Many Buddhists believe that we live in a world were everybody lives their own reality. There is an actual reality that nobody knows because of our ignorance. The only way to achieve this actual reality is to detach ourselves from all our illusions. We dont realize that in order to really change the world we must change the way wee see it. This theme is shown in the matrix when neo realizes that he is living in a world of illusions and that everything he takes for certain is actually only a bunch of computer codes. He created his reality according to what the machines had programmed, but non of what he sees, feels, smells, tastes, or touches is real. The world we perceive around us is a reflection of what we have inside. This is why every mind has a totally different idea of what the real world is. When neo is learning to dodge bullets, morpheus tells him that if he is the "chosen one" than he wont need to dodge them. In the end when Neo finally reaches his enlightenment, he is able to stop the bullets because he realizes they aren't real. What is than the real reality? Do we want to know it or did we create of own realities in order to avoid it? Is "ignorance really a bliss"? Should we work to get there or are we running away?

Matrix and Buddhism By: Liz and Clara

In the Matrix movie we see the comparison with Buddhism.  All the men in the movie with suits use glasses which are like mirrors in the Buddhism religion. they are very important because they are a reflection of what is in us.  In the movie the physic boy talks to Neo on how to bend the spoon, there is no actual spoon there.  You need to bee in harmony in order to fulfill what you want.  Neo already knew everything that was needed to know in life,  he made is own concept of reality in life.  Neo in the movie was in a cocoon, where he would be reborn in the real world and in Buddhism they beleive in rebirth and that each person is without cell.  

TRITINITY: And when I found him (Morpheus), he told me I wasn't really looking for him. I was looking for the answer. It is the question that drives us. It is the question that brought you here. Do you know the question?

• Morpheus is like a somewhat enlightened and mysterious figure who knows more than most people. In this sense, similar to Buddha. All who seeked the Buddha discover that it is not Him per se that they were really seeking. They were seeking the key to the Truth from Him. The question that drives one to seek the enlightened is about ourselves and the world we live in and what it means to us as an individual.
  

NEO: What is the Matrix?

TRINITY: The answere is out there. It is looking for you. And it will find you if you want it to.

• The Truth is always there- and all it takes is for us to embrace and see it.
• Buddhism does not suscribe to the idea that we do not have full control of our lives. While we are dealt a hand of cards (by ourselves in the past), how we choose to play our cards now determine whether we win the game.
• What is real? Is a real nightmare or real dream? How is the experience different from real life? Or is reality all in the mind only, ultimately? (http://www.thedailyenlightenment.com/matrix.htm)

Matrix is a Buddhist film!

Ever since the beginning of the film, the movie gives various signs of buddhist beliefs. Neo, one of the main characters, was trying to find out the truth of the Matrix. Morfeos, on the other hand, wanted to guide Neo towards finding the truth about the Matrix. 

"And when I found him (Morpheus), he told me i wasn't really looking for him. I was looking for the answer. It is the question that drives us. It is the question that brought you here. Do you know the question?" -Trinity

Morpheus can be compared to a Buddha because he is the one that leads the people to know the truth about the world they live in. Neo, Trinity, and the rest of the members represents us because we are the ones who always want to find the true meaning of life.

Amy K. and Lucy V.

hello,

Buddhism is a very interesting religion. we learned that Buddhists heaven has no individuality i dont find that nice.   

Facts About World Religions

Founded in India 2,500 years ago, Buddhism remains the dominant religion of the Far East and is increasingly popular in the West. Over its long history Buddhist has developed into a wide variety of forms, ranging from an emphasis on religious rituals and worship of deities to a complete rejection of both rituals and deities in favor of pure meditation. But all share in common a great respect for the teachings of the Buddha, "The Enlightened One."

http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/index.htm

^
There are lots of info over Buddhism in this website...Reasearch it!

