The Basic Beliefs Of Buddhism Philosophy Essay

The Basic Beliefs Of Buddhism Philosophy Essay Buddhism, like most of the major religions in the world, divided into different traditions. However, most of the traditional shares of common basic beliefs. (Robinson) I. Basic Points of Buddhism About 35 years of age, Siddhartha Gautama sat under the shade of Bho tree to meditate, and he decided to meditate until he reached the enlightenment. Seven weeks after that, he received the Great Enlightenment which are The Four Noble Truths and the Eight fold path. From that time, he was known as Buddha. The Middle Way is a philosophical idea and psychological causes and healing of suffering and evil. People should understand the four noble truths and follow the Eightfold Path, making them able to reach the complete state of Nirvana. (Theory of Buddhism ) The Buddha told their followers not to have many earthly possessions. By this way, they will not feel pain or unhappy. Buddha taught people to be good, sincere and kind. They should not kill or harm living things. He wished that the people have good thoughts and help each others. According to the teachings of the Buddha, each person experiences life many times. We call this reincarnation . If a human do something bad in one life time, he or she might be an little insect or an animal in his or her next life. Buddha also taught that if the people are good during a life, they will not have to return to Earth anymore. Then they would reach a state of Nirvana, a state where there is no death or birth. (Theory of Buddhism ) The basic belief of Buddhism is often called the reincarnation the idea that people are reborn after death. (Robinson) In fact, many people go through the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth again and again. There are some practical difference between the Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and rebirth. The Reincarnation, a person can be repeated several times. But rebirth, the man is not necessarily a return to the earth as the same thing ever again. He compared it with the leaves that grow on the tree. When the leaf falls off the tree, a new leaf will later replace it. It looks similar the old leaf, but not look exactly the same. (Robinson) After several cycles, if a person can abandon their devotion to desire and the self, they can reach Nirvana. It is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. (Robinson) Buddhists believe that Buddha is their only Master and there is no god. They take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. They Following the example of the Buddha and consider that the goal of life is to develop sympathy for all living creators without any perception and to work for their happiness, their good and peace and to enlarge wisdom leading to the understanding of Ultimate Truth. They also accept the Four Noble Truths and accept that there is no self(anaatma). They also accept that in different countries there are differences in the life of Buddhist monks, Buddhist practices and beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, habits and customs. These superficial forms and expressions should not be confounded with the basic teachings of the Buddha. (The Basic Points of Buddhism) Buddha accepted the law of karma and reincarnation. He said that Nirvana is not just a state of extinction but the highest destiny of the human spirit. Buddha did not believe that their is deity and he believes that all men had no soul. He denies the existence of every kind of substance. Ones life after achieving Nirvana is unfathomable and reborn does not belong to him anymore. (Theory of Buddhism ) II. The Four Noble Truths In his first preachment after attaining enlightenment, Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths, which form the fundamental belief for all branches of Buddhism (The Purpose of Life According to Buddhism) The Four Noble Truths, forming the basic of Buddhism, are: The Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya) The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha) The Noble Truth that leads to the an end of Suffering (Magga) The First Noble Truth shows that the Suffering is real and it causes from sickness, failure, pain, and impermanence of pleasure. (Theory of Buddhism ) The Second Noble Truth shows us the cause of suffering. Suffering are caused by indulging in inherently endless desires. All forms of selfishness that separate us from others, life, and reality, such as, jealousness and anger. (Theory of Buddhism ) The Third Noble Truth states an end of suffering . suffering will stop when we are able to overcome these cravings and desires. We must try to not stick to the objects of the world. (Robinson) The Fourth Noble Truth tells us how to end suffering. We must follow the Noble Eight-fold Path. (Robinson) III. The Eight-fold Path In Buddhism, it is believed that a person can escape from the cycle of birth and death by following the noble eightfold path, by following these eight steps. (Buddhist Belief) 1) Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths 2) Right thinking, following the right path in life 3) Right speech: no criticism, lying, gossip, harsh language, condemning 4) Right conduct by following the Buddhists Five Precepts 5) Right livelihood; assist yourself without harming others 6) Right Effort: promote good thoughts and overcome bad thoughts 7) Right Mindfulness: Become conscious of your body, mind and feelings 8) Right Concentration: Meditate to attain a higher state of knowledge. (Robinson) The Buddha analyses the problems of life as Four Noble Truths. And the Eight-fold Path is the way of treatment. Anyone who have followed the eight-fold path and reaches the point of attending Nirvana are called arhat, or saint. (Theory of Buddhism ) IV. Buddhist Deities Theravada sect of Buddhism does believe that there is no god. But the Mahayana sect, celestial Buddhas and bodhisattvas are at the universe as Gods. The most popular Buddhist supernatural include the Kuan Yin, the Medicine Buddha, the Green, Laughing Buddha and White Taras, etc. (Buddhist Deities) V. Human Nature In Buddhism, there is no soul or spirit. But a human being is believed to be made up of five elements, feelings, namely physical form, mental developments, ideations and awareness. These elements combine to form a human being at the time of birth. However, because Buddhism believes in reincarnation and karma, people