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,..."

It is the mystery of life that makes people rely on religions. All the people who depend on religions follow it because they want to find out the mysteries of life, and truth of the beginning of nature. I think it is the mystery and the uncertain fact of nature and creation interests people to seek answers for. Some of these matters can be had to understand. So I think that people turn towards religions, which answer some of these questions. The Hindu law of Karma tell us that people are reborn into a lower or higher level of goodness. This partially explains where we go after death. I think people are willing to spend their time worshipping creations, like the Buddhist temples because they know by meditation they are clearing their minds. The Buddhists would worship their creations, the Buddha halls and the statue of the Bodhisattva so they could learn that they actually impact their lives. Like the monk in the temple told us, some people cured their cancer by praying to the Buddha. The worshiping of the creations would be for reaching Nirvana, and for worshipping the Buddha that would help you achieve your desires.

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..."

I practiced the silent meditation when everyone was asleep in the morning. I started meditating in my room, my own ‘fig tree’. While I was meditating, I kept my posture in a cross-legged form with my hands resting above my knees. There was nothing going on outside, because everyone was asleep. At first it was easy to concentrate because my room was silent. It felt as though my mind was like a black chalkboard. I could see nothing. I could only hear the sound of my steady breathing. After I started to hear the cars below on the streets,  I honestly started to think of concentrating, 'Tetris', completing the online portfolio, my shoulders and back hurting, Hagwon, and homework. It was harder to clear my mind once something entered it. This was because one thought lead to another continuously. When my ‘fig tree’ had complete silence, I could keep my mind blank from the world. I was able to clear my mind. But as a distraction reached me I would immediately turn my attention or thoughts to that particular subject. The meditation itself inspired me to calm myself down, play ‘Tetris’, complete my MRE homework, and to concentrate on one thing at a time. I’m guessing I attained right thoughts because I didn’t think of negative things, but the things that helped me in life. Right concentration was with me only for the first half of the meditation. However, the meditation inspired me to stay focused and concentrated. While meditating I was able to be aware of what I heard, for example the environment around me and birds tweeting. I think I was able to get a little of the right mindfulness. It’s true that I was able to realize the right thoughts, mindfulness, and concentration. But even though I could empty my mind at one point I couldn’t do it so that I could seek life’s truth. My mind was empty but there was no life’s truth in it. Although meditation was a hard process, I do believe it helps you achieve right thoughts, mindfulness, and concentration.