Hindu And Buda Essays - Spirituality, Shabda, Nondualism, Salvation

Hindu And Buda The idea of "religare" or binding oneself back to one's religion is key to many religions. In Christianity, we bind our selves back to the truth unveiled through scripture, myths, tradition, and the church's teachings. Hinduism, however has a much different interpretation of the idea of binding oneself back. There really is not a whom or what that I can put my finger on. We all came from one God and we must get back to God. But how can one go about doing that? A Hindu would say to free ourselves from the desires and illusions present here on Earth. To free ourselves from the material possessions and pleasures would be to obtain Moksha. Moksha, for Hindus, would be the point of freedom and the attachment to Brahman. In a way this is extremely ironic, for in the act of binding oneself back, a Hindu would obtain liberation. To me, these terms seem directly contradictory, however, this is proof to the fact that our minds cannot understand certain aspects of religion, and that we are limited. The goal of a Hindu is to release themselves, but also to gain a complete understanding of life. By doing this, they are freed from the continuous cycle of reincarnation. There are, as Huston Smith tells us, four paths to the goal. The yogas are the specific direction taken to unleash the human potential of Moksha. The goal of the yogas is to come in to and remain in touch with Brahman. The first way to God is through knowledge. The three steps taken on this path is learning, thinking, and the third, a little more complex, consists of separating one's material ego form one's Atman. The second way to God is through love. The love we show to others can be translated into a love for God. The third path to God is though work. Through a devotion to one's work, God can be seen through the highest rewards if done so wisely. The final Hindu path to God is through Psychophysical Exercises. In this way, a Hindu experiments with mental exercises and observing their effects. Not all Hindus take the same path to God, but the goal is identical. The Buddha made much reform to the path to God. Well, not so much a reform as perhaps an alternate route. He called this the Middle Path. A way between sensuality and asceticism, the Middle Path lay through intelligence. The main revolutionary idea behind the Buddha's teachings was that he rejected asceticism, which at that time had been a popular belief and a socially approved route to salvation. Not only did he reject self-denial, but the worship of gods. In his renowned Eightfold Path, there is never any mention of worship. Also, he refuted the idea that one had to pass through countless rebirths to reach the Brahmin caste before being able to obtain salvation. For this very reason, Buddhism ultimately failed in India, because of the widespread control by the Brahmins. The most challenging concept for the Hindus to except was that the Buddha taught that the soul did not exist. Hindus thought that the Atman, or soul, was actually God. The Buddha reasoned that if the soul is purely God, the it is not individual and therefore is an An-Atman, or no soul. The achievement of liberation then for Buddhist takes form in Nirvana. Nirvana occurs when people release their yearning for a false selfhood, which is similar to Hinduism. Paradoxically, as with Hinduism, the act of extinguishing this yearning occurs simultaneously with an enlightenment. Studying Hinduism and Buddhism has been surely an enlightenment for me. To my amazement, Hinduism actually addresses a few questions I have had before. I've wondered about the way life is connected and how life is a flowing circle of life and death. Hinduism is based primarily on the idea of Brahman and that everything is one. The idea that material positions are basically meaningless is something that I dread to think about, because I am most certaintly a victim of todays society based on wealth and power. It infuriates me to think that my possessions are meaningless, but for some reason I am drawn to these teachings of Hinduism. The majority of teachings of all the religions we have studied so far has made sense to me, and this is the most puzzling conclusion I am faced with. What does this mean? I have found something here and I am utterly confused. How the heck can more than

