'The Virgin Of Guadalupe: A Mexican National Symbolism'

In the final resolution concerning religion, Chicanas declare, “Revolutionary change of [the] Catholic Church or for it to get out of the way.”

Buddha once said, “In separateness lies the world’s great misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength.” By this he meant that when we are separated by the things we classify people by in society, we are not truly happy. Only if we unite can we be all be satisfied with our successes. Buddha is the founder of the religion Buddhism, one that focuses on suffering in life. He tries to better the world and its people, much like Jones, Chavez, and Tubman. They were all great defenders of human rights, but the most impactful of all was Harriet Tubman.

Buddhism and Christianity are closely related in many unique ways. While their founders exhibit significant differences in when they began their existence in the world, their teachings hugely resemble each other. Gautama Buddha was reported to have lived about 600 or 500 before Christ was born. Buddha was born in Nepal, India while Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which is currently located in Palestine. Both Jesus and Buddha espoused altruism and always insisted in service of others. They emphasized the need for giving than receiving and both believed in love as the only tool of defeating hatred. Both teachings contained the need not to judge others. A key difference between the two was how Buddha taught followers to lose one’s self to receive Nirvana while Jesus encouraged his people to lose one’s self in order to receive an everlasting life (Talim, Jeffrey & Anant, 67). This assignment attempts to highlight the similarity between Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and Gautama Buddha’s Jataka Tales.

While this dimension is not as important as in some other faiths of a strongly sacramental kind, it is still highly regarded. This can be attributed to the fact that it is through certain rituals that the core experience of enlightenment is obtained. (Hope, 1995) The ritual central to the Buddhist faith is the practice of meditation. The importance of meditation is paramount because it was through meditation that Buddha was able to gain enlightenment. Consequently, Buddhists attempt to emulate Buddha when meditating by endeavouring to cultivate wisdom and compassion, whilst also trying to gain control of the mind and expel suffering. (Mudge et al, 1993) If a Buddhist is successful in accomplishing this then they are said to have gained enlightenment. In terms of mass rituals, Buddhism maintains a plethora of ceremonies dealing with both the 'Sangha' (Order of monks and nuns) and laity. The primary rituals concerning the 'Sangha' includes; the initiation ritual in which the shaving of the head is a common practice and the annual Kathina Festival, in which the laity of the faith offers fabric to the monks for their new robes. For the laity, worship is more personal than congregation. A common practice is the taking of the three refuges (See appendix 3), in which adherents chant the same three sayings in repetition. This type of chanting, along with meditation, are common acts of devotion in Buddhism. Recently

The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence. Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comport, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom. Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that they solutions to our problems are within us not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. (Brian White)

For this experience, I decided to explore Buddhism in order to enhance my involvement with the religion and build a strong understanding. What intrigued me about Buddhism was the social aspect and diversity that it had to offer. In order to explore this religion from a critical and analytical viewpoint, I decided to attend a weekend service offered at San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin. The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin main temple is located in the Japantown section of Central San Jose. What made this temple stand out amongst the others was its historical standing in the community. It is one of the oldest temples established in the United States. In order to learn more about the history, environment, and community as a whole, I decided to contact the temple’s staffs. After a brief phone call, I was able to schedule a tour. In preparation, I decided to do a brief research on Buddhism to familiarize myself with the religion beforehand. With all preparations and research necessary, I was ready to visit San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.

A beautiful dark-skinned brunette stands before you. Her long, flowing hair beautifully frames her sweet face and demure smile. Yards of richly colored clothing adorn her tall, slender frame. Rays of sunlight appear from behind, emphasizing pure beauty. Her hands are joined together and she holds them at her chest in worship or, perhaps, in gratitude. Who is she, or rather, who do you see? Practicing Catholics all over Central and South America see a venerated patron saint. In Mexico, she is immediately recognizable as symbolic mother of a nation, ‘nuestra madre.’ New generations of mestizos see a symbol of all that is woman, as real and complex as their mothers, sisters, daughters, and lovers.

Whether it be on prayer cards or gold chains, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe has resonance with the nation of Mexico. Modern Mexican icons, such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, have foundations in Post-Conquest New Spain's plight in forming an identity separate from that of Spain. In James Cordova's "Colonial Rhetorics," a chapter within The Art of Professing in Bourbon Mexico, Cordova asserts a similar notion. This chapter argues that local emblems, such as the Virgin of Guadalupe and the crowned nuns, were manipulated to articulate integral portions of New Spain's identity in the eighteenth century. This paper summarizes this chapter's three subheadings: European Images of the Americas, Local American Emblems, and New Spanish Patriotism

What is a belief? Belief is a trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something. That is what our Lady of Guadalupe is our belief, our confidence, our fight. Also our Lady of Guadalupe is a tradition because there is a lot of people that really belief on her and they celebrate her day and all that thing´s.

The eight spokes symbolize each fold on the Eightfold Path and how this is was Buddhism is really about. Another quote comes from the same article, and it states “The Dharmachakra has eight spokes, symbolising the Eight-fold Noble Path. The 3 swirling segments in centre represent the Buddha, Dharma (the teachings) and Sangha (the spiritual community).” This wheel determines life on earth and the peace within. The wheel spokes stand for each fold on the path, and the segments in the wheel represent aspects of Buddhism. This wheel gives us an insight on the religion and it's a very important figure for Monks and Buddhists. This wheel gives us an insight on Buddhism and hints us to what it the true meaning of this religion is.

In addition to the symbol of the snake, La Virgen, plays an important role in Chicana culture as well. Anzaldúa goes deeper into this rich cultural history, and informs us that in Aztec-Mexican society, women were able to possess property and were often viewed as mystic beings, having occupations such as curers or priestesses (Anzaldúa 32). Rather than Jesus or God the Father, la Virgen de Guadalupe became the largest symbol in Mexican religion and culture to this day. In fact, Chicana culture does not identify with the Spanish Father, but the Indian Mother. The connection between the symbology of the snake and La Virgen is solidified as Anzaldúa explains the importance of feminine deities, such as the goddess, Coatlicue, or "she who wears a serpent skirt" (27).

his power and use of it. The main sticking point that Buddhism had to get past to be

When reading a Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, by Fa-hsien I recognized a recurring theme. Fa-hsiens travels, through different kingdoms provides the reader with insight on the life and teachings of Buddha, and the tenets of the religion he founded. Although I recognized many themes, I will reflect on three that I found insightful, and inspiring. They are self-denial, Kindness to strangers, and sacrifice.

In the United States there are over four million buddhists, one thousand temples, study groups, or Buddhists associations (Monroe 108). This number has come from just one man searching to find happiness and eventually enlightenment. Buddha’s story is how buddhism became a religion all over the world. It teaches a peaceful manner, reveals the key to happiness for the mind, and eliminates the desire in life. Not just the history of buddhism is important, but how it has spread through the world and what it looks like today.

Compassion is basically considered to be one of the most virtues in almost all religious traditions such as Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism and Christianity are two different religions but both of them are interrelated. Both religions have hope of life after death, hope of reincarnation of Buddhists, eternal life of Christians, but live consciously. Both Buddhism and Christianity were founded by spiritual leaders and masters who tried to prove a way of salvation. Based on religious writings, this paper explores the way Buddhism and Christianity are different and in what ways they similar from the point of salvation, life after death, and love.