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 constituted in India, China, Japan andother eastern cultures for almost 2000 years and has gained a strong foothold in conglutination America and Europe in the past few centuries. However, one might askwhat fate would Buddhism count had Siddartha Guatama been born in ripe timesor more specifically in modern day North America? Would his new primeenlightenment be accepted now as it was thousands of years ago? Would it beshunned by rules of order as another cult act? What troths or similaritieswould it find with modern science physics in special? The answers to thesequestions are the aim of this paper, as well as a deeper savvy of modernBuddhism.Although I will stick with traditional ideas raised by Buddhism, onedetail in the story of Siddartha Guatama must be intercommunicate in order for it to berelevant to the main question world 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 belike 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 hisfather (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 phantasmal thought are oft met with strongopposition. It is interesting to note though, that many parallels can be formbetween modern physics and Eastern Mysticism. As Fritjof Capra writesThe changes, brought almost 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 imposed by t... ...o bounce back the problems of being born into a Christianfamily/society a society not used to such abstract ideas of reality, the close-minded nature of westbound thought, and the problems posed by a media that likesto jump on anything new and out-of-the-way and tear it to shreds. However, if it wereto overcome these obstacles it is quite probable that it would become a profoundlyrooted religion in North America due to the likely support it would gain fromthe scientific community.BibliographyCapra, Fritjof. The Tao Of Physics An Exploration of the Parallels Between redbrick Physics and Eastern Mysticism. Berkley Shamhala Publications, 1975Ludwig, Theodore M. The Sacred Paths Understa nding the Religions of the World. hot Jersey apprentice Hall, 1996Niwano, Nikky. Buddhism For Today A Modern Interpretation of the ThreefoldLotusSutra. New York WeatherHill, 1980Richardson, Allen E. East Comes West 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