By: LucyV.

amy's

what we learned in buddism is that they all focus in suffering and how to stay away from desires...

they also believes that there are reencarnation and buddist are trying to level up their spiritual meditations

buddhist meditation and centering prayer

centering prayer is a popular method of contemplative prayer, placing a strong emphasis on interior silence. Catholics practice this through the rosary. 

Instructions: 1. sit comfortably with you eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself. be in love and faith to God.

2. choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action within you (ie Jesus, Lord, God, Savior, Abba, Divine, Shalom, Spirit, Love, etc)

3. Let that word be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action with you.

4. Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, etc.) simply return to your sacre word, your anchor.

Ideally the prayer will reach the point where th eperson is not engaged in their thoughts as they arrive on their stream of consciousness. this is the unknowing referenced in the 14th century book.

Buddhist meditation includes techniques to develop mindfulness, concentration, tranquility, and insight. Buddhists meditate as part of the path to Enlightenment and Nirvana. there are sooo many ways of meditating. 

John, Ingrid, Luchi

amy

i think both religion's meditation are the same because both relaxes us

and let us concentrate more in our spirituality then in our busy daily life.

jainism

here are three of the things i like from Jainism. one is meditation another is the vows from worldly things i find that cool. and finally the nudity practice is interesting. 

the things i dont like about Jainism 

hmmm hard its not that i like them or dislike them they are all cool. but maybe just difficult and different from what we are used to.  the non-violence vow i find questionable does self defense qualify  also the there strict law of not killing anything something must die for them to live. and finaly the fact that they did not wright down there "bible" that would have been a good possession to pass on to future generations. 

Sofi...could not be a Jainist, but thinks it's pretty cool anyway...

I like the non-violence but I dont think I could do it;

I also like the non-attachment, I think it's a good life lesson, but I think they took it too far I'm not a big fan of the nudity part of it.

I do not believe in reincarnation, so I do not like that part of it. 

Also, I think the best ideal that they have is non-judgementalism, I think it's something so important that every religion and every person should have, the world would be happier without judgementalism, 

I dont think I could ever be a Jainist though,...

ingrid

things i like

1. they like living simple

2. interesting that they believe in reincarnation to purify the soul

3. believe in karma

things i dont like

1. they make vows they cant completely follow

2. prohibit themselves from enjoying the good things the world offers

3. live very isolated lives

Jainism

Three things we find appealing about Jainism: 

1. the non-violence vow

2. the killing of small organisms as we breathe

3. the fact of bad karma

Three things we don't find appealing in Jainism:

1. It would be very hard for us only say the truth because sometimes we say white lies, even. It would be hard to stop.

2. We wouldn't celebrate our holy days by meditating by ourselves but by being with our families and praying together with them.

3. We don't believe and agree with reincarnation

(Amy, Clara, and Lucy too not just Luchi)

by john sofi

today is sofis b-day and she is every thing but marose and all is merry and gay. she sames to lve this day. also she loves abuseing her birthdayical powers to get her way she is very happy about today. most of the class was there to wake her up and enjoy her mothers culinary delights. 

Mr Mac: Happy Birthday Sofi

Happy Birthday. I hope that this will be the best birthday you have ever had, and that each year they keep getting better and better and better and better and better, forever and ever. Because you deserve the very best of everything every day of your life. -Mr. Mac

Sofi...

Sofi is one of my bestest friends. when we were smaller, we didn't get along. we kind of pretended to, but it wasn't how it is now. I love her so much. She is one of my favorite people. She  makes me laugh about so many things. She is also a very social person. When I go to a party with her, it's as if I lose her but then, I find her surrounded by a group of people laughing at a story she's telling. She's always surrounded my someone. I want to let her know how much I love her and that she means a lot to me. I hope you have a wonderful day babe. 

tu sei una di mis sorellas e io te amo molto! (no se dice asi but u know what I mean..)

(luchi)

amy's differneces

the three similarities between christianity and hinduism are:

1. both believe there is a supreme being

2. have a holy book

3 have holy celebrations

the three differences are

1 reencarnation is believed in hinduism and not in christianity

2. different names for God

3. hinduism has many saints and christianity only has jesus.

