Well, back in the day, Hindus believed in a very rigid and strict religion that initially defined who you were born as, who you are, and who you will be in the future. This wasn't a very appealing idea if you were to be born on the bottom of the Hindu ladder. The caste system allowed no movement in one lifetime to upgrade to first class, so to say, and to be considered 'Untouchable' was an inevitable life long curse for many. The good news is there was a way out; the cycle of Samsara, where you are born again into a new living being depending on your kharma from your past life. The bad news; it gives a whole new meaning to "Waiting your entire life" for something. So when Prince Siddhārtha Gautama came round and offered a new way of life that freed them from their castes and god's, it seemed like a good option for the lower hindu society.
Buddism still maintained a belief of ascetics which ledup to the enlightenment of one's self and transending into Nirvana. One major difference is when you get there, there is a much lower population of Godly people. Actually, there were no gods to greet them. Rather than following the way of a celestial savior, Buddhists worshiped the all mighty Buddha with his grand knowledge of life. By sacrificing the life of worldly desires and live an ascetic life, one would reach a state of enlightenment known only to the Buddhas and be freed of the samsara cycle. This sense of Nirvana is very similar to the Hindu ways of reaching Moksha in that you must release yourself to live for a higher power in order to end the sufferinf of samsara. By omitting the gods from their beliefs, Buddhists called this new way 'Dhamma'.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Freedom to choose...
... or at least, freedom to choose as long as what you choose is what someone else wants, that is...
In Ofra Yeshua-Lyth's blog, she states a rather blatant distaste for Israeli independent governing. Her literature provided gives notion that it would be best for the nation to become a democratic party and abandon their connection between the church and state. She also argues that the treatment of Arabs is poor because they are not Jewish. These as well as other issues with Israeli govt were expressed in her article.
In response to Ofra's writing, I find the argument a little hypocritical in several ways. Find me an Arab country that treats Non-Muslim people with all of the same respects that they give to their Muslim peers. A country is able to decide their own rules and standards, even if the standards deem other people as lower class. Rwanda had a split class for a long period of time and the Hindu people live in a caste system where people are regarded as 'Untouchables'. No one has the right to separate their faith from their government except themselves and if they decide not to, then that's their call. Her claims of them having an unreformed and outdated religion is something that could be said about any religion. Last time I checked, faith wasn't about convenience; no God is waiting ready by the Dollar Menu for you to have it your way. The ways or Orthodox Judaism may be strict and 'old', but the Hindu's live their lives in devotion to their faith and have been around for 5000+ years. Are they outdated too? I saw if the Israeli Government wantsto be a National Jewish State, then they should. It's their decision.
In Ofra Yeshua-Lyth's blog, she states a rather blatant distaste for Israeli independent governing. Her literature provided gives notion that it would be best for the nation to become a democratic party and abandon their connection between the church and state. She also argues that the treatment of Arabs is poor because they are not Jewish. These as well as other issues with Israeli govt were expressed in her article.
In response to Ofra's writing, I find the argument a little hypocritical in several ways. Find me an Arab country that treats Non-Muslim people with all of the same respects that they give to their Muslim peers. A country is able to decide their own rules and standards, even if the standards deem other people as lower class. Rwanda had a split class for a long period of time and the Hindu people live in a caste system where people are regarded as 'Untouchables'. No one has the right to separate their faith from their government except themselves and if they decide not to, then that's their call. Her claims of them having an unreformed and outdated religion is something that could be said about any religion. Last time I checked, faith wasn't about convenience; no God is waiting ready by the Dollar Menu for you to have it your way. The ways or Orthodox Judaism may be strict and 'old', but the Hindu's live their lives in devotion to their faith and have been around for 5000+ years. Are they outdated too? I saw if the Israeli Government wantsto be a National Jewish State, then they should. It's their decision.
The formalities!
To all readers,
As part of a college course, I am asked to maintain this blog on religions from all over the world. Various topics will be shared, discussed, debated, noted, and more. As the writer, I look forward to publishing my opinions, views, and findings as well as seeing the same in feedback from you all as well. This is a first for me in several ways, but I look forward to using this blog as a chance to learn more about these topics as time goes on.
Your's truly,
009
As part of a college course, I am asked to maintain this blog on religions from all over the world. Various topics will be shared, discussed, debated, noted, and more. As the writer, I look forward to publishing my opinions, views, and findings as well as seeing the same in feedback from you all as well. This is a first for me in several ways, but I look forward to using this blog as a chance to learn more about these topics as time goes on.
Your's truly,
009
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