Buddhism and Hinduism in America
The Unites States is home to the most diverse spectrum of religions in the world. There are representations of nearly every religion in the world. There are three basic ways religions arrive in the US: import, export, and baggage. Buddhism and Hinduism are two Asian religions that have made it across the Pacific Ocean and now exist along side many others in America. ISKCON, a form of Hinduism, and Zen, a form of Buddhism, are two such groups.
All Indian movements have always had a charismatic leader associated with them. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was no different. Born Abhay Charan De 1896-1977 was the founder and spiritual master of ISKCON, International Society of Krishna Consciousness. He was given this mission as a youth from his spiritual Visnuite leader upon his death. He was a successful businessman who had attended the University of Calcutta. Yet it was not until he was 70 years old and completely broke, that he came to the US. This was the perfect time, for it was the 1960’s and it seemed everybody was looking into new forms of spirituality. His beliefs caught on in this time of mind expansionism. In every ISKCON temple there will be a picture of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on an altar-like set up. This shows how much respect ISKCON devotees have for their former leader.
Every religion has a given set of guidelines or certain authorities that devotees must follow. ISKCON members have to basically give up their lives to their spiritual master. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada developed four rules that must always be followed: no eating meat, fish, or eggs; no elicit sex; no intoxicants; and no gambling. ISKCON seems to be more focused on the orthopraxy of their wa...
... middle of paper ...
...ctual Buddha. The Zen master chooses his successor before his death. The master is held above everyone else. He also conducts a roshi, which are personal interviews with the Zen students. By doing this he can let the student know how they are doing in there studies and thoughts.
Both ISKCON and Zen have great appeal to the masses at the ease of achieving happiness or enlightenment. They usually involve a simple mantra or meditation. Retreats and communal affairs seem to be too strict on how they handle all their affairs. I think freedom and basic rights are lost at the expense of the devotee at the retreats or communes. Even though ISKCON and Zen are derived from two very different religions, one can see many similarities between them. I think this may be linked tot he similar time, the way they reached the US, and the ease of achieving success in them.
The topic of Zen Buddhism and understanding how it fits into a framework that was designed to describe and compare religions is important because religion has a major impact on the world and to be able to understand and “explore” what the world has to offer is an important aspect of existence as a human being. Some might wonder why Zen Buddhism is important when it is not a major religion in the United States, but perhaps that is the very reason it is so important to understand Zen Buddhism and to be able to describe it in a way that allows one to make comparisons with more familiar religions in a standardized framework. Zen Buddhism in particular is interesting in the setting of the United States because as Americans we have had little experience with Buddhism. Shunryu Suzuki related in the book Zen Mind, Beginners Mind, that Americans start Buddhism with a very pure mind, a beginners mind, which allows us to understand the Buddha’s teaching as he meant them to be understood (138).
Buddhism is a religion from the East that has spread to many different countries all over the world. It has spread to the West, and has had a great influence and impact, especially in America. However, the Buddhism that is practiced in the United States is not exactly the same as the one that is practiced in Asian countries. If Buddhism differs between the different traditions of the Asian countries themselves, it is obvious that it will differ greatly in America as well. However, even though there are obvious differences, it is important to maintain the core values and fundamental principles the same. This research explores how the three different types of Buddhist practitioners have adopted Buddhism in America, and it describes some differences
Buddhism and Christianity were each founded by one person, and then eventually grew into two of the largest religions in the world. Each religion had different reasons
Buddhist sect. According to legends, the founder of Zen Buddhism was an Indian monk named
middle of paper ... ... Introduction to Zen Buddhism. Daisetz Suzuki. Kampolsky, Philip.
Prior to 1917 several forms of Hinduism arrived in America. A small number of Asian Indians were allowed in the United States during 1820, however most Indians came in the 1890’s. Indian Immigrants were lured to North America by commercial transporters with the promise of work on the Canadian Railroad (Charles Lippy & Peter Williams 685). Other than the Asian Indians coming directly to America, Indians from both Mexico and Canada eventually crossed legally or illegally into America (Charles Lippy & Peter Williams). Hinduism even gained popularity with non-Asian converts. Hinduism appealed to young, middle class Americans that have not yet married. (Charles Lippy & Peter Williams 690) Yoga and meditation practices are what appealed to most Americans interest. Meditation is described as paying attention selectively, while yoga is a form of meditation ...
