Humanities 40: Religions of the World

TN

Dylan Eret — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:13:58 +0000

Based on this past week’s readings, would you lean toward or identify with principles of Confucianism or Daoism (in all of their variation or schools of thought)?

For me, I identify with principles of Confucianism because I educated from Confucianism principles in China. Confucianism probably is the biggest influence in education of China through out the entire Chinese history. Influenced by Confucianism, in Chinese culture, an intellectual is not limited in study alone. He should be successful in being a human and in his bearing of himself. A key objective of an intellectual should be to make full use of his power, personality and intelligence to do well for the state, society and the world. This idea is so valuable that we cannot help asking why the products of today’s education system are far from sufficient! Why do not we pay attention to our forefather’s center values instead of wasting so much of our time and energy in word puzzles!

TN

Dylan Eret — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:49:56 +0000

As I read both readers about religious and cultural history of India, I know religion in India is a very public affair, with many practices imbued with pomp and vitality accompanying their underlying spiritual qualities. Many religions took birth India like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, etc. These religions influenced not just our country but nations all over the world. With Islamic rule in India, Islam became one of the religions in India. Ancient architectural specimens and monuments of India stand testimony to the confluence of different religions in India. Indian music is represented in a wide variety of forms. The two main forms of classical music are Carnatic from South India, and Hindustani from North India, each of which has several popular sub classes. Popular forms of music also prevail, the most notable being Filmi music. In addition to this are the diverse traditions of folk music from different parts of the country. Many classical dance forms exist, including the Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Manipuri. They often have a narrative form and are usually infused with devotional and spiritual elements.

RC

Dylan Eret — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:19:13 +0000

Chinese New Year Parade or “Spring Festival”

Feb 17, 2012

The experience was wonderful. I have not been to a parade in years. From the start of getting on the Bart at the Mac Arthur station. I saw many families’ heading to the event along with mine. Some kids were dress-up in Manchu clothing styles dresses for women. At one point someone said “I thought Chinese New Year was at the start of the year.” Many people smiled and said they had the same question. When we got there at 430pm the streets was a blaze of different colors. From the different race of people to the uncounted colors that was on the clothes of the people in the parade. The first thing I learned or was brought back to my memory was that I am an OX. An Ox is (Yin, 2nd Trine, Fixed Element Water): Dependable, ambitious, calm, methodical, born leader, patient, hardworking, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, and tenacious. The Chinese say I can be stubborn, dogmatic, hot-tempered, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, and demanding. But back to the parade, there was a pray alter being pushed by the older Chinese men. Women took part in the parade but I did not see the women help with that part. There were many different dragons with different colors that followed the ball. I don’t know the story behind that, but I do know that they lit the fireworks off before the parade. But I do know people use fireworks to scare the dragon. One symbol I remember see a lot of was the red diamond with the gold writing, it stands for happiness, luck and prosperity. Three were many Chinese characters that were dress up as fighter, dragons and what look to be gods. It most important thing I took away from the project was that I saw all skin colors in the parade itself, and in the crowd.

KR

Dylan Eret — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:09:55 +0000

I’ve been drawn to Hindu figurines of gods and goddesses for a number of years – I find them interesting, grotesque, and beautiful all at the same time. Several years ago I did a yoga retreat in Troncones, Mexcio and the owner introduced me to the story of Ganesha and when I got home I bought a Ganesha statue and he is the first and last thing I see as I exit and enter my front door. Reading the story as Porthero tells it was the perfect introduction, for me, to the chapter on Hinduism.
Prior to reading this chapter, I knew very little about Hinduism, beyond a yoga practice and my love of the statues. Reading terms like samara and moksha and how the different yogas viewed the path of reaching moksha was fascinating. And what a relief, since reincarnation was viewed by philosophical Hindus as the problem and that the cycle of life, death and rebirth was essentially a prison not easily transcended, wow, talk about the snake eating its own tail! What a helpless, no light at the end of the tunnel belief system that would have been.
I found the definition of “yoking” really lovely and profound; essentially I understood it to mean the blending of self and reality. So often it seems there is a need to create multiple “selves” to match multiple “realities”, but the idea of finding continuity between the two seems most empowering and freeing. Hinduism’s detachment from sin and punishment is also refreshing; I’ve found that no one else, God or parent can punish me more that I punish myself if I have taken a non-preferred action.
Reading about devotional Hinduism Prothero says, “…subtlety of a professional wrestling match.” And then talks about the fog-like cloud of incense and brides in their bright red saris, and I realize that is what I love so much about what I understand of this religion. To be unapologetic for embracing the things of this world that many would shun, whether it is sexuality, wealth and power, and duty or dharma or path, however you’d like to put it. I say, cultivate and embrace what is good in yourself and others, experience darshan, that intimate eye-to-eye encounter with yourself and your god, and sport a red wedding dress!!

