Examining Siddhartha

Christina Gearhart

March 13th, 2015

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Examining Siddhartha

        If something cannot be smelled, seen, heard, tasted, or touched, does it really exist?  Believing that intangible things, such as these, exist outside of our own consciousness is known as mysticism.  For some, this word is magical and holds a pure truth behind it.  For others, you would be a fool to believe in such childish things.  Mary Pat Fisher explains three important standpoints based on religion.  These range from analytical perspectives, to the concepts of awakening ones inner self.  Both are far from the same and can give any standpoint a run for their money in how religion should be perceived.

Since religion is something too complex and mystical in its own nature, it will be necessary to approach this discussion from all three of Mary Fishers perspectives.  The three perspectives she discusses are as follows.  Material perspective: humans invented religion.  This takes an analytical and logical approach towards religion.  There is no supernatural or alternate reality. It is a “what you see is what you get” approach. This can be very depressing for many, but it is important we approach this topic in order to gain a better understanding.  According to the movie The Buddha, Story of Siddhartha, “One cannot be too clever, for to think he knows all, all other additional knowledge is lost.”

Fisher's second perspective is Functional perspective: religion is useful.  What is religion doing specifically for the individual or society?  This approach may come off as selfish since most religions are about having a caring attitude and performing acts of selflessness.  But again, we are looking into the reality of what religion does from a psychological standpoint.  After all, is taking care of one's state of mind really that selfish?  How is one to express love to others if they don’t even know how to love themselves?  Fisher’s functional perspective looks deep into human reasoning for needing an alternate reality to believe in.  These reasons might heavily influence social changes, by thwarting, modifying or encouraging it.  How is religion benefiting mankind individually and as a whole?

Lastly, Fisher explains the most interesting and mysterious perspective of them all. This is the Faith Perspective: Ultimate Reality Exists.  Again, we ask ourselves, if the five-senses cannot perceive something, how has mankind developed an alternate-reality from nothing?  Do not confuse emotions with religion.  Both are intangible, but emotions are chemical and are scientifically proven to exist.  Although we do not need scientific proof to understand emotions, it is important we recognize the difference between emotions and religion.  When it comes to religion, an alternate-reality that cannot be perceived is known as intangible.  How have some of the most famous humans to ever exist (Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Krishna, etc.) tapped into this eternal source of knowledge?  How did these ancient beings achieve such powerful wisdom, all claiming to have experienced an alternate reality?  This perspective will look into these questions and attempt to clarify them.