Shim,+WooyonD+2012

__** Assignment 1 for Unit II **__

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 * __Confucianism in Everyday life__**

http://zine.istyle24.com/Culture/CultureView.aspx?Idx=1349&Menu=3



__**Tao of Pooh**__

That Sort of Bear Group Work Story of the Stoncutter shows that greed and stressing about place in society is rather useless because you will only spend time and effort without any achievements. Greed leads to more greed, leading humans to be corrupt and to go against the nature, just like Taoism suggests. It is best to free your mind and stay at where you are where you can perform the best. Tz’u is the caring heart and compassion. Through the caring mind, courage and wisdom is born. An example is given in the book when Roo is in trouble. He is drowning in a fast flowing stream. At that moment, Pooh manages to use a long stick to save Roo. When Christopher Robin asks Pooh how he did that, Pooh replies that he “just did.” Pooh had the Tz’u, which is the caring mind, that just caused him to rescue Roo without much thought. It was through this caring mind that courage to do try anything and the wisdom to use the stick. When a person has Tz’u, then that person knows the “Good Thing to Do without thinking about it.” One can start to look for happiness by being appreciative of themselves. This follows the logic that if you are not miserable, you would be in turn happy, therefore, you could also start to find happiness by not being miserable. Also, a simple analogy is made between looking for Wisdom, Happiness and Courage with going on a trip. Every journy has to start with the first step, Wisdom happiness and courage is not waiting out there, but one must go on an endless journey, there is no end nor a beginning.
 * What is the significance of The Stonecutter?
 * Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes courage.”
 * Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage?


 * __Buddhism__**

Tibetan Buddhism


 * __Interview__**

.

Monday 2nd April 2:13 am

Wooyon -> Yuka

HEY YUKA!! :) Long time no see! How are you doing in Japan? I hope your uni life going well haha. Hey I know that this is abrupt, but can I ask a few questions? It's for my Asian Studies project. If it isn't too bothersome, I would love it if you could answer them!

1. If you are Japanese, then are you influenced by your parent's religion? 2. Do your parents or you believe in Shintoism? 3. Is Buddhism more of a dominant religion than Christianity? 4. Do you interact with nature a lot for balance in your life? 5. Do you believe in God? 6. What signs of religion are there within your neighborhood such as temples? 7. Are there many festivals that worship specific religions? Do you attend them? 8. Is there discrimination for the religion that you believe in? 9. What happens after you die? Is that the end? Or is there more to death? 10. What is your opinion of hierarchy and role of government?

Thursday 5th April 3:34 am

Yuka -> Wooyon

Hey Wooyon! Long time no see :D Japan is good. I'm attending Nagoya University right now and it's really fun! How is Korea? I haven't seen you since the time you left Britain. I kinda miss Britain now haha Sure I'll help you with your assignment! It seems to be an interesting topic to research about.

1. If you are Japanese, then are you influenced by your parent's religion? I think I am influenced by what my parents believe in, whether that is just ideals or religion. Since I am with them all the time, my thoughts change to be similar to my parents since I learn from them and are raised by them.

2. Do your parents or you believe in Shintoism? No. Both my parents and I do not believe in Shintoism. Although it is the major national Japanese belief, Not many people believe in Shintoism that much. However, we can see that Shintoism is a part of our lives, more than just a belief.

3. Is Buddhism more of a dominant religion than Christianity? Yes. In Japan, Buddhism is more popular than Christianity and you can see that through the numerous temples we have. Also Buddhism and Shintoism seem to have some similar aspects such as temples or meditating. I think that is why more people believe in Buddhism more than Christianity. Also, Christianity only allows one target of worship, God, but Shintoism goes against that belief, so I think that is another reason why Buddhism is more popular.

4. Do you interact with nature a lot for balance in your life? No, I don't really think that much about nature. Japan is definitely a country where nature is important since we have so many mountains and trees, but personally, I don't really interact with nature. I think old people do that more haha.

5. Do you believe in God? Yes! As a Christian, I do believe in God since he is our protector and will always save us from the bad things in life. I receive comfort for believing in God and I hope God will save other people who need the help.

6. What signs of religion are there within your neighborhood such as temples? There are soooooooooo many temples! In every small mountain I bet there is a shrine or temple for the Mountain God or some other God. This really sprouts from Shintoism since it is Shintoism that has all these small Gods that have their own area of control. Also, there are many Buddhist temples too.These are more large in size compared to the Shintoism shrines. For Christianity, there are churches of course, but you really do not get to see them much especially around the countryside or other small villages. They tend to believe in Shintoism more.

7. Are there many festivals that worship specific religions? Do you attend them? Yes. There are many many festivals every season. But although they are religious festivals, many people go to just enjoy it and have food! It's really fun. I also attend these festivals since I get to hang out with my friends and it's the only time that I get to wear a kimono!! XD

8. Is there discrimination for the religion that you believe in? I don't think that there is any discrimination for Christianity since it is a largely believed religion all over the world and Japan is very accepting of different religions. I hope there will never be any discrimination for any type of religion.

9. What happens after you die? Is that the end? Or is there more to death? This is the part that I think differently from normal Christians. I don't really believe in heaven or hell since I believe that life just ends one you are dead. I also do not believe in the afterlife either. Life ends when yu are dead, there is nothing more to it.

10. What is your opinion of hierarchy and role of government? I don't really have an opinion on hierarchy or role of government. I just believe that all people should be equal. For instance, I think that the aste system is very wrong. No one should have to be slaves for other people since everyone is born equally and made by God.