Write a Note on Glimpses of various Religions

Buddhism

Lord Buddha was born around 550 BC in Lumbini, in Nepal, as a prince named Siddhartha. Seeing the sorrow and despair of human being due to starvation, old age, diseases, death, etc., prince Siddhartha left his wife and son, and spent several weeks under Bodhi tree. Finally, he attained enlightenment and propagated a religion, called Buddhism. His followers were called Bhikshoos. They left their homes and established Sangha, an institution governed by the highest democratic principles. Buddhist philosophy preaches to avoid two extremes – life of self-torture and life of luxurious living. It advocates middle path of self-discipline through an eightfold endeavour, consisting of the following:

• Right understanding;
• Right aspiration;
• Right speech;
• Right conduct;
• Right vocation;
• Right effort;
• Right mindfulness; and
• Right concentration

Buddhism preaches to shed desires for pleasure, because desires for pleasure are the root cause of sorrow. Buddhism has laid down the following five concepts :

(1)     Ahimsa – Abstaining from any injury or harm to others, either through action, utterance, or inner thoughts.

(2)     Refraining from taking what does not belong to you.

(3)     Abstinence excessive indulgence in sense pleasures.

(4)     Refraining from falsehood and encouraging mutual trust and understanding.

(5)     Abstinence from intoxicants.

Buddha also stressed on the following :

(a)     Universal love and friendliness

(b)     Compassion

(c)     Empathy and joy in giving happiness to others

(d)     Being impartial and having an equanimity of mind

Jainism

Mahavir (Vardhamana) was the founder of Jainism. He was born around 540 BC. He was contemporary of Lord Buddha. He left his home in his twenties and gained enlightenment or “Jina”. Hence, the religion propagated by him is called JAIN. He was called 24^th Tirthanker. Trithanker is one who guides the disciples along the right path. Jains believe that theirs is the earliest religion and Vedas contain reference of Thirthankers. Jains have two sects – “Shwetambers (white clothed)” and “Digambers (naked)”.

The principles of Jainism are Ahimsa (non-violence), Satyam (truthfulness), Astiya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness). It teaches universal brotherhood and equality of all beings. The doctrines of Jainism can be summed up in the maxim “Ahimsa Paramo Dharam” (that is, non-violence is the highest religion). All rules of conduct are based on the mercy, which has the following four forms :

(1)     To perform kind acts without expecting any reward.

(2)     To rejoice at the well-being of others.

(3)     To sympathise with the distressed people.

(4)     To pity the criminals.

Additionally, five gateways of knowledge are as follows :

(i)      Mati                   : That which comes through five sensory organs.

(ii)     Shruti                : That which comes through listening from the learned.

(iii)    Avadhi              : Recognition of the events of the past.

(iv)    Mana Paryaya : Through what is in others’ thoughts.

(v)     Keval                : Pure, transcending all knowledge and precedes attainment of

“Nirvana”.

Jains believe in the theory of “Papa” and “Punya”. Untruthfulness, unchastity, anger, attachment, hatred, envy, backbiting, hypocracy, etc., result in “Papa”; while doing service with sincerity results in “Punya”. Monks’ duties include forgiveness, humility, avoidance of intrigues and deceit in speech and action, simplicity, austerities, celibacy and being truthful.

The path of “Nirvana” is the attainment through right faith, right knowledge and right conduct, as indicated in the scriptures.

Sikhism

Sikhism is a monoetheistic religion founded in 15th century in Punjab on the basis of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and ten successive Gurus. It is the fifth largest organised religion in the world. The system of religious philosophy and expressions has been traditionally known as ‘Gurmat’ (Counsel of Gurus). The teachings of ten Sikh Gurus and selected works of many devotees from diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds have been included in the holy scripture entitled ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

(1)       The principle belief of Sikhism is faith in ‘Wahe Guru’-, represented by the phrase ‘IK ONKAR’ – meaning one god.

(2)     The essence of Sikh teachings is summed by Guru NanakJi in these words ‘Realisation of truth is higher than everything in the world. Higher still is truthful living.’

(3)     It emphasises the principle of equality of all humans and rejects discrimination on the basis of caste, creed and gender.

(4)     It does not attach any importance to asceticism as a means of achieving salvation, but stresses on the need of leading life as a householder.

(5)     It emphasises that god is shapeless, timeless and sightless.

(6)     It believes in universality of God.

(7)     It states that God is omnipresent and is infinite.

(8)     It believes that God created the entire cosmos.

(9)     It stresses that God can be seen only from the ‘Inward Eye’ or through the ‘Heart’.

(10)   Devotees must meditate to progress towards enlightenment and reaching the ‘Supreme Soul’ – The God.

            Islam

Mohammed, the founder of Islam was born in 570 AD in Mecca. At that time, Arabs were following a variety of religions, worshiped stone idols and sacrificed human beings and animals to appease God. Mohammed believed in one God – Allah and laid the foundation of Islam — submission to the will of God. It is a religion of self-surrender and following the commands of God. It believes in Universal Brotherhood of Man. The cardinal tenet of Islam is: “Except Allah, there is no other God and Mohammed is the Prophet. Some of the teachings of Islam are as follows :

(i)      The true believer desires for others that he desires for himself.

(ii)     God will not be affectionate to those who are not affectionate to God’s creatures.

(iii)    He is among the most favourites of God from whom, the greatest good comes to His creatures.

(iv)    The best of man is the one from whom, good accrues to all humanity.

(v)     Feed the hungry, visit the sick and free the captive if he is unjustly confined to jail.

(vi)    Assist any oppressed person.

(vii)   Love thy fellow beings first.

(viii) Abuse no one and despise not anything good.

(ix)    Speak to thy brothers of good acts and kindness.

(x)     If a man reproaches you for what he knows in you, do not do the same for what you know of him.

(xi)    He, who masters himself when angry, is the strongest person.

(xii)   Do not take up arms except in self-defence.

Islam is a religion of sacrifice. It strongly prohibits application of force for its observance. Abuse, anger, back-biting, blood shedding, bribery, dishonesty, drinking, envy, flattery, greed, hypocracy, lying, violence, wickedness, etc., are not appreciated. Virtues like, brotherhood, charity, chastity, forgiveness, friendship, gratitude, humility, justice, love, modesty, truth, trust, etc., are appreciated.

These doctrines are well scripted in Quran, the Sonna, the Ijma, and the Qias. The true Muslim believes in the following:

• God and his angels.
• Scriptures and the apostles.
• Resurrection and the day of judgement.
• God’s absolute decree.

Other duties of Muslims are as follows :

(i)      Praying (offer Namaaz).

(ii)     Giving alms.

(iii)    Keeping fast of Ramadan.

(iv)    Haj-performance (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Christianity

Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ. He was a Jew, born in Nazareth, a small town of Galiliee. Psalms of Old Testament inspired him. Initially, he learnt in the preaching of John, the Baptist at Jerusalem. Idea which he propagated was that “kingdom of God is within all of us”, similar to the one in Vedas. He was called “The Son of God” by his followers. Christians believe that, after his death, Jesus Christ was bodily resurrected after three days; this day is known as Easter Sunday. Jesus taught the following percepts :

(1)     Love of God.

(2)     Charity with mind and heart.

(3)     Forgiveness.

(4)     No covetousness.

(5)     Light of god dwells in every heart and therefore love thy neighbour and love your enemy.

(6)     Service to others – Devote your life in serving others at the same time do your work with devotion.