...There is a specific religion that did not care if they were dominant or not, this religion is Buddhism. The Buddhist followed the teachings of the Buddha and strived to find their way to enlightenment. It is true that the Buddhist did not change the teachings but they have changed the depiction of the Buddha himself. Many different cultures have made their own depiction of the Buddha to fit their culture. This is shown in the different figures of “The Head of Buddha Image" in Thailand of the Ayutthaya style, late fourteenth century to around the early fifteenth century, made with bronze. Another figure is the "Seated Buddha" of China of the Zhou dynasty, dated 338, made of gilt bronze. In addition to these works of art Korea has made a Buddha figure of their own called the "Standing Buddha" of Korea in the unified Sill period, eighth century...
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...Religions influenced many regions different ways. Two of those religions we practice today is Christianity and Buddhism. Both of them managed to change the lives of people. They affected our lives each day. Buddhism and Christianity are still spreading and influencing regions today. There was a way Buddhism was differently spread than the others. Buddhism started in India and the Middle East. Today it’s mostly practiced in China. In document 7, it says that Buddhism was spread by monks going on trips around. They went around for the welfare of multitudes. There’s also a way Christianity spread to other places. Christianity originated from the Middle East. It spread to Mexico by an explorer named Cortes. In document...
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...Buddhism is a religion practiced by around 350 million people in the world. The practice of Buddhism is a journey that involves spiritual development, insight, and self-awareness. In fact, the word ‘Buddha’ means ‘one who is awake’. A Buddha is free from greed, hatred, and ignorance. The Buddhist religion teaches people to be fully responsible for their lives. Buddhists believe every action has a consequence, and change can be made. Buddhism differs from other religious groups in many ways. First, there is no almighty God in Buddhism. Buddhists do not believe in heaven and hell, or judgment day. The idea of sin does not exist in Buddhism. In addition, the relationship between a Buddha and his disciples is that of a teacher/student, not a God and his followers. Another difference between Buddhism and other religions is there is no savior concept. A Buddha does not have the ability to wash away impurities. They believe in cause and effect. There is an action, and a reaction. Also, the concept of “Hell” is different in the Buddhist religion. Buddhist does not believe that “Hell” is a consequence, or eternal damnation. Instead, it is one of the six realms of Samsara (the worst of three undesirable realms). Samsara is a fundamental concept of Buddhism. It is the ‘perpetual cycles of existence; or endless rounds of rebirth among the six realms of existence. Because Buddhists practice self-awareness, enlightenment, and responsibility they do not judge other religions...
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...The religious group of Buddhism has a lot of differences then other religious groups. Buddhism “is an 800 year old religion and a way of life dedicated to manifesting the endowed purpose of every human being to realize enlightenment”( Shinran Shonin, BASIC BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES). One thing that I learnt that stood out about the differences of Buddhism is that they are not concerned about labels. Buddhists don’t worship an idol, but do sometimes pay respect to images of Buddha. All though not in worship nor to ask favors, but more of a gratitude for their teaching. Some basic concepts of Buddhist teaching are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Two differences between Buddhism and other religions are god and the concept of hell. Buddhism do not believe Buddha is a God, they say it’s more like a teacher student relationship. Buddhist concept of hell is way different than other religions. They believe in realms and Hell is the worst of the three undesirable realms, not that Hell is a place of eternal damnation. Buddhism is still new in American culture but you still see Buddhist, just not as common as other countries. The biggest thing that they have contributed to American culture is the politeness and caring not for themselves but for other human beings. They have brought to the American culture that wealth is not the way to happiness. Actually, if you look at a lot of Buddhist countries, they are poor looking because they believe that wealth...
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...they have faced difficult choices regarding their beliefs, culture, and well-being. They have also faced scrutiny and discrimination from other groups. How they have adapted and persevered during these times contributes to their cultural history. Buddhism is a religion practiced by nearly 300 million people around the world, but is a little known religion to westerners. It is gaining popularity in western countries because its philosophies lend to the minimalistic trends that are becoming popular in America. More than just a religion, Buddhism differs from other religions because does not worship idols or gods, instead it is designed to teach its followers a deep understanding of the human mind, and to find the path to enlightenment. Another unique characteristic of Buddhism is that it has historically been a tolerant religion, which cannot be said for most other religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions but Buddhism goes further by providing a long-term purpose within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'; that is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism. That is why...
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...Debra Bloom Religious and Ethnic Groups America has changed from the nation it what it was once, a Nation where Christianity was the primary religion and our borders were not open to outsiders. Through the years many have migrated to America making our Nation today, the most diverse Nation, and not just in regards to ethnicity but religion as well. What is it that differs from one religion to the other? What causes people to discriminate against other races? Could it be the lack of information regarding other religions and ethnicities? We can start by comparing Buddhism and Asian decent and see what differences they have compared to other religions and ethnicities. Buddhism has made it’s was to America, and although many have already accepted much of its teaching others stand skeptical and feel it threatens their own beliefs. One of the differences between Buddhism and many of the other known religions is that they do not have a higher being, or one that they answer to (“Buddhism-Differences,1996). They do not believe that they need a higher being to make amends for their wrongs. These specific beliefs are very different from those of other beliefs, whereas they have a god, higher being and believe you must do something to atone for your wrongs. The fact is that there are major differences between each religion, whether we choose to accept them is another thing. Although many are unaware of the impact that Buddhism has already made on the American culture. Many...
