Stephan Prother's God Is Not One

In Stephan Prothero’s novel, God is Not One, he explores the unique beliefs and practices of Buddhism. In this chapter, Prothero highlights Buddhism's central themes, including the acknowledgment of suffering (Dukkha), impermanence (Anicca), no-self (Anatta), and the pursuit of Nirvana. The fundamental aspect of Buddhism is that the cycle of rebirth is undesirable because life is suffering. Their goal therefore is to extinguish suffering and achieve Nirvana. Nirvana is achieved through moral conduct, meditation, and wisdom.

Smith discusses in chapter two four things that people want according to Hinduism as part of the four legitimate ends of life, these are: pleasure, success, responsible discharge of duty and liberation. The first want is “pleasure,” meaning people often seek immediate happiness and “to the person who wants pleasure, India says in effect: Go after it—there is nothing wrong with it” (Smith, 1991). Along as it does not harm others in the process it is acceptable; however, pleasure is often seen as trivial and a private goal for one’s self. There is more to want which leads to the next goal, worldly success.

In the introduction of Stephen Prothero’s God is Not One he proposes and answers some different questions that tend to come up when dealing with religion. One, a belief that a lot of people have, is that all religion is the same but with different practices to reach a similar goal. Some of those that follow this idea, think that every religion is just worshipping one God with many different names. Others believe that religions are based and try to achieve goodness and peace within their society. Prothero suggested that the reason people are thinking like this is because of modern feelings towards wanting to be open and understanding to other religions while also keeping your own. So the best way to do that is to make a similarity between things

The individual is set free from the positive, negative and neutral effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. This ideology represents the final goal of Buddhism. Every Buddhist wants to reach

Huston Smith, explores, the various processes in which man could transcend the austere and lucid form of being to a more enlightened one. Smith, explores this notion, in the context of religion, and mainly the various religious traditions and practices that attempt to enlighten and save one's soul from the allencompasing, worldly, goods and desires. Smith’s arguments, tremendously, revolve around the notion of ‘transcendence’ and the important role of religion in facilitating the enlightenment of the mind and soul. This notion of transcendence is evident in almost all religions (however, mainly South Asian) i.e. Hinduism (Moksha) and Buddhism (Nirvana) these form of transcendence do not only differ in terms of the linguistically, but most importantly, in the ways at which they can be achieved. I believe that Hinduism does in fact facilitated the move from imperfection to perfection, however I would like to emphasises the notion that various other forms religion may play a similar role in transforming one's soul for the better. Therefore, in this paper I will explore the inevitable and vital role of religion (hinduism) in transforming one's soul, whilst simultaneously providing that basis to other

Different from other religions, Hinduism presses biology and the Divine are one (48, 51). This is expressed through the following and belief of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva, is an absolute cosmic being and the sheer life force. Shakti is the absolute power of the universe the whole of the cosmic their progeny (48). Hinduism has several variations that make this religion very complex to understand; to simplify this “way of life,” simply think Dharma; while it’s a broad term in Hinduism it is very important. Summed as the moral behavior of an individual and becomes known as, rita, when this behavior is in accordance with the cosmic order (49). By practicing dharma, one upholds the social order. In dharma, one is constantly reflecting and self-correcting in any areas of opportunity for improvement. So dharma can be viewed as the saying, you reap what you sow. This “leaping out” or “skimming to a different level,” leading us then to moksha, which is a final quest in the life path of Hinduism (49). According to the Laws of Manu, dharma and moksha, are just two of the four goals of life, listed here in order of

There are three main gods in Hinduism: - Brahma is what Hindus believe who create the world. - Vishnu is what Hindus believe takes care of the world. - Shiva is what Hindus believe is the destroyer. - Brahman is what Hindus believe is the energy that is everywhere. Hindus tend to believe that Vishnu appeared on earth 4 times to save the world from demons, naturel dis and mean/cruel people.

Hindus believe in an everlasting soul (atman) that is reincarnated almost intact from birth to birth, and through spiritual practice Hindus seek release (moksha, also known as liberation) so that the soul can join with the Divine God, known as Brahmin.

Hindus often insist that Hinduism is more “a way of life” than a system of beliefs. Despite Hinduism’s beliefs diversity, there are common core concepts in which almost every Hindu believes. The first concept in which every Hindu believes is the law of Karma, which determine the nature of one’s incarnations in samsara, which is the continuing cycle of death and rebirth. At the end of this cycle, there is moksha, or liberation, which is the final release from the trials and tribulations of samsara. There are a variety of approaches to the goal of liberation, they are categorized in three paths also known as margas.

After completing the readings from this unit’s studies, the Capella University Library was accessed. Of great interest related to nursing practice and case management is the ability to determine a member’s health care literacy and health care needs to determine how the care, providers, medications, and lifestyle factors are impacting individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease. Consequently, a research article to understand how individuals with multiple sclerosis, MS, express their emotional difficulties within the context of family relationships was chosen for this assignment (Reade, White, White, & Russell, 2012). Using the article, Framework for How to Read and Critique a Research Study,” the following evidence from the article was determined (Kaplan, n.d.). First, the chosen article, “What Would You Say? Expressing the Difficulties of Living with Multiple Sclerosis,” from Capella’s library

First, let it be known that Hinduism is highly diverse. It has monotheistic aspects and polytheistic aspects, depending on the fundamentals and worshipper themselves. Monotheism is defined as the worship of God as a unity (M.H.D.). Polytheism is defined as the worship of God as a multiplicity (M.H.D.). Hinduism is said to be both things. Hindus believe that there is a Supreme God, which multiple other deities are derived from (BBC, 2009). This is a main link to most indigenous religions.

Hinduism is a vast and very complex religion to comprehend and consists of various different branches of philosophies. Although it is considered that Hinduism does not necessarily have one text that provides the guidelines for the contemporary Hindu devotee, like the Bible does for Christians, but there are a few scriptures that help identify the ultimate goal for the followers of Hinduism. The Upanishads try to exemplify the message of obtaining the righteous path as much as possible with rooting its context to the most ancient Hindu text, the Vedas. Tying both of these scriptures together the main purpose of a practicing Hindu is laid out; which is being able to obtain moksha, or liberation, from

Although, Hinduism might be regarded by some as a polytheistic religion in its most basic form Hinduism is based around one deity. The Brahma is the god that all of the other gods are derived from and each god is a manifestation of the one being. There are four other main deities, aside from Brahma,

The history of Hinduism is arguably the most complex of all major religions. Like any other religion, Hinduism has been and continues to be sculpted by cultural influences. But what distinguishes Hinduism from all other major religions is its innumerable gods, untold amount of scriptures, and countless rituals, all of which have evolved over the years. Even of the principle gods in Hinduism—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, who compose the Hindu triumvirate and who handle the creation, upkeep, and destruction of the world—people hold broadly different beliefs.

“The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others.” This quote by Mahatma Gandhi proves how many Hindus found their way in life by creating and forming their own movements of Hinduism. These movements are called reform movements. Hinduism is a very large and broad religion focused mainly in the regions of India. With four major reform movements the face of Hinduism ha managed to change in many different ways. The Brahmo Samaj, the Arya Samaj, the Ramakrishna Mission, and Ghandhi’s “Satyagraha” are the four major movements the help form the smaller movements and change the face of Hinduism. This is necessary in today’s world because it allows every human to feel a sense of