Christianity and Hinduism

Christianity and Hinduism believe that something will happen to us after we die.  

INGRID AND SOFI'S VIEW OF HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY

Christianity and Hinduism are alike in these ways:

• they both believe in a supreme being
• both have forms of worship rituals
• believe in some sort of afterlife

They are different in these ways:

• Hinduism believes that after life there is another life as another being; Christianity believes in heaven
• Hinduism has more than one god or supreme being
• Hinduism has a caste system, and christianity does not

Christianity and Hinduism

Comparing Christianity and Hinduism

Here is a link that gives alot of examples to how Christianity and Hinduism are sort of the same

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/651304

Differences between Christianity and Hinduism

http://www.allaboutreligion.org/comparison-christianity-and-hinduism-faq.htm

By: Lucy V.

3 similarities and differences btwn Christianity and Hinduism

Hindus and Christians share several things. They both believe in a Supreme Being, they both have ways of praising (meditation, prayer), and they both follow certain scripture (the Bible and the Vedas).

Hindus are polytheists, while Christians are monotheists. Hindus believe in reincarnation; Christians don't. Hindus believe cows are the most sacred beings, Christians don't.

Shibiland

3 ways ch hindo are alike and diferent 

Hindus and christians are alike and different in many ways. here are three of the ways how they are alike. both christians and hindus have sacred books, have some sort of medditation and its followers strive to reach a state of completeness. some of the deiferneces between the two religions are the dietary regulations, the numbers of deities fallowed differ and rituals are diferent.

my weekend

On Friday I went to Luis Pedro's party which was really fun and nostalgic because it was in the house besides mine and I used to have parties similar to those. 

On Saturday I went to have lunch with Ingrid, Diego (an ex-classmate), Amy, Lucy, and John in Tecun. We ate an awesome pizza. then we went to the Tennis club for our Rotaract meeting which was okay. I payed half of the quotes I owe, but I'm still in debt. We also ordered our shirts which I didn't love but they're okay. 

My dad ran the Chicago Marathon yesterday. he did pretty well too—4 hrs. 16 mins. I'm very proud of him!

Then yesterday afternoon I went to have coffee with Sofi and some friends and we played cards..it was pretty funny.

Sofi: "a wrinkle in time"

While i watched the movie "contact" in class, i kept thinking of the book we read in middle school "a wrinkle in time" in this book when the girl gets to space or to a planet where there are some kind of creatures she asks what they're doing, her guide explains that they're singing, that they're worshipping god, She immediately asks "what god?" 

That's what we would all ask, maybe we're so busy drawing lines between religions between gods that we're failing to see that some of these gods are just like ours. "Wouldn't it be logical," the character in the book said "that if our God really did create all the universe, every creature on it, would worship him". The same goes for earth, wouldn't it be logical that if our God really is a god of mercy, of love that he would love all cultures, all peoples, that he would allow them to find him through their own cultural experiences. 

This, for me, does not mean that I believe that every god worshipped is like my god, instead I believe that my God can be found through different means.

About life in outer space, maybe there is, maybe there isn't. But I believe that if there were, then God would be present in their (whatever they are) life, just like he is in mine.  

movie

through the movie we learned that 

luchi: it all comes down to faith

lucy: faith is the basic of all things

sofi: thinking about the book "a wrinkle in time"

ingrid: .......

amy: there are more than human mind can fill, we are just a pinch of sand compare to the beach.

John:  the space is big..... hope there is other life than earth

Clara: we are the only ones alive in this world

Liz: believe that there are other beings beside us and keep on having faith i what you do

amy's summary

what i learned about maximon was that he was kind of a saint in the catholic church but in a bad way. many people offer him cigarets and spirits so he could be happy, in return they ask for good health, life, and marriage. 

many people believe in him and honor him which is quite interesting.

