My Interest in the Subject As far as theology is concerned, it is of paramount importance to learn and be informed about the past, knowing how the then people believed in the traditional activities. Therefore, since my early childhood, I have yeaned to pursue a course in theology and religious studies to build a strong …
The motivating factor behind any person’s spiritual journey is the hunt for truth, self-understanding and the need for one to partake in the final condition of paradise and peace. The knowledge and understanding about life, God and truth are the major questions that linger in the life of any person. It is until one gets …
Siddhartha Gautama’s Biography and Spiritual Journey Essay Read More »
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a not just a piece of fiction, it is a great book which dwells upon the way each person should come through. The symbolic meaning of searching for personal self impresses. Reading this novel each person can recognize him/herself. Searching for personal self, many people look at the experience of …
The book, written by Hermann Hesse and entitled Siddhartha, dwells upon a man who searches for enlightenment in ancient India. The main character of the book, Siddhartha, is a son of a respectable spiritual leader. Siddhartha is also respected as he is knowledgeable and he is expected to be a leader just like his father …
Summary of the Novella Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse Essay Read More »
The work was written in 1922 in Germany just after the First World War, which brought a lot of trouble to the Germans. After this war, they felt unfairly humiliated and decided to take revenge, which happened a few years later. Hate turned out to be cruel, and in the meantime, a writer like Hesse …
Introduction Various communities have emerged from religions each with its own beliefs, practices, and purpose. Examples of these communities are the Zen Buddhism and Oneida community. These two communities share certain beliefs and differ in others. Zen community and Oneida community were formed with the objective of creating a community where people would live on …
Zen Buddhism and Oneida community Compare and Contrast Essay Read More »
Religion is very important in the cultural system of every society. It is said to be a well built faith in a mystical power occurring in the supernatural state. Every person is supposed to adhere with the beliefs and the customs involved in his or her faith on the spiritual base. There are different types …
Some monks have come up with belief that obstructions like lust and sensual pleasures cannot obstruct anyone from practicing their religion. This is however a misrepresentation because these obstructions only lead to self-gratification which lead to perpetual suffering. Because of the debates that have clouded the sexuality of the monks many have had to believe …
Introduction Buddhism is a religion of practice and experiences as opposed to other religions that emphasize on believing in the tenets that define them. This and many other factors have made it hard for many people to maintain their faith in this kind of religion strongly. Like any other religion in the world, Buddhism has …
Buddhism and Shinto are religions which are largely practiced in the South East Asia and other countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, South and North Korea among other countries within and outside the region. The origin of these two religions dates back to about 2,500 years (Ellwood and Pilgrim 4). The Buddhist religion …
Shinto and its Relationship with China and Buddhism Essay Read More »
Abstract Death is one of the natural processes in life. It involves the cessation of life, where all living things enter into a lifeless form. It is shrouded with many mysteries and taboos. Even though no one really knows what death is, several attempts have been made to explain its nature. One thing is certain …
Buddhism: the concept of death and dying Research Paper Read More »
The Four Noble Truths symbolise the foundation of Buddhism. This is because they carry the real meaning of Buddha’s teachings. While meditating under the bodhi tree, the Buddha came to understand the following four basic principles: Dukkha- the truth of suffering Samudaya- origin of suffering Nirodha- cessation of suffering Magga- the path towards the end …
Buddhism is a non-theistic religion because it does not uphold the belief of a supernatural being, God, as the one who brought all things in to existence. Buddha was a person who had great power of meditation, which he used to bring spiritual knowledge and beliefs to his followers. This acts as the foundation for …
The origin of Buddhism can be traced back from Hinduism religion in India though it is important to note that its introduction to Japan was through China. Buddhism in Japan was divided into four periods as we shall discuss below. These periods include the Nara period which ran from 701-794, it was then followed by …
Introduction Buddhism was established in India by one man on a journey to find enlightenment. His name was Siddhartha Gautama (Huston, 40). He was brought up in a wealthy family. One day, he was exposed to poverty outside his home and his life changed. He then began to find a solution to pain and anguish. …
The confluence of Buddhism and Hinduism in India Descriptive Essay Read More »
Introduction According to Karen (187), Buddhism is one of the religions that are most prevalent in the Asian subcontinent. It encompasses various traditions and practices, as well as a system of beliefs that are based on the teachings of its founder. The founder of this religion is Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who forsook the throne …
Buddhism: Analysis of the Religion’s Faith and Practices Essay Read More »
There are different types of icons signifying different things and ideas associated with Buddhism. However, the following are the commonest and most popular ones that define Buddhism. The Right-coiled White Conch that coils on its right side is a symbol of the far-reaching, intensive and sweet sound associated with the teachings of Dharma. It is …