Americas Youth essays

America's Youth essays Throughout the ages, war has altered and shaped the paths of history. Such carnage and butchery has taken a heavy toll on mankind, but it has, nonetheless, created who we are and the being of our ancestors as well. There will always be disagreements and even conflicts between men, but should the mistakes of the past not be remedied in the present day? The American Revolution clearly made a lasting impression on the world, then and now, but most living in America at the time were not significantly skewed from their previous life. The actual words of the Constitution were not upheld and the structure imagined had yet to take shape throughout the young country. The result was many individuals constantly moving about the land, trying to make the best for their families as they always had, but now with seemingly limitless possibilities. Economically, much had changed, but in peoples day-to-day lives, much was still the same. Generally, the typical story of the American Revolution is true. A handful of patriots joined forces with military leaders and the newly formed Continental Army and somehow managed to defeat the British army and the United States of America were formed, ensuring liberty and freedom for its inhabitants forever. The main effect of the Revolution was America could now build an economy of its own, which was not an option, but a necessity. A new era of self-sufficiency had begun and there were many options in both manufacturing and agriculture. Thus, individuals could try their hand at a myriad of professions or trades and if talented enough, could become quite successful. Much like a teenager who just left home, America had to start to fend for itself. The economy was quite turbulent, as there was a lack of real control. Companies and trades waxed and waned with homeland demand and as soon as this was diminished, a new venture was taken. With independence came many opportunities. These money-ma...

Ethical Issues Facing Internet Technology Essay

Ethical Issues Facing Internet Technology - Essay Example The print media have undergone a facelift by adapting website technology and blogging. Human interactions have been redefined by social networking, internet forums and instant messaging. Online shopping is another major boon from the internet technology. However, something with a positive effect will have a negative side too. However, as Williamson, Clow, Walker and Ellis (2011) point out, these technological advancements in information and technology have resulted in negative effects of which raise various ethical questions with regard to the Internet. This paper discusses the ethical issues that surround internet use. An area of concern in modern times includes the bad effects of internet on students and children. According to Salma and Ali (2013), one ethical question that arises because of internet use is whether the Internet is doing more harm or good on children. It is found that girls and boys use internet at the same rate at home. As Newburger (2001) points out, children†™s internet use varies with age. Only 7 percent children of the age 3 to 5 use internet at home; and 25 percent of children of the age group 6 to 11 and 48 percent of children of the age 12 to 17 use internet. Internet has the worst effect on children if it is misused. Children spend more time on the internet thereby evading home works and spending time with family and friends. Michael A. Weinstein, professor of Political Science at Purdue University believes â€Å"Internet will intensify the negative effect television has already had on our social skills† (Weinstein, 1995, as cited in Affonso, 1999). Internet browsing without proper supervision gives children easy access to inappropriate contents like pornography, violence, profanity etc. Pornography has serious effect on child’s mental make up. Pornography is unchecked on the internet as pedophiles can download illegal pictures from anonymous sites and escape law enforcement (Verdik.Org). If one searches the word à ¢â‚¬Å"sex†, one will receive more than 180,102 websites that contain pornographic material (Westfall, 2013). Overuse of internet leads to addiction thereby making the individuals secluded or isolated entities living in a virtual world. Experts say that exposure to inappropriate content at a younger age may lead children to anxiety and ‘behavioral expression disorders’. Another deleterious effect of internet on children is that spending excessive time on it makes the child lose his/her confidence, diet, activity levels leading to health problems like constant head ache and sleep disorders. Unmonitored use of internet can lead children astray by wandering in online chat groups, forums and social networking sites where they are prone to be in contact with people ranging from pedophiles to people with personality disorders. The only remedy for internet addiction is providing unconditional parental love, care, and support so that the kids don’t turn to internet overuse. Another important issue related to ethical issues arising from internet use is cyber crimes. Crimes like online fraud activities associated with internet banking, copyright infringement, espionage and cyber warfare are all on the rise with the advent of internet. Online heist has advanced from identity thefts to much organized ones. The attacks leads to compromising a bank’s database with system level implications. Credit card fraud is usually done through personal information accessed through the Internet (Wall, 2007). Another offence is cyber

