Essay on Buddhism in Japan - 3757 Words

â€Å"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future; it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural and spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity.† Albert Einstein (Buddhism) Buddhism has affected many people. From the Buddha’s first followers to my next door neighbor, people everywhere have followed the teachings of Buddhism. Buddhism was started by a Prince; a prince who wanted more. Many different ways of showing appreciation to Buddha are present in today’s society as well as when Buddhism was first started. There are paintings, carvings, statues and†¦show more content†¦One was an elderly man, another was a man suffering from illness, and finally he saw a dead body surrounded by mourners. Since he had never seen anything like this before, he asked his charioteer what these things were. He responded to the Prince that these things were natural and unavoidable, and happened to everyone. Once again Siddhartha asked his charioteer to take him out into the city; this time he was to see the last of four images that would change his life forever. The last sight he saw was a wandering old holy man with no possessions. His head was comp letely shaved and he was wearing a yellow robe. Having seen all these things, Buddha not only became aware of the pain and suffering of humankind, but was also prompted to do something about it. He left his family in search of the answers to his questions (Buddhism). Siddhathra traveled throughout the northeastern portion of India, seeking out holy men and teachers who taught him ancient Indian techniques of meditation. Even though meditation was important to him, his main quest was to find the answer to the problem of suffering. He wanted to know why they were suffering and how it could stop. So Siddhartha studied the teachings of Hinduism. He was very fascinated by the belief of reincarnation or Samsara. (This was the belief of the soul, after death, would travel to a new body and be born again.) Depending on the person’s previous life, their soul could enter a body of a higher or lower state ofShow MoreRelatedThe Buddhist Temple of Chicago practices one of the most popular sects of Buddhism in Japan called700 Words   |  3 PagesBuddhist Temple of Chicago practices one of the most popular sects of Buddhism in Japan called Jodo Shinsu, also known as Pure Land Buddhism (ShotÃ…  1). Instead of stressing the Eight Fold Path, as tradition al Theravada Buddhists do, Pure Land Buddhists chose to interpret the teachings of the Buddha more freely (Wangu 1). Furthermore, Pure Land Buddhists seek guidance from Amitabha Buddha, a deity figure from Mahayana Buddhism (Wangu 1). As the current ruler of the Western Paradise of Sahavaki, itRead MoreThe Religions : Buddhism And Shinto1678 Words   |  7 Pagestwo religions: Buddhism and Shinto. Buddhism was brought into Japan during the early 6th century from Korea, and was later institutionalized as the state religion in the late 6th century by Prince ShÃ… toku. The Prince was a great patron of Buddhism and by having made it the state religion, it would help Buddhism spread. However, Japan was not without its own religion—Shinto—which had been there for many years prior to the arrival of Buddhism. With Buddhism gaining traction in Japan with the help ofRead MoreEssay on Shintoism and Buddhism1210 Words   |  5 PagesShintoism and Buddhism The Japanese religions, including Shintosim and Buddhism, are rich and complex, and it contains many condradictory trends which may puzzle a Westerner. In the center of the tradition is Shinto, the natural religion of Japan. Also in the center is Buddhism, the Indian religion that was brought to Japan in the sixth century from Korea and China. Throughout the history of Japan, it has been these two religions that have contributed most to the Japanese understandingRead MoreWhen Asia Was the World Book Analysis Essay1110 Words   |  5 PagesGordon’s When Asia Was The World, I found the story of Xuanzang very interesting. Xuanzang was a Buddhist monk who traveled all over to learn more about Buddhism until he became confused and decided to go to the center of Buddhism, along the way he faced many difficulties, he decided to go back to China and share what he had learned. Buddhism began in India; it was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, born in Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama wandered around for awhile acting like a beggar to figureRead More China and Japan Essay1013 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout the dynasties in China and Japan, religion, economy and politics have been affected by each other in various ways. In the book â€Å"Religion and Making of Modern East Asia†, Thomas Dubois brings to light the impact religion made on both politics and economy in China and Japan throughout the historical period up till date. In his words, he describes â€Å"religion as an extremely political force† (Dubois, 2011, pp. 7-16). As various religions were introduced, it shaped the politics ofRead MoreThe Night Watches Of The Buddha1747 Words   |  7 PagesQuestion 2 Analyze the night Watches of the Buddha, and explain how the content was developed in the Mahayana Sutras. Mahayana Buddhism is originated in the first century C.E. and focuses on new concern for liberation through the assistance of a bodhisattva (Voorst ). Also, Mahayana Buddhism requires a body of scripture, and so began the Mahayana Canon (Voorst ). Mahayana Sutras is one of section of the Mahayana Canon, which focuses on the denial of the reality of existence and nonexistenceRead MoreBuddhism and Christianity1411 Words   |  6 Pagescentury Christianity endured great persecution in China and Japan. Christianity became extinct in China and Japan until sixteenth century when European Christian missionaries first came to Asia. Upon meeting Buddhist monks the Christian missionaries realized there seem to be many similarities between Christianity and Buddhism. They noticed many other similarities in doctrine and books as well. The early missionaries to China and Japan were both shocked and disturbed by their findings that anotherRead MoreThe Way of the Warrior: Bushido1198 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction The term ‘Bushido’ has over the years developed from the traditional translation of ‘the Way of the Warrior’ towards the more modern notion of a â€Å"national spirit of Japan, especially the military spirit.† This paper will analyse the impacts that various religious traditions such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have had on shaping the classical ideals of the bushido code and the influences that the bushido code played on the actions of the kamikaze fighter pilots during WorldRead More Comparing Buddhism and Christianity Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Buddhism and Christianity In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. DuringRead MoreChina And Jap Spirituality, Belief And Faith Are Personal1271 Words   |  6 PagesStudy of Religion in China and Japan Spirituality, belief and faith are personal. This statement means that an individual takes his own path on religion. Religion is a system of worship that connects human behaviors, practices, organizations, ethics, texts and world views to the supernatural world. Religion is widespread and diverse in various ways. The contents of one religion may not be similar to those of other religions. The differences may be identified through the supernatural being, faith