Buddhism is a sacred tradition that centers on personal religious growth and the realization of an in-depth understanding into the exact nature of humanity (Gerner 5). Around the world, the religion has attracted 76 million followers (Religions 1). As the followers, we always aspire to attain a state of Nirvana. The teachings require us to …
Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as Buddha, once said, “Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment are cherished in the mind.” This statement holds a lot of truth in it when it is analyzed psychologically. Anger is a psychological problem that starts in the mind. It always occur when one has …
China possesses rich cultural, social and political profiles because; most of the historical events were documented. The intelligence of the Greeks seems to have permeated its territories over different Chinese dynasties, which existed before the present China, in East Asia. One of the most fascinating cultural histories is the existence and the expansion of Buddhism …
Buddhism is one of the largest religions in the world. It is quite different from other world religions. For example, almost all religions have a God who is a sacred spirit. Buddhism has Buddha, who was a man reached nirvana. There are several “types” of Buddhism that are now considered different religions: Hinduism, Buddhism and …
Introduction Religion is one of the world’s phenomena that have undergone significant evolutions which have resulted into intriguing transformation of beliefs and traditions. Cutting across the plane, these religions have rich histories and carry elements which make them unique. They have also played a major role in shaping the norms, behavior and culture of millions …
How does Mahayana differ from early Buddhism? Essay Read More »
Introduction Buddhism is a religion with a variety of beliefs and traditions attributed to Buddha. It is believed that Buddha lived and taught in the northern side of India in the 4th century Before Christ. Since then Buddhism has been spreading in many countries, for instance, Japan and China. This paper looks at the introduction …
Japanese Buddhism vs Chinese Buddhism: Differences Research Paper Read More »
Buddhism is a religion which preaches way of life. It is not a structure of doctrine or temples. It is not obtained by mystical or provisional experience, and is not only a religion of qualified people. Although it is natural experience evident in everyday life, and is for every human being in spite of ideology, …
Introduction Buddhism emanated from the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama who is the founding father of Buddhism practices. Buddhism is based on the assumption that reality is a constant instability together with the principle of interdependence, the dominance of mind and consecrated admiration of health and the world. Buddhists use these founding principles as a standard …
Introduction Japan philosophy is characterized by two main religions, which provide people with a chance to evaluate their places in this world, to accept this life with its all challenges and demands, and to comprehend what can make this world better and safer. These two great religions are Buddhism and Shinto. More than 90 million …
The Zen Temple as the Place of Worship in Japanese Zen Buddhism Research Paper Read More »
Buddhism Buddhists believe in Buddha not in God as the creator or ruler of the world. They also believe in a life of compassion for all people, peace and wisdom. In spite of Hinduism believing in life after death Buddhists do not believe in an eternal soul but in the five aggregates of human existence, …
Introduction Morality forms part of Buddhist teachings and there is no division of Buddhism that falls short of underlining the significance of the moral life. The writings of Buddhism speak clearly of virtues frequently related to morality such as non-violence and compassion, and the Buddhist adaptation of the Golden Rule advices us not to do …
Introduction The tradition beliefs in China such as Confucianism and Buddhism have played a major role in influencing the political, social, and economical activities in china (Mountunion.edu, 2011). The following paper will look into various ways in which these two institutions have played towards impacting the culture of the Chinese nation (Mountunion.edu, 2011); but first …
Asian Studies: Confucianism and Buddhism in China Essay Read More »
Introduction Born in the fifth century BCE, Siddhartha Gautama is the core founder of the Buddhist ideology. He came from a privileged family that offered him a providential upbringing. The world’s view of Buddhists attaches some paramount importance to his birth, as he is viewed as the figure that brought the truth that the religion …
Introduction and Background The lifestyle of a Buddha Many scholars have not managed to make a good analysis of the life of Buddha. However, majority of them believe that Buddha existed, provided teachings and also helped to establish a monastic order. Concepts governing the belief system of Buddhists It is believed that that some Buddhists …
Introduction Buddhism and Hinduism are some of the popular religions in the world with their origins dating back to the Common Era in India. To some extent, these religions share similar ideologies and origin, even though Hinduism is older than Buddhism and ranks third in terms of popularity world. Despite the various similarities between these …
Comparison of Hinduism and Buddhism Rituals Report (Assessment) Read More »
Introduction Religion has remained an important aspect in the civilization of mankind. Whereas religious practices and belief systems may vary, the presence of a supreme being who is always worshipped is common. The deities are given special preference in any form of religious worship. This essay compares Hinduism and Buddhism. Cultural and Geographical Origin The …
Introduction It’s always confusing when answering the question of how Buddhism did spread so widely throughout Asia, yet it declined in India. In the travelogue “A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms1and later Great Tang Records on the Western Region”2 written by different Chinese Buddhist monks. It is revealed that between 399 CE to 645 CE, the …