Personal statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 40

Personal statement - Essay Example A Master’s Degree in Cass business school for Supply Chain Management or Investment Management will not only widen my professional horizon but will also increase my change for professional advancement by being more effective in the business organization. My name is Talal Alajou and I graduated with honors from University of Westminster with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management. The key areas of study in the University of Westminster involved International Business, Entrepreneurship Theory to Practice, Marketing Management, Operation and Project Management among others. I also took International Foundation Programme in Humanities and Social Science in Kings College where I polished my academic English and engaged myself with international culture. My preparatory high school was spent in Saudi Arabia where I graduated valedictorian at The Kingdom Schools, Riyadh with an almost perfect grade of 98.30% or 3.93 GPA. In addition to my academic undertakings, I also enjoy doing volunteer work. Back home in Saudi Arabia, I am heavily engaged with charity work that looks after the orphans and I intend to continue this fulfilling undertaking for as long as I can do it. I am also culturally agile and bilingual. I have an international background and took formal study about culture at Kings College and this unique background put me in a better situation to easily understand and adjust to different kind of people coming. I believe this is an essential skill in a globalized working place where we have to work with people from different cultural and social background. I chose to pursue my graduate school in UK because of its welcoming attitude towards diversity. UK might have a deep European history but its inclusive environment welcomes people from different nationality particularly those students with Middle Eastern background. I chose to pursue my Master’s Degree in Cass business school in

Childhood and Physical Contact Essay Example for Free

Childhood and Physical Contact Essay 3.4 Explain how practitioners can take steps to protect themselves within their everyday practice in the work setting and on off site visits. Many jobs within children’s workforce require physical contact with children as part of their role. There are also occasions when it is entirely appropriate for other adults to have some physical contact with a child or young person with whom they are working with. However it is crucial that in all circumstances, adults should only touch children or young people in ways which are appropriate to their professionals or agreed roles and responsibilities Practitioners need to be aware that even well intentioned physical contact may be seen as inappropriate by the child, other adults or by anyone to whom this action may be viewed by, also never touch a child in a way which may be considered indecent. Always be prepared to report and explain actions and accept that all physical contact, but understand that physical contact in some circumstances can be easily misinterpreted because of the state of mind of the child or the adult. Be aware of all cultural and religious views about touching and always be sensitive to issues of gender and always encourage children, where possible, to undertake self-care tasks independently e.g. changing and use of the bathroom. As an adult working with children always pre –empt situations that may put you in a vulnerable position and plan to avoid them such as concealed one to one contact with a child or young person. Where possible always leave a record of a planned visit which may have the potential to be problematic e.g. where, when and why and take to follow up any incidents/ accidents or concerning behaviour.

Essay --

Animal protection and conservation acts began to appear in the 1900's following the near extinction of the bison and the passenger pigeon. Ignorance regarding the idea of extinction combined with the popularity of hunting, severely hurt these species. Hunters and naturalists killed wildlife for game and study without much thought for the species’ survival. In addition the rapid industrialization threatened the natural habitats of thousands of species. The first major piece of animal legislation was the Lacey Act of 1900 which prohibited interstate commerce of animals killed in violation of state gaming laws. Other laws of the era included the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 and the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 (Klyza). In the 1960's legislation moved from regulation to preservation. The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 was the first real attempt at preservation. When designating 78 animals to the 1996 list, Secretary of the Interior Mark Udall said th at â€Å"an informed public will act to help reduce the dangers threatening these rare animals† (AP). The goal was to inform the public that certain species were in danger and to protect the species before major damage could occur. Although there was legislation prior to 1973, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was the most wide reaching and important pieces of environmental legislation that passed in the 1970's. Following a string of environmental disasters, citizens became more aware and started to demand environmental legislation. From Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962, to the inaugural Earth day in 1970 with about 20 million attendees, environmental issues started to receive â€Å"massive exposure. This exposure helped consolidate a growing public awarene... ...roduct of the 1970’s and the environmental movement, is not the best law possible but it does do a fine job as the only real animal protection law. The ESA’s goal of preserving species â€Å" like others included in environmental legislation at the time, was unrealistic† (Klyza). The ESA could never do as much as its creators would have liked, but to repeal the law would leave hundreds of species unprotected. The country needs to protect the fragile ecosystems that it houses and the ESA has helped with that. The ESA is essential because it protects the ecosystems that once destroyed, cannot be rebuilt. The protection of ecosystems has truly become the ESA’s largest and most important contribution. The ESA or any similar legislation could not pass today with the intensely partisan Congress and thus it needs to stay as the only true protection for North American species.

