Christine Adams
3 posts
Re: Topic 8 DQ 1
While both Hindus and Buddhists have their own special ceremonies and beliefs, they are more alike than you would imagine. At the end of the day, both groups want to live life in the way they deem moral. I can personally put myself in both religions because they are both relatable in terms of living life in a moral way that causes no one harm and tries to bring positives into this often all to negative world. I agree with the ways to lessen the suffering of humankind in this world because too often we come across someone that is suffering in one way or another. We are guilty of doing this to ourselves sometimes. As an example, we try to keep up with the Jones’ or we see people on Facebook living what we think is their best life, never really knowing what is behind the smile. Im am sure that most of us have mumbled to ourselves at one point or another about wanting to come back in another life as this or that. But after reading this information, we now know that there is more work that truly goes into that. At the end of the day, both groups want what most Americans do. A peaceful, happy life. We just have a tendency to make life out of balance to achieve what we think makes life peaceful and happy
Alice Loggins Goldstein
1 posts
Re: Topic 8 DQ 1
Buddhism and Hinduism are similar in many ways, both believe in reincarnation, and reincarnation. They both live a morally and ethical life and have a sober clean life. Hinduism has been around longer than Buddhism starting around 5500 B.C. Being one of the oldest religions, it is their way of life. Buddhism originated in Ancient India sometime around the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, from there it spread through most of Asia, Hinduism also practiced in south Asia. They both believe in doing the same spiritual exercises, for example, they both practice meditation to have a clear state of mind. One main difference is that in Buddhism they believe in buddha though be their higher power. In Hinduism, they do not believe in having just one prophet, higher power, or leader. They believed in scriptures, ancient texts, which were called Vedas. These ancient texts can be compared to the bible. In Buddhism, there was no text only word of mouth that had been passed on. It was not until later when text came up to the surface for them. In the past Buddhism was only seen as a philosophy due to their beliefs of seeing your life being full of struggles and then seeing their struggles turn into rewards and be free from their struggles, it was not until later that it evolved into being seen as a religion. Hinduism has always been seen as a religion.
Ivory Parker
1 posts
Re: Topic 8 DQ 2
Hello,
Hinduism and Buddhism are Asian religions highly valued in the United States of America. The religions promote morality in American society by condemning unethical behaviors such as murder, dishonesty, sexual immorality, and drug abuse (Hemeyer, 2016). In addition, they encourage strict adherence to the scripture teachings as a reverence to divine power. Buddhists and Hindus demonstrate due respect to religious leaders. Hinduism and Buddhism encourage adherence to Asian cultural practices to maintain identity in the United States of America. In addition, they encourage togetherness that ensures that they help one another when they face problems. The moral authority in the religions encourages ethical behaviors to avoid facing the consequences of immorality. The religious leaders belonging to Hinduism and Buddhism help immigrants from Asian countries to easily adapt to the U.S culture (Hemeyer, 2016). Therefore, Hinduism and Buddhism promote the social transformation of Asian communities in the United States of America.
Hemeyer, J. (2016). Religion in America. Routledge.
Christine Adams
1 posts
Re: Topic 8 DQ 2
Good evening.
After reading the information in the text, I can see where the appeal would be to Americans, but especially the younger generations. These two religions revolve around inner peace and doing good which results in happiness. Happiness and inner peace is something that we don’t seem to have enough of these days in our hustle and bustle environment. We rush from place to place, we work late, we are pulled in so many directions from things that seem to demand our attention and leave no room to take a breath. These religions make sense to allow us to find ourselves admist the chaos. Chanting and meditation allow us to shut the world out for a moment in time and help us not only find ourselves, but also to help make us more aware of our surroundings and the choices that we are making that a impactful nor us and those around us.
