Philosophies of World Religions, Unit II Buddhism, Thesis of Financial Accounting

Download Philosophies of World Religions, Unit II Buddhism and more Thesis Financial Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! Running head: Philosophies of World Religions, Unit II Buddhism 1 REL 2350 Unit II Assignment REL 2350, Philosophies of World Religions This week as I traveled through Nepal, Tibet, China, and Burma. Focusing on the foundation and culture of Buddhism. I was able to experience three major types of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. A main priority of their religion is that they focus on alleviation of suffering, from in oneself and in others, and locate the source of human suffering in humanity. I saw first-hand how they differed from country to country, and their way of life through creating a conflict free, dana, way of life. I’ve heard of what people will do for your country, but now I have seen what people will do for their religion. First, I needed to break down what each type of Buddhism represented, and in what country was it most prevalent. “Traditionally scholars of Buddhism have divided the religion into three branches or schools: Mahayana, “the Great or Greater Vehicle,” which is the largest; Theravada, “Teaching of the Elders,” which is second in size; and Vajrayana, “the Diamond or Thunderbolt Vehicle,” which some scholars prefer to treat as a variation of Mahayana rather than a separate school in itself” (Deming, 2015, pg. 62). I noticed that the Mahayana Buddhists practice mostly in east Asia, compassing China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Theravada is practiced mostly in south and southeast Asia to include southern India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. Lastly, Vajrayana is practiced mostly in Tibet, Nepal, northern India, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Siberia. Each type of Buddhism is similar in that their beliefs of achieving nirvana, practicing enlightenment and dana. It is to be believed that after Buddha, there was no single successor that the religion started to split into the separate schools. However, there are still some similarities throughout all three schools of Buddhism. For Theravada, it is thought to be the oldest, original teachings of Buddha. There is not a higher ordination for males and females, only males, just like the Vajrayana. The Theravada’s will eat meat, unlike the Mahayana’s, who stick to a strict vegetarian diet. All three of them hold special ceremonies. Buddhists have many days that they celebrate. These days have increased merit (karma). “For Theravadins and Mahayanists these special days occur on full moons and new moons, whereas Vajrayanists recognize these and many more days, including the eighth, tenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, twenty-fifth, and thirtieth of each lunar month” (Deming, 2015, pg. 104). More similarities that they all share are the rituals. They hold rituals through chanting. They believe that the Dharma and send it out into the world, and because the Dharma reveals the true nature of the universe. One final item to note, is that I did not note any specific conflicts throughout the Buddhism community. The way they live their live based on receiving good merit, and having a common end goal. I do not see this in their character. After viewing the Ted Talk with Phil Borges, and listening to how the Tibetans lived their lives in torture and pain, without proper nourishment and some lost all of their teeth all because they believed in and followed the Dali Lama. I couldn’t believe it; one gentleman and his whole ministry went to prison for 33 years! That’s my whole adult life. That is the true definition of faith, and values that they hold. I don’t know if I would be able to last that long, even if I have faith in my own religion. I wouldn’t want to find out either. However, I believe the Noble Eightfold Path, the right understanding and meditation must had aided them! This week was a truly humbling experience for me. I was able to travel through Nepal, Tibet, China, and Burma, focusing on the three major types of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. I got to see quite a few similarities between them, specifically when it comes to ceremonies, and teachings. They are peaceful people, that just focus on obtaining nirvana through good merit.