find a little contradiction here. (Buddhist Belief) VI. The Purpose of Living The main goal of life of all Buddhists, is the end of suffering by knowing the four noble truths of life and following the noble eightfold path. The Buddha taught that humans suffer because we always seek for things that do not give lasting happiness. We attach to persons, health, material things , that do not last and this causes sadness. (Buddhist Beliefs) The Buddha did not say that there are nothings in life that give joy, but say that none of them last long and if we stick to them, it only causes more suffering. His teachings were focused basically on this problem and its solution. (Buddhist Belief) VII. Buddhist Beliefs about the Afterlife According to Buddha s teaching, after death one is either reborn into another body or attains nirvana. (Buddhist Beliefs about the Afterlife) A. Reincarnation (Transmigration) Based on his teaching that there is no soul, the Buddha described reincarnation, in a different way than the others understanding. He compared our life to the flame candle. Although each flame is some how connected to the one that came before it, but it is still not the same one. And in Buddhism, reincarnation is usually referred to as transmigration. B. Nirvana Nirvana is the state of freedom from the cycle of death and rebirth again and again. It is also the end of any suffering. VIII. Theravada Buddhisms Teachings Hinayana (Little Vehicle) or Theravada Buddhism centered in Southeast Asia is traditional, and they try to follow the original teachings of Buddha. They see human as completely dependent on individual effort. They teach wisdom as the key virtue and consider religion as a duty, mostly for monks. They also consider Buddha as a saint, avoid ritual, and limit prayer to meditation. Their ideal is arhat or sainthood. (Theory of Buddhism ) IX. Mahayana Buddhisms Teachings Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) Buddhism has spread all over the world and has the principle that Buddha taught many things in secret to the follower who could properly interpret them. It sees human as associated with others. It considers sympathy as their key virtue and believes that its religion is suitable to life in the world. Hence, it is a religion for everyone not only for monks. The Mahayana Buddhists sees Buddha as a savior. Their ideal is the Bodhisattva or a person who has achieved enlightenment but postpones Nirvana attainment to stay in heaven and answer prayers and help humans who are in need. Mahayana Buddhism regards Buddha as a incarnate, divine savior, sinless person. For them, Buddha is all knowing and everlasting. For them, Buddha is a member of the Buddhist Trinity. (Theory of Buddhism ) According to Mahayana believe, those who is regular person could also attain enlightenment and end the cycle of rebirth Mahayana also provided us the faster routes to enlightenment than Theravada, This makes it possible to reach the goal in a single life time. As it spread into the north of India and throughout Asia, Mahayana Buddhism splited into several groups, each with a different view on the path to enlightenment. But the common believe in all forms of Mahayana Buddhism is that anyone can achieve the goal in this life. (The Purpose of Life According to Buddhism)

Digital Technology And Manipulation Media Essay

Digital Technology And Manipulation Media Essay The first device invented that could digitise or make analog photographs available in a digital format was a scanner made by Russell Kirsh in 1957 (Terras, 2008). The scanner functioned by looking at the variations in tone within photographs and assigning a digital value to represent a tone band. Instead of creating a new photograph this scanner copied an existing photograph and recorded it digitally. Because photographs can be scanned to a digital format, the initial analog negative can now be manipulated digitally and the truth value held by analog photographs can now be challenged. During the 1960s digital imaging technologies was still only used by large institutions such as NASA and the American government. It was not until the 1980s that the media began to use digital imaging technologies. Digital technology could be employed to enhance the clearness of television broadcasts and speed up the time in which photojournalists were able to send pictures to the media. In 1982, National Geographic published a photograph of the pyramids at Giza on the front cover of the magazine, see Figure 6. The photograph has been manipulated to fit a horizontal photograph of the pyramids onto the portrait cover of the magazine to make the front cover more captivating (Terras, 2008). It is important to note that this instance of manipulation was one of the first by a recognised organisation. National Geographics editor, Fred Ritchen who decided to compress the pyramids felt he had achieved a new point of view by the retroactive repositioning of the photographer a few feet to one side (White, 1999). Ritchens defence to accusations of manipulating the photograph was that if the photographer had moved and taken the photograph at a different time of the day then the photograph would be the same. However the fact remains that this photograph was not the one that was made. The fact that the photograph was manipulated was not broadcast. It was admitted to have been mani pulated when other journalists questioned the photograph. Howard Chapnick (1982) argued that the words Credibility and Responsibility allow photographers to call photography a profession due to ethical considerations rather than a business (p.40). Chapnick goes on to argue that not maintaining these ethics will damage journalistic impact and photography as a language. Lastly, he maintains the threat to credibility is permanent if people begin to disbelieve the news photograph (p.41). In 1985 digital cameras became widely used by professional photographers. Companies also marketed digital imaging camera to the public for domestic use. During this time the processing capabilities of computers was also advancing and provided a way for individuals to load image manipulation software and manipulate photographs. In 1991 the American government and the media used digital photography as a technology for the first time in a war environment. Not only was digital photography used to photograph the war but was used in weapon systems by America (Floridi, 1999). A much more recent current