HUMMANITIE1100
Journal 7- Eastern Religion
Kristin Shields
REFLECTION
Journal 7 - Eastern Religions had an insightful impact on me and
on my pre-conceived ideas and understanding of Easter
Religions. Although the chapters were just an overview of each
of the religions discussed in this module; they were very
intriguing to read about. Completing the reading assignments
of this module it was very apparent of many of the similarities
to the Eastern Religions to each other as well as similarities to
the Western Religions. This assignment challenged many of the
assumptions I had of Eastern Religions; primarily assumptions
that had to do with the different Deities or Gods. And also
regarding simply; general philosophies of the faiths. It was also
interesting to learn the origin of the varying scriptures and their
interpretation of Life Goals.
Question 1
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?
Anjuna’s Dilemma was one of Humanity. Questioning whether there is just cause for
war and killing. “I do not know which is better for us, whether we should overcome them or they
overcome us” (841) Anjuna’s dilemma was one of self justification. Questioning whether there
is just cause for war and killing. The problem that Arjuna faced was deciding if he should take
up war and fight the opposing army. Arjuna’s emotions and heart was anguished when he
realized that families, = “kinship” would be fighting against each other and killing each other in
the battle that lay ahead. And that he, himself would be fighting those close to him. He
describes it: as about to face battle as teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, uncles. fathers-inlaw, grandsons, brothers-in-law, kinsmen. He was the Warrior prince that was to lead his
army.
Arjuna struggled with justifying reason for the war. He felt that to do battle would be to partake
in great sin. Arjuna questioned the reason for the battle - was it greed for pleasure, was it for the
sake of the empire? He questioned his desire for Kingship and could not justify the act of war to
obtain it.
Arjuna was counseled by Krishna. Krishna revealed himself to Arjuna during his time of counsel
as the Supreme Being. Krishna is the incarnation of the god Vishnu, the Deity of the Hindu
religion.
Krishna advised Arjuna to take up arms and to fight regardless of his anguish. The counsel
from Krishna begins by telling Arjuna that he would meet with dishonor if he did not fight. He
told Arjuna that he needed to follow his Own Code of Honor as a Warrior. That he would sin
because he would be failing his “personal law and code of honor”. Krishna tells Arjuna that the
ideas/perception of what constitutes self and life to himself (Arjuna) is the cause of his burdened
heart. Krishna says to Arjuna that if remains devoted to him that he will not parish. And that he
would be with Krishna again.
The definitions I derived from the text is that when Krishna refers to” none will parish who which
are devoted-“ , is due to the belief that life is eternal and re-cycles through the process of recarnation. Regardless of status, sins or choices that if only devotion to Krishna (Vishnu), his
supreme being) exists, a being/person/spirit will live for eternity and achieve the supreme path.
The Supreme path, I reflect as being a union made with god and person, to live together
possibly as one.
When trying to reflect on this last question I found myself writing different answers. I kept
thinking, it is a very Interesting choice of words. Satisfied??
I first wrote that I was only partially satisfied when answering this question. But with further
reflection I realize that is not the case, I do not feel satisfied at all from Krishna’s advise. I can
understand much of the philosophies that the Bhagvad Gita provides, and believe also in some
of them. But satisfied is not a feeling I would say exists in any way. Why… It was hard for me
to keep coming back to the sadness that I felt, when Krishna was ultimately telling Arjuna that
the reasons for the onset of his burdened heart; families fighting against each other and all of
the destruction of families and kinship would be destroyed from the battle was “secondary.” (for
lack of a better word)
When reading the Bhagvad Gita, I felt understanding at points, but also confusion at others.
It wasn’t necessarily confusion in understanding the philosophy, but confusion derived from
parts of Karishna’s advise did seemvery contradictory…to me.
Question 2
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 Buddha and theDhammapada (daama pah da).
The single common foundation of human problem that is written about in the Hindu and
Buddhist religion is the problem of Ignorance. Both religions speak of the search for self
awareness. “Supreme light of the Self” (3.3 pg 852) Hindu , “Knowing and realizing it for
yourselves in the here and now” (862) Buddhist.
Ignorance in the cause and reason for the search of knowledge, the cause of turmoil, human
nature: Passion, Sorrow, Pain, Happiness, Materialism, knowledge of what is right and wrong.
The Hindu religion addresses Ignorance in both the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishada. The
Bhagavda Gita is filled with the great turmoil that Arjuna is experiences to the question of what
is right and wrong, what is Sin. “We are committed to sin heavily in striving to kill our kinfolk
because of lust after the wetness of kingship?” (Arjuna 3. Pg 843) Krishna advises that ones
senses for cold and heat pleasure and pain is just simply human.
Krishan explains that by the realization of inner self and commitment to God the humanistic
qualities, desires, despair are insignificant. The true goal of immortality and to be on the
“Supreme path” (845) is only obtained by Self realization.
In the Gospel of Buddha, it is revealed that to be “Awakened” (859) from Human ignorance
described with much similarities to the Hindu description; One must end “mental fermentations”
(861) to “remain in the supreme goal of the holy life…realizing it for yourselves in the here and
now” (862). Both religions reveal that this can be accomplished with faith, commitment and
meditation. Buddihist-“The origin of suffering, as a noble truth, can be abandoned, Such with a
vision” (863)
Question 3
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.].
The ideas of how the Hindu and Buddhist religions, are different than the belief in re-incarnation
from Christianity. From what I have learned Christianity does not believe in the accumulation of
past lives. Christianity believes in resurrection of the body but not in re-incarnation. The
similarities of having a state or being (God) that is supreme is common with most religious
teachings. The particular form of Supremacy varies greatly. Greek Mythology has many Gods,
Orthodox Christianity believes in the Holy Trinity; One Creator. Many types Currencies and
Government symbols from countries also emboss a form of supremacy or God on them.
Example is well recognized in American Currency.
The most significant and Vast similarity I recognize in all religions, human psychology, medical
therapy, of a vast variety is meditation. The extent and method of outlet of meditation does
however vary greatly. Thi Chi is a physical form of meditation as well as structured and
methodical breathing. Many Christian beliefs meditate thought prayer and fasting. Similarities
also reveal a certain amount of Self Sacrifice is imperative to reach the level of meditation and
self awareness. Most all forms of therapeutic therapies include forms of meditation: massage
therapy, hypnotic therapy, acupuncture, acupressure etc.
The idea of life after death is also infinite in similarities in all aspects of Psychology, Art,
Philosophies, Religions etc. It is a master part of humanity to question where we came from,
what happens after we die… Most religions have a belief that is offered to encourage, offer relief
from suffering, provide an avenue for faith. This particular topic I had many ideas that came
from reflection of my own life experiences and encounters but I limited my answer to touch on
just a few.