Maximon Ceremonies

Here is a video based on the Ceremonies there are for Maximon. There are different parts for the Ceremony

Part 1 of Maximon Ceremony.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aUD645felA

Part 2 of Maximon Ceremony.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlpzZ2-v7BY

Part 3 of Maximon Ceremony.

Http://www.youtbe.com/watch?v=AvXsJ3yZ_s

By: Ingrid and Lucy V.

Brief History of Maximon

• also known as San Simon
• Maximon is a pre-Columbian Mayan god of the underworld formerly known as Maam, or grandfather. His name is a combination between Maam and Simon. 
• portrayed as a mustached man wearing a black suit, red tie, and wide-brimmed hat.
• symbolizes chtnonic (concerning, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld) male sexual power.
• brings wealth and worldly success to those who enerate him.
• given offerings of tobacco, alcohol, Coca Cola, etc. 

santiago Atitlan

Grade: 12 

Objectives: to learn frist hand concerning sacred indigenous religions in Guatemala focusing in Mam.

Location: Santiago Atitlan. Overnight: Ingrid and Luchis house 

Date: October 10th to 11th 

Duration: two days.

Supervisors: Mr. and Ms. McMarlin.

Transportation: 

Cost: Q 2,000 total 

Mr.Mac: Lesson Plan 8-12 Sept 2008

Monday

Media Center

Tuesday and Wednesday

Library

Research on Indigenous Sacred Ways in Guatemala with focus on Maximon.

Thursday and Friday

Presentations on Hinduism

What the Seniors Have Learned

In this class, we have learned about the different perspectives of religion such as Functional, Materialistic, and Belief. The Materialistic perspective is that humans made up religion and it doesn't really exist. The Functional perspective states that it doesn't matter if what we believe is true or not, but that it's useful. The Belief perspective says that religion is true and real.

Then we learned how religion has been studied. It's not studied to be skeptical but to find more proof from different sources to know what really happened. Then we studied that each culture has their own belief such as Santeria and Voudo. We also learned that with each culture and belief there come different rituals and creation stories.

We also learned that in many religions because of the culture, women aren't accepted and in some it is thought that they can't have a relationship with God, but some important figures like Jesus and Mohammed treated women well. Jesus had men and women for desciples

We learned that charisma is cool and many religious people have it as a source of motivation. We learned that indigenous people compromise at least 4% of the world population. Most native cultures pass down their stories orally. In Mesoamerica, the ancient teachings have remained hidden for 500 years since the coming of the conquistadors. Also, some indigenous people feel that their traditional sacred ways are not only valid, but actually essential for the future of the world. Every indigenous religion has their own sacred place to worship. They worship almost everything from harvests to marriages.

Mr.Mac: Chapter 2 Study Guide

WR2:Study Guide

WORDBANK: TECHNICIANS 20 VOODOO DECENDANTS 30 SANTARIA 10 LIFEWAY COSMOGONIES DREAM RELATIVES

1. Indigenous spirituality is a .......................... , a particular approach to all of life.
2. Indigenous people are ................................... of original inhabitants of lands.
3. In Mesoamerica, the ancient teachings have remained hidden for .......................... years since the coming of the conquistadors.
4. .............................. are models of the origins of the universe and their purpose within
5. ........................... is the Latin American and Caribbean ways of working with the spirit world, a blend of West African and Catholic Christian teachings.
6. ................................ is the combination of African and Christian practices which developed in Cuba.
7. African poets are considered ........................ of the Sacred.
8. African Rituals are called ....................... time.
9. The methods that Shamans use are ............. thousand to ............... thousand years old.