Grant/Lee a Comparison and Contrast Essay

Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee are two of the most effective military leaders in American history. These men have become symbolic of the two nations at conflict during the Civil War. Both had very different backgrounds and personalities that caused them to differ in their military leadership and accomplishments. Even though General Lee would surrender his army to General Grant, Lee throughout the course of the war proved himself to be a better military leader. The childhood of Robert Edward Lee played a pivotal role in the way he would see the world as a man. Lee was born into an aristocratic family of Virginia with a deeply rooted American history. Richard Henry and Francis Lightfoot Lee, Robert E. Lee’s uncles, helped draft resolutions that would lead to the Declaration of Independence, both would sign it1. Lee’s father, Henry â€Å"Lighthorse Harry† Lee III was a revolutionary war hero and one of George Washington’s most dependable fellow countrymen . In 1771, Washington, also from Virginia, wrote: â€Å" I know of no country that can produce a family all distinguished and clever men, as our Lees.†2 Lee’s mother and father were strong influences in his life for very different reasons. Lee’s father would define everything Lee did not want to be. Lighthorse Harry lacked self-control and failed to take care of the family. Ruined by failed financial ventures, Lee’s father would be sent to debtor’s prison. His mother, Anne Hill Carter Lee would raise young Robert to love God, to serve God and to serve his country. Lee’s rearing helped him to develop the highest standards of honor, self-denial, self-control and duty that would earn respect from both friends and enemies.3 Ulysses S. Grant came from a more humble upbringing. Like Lee, Grant traces his ancestry deep into American history in his memoirs. Grant’s ancestors settled in Massachusetts in 1630.4 Grant’s father, Jesse R. Gran t came from a broken family and was fostered by the parents of John Brown. 5 The same John Brown that would attempt to start a slave rebellion by attacking the United States armory at Harper’s Ferry in 1859. Men under the leadership of then Colonel Robert E. Lee ended that raid.6 Grant, was not born into the land owning aristocracy like Lee, his family was frontier men. Grant â€Å"†¦had come up the hard way†¦No man was born to anything, except perhaps to a chance to show how far he could rise. Life was competition (Catton, para 5).†7 Grant’s competitive upbringing would give him the motivation to push forward and the demand results needed to defeat Lee. Robert E Lee would carry the lessons he learned as a child with him to the Military Academy at West Point. While attending West Point, Lee was very studious and did not join 8other cadets for evenings at the local taverns. General Lee graduated second in his class at West Point and received no demerits for misconduct. This record has never been matched and will not likely ever be achieved again. By graduating with honors, Lee was assigned to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The time Lee spent with the Army Corps of Engineers gave him valuable knowledge of different types of terrain and fortification constructions that would serve him well in the Civil War.9 The childhood of Ulysses S. Grant would also affect him at West Point. Grant was not interested in a military career; he was more interested in agriculture.10 It was Grant’s father who requested his appointment to West Point.11 Grant stated in his memoirs, â€Å"A military life had no charms for me, and I had not the faintest idea of staying in the army even if I should be graduated, which I did not expect (Grant p19).†12 Grant spent most of his time at West Point reading novels and avoiding â€Å"†¦books related to the course of studies (Grant pg 20).†13 Unlike Lee, Grant would not excel at West Point. Grant graduated 21 out of 39 in his class, just below average.14 The Mexican American War would be both Lee and Grant’s first battle. Lee and Grant would both serve un der General Winfield Scott, a man whom they both admired, during his campaign to Mexico City. General Scott saw greatness in Lee and stated his â€Å"†¦success in Mexico was largely due to the skill, valor, and undaunted energy of Robert E. Lee.†15 Scott was also heard commenting a few years later that; â€Å"Lee is the greatest military genius in America.