REL. 0217
HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY #3
GROUP PROJECT INFLUENCES ON AND THE USE OF TIME AND MONEY HINDUISM / SIKHISM / BUDDHISM
Yervant Shallagian Ghassan Gharzeddine Maria Balabanian
HANDOUT
Buddhism 1. Education A Buddhist philosophy of education is based on a Buddhist social philosophy. No society will manage education without associating it with beliefs in regard to justice, freedom and equality. The system of education will be one of the systems relying on the social systems. Buddhist education should teach people to be good people and abandon any animal instincts and bad behaviors. Moreover, it teaches people the path to attain mental freedom. One of the way to carry out Buddhist education is to establish the Buddha as the primary philosophy and to derive an educational philosophy from that. The other way is to teach Buddhism in schools and institutions so as to enrich the youth with Buddhist teachings. This is a good way to train the youth to be good person and purify their mind with moral merits. But it doesn’t mean that we will make Buddhism as the basis of the system of education, but to reinforce the existing education system. The critical goal of Buddhist education is to attain wisdom. Buddhism believes that the ultimate of wisdom is inherent in each person’s nature, stating that everyone has the potential to achieve wisdom. However, the majority are distracted by misunderstanding and misconceptions, therefore, are incapable of being aware of this kind of potential. In this sense, Buddhism aims to teach us recognize the intrinsic part of human nature. Buddhist wisdom varies from individual to individual. It is related to the degree to which one’s delusion is and there is no inherent difference among all human beings. Buddhism helps us remove delusion and regain the wisdom to remove confusions of individual potential and achieve happiness. Buddhism considers deep meditation and concentration as the crucial factors in order to attain wisdom. Buddhism teaches the way of meditation and the mindfulness of concentration.
2. Work Right livelihood is the fifth step on the path. It is only natural and right that we should earn our living. Often, many of us don't particularly enjoy our jobs. We can't wait to get home from work and begrudge the amount of time that our job takes away from our enjoyment of the good life. Perhaps, we might wish we had a more glamorous job. We don't feel that our job in a factory or office is in keeping with the image we want to project. The truth is, that we should be glad of our job, whatever it is. We should form a simple relationship with it. We need to perform it properly, with attention to detail.
3. Leisure and it's Use “Work and leisure are complementary parts of the same living process and cannot be separated without destroying the joy of work and the bliss of leisure.”
4. Wealth "Middle way between extremes; Attachment to wealth does not bring happiness." As for his mentioned economic implications of Buddhist economics: impermanence requires the acknowledgment that wealth and possessions will not last and unduly attachment to these will only bring suffering. Causality is based on radiation, a function which suggests that the moral actions of a group of individuals can have a positive influence on the happiness and prosperity of the larger community in both the shortrun and the longrun. (1990, 1991). He concludes that poverty is in no way virtuous as it leads to immoral actions such as stealing and violence. Wealth should be attained and maintained, however, in the principle of Right Livelihood and the consideration of generosity. Generosity, he argues, causally leads to greater wealth and social status in the future
5. Drugs I’m going to wrap up the answers quickly, to help those who wonder if drugs and Buddhism are compatible: NO _ In Buddhism a person with a clouded mind will not be able to make wise decisions and will not have a firm grasp of the truth about the way things are, but medicine is not discouraged to be taken by an ill person as it drugs and alcohol are in the buddhist society.
6. Advertising Advertising stimulates economic activity, but often at an ethically unacceptable price. Advertising is bound up with popular values: advertisers must draw on common aspirations, prejudices and desires in order to produce advertisements that are appealing. Employing social psychology, advertising manipulates popular values for economic ends, and because of its repercussions on the popular mind, it has considerable ethical significance. The volume of advertising may cause an increase in materialism, and unskillful images or messages may harm public morality. The vast majority of ads imbue the public with a predilection for selfish indulgence; they condition us into being perfect consumers who have no higher purpose in life than to consume the products of modern industry. In the process, we are transformed into 'hungry ghosts,' striving to feed an everlasting craving, and society becomes a seething mass of conflicting interests. That said, advertising goes against almost every precept and attitude Buddhists respect.
