Buddhism-To stay or not to stay?

Jenna Hall

In the US many different types of religions are practiced whether we recognize them or not. The US is a multicultural place however the majority of Americans identify themselves as Christians. I think it is important to know the dimensions of all religions before choosing one you personally connect with. Let me tell you a little bit about a religion I find fascinating on many levels. Buddhism is a religion that was brought to the west (San Francisco) in the late 1940s early 1950's. Buddhism was introduced in the form of Zen by Senzaki who was a Buddhist master. I think one reason Buddhism was appealing to people then was because the hippie and beat movement started to take a role in many people's lives. A revival of Buddhism is on the rise and I have many reasons why I think not only our country, but China and other countries who identify with Buddhism could benefit.

People chose to practice Buddhism because it is one way to attain ultimate freedom and enlightenment through a series of practices such as: prayers, sutras, meditation, yoga, and chanting. I think the more we can be proactive in our religion, the more we will apply it's lessons. One of the Buddhist beliefs is to always keep karma in mind. Karma is the what goes around comes around philosophy, and it's purpose is to be mindful of how you treat other people, animals, and things in order to better our society. Just think, if everyone kept these philosophies in mind, Wouldn't our world have the potential to be a moral, loving, and inventive place? Buddhism practices silence, art, meditation, yoga, and bettering oneself to then better the world. Technology does not rule all, and money is not the motive.

Now that I have given you a little background information on Buddhism and why I connect to its over all intention, I now want to tell you about it's revival present-day in China, hopefully spreading to other areas. Dharmapala, an Indian monk, stopped in Shanghai from the congress of religions in Chicago. He was taking a tour around china and his intent was to send missionaries to India to restore Buddhism and its all glory. He wants to start a propaganda throughout the whole world however, not just China. In way's China is holding true to Buddhism alone and keeping other religions out the best they can. The Buddhist monasteries put themselves under the watchful eye of Japanese monks in order to keep their properties safe.

Some of the activists trying endlessly to keep Buddhism around are arguing that “While Buddhism may be standing still or even dying in certain parts of China, it is showing new signs of life in provinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang and in the large cities. Such revival in centers subject to the influence of the modern world shows that Buddhism in China as in Japan has enough sufficient vitality to adjust itself to modern conditions.”(Hodus2). One thing leading to the revival is the reconstruction of the monasteries. The large cities of China are building activities, and something like this shows the monasteries are feeling a new wave of prosperity hopefully coming their way. Lectures and publications are also a widely effective way to spread the revival because it gets the word out to many areas. Not only monks but others are delivering lectures on the Buddhist sutras for those not willing to attend the lectures.

These are some present day activities showing the revival of Buddhism and the importance of people knowing why this religion deserves to be reawakened.

Works Cited

“Buddhism and the Buddhists in China.” Authoroma, 14 September 2011.

“Buddhism and Neuroscience.” Psychology today, 26 January 2011