Jonathan

Cultural Universals--Religion

Three aspects of Buddhism that describe Malaysian

Culture ** Humanities: 2 ** ==  [|http://tim.at.twofishy.net/?p=72  ==
 * By: Jonathan C

//To do no evil;// //To cultivate good;// //To purify one's mind:// //This is the teaching of the Buddhas.// --The Dhammapada

[|Picture from: http://www.writespirit.net/blog?category=buddhism]

Buddhism is one of the many religions that exists in Malaysia today and is part of the Malaysian culture. Three aspects that Buddhism focuses on are Meditation, Karma, and “The Four Noble Truths.”
 * //__ Introduction __//**

//__ Meditation __//** This picture is an indication of meditation possessing the power to enlighten the body through focusing it on empty space.

// http://ia300202.us.archive.org/1/items/meditation/meditation8.jpg////////////

Meditation seems to help raise spiritual development when practicing it. BBC states: “The purpose of meditation is to stop the mind rushing about in an aimless (or even a purposeful) stream of thoughts. People often say that the aim of meditation is to still the mind.” This suggests that meditation is a practice to calm the mind and to focus on the empty space beyond. According to Bhikku Jagdish Kasyapa M.A.: “By meditating on Universal love and friendship we can weaken the sentiments of enmity, hatred and envy. By meditating on the trasitoriness of the worldly pleasures, we can weaken the temptation to run after them. ” (Bhikku Jagdish Kasyapa). This implies that meditating itself has different effects depending on what the person meditates on. In conclusion, this shows that Malaysian culture has a connection to peacefulness and a stable mind.

//This monk enjoys a peaceful ride across the river. The picture shows how through peaceful acts, we are able to stabilize our Karma.
 * __ Karma __**

Karma focuses more on a person’s actions. Kalu Rinpoche says: “The law of Karma is the doctrine of action and result, Virtuous actions lead to better states of existence; nonvirtous actions lead to suffering and unpleasant states.” (Kalu Rinpoche p.29) This suggests that Karma is determined not only by our actions but also in how we react in different situations. Our actions and reactions also lead to whether or not we enjoy better states of existence or suffer unpleasant states. According to Buddhism, the weight of consequence or rewarding is determined by five conditions: frequent, repetitive action; determined, intentional action; action performed without regret; action against extraordinary persons, and action toward those who have helped one in the past. Therefore, being conscious of our actions is part of Malaysian culture.// // < These monks meditate towards spiritual enlightenment.
 * __ The Four Noble Truths __**

"I teach suffering, its origin, cessation and path. That's all I teach", declared the Buddha 2500 years ago. (PBS) To sum up, the four noble truths are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

Suffering, as the Buddhists put it, is not to be look in a negative perspective, but is simply evidence on what the world is experiencing and how to stop it. The First Truth identifies the presence of suffering, and how it is unavoidable.
 * The First Noble Truth**

The Second Truth strives to prevent suffering, and to look forth towards the root of suffering. As BBC states: “In Buddhism, desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering. By desire, Buddhists refer to craving pleasure, material goods, and immortality, all of which are wants that can never be satisfied.” (BBC) This suggests that as we desire for more things and not easily satisfied, we search for endless desires, never knowing when we would reach true happiness.
 * The Second Noble Truth**

The Third Noble Truth marks the end of suffering, spiritually as well as presently. Buddhists believe that suffering may not stop at death, but can possibly continue in the after life. They believe that only by reaching Nirvanna, shall they be able to fulfill spiritual enlightenment.
 * The Third Noble Truth**

The Fourth Noble truth is the method for ending suffering. The method is also known as the Noble Eightfold Path, which is directly related to Karma, and our actions. Therefore, the four noble truths show how Malaysian culture might have a connection to spiritual enlightenment. S ources for sections: Meditation, Karma, and 4 noble truths
 * The Fourth Noble Truth**

Internet Sources: "Basics of Buddhism." Be More PBS. 2008. Public Broadcasting Service. 8 Mar 2008 <[|http://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm>.]

"Religion and Ethics-Buddhism." BBC. 2008. British Broadcast Corporation. 7 Mar 2008 <[|http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/customs/meditation_1.shtml>.]

Book Sources

Kasyapa, Bhikku Jagdish. The Buddha-Dhamma. 4th reprint. Singapore: The Buddhist Union, 1984

Rinpoche, Kalu. The gem ornament of manifold oral instructions which benefits each and everyone appropriately. First Snow Lion Publications edition. San Francisco: Snow Lion Publications, 1987.

Thanks to istockphoto.com for the fire arrows pictures, specifically: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/415978/2/istockphoto_415978_flaming_arrows.jpg

Additional Information:

The Life of Siddhartha Gautama—“The Buddha”

Siddhartha Gautama at the age of 29 escaped his luxurious palace to discover the realms of suffering and how one could overcome it. For several years, he followed the ways of the ascetics refusing food and water, until he was near death. The life of hunger was not what he had expected, so he left his 5 ascetic companions to find a way of his own between the luxurious palace and that of an ascetic. He meditated again for several years under a Bodhi tree, until at the age of 35 where he fulfilled his goal of reaching enlightenment. After 45 years of teaching or so, the Buddha reached the age of 80 where he entered an eternal state of meditation. His last words were:” Impermanent are all created things; strive on with awareness.”

The pictures on the right indicate the different stages the Buddha meets as he discovers the hidden meaning of spiritual enlightenment and suffering, and can be found at the link below.

The original article can be found at:[|http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/siddhartha.html

"The greatest achievement is selflessness. The greatest worth is self-mastery. The greatest quality is seeking to serve others. The greatest precept is continual awareness. The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything. The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways. The greatest magic is transmuting the passions. The greatest generosity is non-attachment. The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind. The greatest patience is humility. The greatest effort is not concerned with results. The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go. The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."

-Atisha--

Quote from: [|http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism.htm]