World Religions: Buddhism
Luis Auyero
Buddhist's Most Important Belief
All Buddhists believe in reincarnation. They think that if they live a great life by doing good deeds, their next life will be higher up in the social scale. If they keep repeating this cycle, they will be enlightened, and their reward is being able to exit their repeating lives.
Why Do Buddhists Believe That?
The reason is Karma. Karma is a person's actions, and how those actions may affect them in their future. For example, if I trip an old lady on the street, I may get hit by a car.
Why Do People Follow This Religion?
I think this religion ensures peace in one's self. The believers have a goal that is very important for them to reach. The calmness of meditating helps too.
Extremists in Budhism
Although this religion is not known for its hatred, everyone is capable of doing terrible things. Buddhists have ransacked whole towns and they can show much hate towards Muslims.
current events that involve buddhism
A few months ago at a temple in Sydney, Australia, a Buddhist monk and a temple worker were each shot in the head with a nail gun. The police says that one of them shot himself first, them shot the other. Both were in critical condition and they might not be able to live the same life they used to.
I think Buddhists are very sad about this event because it was a monk, but it also happened in a sacred place that soon turned into a crime scene. This event was a negative event for sure.
Buddhist Art
This sculpture is from The Metropolitan Museum of art. The piece is called Buddha and it represents the calmness of meditating and being enlightened. It was made in the Tang Dynasty, so nobody knows who made it.
poems in BUddhism
"Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.
Although its light is wide and great,
The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide.
The whole moon and the entire sky
Are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass."
By: Dogen
In this poem, the author describes how beautiful enlightenment is.