Amitābha

Buddhism can be broken down into main schools all have their own teachings and purposes. The school are Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism and Zen Buddhism I will discuss the similarities and differences. Theravada Buddhism,it is considered the most conservative branch of Buddhism. It is known to be a monastic branch and is very strict, Thereavada is known for sticking to the original teachings of Buddha. According to Theravada Buddhism, one must live ethically, meditate,…

The Term Mahayana refers to great vehicle. Mahayana was developed by the Mahayanists in order to compare their principles with those of other Buddhist sects, particularly the Theravada. Mahayana the “great vehicle” was used to fake Theravadins by naming their principles ‘Hinayana’ or ‘small vehicle’. Mahayana Buddhism focuses on the doctrine of the Bodhisattva. The term Bodhisattva can also be named as Buddhahood, which means desire for complete enlightenment, has been aroused. Mahayana Buddhism…

Those were Shakyamuni, Amitabha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattava. Shakyamuni was the first Buddha that I most enjoyed learning in class. Shakyamuni was born as a wealthy prince in north India. He was prevented by his father…

Asuka period sculpture depicting the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara is an enlightened being that aids others in their path to enlightenment through Buddhism. He is said to be the embodiment of compassion and the attendant bodhisattva to Amitabha, Buddha of the West. Kannon is an important figure in Japanese art. The stylistic aspects of this sculpture seem to be borrowed from earlier Chinese styles and depicts a merciful figure of extreme importance to the viewer. The medium of…

characteristic of Buseoksa temple about the main Buddha Amitabha’s direction. Usually the main Buddha sits in the middle facing south as the same direction with the political ruler, but here the Amitabha sits on the west and faces eastern side. According to Kim Bongryol, this is the symbolism of Amitabha, who is the Buddha of western paradise but does not enter the Nirvana and takes care the world of suffering in the east…

Guanyin and Avalokiteśvara, both bodhisattvas were exhibited in front of our class in the Trout Gallary. The comparasion between two statues gave me a great impression because they two were basically the same person but looked so differently as statues. Both of them are representations of Buddha: one aspired to help all sentient beings be free of suffering while the other tried to reach the Nivana. Even though Guanyin and Avalokitesvara differ from each other from a very large extent based on…

Buddhist Ideology and Death Rituals in China Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world and includes extensive and internally diverse traditions with two main branches. This paper will focus on the Mahayana branch of Buddhism commonly practiced in China. Buddhist views on death and specific death rituals of Mahayana Buddhism in China will be explored. Two individual sects of Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism native to China will be offered to contrast different paths to…

initially became Siddhartha’s turning point of life. According to the four scenes in this image, the truths revealed to him were old age, sickness, death, and last (but most significant), giving up selfish desires (in an effort to end suffering) (Amitabha). Seeing poverty, unhappiness, and sickness for the first time had influenced him desperately. At home, he soon felt dissatisfied with his selfish life and the circumstances that surrounded him. In response to the emotions activated by his…

Recently, I have experienced the pleasure of reading The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World by Jacqueline Novogratz. Jacqueline Novogratz is the CEO and founder the Acumen Fund, a non-profit impact investment fund that primarily focuses on serving low-income communities in developing countries primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In her book, she writes about her journey as a young woman as she attempts to use the power of markets to…

Boyu Sun (861144976) Religions 005 Section: 028 Site Visit Hsi Lai Temple In the morning on October 31st, I arrived Hsi Lai Temple, which is one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the United States. Just like many temples I had been before, His Lai temple is located on a mountain surrounded by trees, where is quite and peaceful. When I walked close the temple, I smelled thurification and heard sound of Buddha song, and it made me have an illusion that I am already in the temple. The first site…