Week 3 Lesson Plan - Mr Mac

World Religions Lesson Plan: 1-5 September : Mr. McMarlin

Chapter 2: Indigenous Sacred Ways

Monday 1 September
Classwork
Presentations:
Introduction
Understanding Indigenous Sacred Ways
Cultural Diversity
The Circle of right relationship
Spiritual Specialists
Group Observances
Contemporary Issues
Discussion
Summary
Homework:
Review Chapter and notes

Tuesday 2 September
Classwork:
Continue Presentations, Discussion, and Summary
Homework:
Review Chapter and Study Guide

Wednesday 3 September
Classwork:
Continue Presentations, Discussion, and Summary
Homework:
Review Chapter and Study Guide

Thursday 4 September
Classwork:
Continue Presentations, Discussion, and Summary
Quiz Game
Homework:
Review Study Guide

Friday 5 September
Classwork:
TEST
Homework:
Prepare notes for blog journal on Monday

Contemporary Issues

1. Ceremonial throwing of _______ has been symbolically associated with the cycles of death and rebirth.

—dice

2. In a certain country, a representative of the indigenous tried to get them more rights, but it only lessened them. In which country was it?

—Mexico

3. Some indigenous people feel that their ______ sacred ways are not only valid, but actually ________ for the future of the world.

—traditional, essential

Luchi

Contemporary Issues

1. what does rituals often do?
- thake people out of everyday consciousness and into awareness of the presence of the sared
2 pilgrimages to sacred sites are often _____
- communal
3. when indigenous groups are broken up by ____ force the lose the ____ power of these group rituals.
- external, cohesive

Chapter One Study Guide

Nietos, click here to print this:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhss8bbs_0hj4mcgd5&hl=en

WORD BANK: Ghandi myths Charisma tie transcendent faith supernatural Bang Belief mystics transform culture society enlightenment immanent Functional rituals sacraments being sun Jesus Materialistic supreme studied Wisdom psychological creation equal pacify rational liberals dogma mysticism prayer love absolutists creation liberals Patriarchal

1. Individuals who have an inner life of ............................ , meditation, and direct experience of an inexplicable presence may be considered spiritual, though they do not belong to an institutionalized religion.

2. What does the word "religion" means to ".................. back" in Latin.

3. At first religion wasn't ................................... but simply seen as a basic foundation of life.

4. Religions have been found everywhere, through out history because it can be useful

as a glue to hold a ........................ together.

5. Religions can be useful by creating harmony in society, and by creating social virtues

such as ..............., compassion, altruism, justice, and discipline.

6. Religions propose ideals that can radically ....................... people.

7. The two basic ways of apprehending reality are ....................... thought, and non-rational modes of learning.

8. For those who find security in specific answers, some religions offer ........................... -- systems of doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true and accepted as such.

9. Scientific materialism is a theory used to explain that religion is found in every .................... around the world.

10. The .............................. perspective states that humans invented religion. The supernatural is only imagined.

11. Ludwig Feuerbach was a nineteenth century philosopher who reasoned that the ........................... is only imagined by humans and that only the material world exists.

12. Marx's opinion on religion, in his book The Communist Manifesto , was that religions ...................... people falsely.

13. Mahatma ........................ meditated on the great Hindu Scripture called the Bhavagad-Gita.

14. ............................ is the spiritual phenomenon through which truth is perceived beyond the senses.

15. Encounters with Unseen Reality are given various names in spiritual traditions: ......................., realization, illumination, etc.

16. Some religions use meditation to become "one" with .................................

17, 18, 19. The three perspectives in our text for explaining "why are there religions" are: ................................ Perspective: Humans invented religion ................................ Perspective: Religion is useful; ................................ Perspective: Ultimate Reality exists.

20. Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions tend to believe in the sacred

as .................................... ("God is out there"), whereas many Eastern and indigenous traditions find that sacred Beings are immanent , or are present with them in the world.

21. ...................................... are those who resist contemporary influences and affirm what they perceive as the historical core of their religion.22. ....................................... take a more flexible approach to religious tradition.23. .................................... are guided by their own spiritual experience.

24. The "Big ................................. " theory states that the entire cosmos originated from one point in an explosion whose force is still expanding.

25. A major conflict between science and religion is centered on .............................. , some scientists holding on to faith in the scientific method (Darwinism) and some religionists holding onto faith in a Creator God (Creationism).

