Asceticism: The Most Important Religious Traditions

Relig-ish affirms the fact that, for many people, abandoning one’s faith isn’t a lazy act, but is “a mindful and appropriate response in an expanding world” (5). Mee-Chapman recognizes the diverse spiritual needs of her audience and carefully guides us through the process of creating “a set of right-fit spiritual practices that are rooted in your history, authentic to who you are today, and creative enough to grow with you” (6).

Throughout the history of Medieval Christianity, relics and reliquaries played a big role in Christian belief. A relic often is the physical remains of a saint, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or the personal belongings of a saint, and a holy or a venerated person. A relic is placed in a container called a reliquary that comes in different shapes or sculptures. A reliquary is also called a cult image, while venerating that image is known as “cult of images”. Since a relic is placed inside a reliquary, there must be a prominent relationship between them.

Developed before the advent of scientific methodologies, religion has been one of the few continuities that generations have looked to for an explanation of the uncertainties in the world. Historical religion and their scriptures serve as a guideline for how to live. Certain previously discouraged or even outlawed behaviors have become either more accepted or less socially taboo as modern culture has slowly evolved.

Mircea Eliade’s The Sacred and the Profane analyzes a wide variety of components that are found within various world religions. Eliade uses the history of religion to support his ideas as the the book itself is a brief introduction to religion as a whole, particulary the religions of primitive societies. Nonetheless, when looking to the past one can see that mankind’s desire to associate itself with the sacred has been occuring for thousands of years. From temples to passages of intiation, religious man is a unique microcosm that follows and repeats the structure of the religious macrocosm, the creation of the cosmos. One can conclude that Eliade views religion as the “paradigmatic solution for every existential crisis.” (p210) and

In this essay, federal drug policy, and its correlation with the shortage of drugs in Canada, will be considered. In particular, the disruption of drug supply will be considered, with a specific focus on drug supply within the province of Ontario. A discussion will ensue surrounding drug pricing and policy, and the ways in which these frameworks can ultimately serve to affect the efficacy of medical treatment and the safety of patients. Finally, the paper will focus on the accountability of multiple stakeholders, at both the federal and provincial levels, in terms of supplying medically necessary drugs to Canadians. This analysis will encompass the dominant role played by pharmaceutical actors in Canada. Finally, conclusions will be drawn

Conceived in eras of uncertainty and strife, many people weave through the contradictions and inner struggles within communities, while also indulging themselves in the broad concept of redefining themselves just to feel accepted by the society around them. In “Homo religiosus” Karen Armstrong brings out the materialized definition of an “individual” through concepts such as religion, activities like yoga, the artistic features of caves, and most importantly the image of Brahma. The detailed notions placed on each concept yields the reassuring meaning that religion symbolically is a safe harbor, in which individuals can feel comforted and relieved. However the question that always comes up is if an individual is willing to exclude themselves from the harsh realities of society. As the essay progresses, Armstrong 's usage of words such as kenosis—emptying—, junzi—maturity—, and anatta—dethrone—broadens the idea on how an individual’s illusion of an identity can be renewed and reached (14,17). However with the brutish imagery that is brought up throughout the essay a sense of isolation and hopelessness, making for a mood of muted panic and dread questions the truth behind the meaning of a “being”. Yet in the end the idea that there is a world outside the circles of human existence, gets the individual going as they search for something worth living for.

Religion is a fundamental element of human society. It is what binds a country, society or group of individuals together. However, in some instances it destroys unity amoungst these. Religion is a belief in a superhuman entity(s) which control(s) the universe. Every religion has its differences but most strive for a just life and the right morals. The three major groups are the primal regions which consist of African, Aboriginal and Native American religions, Asian which consist of South Eastern Asian religions and Abrahamic religions which consist of Middle Eastern religions. The foci of this essay are the differences between the Abrahamic religion, Christianity, and the Asian region Buddhism as well as making reference to the Islamic

Experiences, religious or otherwise, possess and exude a subjective nature in and of itself-- it is with this in consideration that one must realize the difficulty of analyzing a personal experience “cognitively,” objectively, or literally. Particularly, religious experiences symbolically bring forth ideals and values commonly seen in theistic beliefs and “moral” values, such as a strong urge to do good deeds unto others, advocating peace and love, and feelings characteristic of humanity. To its fullest extent, a religious experience occurs as a result of letting go of egotistical thoughts in order to truly appreciate the “universe,” or a higher force not necessarily seen in theistic religions such as Christianity and Islam. In abandoning the

Religion can be described as a social institution built up around the idea of a supernatural being or beings, and the relation of human beings to them. In addition, religion provides individuals a belief to which they understand their existence as well network of emotional support during times of distress. Moreover, religious institutions provide individuals a proper perspective of life and establish values. Religion involves three major aspects: A conception of the nature and character of divinity (2) A set of principles concerning the duties and obligations between divinity and humanity. (3) A set of behavior patterns designed to conform to God’s will (Thorman, 154). The theme of panopticisim is to assert and maintain power by being

The major Eastern religious traditions have had a shaping effect on their societies in how they look at the world and the “hope” they offer their followers. Their traditions and beliefs are different than in the west. The four major religious traditions in the East are all older than western religions. Each religious tradition can be examined for common concepts and differences. Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism have several common concepts and several differences in: their worldviews, their views on the nature of reality as a whole, the nature of persons, the perspectives on the “human dilemma,” human spiritual goals, the significance of moral values and the hope each offers its followers for their lives.

The philosophy of Buddhism has proven to be very attractive to modern Westerners for multiple reasons. The faith has been found to assist people to follow a simple and peaceful lifestyle due to the fact that they are not forced specifically worship a particular deity. Furthermore, Buddhism’s attractiveness also comes from its promotion of peace and the fact that it encourages ideals such as Samsara, through which one can continually be reborn until they reach nirvana

To start off, the researcher would like to give an overview of both eastern and western religions. Eastern religions originated in areas such as China, Japan, and India. The aim of these eastern religions was to live harmoniously and be able to have a healthy balance with the real world and the spiritual world. Supporters tied to eastern religions could be either polytheistic or atheistic. Also, individuals in the eastern culture tend to convey their religious practice any time or any day. For example,

The Mystical Spirits of the East explore the practices and beliefs of some the oldest disciplines in the world. Hinduism, Buddhism are examined in colorful instances where nature and humans juxtapose each to draw a major point into the eyes of the viewers, the close dependence humans have with nature. Further, important yet obscure topics like death, suffering and disparity which are often trivialized in eastern culture are embraced and dealt with in eastern beliefs. In the film, the impact religion has on society is a point of concern just like the influence society and the changing world have on religion and beliefs.

In the World religions class PHIL 1760, I have come to gain a lot of experience and learnt very helpful things in my life related to religion in particularly. I have come to learn that Religion is a way of life that one chooses to find his/her tranquility. For example Buddhists meditate as a means to find enlightment and they find such in only their religion and that’s the reason they have faith and hope in their religion. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on what I have come to learn about religion and, I will focus on three main point that are; how the ideas that I have about religion now are different from what I had at the beginning of the class, what I have learned about this class that is similar to what I have learned in another class and how I could assimilate what I have learned in this class with my life in general.

An aspect of self-denial, regarding a way of life that is based on devotion to one’s religion and the concept of sacrifice, was present in South Asia