use of digital imaging technology is live electronic manipulation. Manipulating a live feed allows the editing of satellite image feeds. On the fly image editing may be used in sports programming to show lines on pitches or by governments to hide classified buildings from satellite imagery that is available to the public such as Google Maps. News television channels and can also employ technology to sow text feeds beneath news anchors. Delta Tre supply FIFA with sports data services and on screen graphics (Bevir, 2012). In 2012, the union of European Football Associations placed recorded footage of a fan crying at the opening of the game and played it after one of the teams had won the game to make for more compelling television. Amato (2000) argues that as this technology becomes more widespread and available the credibility of video media will be damaged permanently. In some ways this is similar to National Geographics manipulated Pyramid in that both rep resentations existed but were manipulated to give heightened sensation. The abilities that digital imaging technology have provided have been used by Walt Disney Imagineering Studio to take existing photographs and film of aged or dead celebrities made in the past to be used in new programmes or films (Amato, 2000). This use of technology to manipulate media evidences how analog photographs and films are susceptible to these processes and also asks the question of what is the final product? Is it simply a manipulated piece of video footage or a new creation entirely? Mitchell (1992 p.192) argues that it is a new creation entirely. Mitchell (1992 p.192) also argues that photography in recent times has entered a phase which he terms pseudophotography meaning that digital photography is not photography. Though the two methods are comparable, they possess different manipulation potentials which are examined in the next section. Manipulation Since Digital photography Savedoff (1997, p.19) argues that technologies alter rather than simply add to the resources of art. This means that photography as an art form has been altered by added manipulation potential. This new digital imaging practice should possess ethical consideration for the manipulation of photographs. However, this has not happened due to the inability to differentiate between the digital or analog photograph when printed creating difficulty for imposing a different standard for each method. Photographys relationship with reality as previously outlined is apparent in a digital photograph that has been printed, however the relationship created by the light reaction will not be present in a digital photograph. In an analog photograph created through a chemical process there is room for argument that the relationship with light remains intact. Although this trace looks to be evident in a photograph created by digital means, the trace is not a chemical reaction but a digital representatio n of reality. Additionally, digital photography is limitless in the number of alterations or manipulations that can be applied. These manipulations leave little or no evidence of themselves. Modern digital camera allow the photographer to review the image made and thus allows them such benefits of changing the composition until they are satisfied with the result. Images are manipulated by using computers and image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, along with scanners to digitise analog images. Therefore, photographs made before digital photography are vulnerable to manipulation just like the aforementioned case of Disney outlined earlier (Bouse, 2002). The presence of digital imaging technology has changed photography and its relationship with veracity permanently. This lends evidence to Bouses argument that old photographs may be more widely trusted and that digital photography makes readers of images aware not only of current manipulations but of those in the past also. The reader of a photograph, although aware that the photograph was made before the invention of digital technologies is aware that the photograph might have been manipulated and nonetheless chan ges the way the reader interprets all photographs, manipulated or not (Savedoff, 1997). This means that digital technology has decreased the veracity of photography due to readers now questions all photographs. Lastly, it is very difficult for the average reader to distinguish between manipulated and non-manipulated photographs. Michelle Henning (2007) argues that digital imaging technologies have enabled limited new ways of manipulating a photograph. Henning continues that digital technologies have only made the manipulation of photographs more available. Henning also argues that the public was previously unaware of image manipulation techniques before the invention of digital imaging technology. Digital manipulation has made the public more aware of photo manipulation and maybe even increased how often images are manipulated. Digital vs Analog Photography has been changing since its birth in the 1800s and many of the changes have been driven by technology but were always based on chemical reactions to light. In the 1820s Joseph Niepce found a method to permanently fix a photograph using lavender oil and bitumen. Niepce swiftly developed this method further into heliographs made by using silver nitrate. Eduard Daguerre was also looking for a way to photographically record subjects and contacted Niepce to work with each other. After Niepce died, Daguerre found that mercury could fix images much more permanently and created the Daguerreotype which Daguerre believed at the time serves to draw nature and gives nature the power to reproduce herself (Hirsh 2000). Since photographys invention the idea of a device that could create unmediated representations of reality was widely believed yet now we begin to see photography may not deserve the verisimilitude it has been ascribed. At the same time Henry Fox Talbot worked on a photog raphic method using paper print. Like the creation of photography and the creation of digital photography these changes and advances were driven simultaneously by several individuals at once. The daguerreotype became the most popular and was widely used to make very simple portraits. Later though, interest was given to the Calotype created by Talbot. The Calotype was less reliable but allowed for prints to be reproduced much more easily and allowed greater detail with the