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...The religious group of Buddhism has a lot of differences then other religious groups. Buddhism “is an 800 year old religion and a way of life dedicated to manifesting the endowed purpose of every human being to realize enlightenment”( Shinran Shonin, BASIC BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND EXPERIENCES). One thing that I learnt that stood out about the differences of Buddhism is that they are not concerned about labels. Buddhists don’t worship an idol, but do sometimes pay respect to images of Buddha. All though not in worship nor to ask favors, but more of a gratitude for their teaching. Some basic concepts of Buddhist teaching are the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Two differences between Buddhism and other religions are god and the concept of hell. Buddhism do not believe Buddha is a God, they say it’s more like a teacher student relationship. Buddhist concept of hell is way different than other religions. They believe in realms and Hell is the worst of the three undesirable realms, not that Hell is a place of eternal damnation. Buddhism is still new in American culture but you still see Buddhist, just not as common as other countries. The biggest thing that they have contributed to American culture is the politeness and caring not for themselves but for other human beings. They have brought to the American culture that wealth is not the way to happiness. Actually, if you look at a lot of Buddhist countries, they are poor looking because they believe that...
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...C Roberts Jr ETH/125 Lyron Baggerly October 2, 2014 The Asian Buddhism religion differs from other religions, as other religions differ from other religions. Asian Buddhism is unique, as it stands on its own, no other religion believe the same as Buddhism believes. Well maybe Atheist may believe one belief of Buddhism. But can we really consider Atheist as a religion. I assume we can, simply because it is a way of living and it holds morals and values. But I am not here to talk to you about Atheist; I am her to talk you about the Asian culture and their Buddhism religion. Asian Buddhism differs from other religions, except Atheist, in believing there is no God almighty that rewards or punishment on judgment day. A Buddha is not like Jesus Christ, who saves others by his own salvation. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha as their primary guide that represents the path of purity, but their do not completely surrender to him. A Buddhist does not think that he can gain purity by solely seeking salvation in Buddha or by pure faith in him. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others (BuddhaNet.com). Buddhism does not practice faith without questioning by all Buddhist followers. It places emphasis mainly on self-reliance, self-discipline, and individual striving. Buddhism believes in the concept that one is to be reborn, rather than reincarnated. In addition, Buddhism rejects that after life we are transformed into a permanent soul, or...
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...of people who share the same thoughts and beliefs about the origin of the universe, creation, | | |the afterlife and other spiritual traditions. | Part II Select at least 1 religious and 1 ethnic/racial group not your own from the list below. • Religious groups (based on http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/affiliations-all-traditions.pdf) o Christianity • Evangelical Protestant • Mainline Protestant • Historically Black Churches • Roman Catholic • Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) • Jehovah’s Witnesses • Orthodox (Greek, Eastern) o Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform) o Buddhism (Theravada or Mahayana) o Islam (Sunni, Shia, Sufism) o Hinduism...
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...you put Greenpeace in your will.” — Greenpeace advertisement on billboard in Taylor Square, Sidney, Australia As the above quotation from the advertisement indicates, there is no question that Buddhism has a certain appeal to the West. Donald S. Lopez, Jr. author of Prisoners of Shangri-la: Tibetan Buddhism and The West provides a cultural history of the “strange encounter” between Buddhism (especially Tibetan Buddhism) and Western countries, most notably Britain, Australia and the United States. It is no longer questionable that Buddhism, and again, especially the Tibetan stream, has permeated popular culture: since China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet in 1950, which will be discussed further, but most significantly since the 1990s. This is most likely accredited to the Dalai Lama’s receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, which brought him and Buddhism much exposure. In fact, every stream of Buddhism announces growing public acceptance in the West since the Dalai Lama first visited two decades ago. The Complete Guide to Buddhist America, written in 1998 for which the Dalai Lama wrote the preface, reports that the number of worship centers in the United States more than doubled from 1987 to 1997 to over one thousand. Several examples illustrate the recent exposure of Buddhism in Western popular and political culture. Firstly, one of the most popular films of the early 1980s, The Return of the Jedi of the Star Wars series featured the Ewoks who spoke high-speed Tibetan...
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...Contemporary Issues in Buddhism Team D REL/133 May 21, 2013 Prof. Joseph Pirelli Buddhism is considered one of the oldest forms of religion dating back over 2,500 years; which originated in Thailand and has spread throughout Asia and begun to spread in Northern America, with over 125 million practicing Buddhists today. Siddhartha Gautama the founder of Buddhism became Buddha, his teachings and philosophy of selflessness and love towards others, modest and meek lifestyle, karma and reincarnation, education, and total submission and control of the mind and body are the basics of this religion. Buddhism has similar characteristics with other major religions that include practices, rituals, scriptures, and believes such as the belief in a deity or higher greater power. It has a doctrine accepting teachings of salvation and a code of conduct. The Buddhism religion maintains an essential qualities or religious practices that are passed down from generation by sources such as authorities and or their followers are accept as sacred. The Buddhist teachings consist of the Noble Eight Fold Path: 1.) Right View- full understanding of life. 2) Right of Intention- selflessness and good will towards all. 3.) Right Speech- always watching words 4.) Right Actions- always in control of ones actions and the results or impact of them. 5.) Right Livelihood-live upstanding example nothing illegal or unethical. 6.) Right Effort- always displays effort...
