Introduction
Since its beginning, religion has held a significant position within civilization. Religion is based on a set of beliefs of what one holds to be true. According to the influential book, “The World’s Religion by Huston Smith (1991)”, there is a common bond between all of the religions. However, there is also uniqueness in each religion that differentiates them all. Smith carefully makes a distinction between Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. This research project will focus on the world’s religions and exclusiveness of religion in each culture and the results on an individual’s principles.
Discussion
One of the primary values of Hindu religion focuses on “The Path of Desire” (Smith, 1991). The Hinduism religion specifies that people seek two things in life, to include pleasure and success from the world. Wanting pleasure is a natural feeling that humans are born with. In addition, wanting to have pleasure should not be frowned upon, but requires sound judgment and logic. The religion also states that pleasures must not be censored, but sought carefully with wisdom. According to Smith, worldly success stems from three areas in life to include wealth, fame, and power (1991). However, both pleasures and worldly success have there end of coarse. Simply stated by Smith (1991), “the idea of a nation in which everyone is famous is a contradiction in terms; and if power were distributed equally, no one would be powerful in the sense which we customarily use the word” (p. 15). Next, an ability or talent is required to gain success, money, fame, and power. Another setback with the idea of worldly success relates to hedonism. For example, the rich is not always happy and secure, but seek to gain more riches in this life. Moreover, the last reason for why worldly success does not please people completely, due to its short-term effect. Meaning that, riches cannot be taken with one after he or she dies. Overall, within the Hinduism religion the need to be included in the future holds a stronger weight than the here and now.
In the Buddhism, it is highly encouraged for people to focus and challenge themselves. This concept eliminates the need for God or another power telling them what to do, think or believe. According to Smith (1991), the four noble truths also stem from the religion. The first noble truth defines life as dukka or suffering. Suffering may include the trauma of birth, sickness, morbidity of decrepitude, death, dislikes, and separation from loved ones. The second noble truth is called Tanha or a specific type of desire. This type of truth, “consists of all those inclinations which tend to continue or increase separateness, the separate existence of the subject of desire; in fact, all forms of selfishness, the essence of which is desire for self at the expense, if necessary, of all other forms of life” (Smith, 1991). The third noble truth follows the second truth in sequence. Moreover, the fourth noble truth conquers tanha, and leads to the eightfold path. The eightfold path includes right views, right intent, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. All of these principles are included with the religion to produce treatment for the basic self-seeking problems faced in life.
Confucius discovered the religion Confucianism within the Chinese culture. One belief within the religion focuses on a combination of individualism and education. There are five terms to answer the question; “what is the character of the social life it should engender?” (Smith, 1991). Jen focuses on the relationship between two people. The Chun tzu concept deals with mature person versus someone of that is insignificant. The Li concept holds two meanings, as the way things are supposed to be completed also pleasures should not be overindulged in. The Te concept defines the authority in which all creation is ruled. Lastly, the wen concept is the final notion to include the “arts of peace as contrasted to the arts of war; to music, art, poetry, the sum of culture in its aesthetic and spiritual mode” (Smith, 1991).
The Taoism strongly correlates to the Hinduism religion. There are three meaning of the word Tao. The meanings of Tao are defined as the way of ultimate reality, way of the universe, and the way of human life (Smith, 1991). This religion teaches the believers that power comes from knowledge. In addition, “selfishness, cleanliness, and emotional calm are the preliminaries to arriving at full self-knowledge, but they must be climaxed by deep meditation” (Smith, 1991).
The basic theological concepts of Islam are identical with Judaism and Christianity (Smith, 1991). For instance, in the Islamic religion every thing centers on the ultimate God (Allah) and the Koran. Other strong concepts may focus on economics, status of women, race relations, and the use of force. Judaism primary belief system is extremely close to the Christianity. One of the primary beliefs of Judaism is faith based. Both Judaism and Christianity believe in the Ten Commandments and that all are equal and created in the image of God.
Moreover, within the Christian belief system the, “supremacy of the spirit is over nature without question (Smith, 1991). Within the bible, people are attracted to the spirit filled scriptures, because of the power they withhold. According to Smith (1991), “the bible frequently depicts them as filled with the power of the spirit, a power that enabled them at times to influence the natural course of events (p. 320). Some of the manifestations of power in the spirit included healing of diseases, casting out of demons, quelling storms, parting waters and raising the dead (Smith, 1991). Often the bible reports people being drawn to Jesus because of his reputation to work through signs, wonders, and miracles. Smith (1991) states, “what made him out live his time and place was the way he used the spirit that coursed through him, not just heal individuals but – this was aspiration – to heal humanity, beginning- with his own people” (p. 321).
Christianity is also based on faith, within the bible many parables can be found within the scriptures. He compared the faith of a mustard seed to the having a small amount of faith, and being able to move mountains. The religion is built on other principles such as being kind and doing well to one another. For instance, a Christian is told to abstain from evil and retaliate when trouble arises. The religion also tells us to, “love our enemies, and bless those who curse us” (Smith, 1991).
Christians also believe in faith of the resurrection of Christ. Once Christ died on the cross, Christians believe that he did not stay in the grave to rot. However, he was resurrected from the grave after three full days and nights. Another important notion, according to Smith (1991), “faith in Jesus’ resurrection produced the church and its Christology” (p. 330) which could bring salvation for all that believe. Some of the values with the Christian belief system included, incarnation, atonement, and faith in the Trinity.
Conclusion
There are many different belief systems within the world today. It is important that leaders within companies as well as co-workers familiarize themselves to gain knowledge about diverse faiths and religions. A company that can achieve unity within the work place along with understanding the makeup of diversity will go far. Each religion has something new and unique to offer to any culture. And working together for a common cause will help managers, leaders, and employees prepare for a changing world.
Reference:
Smith, H., (1991). The World’s Religions. The revised and updated edition of the
Religions of man. New York: Harper San Francisco
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