Mahayana

The first chapter of Gregory A. Barker’s “Jesus in the World’s Faiths”, entitled “Buddhist Views of Jesus”, invites readers to step into the shoes of a Buddhist in regards as to who Jesus is and what he means to them. In the Buddhist religion, Jesus is both known and recognized in a positive manner, as a collection of different things. For instance, he is seen as a social activist and critic. Both the Buddha and Jesus acted as advocates of emphasizing the interior life over external ritual…

It does not seem right to think that the dog I walk, feed, and potty trained could be one of my ancient relatives. In our Christian household I was raised on teachings that stated the opposite because that was simply what the Bible said. I was taught that when I face death, my body remains mortal and decomposes here on earth, and my soul would continue on to either an eternity of torture, or in paradise if I have proven my trust in our savior, God. This doctrine would be considered exclusivism…

Introduction Commonly called, “The Heart of Japan” Kyoto was the center of Japan’s culture, literature, Japanese Imperial Court, and arts during it’s hayday. Looking at Japan’s long history, it was first introduced 1200 years ago as Japan’s capital during the Heian Period (794 to 1185 C.E.) as Heian-kyō meaning, "tranquility and peace capital.” The four centuries of the Heian Golden Age changed the course of Japan’s history because of the emergence of the intertwining elements such as…

Randi Shioi Eric Hill HC WR 199 8 February 2017 Rhetorical Analysis Paper The Golden Chain of Love written by Dorothy Hunt is a Buddhist recitation based on the belief that all living things are interconnected through and cared for by Amida Buddha. In the saying, each link is valuable and has a moral responsibility to take care of each other because one’s happiness or unhappiness does not only depend on their own actions but also that of others. It encourages everyone to keep their link bright…

The idea of nature is of huge importance and the concept of harmony with nature and oneself is the defining characteristic of the ancient Chinese belief system. There is an emphasis placed on the welfare and well being of the individual in the present life as opposed to a future one. What separates Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism is the meaning which is associated with nature. Confucianism places emphasis on the nature of the human. Taoism focuses on harmony with the universe and…

relation to women. In order to become a Buddha and to reach enlightenment, a woman would “somewhere along the way, in the course of her own rebirths, […] have to cease to be female and go on being born only as a male” (Haddad 90). It was said in the Mahayana tradition that women were able to “tread the bodhisattva¬-path toward enlightenment,” but that they could only aspire to true Buddhahood and nirvana (Haddad 90). This shows again the idea of women being inferior to men in the culture of…

Karma is a term that figures the great deeds and terrible deeds of a man's over a wide span of time activities which will decide their destiny in future. In Hinduism Karma is principally centered around one's dedication and religious activities while in Buddhism any activity will decide karma be it; physical, mental or verbal. Hinduism trust that divine beings can fix karma or the karma is controlled by god's eagerness to rebuff a man or not but rather in Buddhism karma will exist until the…

drives not found in the nature of the male (page 3, Paul, Diana Y., and Frances Wilson)”. This quote from the novel shows that women are depicted with animalistic sex drives that are not apparent in men. Within the Tripitaka (Pali Canon) and the Mahayana Sutras are specifically shows as sexual temptresses who attempt to deter the Buddha from his quest to enlightenment. I think by depicting women this way within the religious texts of a religion really damages how women are viewed culturally and…

Essentially modern society is constantly developing under the weight of confliction that is always present in life, generating the desire to seek spiritual guidance and good moral conduct. The expression of the non-theistic religion, Buddhism presents its doctrines through passive teachings that encompasses the reasonings of the Dukkha and the process of Samsara. Different individuals such as the Dogen of the Zen Buddhists and the Theravada variant, Buddhaghosa both address the fulfilment of…

Humans from all corners of the Earth believe (or do not believe) in a multitude of faiths. There are several major religions and thousands of minor religions that have a following. Most religions can be categorized as either a Western religion or an Eastern religion. Examples of religions from the West include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; examples from the East include Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. While “every religion is different … all religions share certain core values” (R. Steckel…