How do You say "Thanks" in other Religions?

As we extend our stomachs past another Thanksgiving, it's always interesting to ponder what Thanksgiving is really all about. Are we truly thankful? And who are we thankful to?

Most of you know I have the prestigious job of a substitute teacher and I was working Wednesday in a very cute third grade class. We went to the school library that day and I noticed some books on other religions that caught my attention. I have been looking at other religions and their beliefs so I thought this would be a good time to do a little research.

As I read about two of the most famous religions, I wondered who they would thank for all their blessings? I'll give you a short synopsis of their beliefs and we'll find the answer to that question.

If you are a Hindu, then you belong to the one of the oldest religions in the world. There is really no founder known for this religion and there is no sacred book they embrace like the Bible. There are about 700 million Hindus and you have to be born a Hindu to be one--there are no conversions to Hinduism! So you don't have to worry about any proselytizing Hindus knocking on your door.

Saying prayers and visiting the temple is not necessary but many do it. They believe when you die, your soul lives on and is reborn into another body--humans or animals. And how you live effects how you'll be reborn-- Karma. (I bet you have heard that word before.)

Their ultimate aim is to gain salvation and break free of the cycle. Cows are highly regarded and considered sacred. I'm not sure if that is the ultimate "reborn" experience, but if it is, I'm glad I wasn't born a Hindu!

Their supreme spirit is brahman and they believe he was the creator of the universe. There are quite a few more gods and goddesses but there are only 3 main ones. The reason they have the red dot on their foreheads is because that represents a blessing from whatever god they were praying to at the temple or at a roadside shrine.

They use yoga and meditation in search of enlightenment and often repeat a mantra to achieve that place. When they die, they cremate the body and if possible, scatter the ashes in the River Ganges which is considered sacred to them.

So based on this synopsis of Hinduism, I would say that when they have "Thanksgiving", they thank brahman or one of the many other gods they have. And, they have quite a choice!

Now if you're a Buddhist, then you would be thankful to Prince Siddhartha Gautama who, in the early 600's BC, noticed that not everyone lived like he did-- in a palace. I have to say that I like this guy. He seemed to really care about the poor.

He left his wealth at age 29 and became as a poor person seeking the answer to life's suffering. Finally after 49 days of fasting and praying under a tree, he gained enlightenment. The word buddha means "enlightened one" and that's what he felt he attained. He went about preaching his message--the reason people are unhappy is because they are never content with what they have! He had a good point, I think!

Buddhists believe that gaining enlightenment is like waking up from a deep sleep and seeing things as they really are. They achieve this state through saying prayers and reciting passages from the sacred books. They often meditate in groups and try to rid their minds of any thoughts. They do this by chanting a simple verse called a mantra. They are taught to follow the "middle path" between extremes of luxury and hardship. They are peaceful and do not believe in any type of violence

The buddha died at age 80 and then entered what they believe to be heaven--nirvana--a state of perfect bliss and happiness. An interesting "side" note is that he died laying on his side!

Another interesting note about Buddha was that he did not want to be worshipped as a god nor did he claim he was the only path. His teachings were simply guides.Buddhists believe there are other buddhas besides Prince Siddhartha.

His followers are sent out to spread his teaching, called the dharma. So, in their case, you might have to worry about a buddhist knocking on your door! There are more than 400 million Buddhists in the world. They are the fourth largest religion behind Christianity, Muslims and Hindus. They are actually a branch of Hinduism.

What is my point in telling you about these two religions? Other than wondering who they would thank at Thanksgiving, I also believe that to look for truth, you must look at every belief that suggests they have found it! These two religions believe they have found truth.

So how do we know if they have found it? Well, in the first place, if Hindus have found the truth, we're out of luck since you have to be born a Hindu to be one! This is not a very gracious religion, in my opinion!

They also treat some people as untouchables; another form of exclusion which doesn't ring TRUE to me! Truth holds all people as equal! And the cow thing is a little hard to "swallow" in my opinion!

I'm sure Hindus have found some truths along the way, but as a whole, they are not founded on THE TRUTH! It doesn't really matter anyway, since we can't be one!

AS far as Buddhists go, they have discovered some great truths. Truly Prince Siddhartha was a kind man who wanted to find an answer to life's suffering and pain. He gave up a royal position to identify with the common man (much like Moses did in Egypt).

He did find some answers that I would certainly categorize as truths. But is the religion itself built on truth? Perhaps in many ways it is. I do believe we should strive for peace and violence is wrong. And I think he found truth when he said that the reason for much of our unhappiness is because we are not content with what we have.

Probably every religion or belief system is based on several, if not many, truths.

So could this religion be based on the Truth? The buddha, himself, said that he did not want to be worshipped and that his teachings were only guides. And these same principles can be found in the Bible and in other religions.

The buddha was a man who said he was not a god. But that has not stopped many of his followers from worshiping him. He should not be worshipped if he is a man. People are not worthy of worship. If he is looked at as a guide, then he has some good things to say.

We will explore this more in my next column which will also include the Muslim faith.

Hope you enjoy the holidays!
carolrtexas2@aol.com