Survey Plan 1

Question 3: What is the characteristic of religion that makes people not grow to be perfect, but like a child dependant on his mother dependant on religion? What makes people fanatic about religion? I have seen many people with almost a superstitious, a blind belief in their religions- people going to churches, even someone who a support of traditional Korean Shamanist beliefs.

Survey Population: KMLA students(surveyed via e-mail/KMLA Online), some middle school Korean students(through my cousin who teaches in a middle school), other high school students(through friends), their families(if possible), random people through Facebook.

Survey Questions:

1.    When I am having a hard time I usually

a) consult my friends/family

b) pray/donate to a religious institution(ex. In forms of lanterns in Buddhist temples. Paying for무당 also included)

c) talk to my teacher/tutor

d) talk to my religious tutor

e) other

(check as many as you wish)

è this question aims to see whether people rely on religion in times of stress.

For those who answered b) à Why?

a)   I believe God(not necessarily the Christian term) will help me

b)   I do not like to talk about my stress to other people

c)   other

For those who answered d) à Why?

a)   I am closest to my religious tutor

b)   I believe that they are most capable to help me solve my problems

c)   other

è These questions aim to see why people rely on religion.

2. I believe that it is the right thing to preach my religion to people of other religions.

a) very yes  b) yes  c) so-so  d) no  e) very no

For those who answered a) or b) à Why?

a)   My religion is better than others

b)   My religious teacher tells me to preach to others

c)   other

è This question aims to see how enthusiastic people are about their religion

So basically this is a survey for my third question which I brought to class. This is my survey plan, my first survey plan, which I probably will have to correct as I actually do my survey, but there it is anyway.

Buddhism

Question: The Big and Little Rafts in the end have the same goal: reaching Nirvana, by themselves or with others. Their methods seem at least tangible for ordinary people. What about Zen Buddhism, where they say no words can explain the meaning of things? What is their relationship with the ordinary people, who I believe won't be able to understand any of their thoughts?

Suggestion: I think that although in its beginnings, Buddhism was close to the public, it is a little far away nowadays. The difficult parts of its ideas (especially the parts which Buddha refused to put into words) is one reason, but the most important reason nowadays I think is because the temples are too far away (at least, in Korea). Many temples are located in the mountains, whereas churches are in the middle of urban areas. By coming geographically closer to the people, I think Buddhism would better help the people.

Comment: The Diamond Raft seemed that it was influenced by the Shamanist thoughts which was common in the nearby areas like Mongol. Much like Chinese and Japanese Buddhism evolved because of Taoism and Confucianist thoughts, I thought that Tibetan Buddhism had to do with Shamanist thoughts (the ritual part especially, which in their point of view helps one concentrate, become better)

The Three BASIC Questions I want to ask

1. Do people need religion at all? If yes, why?
- I have not found any particular reason at all to  participate in religious activities on my own will. Do people need religion? Why do people need religion?

2. What are the characteristics that religions share, especially Judaism, Christianity & Islam?
- I believe that religion is a spiritual teaching of how men should become. Although their methods may be different, I believe that their goal is the same: to make a man perfect. What then is the characteristic that  religions share in common? Especially the three mentioned above, as they were developed in the same geographical area.

3. What is the characteristic of religion that makes people not grow to be perfect, but like a child dependant on his mother dependant on religion? I have seen many people with almost a superstitious belief in their religions- people going to churches, even someone who a support of traditional Korean Shamanist beliefs.

Hinduism

1. Question: Not restricting any sensual pleasures seemed an attractive part of Hindu tradition; however, are they just neglecting the people who don't get past the 1 or 2nd stages? What do they do to those people for them to raise up to a higher level, other than to wait for them to bore out?

2. Comment: The Four Yogas reminded me of a concept in Korean Traditional medicine. Yoga is a way of training oneself, and therefore I thought it had to do also with one's health. Each Yoga is suitable for each different type of person. In Korean medicine, there is a practice of dividing people into 4 categories, with treatments different for each category.

3. Suggestion: We should learn from Hindu its variety. The beliefs that there are numerous paths leading to the same end will solve many problems. There are numerous disputes in this world because people believe that there is only one path.

My 3 Books

1. It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop: The Rise of the Post Hip-Hop Generation

2. The Bhagavad-Gita

3. The Meaning of the Glorious Qu'ran