Religious Literature

Bhagavadgita
Chap.1: This chapter was a little confusing and I’m not sure that what I got out of it is what was implied. I got that Arjuna, soul’s quest for enlightenment, became distressed from the world as it was and began to feel the need for something to change. The feeling of frustration was apparent to me in the dialog of Arjuna. He (or she) feels overwhelmed by the evils that have saturated the world and feels that something must change. Arjuna wants to cease fighting and stop fighting fire with fire.

Chap. 2: Krishna speaks to Arjuna, telling Arjuna that life cannot die, therefore cannot be slain. Krishna says how life is infinite, with no end or beginning. There should be no grief for those who die because there is no death. Krishna also speaks of the importance of duty. Let the work be the reward, do not work in the hopes of receiving a reward. Cast oneself aside and work in piety. Devotion to this is to find true bliss. One must also cease searching for happiness in worldly senses. That doing this will ultimately bring recklessness to oneself until one is undone. But one who can control his/her worldly desires will gain tranquility and wisdom.

Chap. 3: Two schools of wisdom include work and meditation. An honorable person is one who gives up worldly powers to work, not seeking personal gain. The body does not progress when it does not work. One who is self-concentrated and works for oneself alone achieves nothing. To die in duty is good. But to those who seek other things in life will continue to no avail.

Chap. 8: The one who meditates in the Supreme God will find just that in the hour of death. But to the one who meditates on other things in life will receive just that as well. Meditate always on the Supreme God and keep God in one’s heart always. The person who has lived a life in devotion to God will pass from this world in peace.

Chap. 11: Krishna has countless forms and hues. But human eyes cannot perceive them. Only with a divine sense can humans “see” God. There are countless eyes and mouths that come together into one form. Arjuna becomes dazzled by the boundless radiance of God and realizes that everything is wound into the infinity that is God. There is no beginning to Krishna as there is no end.

This is a very interesting account of dialog between the human spirit and the infinite. It was most enjoyable to read chapter 11 when Krishna reveals itself to Arjuna. It is parallel to our own selves in that we are also awe-stricken by the infinite as Arjuna was.

Wisdom of the Buddha

Chap. 1: In The Twin Verses, there are two different people that are depicted throughout the chapter. One is a virtuous man with the ability to control his need for pleasure. Who eats moderately and stays faithful. The second is an evil man with evil intentions. Who is ready to indulge in worldly pleasures with absolutely no restraint. This person sees truth in lying and may even try to justify these acts. This chapter was interesting in the way it described the paths of to opposite people. These bi-polar descriptions of two possible people are perfect examples of what it means to be virtuous and evil. Virtuosity could not exist if we lived in an already virtuous world. The fact that we have a choice between good and evil is what helps create virtuosity. One could say that Buddha was a builder of virtuosity.

Chap. 7: In the Venerable, Buddha describes the type of person who suffers no more after death from this world. One who is freed from new births. This person has a controlled appetite and sense of pride. Wherever these people are, who are highly respected for their dignity, there is great happiness. It is interesting to picture what Buddha is describing here. Places where these people, who are trying to find true enlightenment, can dwell. I picture sort of a simple place where people have devoted themselves to the same goal.

Chap. 11: In Old Age, Buddha illustrates his teaching through the perspective of an old man. This man is trying to reach out to the people who are living a life in darkness and asking why they do not wish to seek light. The man is decaying physically and describes his body as frail and full of sickness. He says that the body will surely die but virtue will endure. Virtue is comprised of immortal thoughts about what is good compared to what is bad. I also believe that virtue is the ever-enduring antidote for our suffering.

Chap. 14: In The Buddha-The Awakened, Buddha states the difficulty of the mortal life. But the ones who commit no sin but purify their mind are the ones who attain true awakening. The ones who are happy recognize that lustful thoughts bring small pleasure but ultimately pain. Also, men who are fearful live a life of trying to find some geographical utopia where their suffering will cease. But the only utopia that exists is the one that this reached by the Four Holy Truths. In this teaching, Buddha describes all the people who have lived a life in accordance with The Law. It is almost as if he is describing a future of humankind where all will enlightened.

Chap. 15: In Happiness, Buddha takes the position of an enlightened man who is describing his internal happiness. These people live free from greed and hatred. Although they live in poverty, their wealth comes from eternal happiness and contentment. Those who follow fools will suffer for as long as they follow them. But those who follow the wise and intelligent follow a virtuous path.

These teachings are very intriguing and easy to follow. They teach such wisdom and are almost as easy for reading a recipe book. The recipe is for good and evil. The teachings individually are also interesting because they seem to take place in different people or perceptions. As if Buddha is the third person telling the story through someone else’s eyes.

Tao Te Ching

Chap. 22: In the first line, Lao Tze mentions that the “partial becomes complete.” This is a metaphor for the fact that things will become right. They will become right for the ones to give up their desires. But for those who desire many things, they will not ever become right. Humility is a quality that the sage displays to the world. Free from a selfish and conceited way of living. One will become dignified in not having a large ego.