print at least initially. During the mid-1800s negatives were made from glass and coated with albumen paper. These proved much more reproducible and gave more detailed and sharper results than earlier methods. With regard to digital methods, has digital photography made reproducing images easier due to the fact that digital images when stored on a computer can be duplicated instantly and without cost? Being able to reproduce a photograph has always been desirable and this is shown by the demand for the Calotype. Be aring in mind that digital imaging technology has helped progress the abilities of cameras, it has done this in a way that has divided the two types of photography causing great debates among them. Mark Amerika, digital artist and writer, in an interview talks about the differences between digital and analog photography. Amerika claims that images and how they are read is influenced by the way they are captured, meaning that as technology changes so does out interpretation of photographs (Jacobs 2006). Because photography is much more easily manipulated with digital photography the objectivity of the photograph is lost and it is futile to pursue objectivity (Jacobs 2006). It would seem true that manipulation is more common since the advent of digital photography, which could argue that the making of an image is only a small portion of the final product like in the aforementioned case of Rejalnder. Both Mitchell and Savedoff claim that digital photography and the manipulation of it cannot be compared to analog photography because it is a new medium (Savedoff, 1997). Both continue to argue that because with digital photographs the image is created with a digital sensor digital capture is a separate process to analog capture. Digital photographs receive their authority because they are almost identical to analog photographs and this authority is passed to the digital photograph. However, if this passing of authority is stopped, digital photography may be criticised for its lack of authority. News reporting currently accomplished by digital photography may no longer be an acceptable medium for those purposes. Oddly, as already outlined, if digital photographs obtains its authority from its similarity to analog photographs, analog photographs may lose its authority because of this relationship. It is important to note that photo manipulation was possible before digital technologies; it took place much less and needed much more time, effort and dexterity (Savedoff, 1997). Savedoff and Mitchell contend that the increase in frequency of digital manipulations is enough to show the conceptualisation of digital photography as a new medium. When an analog photograph was manipulated evidence of this procedure could be found on the negative and would more than likely mean the negative would be permanently modified. Yet with digital photography this does not apply (Savedoff, 1997). The digital file makes it very difficult to ascertain whether the file has been manipulated and also difficult to determine which file is the original, if one exists. Because analog manipulations needed expertise and dexterity it means that they were the exception to the norm as they were costly to accomplish. The refined abilities of digital technology that allow image manipulation to be completed with ease have made manipulated photographs become the ordinary. Savedoff (1997) claims that the power of the reportage photograph has lessened. Savedoff (1997) also contends that before digital photography there were well known standards regarding what was and what was not acceptable manipulation of an image. However, with digital technologies these standards have become irrelevant. This new trend of manipulation gives much less regard to what it means to manipulate an image. Amerika (XXX) furthers Savedoffs claims and he believes that instead of digital photography being a new entity it simply does not exist (Jacobs). Amerika argues that digital photography is just the processing of information and to print a digital image is no different to printing a text document from a computer. Amerika believes digital photography is not about photography but about binary code or manipulation ones and zeroes (Jacobs). However, if this school of thought is accepted then surely analog photographs are about chemistry and the reaction of light to a light sensitive medium. A third argument exists which opposes both Amerika and Savedoff. Michelle Henning (2007) makes the case that digital photography has changed or remediated the landscape of photography. Keeping in mind that digital photography is used somewhat differently to analog photography, but to greater extent is experienced and interpreted in similar ways. The design of digital cameras imitate analog cameras and feature the same vocabulary such as ASA/ISO standards which relate to film speed and are not necessary for digital cameras (Amerika/Jacobs). Maybe these imitations create a bridge between the two technologies that allows the inherent veracity of analog photography to be inherited by digital cameras (Henning, 2007). Henning (2007) asks why digital cameras try to imitate analog cameras when the potential of digital imaging is greater than analog capabilities. It is important to state that although many companies manufacture cameras it is the larger companies such as Canon and Nikon and So ny that market digital cameras aggressively. Hennings idea that digital photography has remediated analog forms of photo making is not because of the abilities afforded by digital photography but because of the way it has been aggressively marketed by the companies that manufacture them (2007). Henning (2007, p.59) summarises in saying that digital imaging is not less photographic than chemical analog is and that it is a different process but ends up as the same result. The final analysis of the differences between digital photography and analog photography outlined by Mitchell (1992) is to see digital and analog photography as similar to painting. Rather than painting no longer being used as many feared it would with the birth of photography, its purpose simply changed. A change similar to this may also be experienced by analog photography, finding its niche somewhere between analog photography and painting. Digital photography however possesses the realism of analog photography but is more easily manipulated, putting it next to the two art forms (Mitchell, 1992).

