Blog Entry #7: Telling My Humanities Story

2021 Books in Review, 

 Hello! I haven't read that many books this year as the books that I have read are textbooks from classes that I took. Although there are only a few I felt like I learned a lot from reading the books that were provided. 

Hawley, Jack. The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners. New World Library, 2011. 

• In this version of the Bhagavad Gita, Jack Hawley is able to do an amazing job at translating the infamous scripture the Gita which has been around for many generations into English. This book contains various spiritual knowledge and even divine revelation that has been around for centuries with its origin stemming from a story that would eventually turn into a movement. I would recommend this book to the people who are interested in not only religion but also the progression in ones' spiritual journey. Although it is a scripture with religious content, it can also provide a new perspective on how to live ones life that can be beneficial. 

Howard-Pitney, David. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s
and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004. 

• In this series of brief documents it will go over the two of the most influential human rights activist who were prominent figures during the civil rights movement in 1954 through 1968. This book provides documents and speeches that shows the ideologies between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. Although both men were known to have different views, this book will go over how similar they actually were in the goal to achieving freedom for African Americans. Of course it would also go over the struggles and obstacles that African Americans had to deal with in America as racism was evidently present in the systems. I would recommend this book to everyone as it provides a better understanding of how African Americans were being treated in the systems of America. It provides you a new perspective on how America in which it notions the freedom for all is actually just a facade from the beginning.  

Theme Project,  

What I liked the most about the project was that I was able to go back to each unit to review all the information that I had learned. It was somehow a way to refresh all the knowledge that we had learned so far throughout the semester especially having to incorporate our theme to the arts, ideas, skills, and institutions of each unit. The project took around 16 hours for me to complete it. 

Telling My Humanities Story, 

In the beginning of this class, my expectations were to explore the region of Asia and its foundations. My goals were to get a better understanding of the cultures and beliefs of each country. Now that we're at the end of the semester I definitely feel like I've learned a lot about the humanities of ancient Asia specifically the religion or beliefs of the people which interested me the most about the class. I believe that people are essentially just a culmination of beliefs as they would live their life through the way of which they believe is right. I was able to learn how not only the role of religion but also how other themes contributed to the arts, ideas, institutions, and skills of a society which would expand my knowledge on the topic. Overall, I really enjoyed Humanities 320 and would definitely take it again! 

In this video, it provides an amazing depiction 

                                                              of what humanities is all about. 

Blogging Museum Visit

 The museum that I was able to visit virtually is the National Museum of Asian Art. The work of art that I chose is the Buddhist sculpture of the deity named Aizen Myo-o in Japan. Although the artist is unknown, the time period of this sculpture dates back to the Kamakura period of the year 1293 after reaching its peak when the Mongols failed twice to invade Japan in 1274 and 1281. 

Buddhist sculpture of
the diety Aizen Myo-o, dated to
the Kamakura Period, 1293

The article "Aizen-Myoo: The Esoteric King of Lust: An Iconological Study" published by Artibus Asiae Publishers goes over the origin of the Buddhist deity Aizen Myo-o also known as Ragaraja.

 The deity would be a part of the iconography group called Kings of Esoteric Knowledge within the late phase of Buddhism which were thought to be "conceived as embodiments magical spells (mantra) but soon they were regarded as representations of Magical or Esoteric Knowledge" (Artibus Asiae, 8).

 Aizen Myo-o is seen to have 6 arms with each holding a bell, a stick, a thunderbolt, a lotus, a bow and an arrow which would have "codified texts of ritual and of descriptive iconography" that developed over centuries of year (Artibus Asiae, 17). With 6 arms, Aizen Myo-o also has red skin which in Buddhism usually shows expression in emotion and excitement. 

In other context, the color red symbolizes the Buddha Amitahba (Amida) and together with the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara would be the embodiment of  the central virtue of Compassion (karuna) (Artibus Asiae, 17). The lion headdress on the other hand would indicate that Aizen Myo-o possesses the strength of the five wisdom Buddhas as his three eyes are able to see the "three realms" of desire, form, and non-form. Overall, Aizen Myo-o is among the complex figures in the pantheon of Esoteric Buddhism, the mystical interpretation and practice of the belief system founded by the Buddha.

A colored image of 
Aizen Myo-o also known as
Ragaraja 

 I chose this art work because it would relate to my theme of religion as this is affiliated with Buddhism in Japan. As religion is seen to affect the arts, ideas, skills, and institutions, the Aizen-Myo-o sculpture is an example of an art and idea that has been influenced by religion specifically Buddhism. While viewing this artwork I was pleasantly surprised as the sculpture is very detailed from the items that he is holding to the Lotus flower he sits on. I would love to visit an actual museum next time to see the art work in its actual form and how the multiple themes correlate to each one. 

