Shinto blog- Peach orchard

The video that I had watched for this blog was the Peach orchard. When I saw this video I was not sure what to think of the video. It seemed confusing in the first part, and towards the end I wasn’t sure what was happening. I was unsure of what the figures in the white faces were and how the peach orchard came back for a second and then disappeared. When I read over the lecture, I understood the reason for the ritual in the forest. In this the ritual was to restore the peach orchard and to show its significance to the little boy. In this movie, the little boy was the cause for the kami to not visit their house because he had destroyed the peach orchard tree. The Kami is the strongest forces of the natural world. Not all of nature is kami, however only the powerful or amazing natures are kami, such as the Peach orchard tree.  When the boy’s family cut down the peach orchard tree, it forced the kami to leave the orchard and the boy’s family.  Kami are the central object of worship in the Shinto beliefs. After finding out that the boy was not part of this cause, and was only trying to stop his family cutting down the orchard, the kami performed a dance ritual in the field. The dance had very slow movements. Also they did some clapping in the dance. Clapping is seen as a way of communication to the kami. They had also played the drums, and did some bowing, during the performance, also seen as a rites tradition. I also learned that destroying anything sacred or meaningful that is part of the Shinto’s traditions is a sin. It made sense why the kami was angry at the little boy because it was a sin that he and his family committed.  Overall I thought the clip of the peach orchard was good, but if you did not have an understanding of the Shinto’s religion, then these clips would not make sense to you. 

Taoism Blog Response on the Tao of Pooh

I thought the Tao of Pooh was an excellent explanation of Taoism through the story of Winnie the Pooh. It was interesting to see how they used the characteristics of the characters to explain parts of Taoism. The book adds character and humor to the story which makes understanding Taoism fascinating.  I also liked how they put the perspective of Taoism through a children’s book made it easier for anyone to understand the culture, those who are not already familiar with it. The dialogue was easy to follow and the concepts were explained step by step. There were few concepts where parts of the information were scattered around in the book. That was the only part I did not like. For example page 6 of the book.  They talked about the views of a Taoist. Later in the book on page 25 they go into the viewpoints again.  In the book they refer to the person in Bisy Backsons. He is always active in some activity. On page 93 it says “the busy backsons is almost desperately active” his life consists of physical activities such as skydiving, tennis, jogging and more. This relates to the American culture of how America is always like busy Backsons. I always thought that America does things way to fast in life. Our culture seems more fast paces, which allows us to miss the simple things. On page 97 they see why our culture is like busy backsons, and it is because there is something somewhere that is not achieved. That we have to keeping moving in order to catch up with it.  Earlier in the book on page, Hoff talks about the uncarved block, or P’u. The principle of the uncarved block is to be said that “things in their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed”. (10) being simpleminded is the way to the solution to the problem of American culture and Americans as individuals. We are so much like the busy backsons, that we for the about the simplicity of life. If Americans put aside the arrogance, complexity and a few other things that get in the way, they will discover that “life is fun” (20). I think that the Taoist view of the uncarved block is a good solution. I definitely like the idea of the phrase “Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times.” (21). Simplicity leads to a spontaneous life. 

Buddhism Blog post

This cartoon depicts the stereotype of Buddhist in a positive way, because it shows that focusing on what you want and what you want to achieve allows you to reach for it.  The stereotype in this picture is meditation. Also people see enlightenment as a different perceptive than what Buddhists monks see it as. Americans always see Buddhists meditating or in mediation pose. Also Buddhists believe that meditation relaxes the body allowing you to have one focus. What this picture is getting at as well is to remove any other distractions from your mind and have one focus. In this cartoon dinner seems to be the one focus for him. I usually don’t think meditation when I think of Buddhists because meditation is followed in other cultures. It is seen as yoga in the American culture and meditation in the Indian and Asian culture. In this cartoon however meditation is used for a different reason. Meditation takes focus and concentration. One has to have a set focus in order to reach one’s goal. In this picture in order to reach to the goal you have to empty you mind of all other attachments and emotions. Time is very important when reaching enlightenment, which what the other character did not understand based on her comment. This cartoon shows both the positive and the negative side of stereotypes. Positive being having focus, and negative in that meditation what Buddhists do.  In the book it mentions that having “no goal is absurd and that it’s all about the eternal” (70) in the book by brad Warner that “there is no real understanding of what enlightenment stuff is, anyone can claim that just about anything is enlightenment and a lot of people believe it” (29). This is seen in this cartoon because to the person who is focused is thinking about dinner. It seems that in the west that people look at enlightenment as some type of pleasure or big achievement. People do believe that enlightenment can be anything. He does show that this stereotype exits in the west based on this cartoon. This cartoon shows exactly what the Americans see what Buddhists are, and what they believe. 

