Religion can be found all around us and influences us in many different ways. It shapes our actions, are words, and for many, it shapes the way they go about their daily lives. So when we try and realize what is going on around the world and why things are happening the way they are, I would argue that religion is one of the best ways in understanding that why. Our Western perception of Eastern religions is incredibly skewed, especially when it comes to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. All three of these religions are amongst the oldest in the world, yet Western culture hasn’t taken the time to fully study these three and recognize how similar they are. Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism are all incredibly similar in their core values of samsara and karma, but have slightly different interpretations that make these religions different and shapes the way in which they practice their religion. In order to fully grasp these religions, you need to understand the meaning of samsara. The textbook defines samsara as “the wheel of birth and death.” (Fisher, 123) but I prefer the definition that we were given in lecture, which is “the cycle of birth, life, death and …show more content…
It is only when they purify their minds of greed, hatred, ignorance, and other delusions that they will be able to achieve nirvana and be liberated from this cycle.” (Fisher, 149). Nirvana is the desired state of mind and one way that Buddhists get to the desired state of mind, is through the art of Zen. Zen helps meditate and calm the mind, a form of detachment from this world. “If there is anything Zen strongly emphasizes it is the attainment of freedom; that is freedom of all natural encumbrances.” (“What Is Zen,” 41). This art of Zen and other forms of meditation like Yoga helps you break free of samsara and achieve