Buddhism Classes of Thought
Buddhism is a complicated religion because of the existence of various issues that make t it difficult to understand by people from other faiths and new converts. The development of classes of thoughts was supposed to ensure followers of this religion understand it easily. Therefore, it has been divided into classes with each explaining a different issue to enable followers to have a wide understanding of this faith. It is important to explain that these classes were established because of the nature of the believers and their backgrounds (Olson 28). The schools of thought that exist in this religion are Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Theravada refers to the teachings of the elders that are considered the oldest school of Buddhism. It is based on the psychological understanding of the human nature and recommends that meditation is important in changing consciousness. The teachings contained in this class advocate for abstinence from evil actions, people and places and encourage people to ensure that they keep their minds pure by doing good (Gombrich 121). Therefore, this school of thought focuses on the development of ethical conduct that ensures people live in harmony in the society.
In addition, it addresses the need for meditation as a way of self-searching to ensure people do good things and avoid evils. Therefore, it argues that all world things are temporary and thus people should not place a lot of unnecessary emphasis on them (Olson 36). This school of thought explains that all worldly things are not important and thus individuals should not have a desire for them because they lead people to sin. In addition, it claims that death and suffering are caused by the desire to have worldly things and thus people should avoid them if they want to live better lives.
Mahayana covers various aspects outlined by other minor schools of Buddhism. This school of thought claims that salvation is possible through believing in the power of Amitabha and the desire to be reborn in a gracious place. In addition, it claims that its followers should look inwards to achieve enlightenment and know how they are supposed to live pure lives (Gombrich 126). Moreover, this belief has no words and it derives its practice thought the use of symbols and this means that meditation is an important part of developing enlightenment and seeking salvation from their supreme being.
According to this school, Buddhas have an external connection to the outside world but internally they are connected to the spiritual realm. However, this class is divided into two sections with one basing its arguments on a middle ground that does not recognize the existence of middle grounds but rather the relative positions of individuals. Another subdivision emphasized on the need to practice yoga as a way of attaining fulfillment. Therefore, death does not bother individuals when they practice yoga and this gives them the assurance that their future places are safer that this world. This class claims that people who sacrifice their enlightenment to help others achieve theirs usually attain the highest Bodhi.
Vajrayana is the most complex class of Buddhist thoughts because it covers a lot of aspects. It claims that sometimes the mind is in a stable state that can be used to transform its way of thinking and emphasizes the need for death yoga to prepare individuals for what they are supposed to do when they die (Gombrich 128).
Cessation of Rebirth
Jainism is a form of Buddhism religion that advocates for non-violence living and stipulates that all living things should be equal and spiritually independent. This means that it advocates for people to be offered the freedom of worship and allowed to live independent lives. Followers of this religion believe that self-discipline and non-violence are indispensable if individuals want to achieve liberation (Mittal and Thursby 98).
Members of this faith believe that people who destroy their karmas usually achieve knowledge, perception, power and bliss that will never end. Therefore, they become powerful and assume a status of demigods called Jina and this enables them to avoid suffering rebirth again. These followers believe that there is no God and that they do not have the power to manage the world or people because these issues operate under their own powers and laws (world-cosmic people-karmic). Therefore, the souls of all Jinas can retain their identities even if there is a high level of destruction of ordinary people and souls. These believers worship 24 Jinas and believe that this is the only way they can achieve liberation.
They argue that anybody can become a Jina if the person decides to be enlightened and abandon worldly things. Therefore, they encourage more people to be enlightened so that the number of Gods can become innumerable and stronger that other spiritual forces (Young 34). There are no reincarnations in this belief because Jinas are gods and they are already liberated from rebirth; therefore, they do not have to fear death. They believe that the universe consists of the earth, heaven and hell and thus their souls are reborn through karma and wait for liberation and enlightenment (Young 54). The state of an individual after rebirth depends on the karma of his life and thus a person may be reborn in heaven, hell or earth and even become a lower or upper life form and he becomes a god with omniscience and omnipotence powers after undergoing full liberation.
