The Influence of Buddhism on Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Influence of Buddhism on Japan - Essay Example Buddhist philosophy has changed over the centuries, but the impact on Japanese culture and politics remains a constant. Since being introduced to Japan, Buddhism has influenced Japanese society, almost as much as Japan has influenced Buddhism. Supposedly Buddha achieved enlightenment by sitting in this position under a tree. This posture promotes concentration which is part of the Eightfold path taught by Buddha. Buddha's fundamental teachings, the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, the idea of dependent origination, the five precepts, the five aggregates, and the three marks of existence, make up important elements of the perspective that Zen takes for its practice. All of the Buddhist sects allow Shinto to be mixed with Buddhism, even though the religions have conflicting views. This fosters superstitious ritual and beliefs that allow for Buddhist philosophies to grow. The mixture of religions allow for growth that makes the influence uniquely suited to the Japanese culture. It also allows for diverse worshipers. If one sect does not suit a citizen, Buddhism does not have to be abandoned. Another sect could be the answer to a dissatisfied worshiper. Buddhism is not rigid, like most Western religions. Maybe that is why the Japanese embraced Buddhism so wholeheartedly.

How has the nuclear agenda influenced American popular culture from Essay

How has the nuclear agenda influenced American popular culture from 1945-1962 - Essay Example The main advances of technology allowed for film advents and television to be introduced to many people. The advances in technology gave one way of communication on the world wide scale of reality and hence they opened a gate through which influences of the popular culture from other world countries got introduced. WWII changed most of ideas which the Australians had in their culture before. Shapiro, J. F. (2002) said Britain being there â€Å"Mother Country† and most of majority living in Australia being British, or form British descent, they were closely associated with Britain and their allegiance towards Britain was strong. In WWII, the United States had offered Britain with many required military support and unfortunately their soldiers got slaughtered in Gallipoli campaign. When the WWII incurred, the battle was near the United States regions and they got themselves encompassed and bombed. However, Britain was as well being attacked directly and the United States came into realization that their defending Australia was not available on the list Britain’s priority. The country had less than 7 million people attacking almost 3 million square miles and hence they required for a super power to help them in their defence. The popular culture in America changed extensively during and after the nuclear era. It involved everything dealing with so called common culture to folk culture. It has been the occurrence of these things in the post war era in American culture which is related with commercial culture and other trappings in: television, movies, radio, advertising, cyberspace, and other commodities which were available for purchase. It also involved other forms of art, games, photography and group experiences such as rave dancing on ecstasy and comet-watching. While social science departments and humanities before 1950s could rarely include anything former in their culture.