Eastern Religions

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how Hinduism teaches that there are different methods by which a person can reach "god" or a place of spiritual awareness and peace--- karma, jnana, and bhakti. It points out that Shinto, Buddhism and Taoism, which are of the Japanese religious tradition, are influenced significantly by Hinduism especially the conceptions of the divine and of human nature. The paper relates that these Eastern religious traditions are present in many aspects of Western life especially in popular culture media, such as movies like "The Matrix" trilogy.

From the Paper:

"The first method, karma, is something that we have no control over in the afterlife-after one has lived a life, performed certain actions, and behaved in a certain manner, your reward or punishment will be meted out via karmic action. Dependent upon one's caste, karma can be "undone" through "asceticism, meditation, devotions to and worship of the gods." Karma is really not a method of reaching god, since it is dependent on other actions and beliefs for its determinations. Those beliefs and actions are better personified by the two methods of achieving spiritual consciousness, jnana and bhakti."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bhagavad Gita, accessed at www.Bhagavad Gita.org
• The Dalai Lama, The Four Noble Truths, London: Thorsons Publishers, 1998.
• Hopfe, L. and Woodward, M., 2001. Religions of the World, 8th ed.. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Sharma, A., 1993. Our Religions. San Francisco: Harper Collins Publishers.

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• Comparison Essay # 93972 : "Eastern and Middle Eastern Religions"
• Comparison Essay # 39388 : "Ritual and Relationship in Eastern Religions"
• Analytical Essay # 130367 : "Eastern Religion Matrix"

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