Morality Journal 2

1. The basic idea of this section of junior morality was to gain perspective on the similarities and differences between the moral teachings ancient world religions, specifically Buddhism Judaism, Confuciansm, and Islam.  It is amazing that even though Buddha and Confucius are from two completely different cultures living far from each other developed moral codes and ways of thinking that are actually remarkably similar.  Both contain laws or guidlines such as the Five Precpts and the Eightfold Path or the Five key relationships that basically mirror each other.  These teachings basically say the same thing in different words.  It makes one think about whether or not ther is a natural way that is within all people, a sort of natural law that all people feel they are supposed to follow.  The Golden rule seems to be everywhere.

2a.  The first thing I want to remember is the idea of the Golden rule.  The Golden Rule appears in nearly every world religion in different terms.  It is very simple stating,"Treat others as you would like to be treated," meaning that you should respect others if you want to be respected. b.  The second thing I want to remember is the Buddhist idea of karma.  Karma is a law that deals with causality.  Karma states that if you doo good, good will be done to you, and likewise if you do bad, bad will be done to you.  Buddha said in more or less words, "As you sow, so shall you reap,'" meaning that whatever you get is directly affected by what you do and how you do it. c.  Thirdly I want to remember the idea of Jihad.  Even though I am a Catholic I feel that I constantly am struggling, to some extent, with my own internal spiritual jihad.  I am constantly thinking and rethinking my faith and what excatly it is that I believe.  I think that some form of jihad exists in every world religion.

4.What can I do to better observe the Golden Rule?  How can I continue to grow and fight through my own personal internal jihad?

5.  From this study I have learned much about the teachings and moral codes of other world religions, but I have also taken bits and pieces from each.  From Judaism I have observed the great value of tradition.  From Islam I have come to understand at least a little the ide of jihad.  From Confucianism I have become more aware of my own relationships with others through the five key relationships. and from Buddhism I have taken  the four nodle truths and the eightfold path into my daily thinking.  However i think that the thing that will help me to develope the most is simply the right speech experiment, found in the eightfold path.  I think that I need to take baby steps and develope things like my speach before I can move into a full metanoia, and I thnk that the right speech experiment is a great first step for me.

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