from one of the earliest anthropological accounts of the origin of religion. Tylor’s theory, created by Edward B. Tylor in 1866, states that the first religious thought that primitive humans ever had was from their journey in their dreams. Savages believe that within themselves some part is conscious and physical in which they can travel long distances instantly and even survive after death. From a simple experience of traveling and seeing others in dreams, the basic forms of the religion were created. In the mid to late 1800’s, Herbert Spencer and James G. Frazer worked on an extensive work called The Golden Bough. This work was influential in the beginning of the 20th century which contributed to Tylor’s theory. By adding to Tylor’s theory, they discussed that in a variety of myths, humans and animals could keep their souls/spirits somewhere other than their own body. It was noted that Tylor, Frazer, and others had only merely tied ethnographies, traveler's tales, and missionaries' accounts, together, taking elements from each to prove a point about humanity as a whole. What they missed was they didn’t bother to understand particular people in detail. Even if animism no longer serves as a general explanation for the origins of human religion, it is useful as a descriptor of certain religious modes of thought and conduct within anthropology. This religion is very unique and interesting to learn about because it not considered to be widely used in many cultures. I found that Shamans were an interesting contribution to this religion because they are regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolent spirits, who
typically enters into a trance state during a ritual, and practices divination and healing. I have heard the word shaman before but never truly understood what they did and who they are. Their main goal is to restore the physical body of an individual back into balance and as a whole by treating illnesses by mending the soul. I find it powerful that shamans can visit other worlds and dimensions in order to bring guidance to lost souls and restore balance within the spiritual world and human world.
Judaism is considered to be one of the oldest monotheistic religions that was formed in c.2000 B.C.E. in the Middle East. Jews believed that God appointed them to be his chosen people in order to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the prophet Moses, were the primary figures of the Israelite culture, who received God's law at Mt. Sinai. Judaism is a tradition conformed in the religious, ethical, and social laws as they are mentioned in the Torah. The Torah is known as the five books of Moses in the Hebrew Bible and was composed around 450 BCE along with other Hebrew scriptures. The Torah portrays the story of Israel’s exile, the reward and the rules required in order to retain the paradise in the Land of Israel. In addition, the Torah pictures a world based on God’s justice and equity to reveal the justice of the one and only God of all creation. Judaism is a struggle between God’s plan for creation and man’s will, which contributes to the theology of Judaism. The Torah traces the Hebrews back to Abraham, a shepherd who lived in Mesopotamia. In return for promising to abandon polytheism and leave Mesopotamia, God made a promise to Abraham. God promised to lead Abraham and his descendants to the Promised Land, and to make those descendants a mighty people. What I find interesting is that Judaism has 3 types of Jews: Reform, Orthodox and Historical. The Reform Jew was developed in the 19th century which made changes in the liturgy, doctrine and ways of life. Reform Jews reviewed the legitimacy of the changes made and regarded them as a reform. Orthodox Jews turned down the idea of change and stuck to the facts: it is in the works of God and the facts set in the same order as the facts in nature. In addition, Orthodox Jews considered the possibility that one can study science and take time to devote themselves to the Torah. Lastly, a Historical Jew, also known today as a Conservative Jew adopted the thought that change had the potential to become reform, with the use of historical facts to represent these theological truths. Even though Judaism is not one of the world’s biggest religions, it has had a significant influence on many cultures, geopolitics and the religions of Christianity and Islam.
These 3 religions, Buddhism, Animism and Judaism have similarities and differences within them. Judaism ties in with Buddhism because they both believe in the concept that people are considered good; “God is not only God but also good.” They all rely on ideology’s and strong beliefs that tie them together but in an individualistic way within their own cultures. These 3 religions all started from a specific foundation through one person who found each idea and concept intriguing in which they found a way to study it and distribute its importance. Animism practices chanting, dancing, healing ceremonies and procession trances, which has some similarities to Buddhism practices which are: meditation, chanting, mantras, devotion to deities, sacred mandala art. Judaism practices involve circumcision at birth, bar/bat mitzvah at adulthood, Synagogue services on Saturdays, Kosher foods only, and celebrates holidays related to historical events. Their practices may be different but the thought process and ideas behind each religion is similar to one other.