Relics Of Buddhism And Buddhism

Buddhism and Christianity came about before 600 C.E. and reformed the ideals of social structure and society of their era. Both the Buddha and Christ taught during a large political collapse, focusing on the spirituality and morality of a person in society. These like monotheistic religious views both had a central doctrine but held different positions on how to acquire this truth. Buddhist and Christians teachings both challenged social norms by preaching equality among all both in gender and in statues. Buddhism and Christianity, before 600 C.E. similarly, influenced social structures by introducing social and gender equality, promoted classless beliefs systems, and an emphasis on compassion, in contrast, Christianity held political power and leadership, while Buddhism had no political authority.

Buddhism began by Buddha himself preaching his enlightenment message on his view on the world and how humans should, and the best way to, succeed in the world. However in the 6th century BCE the government had fallen and there was period of instability until the Sui Dynasty took over, during this period was when Buddhism began to majorly spread. After the fall of the Han dynasty, there were many responses to the spread of Buddhism throughout China between the 6th century BCE and 570 CE. Buddhism was accepted, tolerated, and rejected. Buddhism was accepted because it was an acceptable path to enlightenment. It was tolerated by those who would not be affected by its popularity and power. Those who rejected it were people whose wealth

Puja, which means offering in Sanskrit and worship in Pali, is one of the principle ceremonies in Buddhism. It can be conducted either at home or a Buddhist temple and has no specific time or rules. Puja integrates the principle beliefs of Buddhism which are the three Jewels, Four Noble Truths, marks of existence and karma, samsara, nirvana through the elements of bowing, offering, chanting and meditation. It is with these elements that the principle beliefs of Buddhism are demonstrated.

The main focus of Buddhism is that the faith centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality, The Buddha was also called the Enlightened One, he taught that the way to eliminate suffering begins with understanding the true nature of the world. He rejected speculation about such matters as God, the nature of the universe, and the afyterlife, urging his folloers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering. “We do not believe that this world is created and ruled by God.” The disbelief in God does not make Buddhism an atheistic religion. The Buddha rejected the concept of the atman, or soul. In

The Meditating Buddha or Seated Buddha from Gandhara is an early statue of Buddha from Gandhara, Pakistan. This work of art is from the Culture of Buddhism and was made around the 2nd or 3rd century. Buddhism still exists today and is one of the leading religions in the world, which explains why the statue is still well known to this day and why it is still represented over and over again throughout history. The statue is now located in Room 33, British Museum in London.

Buddhism as a universalizing religion in the first millennium was influenced by many different factors during the time it spread across Asia. Buddhism both adapted and resisted some of these factors. As a result of these factors Buddhism transformed, created new forms of art and literature, and also universalized Asia. Buddhism was also able to surpass several features such as distance and differing cultures but was resisted by other influences

Buddhism has been around for over two thousand years, and continues to do so in many countries around the world. This religion originates in Asia and has a very unique adversity, much of its structure arose from the end of World War II, predominantly Asian nations needed to restructure society (RoAT 167). The word ‘Buddha’ means one who has awakened and will no longer be reborn. Thereafter, one who will enter nirvana, the state of being free from suffering.

In the article “Ritual and Presentation in Early Buddhist Religious Architecture” by Lars Fogelin, the readers are introduced to Buddhism and ritual which include the stupas. Stupas were build according to Buddha’s dying wish, his reason for doing so was “indented for the laity who, with their poorer grasp of Buddhism principles, required the aid of direct worship to ease them toward the path to enlightenment” (Forgelin, pg. 3). The argument that Forgelin brings up is that the designers had to accommodate the needs of Buddhist worshipers “while attempting to provide mechanisms to foster group cohesion”(Forgelin, pg.1), which is shown in the open-air and rock-cut stupas. Forgelin’s thesis stated he will address the main topic by first presenting Buddhist’s goal and how to attain this goal referred to as nirvana, then who are the three principal groups who practice their rituals at a stupid, and how the designers had to incorporate the different styles of practice into the design of the stupas.