Chap. 24: “He who stands on his tiptoes does not stand firm.” A great quote to describe the fact that those who live in a position of mocking superiority to others follow a path that the Taoists do not.

Chap. 25: In this paragraph, Lao Tze shares on how Tao is the foundation of Heaven. Tao is the constant flow of things. It can be called The Way or The Great. And humans receive the Law of the Tao in a line of flow that goes Tao-Heaven-Earth-humans.

Chap. 32: The Tao in its unchanging form is nameless and helps guide the uniting of Heaven and Earth. The dew that comes from this union is directed toward all things. When it becomes an action, it has a name that humans can know.

Chap. 37: The Tao underlines everything, so therefore it does everything. If a king wanted to sustain it in the world, it would change everything. And if this change became a desire, then one would express their desire by the nameless simplicity.

Chap. 49: In this section, Lao Tze describes the sage as one who is indecisive in the world. One who is nice to those who are nice to him and to those who are evil towards him. So that in this way, there is kindness for all people.

Chap. 53: Lao Tze describes the life of a person who is in high power and lives extravagantly. This person has a large house with a big yard but where the plants will not grow. To live in such gross wealth and overabundance is akin to being a thief.

Chap. 56: In the Tao Way, there is the Mysterious Agreement. It is an agreement of those who know the Way and do not speak of it. A Taoist will even go so far as to live in the shadows of the social world.

Chap. 77: The Way is a way to break down overabundance in worldly desires. It is also a spiritual supplement when one is in need. The sage is the one who lets other people take credit for his/her own work. The reason for this is that the sage has no desire to enlarge his/her own ego.

Chap. 79: When two people have agreed upon something, after a heated argument, there is a grudge that is held by the person who ultimately lost the argument. But a way to avoid this is to have both people agree only to the agreement that was made. Therefore, only the one who is self-seeking will relish the part that turned out favorable for him.

The Koran

Sura 87: In the beginning, Muhammad is being instructed to glorify the name of Allah, the Creator. He is also being told that those who say the name of Allah and lived a pure life shall prosper in the Hereafter. Those who lead an impure life shall burn in the fires of Hell. It also mentions in a way not to attach oneself to the world because the Hereafter will endure beyond this world.

Sura 75: The first paragraph reveals the Day of Resurrection, when every man will be judged by what he has done and not done. This day will occur when darkness and light are combined. There will be nowhere to escape on this day. The actions of everyone will be revealed. Those people who lived purely will smile in the presence of their Lord while others who lived impurely will look solemn and distraught in the presence of their Lord. It also makes evident the power of Allah to bring the dead to life, for he is the one who created life.

Sura 16: Allah states that there is no other God other than He so show piety towards him. It is also stated in the first paragraph about the various things that Allah has created. He made the rain the helps the land to grow. He created the seas so that fresh seafood can be eaten. If one were to try to count the number of favors Allah has granted for us, we could never count them all. Allah knows all secrets, even the ones that no one knows. Allah does not love those who are arrogant and believe that His teachings are nothing but “tales from the ancients.” Allah, on the Day of Resurrection, will bring shame and evil to those who didn’t believe throughout their lives. He will also bring happiness to those who did believe, in their lives and in the Hereafter. Those who stand up for Allah in the face of injustice will also be granted a peaceful Hereafter. And those who lived impure lives will not even get a chance to speak and redeem themselves.

Sura 2: Non-believers will not believe whether they are warned or not about the evils of Hell. Those people who believe they are setting the world right when in reality they are corrupting it will be punished for misleading. Those that claim to others that they believe but in their own privacy renounce their beliefs, those people shall suffer in the Hereafter. Those who allow Allah to guide them will be brought to peace, and those who count the Signs as false shall be condemned. Allah also reiterates the fact that there is no other God save him and that he has power over everything. There are many prophets who deliver the word of Allah, but there is no distinction between them. It also warns against following in the misguided paths of some of our elders because we all have the choice to follow a new path towards Allah. Living in the guided path means to listen to the Prophets and follow the teachings of the Book. Those who have different opinions about the Book are too caught up in the misleading information.

Fasting should be employed by a believer; only for those who are healthy and not in travel. This is part of the observance of Ramadan. If one is not able to fast, then one can find redemption in feeding a person who is unfortunate. It is also pleasing to the deity for one to extend charities to those who are financial need. Speaking politely and forgiving someone is far better than someone who gives charity and regrets it afterward. Someone who gives charity in his or her private lives without anyone knowing will see more reward in the Hereafter.

Sura 4: The first thing that surprised me about this Sura was the way it depicted women. Now I’m not sure I what I got from it is actually what it means. But the part where it talks about a woman is one half of a man. So two women equal one man. And if the only heir in a family is a woman, she is only to receive half of the estate. Allah does not relent in punishment when a person commits evil deeds until they are in their deathbed, and then repent. Allah is merciful only to those who commit evil deeds in ignorance and then repent quickly. It does say that a man may not take a woman without her consent. It lists many different people, all of whom are close members of family, who are forbidden to any relation other than family to a man. Save what is past.