* Dharma- in Buddhism, refers generally to the teachings of the Buddha and is also the natural law that the universe follows…
When Buddhism first began to spread into china, reactions were mixed. While many people supported the idea, others were neutral, and a large number opposed Buddhism’s growing popularity. The opinions on the spread were not always cultural; many had underlying political origins. Those that supported this idea were typically those left without rights by the old Confucian ideals or people who were looking for an alternate for Confucianism. Some reacted neutrally so as to gain the favor of both sides. On the flip side as Buddhism began to change Confucian values, the people in power turned strictly against the new belief system in an effort to keep ancient tradition.…
One type Jnana Yoga – to bring insight into one’s devine nature by studying the Upanishads and Bhafavad Gita, their commentaries and learning from teachers that have reached insight.…
“Every man must must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”…
Buddhism originated in India in the sixth century B.C.E. and was brought to China by the first century C.E. Overtime, many Chinese people converted to Buddhism, especially after the fall of the Han dynasty. During the Era of Division between 220 C.E. and 570 C.E., many Confucian and Buddhist scholars viewed Buddhism as a positive, unifying force for China during that tough time of instability because it gave the people something to look to for hope. However, after 570 C.E., Confucian scholars started rejecting Buddhism, feeling that it was becoming a threat to the scholar-gentry class and the Confucian-based Chinese society as a whole. Despite this change of opinion about Buddhism after 570 C.E., some scholars continued to feel that Buddhism benefitted China due to its values and teachings. One additional document that could be useful would be one from the point of view of a peasant to see the way Buddhism effected the lower classes of China before and after 570 C.E. and to see if they saw Buddhism as a positive or negative factor in their lives.…
Man’s nature is evil; goodness is a result of a conscious activity. The nature of man is such that he is born with a fondness for profit. If he indulges this fondness, it will lead him to wrangling and strife, and all sense of courtesy and humility will disappear. He is born with feelings of envy and hate, and if he indulges these, they will lead him to violence and crime, and all sense of loyalty and good faith will disappear. Man is born with the desires of eyes and ears, with a fondness for beautiful sights and sounds. If he indulges these, they will lead him to license and wantonness, and all ritual principles and correct forms will be lost. Hence, any man who follows his nature and indulges his emotions will inevitably become involved in wrangling and strife, will violate the forms and rules of society and will end as a criminal. Therefore, man must first be transformed by the instructions of the teacher and guided by ritual principles, and only then he will be able to observe the dictates of courtesy and humility, obey the forms and rules of society, and achieve order. It is obvious from this then, that man’s nature is evil, and that his goodness is the result of conscious activity.…
1. The Question of Origin – In a Hindu Worldview the question of origin would be pantheistic in nature. A Hindu would believe that they have always been in existence and everything is a part of god. God is seen as an impersonal force of nature and this force is in everything and surrounds everything. One can only escape this force through the process of reincarnation and to become one with everything.…
Being a Hindu, growing up in a modern society, I have got this wonderful opportunity to research Hinduism in contemporary world. In this essay, I have explored Hinduism not only by juxtaposing it with modern Hinduism, but also with ancient religious practices. Modernity is not simply the western world, or connecting to contemporary and rejecting the old. Modernity, as David Smith says is theorization of modern world and according to modernity self is autonomous, and God is dead. This feature of modernity contradicts present day world. For us, yes we are autonomous, but God is still alive within us, somewhere within our heart, in the air, in water and everywhere. We are not autonomous, we are controlled by the government and our future depends…
In the Hindu religion, there are nine essential beliefs that you must believe in to be considered a Hindu. One of those beliefs is the belief in one supreme being, saying that there is one “being” who creates and destroys the universe. The second belief is the belief that the Vedas, the Hindu sacred texts, are Divine and that they are truly a representation of how to live in the religion. The third belief, relating to the first, is that the universe goes through cycles of formation and deformation that never end. The fourth belief is that karma exists and it is that which determines fate through causes and effect. The fifth belief is that everybody will eventually achieve moksha, separation from a cycle of eternal reincarnation, and that there…
In particular, these two religions, like many other world religions of the east and west concentrate on human ethics through belief, worship, and practice. Similarities and differences are evident in both theory and practice between the two religions. Buddhism teaches that morality is something we create for ourselves based purely on what is found to be beneficial rather than objectively right or good. The Society for the Promotion of Buddhism agrees when it states that “There is no discrimination between right and wrong, but people make a distinction for their own convenience”. The Buddhist Precepts are sometimes compared to the Ten Commandments of the Abrahamic religions such as Christianity. However, the Precepts are not commandments, but principles, and it is up to Buddhists to determine how to apply these principles in their lives. Buddhism is greatly attractive because it sets humans free to take charge of their lives without fear of any powerful third party intervention. It leaves room for a range of interpretations. It gives full control of the person to conduct their life without fear of punishment or desire for reward by an external agent. It tells the person that their actions, thoughts, and speech are their own…
Hinduism is a very unorganized, complex religion. It does not have a set of straightforward rules like other religions. Many things influence the study and practice of beliefs in Hinduism. However, there is something in common throughout all of these different forms. It is the belief in a higher, supreme power and devotion to concepts like Truth, Karma, and Dharma. Also, the belief in the jurisdiction of the sacred Hindu scriptures called the Vedas. There is many beliefs, teachings, practices, and important holidays.…
The writings on Hinduism and modernity by David Smith are an interesting read due to the juxtaposition of two opposite (per the author) concepts filled with examples that are traditional and modern with a spirit of understanding that is the hallmark of modern times. The opening examples of the Ganesha idols drinking milk being ridiculed by a modern day press in India serves well to remind us that our thinking or “theorisation” has become rigidly scientific and we have developed a sceptical bias towards what we cannot understand or explain. For me, the process of reading this section and sorting the confusion of thoughts thereafter enough to write about, involved several attempts to reading, writing and letting it go.…
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It encompasses many religious traditions and beliefs and includes people from all over the world. There are many stories, hymns, passages, rituals, and sacred texts in Scriptures Of The World’s Religions about Hinduism and its beliefs of moksha, or liberation, and how to attain it.…
First Law of nature: "That every man, ought to endeavour Peace, as farre as he can hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use, all helps and advantages of Warre. The first branch of which Rule, containeth the first, and Fundamental Law of Nature; which is, to seek Peace, and follow it. The Second, the summe of the Right of Nature of Nature; which is, By all means we can, to defend our selves."…
Following the collapse of the Han Dynasty, Buddhism's popularity gradually began to grow in China. Based on these documents, there were two distinct responses China had do to control the spread of Buddhism. Firstly, they needed support from Chinese scholars and citizens and secondly disdain towards it from those in direct power of China. Part of the reason Buddhism spread was because it was a missionary religion. Many educated Chinese supported the religion as they created written records highlighting the appealing aspects of the religion.Those in direct control over China showed their opposition towards the religion by describing it as a threat to China and its people.…