JR PROPOSAL, JOEL REYES PROPOSAL

Dylan Eret — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:54:04 +0000

For my project or paper, I was prompted with three possible topics. The first topic which is innovative, no pun intended, would be a project about how peoples need for technology has become a religion. In this world, consisting of internet connectivity and angry birds, it seems that people willingly bow to most recent piece of technology, be it a iphone or ebook. If i chose this topic , i would explore the possible holidays or events in the bay area that are primarily for the worship of technology, interview people who are tech savy, as well as evaluate the use of technology in the world around. The second topic I wanted to cover would the religous lifestyle of the student. The student in the US is one of the most religous symbols in the society, as well as the whole world. We all most commit to this decade long process where we sculpt ourselves for society as well as the rest of the world. We frequently put ourselves through ardous and masochistic rituals in order to maintain our status as students, e.g. SAT, Grading Process, etc. If I chose this topic there would be so many opportunities to gain insight on the education process from schools around me, e.g. UC Berkeley, BCC, Berkeley High, Willard Middle School, etc. I would perhaps define some of the rituals of these students as well outline the reasons as to why people submit themselves to traditions. Finally, the most traditional topic would be a project exploring the Berkeley Thai Temple, attempting to gain more insight on Budhhism. For me, this would be perhaps the most forgien topic to me because I know nothing of Budhhism.

RC

Dylan Eret — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:16:54 +0000

I want to research the Muslims Religion of Islam! I would like to have a better understanding of the values that Muslims hold and does Islam and Muslims split somewhere down the line. After reading the first chapter God is Not One, and doing online research of my own I have more questions. I want to understand why the media keeps saying that the United States and Muslims are locked in a holy war. I know there are some traditions and information that I don’t and I can take this time to learn. When I went to the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco I was given a flyer that had a passage from the Quran. “Whosoever killed a person… It shall be as if he had killed all mankind” (5:33) I see a peace missing and want understand why the other part was taken out.

R Chapman

KD

Dylan Eret — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:59:47 +0000

While I appreciate and somewhat admire the Daoist philosophy, I think that up until this point in my life I have been more guided by Confucian ideologies. Although I was not raised with Confucian ideas in my parents’ mind, I have been taught to respect elders, teachers, and those above me. Similarly, education has always been instilled in me as being hugely important. I can understand the ideas of escaping to the earth to return back to being a human, and there have definitely been days where that has sounded like just what I needed. Still, it has never been my immediate response or as inherent as my respect for my parents and for education. Thus, while unintentional, I feel that I more closely identify with Confucianist doctrine.

TN

Dylan Eret — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:01:05 +0000

WS

Dylan Eret — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:27:41 +0000

After reading both chapters I can say I lean towards more on Daoism side because I love the idea of being in harmony with the natural world in order in finding yourself. It tend to give us freedom and believe in what we want to believe and go in the world to search for new opportunities. Life is being fulfilled and being lived to the fullest, people should live everyday like their last day on earth and nurture it.

Christopher Orr

Dylan Eret — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:00:17 +0000

Christopher Orr

I tend to find my beliefs lean towards Daoism over Confucianism. I really love the idea of being one with the natural world and cosmos that Daoism promotes. I love that the development of a harmonious relationship between human beings and nature is stressed and that one is encouraged to travel the lands untouched by human settlement and development in order to discover oneself and strengthen ones bond to the cosmos.