We hear stereotypes everyday about religions, the thing I found common as far as a stereotype for Buddhism was with Jainism. I personally always thought meditation when I thought about Buddhism and the fact that majority of them practice celibacy, which is not something that is overlooked. I feel that many Americans think of Yoga (Hinduism) when they think of meditation as a way to relive stress, at least that is what I would imagine. In class we discussed the idea that when a person meditates they clear all things form their mind, they have no thought at all but how is that even possible I could not wrap my head around that concept but that is how they reach enlightment. Buddhist is not supposed to have any negative thoughts or think at all for that matter. In finding a picture or visual of some sort to embed it was not that hard to find, I found a clip for the Simpsons where Lisa provides the perfect example of Ahimsa.
The conversation began with Bart stating “How come you don’t get mad when I torment real animals” “I do it enrages me” Lisa said “I thought you Hindus were supposed to love everybody” “I’m a freaking Buddhist!” In this clip from the Simpsons the stereotype was made toward Buddhist saying that all Buddhist cause no harm to animals which somewhat true, however not every Buddhist will live up to this. The statement made by Bart saying how come you don’t get made when I hurt real animals was referring to Ahimsa, one of the principles of Jainism. Ahimsa is the principle of non-injury, doing no harm at all especially to animals Buddhist believe that all living things are connected.
In Brad Warner’s book Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate he talks about how Zazen (meditating) becomes your life he states “Meals are served in a formal style with a lot of chanting, and specific rules on how to eat, when to stop eating, and how to clean after yourself .. . . . . The idea is that even meals become Zen practices”(pg.122). I am not so convinced or sold on the idea of Buddhism because I feel as if you are living life but not experiencing it. In Hinduism you were able to reach liberation on your own time at your own paste while being able to experience life i.e. the four aims and when you were ready to move on you did, however in Buddhism there is celibacy, you barley eat, and you spend majority of your time meditating, your life to me is empty no excitement at all. Brad Warner proves my point when he talks about the sutra in chapter 8 he says “ All dharmas are marked with emptiness . . . no feelings, perceptions, impulses, or consciousness”. So what actually is the enlightment for them?
