Buddhism Essay -- essays research papers fc

BuddhismFor over 2000 years Buddhism has existed as an organized religion. Byreligion we mean that it has a concept of the profane, the sacred, andapproaches to the sacred. It has been realised in India, China, Japan andother eastern cultures for almost 2000 years and has gained a strong foothold inNorth America and Europe in the knightly few centuries. However, one might askwhat fate would Buddhism face had Siddartha Guatama been born in new timesor more specifically in modern daylight North America? Would his new foundenlightenment be accepted now as it was thousands of years ago? Would it beshunned by partnership as another cult movement? What conflicts or alike(p)itieswould it find with modern science physics in particular? The answers to thesequestions are the aim of this paper, as salutary as a deeper understanding of modernBuddhism.Although I will stick with traditional ideas raised by Buddhism, onedetail in the story of Siddartha Guatama essential be addressed in ord er for it to berelevant to the main question being asked What obstacles would SiddarthaGuatama face had he been born in modern day North America. Primarily, it mustbe recognized that rather than being born into the Hindu religion (which initself is mystical), Siddartha would have most likely been born into a Christianfamily. This in itself presents the first obstacle, that being thatChristianity is a strictly monotheistic and non-mystical faith. Hence from theoutset, although in the traditional story Siddartha faced a conflict with his produce (Ludwig 137), in the North American scenario the conflict would have beenheightened by the fact that his search for enlightenment was not even closelysimilar to the Christian faith.As with science, changes in religious thought are often met with strongopposition. It is interesting to note though, that many parallels can be foundbetween modern physics and Eastern Mysticism. As Fritjof Capra writesThe changes, brought about by modern physics . . . all seem to lead towards aview of the world which is very similar to the views held in Eastern Mysticism.The concepts of modern physics often show surprising parallels to the ideasexpressed in the religious philosophies of the Far East. (17-18)Thus by examining some of the obstacles oblige by t... ...o overcome the problems of being born into a Christianfamily/society a society not used to such abstract ideas of reality, the close-minded genius of western thought, and the problems posed by a media that likesto jump on anything new and unusual and tear it to shreds. However, if it wereto overcome these obstacles it is quite probable that it would become a laterooted religion in North America due to the likely support it would gain fromthe scientific community.BibliographyCapra, Fritjof. The Tao Of physical science An Exploration of the Parallels BetweenModern Physics and Eastern Mysticism. Berkley Shamhala Publications, 1975Ludwig, Theodore M. The Sacred Paths Understanding t he Religions of the World.New Jersey Prentice Hall, 1996Niwano, Nikky. Buddhism For Today A Modern Interpretation of the ThreefoldLotusSutra. New York WeatherHill, 1980Richardson, Allen E. East Comes atomic number 74 Asian Religions and Cultures in NorthAmerica.New York The Pilgrim Press, 1985Shupe Anson D. Six Perspectives On New Religions A Case Study Approach.New York