Sites of Worship Activity
A recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center revealed, “Worldwide, more
than eight-in-ten people identify with a spiritual group” ( Harper 1 ) . Religion is a
cardinal and of import facet of our lives ; all of humanity pattern some signifier of
faith. Throughout history, people have argued about the intent of life and how to acquire
the most out of their lives. Not merely does religion steer us through the phases of life, it
besides instils our ethical motives, creates integrity, and shapes our lives in elusive ways. In add-on,
faith provides accounts for inexplicable jobs, helps us get by with
hardships, and connects society. Within the kingdom of faith, there are different
spiritual organisations, which all co-ordinate activities to idolize supernatural powers for
assorted intents. In an individualistic organisation, “each person has a personal
relationship with one or more supernatural powers, who serve as the person’s defenders
and protectors” ( Peoples 329 ) . On the other manus, in an shamanisitc organisation, “some
individuals-shamans- have relationships with supernatural powers that ordinary people
lack” ( Peoples 329 ) . A priest-doctor is “a individual publically recognized as holding a particular
relationship to supernatural powers, which he or she often uses to bring around sickness”
( Peopless 331 ) . In add-on to individualistic and shamanistic organisations, a communal
organisation is a type of spiritual organisation in which “the members of a group
cooperate to execute rites that benefit the group as a whole” ( Peoples 331 ) .
Furthermore, in some societies, “a full-time priest performs rites believed to profit
trusters or the whole society, normally in big edifices dedicated to spiritual intents
or deities” ( Peoples 329 ) . These priests are “religious specializers, normally full-time, who
officiate at large-scale, bureaucratically organized rites that keep the population in
proper relationship to divinities or cosmic forces” ( Peoples 329 ) . These priests normally lead
people in supplication, which is “a grave petition for aid or look of thanks addressed to
God or an object of worship” ( Oxford Dictionary ) . After researching, I chose to put
my clip into sing a communal organisation to larn more about Buddhism.
With a heavy bosom and asking head, I set about geting more information
about the faith of Buddhism through extended research. The instrumental ground why
I chose Buddhism as opposed to other faiths is that I wanted to acquire more in touch
with the roots of my civilization. China is place to more than half of the world’s Buddhists.
Furthermore, my great grandparents were Buddhists. Throughout my research, I uncovered
some interesting facts. Harmonizing to a recent statistic, “There are about 488 million
Buddhists worldwide, stand foring 7 % of the world’s entire population as of 2010” ( Pew
Research Center ) . In the United States, there are approximately five million Buddhists.
Buddhism, which is the fourth-largest faith in the universe, is one of the most prevailing
faiths in China, Japan, and Korea. It was founded in the late 6Thursdaycentury B.C.E. by
Siddhartha Gautama, who subsequently became known as the Buddha. Gautama lived in what is
now Nepal from the 6Thursdaycentury B.C.E. to his decease at the age of 80 circa 4Thursdaycentury
B.C.E. Although much of his life and how Buddhism came to be founded is unknown, it
is widely believed that around 520 B.C.E. , “After experimenting with different instructions
for old ages, and happening none of them acceptable, Gautama spent a fatal dark in deep
speculation. During his speculation, all of the replies he had been seeking became clear,
and [ sic ] achieved full consciousness, thereby going Buddha” ( Buddha Biography ) .
After researching and geting information about Buddhism, I decided to get down
my journey to larn more about Buddhism. I decided to travel to a nearby Buddhist temple,
Hsi Lai Temple. Before I chose to see this temple, I looked at reappraisals on Yelp, which
were extremely positive. Subsequently, I booked a guided circuit on the temple’s web site. From
the minute I stepped pes into the temple, I was overwhelmed by the aesthetic construction
of the edifices and shrines. The docent, an highly nice and bubbly lady of about
80, guided me through the many historical attractive forces and different substructures.
Furthemore, she enlightened me about the instructions of Buddhism. First, I entered
Bodhisattva Hall, a beautiful temple of worship having the statues of five Bodhisattvas.
Through the docent, I was informed that each Bodhisattva has symbolic significance. The
Buddha, with his tremendous belly, symbolizes felicity. As I headed to the following temple,
I could non assist but look at the beautiful scenery around me. One peculiar garden
featured a Bodhisattva and her followings. The beautiful Nelumbo nucifera flowers and waterfall
painted a serene and beautiful image. Outside the temples, there were statues with
attach toing text, which provided me information sing the historical figures
depicted and their parts to Buddhism. Finally, I arrived at the chief shrine,
a olympian edifice with incense burners and countless Buddha statues. As the docent
introduced us to this edifice, I felt a sense of interior repose and profound wisdom
inside me.
This experience has caused me to see faith in a different visible radiation. Although I am
presently still undecided about my spiritual association, through this visit I gained penetration
on what faith offers to humanity. In add-on, this made me reflect on the significance of
life and what I want to accomplish. Likewise to other faiths, Buddhism helps us get by
with the battles of this punctilious universe. Throughout this visit, I realized that it is
of import to larn about faiths because faith influences how we act, what we
believe to be right or incorrect, and our perceptual experiences of the universe. It besides helps us understand
others that have different imposts, beliefs, and life styles. Likewise, our worldview
is the concealed factor behind every determination we make affecting ethical motives, values, and
moralss. Last but non least, this experience has made me more determined to go a
better individual: to follow my ethical motives, be considerate to others, and do the right picks
at all times.
Plants Cited
“ Buddha Biography. ”Bio. A & A ; E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
“ Buddhists. ”Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. N.p. , 18 Dec. 2012.
Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
Harper, Jennifer. “ 84 Percentage of the World Population Has Faith ; a Third Are Christian. ”
Washington Times. 23 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
Peopless, James. “Chapter 14: Religion and Worldview.”Humanity: An Introduction to
Cultural Anthropology. ( tenth Edition ) . Cengage ; 10th edition ( January 2014 ) .
“ Prayer. ”: Definition of in Oxford Dictionary ( American English ) ( US ). N.p. , n.d. Web.
16 Nov. 2014.
