Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

Humans are naturally curious creatures. Therefore, they cannot help but wonder about death, creation, nature, way of life. Having no science and technology, only answer they can get was through religions. Religions explained everything that was unexplainable. People would spend their lives seeking out religious truth, and nurture faith to receive answer they want about life and for peaceful afterlife and future. Furthermore, people also seek religious truth for enlightenment and knowledge that may help find oneself and help those near them. People bow down to the statue of Buddha as I was told by a monk, who studied Buddhism since he was a kid, for their wish, peace, and enlightenment. People suffer from unknown and their uncontrollable emotions and thoughts. However, eastern religions such as Buddhism helps you control your inner-self and help you reach to an understanding. The practices such as yoga from Hinduism, acupuncture from Taoism, meditation from Buddhism and Hinduism, are practices that help your inner-health. In Bongwonsa temple, I was able to understand the reason why People search truth from religion and why they were so faithful to them. I believe that believing in religion is same as believing in hope, decision, and yourself. For example, people bow to Buddha statue for their wishes and hopes. Religion also affects your life such as marriage and decision. Lastly, you can learn yourself through religion. Meditation is used for achieving peace and enlightenment. People such as Buddhas were able to control themselves achieving what many people couldn’t and didn’t.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

By spending 20 minutes in a silent meditation, which was difficult yet enjoyable, I was able to experience a moment of peace and calm. It was difficult to empty my mind since there were many things to think about such as my concerns and things to do. However, after about 10 minutes, I was able to achieve a state of calm and half succeeded on emptying my mind. Nevertheless, distractions such as noise still bothered me and made me curious on what was going on outside. Through meditation I was able to achieve some understanding of life such that when your mind is clear that you can view things in more of a wider angle. I also came to understanding that extravagant life is just a luxury and normal days and life is a blessing. In addition, I was inspired to try best to control my thoughts and temper because I realized they were hinder to my peace until I was able to control them. I found that meditating helps you control your emotion and thoughts and that helps you achieve peace and calm.