This chart contains all the research you need to write the final paper for this course. If you do the research and reading on the religion(s), we study each week, and if you give yourself an excellent guide to the beliefs using this chart, you will have a good foundation for that final paper. The more information you provide for yourself with this chart, the easier it will be to write your last article. Do not forget to provide adequate material for any in-text citations and be sure to include a reference page as well. On the left-hand side of the chart are the categories and the content to be discussed.
Complete and submit the following chart. Provide citations for any source(s) you used to explain or provide examples for in your research. List in APA Style full references for any in-text citations and source(s) made in the above chart. Use complete sentences and correct grammar, etc..
Student Name:
RELIGION(S) OF THE WEEK
Provide your response in this column.
State the name of the Religion being addressed in this chart.
Please address ONLY ONE (1) religion per chart. If there is more than one religion for the week, do two charts.
Buddhism
ORIGIN OF ALL THINGS
Provide your response in this column.
Every religion has a cosmology/cosmogony to explain its view of the universe and the place of humans in it. Explain the cosmology/cosmogony for this week’s religion. Explain how it is manifested in the subsequent worldview that develops for that religion.
According to Buddha, the world is considered as Samrasa (Lopez, 2015). Buddhists view it as a series of recurrent births and demises. Hence, the start and the completion of the world can be defined well in Samrasa. Moreover, this religion states that various souls have been either created in heaven, hell, pretas, people, Titan or animals (Gross, 2013). The pain which is inflicted on individuals lasts for a shorter period.
NATURE OF GOD/CREATOR
Provide your response in this column.
In what way does this religion have a God or gods? How does this worship of deity/deities reflect the cosmology of the religion? If the religion has no God/gods, in what way does this absence reflect their cosmology?
Buddhism does not recognize faith in God. They only have faith in a person who will salvage them from misery. Surprisingly, they have a perception that God did not create the universe. However, they trust that the world was made a million years ago. They also believe that anything that happens is caused by previous activities (Lopez, 2015). Therefore, according to Buddhism, if anything is anticipated to occur in the future, it is out of the past event.
VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE
Provide your response in this column.
State how this religion views human beings. What is human nature according to this religion? Why does the view of human nature matter?
If you cannot identify how this religion defines human beings, suggest as to why it doesn't.
According to Buddha, the human nature provides that there is no determining self-ego or soul. Hence, there is no permanent event which is found on earth (Gross, 2013). For instance, things like perception of people, judgments, mindfulness, and emotional state often change.
VIEW OF GOOD " EVIL
Provide your response in this column.
State how this religion defines the concept of good and evil.
How does this definition or understanding impact the way adherents to the religion live their daily lives?
From the Buddhist point of view, good and evil is part of human life. An individual is classified as good or bad basing on his or her character. Furthermore, good is an essential nature of enlightenment, which is acquired from a self-acquaintance (Lopez, 2015). Conversely, evil is considered as part of gloom where little is known. Hence, it makes people suffer in life.
VIEW OF SALVATION
Provide your response in this column.
All religions suggest that human beings are faced with a “problem” that needs to be overcome. What is the “problem” this religion identifies? Is this problem intrinsic or extrinsic for the person? Is it individually manifested or is it a collective problem?
The redemption of Buddhists is to access Nirvana, which is a place that is considered as a holy place. At Nirvana, people are in a position of being saved, freed from sins, and cleanse their minds and souls. Individuals find themselves on a correct track that later enables them to see heaven (Gross, 2013). They believe in the doctrine of the Four Noble Truths which entails good activities.
VIEW OF AFTERLIFE
Provide your response in this column.
What does this religion teach about “what comes next” after all is said and done? In what do adherents of this religion place their hope for any future life or existence? Describe the impact this belief or non-belief impacts the person daily life and the structures of society. With such a view of the after-life, what type of societal structures or institutions would we expect to develop in the culture?
The afterlife of Buddhists consists of series of rebirth and demise, a situation that they call Samsara (Lopez, 2015). They observe these cycles so that they can reach Nirvana. After gaining knowledge and passing through karma, one starts aiming at evading Samsara and reaching Nirvana, which is considered as an end of misery. Probably, people might begin worshipping their ancestors after they are pleased by the religious practices of the living.
PRACTICES AND RITUALS
Provide your response in this column.
How do members of this religion “practice” their “faith?”
What ceremonies, or rituals, do they use to help pass this religion on to the next generation? If you cannot identify how this religion is practiced, suggest as to why it doesn't have any rituals or practices.
In Buddhism, there are five fundamental rituals which include bowing, chanting, lighting incense, offering at the Alter, and meditation. Nonetheless, the customary rites include worship, pilgrimage, monasticism, prayer wheels, mudras, mantras, and meditation (Lopez, 2015). These celebrations are often practiced during birthdays. The event is taken as special and other ordinary activities are stopped to carry out the rituals. They, pay reverence to Buddha where people admit their sins and make offerings to appease him. Also, they pray to spirits so that they can be protected from harm.
CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS
Provide your response in this column.
Identify one or two celebrations and festivals that members of this religion use to express their beliefs in public, or in private.
Why do religions develop celebrations and festivals? How are these different from practices and rituals?
Buddhist carries out their celebrations on every night of the first day of May where a full moon appears so that they can rejoice the birth and pass away of Buddha (Lopez, 2015). During this period, people take much food, conduct Dharma, and make supplications at the temple to appease Buddha, Sangha, and Dharma. Nevertheless, all these activities are done according to the traditional rituals of Buddha.
References
Gross, R. M. (2013). Historical consciousness and traditional Buddhist narratives. International Journal of Dharma Studies, 1(1), 5.
Lopez Jr, D. S. (2015). Buddhism in practice: Abridged Edition. Princeton University Press.
