Connections in different Religions

           When people think about values on Quran, bible for Muslims, and Matthew, one of bibles of Christianity, they usually recall two different ideologies standing on opposite end of the spectrum. This recognition is the result of religious clashes occurred between Muslims and Christians. However, Christianity and Islam share several similarities in historical perspective. Both of them were born in Middle East area and are about Abraham’s value of thinking. Basically, two religions share similar root at their foundation.

One biggest similar ideology that both religions pursue is the peace led by love. Both religions try to reach world peace through achieving love and understanding with one another. One of the statement presented on Quran says that no one should take other’s life because they are all precious when the god sees us. Quran suggests peace between all living creatures. Matthew, similarly, talks about peace. While reading chapter five of Matthew, the most impressive lines were 9th and 10th line. It says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of god. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for their is the kingdom of heaven.” It means that there will be bless for the people who love others. Like such, two religions share similar root and therefore contains similar ideologies.

In Korean history, Cheondo gyo (Cheondoism) had tried to achieve similar goal to two preceding religions. Cheondoism was initiated from Donghak movement founded by CheJeU. The movement tried to make paradise, basically a peaceful world where people love each other. This idea led Korean people to pursue peace through maintaining equality.

There are many differences in many different religions and therefore they often trigger conflicts with one another. However, peace and love are the same concepts that different religions similarly have, which can be interpreted as those values are the most necessary and fundamental values that people should commonly pursue.

Where is the Dao?

Where is the Dao?

– CSIA Movers and Shakers –

What’s wrong with the world, Johnson
People livin’ like they ain’t got no Conscience
I think the whole world addicted to Soma
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you Nuna

Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin’
In the USA, the CSIA
The Books and The Crips and the Dao Te Ching

But if you only have Dao for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate, yeah

Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have Dao just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the Dao, y’all, y’all

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach?
Or would you turn the other cheek?

Johnson, Johnson, Johnson help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the Dao (Dao)

Where is the Dao (The Dao)
Where is the Dao (The Dao)
Where is the Dao, the Dao, the Dao

It just ain’t the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane?
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of Dao that don’t belong

Nations droppin’ bombs
Profanities fillin’ mouths of little ones
With the ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone
So I can ask myself really what is goin’ wrong
In this world that we livin’ in people keep on givin’ In
Makin’ wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin’ each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover
The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know Dao

Where’s the Dao, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the Life, y’all, come on (I don’t know)
Where’s the Love, y’all

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt and you hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Johnson, Johnson, Johnson help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the Dao (Dao)

Where is the Dao (the Dao)
Where is the Dao (the Dao)
Where is the Dao
The Dao, the Dao

I feel the weight of Hubaes on my shoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, Sonbaes gets colder
Most of us only care about scores makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ the wrong direction

Wrong information always shown by the GPA
Negative images, it’s the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Hubaes want to act like what they see in the utopia

Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we’re spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found now ask yourself

Where is the love
Where is the love
Where is the love
Where is the love

Johnson, Johnson, Johnson help us
Send us some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
where is the love

Sing with me, y’all
(One world one world)
We only got (one world one world)
That’s all we got (one world one world)
And somethings wrong with it (yeah)
And somethings wrong with it (yeah)
And somethings wrong with the w-w-world yeah
We only got (one world one world)
That’s all we got (one world one world)

Sincerity

Impression on “Where is the Dao” project

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In each and every class, we have talked about Dao. Mr. Johnson has always what Daoism is about and how important it is. Also, we were even having debate about whether all humans can reach nirvana, achievement of the most advanced level of Dao, and how we can actually reach that level. However, more we talk about Daoism, more curiosity about Dao got bigger and bigger. When we were discussing about project plan, we were curious about what Dao really is. We had talked and discussed about every surrounding information about Dao and Daoism, but we realized that we had never attempt to figure out the true meaning of Dao at its deep core. Then, we expanded this curiosity to find the examples of Dao in our society.

Modern societies have strong individualistic characters. Since people became busy doing individuals’ works, people tend to care less about their friends or associates. People may believe that they are forming close relationship with their friends but actually they are not. Comparing to old days, we have less time to hang out or have deep conversation with each others. How many modern-day people would have true friend who one can talk about personal life and personal difficulties? Probably most of people are forming perfunctory relationship with others. Even in my case, I spend two third of my day in school listening to lectures or doing my assignments. When I am in dorm, I spend most of my time doing my own business. And, yes, of course I have friends, but when someone ask me whether I can share my private life or secret with my friends or not, I would hesitate to answer. Who many of my friends would sacrifice their convenience for me? Or am I the person who can sacrifice my happiness for my friends’ good? I am sure that many, maybe most of, people cannot say yes for this. Our project aimed to cure this social problem.

Adding all the elements we learned in class and our curiosity, we attempted to solve such social problems. Through this project we tried to find what Dao really is. Moreover, by finding the true meaning of Dao, we were trying to search the method to make this society more ‘loving’. I believe we, all the members who were involved in this project, were able to at least approach one step toward the ideal altruistic society we are dreaming about.