Analysis Of. Smith 's ' The Illustrated World 's Religions

In classical India, the religion of Buddhism was formed in reaction to the strict ways of Hinduism. Many people, mainly lower class, converted to seek a better life and be enlightened more efficiently. This new religion made its way to China where much of its population converted through trade and missionaries. The conversion of Buddhism in China caused many effects of the spread of Buddhism because of its influential impacts from 300 to 900 CE which are influencing the government, caused some people to reject it, and mainly was a unifying force for China. An effect the spread of Buddhism is the influence of its morals on China’s government in 300-900 CE (Doc’s 1, 7). On some occasions Chinese people vehemently rejected Buddhism and rather practice more Chinese driven religion (Doc’s 5, 7). The most impactful effect of the spread of Buddhism is its ability to unite the Chinese in the way of

First, this book will guide me to embrace the world as it is. It is written in English, so it may not be same as written by the each religion leaders. Although this book travels freely from Eastern to Western and forth and back to reflect various perspectives, it will help me to see different aspects of the world through others' eyes. Having this kind of view will expand my mind to new things and deepen the understanding the matters.

Although religions today take on many shapes and forms, and may seem so dramatically different from each other, in order to study and understand these religions, their similarities must be identified. This paper will first present a definition of religion that will connect to all religions at the simplest base. Then this paper will examine the common practices and experiences that are present in both the primary religions of the world, as well as the indigenous religions. Finally, this paper will discuss the issues that are critical to the academic study of religions.

Huston Smith in the final chapter of his book, The World’s Religions – A Final Examination challenges his readers to look back and see how this book has related religions to each other or how they been proven to be different. Smith introduces three main topics to show the relation between the religions that were discussed in the previous chapters. Even though he points out certain aspects of these religions his readers can sense that he leans toward one relation more than the other. There are many things that I was raised to do but I was never raised by having to believe in a certain religion. This book allowed myself to learn about new religions and explore my options about what religion I want to practice. Smith

Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism are three of the world’s most distinguished belief systems of the past and for some, still in the present. The guidelines they provided influenced the social, political and religious lives of people within the societies that followed them. Hinduism emerged when the Aryans arrived in ancient India and began to combine their ideas with those of the Dravidians, the native population. One major Hindu idea was the caste system, which influenced the social lives of its followers and provided the state with political stability. Confucianism first saw an emergence of numerous followers during the Warring States period, when many philosophers were developing ideas for how to return order to China in this era of chaos. It provided political stability to the state by promoting an ethical system with several virtues and the idea that education could allow for social mobility. Buddhism originated from classical India when many people started looking for a new belief system, as they began to reject the caste system imposed by Hinduism. Buddhism had a minimal political or social impact on its followers, but instead influenced their religious lives. There is no doubt that these three belief systems significantly impacted the lives of their followers, but the manner in which they did this varied for each. Socially, Hinduism had the greatest impact with their caste system. Politically, Confucianism had the greatest impact by promoting virtues and

Throughout history, different civilizations have been exchanging and spreading ideas. Of these ideas, religion often spreads the most drastically, finding new roots in places throughout the world. These spreading religions can greatly affect the nations they spread to, often impacting the political, social, and economic aspects of an area. Religions such as Buddhism in Japan and Christianity in the Americas allowed their monarchies to strengthen their reign on their citizens, adapt their societies to the new theologies, and cultivate wealth through both trade and conquest.

Major religions dating back 4,000 years have served as institutions that bring individuals together in the form of communities that share similar morals, ideals, and customs. Religion greatly affects individual behavior both positively and negatively because of how important of a role it plays in many lives. Smidt (1999) notes that religious institutions act as a societal framework that provides a variety of services such as guidance, physical care, and social networks. It is at these institutions where individuals are first introduced to ideas about ethics, values, and customs. Thus, officials within each religion have an important role in shaping how their congregates view the world. Many religious institutions serve as the center of a particular

The caste system gave more power to priest and aristocrats and slowly developed sub castes, “jati”, which was determined by a person's occupation and was passed onto their children. Also, the caste system served as the foundation for social organization in India. 20. What are the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Hinduism?

When introducing about Hinduism in the book “Invitation to World Religions”, Jeffrey Brodd mentions about the caste system of this religion. The introduction does not go with details and situations that reflect deeply the inequality of Hinduism social organization. Occasionally, reading the article “Why this family’s conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism matters” of Max Bearak. I understand the dark side of the Indian dominant religion.

Eastman, Roger (1999). The Ways of Religion An Introduction to the Major Traditions, 3rd edition. New York, Oxford University Press. Print

Religion and philosophy such as Hinduism and Buddhism could have affected India in many ways. First of all, it affected the way people acted. Second, It also affected the gods you would pray to. In the article it states, “Buddhists still paid attention to Hindu gods.” This Shows,” Everyone had a god to pray to.” There is also something called nirvana. Tou can reach nirvana by being a good person and also through meditation. Lastly, there is Ahimsa which means non-violence.

Within Buddhism it throw-outs the caste system that Hinduism believes in. Buddhism offers a vision of salvation based on individual effort. Also it was unusual in the eyes of Hinduism but Buddhism started to spread its teaching by sending out missionaries into neighboring Asian countries. Within Buddhism it is taught according to Hopfe that “any person of any caste or sex could find the same enlightenment he knew,” signifying an equality it seems among social class. Also Buddhism shows according to Hopfe that “women as well as men could achieve enlightenment,” so it also show the equality among sex within this

David Peterson, professor of University of California, Irvine, “ It’s a propaganda technique used for people to believe in better tomorrow.” Apply this quote to India, Hinduism is a tool used to enforce caste system. Despite in a neoteric view, the caste system creates inequality and violates human right, we cannot deny its importance in sustaining the stability of Indian civilisation. During the long course of history, few uprises ever happened in this vast subcontinent with a diversity of races. One of the key idea of Buddhism is abrogate the caste system and view everyone equally.

Desperate for change, they did all in their powers to transform the way humanity lived. They spread their virtuous thoughts throughout their societies with superb intentions. Born in the Indian subcontinent, Buddhism is one of the largest practices in the world today. The Buddha’s teachings have spread drastically from one end of the world to the other. While Buddhism focuses on the concept of suffering, Confucianism explores ways to obtain social harmony. According to Confucius, humanity is far from evil; however, Siddhartha Gautama implied that life is full of suffering. The caste system laid division amongst the people who were believed to be united, by the

Buddhism, which has been around for over 2500 years, was started because of a little boy who was chosen by his father after birth to be significant because of certain markings or signs on the little baby’s body. Growing up, this boy was sheltered from all negativity and given a life where he was never allowed to see or experience anything negative or bad. His dad felt that he would have so much compassion for people and want to save them from hurt if he saw the bad things in the world. And, his dad wanted him to become an Emperor and rule the people, not feel sorry for them and try to save them from harm. The very thing that his dad thought turned out to be true for Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha snuck away to experience the real world and once exposed, decided he wanted to give up his life of luxury and live a simple life while finding the answers he was looking for. After he grew up, he left his wife, son and comfortable home and began his journey as a monk. He developed self-control, mastered meditation,