So much of our big trip has been visiting holy places or participating in or viewing spiritual and religious ceremonies. We have learned a lot (a ton!) about the diversity (and similarities) of people's spiritual and religious beliefs and practices in the nine countries we have visited so far on our Big Trip (including the UAE, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Palau, Singapore, India, Bhutan, and now, Myanmar).
It has been fascinating and has left me with so many questions and thoughts about religion and spirituality.
Is it an acceptable life choice for boys to enter religious schools at eight years of age to learn religious history and to dedicate their lives to their religion if they are Buddhists? What if they are Christians? And if they are Moslems (knowing that the Arabic word for school is "madrasa")?
Why are females no longer allowed to be Buddhist monks? Why are females consistently left out of religious power structures?
Is it ok to label a religion violent when some people (who follow that religion) persecute and terrorize people of a different religion? What about if people who are Buddhists abuse a whole community who are Moslems - is Buddhism, therefore, a violent religion? What if it were the other way around? When is it ok to label a whole religion based on the actions of some followers of that religion?
Are there any organized religions which do NOT include regular prayers? Bowing the head? Prayer beads? Washing? Donations? Fasting? Some form of meditation?
What is the job description of a monk? What does it involve other than living in a monastery or religious center? Which moral rules do monks follow which are different than those of other believers? What is the difference between a monk living on society's donations and someone temporarily living on social welfare in a socialist country?
What would the world be like if humans had used the resources they have spent on religion for other purposes? Think about all those beautiful and elaborate temples and churches and mosques, with all those carvings and paintings and bricks and marble and glass windows. Think about the leaders' rings and crowns and robes and homes. Think of those wars across Asia and Europe and the Americas and the Middle East. Think of the lives lost in the name of religion over thousands of years - the lands colonized, the people subjugated, the heathens killed... Is religion worth it?
Nadia
Praying in Amritsar, India
It has been fascinating and has left me with so many questions and thoughts about religion and spirituality.
Is it an acceptable life choice for boys to enter religious schools at eight years of age to learn religious history and to dedicate their lives to their religion if they are Buddhists? What if they are Christians? And if they are Moslems (knowing that the Arabic word for school is "madrasa")?
Offerings in an ancient cave in Laos
Why are females no longer allowed to be Buddhist monks? Why are females consistently left out of religious power structures?
Is it ok to label a religion violent when some people (who follow that religion) persecute and terrorize people of a different religion? What about if people who are Buddhists abuse a whole community who are Moslems - is Buddhism, therefore, a violent religion? What if it were the other way around? When is it ok to label a whole religion based on the actions of some followers of that religion?
Are there any organized religions which do NOT include regular prayers? Bowing the head? Prayer beads? Washing? Donations? Fasting? Some form of meditation?
Lighting candles in Yangon, Myanmar
What is the job description of a monk? What does it involve other than living in a monastery or religious center? Which moral rules do monks follow which are different than those of other believers? What is the difference between a monk living on society's donations and someone temporarily living on social welfare in a socialist country?
The water purification ceremony in Bali, Indonesia
What would the world be like if humans had used the resources they have spent on religion for other purposes? Think about all those beautiful and elaborate temples and churches and mosques, with all those carvings and paintings and bricks and marble and glass windows. Think about the leaders' rings and crowns and robes and homes. Think of those wars across Asia and Europe and the Americas and the Middle East. Think of the lives lost in the name of religion over thousands of years - the lands colonized, the people subjugated, the heathens killed... Is religion worth it?
Nadia
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