Role of Brahmanism in the decline of Buddhism Essay Read More »
Introduction Buddhism is a religion based on faith, but it is not entirely based on the blind faith where the Buddhist follows everything proclaimed in its teachings. The Buddhists are highly religious and follow the rules, but most of them do not do anything they term as religious without questioning it. This is according to …
Comparison of Buddhism and the Baptist Religions Coursework Read More »
Dialogue and Interreligious dialogue Interreligious dialogue is a conversation and exchange of valuable ideas between religions and faiths for the purpose of discussing the subject of love, non-violence, and solutions to problems and ills of the present world. Renown personalities who have advocated this noble work, such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Merton, the Pope, …
Zen Buddhism has had a big influence on the development of tea ceremony in Japan. The Tea Ceremony was a custom which came to Japan from continental China and had a dramatic influence on the country’s culture. Zen Buddhism has strengthened the relevance of this ceremony because it is done within tranquil surroundings influenced by …
How Zen Buddhism Has Influenced The Development of Tea Ceremony Exploratory Essay Read More »
With the changing trends in the way of life and the environment, establishing effective health system becomes imperative. Humans depend on the surroundings and are after good health. Buddhist lifestyle dictates for predetermined ways of living that respect human life and the environment. The mind of an individual is attributed with the control every aspect …
Sustainability of Buddhism in the Health System Essay (Article) Read More »
Buddhism is a religion that has its origins in the beliefs of Prince Siddhartha Gautama. Prince Gautama’s sole purpose was to seek spiritual enlightenment by denouncing his enviable social standing. Eventually, Buddhism spread to Asia. However, Buddhist teachings later separated into various factions although most fundamental principles remained the same. Buddhism has since spread from …
Introduction Buddhism psychology refers to bad habits as the intentions of acting in a harmful manner. The concept of the bad habit is nonexistent if the intention to do harm to self or others is not manifested. In order to prevent bad habits, an individual must trigger a mental action that inhibits manifestation of ill …
One of the key branches of Buddhism, Mahayana is thoroughly discussed in Mitchell’s book, Buddhism: Introducing the Buddhist Experience. The author devotes an entire chapter of his paper to Mahayana as the teaching of Buddha, thus, allowing to understand the key differences between the former and the original Buddhist teachings. With a deep insight and …
Three jewels namely: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are the three main aspects of Buddhism. Dharma is a name that is used to define the teachings of the leader called Buddha while Sangha describes the entire community of Buddhism. The religion is however, not universal as compared to the others. This is because it varies from …
The Main Aspects of Buddhism Essay (Book Review) Read More »
There are a number of things that happen in the lives of humans, which are beyond one’s control. For example, no one can control the fortunes and misfortunes that normally occur in human life. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of every individual to take charge of his/her own state of mind and control what it …
Buddhism Believer’s Practice: Meditation Proposal Read More »
Introduction Buddhism is one of the religions, which has played an important role in the history of China. This religion, which spread to China from Central Asia, moved from being an insignificant religion to enjoying widespread acceptance by many Chinese. However, the influence of Buddhism was because of the collapse of the Han dynasty in …
This paper explores the life and religious traditions of the Dalai Lama, and describes how he exemplified the Buddhism tradition. According to Smith (243), Dalai Lama was a political and religious leader of Tibet. He was selected to head the Tibet State at a very young age (16 years), but later went into exile. Despite …
Religious beliefs followed by people in different countries influence the particular features of their daily life significantly. The adherents of various religious movements are inclined to organize their life according to the principles proclaimed within this or that religion with the help of following different rituals and practices. Buddhism and Daoism are two religions which …
The Comparison of Buddhism and Daoism Principles Term Paper Read More »
Hinduism and Buddhism have many similarities and differences. The most conspicuous similarity is the origin of the two religions in sub-continent India. Some worship and religious practices are similar but there is a profound difference in the style and purpose of life in the two religions. Hinduism is about understanding the soul while Buddhism is …
Buddhism and Hinduism: Similarities and Differences Compare and Contrast Essay Read More »
Summary The readings under analysis focus on the main characteristics and attributes of Buddhism, as well as on schools of thought that emerged due to the spread of this teaching. In particular, Mitchell’s book refers to the analysis of origins of Buddhist philosophy, particularly to the concept of Great Vehicle introduced by Mahayana trend. Causes …
Different societies treat women in different ways. Why western women enjoy full equality with men and their social status is not dictated by the religion, women in the East cannot have the same privileges. Partially, such a position was developed due to male dominance as a provider of a family and partially, by the religious …
Introduction Hinduism and Buddhism are the major religions in India. The religions enjoy a huge following and have very many specific beliefs that guide their followers. Buddhism is the development of Hinduism. Thus it contains some beliefs that can be compared to Hinduism. Despite this, its beliefs take a different direction in some instances. The …