Works Cited

Aizen Myo’o | the Powers That Be - Shirleytwofeathers.com. https://shirleytwofeathers.com/The_Blog/powers-that-be/aizen-myoo/. 

Goepper, Roger. “Aizen-Myōō: The Esoteric King of Lust: An Iconological Study.” Artibus Asiae. Supplementum, vol. 39, Artibus Asiae Publishers, 1993, pp. 3–172, https://doi.org/10.2307/1522701.

“17 Educators: Arts of China, Painting Ideas: Chinese Painting, Chinese Art, Painting.” Pinterest, 18 Nov. 2016, https://www.pinterest.com/freersackler/educators-arts-of-china-painting/. 

Blog Entry #6 : Telling the Story of Buddhism in Japan

Rinzai and Soto Buddhism, which would focus
on Zen 

    In chapter 19 entitled "Zen Buddhism", Bresnan talks about how Buddhism had transported to Japan where it had flourish into Zen-oriented Buddhism. A Tendai scholar-monk named Myoan Eisai would attempt to reform and integrate Buddhism into his own called "school of the Buddha mind" although he claimed to still be a Tendai monk (Bresnan 490). 

    This would create two of the most popular Zen Buddhism practiced in Japan known as Rinzai and Soto Buddhism (Bresnan 491). Rinzai Buddhism would seem to be favored by the ruling class and the government while Soto Buddhism catered to the common and working class people. 

The Rinzai Zen Sangha

The first part of question 4 asks, "Why do you suppose that the samurai aristocracy in Japan took so fervently to Rinzai Buddhism?".

    Rinzai Buddhism was favored by the government and the emperor's court because of this it was evident that it would appeal to the ruling class as well (Bresnan 491). The ruling class in Japan during this time was a warrior nobility, the samurai who would use the Rinzai Monasteries "which men trained from time to time in the disciplines of  Zen" (Bresnan 492). 

    The samurai class would take liking to the teachings of Rinzai Buddhism "with its emphasis on simple virtues, self-discipline and self-reliance" as it would correlate with the tradition of the samurai known as "bushido" (Bresnan 492).

 Bushido being the "way of the warrior" would emphasize basic virtues such as protection of the weak and respect for traditional institutions. 

The second part of question 4 asks, "For that matter, why did they not feel just as fervent about Soto?".

The samurai class would not feel fervent about Soto because as it also catered to the working class Soto Buddhism seemed to have been ridiculed by how much it emphasized meditation (or known as zazen). Although Rinzai Buddhism also focused on zazen, it would become the main focus for Soto Buddhism. 

    Rinzai Buddhism would practice a stylized manner of koan contemplation which are questions that defies rational answers believed to help achieve enlightenment. Rinzai Buddhism which took a dynamic and energetic approach to zen caught the attention of the samurai ruling class compared to Soto Buddhism which took more of a contemplative approach (Bresnan 497). 

    

Works Cited 

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018. 

O'Brien, Barbara. “What Is Linji Chan Buddhism?” Learn Religions, Learn Religions, 8 Mar. 2017, https://www.learnreligions.com/linji-chan-rinzai-zen-buddhism-449941. 

Blog Entry #5: Telling the Story of the Silk Road

The Silk Road, How Buddhism 

spread along the Silk Road

   

    Something that I learned that was in the text Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought by Bresnan that was not in the video The Silk Road: Where East Met West is the flourishment of Buddhism in Changnan, now known as Xian and its survival to current times (Bresnan 379). Learning this information has changed my perception on the value of religion amongst human society and how it can be a timeless concept. 

The Silk Road, established during the 

Han Dynasty of China in 130 BCE 

which lasted until 1453 CE

In the text Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought by Bresnan goes more in depth with the travel of Buddhism through the Silk Road in comparison to the video.

     In the text, Bresnan states that Buddhism had established and flourished in the Xian region for centuries before it came to an end. 

    Buddhist monasteries were also established containing various Buddhist art and scholarship, many that were homes to monks.     Although coming to an end after more than a millennium years these monasteries were discovered once more making the once-thriving Buddhist culture a revived one in China (Bresnan 379).  

    Something that is interesting about the topic is that Buddhism was able to resurface as something completely new although it had been practiced for centuries. Although it was that a part of the distant past it was not looked down upon but rather it was of high value and provided "new" information that would trigger the cycle once more as fragments of the translated Pali Canon from the second century CE reemerge.   

Works Cited 

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018. 

How Did Buddhism Spread along the Silk Road - YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLpaugzqqug. 