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...Funeral Traditions in America from Around The World America has many traditions, but one tradition that many don’t like to speak of is funerals. A funeral is when a loved one has passed and there is a celebration of life and put to rest, in this case with many traditions around the world there are different ways of remembering ones loved one when passing. America is a big continent where many people from around the world live in and bring their traditions with them and still continue them here, and one of those traditions is a funeral. To begin with one of the popular traditions that are regular to do in most places like in the article that Marian T. Horvat states is in the past, the funeral was held from the home or from funeral parlors. In the former case, rarely practiced in the United States today, the body was prepared to repose in the person’s own bed for twelve hours, during which time only family members were received to offer their last respects and prayers. After this the coffin was placed in the living room, and the bereaved family received condolence visits from friends and neighbors. As a point of honor and respect, the family made sure that at least one person kept watch over the deceased at all hours until the body was taken to the Church for the requiem Mass and then burial. The term wake came from this time of watch. The customs vary in each country, but in general, the deceased is laid out at the family home or the hospital chapel, often in an open coffin...
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...Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists The book Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists is a collection of testimonials from practicing young adults in North America edited by Sumi Loundon. It takes an interesting approach to Western Buddhism, divided in four parts being lessons, life stories, livelihood and personal reflections by the editor. It explains first-hand the overcoming of struggles and barriers faced by modern Buddhists on their everyday path to enlightenment. The stories of the young North American Buddhists vary from Lillian Guild’s search for a relationship with a strong religious foundation to Elijah Ary’s duty of bridging the Eastern and Western Buddhist worlds. As seen in lectures, Elijah Ary is a tulku, a reincarnation of a popular Tibetan Buddhist monk, and the only one ever born in the Western world (ever to be confirmed by the Dalai Lama). Another testimonial is entitled “I’m a Mutt” by Hanuman Goleman, a self-proclaimed “Bu-Hin-Chris-Jew”. Goleman explains his choice to focus on his Buddhist way of life, while remaining conscious and respectful of other faiths. Like Ary, Goleman was born to a Jewish father and Christian mother who later converted to a major Eastern religion (Hinduism at first, in contrast to Ary’s Buddhism). I found it interesting to see two men from such similar roots overcome great diversity and pursue the same faith with much different paths. Unlike Ary, Goleman was under no pressure to pursue his faith studies in traditional...
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...Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhism and Asians Cultural Diversity in the United States Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhism and Asians The world is a melting pot of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. The religious and ethnic groups I have chosen to focus on, are Buddhism and Asians. I selected these groups, because of my curiosity and intrigue for the ancient traditions and mystique surrounding these two groups. The Asian culture is very colorful, fascinating, and dynamic. Buddhism is a religion based on spiritualism and the development of one's spiritual growth toward enlightenment. Even though my culture is not Asian, and Buddhism is not my chosen religion, I do find the discipline, art, and the adherence to traditional values kindred to my own. I also find the Buddhist practice of meditation relaxing and very effective at calming one's mind and in refocusing your energy. Over the course of this paper, I will offer a brief insight into the religious and cultural similarities and differences between the Buddhist religion, the Asian culture, and the rest of the world, as well as the discrimination endured by both. Buddhism: Similarities, Differences, and Discrimination The Buddhist religion is unique because they do not worship a deity, as other faiths do. Buddhist followers believe that each being shall reach enlightenment without the guidance of a God or Gods (BBC Online Services, 2014). Contrary to what most people think or believe...
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...Xiomara Boyce ETH/125 7/19/2013 Religious and Ethnic Groups: Buddhist and Asians For my Religious and Ethnic Groups Paper I have chosen to write about Asian and Buddhism (Theravada). I chose to write my paper on the Asian community, because I have always been curious to their culture and their way of life. I find the Asian community to be very intriguing, colorful and vibrant. I decided that since I was going to research about Asian culture I would do my religion portion of the paper on Buddhism, the Theravada beliefs. The religion of Buddhism is based off of the teachings of a man named Siddhartha. This man was born in Nepal about 500 years before Jesus; destine to be a great ruler or a holy man. He was sheltered from the outside walls of the palace by his father, a king in India, who thought that by doing so he would go down the path of being a ruler. Little did the king know that the sheltered life only brought him more towards the road of enlightenment. Siddhartha experienced 4 events when he finally left the palace for daily outings. The first of the events was an older man, and he’s never seen old people before, his servant called it change and told him how everyone gets old. The second event was a sick man, the servant told him everybody gets sick, and your father will get sick you will get sick. The third event was seeing a dead body; this event affected him the most when he realized that in the end everybody dies. On the fourth trip he sees a religious person meditating...
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