Person A was born in Vietnam. She immigrated to Canada because of the war. Growing up in a culture and family that endorsed the practice of Buddhism, it slowly became a part of her life. As a child she didn’t completely comprehend what being Buddhist was, she knew she went to temple and sometimes had to light incense but for what reason she did not know. Later on in life she took the time to analyze what the teaching of Buddhism was and found it to be “correct”, she had found her path. Person A
tries to attend temple as often as possible, and volunteers there. She is quite involved in the activities that go on in the temples she attends. When asked if she finds that her religion influences her everyday life, such as political choice or her interactions with family she says “No, in a country like Canada there is no need to base your vote on someone’s religious beliefs. One should base their vote on if they can deliver what it is that they are promising during their campaign.”
Person B grew up in North America. Her family has always practised Roman Catholicism and so has she. She finds that it has comforted her in her times of need, because “you feel like there is always someone looking out for you. Someone you can talk to.” There are times when she has doubted that there ever was a God because things don’t go as prayed for, but in the end she always manages to see the better side of thing. Her job at times prevents her to attend church on Sundays but she always goes if she can. Unlike person A, person B does not volunteer with her community church, but this is because she is a nurse at a hospital and is usually to busy caring for family and other social commitments. Her outlook on the effects of her religion, on her everyday life is the same as that of person A; “Religion and politics cannot be mixed.”
When asked whether or not religious differences had an affect on the relationships in their extended families, both interviewees stated, no it did not. Person A’s extended family is very diverse in their practises. She finds that each person should be treated for who they are as a person not for what they believe in. Her daughter, who is currently in grade 9, is aware that she is Buddhist but is in the same situation like person A when she was a child, unsure of what it means to be Buddhist. Person A takes her family to temple
when she goes and tries to get them to understand the religion better. She is not an orthodox or an extremist; she just believes in the key concepts of Buddhism and wants her family to do so as well.
Person B also wants her children to take after the same religion. She has chosen to enlist her children into the catholic school system so that they are exposed to more people of similar backgrounds religiously. Her children go to church every Sunday along with her, and partake in prayers before dinner. Her interactions with family members are not affected by their religion. She believes everyone has their own choice to make. When asked how she would react if her children dated people of different race but same religion she answered that she would love that. When asked about interfaith dating or marriage she proclaimed that if they could convert their partner into Catholicism it would be best but if not she wants them to at least keep their own faith traditions. Person A’s response was similar. Person A said that as long as they loved her daughter then that’s all that mattered.
Culturally Buddhism is very accepting of diverse cultures and so it does not discriminate. It developed out of Hinduism which believes that all paths are the right path as long as it leads to Brahman or the escape from the chain of reincarnation. Person A personally is not comfortable with the idea of gays and lesbians but does not know what the perspective is in her religion. As a minority in the city of Toronto she does not find that she is treated any differently than others. This may be due to the fact that Toronto is so diverse. Women in Buddhism have the same rights as their male counterparts, but in the past women were not allowed to become monks.
Catholicism has always been patriarchal. The Anglican Church consists of only men. Although this is so, person B does not oppressed by the religion though. She has noted though that women are not allowed to become priest. Catholicism has stated many time over that being gay is sinful. Person A agrees with this statement and backs it up with the idea that God has created man and women for a reason. As a majority religion in Canada she feels very welcomed to be able to find so many people who believe the same things she does.
In conclusion I have learned that although these are two very different religions the two interviewees had a lot in common with each other. They both shared common views when it came to faith minorities, sexuality, the future of their kids and more. I guess in a city like Toronto the integration of many different people has gotten people use to the idea of multi religions coming together and collaborating to create a community. One of the things that have come out of this whole process of interviewing and analysis is that each person is an individual and a society is what nourishes the way they think and react to what others have to say. Our culture supports all religions and so it is understandable that my two interviewees are the same.
The system in which different religions prosper
Dao Dong
Wednesday June 7, 2006
Mr. Kunin
HRT3M1-01
