What is the dilemma faced by Arjuna, the warrior, in the Bhagavad Gita? Who shows him the way out of
the dilemma? What is the advice Arjuna receives? Is this advice satisfying to you? Why or why not?
Arjuna is a young warrior prince, he sets out to take part in a war against some of his opposing relatives
on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, this war takes place at the beginning of the civil war. At the start of the
battle, Arjuna is ready with his white horses and men at his side, than he suddenly feels overcome with
regret he no longer feels that he is able to battle. His body is overcome with weakness, and his knees
begin to shake, his face becomes flushed with anguish, and he senses unpleasant behavior that is about
to take place. He feels he no longer has the desire for defeat, nor wishes for the perks that he will benefit
from the battle. He senses that if he is to go through with such a battle, that the guilt will continue to live
with him for a lifetime. As Arjuna is overcome with feelings of remorse Krishna, the reincarnation of
Vishnu, steps in to give Arjuna, the warrior prince some helpful advice. He begins to explain to Arjuna,
that our being is never born, therefore it cannot die, which means that us as humans can never cease to
not exist. Krishna states, “Knowing the self to be unborn, imperishable, everlasting, and changeless,
Arjuna how can a man slay anyone or be slain?.” (pg. 133) Krishna continues to explain that our bodies
are not able to be torn up therefore, making us truly unchangeable. Knowing this theory, he tells Arjuna
that he shall not ache for the souls of those whom he is about to go to war with. This advice does not
please me for I believe that each person has a being, that does change and as they pass, they will
forever be gone. I do not agree with war especially that against innocent people. I believe that we should
treat others as we would wish to be treated instead of as an unchanging, imperishable man.
The Hindu and Buddhist religions single out one common thing that is the root of all human problems.
What is that thing? How do each of these religions separately address that thing? What do they have to
say about it and how do they suggest alleviating the problems that arise from it? [In your answer please
provide your assessment, and supporting quotations/page numbers that support it. Remember: the Hindu
documents are the Bhagavad Gita (Buh hag ah vad Ghee ta) and the Upanishads (Ooh pan ee shahdz)
and the Buddhist documents are The Gospel of Buddhaand the Dhammapada (daama pah da).
The Hindu and Buddhist religions have a lot of similarities when it comes to their personal beliefs. In both
religions they believe that we have many re-births during our lives, once you start to understand this you
can begin to understand each religion in depth. Both religions have a common knowledge that suffering
comes from your desires, if you no longer desire you will end the cycle of suffering. While reading, “The
Dhammapada,” by the Buddhist religion he mentions that, “All experience is preceded by mind, led by
mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows like a never-departing
shadow.” (pg. 155) I believe that the Buddhist religion is simply stating if you begin to think and act with
positive thoughts that you will begin to receive nothing but positive outcomes. While reading,
“Upanishads,” there was one passage that really caught my attention it states, “As a man in the arms of
his beloved is not aware of what is without and what is within, so a person in union with the self is not
aware of what is without and what is within, for in that unitive state all desires find their perfect fulfillment.
There is no other desire that needs to be fulfilled, and one goes beyond sorrow.” (pg. 137) That is a very
powerful statement, saying that if you are at peace with yourself you will be at peace from desire, and you
can reach the state of nirvana. Both articles state that having a happy mind sets you free from desire
which therefore sets you free from want; you have than reached the ultimate happiness. Both religions
say if you free your “self” from all these bad thoughts and separateness of the mind and body, that you
are than able to free yourself from all sufferings. You will than become one with your unitive state and
there can be nothing that will separate you from your lifelong happiness.
How are the ideas you encountered in the eastern religions this week similar to or different from ideas
you've encountered before in other religions or others systems of ideas? [In your answer be specific
about what ideas/concepts and how those relate to specific ideas/concepts from other areas. You do not
have to confine yourself to religious teachings - hint: psychology, ecology, physics, etc.].
Over the past week I have found it intriguing to find out more in depth about the Buddhist and Hindu
religions. These two religions are far different from any religions that I have seen firsthand or even
learned about in the past. For starters I will give you a short overview on each religion; let’s start with
Hinduism. Hindus believe in many gods and goddesses, they live by Brahman: which is supreme reality,
they believe in reincarnation, and the sacredness of the, “om.” Buddhists on the other hand do not
necessarily believe in any one god; rather just worship the teachings of Buddha, the religion is a lifestyle,
it gave hope for Buddhist to move out of the castes, and is based on the religious sense of experience
from all things. Each religion has Dharma in common, which is basically a universal way to live, they both
also believe in “karma.” They both have a strong belief that if you overcome desire you can reduce your
suffering. These religions differ tremendously from my previous teachings of growing up in Utah and
being exposed quite frequently to the LDS religion. I do not go to church; however I have experienced
firsthand many things about this religion. In the LDS religion they believe in one god, rather than many,
they do not necessarily worship anyone, rather use the religion as a guide to live by. In the LDS religion
the followers go about their daily lives in a normal fashion, and it would be hard for someone not exposed
to the religion to distinguish them from others. This religion does not believe that we are re-born again
many times throughout our lives rather that we are a spirit that continues to live after we pass. I believe
that it is important to be exposed to different beliefs than our own, to learn that each of us has a different
respectable way of life.