As a scholar taking the class ‘Introduction to World Religions”, I had the opportunity to take part in a culture that is not normally found in the western world. I entered the Mon Buddhist Monastery in Akron, Ohio on October 2nd, 2016 only to be amazed at their way of life. Going into the temple, I knew of the basic religious practices and traditions that the monks and Buddhists had participated in daily. When I was coming up to the monastery, it did not look like anything other than an old brick building, but once we were inside it looked like a recreational area. Somewhere where they would meditate, hold daily activities, and teach the younger Buddhist about their way of life. On the far back wall, there was a stunning shrine dedicated to the Buddha where one would pray. Many figurines were displayed as well as flowers and offerings along it.

While at Texas State University, I have encountered many like-minded and different minded individuals, yet I still get questions about my beliefs every time it is brought up. The days of Buddhism being bald temple-dwelling monks have long since passed. Buddhism is what you make of it, and of what dogma you subscribe to. Some members of the new westernized Buddhism subscribe to relieve their cultures stresses in the process of making new waves of Buddhism. (Wilson, 2013) Many monotheistic religions believe that any sort of concurrent worship outside of their own is idolatry. With the image of Buddhism, comes the inherent image of Buddha statues, which are prayed to and worshipped. (Question 5 and 6)

Relics always have been important part of Buddhism. Their mobility and amazing property of self-multiplication contribute to the growth of Buddhism across Asia. In China, the most famous relic is finger bones of Buddha Sakyamuni, found in Famensi. Robert H. Sharf wants to look at this relic in new perspective. Since many scholars tend to focus on the material appearance of the relic, instead of its production and the way they were treated by believers, Sharf argues that previous researches were taken in different direction. Also, the categories used by the scholars, along with the questions they asked may determine the possible answers and findings.

There are many different religions with many different beliefs, traditions, practices, and rituals. These differences are a very important part of understanding and appreciating the culture and history behind the specific religion. However, the practices that certain religions have in common can aid even more in furthering the understanding of specific beliefs of other religions. Since most religions cultivate from the practices and beliefs of other religions, they use those core values and beliefs and transform them into what they believe is a better way practicing. Religions use similarities within each other and twist them into their own. There are certain beliefs within every religion that shape their practices such as their morals or their most essential or absolute value, their position on human beings’ problems and solutions, and their view on life and death within their religion. Pure Land Buddhism (a form of Mahayana Buddhism) and Vaishnavites (a group within Hinduism) are great examples of this very concept.

Ritual is a religious ceremony that involves a series of activities performed in a particular order by those who subscribe to the religion. Sacrifice is the act of giving something to a supernatural being to please it. The word sacrifice also means the offering given to the supernatural human being. The essay is going to discuss rituals and sacrifices in Confucianism, which is one the largest religion in China.

Buddhism stands as a philosophy and a religion founding itself on the theory of a possible eternal soul. Until awakening is achieved, this eternal soul is locked in the vicious cycle of rebirth (Samsara). According to the Four Noble Truths preached by the Buddha, life is a perpetual suffering caused by desire and attachment, and freedom from suffering is only possible by practicing the Eightfold Path. The World is suffering in a succession of temptations and negative experiences from birth to death. Therefore Buddhism advises on searching to go beyond suffering, and only aspire to rest, nothingness, and liberation, into a final state called Nirvana. Happiness or Nirvana can eventually be achieved in a hereafter, another life, if man abandons any desire or perspective of action within his present life, in order to go past suffering.

The lives and teachings of Muhammad, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), and Jesus Christ each are similar to one another but each do have their own differences. The difference includes their teachings and beliefs. The similarity consist of each of them being associated with a certain religion and each being worship by a group of individuals associated with the religion. Jesus Christ is a religious leader whose teachings are in the Bible, in which is a central figure for Christians. Buddha is a spiritual leader whose life is the foundation of Buddhist religion. Muhammad is the founder of Islam and is believed to be the proclaimer of the Qur’an and is the foundation of Muslim religion.