Buddhism in America
Most Buddhists, when asked, will tell you that Buddhism is not a religion but a teaching or guide to help one cope with the grim facts of life. In essence, Buddhism is about confronting and accepting death and suffering as an inevitable aspect of life. It teaches that resistence is futile, and happiness can only be found through knowledge. While most religions deal with danger and suffering through faith, Buddhism is all about wisdom. To the Buddhists, ignorance is the source of suffering, and suffering is the only true enemy of man. This concept may be difficult for many Christians to comprehend, and such ideas would undoubtedly seem out of place in a Christian land where man fights temptation and suffering is merely a byproduct. None the less, Buddhism has not only found its way to our shores, it thrives within our country. Its precepts of life and the way to attain true enlightenment have been used as the foundation of many of our stereotypical "western" concepts. The metaphysical attributes of Buddhism have influenced our western culture in many ways, both subtly and dramatically. The differences in Buddhism from just about every other religion are what lead many to the conclusion that Buddhism deserves its own c
To start with, there is no holy book for Buddhism, such as the Bible or Koran. Many who are not familiar with Buddhism may not understand this. During the 1980's however, with the Vietnam War over and the country's economy stabilized, things in America began to return to their post war states. The Eightfold path is the Buddhist equivalent to the ten commandments. The first Jodo Shinshu temple was started in San Francisco in 1899, but even today the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Churches of America is still predominantly a Japanese-American institution. Buddhism's popularity continues to expand and it is slowly gaining ground as the most popular non-Christian religion in America and Europe. There's a reason for this interesting blend. That means that what we did in a our past lives weighs on us now. Only when one abandons all earthly desires which promote selfishness, greed, and an attitude that things don't change will one reach Nirvana. Only by understanding that the cycle is infinite, and restraining one's self from such petty wants will one understand true happiness. The second truth says that the dukkha inevitably rises; a person is destined to feel a thirst for selfish needs and desires linked with ignorance, greed, and hatred. According to Buddha, suffering is natural and must be overcome. Buddhists deny any form of deity and the need for a personal savior.
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Acceptance Essays