Aim # 2 and 4 Commentary

In this assignment I thought that the Aim on Worldly success was more prevalent in American pop music.  The reason I though this aim was more prevalent, because most artists come up big with their sings and that success is sometimes portrayed in the music. Most of the artist dream big and want to achieve something, something that gives them pleasure. This is another reason Success is more prevalent to American music because it ties in with the aim of pleasure.  The reason for this is because the artist loves to have power and money and fame. All of these three things relate to pleasure. While doing this assignment, I found it hard to find liberation songs because, when listening to songs that could be seen as liberation also may be seen as a success song. This made it hard for me to differentiate between what category the song could fall under. I also noticed that worldly success could also mean happiness as well. Both pleasure and worldly success has double meaning to eat is open to many interpretations.  Happiness can be an interpretation to pleasure and worldly success because when your successful you are happy, and success can have many meanings as well. You could be an average family and still be successful.  When doing this assignment I was surprised that one of the songs can be having both aims in it.  The Hindu understanding of worldly success talks about celebration and money. It also says that there are limitations to success. Even though it is needed in support for household and to complete civic duties, the limitations are as follows. The first thing is wealth and power is exclusive, meaning that there is not a lot of it to be shared with everyone. Second, you have to be greedy sometimes when going for your desire. Wealth and money is not shared so it’s a competition.  Third it centers meaning in the self and fourth achievements are temporary. I feel that based on the Hindu interpretation it is very different from American pop music because when they have the money there are really no limitations because once they have it, it’s done, they can just easily get more without any limitations. Success in general based on the Hindu understanding is seen through wealth and fame and power.

Aim # 2- Worldly Success
1. MIA, Paper Planes, Alternative Hip Hop, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewRjZoRtu0Y
2. Travis McCoy( Ft. Bruno Mars), Billionaire, Hip Hop Regge Fusion, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aRor905cCw
3. B.O.B ft. Haley Williams and Eminem, Airplanes, Alternative Hip Hop, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn6-c223DUU
4. Kevin Rudolf, I made It, Rap Rock, Pop, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1K40FNVJ8
5. Charice ft. Iyaz, Pyramid, Pop, R&B, 2010


Aim # 4- Liberation
1.  Pharoahe Monch, Free, Hip Hop, 1972
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waEG_DQPUZk
2. Dead Prez, We Want Freedom, Underground Hip Hop, 2000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG-eT4oK9lU
3. Tupac, Thugz Mansion, Hip Hop, 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kExHaBkEYi8
4. Alicia Keys, How it feels to fly, R&B, Pop, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5JU2cjiz48&feature=fvst
5. Katy Perry, Firework, Dance, Pop, 2010

Aim # 1 and Aim # 3

I thought that the aim that was more prevalent was aim one, pleasure. This aim is common amongst the American pop music because it is pleasure that inspires the artists to perform. The joy of singing and the wealth and fame they get from it is what pleases the artists. Many people listen to pop music because it is what they consider pleasure music to them. I had noticed however that artist who perform music in relation to helping others or to the community do it after something tragic happens.  For example after the attack of 9/11 the black eyed peas came out with the song where the love is.  This is also why that American pop music is mostly considered as pleasure. When doing this assignment most songs that came to mind that had to pleasure was all about sex, drugs, and love.  Although that can be pleasing at times, I feel that pleasure can be seen in a different aspect as well.  For example pleasure is something that people want and at many time people want happiness. Happiness can be seen as pleasurable as well because it makes the other person happy and it something they want, In relation to the Hindu text,  pleasure is said to be anything that pleases you and anything you want.  Another aspect of pleasure is relaxation.  This can be another person’s pleasure. There are many ways to view pleasure and because of those many aspects American pop music correlates very well to the Hindu aim of pleasure. In the Hindu understanding of the four aims, it says pleasure can be seen for health and prosperity.  It says to go and do what pleases the self and to do things that you want.  This is different from the Hindu understanding of pleasure because there is a negative connotation towards what is seen as pleasure. For example, it is saying that health is pleasure in the Hindu text, and this is seen as a good type of pleasure, however now days most American Pop music promotes an unhealthy intake pleasure. Also the difference in the aim of community service is that in American pop music community service is seen more of a service verses in the Hindu text community service is posed as a duty.

Aim # 1- Pleasure
1. Black Eyed Peas, My Humps, Hip hip, R&B, 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEe_eraFWWs
2. Kelly clarkson, A Moment Like this, Pop, 2002

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSSoMw3R-E8

3. Kid Cudi, Pursuit of Happiness, Tri Hop, Alternative Rock, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xzU9Qqdqww
4. Bone Thugz N harmony, Ecstasy, Rap, 2000 ( Rated R)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsTj9Lvhv2o
5. David Guetta Ft. Akon, Sexy Chick, Electro house, 2009


Aim # 3- Community Service
1.  Linkin Park, Not Alone, Rock, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrbL1s9qwBs
2. Charice, Note To God, Pop, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Xd435coD4&feature=related
3. Black Eyed Peas, Where is the love, Hip Hop Soul, 2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc
4. Bone Thugs N Harmony Ft. Akon, I Tried, Rap, 2007 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4EiBFUpFXg
5. K'naan Ft. Will.I.Am and David Guetta, Wavin Flag, Hip Hop, Pop, 2009