I share some of the same ideas as this religion. Such as a few of the contemporary issues. Although many of the other ideas I do not believe in. for example, I don't believe in the three part Buddha, there was no creator of the Universe and the continual cycle of rebirths that occurs with someone until they have reached enlighment.
I was not aware of what Mahayana Buddhism believed in prior to this survey. I don't think that Mahayana Buddhism fits my worldly view of religion and that this religion survey was a little bit innacurate because some of the religions ranked lower on my results of the quiz shared more similar beliefs to mine than Mahayaha Buddhism.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mahayana Buddhism
In Mahayana Buddhism, there is no God or creator who created the Universe. Instead, there are three parts (bodies, forms) of the Buddha. The first is the Body of Essence, the second is the Body of Bliss and Enjoyment and the third is the body of Transformation and Emanation. In this religion, Buddhahood or infinite bliss can be achieved by anyone.
The Buddha is the highest power and there have been many Buddhas on earth. In addition, scientific discovery does not oppose thier thoughts because they do not believe in a creator God. After death, one continually is rebirthed until they reach full enlighment and are liberated from rebirths. This state is called Nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism, evil or wrongdoings committed by someone results in continual rebirths. The main goal is enlighment and liberation from continual rebirths.
Mahayana Buddhists believe life is suffering and the suffering is a result from one's past life. Such as if one was ignorant of greedy which resulted in continuous rebirths. Contemporary issues include that abortion is murder, violent acts cause karma consequence and that divorce would not occur if one were to follow Buddhist precepts. Roles for the men are women state that women are care-takers and men are providers however this has changed over the years.
The Buddha is the highest power and there have been many Buddhas on earth. In addition, scientific discovery does not oppose thier thoughts because they do not believe in a creator God. After death, one continually is rebirthed until they reach full enlighment and are liberated from rebirths. This state is called Nirvana. In Mahayana Buddhism, evil or wrongdoings committed by someone results in continual rebirths. The main goal is enlighment and liberation from continual rebirths.
Mahayana Buddhists believe life is suffering and the suffering is a result from one's past life. Such as if one was ignorant of greedy which resulted in continuous rebirths. Contemporary issues include that abortion is murder, violent acts cause karma consequence and that divorce would not occur if one were to follow Buddhist precepts. Roles for the men are women state that women are care-takers and men are providers however this has changed over the years.
the highest ranked eastern religion from the religion quiz: Mahayana Buddhism
These are the main ideas and beliefs from Mahayana Buddhists:
Mahayana Buddhism includes diverse beliefs, various sects, schools, and trends. The main Mahayana sects include Pure Land, Zen, and Vajrayana (or Tantric) Buddhism. We focus here on some of the traditional elements of Mahayana Buddhism.
•
Belief in DeityMahayana Buddhism (like Theravada Buddhism) posits no Creator or ruler God. However, deity belief is present in the Mahayana doctrine of The Three Bodies (forms) of Buddha: (1) Body of Essence--the indescribable, impersonal Absolute Reality, or Ultimate Truth that is Nirvana (Infinite Bliss); (2) Body of Bliss or Enjoyment--Buddha as divine, deity, formless, celestial spirit with saving power of grace, omnipotence, omniscience; and (3) Body of Transformation or Emanation--an illusion or emanation in human form provided by the divine Buddha to guide humans to Enlightenment. Any person can potentially achieve Buddhahood, transcending personality and becoming one with the impersonal Ultimate Reality, which is Infinite Bliss (Nirvana). There are countless Buddhas presiding over countless universes. Bodhisattvas--humans and celestial spirits who sacrifice their imminent liberation (Buddhahood) to help all others to become liberated--are revered or worshipped as gods or saints by some.
•
IncarnationsThe historic Buddha, the person Siddhartha Gautama, is considered by many as an emanation or illusion of the highest power (which is also called Buddha). Many believe there have been countless Buddhas on earth.
•
Origin of Universe and LifeNo Creator God. All matter is illusion or manifestation of the Ultimate Reality. Generally, Mahayana Buddhist beliefs don't find modern scientific discoveries contradictory to Buddhist thought.
