Swami Ramdas In Quest For God

Those who are raised within one religious tradition may find it difficult to understand the traditions of another religion. It is not until one is educated in the basics of the other major world religions, that it is possible to see the many similarities between them. Just as there are many similarities between the countries culturally, the major religions share more things than they are different. In viewing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with an open mind, it is easy to see the differences, similarities and ideals that make these religions as widespread as they are.

Albert Einstein once said, “the religion of the future will be a cosmic religion. It should transcend a personal god, avoid dogmas and theology. Covering both the natural and spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all natural and spiritual and a meaningful unity. Buddhism answers this description. If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.”# Many great minds like Albert Einstein have converted or become Buddhists. Many people from the west are turning their attention towards Buddhism because of the Buddha’s simple way to life and the lack of worship or prayer to a divine being.

He hears that he will not find happiness within himself nor find spiritual peace. He believes that not even the love of his parents and best-friend Govinda is enough to suffice him.

It goes without saying that I learned so much in Religious Studies 101. I was introduced to multiple world religions that were foreign to me prior to taking the class. I never felt the need to explore any other religion besides Christianity because I was content with my faith. However, after learning about different religions and interacting with people that are not Christian, and grew up with different beliefs and values, I now find myself questioning reconsidering my beliefs. By being exposed to the rituals and ideas of cultures and religions across the globe, I find myself wondering what it would be like to follow some of these principles or to try some of these practices for myself. I find myself trying to follow the moral guidelines and principles of the traditions I learn about all the time. It has helped me ask even more questions and broadened my horizons. It 's helping me shape my beliefs and find out who I want to become. I was especially fascinated with Buddhism and have grown a huge admiration for it. In my learning portfolio I will examine what I learned about Buddhism and what about it is so appealing to me. I will also briefly summarize that I learned that Buddhism – just like any other religions, is not flawless and cannot provide a perfect view of life that would be influential enough for me to devote my faith to it. However, there are certain

As Siddhartha learns how to rid his self he begins to defeat all of his desires. “His wound was healing, his pain was dispersing; his Self had merged into unity.” (111) Siddhartha successfully achieves enlightenment and nirvana with his friend Vasudeva. Coincidentally after many years the path of Govinda and Siddhartha align and Govinda finds himself not far from where he began in his goal to attain

Siddhartha & Govinda left to join the Samanas to set themselves free for enlightenment. The Samanas put out the idea that you must eliminate “the self” so one can achieve spiritual fulfillment one day.

To others, Religion is one condition among so many other countries, but to the Indian people it is one great sustaining force, pertaining to all the spheres of their lives. Mahatma Gandhi who was born and brought up in India could not escape this strong influence of religion in all his activities.

Siddhartha lived the rest of his life as a ferryman. He believed that nobody could ever reach perfection, or be a saint man that felt no pain or temptation. “The world, my friend, Govinda, is not imperfect, or on a slow path towards perfection: no, it is perfect in every moment, all sin already carries the divine forgiveness in itself” (147). Life was eternal and time did not existed in his eyes. He no longer pursues a higher calling to perfection or the teaching from others gods. The rest of his life will be as it had to be, everything happened for a reason, and every obstacle had to be

Govinda is Siddhartha’s childhood friend , and his loyal companion. Siddhartha and Govinda devote their life on a quest for enlightenment and understanding. Govinda benefits from religious community and doctrine and seeks instruction from individuals who have achieved enlightenment. He relies on others to help him determine when he is on the right path. Ultimately Govinda attain enlightenment, showing us that enlightenment has different paths. The similarities between the two characters demonstrate that determination, persistence, and patience are necessary traits for achieving a spiritual awakening.

After listening and analyzing the interviews of the swami and of practicing Hindus, I now know of Hinduism, not as a barbaric and uncivilized group of people, but, instead, as a complex and ever-changing belief system. That, much like humans, evolve and expand to fit the changes of society in order to be more relevant to the current culture , and to have a more relatable connection to people thus ensuring the survival of

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” This quote, along with many others, is what Siddhartha Gautama lived by until his dying day. Buddhism is the belief that life is full of suffering caused by desire and that the way to end this suffering is through enlightenment. I admire this religion because it creates an ethical moral pathway for oneself instead of laying out a roadway of morals and rules just to please a god or gods.

While people around me were dancing and chanting the name of their lord Krishna, I sat there listening to music or reading a book or watching something. The bus ride was about eight hours long but the quotation stuck with me through the entire ride. I began to contemplate on my religious beliefs.

Religion can unite various people from different cultural backgrounds but, it can also cause the contrary. Buddhism shares and explains many different teachings and philosophies including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path which strongly relate to sunyata, or emptiness. I was intrigued by these concepts because of the manner in which they influence the daily life of Buddhist.

Hinduism and Buddhism are both eastern traditions with much to say about the human condition as well as the reason human beings exist at all. In some ways they are different while also being similar in other ways. In this essay, those differences will be discussed and the similarities examined for their message. In conclusion, we will examine what these two faiths offer to the human beings of the twenty-first century.

Once I saw Rama I woke up from an everlasting slumber and inertness. In the deep core of the conscience, not only the destiny but also the maker of destiny resides. The only way to discover that is love.”