Teaching Philosophy Statement Essay -- Teaching Education Careers Essa

Teaching Philosophy Statement I am not one of those people that knew absolutely for sure from age five that they wanted to be a teacher. I have thought about many different professions during my educational career and have changed my mind at times in deciding the best route to take. However, teaching has always been something I knew I would enjoy doing. I would often tell my teachers in school that I would like to be an educator, but this statement usually left me with looks of shock and responses that I could achieve so much more in my life. I would find myself very confused; wondering why these people picked a profession they believed to be so unimportant and meaningless. Regardless of their objections, I have continued to want to pursue this career. Furthermore, as a teacher, I plan to inspire my students to achieve their dreams instead of pushing them into a direction that may not be the best for them to take. These things have helped me in writing this paper of the educational goals and philosophies tha t I perceive to be important in education. I feel the environment a child is placed in plays a huge role in determining the type of student they will become. Like the philosophy of behaviorism, I believe positive and negative reinforcement can work together to help mold children into becoming successful people and productive students. All humans are born into the world innocent. However, external factors they experience in their environment as they grow into adulthood largely decide the choices they will make in their lives. In addition, these factors are also fundamental aspects in establishing how students will behave in the school setting. A person needs only to look into any typical classroom to see how... ...ng to be interested in math, and they all will not want to become math teachers like I want to be. However, I want to show all of my students that they need the principles of math not only to perform class assignments, but also to complete tasks in their everyday lives. In conclusion, I plan for myself and for my students to work hard so that the greatest amount of learning possible will be achieved in our classroom. I want my students to feel comfortable talking to me about anything from math questions to their personal problems. I want to be more than a teacher to them. I want to be a friend and a mentor to them. For me, being a teacher is not worrying about how much money I will make or how long my summer vacation is going to be. Being an effective teacher will be knowing that I have made a positive difference in each and everyone of my student’s lives.

The Colors of Life :: Example Personal Narratives

The Colors of Life I was sixteen when I found out. The year was 1968. My father and I were in the kitchen, he, in his usual talk-spot by the pantry door, my sixteen year-old self in a chair by the window. The two of us were reminiscing about the time I was a little girl, learning to write the letters of the alphabet. We remembered that, under his guidance, I'd learned to write all of the letters very quickly except for the letter 'R'. "Until one day," I said to my father, "I realized that to make an 'R' all I had to do was first write a 'P' and then draw a line down from its loop. And I was so surprised that I could turn a yellow letter into an orange letter just by adding a line." "Yellow letter? Orange Letter?" my father said. "What do you mean?" "Well, you know," I said. "'P' is a yellow letter, but 'R' is an orange letter. You know - the colors of the letters." "The colors of the letters?" my father said. It had never come up in any conversation before. I had never thought to mention it to anyone. For as long as I could remember, each letter of the alphabet had a different color. Each word had a different color too (generally, the same color as the first letter) and so did each number. The colors of letters, words and numbers were as intrinsic a part of them as their shapes, and like the shapes, the colors never changed. They appeared automatically whenever I saw or thought about letters or words, and I couldn't alter them. I had taken it for granted that the whole world shared these perceptions with me, so my father's perplexed reaction was totally unexpected. From my point of view, I felt as if I'd made a statement as ordinary as "apples are red" and "leaves are green" and had elicited a thoroughly bewildered response. I didn't know then that seeing such things as yellow P's and orange R's, or green B's, purple 5's, brown Mondays and turquoise Thursdays was unique to the one in two thousand persons like myself who were hosts to a quirky neurological phenomenon called synesthesia. Later in my life, I would read about neuroscientists at NIH and Yale University working to understand the phenomenon.