•
After DeathThere is no transmigration of individual souls, but through the law of karma, one's wholesome or unwholesome intentions become imprinted in the mind. Negative mental states persist through continual rebirth until one's intentions become wholesome. Once fully enlightened, one is liberated from rebirths, reaching a state of absolute selflessness resulting in ultimate bliss called Nirvana--the "Deathless State." One becomes Buddha (or one with Buddha). Some Buddhists, especially modern Western, don't emphasize or believe in literal rebirth.
•
Why Evil?People have free will to commit wrongs. Evil results as cravings, attachments, and ignorance accumulate through perpetual rebirths, thus perpetuating greed, hatred, and violence.
•
SalvationThe goal is enlightenment, leading to Nirvana--liberation from cycles of rebirth and suffering--which is life. All are already endowed with Buddha-nature but need to come to realize fully that only the Ultimate Reality (the great "void" or "emptiness") is real (or nonconditional) and permanent. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path show the way, along with worship of the essential Buddha. One must work to extinguish self: All worldly cravings, desires, and attachments, through loving-kindness, compassion, charity, moral conduct, wisdom, and meditation. Renouncing worldly possessions and goals is not necessary for the laity, if balanced. Buddha taught the middle path, moderation. Human and spirit world Bodhisattvas are sought for help in gaining enlightenment. Pure Land Mahayana Buddhists aim to find a place of eternal Nirvana in a paradisiacal Pure Land, attainable by calling out the name of the Buddha ruler of the Pure Land.
•
Undeserved SufferingLife is suffering. Suffering results from this and past life greed, hatred, and ignorance, which, unless mitigated, returns as suffering (karma). Intense suffering may be viewed as the release of karma, hastening one's liberation. Suffering is illusion or ignorance of one's true nature as Buddha.
•
Contemporary IssuesAbortion is considered murder, and all violent acts cause horrific karmic consequence. Homosexuality in itself is not specifically condemned by scripture, but opinions vary, especially among various Buddhist cultures--e.g., American Buddhists are generally very accepting, while Asian Buddhists are generally strongly opposed to homosexuality. It is believed that divorce wouldn't occur if one follows Buddhist precepts, but a couple is not condemned if they separate due to vast personal differences. Gender roles are generally traditional (e.g. women are child caretakers and men are providers), but are growing less rigid as society inflicts more and more contemporary demands (e.g. women working in increasing numbers).
Mahayana Buddhism includes diverse beliefs, various sects, schools, and trends. The main Mahayana sects include Pure Land, Zen, and Vajrayana (or Tantric) Buddhism. We focus here on some of the traditional elements of Mahayana Buddhism.
•
Belief in DeityMahayana Buddhism (like Theravada Buddhism) posits no Creator or ruler God. However, deity belief is present in the Mahayana doctrine of The Three Bodies (forms) of Buddha: (1) Body of Essence--the indescribable, impersonal Absolute Reality, or Ultimate Truth that is Nirvana (Infinite Bliss); (2) Body of Bliss or Enjoyment--Buddha as divine, deity, formless, celestial spirit with saving power of grace, omnipotence, omniscience; and (3) Body of Transformation or Emanation--an illusion or emanation in human form provided by the divine Buddha to guide humans to Enlightenment. Any person can potentially achieve Buddhahood, transcending personality and becoming one with the impersonal Ultimate Reality, which is Infinite Bliss (Nirvana). There are countless Buddhas presiding over countless universes. Bodhisattvas--humans and celestial spirits who sacrifice their imminent liberation (Buddhahood) to help all others to become liberated--are revered or worshipped as gods or saints by some.
•
IncarnationsThe historic Buddha, the person Siddhartha Gautama, is considered by many as an emanation or illusion of the highest power (which is also called Buddha). Many believe there have been countless Buddhas on earth.
•
Origin of Universe and LifeNo Creator God. All matter is illusion or manifestation of the Ultimate Reality. Generally, Mahayana Buddhist beliefs don't find modern scientific discoveries contradictory to Buddhist thought.
•
After DeathThere is no transmigration of individual souls, but through the law of karma, one's wholesome or unwholesome intentions become imprinted in the mind. Negative mental states persist through continual rebirth until one's intentions become wholesome. Once fully enlightened, one is liberated from rebirths, reaching a state of absolute selflessness resulting in ultimate bliss called Nirvana--the "Deathless State." One becomes Buddha (or one with Buddha). Some Buddhists, especially modern Western, don't emphasize or believe in literal rebirth.
