Brance, Lauren & Haddie

Again in the chapters on Hinduism and Buddhism, like that of Oral/Native Religions, we are made aware of the timeless acknowledgment of humanity in regards to our own frailty and the need or desire for a reality larger than ourselves – a purpose or meaning to life, an ultimate truth. Such a purpose that the author of our text in chapter 1 speculates, by citing various sources, wells up in us as a result of human mental insecurity or weakness, at worst, and noble effort (but misguided, none-the-less), at best – but all biological in essence.

Like I mention in my previous discussion board post, it seems this compelling driving force of all humanity, for all times (as far as archeologist have been able to discern), to uphold this intrinsic moral parameter, so often repeating itself even in isolated people groups, is fascinating, at least, and miraculous, at most. For example, the issue of good and bad kharma (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism), light and darkness (referred to in early Chinese religions as yin and yang), sickness and health/ good and evil spirits (Oral Religions), desire and suffering (Buddhism), good and evil (Islam, Juddaism, Christianity)… ultimately, salvation and an final relief.

Is there an ultimate truth to be found in the claims of these various religions? Is there even a truth to be found at all? Darwinistic evolution, which I believe influenced the opinions in regard to the origin of religion in the the first chapter, taken to its final conclusion tells its adherents and faithful that the only truth that exists is the cold biological truth – matter is all there really is, nature doesn’t care, and any other “truth” outside of that is a fanciful coping mechanism.

Even though unlike other religions, Buddhism rejects the idea of god, even in their founder Gautama (though in recent years, a certain renown Hollywood actor made claims to the sinlessness of the Dahli Lama, which the Dahli Lama so humorously dismissed as false), they like the Hindus appear to be guided by an internal compass in regards to what is right and what is wrong. This seemingly intrinsic code of morality that reminds us of the value of all life, compassion, the importance of refraining from selfish behavior, and a recognition of the spiritual reminds us that there may be more to life than the physical – that there may be a good and satisfying ultimate truth to be found after all.