Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2035196,00.html
The situation began a year and a half ago when a Pakistani Christian women, Aasia Noreen (now Asia Bibi) offered several other Pakistani women some water. They refused as they declared that the water had been contaminated because it was fetched by a Christian. Infuriated and defensive, rather than tolerating the insult, she retaliated back declaring her faith. Word of this quarrel quickly spread across the village stirring up controversy. The local mullah control and took the case to the mosque's loudspeakers, convincing his followers to take action against Bibi. Her defense of her faith was twisted into an accusation of blasphemy, according to her family and observers familiar with the case. They took her into custody immediately. But far from protecting her, they arrested and charged Noreen with insulting Islam and its prophet, Muhammad. She was sentenced to prison immediately. On Nov. 8, after living 18 months in prison, she was sentenced to death by a district court, making her the first woman ever to sentenced to death penalty under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Critics, feminists, religious groups, and even the Pope Benedict himself have all written letter and performed protests in defense of Bibi. However, as of now, she is still sentenced to this death sentence but the Pakistani government has yet to acquit her. Her husband and five children have fled to an enclosed Pakistani Christian community nearby - still, declaring her innocence. 


http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=64664
In a Pakistani news site, they have explained the same situation, referring back to what had happened and why exactly she had "breached" the blasphemy laws. The similarities in which they both have are the events that had taken place and what her consequences have been. However, the Pakistani have mentioned that the cleric of the mosque she was sent to after the incident had occurred, has offered 5,800 dollars to whoever is going to kill Asia Bibi. Obviously, being in a muslim country, this offer has been a positive aspect for extremists.


Islam is a religion in which they emphasize peace and love, so I ask them, is it not completely paradoxical to kill an innocent woman who was simply standing up for her own beliefs? Every woman is entitled to their own faith. Quite frankly, to me, Asia Bibi is a hero already. Rather than watching her faith get attacked and slammed upon, she decided to take a leap of faith and her courageous act is far more brave and respectable than anything that I have ever heard of. It is absolutely warped to not issue a pardon for an innocent woman...

Personal Commemoration- Reflection #7

It was less than about a year ago when I had the privilege of going to Europe for Christmas Break. My father took us to Munich, Prague, Berlin, and London. I had been to Europe in the past, having gone to Italy and Switzerland. However, at the time, I was too young to fully absorb and appreciate where I was. So this vacation (event) really opened my eyes to a whole new lifestyle that I never imagined myself being in. During the three weeks we spent in those four cities, I got to visit the historical places that shaped the countries' history. It was a time where I got to appreciate the great opportunity my family offered to me. To see the world on a greater scale, apart from my confined home of Seoul, was the greatest gift I could ever ask for. It marked the climax of my passion for traveling. 

This event will commemorate the great experience and opportunity that was given to me. It will last for three weeks starting from the Friday of the third week of December to the Sunday of the first week of January. Everyday during this time period, I will constantly remind myself of these words:

"I am blessed, I am privileged, and let the opportunities I am faced with in life cherish me in every way possible. Make good use of what I am given."

In order to commemorate this event, for the three weeks, the people that celebrate this commemoration event will have  to make a pilgrimage to a historical site that helped shape their nation. They will be modest and appreciate all the things in life that are given to them and they will be blessed. They will only eat three meals a day without snacking on things that are unnecessary as it is perceived as "waste" during those three weeks. 

Once those three weeks are over, each person is to repeat "I am blessed, I am privileged, and let the opportunities I am faced with in life cherish me in every way possible. Make good use of what I am given." They will recite this to each of their family members and thank them for all that they've provided. 

The Morality of Greek Myths- Reflection #6

CUPID AND PSYCHE

In this particular myth, Venus had ordered Cupid to shoot Psyche with an arrow that will make her fall in love with a poor, unmannered man because she was jealous of the fact that Psyche was so radiantly beautiful. However, as Cupid was attempting to do as he was told, he falls in love with Venus and he weds her in secret, not revealing his identity. Curiosity and words from her sisters soon lead Psyche to visit this mysterious man at once in the nighttime. So finally, one night, she crept into his bed chamber with dagger and a torch to finally uncover the truth. Cupid, infuriated, left her as he felt betrayed and told her that her love was all he asked for. 

The moral of this story deals with human consciousness. Psyche, already a princess herself, had all the wealth she could ask for. Yet, she found herself wanting more than what she can use. This exemplifies the greediness she exhibited. She didn't trust her husband though he provided so much for her. She was veiled under the belief that he was a monster that was going to come after her one day. Had she trusted Cupid and listened to him, she could have avoided pain on both parts. In certain circumstances, curiosity can do more bad than good. "Love cannot live where there is no trust." Cupid trusted Psyche but when she turned his back on him, Cupid flees.

Does curiosity actually kill? Well, not literally but curiosity leaves behind many consequences and it's a part of life's everyday mysteries. When is 'enough'? How far will one go to fulfill their curious desires? It is evident that the important virtues for the Greeks are trust, honesty, obedience, and selflessness. Without those core values, nothing is possible - they are that significant. 

Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Reflection #5

Creation and nature prompts humans to seek religion because it is completely natural. It connects the human soul to the earth, perhaps themselves to this earth we live on. People might spend their lives seeking out religious truth, nurturing faith or worshipping creation to simply answer their questions on life. They depend on these to reach their answer to life's truths or to reach a goal to be satisfied with their lives. They are ultimately devoted to seeking the answers that they are so dedicated to do what they have to do to reach that goal or to find that one answer. They nurture faith and worship creation to live their lives in the best way possible. They want to live to be the best person they can be to achieve a well-being life. For example, Hindus and Buddhists work their way to reach Nirvana. Hindus also believe reincarnation and because of this, they must be the best possible person they can be and live the "right" way in order to be reincarnated in a higher form. Confucianists, Taoists, and Shintoists seek religious truth solely to live a life filled with happiness and no wrong doings. 

During the field trip, we got to experience the rituals and lifestyle of dedicated Buddhists. The amount of effort they put into prayers and rituals is amazing. It is as if they are one with the prayer - dedicated enough to block out all other worries in life and focus on the one thing they are praying for. As mentioned before, instead of relying on factual evidence, religion is a way to escape that science-orientated world and just believe that the spirits will guide you to the answers you've been praying for.

Under My Own Fig Tree

Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

During the 20 minutes I spent in my apartment complex's park seated on a rock by the stream surrounded by trees, grass, and the sun beating down on my face was definitely relaxing. During the first five minutes of my meditation period, I was easily guided to letting go of all the troubles, I reminded myself that this was a time where I could seek life's truths without all of my obstacles interfering. However, those 5 short minutes were over once all my other emotions starting pouring in. Those hurdles kept me from seeking life's truths. Soon enough, the whole meditation process swept away from my mind letting my own life's thoughts and feelings take over. Those were the thoughts that I had trouble controlling in my mind - letting them roam around my head freely. It takes so much effort to completely let go and keep my right effort in mind. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved. I experienced that when I was not able to let go of my negative thoughts. It completely distracted my mind from the task. The right effort is preceded by right mindfulness and right concentration. Those three aspects had to be on my mind but I struggled to do so. My inspiration that I did receive was to completely let go and believe that I could concentrate in the right way the eightfold path directs us to. It isn't as easy as yes or no; it comes from the utmost self to have the ultimate effort to be in the right state of mind - seek life's truth. No more, no less.

Reflection #3- Gandhi: Hindu and Activist

Mahatma Gandhi was the paragon of a man who sacrificed himself for the goodness of others and for the sake of Hinduism. He emphasized his teachings and actions with peace and integrity. He treated everyone equally and though he knew he wasn't perfect himself, he strived to be a man everyone could look up to. Through the numerous controversies and disagreements he may have sparked, he did not retaliate back and he stood throughout all of them. A significant example was when he was getting brutally beat by the policemen, instead of defending himself, he remained there, taking the bashes without a complaint. Another example of his tolerance is reflected upon his clothing. He spun his own cloth to make his own simple, white dhoti. He did not wear the imported clothing from Britain. He took on a more simplistic outlook on life. Throughout the movie, you'd often see him making his own clothing peacefully explaining how he does not find the need to wear any other clothing. This proves his humble lifestyle. 


“’Love they neighbor as thyself’ is not something we Hindus prescribe to, but it is something we could learn from.” This is a quote said by Mahatma Gandhi himself. He always treated others with equality. He once declared himself a Christian, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Sikh, and a Jew. Though each religion has inner conflicts and controversy, he wanted them to set their differences aside and get along as one. Like previously mentioned, he sacrificed so much for people of diversity to get along with each other. He protested and rioted endlessly. In addition, he even fasted for the sake of the religions to end their constant feuds. He was truly a remarkable man like no other. That is why he is the paragon of what we should all aim to become.

Navajo Prayer Sticks - Sacred Poetry

As I wait for the rain,

As my wife waits for her health,

And as my child waits for the food,

It is you that connects us to the holy spirit of Kachina

The energy in which you transfer for us,

The amount of power you have over our lives,

Only you can fulfill out needs

For it is you that we depend on

Your reliable cedar wood body

And your delicate feathers

Only guide us, protect us, and ensures us,

It is with gratitude that I sing to you…

"Religion Has Not Vanished Without A Trace" - MRE Reflection #1

I was born and brought up in a Christian family, therefore my whole life I've been used to praying and practicing Christianity. As I grew older, I drifted further and further away from Christianity, having a more secular outlook on religion. Growing up in today's society where we have distractions and/or ideas that may seem areligious most definitely influences our take on life and more importantly, Christianity. The infantilism that people in our generation take on have changed the way society acts when one is comparing that of the past centuries and that of now. Through spiritual advice and a leap towards faith, I have finally begun to accept the one benevolent God there is in this universe - the one who created us. Since the research of prehistory archaeologists, we, today, know vast information on the different cultures from ancient times and their beliefs on religion through their scripts, art, and decor. With these traces that were left behind, that information has carried onto our lives forming a part of our own history. 
Going to a transcultural school, I have met so many different people with different intakes and views on religion. I have begun to learn and accept these differences. It makes me learn and endure the lives of other people - but more specifically, it has made me learn about my religion and my dedication towards God. Religion has made me a stronger person and in the midst of a world where things are always factual, religion is a means to escape all of that and just believe. It isn't easy as just reciting incantation to make things better, you must work towards that parallel faith between God and yourself. I have yet to learn more about my religion and how I can apply that to my everyday life.