Mark, Joshua J. “Silk Road.” World History Encyclopedia, World History Encyclopedia, 11 Nov. 2021, www.worldhistory.org/Silk_Road/#:~:text=The%20Silk%20Road%20was%20a%20network%20of%20ancient,Routes%20%27%2C%20though%20%27Silk%20Road%27%20is%20commonly%20used. 

Blog Entry #4: Telling the Story of Daoism and and Confucianism

Symbols that are used for
Taoism/Daoism and Confucianism.

  In the text Awakening: An introduction to the History of Eastern Thought, Bresnan goes over the two non-Buddhist religions Confucianism and Daoism in chapters 13 and 14. 

  Although these two religions are not related to Buddhism they were able to act as support factors in developing it. Both  Confucianism and Daoism believed that "restoring humantity's proper harmony within the natural order" is the most important matter although they would differ in the way to achieve it (Bresnan 338). 

Philosopher Confucius

In chapter 13 question #2 asks, "What did Confucius mean by saying that human society had gotten out of harmony with the larger natural order that it is a part of? Would you say the same thing is true today? How so?" 

    When Confucius said that human society had gotten out of harmony with the larger natural order it meant people had lost touch with nature.As people are also nature Confucius thought that people should not be in conflict with nature.

     He believed that "evil and selfish acts are a corruption of the innate tendency of man's nature to be in harmony with the universal order" therefore the only solution would be a society that is properly led and properly ordered (Bresnan 308).

    I would agree with Confucius that people are indeed not one with nature in fact we are actually destroying it, literally. The causation would be because of selfish acts as one does not think for all but only for their own benefit. 

In chapter 14 question #3 asks, "How does the Daoist Superior Person differ from the Confucian Superior Man? Do they have anything at all in common? Which one do you find more appealing? Why?"

    To be the Daoist Superior Person one must first be in full harmony with Dao which essentially means that of "not forcing" but instead going with the flow (Bresnan 340). Achieving harmony with Dao one's life must then be an embodiment of "wu wei, who cares nothing about fame and fortune " (Bresnan 341). 

The person who fulfills both these principles would be that of whom Daoists would consider to be a Superior Person. Differing from the Confucian Superior Man, the Daoist Superior Person is "completely natural and goes with the flow of life without excessively trying to control it" (Bresnan 342).

 The Confucian Superior Man would show contradiction as its goal to reach harmony is that of which is not natural. Confucian believed that the new ruling elite would not be based on birth and wealth but instead on demonstrated knowledge and compassion (Bresnan 346). The Daoists believed that people are neither good or evil and so stating that man is "good" it necessarily gives rise to "evil" (Bresnan 346).   

Although there are differences both the Daoist Superior Person and the Confucian Superior Man shares the same goal that of which to be one with nature in harmony. I find the Daoist Superior Person more appealing because it emphasizes the awareness that there is always a balance to something. It provides a more open philosophy compared to the Confucian Superior Man.  

More about the Daoist Yin-Yang symbol

Works Cited 

Bresnan, Patrick. Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.

“Confucianism Symbols and Their Meanings.” Symbol Sage, 16 June 2021, symbolsage.com/confucianism-symbols-meaning/.  

The Hidden Meanings of Yin and Yang - John Bellaimey - YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezmR9Attpyc.

 

Blog Entry #3: Telling the Story of Buddhism

 

Shakyamuni Buddha

In the text Awakening; An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought, it goes over the division in Buddhism such as the Buddhist traditions Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism and their differences. Theravada Buddhism being defined by the Pali Canon was important as its sutras were "the fundamental teachings and practices of Buddhism" that were written down and preserved for centuries (Bresnan 244). Mahayana Buddhism on the other hand orally passed down their sutras that is fundamental "with the spirit of Buddha's teaching" eventually incorporating it into the Prajnaparamita (Bresnan 266).   

The two traditions are different in the way they interpret the path of enlightenment. Theravada notions that, "the only person willing to dedicate his or her life" is the only "realistic hope of achieving Nirvana" which were usually monks (Bresnan 252). Contrarily, Mahayana Buddhism rejects this idea as they think it is, "too rule-bound, too elitist, and too narrow in scope" believing that Buddha's teaching should be available for all sector of society (Bresnan 296).  

Aum or also spelled Om symbol, Hinduism Symbol

In chapter 11, question 8 asks "What was happening to Theravada Buddhism that opened the way for a revolutionary new movement, ultimately to be known as Mahayana?".      

After the rule of Ashoka, Theravada Buddhism had started to decline in popularity as now the Indian population was mostly filled with poor families who were still holding onto traditional beliefs and traditions. Although Buddha intended that his teachings were for everyone it was clear that Buddhist were only being people from better educated upper classes. In effect, the hardworking rural people "were not attracted to a philosophy that must have seemed lofty and esoteric to them..." (Bresnan 260).  

