Friday, September 16, 2011
Reflection #2
The lecture on Siddartha, Buddhism and Dada made me see Eastern Religion in a different light. From what I have studied about Shintoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, I have learned that they are very spiritual religions that focus on becoming one with the earth and honoring animals. But I have never seen these religions in direct opposition to Western religion. Americans who reject Western religion for Eastern religion are nihilists in their own right. I found that to be an interesting point. I would love to study the reasons as to why Americans or any other westerner turns toward Eastern Religion and what are they looking to achieve when they do this.
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I think they are usually searching for something and they are drawn to Eastern religion because it seems exotic and different. It does tend to be more "nature friendly" than Western religions which believe that God gave dominion over nature to man. As authentic as he may sound, Siddhartha is just a character who is written by Herman Hesse, a German guy living in the 1920s. Many who turn towards it though seem to have a superficial attachment because new age spirituality is fashionable among certain types (like celebrities who do Kabbalah or even the yoga fad).
ReplyDeleteI think they are drawn to eastern religion because they are more liberal and free as an individual unlike western are more in where they are more extremist side with very strict rules and followers.
ReplyDeletei agree with you Professor. But i was under the impression that Siddhartha was the budda. I am not sure why I got the two confusesd. I thought they were one in the same because I have heard the name Siddartha before. I thought it was Buddha's first name
ReplyDeleteThere are extremists that come out of Eastern religion as well. For example there are Hindu extremists in India that are very anti-muslim.
ReplyDeleteTo Laura: You are right, Siddharta was a name used by the Buddha before he became the Buddha (or enlightened one). But in the novel Siddhartha is the main character's name but he is not the Buddha who is also in the story.