World Religions Report, Capstone Project Example

The current analysis will examine the religion of Buddhism.  It will look at an interview conducted in order to gain insight into the religion.  Additionally, it will be compared to other religions in order to show important differences and similarities of Buddhism to other popular religions.

Introduction to Buddhism

Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, at 230 million to 500 million adherents in the world, according to the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report (2004).  It is quite different than most other religions, most notably as there is no god found in Buddhism.  This has caused Buddhism to come under pressure, as some thus claim that Buddhism is a philosophy and not a religion.

Buddhism was founded upon the teachings of Siddhartha Guatama, who is also known as “the Buddha,” or the “awakened one.”  He is known to have found enlightenment, which characterizes the awareness of the nature of existence and life and death.  He spent his life teaching others on this path to enlightenment, which was to be based on their experiences.  Following his death, Buddhism spread immensely, most notably throughout Asia to become a major religion.

Buddhist doctrine is founded on what is known as the Four Noble Truths.  The truth of suffering, cause of suffering, end of suffering, and the path that free us from suffering are found in the Four Noble Truths.  The exploration and understanding of this foundation within Buddhism has numerous implications within the religion, in that of self, life, death, and suffering, among others.

Karma is also a concept that is prominent within Buddhism.  It is basically characterized as the force within the word, in which good and bad deeds spawn positive and negative “seeds.”  These seeds can be seen in this life or in one’s rebirth.

Leading directly into rebirth, Buddhism holds that beings go through successive lifetimes.  As one within the universe, one is destined to undergo these changes from one life to the next.  According to Theravadins, there are six realms in which this may occur: naraka beings, preta, animals, human beings, asuras, and devas.  There are differences between different adherents in Buddhism.

The last of the Noble Truth, concerning the way towards the end of suffering, is characterized in the important Buddhist concept of the Noble Eightfold Path.  Prajna is the first major category, which characterizes the wisdom that purifies the mind.  Sila concerns the abstention of unwholesome deeds, and general issues of ethics and morals within Buddhism.  The final category in which the Noble Eightfold Path can be found is Samadhi, which concerns the mastery of one’s mind.

The sacred texts of Buddhism are seen in two primary canons.  All schools of Buddhism accepts the older Tripitaka, in which the writings are acknowledged to have come from the Buddha.  The Mahayana Buddhists, and not Theravada Buddhists, accept the Mahayana or Northern canon, which contains works written between 150 B.C. and 300 A.D.

There are also a significant number of symbols and sacred beings in Buddhism.  It is quite over the scope of this analysis, yet it should be noted that many figures fill the religion.  Buddhas, bodhisattvas, devas, dakinis, demons, and dharmapalas can be found within Buddhism.  Symbols can be seen within a wide variety of context, such as stupas which often contain Buddhist cosmos or the life of Buddha (Bowker, 2006, 66).

Site Summary

The interview was conducted at <Name> Temple, located at <location>.  It was of course quite different than anything I had experience, with ornate symbols and art in the temple.  Particularly I noticed that the Temple had many activities for members; also, they had services following the primary service for children, teens, and adults, which was interesting for me.  The Temple was open to individuals of any background, and they were able to answer many of my questions.

Interview

For my interview I thought about what I should concentrate on in regards to some aspect of Buddhism.  One aspect that I found peculiar and interesting was in actually becoming a Buddhist.  I was unaware of what steps one has to take, if any, to become a Buddhist.  Also, I wanted to know how one practices, both inside and outside of public, of a Buddhist.

I met with the Minister and began speaking to him generally.  He told me a little about the background of the Temple, and how long he has been involved there with it.  Also, he informed me of how he came to Buddhism as a teenager, when he accepted Buddhism in his life at that time.

Becoming a Buddhist

Soon I began asking him regarding the path towards becoming a Buddhist.  I also took notes for myself to follow up on in terms of research, which I will supplement here with what I learned at the interview.  The Minister explained that becoming a Buddhist is found in taking refuge, which is that of taking refuge of the wheel of samsara, or that of the cycle of death and rebirth.

It was explained that taking refuge occurs in that of taking refuge in the Three Jewels, or the Three Treasures.  The “three” are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  The Minister explained that the formal ceremony is performed almost anywhere.  One may take it alone also.

From what was expressed, this path is one of one’s own sincerity and commitment.  Regardless of whether it is performed in a temple or in one’s own personal circumstances, the Minister expressed, taking refuge is a powerful vow of what is inside of oneself.  I later learned in my research that in Buddhism, that it is a type of revealing of what is already inside of oneself, and it is important within one’s spiritual journey and life that is expressed in many forms in all types of Buddhism (Partridge, 2005, 199).

