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.
2010년 10월 21일 목요일
2010년 10월 19일 화요일
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.
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.
2010년 9월 14일 화요일
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist: "In class, your small groups went over movie questions about the content in Gandhi. You should know who each of the main characters are and t..."
Gandhi believed in the Hindu idea of self-sacrifice and non violence, also known as Ahimsa. Gandhi fought for independence from British with non violence. He protested without giving up even though the British used violence against them. Gandhi started the protest by burning the pass and then stepped up to bigger protest such as the protest to salt factory, which is run by the British. In addition, he also believed the benefit of self-sacrifice. He believed that when one sacrifices oneself with a good will, it will benefit the neighbors. Gandhi sacrificed his time and high status in order to achieve the benefit of his people. Gandhi became one of the untouchable, the Dalits, from wealthy status and sacrificed many hard times in jail. Gandhi was a strong advocate of Hinduism, however, he treated others religions with equality and tolerance.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall – think of it, ALWAYS,” is one of Gandhi’s quotes. I feel that this is one of his most powerful quotes. His protest for independence was possible from Gandhi’s belief that truth and love always beats tyrants and violence in the end. His strong faith allowed him to be persistent on winning over the independence. Furthermore, his belief passed on to the others, and gave them strength and unity, resulting in succession of winning back power from the British.
Gandhi believed in the Hindu idea of self-sacrifice and non violence, also known as Ahimsa. Gandhi fought for independence from British with non violence. He protested without giving up even though the British used violence against them. Gandhi started the protest by burning the pass and then stepped up to bigger protest such as the protest to salt factory, which is run by the British. In addition, he also believed the benefit of self-sacrifice. He believed that when one sacrifices oneself with a good will, it will benefit the neighbors. Gandhi sacrificed his time and high status in order to achieve the benefit of his people. Gandhi became one of the untouchable, the Dalits, from wealthy status and sacrificed many hard times in jail. Gandhi was a strong advocate of Hinduism, however, he treated others religions with equality and tolerance.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall – think of it, ALWAYS,” is one of Gandhi’s quotes. I feel that this is one of his most powerful quotes. His protest for independence was possible from Gandhi’s belief that truth and love always beats tyrants and violence in the end. His strong faith allowed him to be persistent on winning over the independence. Furthermore, his belief passed on to the others, and gave them strength and unity, resulting in succession of winning back power from the British.
2010년 9월 3일 금요일
Modern Religious Experience: Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry
Modern Religious Experience: Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry: "Assignment #3- Sacred Poetry • Add a picture of an ancient religious symbol to your Online Portfolio (it can be one of those from the notes..."
Bhavacakra
In the hand of Yama, the god of death,
is the Bhavacakra,
the wheel of life,
the wheel of existance
Bhavacakra that devides in to six realms
the world of Devas, Asuras
the world of humans, animals,
the world of Pretas, Hell
Center of the wheel,
is Buddha
who shows the way,
the way to Nirvana
2010년 8월 25일 수요일
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #1
Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #1: "According to Mircea Eliade religion has 'not vanished without a trace; [it] has contributed toward making us what we are today and so, after..."
Religion was essential for survival for those who lived long ago. The mystery of life needed explanations; therefore, people used religions to explain them. Nowadays where people are busy living their life and have science to explain things, religions seem to fade out from their lives. However, religions already rooted themselves in people’s principles of life. Even those who do not believe in any religions are affected by them. Our moral as human came from nowhere else but from religions.
My grandparents are zealous Buddhist. Nonetheless, I do not believe in any religions. However, my life is greatly affected by Buddhism. I grew up listening to the Buddhist believes. For example, I believe that people reincarnate when they die. Those who are good and charitable become human again in the next life and animals for those who are bad and selfish. Hence, my judgment, decision, and thoughts are unconsciously based on the Buddhist morals. Religions are already part of our lives and history and always will be.
Religion was essential for survival for those who lived long ago. The mystery of life needed explanations; therefore, people used religions to explain them. Nowadays where people are busy living their life and have science to explain things, religions seem to fade out from their lives. However, religions already rooted themselves in people’s principles of life. Even those who do not believe in any religions are affected by them. Our moral as human came from nowhere else but from religions.
My grandparents are zealous Buddhist. Nonetheless, I do not believe in any religions. However, my life is greatly affected by Buddhism. I grew up listening to the Buddhist believes. For example, I believe that people reincarnate when they die. Those who are good and charitable become human again in the next life and animals for those who are bad and selfish. Hence, my judgment, decision, and thoughts are unconsciously based on the Buddhist morals. Religions are already part of our lives and history and always will be.
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