browning :: essays research papers

Barrett Browning was one of the most brilliant poets of the Victorian Age. She was born in 1809 in London, England and was raised with an excellent classical school education. In her early teens she showed great signs of a genius. Many of her poems were written before she was just fifteen years of age. By looking at Elisabeth Barrett Browning she was delicate, but inside this fragile woman there was a superior spiritual and mental being. Browning’s first publication of poems written was â€Å"Essay On Mind, And Other Poems†. In 1846 at the age of thirty-seven she married her soul mate noted English poet, Robert Browning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As of all great poets life experiences are a large basis of inspiration in their works. Throughout the chapter of her life tragedy and health woes surrounded Browning. She had a blood vessel burst in her lungs and this forced her to stay confined home for an extended period of time. To better her healing process her doctor recommended her to move to a warmer climate. She relocated to Torquay, England and while she was there her brother and two of his friends drowned in a boating accident. This horrific accident had a profound effect on Browning and provided a hue of thought as well as feeling to her poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Truly understanding the personal history of Browning enables one to read her poetry and understand her being. After reading dozens of her poems all of them stood out and it was very difficult to just focus on five poems. I will discuss â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† first. I came across the various sonnets in this piece a decade ago and believe her works to be one of the most romantic poems of all times. Browning wrote â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† during the time she first met her husband and one can not help get the impression that it was likely dedicated to him. The love that was blossoming in her heart inspired her to write this literary masterpiece. Browning had various inspirations for her works especially Shakespeare’s spirit. â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† and many of her other works where written in Petrarchan sonnets. Petrarchan sonnets in general are characteristically treat its theme in two parts. The octave, ei ght lines state a problem, express emotional problem, or even ask a question. The sestet, six lines, generally resolves the problem, relieves tensions, or answers the unknown question. browning :: essays research papers Barrett Browning was one of the most brilliant poets of the Victorian Age. She was born in 1809 in London, England and was raised with an excellent classical school education. In her early teens she showed great signs of a genius. Many of her poems were written before she was just fifteen years of age. By looking at Elisabeth Barrett Browning she was delicate, but inside this fragile woman there was a superior spiritual and mental being. Browning’s first publication of poems written was â€Å"Essay On Mind, And Other Poems†. In 1846 at the age of thirty-seven she married her soul mate noted English poet, Robert Browning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As of all great poets life experiences are a large basis of inspiration in their works. Throughout the chapter of her life tragedy and health woes surrounded Browning. She had a blood vessel burst in her lungs and this forced her to stay confined home for an extended period of time. To better her healing process her doctor recommended her to move to a warmer climate. She relocated to Torquay, England and while she was there her brother and two of his friends drowned in a boating accident. This horrific accident had a profound effect on Browning and provided a hue of thought as well as feeling to her poetry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Truly understanding the personal history of Browning enables one to read her poetry and understand her being. After reading dozens of her poems all of them stood out and it was very difficult to just focus on five poems. I will discuss â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† first. I came across the various sonnets in this piece a decade ago and believe her works to be one of the most romantic poems of all times. Browning wrote â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† during the time she first met her husband and one can not help get the impression that it was likely dedicated to him. The love that was blossoming in her heart inspired her to write this literary masterpiece. Browning had various inspirations for her works especially Shakespeare’s spirit. â€Å"Sonnets From The Portuguese† and many of her other works where written in Petrarchan sonnets. Petrarchan sonnets in general are characteristically treat its theme in two parts. The octave, ei ght lines state a problem, express emotional problem, or even ask a question. The sestet, six lines, generally resolves the problem, relieves tensions, or answers the unknown question.

Caring for Individuals with Additional Needs Essay

A brief introduction to the introductory pack including aims and objectives Include a definition of additional needs Explain why it is important for care practitioners to be aware of the different additional needs that people may have (150 words) P1 –Outline reasons why individuals may experience additional needs – Produce a newsletter What are additional needs – What is a physical disability and how does it have an impact on an individual to be classed as an additional need? What is a sensory disability? Give examples What is a cognitive disability? Give examples (200 words) Define and describe the different types of disabilities, signs and symptoms, cause of the additional need and why they have an additional need – e.g. Down’s syndrome; cystic fibrosis, autistic spectrum, people with mental health problems, asthma, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia ( 1000 words) For example Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) & (ADD) are conditions which result in problem behaviour and poor attention span. Children find it hard to control their behaviour. They might be impulsive, restless and inattentive. Children can have problems learning and socialising. The causes of ADHD are not clear. Possible causes are thought to be brain injury, chemical imbalance in the brain, genetic links, environmental factors and a possible link to diet. Some of these children present more challenging behaviour than others and may require support when socialising and in the learning context. This may result in one-to-one support in class. P2 – Describe models of disability –Booklet to include Define the differences between disability; impairment Explain the different models of disability – such as medical; social, charity and holistic or person centred model and give examples of that substantiate your understanding. Key questions to consider: Is it a positive or negative approach? Does it focus on the ability or disability of people with additional needs? Is there an aim to the model? Is the disabled person labelled as a victim? Give an example of the impact on service