Teacher in Buddhism

My next set of questions was directed towards that of a teacher.  I wasn’t sure if it was necessary or something that is more or less beneficial.  The Minister stated that their Temple recommended this in order to engage one in their spiritual life.  He stated that Buddhism, along with other traditions, recommended a sort of “trinity” in which a teacher, teachings, and a community of practitioners would allow for an ideal learning environment for the student in Buddhism.

It was stressed to me that a teacher cannot reveal enlightenment, or other concepts, for you, as I proceeded onto the role of the teacher.  The Minister expressed the role of guidance in that of the teacher.  While a teacher certainly isn’t necessary in Buddhism, it can be effective in guiding one towards the right path.

As I began asking about how one finds a teacher, he expressed to me that this is normally found at a Buddhist temple or center.  Also, practice groups represent an informal way to obtain some kind of teaching relationship.  The Minister stressed that one important dimension to this is in regards to the type of Buddhism that is practiced.  Also, the lineage of the teacher is important, in which some Buddhist schools authorize teachers based on their teacher or institution.

The Role of Meditation in Buddhism

Finally I proceeded to ask the Minister regarding meditation.  Certainly much is made regarding its role, as seen in media, for instance.  I wanted to get a better sense of what meditation means for practicing Buddhists.

The Minister first gave me some background on meditation, which I have also supplemented after my interview with him.  Apparently there are many forms of Buddhist meditation, though all of them are bhavana.  It is an ancient discipline based on part of the Buddha.  It is also based on older forms of yoga.

The Minister also explained how the term “meditation” is deemed as inaccurate by many.  The term bhavana speaks to the mental culture and mental development.  This takes a more comprehensive approach to the term as it is compared to meditation.

The Minister erased typical preconceived notions in this subject.  Buddhist meditation (for lack of better term) is not concerned with reducing stress, having visions, or anything else along these lines.  It is seen more in regards to cleansing the mind of negative impurities, and cultivating qualities toward Nirvana, in the development of concepts such as energy, tranquility, joy, awareness, and intelligence.

Comparison: Buddhism and Hinduism

Hinduism lies just before Buddhism as the third most popular religion in the world.  It is the primary religion found in South Asia.  The much older religion, as founded around 1500 B.C., displays a number of similarities and differences to that of Buddhism.  These are interesting to observe in the understanding of these often misunderstood religions in the Eastern world.

Similarities

Relative to the previous discussion on meditation, Buddhism and Hinduism share similar views on meditative practices and the path towards enlightenment.  One notable topic is that of the emphasis on yogic practices.  In Buddhism, yogic ideas are first found in this tradition, where the teaching of the Buddha is found in meditative absorption.

Hindus utilize many different types of yogas.  Based on the spiritual goal of one’s life, such as nirvana, Samadhi, or moksha, yogas exist based on this, such as bhakti yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, and jnana yoga.  In Hinduism there can be a blend of yogas.  Both religions utilize yogic principles for spiritual enlightenment and liberation.

Hinduism also shares the path towards enlightenment in general as well.  This is of course very much similar to Buddhist principles of enlightenment.  Both religions use the six conscious senses to overcome feelings and desires towards attaining enlightenment.

Sufferings are also found in similar places within Hinduism and Buddhism.  In particular, both religions believe that the physical world causes sufferings and pain.  Both stress the lack of attachment to these things.  Worldly desires must be eliminated to reduce pain and suffering, according to both religions.

The topic of reincarnation offers some similarities.  However, these must be taken loosely, as there are differences in how reincarnation is characterized in both religions.  In regards to Buddhism, reincarnation occurs based on one’s deeds, as the previous discussion on karma revealed.  However, there is no permanent consciousness that moves from one life to the next.

In Hinduism a more “traditional” sense of reincarnation is present, if you will.  The atman, or the soul, is immortal according to Hinduism.  However, the body is subject to birth and death.  However, karma plays a major role in Hinduism, similar to that in Buddhism, in regards to reincarnation.  In Hinduism, one’s karma can play a role in determining the next incarnation, which is applicable to Buddhism.

Salvation is the final major similarity that will be discussed between Buddhism and Hinduism.  In Buddhism, nirvana and liberation are a way to end ignorance, suffering, and rebirth.  The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path characterize Buddhist teachings towards salvation in the religion.

The ultimate goal in Hinduism is found in that of salvation, in the Atman’s liberation from Samsara.  Moksha is the final release from a conception of the worldly self, which is achieved when the Atman is linked with the source of all existence.  Referring back to the previous discussion of yoga in Hinduism, there are several paths towards salvation in the teachings of Hinduism.

