Walking into the Rime Buddhist Monastery was an experience unlike any other I have ever had. Upon opening the doors was a shrine of Buddha, surrounded with offerings of candles and incense. The friendly peopled welcomed me warmly, openly answering questions I had. Even though the Monastery was a new experience, it opened doors allowing me to view inside another culture, even momentarily to understand a completely new philosophy, different from the one taught by my family. Information boards about Buddhism as a religion, offerings, and types of charity work done by the Monastery was littered throughout the main hall giving similarity to the inside of a church. The old wood floors and four large dark carpets lining the main hall and stain glass
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The instructor explained how meditation is moment to moment awareness. Meditation allows us to be more present, interpret the present situation rather than what happened in the past or what can happen in the future. It can help the meditator to feel peaceful, relaxed, and centered (Rime Buddhist Center and Monastery). The class gave insight into Buddhism as a religion or philosophy and not as a simple type of relaxation. Having grown up with a preacher as a Grandfather and coming from a religious family this was a new type of approach altogether. All my life I’d been told do this or go to hell, with no median and very little answers to my abundance of questions. In Sunday School, we learned why we need to worship a deity and put total dependence on one God. Whereas Buddhism concentrates on self-awareness and being …show more content…
There were several Tibetan chants that I struggled to read aloud or listened to. The ritual was Nermunkaya Heruka and was said to aid in the cleansing of bad karma and bring on a fresh pure month. This was how an instructor explained to me, a beginner. The ritual included chants, bells, and waters, which were used variously times throughout the thirty-minute ritual.
Buddhism is comprised of four core values including the four noble truths. These four noble truths include: The truth of suffering, the truth of cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, the truth of the path leads end of suffering (Standford, Lama Chuck). Buddhism is comprised primarily by living in the present moment and not attempting to directly control thoughts but rather to allow the mind to settle down and clear itself. Meditation is one major way to achieve mindfulness.
This event was more unnerving than I originally imagined and it was difficult to grasp the complexity on my first attendance. Upon learning more about Buddhism and visiting a monastery I feel more open to religion and perspectives of life. This assignment related back to the culture through use of life totems, cosmos, rituals, core values, and communitas. I was better prepared to attend the monastery with an open mind after having class and learning more about other cultures
The instructor explained how meditation is moment to moment awareness. Meditation allows us to be more present, interpret the present situation rather than what happened in the past or what can happen in the future. It can help the meditator to feel peaceful, relaxed, and centered (Rime Buddhist Center and Monastery). The class gave insight into Buddhism as a religion or philosophy and not as a simple type of relaxation. Having grown up with a preacher as a Grandfather and coming from a religious family this was a new type of approach altogether. All my life I’d been told do this or go to hell, with no median and very little answers to my abundance of questions. In Sunday School, we learned why we need to worship a deity and put total dependence on one God. Whereas Buddhism concentrates on self-awareness and being …show more content…
There were several Tibetan chants that I struggled to read aloud or listened to. The ritual was Nermunkaya Heruka and was said to aid in the cleansing of bad karma and bring on a fresh pure month. This was how an instructor explained to me, a beginner. The ritual included chants, bells, and waters, which were used variously times throughout the thirty-minute ritual.
Buddhism is comprised of four core values including the four noble truths. These four noble truths include: The truth of suffering, the truth of cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, the truth of the path leads end of suffering (Standford, Lama Chuck). Buddhism is comprised primarily by living in the present moment and not attempting to directly control thoughts but rather to allow the mind to settle down and clear itself. Meditation is one major way to achieve mindfulness.
This event was more unnerving than I originally imagined and it was difficult to grasp the complexity on my first attendance. Upon learning more about Buddhism and visiting a monastery I feel more open to religion and perspectives of life. This assignment related back to the culture through use of life totems, cosmos, rituals, core values, and communitas. I was better prepared to attend the monastery with an open mind after having class and learning more about other cultures