provision because of the model of disability P3- Explain the barriers which may be experienced by people with additional needs Define what a barrier could in reference to health and social care settings Identify the barriers that people with additional needs may face e.g. attitudinal barriers; discrimination, barriers to access and opportunities, cultural, stereotyping and discrimination, impact on self-esteem and the effects of this on a disabled person’s well-being and give examples of each barrier described P4 – Explain positive working practice with individuals with additional learning needs – written piece What is an additional learning need? Give examples of this with an explanation What support services can a client with additional learning needs access? What are the principles of positive working practice? E.g. explain empowering care and explain the importance of this when working with clients with additional learning needs What do you understand by person centred planning and why this is an example of positive working practice when working with clients with additional learning needs? What is safeguarding and how significant is this when working with people with additional learning needs? What is positive reinforcement and explain the relevance of this when promoting independence? What is ‘Guidance’ and how can this influence positive working practice / the conduct of carers? Why is it important for care workers to be registered with a regulatory body as positive working practice for people with additional learning needs? ( 2,000 words for p2, p3 and p4 ) Bibliography Boys D and Michie V (2008) BTEC National Health & Social Care Book 2: Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes (in your college library pages 196-237 has unit 26 Caring for people with additional needs – be aware the legislation may vary)

Religion Essay

1.) As a person of goodwill, explain the necessity of establishing rapport, amity, and concordance among the various religions in Asia and the world; and more specifically among Muslims and Christians in the Philippines. Why is religion a positive contributor towards peacemaking but at the same time can be a source of societal turmoil? In what way can Asian religions transcend divisiveness by standing side by side with other religions, without losing their very own unique creeds or belief-systems? Based on the films about Muslim Filipinos shown in class, please explain in what way Christians and Muslims can utilize their respective religions for peace and harmony in Mindanao? Answer these questions by citing concrete cases to prove your point (30 points). It is necessary to establish rapport, amity, and concordance among the various religions in Asia and the world more specifically among Muslims and Christians in the Philippines in order to better understand their systematic beliefs, values, and behavior, acquired by people as a member of their society. These patterns are systematic because their manifestations are regular in occurrence and expression: they are shared by member of a group. It is also necessary to build friendship and connection among diverse religions in Asia and the world to build a better society and to have peace in every nation. In such a society it is very important to have harmony and respect amongst the different religions. We must distinguish between belief and respect. Belief refers to total faith, which you must have in your own religion. At the same time you should have respect for all other religions. This tradition of believing in one’s own religion and having respect for others. In every religion, there are transcendent things that are beyond the grasp of our mind and speech. For example, the concept of God in Christianity and Islam and that of wisdom truth body in Buddhism are metaphysical, which is not possible for an ordinary person like us to realize. This is a common difficulty faced by every religion. It is taught in every  ­religion, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, that the ultimate truth is driven by faith. As far as the Muslims are concerned it is appropriate for them to have complete devotion to Allah while praying in the mosques. This is also the same with Buddhists who are completely devoted to the Buddha when they pray in Buddhist temples. A society, which has many religions should also have many prophets and sources of refuge. I want to emphasize that it is extremely essential to sincerely believe in their respective religions. Usually, it is very important to distinguish between â€Å"belief in one religion† and â€Å"belief in many religions†. Religion is a positive contributor towards peacemaking but at the same time can be a source of societal turmoil because religion is a perennial and perhaps inevitable factor in both conflict and conflict resolution. Religion, after all, is a powerful constituent of cultural norms and values, and because it addresses the most profound existential issues of human life (e.g., freedom and inevitability, fear and faith, security and insecurity, right and wrong, sacred and profane), religion is deeply implicated in individual and social conceptions of peace. To transform the conflicts besetting the world today, we need to uncover the conceptions of peace within our diverse religious and cultural traditions, while seeking the common ground among them. Traditionally many people focus on how wars and conflicts are seemingly undertaken for religious reasons, or at least undertaken in the name of religion. A significant problem with organized religion and belief, as this relates to peace and conflict, is individuals and groups often confuse the map (their socially-learned version of reality or culture or religion) with the territory (or ultimate reality). Thus people believe that their personal or subjective version of reality or religion is valid, while other views are invalid. Instead it can be argued that the many maps are different, but possibly equally valid interpretations and attempts to understand the same underlying reality or territory. Asian religions can transcend divisiveness by standing side by side with other religions, without losing their very own unique creeds or belief-systems through banding together in interfaith dialogue, cooperation, and religious peacebuilding. The first major dialogue was the Parliament of the World’s Religions at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which remains notable even today both in affirming â€Å"universal values† and recognition of the diversity of practices among different cultures. The 20th century has been especially fruitful in use of interfaith dialogue as a means of solving ethnic, political, or even religious conflict, with Christian–Jewish reconciliation representing a complete reverse in the attitudes of many Christian communities towards Jews. Christians and Muslims can utilize their respective religions for peace and harmony through sharing the main morals and conducts that are for the benefit of humanity and nature. They believe in the same basic morals that are important for people to follow in order to live in peace, harmony, and love in communities with different faiths and cultures. And to through tolerance, respect and cooperation with respect in each other’s religions. 