Belief systems and ideologies use customs, rituals, sacred texts and ceremonies to communicate values and beliefs.Divided mainly as Religious and non-religious/political systems in that Belief systems require a central power, God, or deity/deities as the foundation of the system. The idea of a central being leading the adherents is of utmost importance as the teachings and beliefs are embodied in this figure as well as stories and myths of earth’s creation, and the purpose of human existence. However Ideologies are identified as social movements that serve the demands of contemporary society. They both apply to the adherents values and beliefs.
For instance in Buddhism, Buddhist’s express their values and beliefs and perception on the world around them through the use meditation, and chanting to cultivate mindfulness ritualistically and routinely. As well as following the teachings of the Drama, the and Pali Canon which consists of 3 discourses 1. ‘Sutra’ word of the Buddha 2. ‘Vinya’ dishpan of the ‘Sangha’/ The brotherhood, and the ‘Abidharma’ a set of creeds based on essential teachings) as a guide to follow ‘the 5 precepts’, ‘4 nobel truths’, ‘8 fold path’ and ‘the middle way’ to live out compassion and loving kindness in order to earn merit and reach inner peace and enlightenment to become a fully aware becoming the Buddha and to reach ultimate goal of going to Nirvana.
Buddhists at the micro level express their values and beliefs through participating in devotional meditation as individuals can channel intense focus on the world around them. Becoming aware of all things helps Buddhists slow down and reach inner peace as they are absent just for a moment from the hectic rapid current society carries adherents on. For instance the excursion to the Nan Tien Temple offered me enlightenment on a micro level as I feel I have let go of past grievances due to my intense focus on meditation whether it be eating, drinking, walking, writing, or sitting. Adherents also practice “Loving-kindness” and as Buddhist’s perceive life should be treated respectively. Buddhists also believe that they should follow ‘The Three Gems’, ‘The Four Nobel Truths’, and ‘The eight fold path’ To follow the Buddha’s Dharma of living ‘The Middle Way’. Contemporary Buddhist’s can apply this to their lives by living modestly only receiving what is necessary nothing more and nothing less.
In Tibet where the main school of Buddhism practiced is Vajrayana, it is believed that mantras bring out the adherents good vibes. If a mantra is repeated often enough it can open up the mind to a consciousness which is beyond words and thoughts. Whereas in Japan, the Mahayana strain adheres to Amida Buddha, also known as the ‘Buddha of Infinite Light’. Where those who believe and chant Amida’s name in prayer will go to the ‘Pure Land’ as well as within them. Whereas in Theravada school they believe that ‘Buddha should not be considered as God.’ They claim that Buddha being worshiped as a God distracts the adherent from their quest for self-improvement.(overcoming own selfish ways to rid of suffering to find inner peace) Thus it can be deduced that Buddhism really depends on the school the adherent belongs to as they hold different yet similar practices and rituals.
Buddhist festivals are universal occasions for instance on the night of the full moon of May marks ‘Vesak’ which commemorates the life of the Buddha in his birth, enlightenment and death. The Theravada school, the practices can only be observed by the laypeople as the honesty can only participate and receive enlightenment. However they may participate in limited chanting and meditation and listening to some sermons. In Thailand women clean their houses and hang garlands of flowers. The men take clean sand from the river bank and spread it over the temple courtyard. Communal ritual as the wish. Major ritual activities include offering incense, ‘lighting candles on paper boats through water to guide the souls of the deceased into the resting place’, Majjhima Nikaya offerings to the monks, confessions ‘Mahavagga’, fasting, and ‘Dana’ marriage offerings. ‘Untitled Worksheet’
b) Assess how the philosophy of ONE belief system or ideology you have studied impacts on collective and personal identity? (15 marks)
The notion of a belief system is to govern the adherents thoughts and offer a higher purpose, calling, or a theory to make sense of the world around them. However they can be distinguished as belief systems offer a transformative world view to the adherent integral to their personal identity.
This way believers individually or as a collective identity can underpin their identity and culture as the Belief system fulfils the ideological necessities of contemporary society. For instance Theravada Buddhism changed in that nuns were basically subordinates to the monks, serving domestic duties like preparing meals and eating their left overs whilst the monks received more nobel roles. Despite the Buddhist philosophy of women being equal to their male counterparts. However it was explained by Bob that gender roles within Buddhism is a very prominent one. Where women are neither inferior, superior, or equal to men, they imply serve different purposed within the belief system just as the integral organs in the body cooperate unanimously to create optimum conditions for the body to function. However it is believed that women in Buddhism accumulate “huge amounts of good karma [so] she might be reborn as a man.” ‘Untitled Worksheet’
However due to societies continuous changes in values especially regarding gender equality have occurred and are gradually being addressed. For instance Sister Dhammananda Bhikkhuni was the first ordained Thai female monk (in 2003). However she is not recognised by male monks as Thailand is the home of traditional patriarchal resistance to change. However as the philosophy of impermanence applies that the growing societal views of gender equality will catalyse the changes implemented in law and accepted by the contemporary society. Thus it is changes like these that impacts on collective and personal identity as if a belief system remains rigid it will drive away the innovative generations of adherents striving forth unwilling to follow their backwards path . On the other hand as Buddhism is also known as a way of life it is flexible and ever changing allowing all individuals to adhere to the belief system as it satisfies their ideological ideas of feminism. However it can be argued that some stains — the Mahayana school — are more accepting than others — Theravada devision —.
Buddhist philosophy of Karma where individuals earn merit through good deeds intentions, thoughts and actions to earn merit to reaching Nirvana. however Buddhist’s believe that if individuals make an active choice to be negative they will be reborn as ghosts who will never be fulfilled. They believe in the teachings of the Dharma the concept of God is fluid as Theravada’s collectively identify that the worship of a God is distracting in their path to inner peace. Where as the Mahayana division needs a central figure to believe in so the collective identity of the time cultivated an image of buddha so satisfy their needs at the time. It can also be argued that cultures globally have shaped Buddha to their standards of beauty, ignorer to relate to him thus impacting upon the individual as they are able to see themselves in Buddha and assist them in seeing that they to can receive enlightenment and become the Buddha. Through ‘The 4 nobel truths’, ‘The 8 fold path’, ‘The 5 precepts’
‘The 3 jewels’, ‘The middle way’, ‘Impermanence’. ‘Inner peace’, ‘Compassion’, ‘Loving kindness’ influence the lives of buddhists though physical and spiritual contentment.
According to the Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Sociology. “The Buddhist philosophy of impermanence has an excruciatingly important impact on collective and personal identity.” ‘Untitled Worksheet’. Belief system and ideologies hold values and ideas that shape peoples worldview. As a social institution, religious belief systems and secular ideologies establish a pattern of social action around these belief systems. The philosophy of the belief system influences the adherents actions, expression, socialising the members. The philosophy of the belief system or ideology is evident and expressed through symbols and rituals. Buddhism impacts on collective and personal identity as every ritual has underlying values, beliefs and philosophies. Buddhism rituals use stories and symbols and express a philosophy, Symbols, rituals, stories are significant link to philosophy, creates group identity and strengthens social bonds makes compliance with religious obligations the Sutta Pitaka (teachings of the Buddha) This contains the whole of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. It includes the Dhammapada which contains the essence of Buddha's teaching. the Abhidamma Pitaka (supplementary philosophy and religious teaching) The texts have remained unaltered since they were written down. Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition consider it important to learn sections of these texts by heart. Although these texts are accepted as definitive scriptures, non-Buddhists should understand that they do not contain divine revelations or absolute truths that followers accept as a matter of faith. They are tools that the individual tries to use in their own life.