•
Why Evil?People have free will to commit wrongs. Evil results as cravings, attachments, and ignorance accumulate through perpetual rebirths, thus perpetuating greed, hatred, and violence.
•
SalvationThe goal is enlightenment, leading to Nirvana--liberation from cycles of rebirth and suffering--which is life. All are already endowed with Buddha-nature but need to come to realize fully that only the Ultimate Reality (the great "void" or "emptiness") is real (or nonconditional) and permanent. The Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path show the way, along with worship of the essential Buddha. One must work to extinguish self: All worldly cravings, desires, and attachments, through loving-kindness, compassion, charity, moral conduct, wisdom, and meditation. Renouncing worldly possessions and goals is not necessary for the laity, if balanced. Buddha taught the middle path, moderation. Human and spirit world Bodhisattvas are sought for help in gaining enlightenment. Pure Land Mahayana Buddhists aim to find a place of eternal Nirvana in a paradisiacal Pure Land, attainable by calling out the name of the Buddha ruler of the Pure Land.
•
Undeserved SufferingLife is suffering. Suffering results from this and past life greed, hatred, and ignorance, which, unless mitigated, returns as suffering (karma). Intense suffering may be viewed as the release of karma, hastening one's liberation. Suffering is illusion or ignorance of one's true nature as Buddha.
•
Contemporary IssuesAbortion is considered murder, and all violent acts cause horrific karmic consequence. Homosexuality in itself is not specifically condemned by scripture, but opinions vary, especially among various Buddhist cultures--e.g., American Buddhists are generally very accepting, while Asian Buddhists are generally strongly opposed to homosexuality. It is believed that divorce wouldn't occur if one follows Buddhist precepts, but a couple is not condemned if they separate due to vast personal differences. Gender roles are generally traditional (e.g. women are child caretakers and men are providers), but are growing less rigid as society inflicts more and more contemporary demands (e.g. women working in increasing numbers).
On the religion quiz, my five top religions were 1. Reform Judaism 2. Liberal Quakers 3. Unitarian Universalism 4. Liberal Christian Protestants. 5. Mahayana Buddhism.
This survey's questions were a little bit more complicated and harder to choose from than the previous quiz. For example, it asks whether I believe in multiple gods or one god, how many gods do I worship and which types of gods do I worship. In addition, there is also a low, medium and high on how much priority I put on that answer. One question that confused me a little was the twelth question in the survey which wanted me to put all the beliefs I believe in. Many of these I've never even heard of and confused me a little.
Many of the other questions were similar to the other questions from the previous quiz and were fairly easy to answer, however I needed to think a little longer on some of them.
I was expecting these type of questions from this quiz because after taking the previous quiz, I was expecting similar questions about religion. In addition, this was a religion quiz and they asked me a lot of questions about my faith, beliefs and gods.
The results of the different types of religions that came up were types of religions I've never even heard of before. Out of the whole list of about thirty religions, I only recognized about ten of them. When I researched each of the top five religions that came up, I found that many of the beliefs from each of the five religions were similar to my beliefs. However there were a few beliefs from some of the religions I don't believe in. Such as in Unitarian Universalism, some people believe in reincarnation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the belief is that there are three bodies or forms of Buddha and there is no God or creator of the Universe. Many of the beliefs I agree with but some of the other beliefs I believe different.
This survey's questions were a little bit more complicated and harder to choose from than the previous quiz. For example, it asks whether I believe in multiple gods or one god, how many gods do I worship and which types of gods do I worship. In addition, there is also a low, medium and high on how much priority I put on that answer. One question that confused me a little was the twelth question in the survey which wanted me to put all the beliefs I believe in. Many of these I've never even heard of and confused me a little.
Many of the other questions were similar to the other questions from the previous quiz and were fairly easy to answer, however I needed to think a little longer on some of them.
I was expecting these type of questions from this quiz because after taking the previous quiz, I was expecting similar questions about religion. In addition, this was a religion quiz and they asked me a lot of questions about my faith, beliefs and gods.