26. The Historical-Critical study of scripture is not based on scepticism, but to reconcile .......................... with reason.

27. The Bible is made up of many elements including .................... , cultural influences, ethical instruction, mistakes by copyists, literary devices, actual history, and spiritual inspiration.

28. Faruqi, in his letter, believes that there is a ........................... Being in most religions.

29. Faruqi believes that ultimately, all people's religion revolves around the same ....................... .

30. ..................... is the rare quality of personal magnetism often ascribed to founders of religion.

31. A perfectionist view of religion has the potential for wreaking ............................ havoc on it's followers.

32. ............................ are worshipful actions that are predictable and repeated rather than spontaneous.

33. ............................. are images borrowed from the material world that are similar to ineffable spiritual experiences.

34. Most institutionalized religions are ............................, meaning that men lead like father figures.

35. .................................... included women among his close disciples?

36. Even though it is now widely challenged, women are still barred from ........................ spiritual footing with men in many religions.

36. Religions try to help us make ................................ choices in our lives.

37. Even though it is now widely challenged, women are still barred from ........................ spiritual footing with men in many religions

38. "................................... bypassing" means avoiding unsatisfactory lives through religion.

Sofia: Women in Religions

1. Most institutionalized religions are ______, meaning that men lead like father figures.

= Patriarchal.

2. Who included women among his close disciples?

= Jesus.

3. Even though it is now widely challenged, women are still barred from ______ spiritual footing with men in many religions.

= Equal.

Our Teacher

Our Class

Mr. Mac Really, Really, Really, Really, Truly, Deeply and Totally loves his nietos in 12th Grade

Mr. Mac: Happy Birthday to Luchi and Lucy

Happy Birthday Luchi!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

hello!

Hi! I'm just trying this out..

I hope everyone has a good weekend. oh, and happy birthday to Lucy and me!! (=

Chapter 1 Study Guide

WORD BANK: Ghandi tie transcendent supernatural Belief transform culture society enlightenment immanent Functional sacraments being Materialistic studied Wisdom pacify rational dogma mysticism prayer love


1. Individuals who have an inner life of ............................ , meditation, and direct experience of an inexplicable presence may be considered spiritual, though they do not belong to an institutionalized religion.

2. What does the word "religion" means to ".................. back" in Latin.

3. At first religion wasn't ................................... but simply seen as a basic foundation of life.

4. Religions have been found everywhere, through out history because it can be useful as a glue to hold a ........................ together.

5. Religions can be useful by creating harmony in society, and by creating social virtues such as ..............., compassion, altruism, justice, and discipline.

6. Religions propose ideals that can radically ....................... people.

7. The two basic ways of apprehending reality are ....................... thought, and non-rational modes of learning.

8. For those who find security in specific answers, some religions offer ........................... -- systems of doctrines proclaimed as absolutely true and accepted as such.

9. Scientific materialism is a theory used to explain that religion is found in every .................... around the world.

10. The .............................. perspective states that humans invented religion. The supernatural is only imagined.

11. Ludwig Feuerbach was a nineteenth century philosopher who reasoned that the ........................... is only imagined by humans and that only the material world exists.

12. Marx's opinion on religion, in his book The Communist Manifesto , was that religions ...................... people falsely.

13. Mahatma ........................ meditated on the great Hindu Scripture called the Bhavagad-Gita.

14. ............................ is the spiritual phenomenon through which truth is perceived beyond the senses.

15. Encounters with Unseen Reality are given various names in spiritual traditions: ......................., realization, illumination, etc.

16. Some religions use meditation to become "one" with .................................

17, 18, 19. The three perspectives in our text for explaining "why are there religions" are
................................ Perspective: Humans invented religion
................................ Perspective: Religion is useful
................................ Perspective: Ultimate Reality exists

20. Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions tend to believe in the sacred as .................................... ("God is out there"), whereas many Eastern and indigenous traditions find that sacred Beings are immanent , or are present with them in the world.