Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

"If there was no God, it would have been necessary to invent him." - Voltaire (French Philosopher)

This quote by Voltaire summarizes why I believe people spend their lives believing in religion. I believe people believe in religion because they seek to solve life's countless mysteries. As there is no, one answer to life's mysteries, people turn to religion as their answer. For example, a common question that people of all ages ask is, "What happens when I die?" However, because no one knows and it can not be proven by any materialistic ways, people turn their attention to a spiritual view, they attempt to answer the question through religion. This is evident in many religions across the world. Christianity has taught me to believe that after I die, I will either go to Heaven or Hell. At Bongwonsa Temple, the Buddhist, who explained all the buildings, said, Buddhists believe in reincarnation until they reach the state of nirvana. They believe that, until they reach the state in they are free from suffering and desire, they will be born again into a lower or higher state. These beliefs prove that people believe in religions because they have the desire to understand life's meanings and mysteries.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

Although I had a basic guideline (the Eight-Fold Path), an extremely peaceful place, and was extraordinarily comfortable, I found it extremely hard to rid my mind of secular thoughts and achieving the right mindfulness. I had trouble concentrating on a topic for a long period of time and often found myself thinking of basketball or school or even food, even though I had just eaten dinner. Despite repeating the some of the quotes we learned during class, it proved to be no help to me. I am not sure why none of these procedures worked for me, it could be because it was slightly cold or because of the continuous city noises around me. However, none of these problems seemed to affect me too much while I was meditating. On the other hand, I did gain a little inspiration from my 20 minute meditation. During my meditation practice, I thought about the future and reminded myself that I am working not only for myself, but for everyone in my family, to make them proud. I believe this will motivate me mentally to do better in school and attain better grades.