Hinduism 1. Education The aim behind Hindu education is to build a person’s character by training body, mind and soul. It provides education for life, not only preparation for earning one’s livelihood. Intellectual achievements are not neglected, but they are considered inferior to the development of an integrated personality. In the recent ages it became less common to spend years under the guidance of gurus. The father and other elders in the family now carry the burden of being the role models and guide for sons; mothers for daughters. The change was that in our times education became job oriented and a major mean of achieving a better financial position and higher status. Because education became job oriented and because there is still many issues against working women, there is less pressure on girls to be educated; their preparation for the roles of married life often takes place exclusively in the home.
2. Work The Hindu caste system is a hierarchical model of division of labor in society. Brahmins were to be priests and teachers. Ksharriyas were to be kings, rulers, soldiers and leaders. Vaishyas were to be agricultural, traders and artisans. Shudras were to be low status artisans. All parts of this system are interlinked; each one has to do his duty. Any form of work is socially useful and valuable; however society valuated works differently in terms of status. Certain jobs aren’t done by Hindus. Some casts can have upward mobility; Brahmins can become cooks and traders. Upward mobility wasn’t allowed for lowers castes. Although, this system can sound and appear unfair, it gave security to lower castes, because those in high castes had responsibility and duty towards subordinates. Labor relations in India continue to be less aggravated than in the west because they are worked out in the context of Hindu values.
3. Leisure and it's Use The Hindu approach to leisure is closely related to the concept of education. There should be a balance of one’s activities; certain parts of the day should be given over to recreation and relaxation. Hindus tend to spend much time in worship, which brings relaxation and mental peace. Worship and social gatherings often go together. In India there is a great unemployment rate because of the seasonal nature of many jobs, so people do nothing but sit around and the time dozing. Or spend the time card playing, gambling and practicing some sports such as cricket. Time is also spent with the family, friends and relatives. Women have less time for leisure, but in India are less visible in public than men so it’s hard to assume.
4. Wealth The pursuit of wealth and power has a firm place as one of the aims of Hindu life, the only restriction on wealth is that it should be done in a righteous way. In the later life of a Hindu he should be expected to abandon the concern for wealth. However there should be a balanced approach, because excessive concern for wealth only is negative. In the classical model, the Hindu student is taught humility by being required to work for his guru, to beg food for him and himself and by the tough living conditions imposed on him. Householders, however, should be engaged in the gaining of wealth because the other parts of the society depend on him. This isn’t an argument to amount an unlimited wealth. Sai Baba of Shridi often demanded gifts from people who came to him, which is unethical for a holy man, but the he would instantly distribute this to the needy people. He regularly distributes food and clothes to poor people and Gandhi’s teachings. Individual detachment is apparent in the operation of the Hindu concept of joint family property. The ancestral property of a Hindu joint family does not belong to the head of the family, although he is the powerful representative of the family. Ownership rests in the family itself, a complex unit of up to four living generations and three generations of ancestors. The living members act as trustees. Nobody has a definite share unless there is a sort of partition, but fluctuating interests depending on births and deaths in the family. Whenever a Hindu owns more than needed for survival a question would arise what to do with the surplus. Giving away is considered to meritorious. This explains why the forms of begging have a firm root in the Indian culture. Accepting gifts should not become a habit; otherwise there would be no unseen merit. Hindus prefer to make donations to a good cause rather than a person because of people taking advantage of the tendency to give that Hindus have.