The rural people saw Theravada Buddhism as a way that, "turned its back on traditional beliefs and ceremonies" which shows that, "Hinduism was giving new life to the traditional way and beliefs" (Bresnan 260). This led to the revolutionary movement within the Buddhist community in India with a new interpretation of Buddhism which would soon be known as Mahayana Buddhism (Bresnan 260). 

Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism 

In chapter 12, question 5 asks "How does the nature of Shakyamuni Buddha change from Theravada to Mahayana? How do you make sense of that enormous transformation?". 

The nature of Shakyamuni Buddha changed from Theravada to Mahayana by turning Buddha into "a godlike being whose feet are far removed from the dusty earth" (Bresnan 269). The nature of Buddha is stated in The Doctrine of Trikaya which taught that Shakyamuni was just the incarnation of "Buddha" who is a "transcendent being, the embodiment of wisdom and compassion" (Bresnan 271). In addition Buddha is an embodiment of enlightenment and there exists a paradise known as the "Buddha-realm" where there are multiple Buddhas and devotees present throughout time (Bresnan 272).  

I believe that parts of Hinduism was incorporated in Mahayana Buddhism as we can see similarities between Buddha with Krishna and Vishnu. They were both embodiment of an eternal being that came to provide teachings of achieving enlightenment and even many Hindus see Buddha as the incarnation of Vishnu. The reveal of Buddha's true identity was also that of similarity with Krishna's as Buddha appeared to be millions of light rays and Krishna as millions of figures.

 It seems like there has been a full cycle in beliefs and traditions throughout time as we see aspects of Hinduism being integrated in Buddhism. Hinduism as a religion definitely played a role in the culture of peoples daily lives.

Works Cited 

Hawley, Jack. The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners. New World Library, 2011. 

says:, Charles, et al. “Hindu Symbols, Meaning, Tattoos, Iconography, Signs.” Hinduism Facts, 31 July 2021, www.hinduismfacts.org/hindu-symbols/. 

Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism | World History - Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCA6ioTLw-Q. 

Blog Entry #2 Telling the Story of the Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita ; A Walkthrough for Westerner
In the story of the Bhagavad Gita by Jack Hawley it brings spiritual wisdom and inspiration through an event of which a man known as Arjuna is cornered in making an important decision. Through the help of a close friend, Krishna is able to guide him through this difficult stage in Arjuna's life making him "aware of his true reality" (Hawley 167). With series of spiritual knowledge given to Arjuna he is now able to  proceed with confidence unlike before.

                                        The Four Paths of Yoga, ways to be one with God                              

The story contains complex spiritual teachings that can pass as both religious and philosophical content. My first impression on the Bhagavad Gita was attention grabbing as it "is the bases, the source, the reservoir of practical spiritual knowledge from which others rise" (Hawley xii). This brings an important topic to the role of religion and how it shapes human society as it has been around for centuries.

As the Bhagavad Gita not only provide the teachings of spirituality but it also implement ranks and divisions amongst people in society. The people are divided into four groups called the Seers, Leaders, Providers, and Servers. As the text states "No particular group of people is superior to any other..." but the early civilization of the Indus shows differently (Hawley 159). 

It is evident that there was a caste system during the Vedic Age with similar ranks in correlation to the Bhagavad Gita but with the Seers at the top. Ranked at the top, the Seers are the gifted ones who can connect with God and this plays a crucial part in how important religion is during this time period. The Bhagavad Gita is impactful as people can not only use it for spiritual development but as a guide to social construction as well.

        

Bhagavad Gita, Krishna

 The Bhagavad Gita may appeal to readers as it brings multiple eye opening spiritual advices that can help benefit ones own spiritual journey. In the text it provides 4 pathways to obtain  unity with God which are known as Raja, Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti Yoga. 

 As all paths will lead you to unity with god it will teach one to   let go of their desires and worldly attachments. The text in depth   teaches one to how find true joy and peace by getting rid of desire, anger, and greed as those are the components that block us from reaching our True Self (Hawley 55). Achieving inner peace is anyones goal and can be beneficial to ones daily life. Overall, anyone can benefit from this book whether it be religiously or philosophically.

Works Cited

Blossom. (2020, August 2). Yotube . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3dbMlo971k.

Hawley, J. (2011). The bhagavad gita: A walkthrough for Westerners. New World Library.

Indus Valley Civilization Caste System. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2021, from http://world-history-education-resources.com/indus-valley-civilization/system-civilization-indus-caste.html.

The four paths of yoga. Trinetra Yoga. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://trinetra.yoga/the-four-paths-of-yoga/#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20main%20paths%20of%20Yoga%20%E2%80%93,integrated%20if%20true%20wisdom%20is%20to%20be%20attained.