Eastern Religions
Thich Nhat Hanh wrote "The Heart Of Understanding" as a commentary and evaluation of the Heart Sutra in Buddhist philosophy. The book "Heart of Understanding" is a synopsis of Hanh's interpretation of what has been described as the central sutra or philosophical teaching of Zen Buddhism. There has over the centuries been much discussion on the relevance of Buddhist teaching and the meanings held within each of the sutras. A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the heart sutra, or "Prajnaparamita" sutra, as described in great detail in Hanh's work. According to Hanh and other religious scholars, this sutra is "the essence" of Buddhist teaching.
The Heart Sutra is recited daily in Buddhist communities throughout the world (Hanh). The sutra dates back to the beginning of the Christian era, and according to scholars has been studies for over 2000 years in Inda, China, Vietnam, Korea and many other Buddhist countries (Hanh). Thich Nhat Hahn is a Vietnamese Zen master, peace activist and poet who teaches the word of the Heart Sutra according to his editor, Peter Levitt. In his work, "The Heart of Understanding," Hanh claims that the "teaching of Buddhism are many."
The first point that Hanh makes is that "things are empty." Hanh takes a very abstract approach in interpreting the Heart Sutra, as indicated by this first statement. What are things empty of? It seems almost that Hanh's interpretation of the Sutra is completely contradictory. He begins by teaching the meaning of bodhisattva, which translates into "awakened being," a key concept in Buddhist teaching. All Buddhists are striving to be awakened. The term "Avalokita" is the name of the awakened being in the work "Heart of Understanding." Hanh states that the Heart Sutra is a gift to mankind from Avalokita, meant to teach people in part the path to understanding and enlightenment, or full awakening. Hanh argues that the Heart Sutra describes perfect understanding, and claims that in Buddhism, "knowledge...
Eastern Religion, Eastern Mysticism, And Magic Influence the Pop Culture in America Eastern religion" - also alluded to in this paper as "Eastern Mysticism" and "mysticism" - and the occult, along with magic and its many off-shoots have had a considerable influence on American Pop Culture over the past few decades. Movies, books, music - all have been touched and enhanced by mysticism and its cousins. So, when referring to "Eastern religion,"
Taoism offers an ideal of nonaggression that does not strive to improve upon the existing order. However, unlike Buddhism, which can advocate action of present mindfulness to relieve suffering (such as the protests of Tibetan monks striving to create a free society) Taoism seems more passive, and less apt to critique existing society, in contrast to Buddhism. Taoism's main critique of Confucianism, for example, was not that Confucianism promoted
Eastern Religions The author of this report has been asked to compare and contrast the religious belief systems that existed in the Ancient Near East, the Indian subcontinent and China. Indeed, there will be a recitation of what they have in common and how they differ. The religions in question would include ones like Judaism, those of ancient Egypt and others like Mesopotamia and beyond. The more Eastern religions like Confucianism
Eastern and Western Religions -- Rituals One of the great divides and differences -- morally and spiritually -- between the Western world and the Eastern world is how people worship, what they believe about God and the universe, and what their rituals are. But how much substantive difference can truly be seen between eastern religions and western religions? This paper points to the major differences in terms of the rituals of
Religion in Tokyo in the 18th and Early 19th Centuries Religion plays an important part in the lives of everyone. It is especially important in the various stages of life such as births, weddings, and funerals. It also plays an important role in the lives of many people on a daily basis. In Tokyo today, there are four major religions: Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, and another group comprised of various new religions.
Religions of the Far East are often clumped into a monolithic entity, perceived as essentially alike by those not familiar with the complexity and individuality of these traditions. Closer examination, however, shows that the major religions with roots in the Far East demonstrate a wide variety of beliefs. The tendency to group them under the heading of "Eastern religion" alone does not allow for the different histories, beliefs, and practices
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