The word Zen was foreign to the Western world a while ago. But because of the realization that Zen plays a major role in Asian arts such as the Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese poetry (haiku), flower arrangement, calligraphy and landscaping, Zen’s influence has become familiar to them. As a result, anyone has at least once heard the word Zen these days, but not many people can explain what that means despite its increasing popularity. The mystical nature is as strong as ever. One of the reasons is that Zen is not supposed to be explained in words, but rather to be experienced by individuals. For instance, if someone does not know what pasta is, it is difficult to explain pasta to that person no matter how good you are at describing it. In the end, you have to experience it by yourself if you want to know what it really like. It is like “experiencing is believing.” In addition, Zen is not an action but it is an attitude of mind. You do not need to learn anything new because the answers are already inside you. You just need to become one with nature and be aware. Now, what is the origin of Zen and what impact Zen is having on our culture and health?
Buddhism is currently the fourth most popular religion in our society today, following Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. Its major ideologies are based on the philosophies of Siddhartha Guatama, also known as “Buddha”, who began his teachings in 598 BCE at the age of 35, according to Buddhist texts. A Buddhist’s foremost aspiration is the obtainment of Bodhi, or enlightenment through meditation and Anapana-sati (awareness of the breath). Buddhism shares many ideologies with India’s Hinduism and Yoga such as non-harming, non-violence, and self-awareness. In many instances, people regard Buddhism as a way of life rather than a religion, for it has no clear belief in the idea of a God or Gods. Its structure is built upon a hierarchy much like Christianity where superior orders such as Lamas or the Dalai Lama are said to be chosen by nature through the process of reincarnation rather than by a council like Christianity’s Pope. Though these “higher level” Buddhists are rare (not everyone is a reincarnation of an ancient Buddhist “priest”), all are permitted to follow “The Middle Way” either as a Buddhist monk or the simple attendance of a weekly teaching session from time to time. Throughout the last few hundred years the Buddhist population has blossomed into a healthy 381,611,000 and over fifteen different sects including Zen, Mahayana, and Theravada.
In today’s society, there are roughly around 4,200 religions that exist on this planet. Some define "religion" as a cultural system of behaviors and practices that help people make important decisions in life. Out of the many religions, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism have many similarities that connect them to one another. Themes of morality, justice, love are found through both the Buddha's teaching and the Hebrew and Christian Bible.
The popularity of Buddhism in America became most pronounce in the period after World War II. It is interesting to note that the United States had just concluded the most devastating war in human history, with the first use of the atomic bomb on the Empire of Japan, yet the Japanese of style Buddhism took hold in America more than other school after the war. It could be said that the main figure head of Japanese, or more precisely, Zen Buddhism, in America was the author and intellectual Dr. D.T. Suzuki. In terms of the American expression of Buddhism, Suzuki had more influence over the interpretation of Zen philosophy than any other writer of the time.
There are many religions that are practiced around the world, especially in Asia where there are eight different religions being practiced. In the country of India, Buddhism and Hinduism are the main religions that are practiced today. Buddhism and Hinduism were both founded in Asia, but they were founded by two different people and practiced in two different ways and languages. Buddhism is a living tradition that is passed down from teacher to student as a set of instruction and techniques for sanity and brilliance in the inner self and the world. Hinduism is more based on the thoughts and attitude about one’s everyday life, and reflects in his actions.
People need religion because it gives there lives purpose. A religion gives its followers meaning for their lives, something that the lost souls of our modern world are otherwise lacking. Buddhism allows people to be completely independent of any laws other than the ones they create for themselves. Thus taking away from the mundane and constricting aspects that many religions relate too. Religion can provide many great things that are beneficial to society. One great thing Buddhism provides to its followers is a sense of fulfillment within ones self. Offering many great techniques that involve meditation that have been proven to release immense amounts of stress. On famous Buddhism center in the UK says that “The reason the mind needs to be this strong and this focused is so that the meditator can fully develop a number of social skills and intellectual understandings that will propel her along the path to enlightenment .” - Jaymang Buddhist Center. Even though Buddhism is a less popular religion, Buddhism is the future of American society because Buddhism offers a less constricting option and a major stress relief to its followers.
Buddhism prevailed as a religion indigenous to west India and comprises of varieties of traditions, beliefs and practices based on the teachings of Buddha. There are many reasons why Buddhism became so popular and entered into many civilizations. Buddhism began to be popular throughout Asia alongside India. Buddhism has blossomed in the contemporary world, especially in the West. It is an issue to wonder what Buddhism offers that other religions cannot and has become so significant worldwide. Buddhism has become an idea that is widespread and the teachings of Buddha have made a real difference in many civilizations like India, China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and surprisingly Buddhism has come to make a significant difference in American culture.
"The Buddhist World: Lay Buddhist's Guide to the Monk's Rules." BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and Education Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Mar. 2014.
Since varying views about religion do exist, it is important to remember everyone in this country has the right to worship how they see fit. Because the United States allow the practicing of many religions, hundred are in existence today. The British settlers established their own religion when they came to America. As more and more immigrants made America their home more and more religions began to emerge. The top religions in the United States ar...