Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Religion is sought for many different reasons. For some, religion is an answer to all the questions left unexplained by science. It can be used as an acceptable explanation for why things happen the way they do. When something bad occurs, this can be justified in some ways through religion. For example, Hinduism believes in karma - the idea that what goes around comes around. If something bad happens to you, it is only making up for the wrong that you have done in your life. Sometimes people just want an answer to the baffling questions in life and those answers can be provided by religion, whether it be faith in a higher being or just belief in letting things play out the "natural way", a Taoist concept. It's this desire to understand which may prompt humans to dedicate their lives to seek religious truth. 


On the nature walk I realized how rare it is for me to be outdoors simply for the sake of appreciating nature. I believe that it is the beauty of the world, the wonder of how everything on this planet came to be, that lead me to seek religion. In my eyes, there are far too many miracles that occur and amazing creations of life for all of this to have happened on its own. 

Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

This meditation experience was a fun and relaxing way for me to take a break from my regular hectic schedule and just focus on myself for 20 minutes. I had picked a spot in the corner of my room near the window, where the sun shines in and the cool breeze blows through the screen. Sitting cross legged on a cushion I straightened my back and closed my eyes. The first thing that struck me was the sounds in my room - or rather, the lack of them. I never realized how overwhelmingly silent the house was without the muffled voices from the TV, the clacking of keyboards or the shuffle of feet on the wooden floor. The first five minutes were hardest, just trying to clear my mind of all stressful thoughts. I could feel my mind wandering to homework, friends, volleyball and other significant parts of my life. Occasionally I'd open my eyes a peek to glance at the clock, checking to see how much longer of this I had. However, after constantly reminding myself to concentrate on deep breathing, I felt a sense of calmness in my mind and body. This experience made me more aware of what thoughts enter my mind, and helped me keep only the positive ones. I'm sure that each time I meditate is one step closer to reaching life's truths, or at least finding inspiration and peace of mind.

Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi was a highly influential leader who played an extremely key role in the movement for independence in India. He grew up and lived his life as a Hindu, but promoted harmony between people of all faiths. In the movie, when Gandhi leaves his ashram to meet with Mr. Jinnah, men are standing outside shouting at him not to go. In frustration he proclaims “I am a Muslim, and a Hindu, and a Christian, and a Jew, and so are all of you.” His determination to keep peace between the Indians is apparent in this scene. Gandhi was so intent on maintaining the unification of India that he was even willing to turn it over to Muslim control. He asked Jinnah to become the first Prime Minister in order to prevent the creation of a separate Muslim country, Pakistan. However, it was evident to everyone that this option would only lead to civil war and that the division of India was inevitable. 

Gandhi stated that “action expresses priorities”, and this is exactly how he lived his life. Gandhi truly practiced what he preached by always staying true to the beliefs to which he had pledged his life. Upon his return to India he decided that in order to understand his country he must travel throughout India and live a peasant life, despite being born as a Brahman, the highest level in the caste system. He then made drastic changes to his life - everything from making his own clothes to taking a vow of chastity. These actions took a toll on his relationships in his family, which clearly showed where his priorities lay. He was willing to sacrifice his bond between his wife and son in order to stay true to his beliefs. 

Sacred Poem

Stonehenge

The sun hangs in the sky

a burning eye amid infinite blue

casting its gaze upon the gargantuan stones

long shadows forming on the grass

We marvel over its magnificence

a place of ceremony, sacrifice, mystery

bringing us closer 

to our God

Through harsh winds 

and pouring rain

the stones stand unharmed

fixed there forever

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #1

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection Question #1: "According to Mircea Eliade religion has 'not vanished without a trace; [it] has contributed toward making us what we are today and so, after..."

As a kid, all I knew of Christianity in the world was going to church on Sundays and occasionally saying grace before dinner. Growing up in Indonesia (which is a 95% Muslim country), most of the religion in my background came from the Islamic environment that I lived in for 14 years. Although I never practiced that religion, I experienced more of it in my day-to-day life; whether from hearing the call to prayer from a nearby mosque five times a day, or always being conscious of what foods contain pork when eating with a Muslim friend. Sometimes during Ramadan, even though I didn't fast, I would participate in the ceremony of breaking the fast in the evenings.

I have had friends from all sorts of religious systems - Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim - and as a result I can thankfully say that I am open to all of these and am not religiously ignorant. Each religion offers their own moral or ethical code, practices their own traditions and has their own taboos and sometimes scriptures. However, archaeological evidence shows that these religions had certain common characteristics. Although no one can really say how religion began due to the lack of recorded history, every religion should be celebrated or at least viewed with an open mind. I know that my multicultural background has played a huge part in my understanding and knowledge of the religions of the world today.