Differences

We can first look at differences that are more “external” in a sense between Hinduism and Buddhism.  First, there is a difference in terms of the presence of the caste system.  The caste system is not present in Buddhism.  However, in Hinduism a number of castes and sub-castes are followed.

Rituals find differences in Buddhism and Hinduism.  In the latter religion, rituals are much more complex and vary based on the age of the individual.  Additionally, priests play important roles in rituals.  On the other hand, rituals are much less present in Buddhism.  For instance, meditation, bowing, and differing forms of worship characterize the extent of rituals in Buddhism.  Priests are not required in such practices.

The canon is different between the two religions.  In Hinduism the supremacy of the four Vedas is seen, of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.  Buddhism does not believe in the Vedas, relying on Buddhist scriptures and the teachings of Buddha.

The spiritual journey overall sees some differences between Buddhism and Hinduism.  In regards to asceticism, this and great wealth are rejected in the middle way.  However, most Hindu belief systems uphold extreme asceticism.

We also see differences in the stages of life, in regards to one’s spiritual journey.  Buddhism does not hold to this belief, where people may join any stage based on how prepared they are spiritually.  In Hinduism, there are four stages of life based upon the age of an individual, which are Brahamacharya Ashram, Grihastha Ashram, Vanprastha Ashram, and Sanyasa Ashram.

Perhaps the most striking difference between Buddhism and Hinduism is in regard to gods.  Of course Buddhism has no gods, at least in that of original Buddhist doctrine.  However, Hinduism holds to gods, where it is debated whether it is a monotheistic or polytheistic religion, depending on what kind of aspect is taken on the debate.  At any rate, this is a major difference between two religions in question.

Uniqueness of Buddhism

As we can see that Buddhism is separated from Hinduism, it is arguably more separated from many of the world’s major religions.  This is noticeable as Buddhism developed out of what would become Hinduism.  For this reason many have regarded the two previously compared religions as rather close.  However, Buddhism is quite unique and even more separated from the more popular world religions.

Buddhism is the most popular religion that does not involve a god.  Of course we have seen this in regards to Hinduism, which has many gods.  However, when we consider Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the major monotheistic religions, these obviously all have a god in the belief system.

This is also characterized in the notion of prophets.  Another similarity between Buddhism and Hinduism is found in this, as Buddhism does not have a prophet in the belief system.  We of course see Adam, Noah, and Abraham present as prophets in the three major monotheistic religions.

Perhaps one of the most critical differences in Buddhism and other religions is the responsibility of one’s self.  Especially in contrast to these monotheistic religions, Buddhism places a heavy emphasis on self-reliance, self-discipline, and individual strides.  Others call on god or some concept of a savior, to which neither concept is found in Buddhism.

Buddhism also carries a differing concept of an afterlife.  Buddhism rejects the nature of a Heaven or Hell as found in other religions.  This is commonly seen in Easter religions and philosophies, as opposed to more popular Western religions.

A doctrinal difference represented in Buddhism is found in the nature of sin.  Sin or original sin is not seen in Buddhism at all.  It is also misleading to equate sin to suffering, as a misconception in that of Buddhism.  The rejection of sin and original sin is of course a large distinction in light of other religions.

Conclusion

Overall there can be a large number of doctrines and important essences found in Buddhism.  There are also important differences and similarities compared to other religions.  Exploring these has been interesting, as well as experiencing it up close.

The interview was an interesting way to get the Minister’s take on what it means to be a Buddhist.  It was interesting to hear how one becomes affiliated in this religion, and whether a teacher was required.  The experience helped to clarify some of these basic questions for me.

The similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism are well documented.  In this I did not expect to find so many basic differences between these two related religions.  Of course, these all seem reasonable, once the blatant differences are considered, such as the lack and presence of gods in the two religions.

In comparing Buddhism to other major religions, it becomes apparent how little such religions have in common.  In the major three monotheistic religions, it seems as if though few major similarities are found.  Of course these religions have many more differences that that of religion, as philosophical influences alone can account for many drastic differences between Buddhism and the monotheistic religions.

Conclusively Buddhism is a rather unique and diverse religion.  It certainly borders on being a philosophical system, although this argument is not enough to be considered in depth.  However in looking at its philosophical bases, these characterize much of the religion’s doctrines and beliefs.  Buddhism still stands as a unique and interesting religion and way of life to examine.

References

Bowker, John. (2006). World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored and Explained. New York: DK Adult.

Partridge, Christopher. (2005). Introduction to World Religions. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report. (2004). Major Religions Ranked by Size. Retrieved from: http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Buddhism