Jinas believe that people are never born evil but this occurs because they have the free will to do what they want. Therefore, they experience circles of rebirths that enable them to continue committing evils as their karmas haunt them. However, they can be liberated and become Jinas if they get rid of all karmas and release all attachments that attract them to evils. Therefore, they become gods and this allows them to have limitless power, happiness, perception and knowledge that will help them to live pure lives (Mittal and Thursby 100).
Liberated individuals must follow the three steps of right faith, knowledge and conduct to avoid developing desires for worldly things and ignore things that do not contribute to their happiness and righteousness. There is the need for Jinas to repent and confess regularly to ensure they do not deviate from the normal way of living. These believers agree that suffering occurs because of past mistakes and thus people must always make sure they burry their karmas to avoid remembering painful histories (Young 68).
In addition, it also occurs when people attach themselves to worldly pleasures that hide their liberation. Those that are not fully liberated must do so to ensure they are free of any issues that may expose them to suffering. They advocate for heterosexual relationships and argue that homosexuality leads to negative karma that haunts individuals and their future generations; therefore, it should be avoided.
Sikhism
This religion was developed by Guru Nanak in the 15th century in Asia and it is the 5th largest religion in the world. The main teachings of this religion are based on the belief of oneness of God. Sikhs are supposed to have spiritual and physical powers that will ensure they live a holy life that will promote unity in their religion (Aftab 309). On the other hand, Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammad. Sikhs worship in Gurdwara and this place is open to all members from different religions. They do not have special places to worship like temples, churches or mosques because they believe that god is everywhere.
The origin of Islam can be traced to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that God is the only creator and can control the universe. In addition, they believe that prophet Muhammad was Allah’s messenger (Lopez 138). On the other hand, Sikhs believe that God works with their Gurus and this means that they have supernatural powers. The Islamic doctrine is governed by the five pillars that ensure Muslims worship one God, pray five times daily, fast, give help to the marginalized and travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
On the other hand, Sikhs believe in daily prayers and respect the three pillars that ensure they remember and thank God always, live honest lives and share wealth with the poor. Both religions respect and belief in the existence of one god. In addition, they have pillars that guide and strengthen their faiths. Moreover, they respect women and advocate for equality in everything they do. This explains why members of these religions usually attend their services together and they do not discriminate women (Aftab 314).
In addition, they all believe that life has an end even though Sikhs take a longer journey than Muslims. Muslims believe that there is judgment after life ends on earth and people will go to heaven or earth depending on their deeds. Sikhs believe that there is life after death; however, people must go through several liberations and rebirths before they meet their God (Lopez 141). These religions highlight the plight of the marginalized groups in the society and thus they advocate for sharing of wealth and resources between the poor and rich. Members of these religions are supposed to treat others (including non-members) with respect and help them when they are in need.
The histories of these religions are easy to trace because they were founded by individuals. It is necessary to explain that Islam and Sikhism have their origins in the Middle East and that is why most people argue that they are similar. The issue of reincarnation makes Sikhism to be unique because it borders on rebirths and end of life that is very far. In addition, lack of information about the future of life after rebirths makes this religion to be like others that do not explain what will happen after the end of life on earth. It is necessary to explain that all religions have similar explanations that when life ends on earth it will start in another form in different place. This is the only instance where all religions share similar views. In addition, they all explain that there is heaven, earth and hell; therefore, their followers must behave properly to ensure they do not live a life full of suffering after the judgment day.
Works Cited
Aftab, Tahera. Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: An Annotated Bibliography and Research Guide. Leiden: Brill, 2008. Print.
Gombrich, Richard. Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benares to Modern Colombo. London: Psychology press, 1988. Print.
Lopez, Donald. Asian Religions in Practice: An Introduction. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1999. Print.
Mittal, Sushil and Gene Thursby. Religions of South Asia: An Introduction. London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Olson, Carl. Original Buddhist Sources: A Reader. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2005. Print.
Young, Serinity. Dreaming in the Lotus: Buddhist Dream Narrative, Imagery, and Practice. New York: wisdom, 1999. Print.