The results of the different types of religions that came up were types of religions I've never even heard of before. Out of the whole list of about thirty religions, I only recognized about ten of them. When I researched each of the top five religions that came up, I found that many of the beliefs from each of the five religions were similar to my beliefs. However there were a few beliefs from some of the religions I don't believe in. Such as in Unitarian Universalism, some people believe in reincarnation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the belief is that there are three bodies or forms of Buddha and there is no God or creator of the Universe. Many of the beliefs I agree with but some of the other beliefs I believe different.
Results from the spiritual and religion quizzes
The first quiz I took I scored a 49, which means I am an active spiritual seeker. This means I am spiritual but turned off by organized religion. I think this is somewhat close to what kind of person I am. I was not expecting the different questions about God and evil. Such as do I believe he is a person on earth a spirit and do I think evil is present in this world for a particular reason. On the other hand, the other questions I was expecting such as do I believe in angels and the Adam and Eve stories about the Garden of Eden. One question I had to think a little bit more on was the question about natural disasters, deseases and why they happen. I've always thought of natural disasters happening because of the bad luck. However, the survey asks if I think they bad things happen because God wants it to happen or its part of his plan. This question made me think a little bit more than the other questions on the test.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Asian Map Quiz
I got a 90% on the asia map quiz. It is unfortunate I do not know where Brunei is. This is extremely dissapointing because if I meet a beautiful Malaysian woman, I will not be able to discuss the geographical nature of the country with her. Fortunately, I am extremely charming and I will ask her out to a nice seafood dinner. Haha
Cultural bias, pre-concieved notions and putting in perspective/Why is it important to study Asian history?
It is important to study Asian history for many reasons. The first reason is knowing where all the different countries and geographical features in Asia are. The majority of things manufactured such as food, toys, clothing and equipment are from various countries within Asia, and it is usually important to know where you get all of your toys, clothing etc. In addition, there is always world wide news that sometimes involves Asian countries, and it is very important to understand what is going on in those countries, as well as where the countries are. For example, U.S. troops are stationed all over the middle east and if someone doesn't know that Pakistan is adjacent to Afghanistan, and may think those to countries are one thousand miles apart, then they should take the Asian map quiz on iliketolearn.com, so they can develop full understanding and mental picture of these middle eastern countries.
Asian history is very important to study so one can gain of full understanding of what has happened in the past there and what is happening in the present. For example, the Taliban are in the middle east presently. Someone who doesn't know about the Taliban and Asian history might assume the Taliban just magically appeared in the middle east. If that someone were to take an Asian history class, then they would learn a lot about the Taliban and other conflicts going on. In addition, they might become more interested in Asian history itself and do some sort of research project. Learning about Asian history will make someone understand religions better. For example, if a person is Christian and goes to church every sunday and drink the blood of christ from a wine glass, someone from Asia might think that is totally strange and different from there religion. However if a person from the U.S. were to watch someone who is Islamic do their rituals, then the American would think the other person's rituals are weird because they are differnent from his own practicings. In summary, studying Asian history helps us imagine being in someone else's shoes and understand they do thier religious practicings and other things daily for a certain reason. We must always consider that different Asian countries do things differently from us and we must put ourselves in thier shoes to learn why they do things such as religious practicings and daily rituals a certain way.
Asian history is very important to study so one can gain of full understanding of what has happened in the past there and what is happening in the present. For example, the Taliban are in the middle east presently. Someone who doesn't know about the Taliban and Asian history might assume the Taliban just magically appeared in the middle east. If that someone were to take an Asian history class, then they would learn a lot about the Taliban and other conflicts going on. In addition, they might become more interested in Asian history itself and do some sort of research project. Learning about Asian history will make someone understand religions better. For example, if a person is Christian and goes to church every sunday and drink the blood of christ from a wine glass, someone from Asia might think that is totally strange and different from there religion. However if a person from the U.S. were to watch someone who is Islamic do their rituals, then the American would think the other person's rituals are weird because they are differnent from his own practicings. In summary, studying Asian history helps us imagine being in someone else's shoes and understand they do thier religious practicings and other things daily for a certain reason. We must always consider that different Asian countries do things differently from us and we must put ourselves in thier shoes to learn why they do things such as religious practicings and daily rituals a certain way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)