2.) Explain why Islam is considered the â€Å"most misunderstood religion†. What are some historical, sociological and cultural reasons that paved the way for a misunderstanding of the true nature of Islam among non-Muslims and even among Muslims? Islam means â€Å"submission to the will of God in all areas of one’s life†. Muslim means, â€Å"One who submits to God’s will†. These Arabic words are actually non-sectarian terms if we look at the context of these words in the Qur’an. Can we use the term â€Å"Muslim† in its universal implication to include all believers in One God? Can we use the term â€Å"Muslim† to any person (irrespective of religions) who strives sincerely to submit to the will of God in his life? [Hint: Consider the Islamic doctrine of Risalah (Progressive Revelation) and the Islamic view of the universality of God’s calling of prophethood] (30 points). Islam is considered the â€Å"most misunderstood religion† because most of the time it is considered as a violent religion and is likely â€Å"to encourage violence among believers†. And there is also some outright falsehood for example, â€Å"God sent prophets to every nation for their guidance.† But, According to the â€Å"Doctrine of Progressive Revelation†, Islam is very universal since it admits that Allah sent prophets to everyone whereas Jews believe that prophets only come from them because they are the â€Å"chosen people of God.† Another example, â€Å"One of the missions of the Prophet of Islam was to bring peace and unity to the feuding tribes, the Jahiliah or the ignorant Arabs of the pre-Islamic days. This he succeeded in doing as narrated in several verses of the Qur-an†. The message of Allah were brought by one Prophet and recorded in one holy Qur-an. There is no other Qur-an, or versions or it, or editions which carry different texts. The hold Qur-an is not in the form of Gospels by Muslim saints or ‘ulama’. The holy Qur-an is just the record of the messages of Allah in the Arabic of the period. Translations of the Qur-an may be different in minor ways, but they are not accepted as the holy Qur-an. Only that in the original Arabic is accepted. So there can be no differing text or Gospels or versions which can result in differences in the messages or teachings of Islam. Yet, clearly there are differences, serious differences, so serious that Muslims are divided sometimes into warring sects. One of the reasons that paved the way of misunderstanding the true nature of Islam among non-Muslims and even Muslims are the â€Å"media†. Media is the greatest factor on how people view their surroundings. Somehow, criticizing the Islam brings them more readers/viewers. We tend to judge and generalize things without knowing the exact story behind those issues. Infact, the worl Islam means peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law. Yes, we can use the term â€Å"Muslim† in its universal implication to include all believers in One God, as well as, to any person (irrespective of religions) who strives sincerely to submit to the will of God in his life because â€Å"Muslim† believe that God is eternal, transcendent, absolutely one (the doctrine of tawhid, or strict or simple monotheism), and incomparable; that he is self-sustaining, who begets not nor was begotten. 3.) Write a â€Å"reflective synthesizing essay† that answers the following questions: In the future prospect, will the Asian religions move from rhetoric unity and act as one to solve the common problems affecting humanity? As for Asian countries, will they achieve political independence from the clutches of Western neo-colonialism? Is there a need to abandon our cherished worldview and values in the name of development? How will the Asians reconcile their adherence to Asian ethos and at the same time open to the demands of globalization? How will the differing Asian worldviews and religions be properly harnessed to promote nationalism among Asians and global cooperation among countries in the world? (30 points) Yes. In the future, the Asian religions will move from rhetoric unity and act as one to solve the common problems affecting humanity to have a better nation, to have a respect on one another, to fix the unjust and destructive situations. There is no need to abandon our cherished worldview and values in the name of development but rather preserve it and continue following those values to build a progressive and advance nation. With their differing Asian worldviews and religions they can create different ideas and new innovations but with respect with one another’s point of view, and to accept what other countries have made, to promote nationalism among Asians and global cooperation among countries in the world. 4.) Explain what made Japanese civilization unique in its approach to establishing a pro-active Asian civilization capable of having positive ethical patterns as fountainhead of their development? Explain why it is not just enough to simply support one’s parents for one to be called â€Å"filial†; what are therefore the other requirements to be able to truly say that one has completely conducted oneself as â€Å"filial son/daughter† to one’s parents? What makes Indian civilization stuck into conservatism? What are some of the positive role that the caste-system plays in Indian civilization? What are also the negative aspects of the caste system to Indian civilization? Explain in what way did Japan show a purposive and planned-out blueprint for development in their history? (30 points) It is not just enough to simply support one’s parents for one to be called â€Å"filial† because we owe our parents a lot- because of them we able to eat three meals a day, sometimes even more. They give us clothes and sometimes the things that are beyond our needs. They send us to school. But more than simply supporting us in the most basic sense of supporting, our parents loves us. It now becomes something different because when we love them back, we do not do so out of indebtedness. We give our love freely, and not as a payment with a certain interest. Most of all, because of this special filial relationship with them that we had since birth, we also respect and obey them. We not only support our parents, but serve them. The Indian â€Å"caste system† made it stuck into conservatism. The positive roles that the caste-system plays in Indian civilization, provides a sense of community and belongingness. And the two main strands of thought: Divine will- the belief that a hierarchical social structure is part of the divine intention for natural order, and the Purity- the need to emphasize the importance of ritual purity and impurity. But there is also a negative aspect of caste-system to Indian civilization. For example, marrying someone from a different caste, whilst not officially outlawed, is generally discouraged. They only lived, ate, and worked within their group. This was based on the idea that people are different and should have different roles. And a person born into one caste never changed castes and very seldom mixed with members of other castes. Castes were unchanging groups but people from the lowest caste were told that they have to serve the other castes so that they can be reborn into a higher caste in their next life.