5. Drugs, Media and Advertising The use of drugs is not considered inappropriate in the Hindu context, but the same question arises as what is the limit. Several Indian states have introduced prohibition laws to control excessive consumption of alcohol, but this seems to be a growing problem in India which is difficult to control. If we take a look at drugs we find that the rich plant life of India produces many intoxicating substances which have traditionally been used in the context of science. Many forms of drugs continue to be used in India today, and it is very hard to determine if it’s medical treatment or drug abuse. Modern media, especially films have played an important role in spreading knowledge about Hindu concepts. The effect of the modern mass media is that it made Hinduism more widely available through the spokesmen of the faith. But we should stretch on the Hindu concept of truth, truth is sacred. Traditionally Hindus have not sought to advertise their faith to others. All over the world today prominent public speakers on Hinduism attract large crowds. However as among Hindus abroad, there is a marked increase in materialism and greed, with cruel consequences. If it becomes more important to individuals to amass wealth than to value human lives, something must be wrong. Here we should question the success of the teachings in terms of individual education.
Sikhism 1. Education Sikhism is an eastern religion. It is a monotheistic religion that originated in South Asia. Sikhs have their own traditions, beliefs, and values. Sikhs give importance to education. They encourage their children to seek their education to have a career afterwards. Mainly, the most important and influential careers are medicine and engineering. Teaching is also a respected career for men and women. Sikh means “learner” and the concept of Guru is the teacher which is the central to the faith. Children in Sikhism learn reading a writing; use scriptures to write Punjabi. Moreover, in Britain Punjabi classes are held to literate children their mother tongue and read the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak’s compositions reveal his understanding for Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic. As a conclusion, for Sikhs a central truth is their dependence upon God and each other.
2. Work Through education, Sikh could find their job. Sikhs give importance to their hard work, in order to settle and keep their families. On the other hand in the rural area, unmechanized economy of Punjab’s stillrecent past there was some work for everyone; even the handicapped had to work. The caste system in Sikhism mainly take part in leatherworking, especially shoemaker. From a religious part, it is not allowed for Sikhs to run nightclubs, sell alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco because this is against religion.
3. Leisure and it's Use Leisure is necessary element of life. Festivals, marriages, and agricultural cycle in Punjab are periods of recreation. Men and Women have different styles of dancing which is enjoyed by Sikhs. Rhythmic drumming, vivid costume, and humorous verses add fun. In their traditions, reading and singing the hymns of Guru Granth Sahib brings peace to the mind and spiritual refreshment. Leisure; however, should be enjoyed with morality and head. For instance, smoking is not allowed in Sikhism. Drinking and gambling is also prohibited. In the west, the elderly stays in a place, gurdwara, where they find fulfillment in acts of services. Paid or unpaid, to enjoy leisure Sikhs start business to develop their character. Those in paid employment must be willing to share with those whose equally hard work is unpaid.
4. Wealth Sikh teaching is realistic in its approach to wealth. All Sikhs have to work and share their earnings generously because poverty is not essential for holiness. They should give at least a tenth of their earnings to others. They usually in kind and not through money for example food or building materials. Rich people should honestly earn and not exploit the poor. Wealth in one life may be the karmic reward for virtue in a previous existence.
5. Drugs, Media and Advertising Sikhs in Punjab are increasingly aware of addictive drugs and their harmful effects on the individual and on society. Preachers and rulers speak out against drugs. These both include alcohol and drugs, because for Sikhism drugs and alcohol are prohibited. Intoxicants and tobacco are forbidden for Sikhs. If Sikhs break this rule, he or she will be patit (lapsed). However, the defenders of historic Sikh shrines, take an infusion of cannabis to assist meditation. Through these above mentioned influences and traditions, truthfulness is another important value for Sikhs. Sikhs have adopted all means of mass communication. One of the demands of Sikhs in the past was the installation of radio transmitters. Sikhs are minority and they are aware of the misinterpretations given by the media. Sikhs have publications that does not include political issues. After media, advertising is another issue for Sikhs. It is taught by Gurus. In advertising, Lobh (greed) and moh (attachment to worldly things) must be resisted. All advertisements and the statements used in advertisements must be true. Advertisements about alcohols, cigarettes, and drugs are contrary to the teachings of Sikhism.
Prepared By: Yervant Shallagian