† 16 Grant, only a first lieutenant, did not get an opportunity to show much leadership. Grant did however serve with valor. At the Battle of Monterey, Grant would gain some respect among his peers by successfully carrying much needed ammunition to his regiment while under fire.17 During the Civil War, Lee and Grant would implement skills learned while under the command of General Winfield Scott. In the spring of 1861 as the nation leaned toward Civil War, both Grant and Lee would be forced to make very difficult decisions. Grant would only have to decide between being a patriot or a traitor. In a letter to Grant’s father he wrote: â€Å"There are but two parties now, Traitors & Patriots and I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter. . . (Grant p 957)†18 Lee was torn between a successful career in the United States Army, his devotion to the Union, an appointment as commander of the Union forces and the love he had for his family and homeland. In a letter to his sister , Lee wrote: â€Å" With all my devotion to the Union†¦I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. 19 The decisions these two men made would send them on a collision course in one of the most costly wars the country has every waged. Throughout the Civil War, Robert E Lee would prove himself to be unmatched in leadership. When Lee took control of the Army of Northern Virginia in June of 1862, the Union army â€Å"†¦was thundering at the city gates†¦(Lee p150)†20 of the Confederate capital of Richmond. In three months, Lee would achieve what his predecessor General Joseph E. Johnston could not. Lee defeated the invading Union army and turned the war in favor of the South. It would take President Lincoln almost one year to find any competition for General Lee. That competition would be General Grant and the vast resources the North offered him. The vast resources and the advanced railroad system of the North would give Grant the advantage he needed over Lee. In a letter to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Lee expressed his concern that â€Å"†¦Every train brings recruits, and it is stated that every available regiment at the North is added to it†¦(Lee p108)†21 The Army of Northern Virginia’s lack of provisions were â€Å"†¦so great†¦I cannot see how we can operate with our present supplies (Lee, p 108).22 Before Lee ever met Grant on the battlefield he was trying to prepare for multiple retreats that would allow him to resupply his army. Lee pleaded with Jefferson Davis that â€Å"Every exertion should be made to supply the depots at Richmond and at other points (Lee, p 108).† 23 Grant carelessly used his resources to attack Lee and â€Å"†¦after thirty days of marching†¦fighting and a with a loss of more than sixty thousand men, General Grant†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 24 arrived at Petersburg, â€Å"†¦which he could have done†¦without the loss of a single man.† 25 The sixty thousand men that were expendable to Grant was more than Lee had in his entire Army of Northern Virginia. Lee eventually was forced to surrender his army of â€Å"†¦less than eight thousand men†¦to Grant’s army of 150,000†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 26 Prior to the surrender Union officers had â€Å"†¦always estimated your [Lee] force at about seventy thousand men.†27 The leadership displayed by Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee throughout their military careers is directly related to their childhood and education at West Point. Grant’s childhood made him competitive but his lack of interest in the curriculums at West Point would set him back militarily. If Grant did not have the expendable resources that were available to his Union Army, he would have failed against Lee’s ability to fight with such limited resources. Lee’s self struggle to lead by example combined with his devotion to duty and the men in his army resulted in many victories over impossible odds. Lee did not surrender to Grant’s leadership traits; Lee â€Å"†¦was compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources (Lee p 138)†28 1 James A. Henretta, David Brody and Lynn Dumenil, America: A Concise History, 3rd Edition, 3rd ed. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005), 157-58. Bibliography Henretta, James A., David Brody, and Lynn Dumenil. America: A Concise History, 3rd Edition. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005. Lee, Fitzhugh. General Lee. BiblioLife, 2009. Grant, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. CreateSpace, 2009. Lee, Robert. Recollections and Letters. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004. Bruce Catton Grant and Lee: A Study in Contrasts, available from http://users.ipfw.edu/ruflethe/grantandlee.html ; Internet; accessed 16 August 2010. Allen, Walter. ULYSSES S. GRANT. Houghton Mifflin,1901. Long, Armistead Lindsay. Memoirs of Robert E. Lee: His military and personal history [embracing a large amount of information hitherto unpublished]. University of Michigan Library, 1886. Grant, Ulysses S. Ulysses S. Grant : Memoirs and Selected Letters : Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant / Selected Letters, 1839-1865 (Library of America). First Edition ed. New York, N.Y.: Library of America, 1990.