1. Explain the parallels drawn by the Dalai Lama between the three bodies of the Buddha and the Christian concept of the Trinity as you address the question: Do we need a metaphysical support for an ethics of compassion? Why or why not? Do the religious metaphysics add anything of value? I do not think that there is any condition to follow the compassion. Of course, the metaphysics may give a reason to practice compassion from a narrow prospective, but when one tries to find the dee nature of compassion, all the conditions go vanish. The Dalai Lama defines compassion as: “[The value that] develops the seeds of empathy in having some regards for the other into an active generation of love and compassion for all other beings.” I understand …show more content…
That is not the case, however, because any person, as illustrated by many examples from the Dalai Lama, from any religion can exercise the act of compassion at its highest.
The ultimate compassion remains the same without any difference in metaphysical view of the practitioner. The Dalai Lama compares compassion between Christianity (Trinity) and Buddhism (Trikaya). The Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, reflects perfectibility of humankind which ultimately comes when one opens up love for the others. This indirect connection shows that the Son represents the symbol of compassion to lead to the possibility of humankind to perfection. In Trikaya, Sambhogakaya, the bliss body, marks the subtle energy from the acts of compassion.
This comparison between the religion ideologies by Lama accounts that different religions have different metaphysics for the ethics of compassion, which adds value of the view for the followers. Thus, metaphysics can be of a tremendous value for the followers of religions as in it a guide to compassion, but for the secularist compassion is merely an act of a good
These two major figures influenced the lifestyle of billions of people from all over the world. Throughout the book Hanh shows a deeper connection between Christianity and Buddhism by renewing the reader's understanding of the main importances of the two religions. Hanh also highlights the importance of being open minded about other religions and emphasizes that people need to be open to the commonalities and or similarities seen
The capacity to learn is a construct familiar to all animals and some plants, so what makes us so special? There is an advantage to trees being tall and supported by rigid and woody vascular systems. The advantage is simply that most plants grow towards the sunlight to ensure a constant rate of photosynthesis by avoiding obstruction. The tallest tree in the forest never gets outshined, or rather out shadowed, by other trees. Thus, over millions of years natural selection has allowed for coniferous trees to reach heights up to fifty feet, since most of the areas that they inhabit tend to be low on the ultra violet index.
Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, in his work Living Buddha, Living Christ bridges the teachings of two of the worlds most popular and peaceful religions. With the Buddha and Christ as his spiritual guides, Hanh illustrates how Christians and Buddhists can learn from their founders that will improve and inspiring human lives the world over. In this powerful work, Hahn brings the reader to the realization that not only do these faiths share the same goal, at the core of human existence, we all do. As Hahn makes clear, at some base level, all of existence shares in the same “body of God,” also referred to as “the body of ultimate reality,”.
Religions have existed for millenniums, cultivation and sculpting the old world into what it is today. Each religion is unique in its own sense, meaning that each religion is its own mix, it’s own jam. Every one of these jams, or religions, have been spread across nations. Some jams are smooth like butter, finding easy acceptance and even easier assimilation, whereas some jams are chunky and laden with difficulties. Buddhism’s jam was one of interesting circumstance, containing a vary of smooth and chunky consistency.
Compassion means 'suffering with. ' Don 't be afraid to suffer with your patients... Deal with everyone who walks in the door and keep your door open" (Farmer 162). Dr. Farmer saw a problem and did everything in his power to resolve it, despite doubts from his colleagues and supporters. Dr. Jim Kim, a professor at Harvard Medical School and one of the co-founders of Partners In Health describes him as, "When Paul started treating people in 1998 in Haiti, everyone said he was absolutely nuts…
The most meaningful or should I say the reading that intrigued me the most in part one is that of Compassion written by The Dalai Lama. The statement “I think that every human being has an innate sense of “I” (The Dalai Lama.p.83) is what peaked an interest for me, I interpreted that to mean that at some point of time in life everyone thinks of themselves. People may naturally have a desire to seek happiness, obtaining a sense of peace that will make them happy within life. He goes on to say the fact that human beings are intelligent can in some ways hinder their happiness.
Using this technique, he posits one will eventually find the truth and be on the right path. This summarization can be likened to Conze’s assertion that Buddhist thinkers loved paradox and contradictions. With this, he associates Buddhist thought with
Siobhan O’Connor 117440012 Essay 1- (BA) RG1001 2ND November 2017 Introduction to the Study of Religion In this essay, I will begin by defining the study of religion as discipline followed by discussing the many approaches used to study this subject. This will lead me to differentiate between the confessional and the non-confessional approaches to the academic study of religion.
Further in his essay he continues by comparing the similarities between different religion. In one part he compares the “Mahayana Buddhist concept of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya and the Christian trinity of God as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit” (444). Although he states that the three concepts are similar to the Christian trinity, but he doesn't explain further how it is similar and the reasons behind the concepts. On the contrary, Dalai Lama explains that the important point is to spread love and compassion,patience,tolerance,humility,forgiveness, and all the spiritual qualities of human
This begs the question: why would most religions, fables, and platitudes advocate for kindness and compassion if it robs us of success? Perhaps, as Harding put it, it is to keep people as docile rabbits and let the cruel, but strong wolves
The Human condition is the root of what it means to be human, how we are all human, and in the same way, how we are individuals. Throughout this essay, you will perceive a better understanding of the human condition, and how it is reflected in select pieces of literature. The Human condition is an extremely paramount part of understanding literature. Who are we if we are not human?
Week Outline Preliminary Thesis Statement: Religion is an essential constituent of any civilization with a unique spiritual pathway. Main Point: Religious spirituality establishes the framework for human social and cultural development. 1. Topic Sentence:
I agree with Schopenhauer that compassion is the true and only basis of moral action because compassion is what shows what kind of people we really are and what our basis of moral actions are. In the text, “When an action is characterized by an extraordinary absence of compassion, it bears the certain stamp of the deepest depravity and loathsomeness” (Schopenhauer, 106). Our actions show our character. Compassion is what defines us and it shows others what we our morals are. It is the best way to show people what we love.
On the example of Karunavati, her feelings of guilt and loss morph into the spiritual success, a victory over her negative past (Obeyesekere, 391). This way, the symbol is able to synthesize divinity and humanity, proving the impossible in Maniyo’s
Abhidharma and Madhyamaka use different conceptions of the Buddhist notion of two realities and truths. This notion posits an ultimate version of reality and truth, the realization of which leads to liberation from suffering. Abhidharma and Madhyamaka both accept this theory, but they approach it in different ways. This paper will outline approaches both schools take to interpret this notion. Following this, I will consider an Abhidharma objection to the approach of Madhyamaka and a response to that objection from Madhyamaka.