Shinto Illustration Essay Example for Free

Shinto Illustration Essay There are many religions in the world. Some are more well-known than others. One of the lesser known Asian religions is the Japanese religion, Shinto. Unless a person travels to Japan or can interact with someone who is willing to share a little about his or her religion, no one will know anything about it. Shinto is ancient native religion of Japan still practiced in a form modified by the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism (Infoplease.com, 2014). According to Molloy (2013), â€Å"Shinto has no known person or group as its founder. In fact, its mysterious origins date back to the ancient people of Japan and their stories of how the world came into being.† Its followers of this religion rarely know the name of the deity they are worshiping, nor do they care to, because their concern lies in whether they can feel its existence. Many aspects contribute to Shintoism in its entirety including nature, the kami, shrines, ceremonies, purification, and festivals. It wasn’t until the invasion of Buddhism into Japan that forces the people to give the religion its name. The main aspects of the practice of Shinto are affinity with natural beauty, harmony with spirits, and purification rituals. The people believe in the divine to be all around them because the beauty and power of nature surrounded them. However, Shinto is more than a nature religion; it also has ethnic and family dimensions. The people of Japan also worship the spirits of their departed ancestors or great leaders of the past. As it has already mentioned; the entry of Buddhism into Japan in the sixth century AD force Shinto to define itself. It then became a complicated process because Shinto belief is so similar to that of the Mahayana Buddhism. Even with the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism, Shinto did not die out. In fact, it took a man name Mutsuhito to step up to the plate and take over the reign of Emperor to get things moving and reinstate the Shinto religion to its fullest capacity. Shinto even became a  national religion, where shrines received national status and priest became official government employees. Unfortunately, it did not stay that way. Japans defeat in World War II brought the disentanglement of the State Shinto; the Emperor destroyed its chief foundation as well as denouncing his divinity. Shinto shrines were returned to private religious practice, and all religions were equal footing. Theoretically, Shinto became strictly private religion but in reality it retains a special place in national life (Molloy, 2013). In its present form; Shinto is characterized less by religious doctrine or belief than by the observance of popular festivals, traditional ceremonies, and customs, many involving pilgrimages to shrines. Currently, there is no dogmatic and no formulated code of morals (Infoplease.com, 2014). However, Shinto practice is usually wherever large Japanese communities exist. The common religious practice that still exists today are worship at Shrines, Celebration of the New Year, Observance of the seasons and nature, and other Shinto practices such as daily worships in an individual’s home. Reference: Infoplease.com: Shinto. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/shinto-history-development.html Molloy, M. (2013). Experiencing The Worlds Religions: Traditions, Challenge, and Change (6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.

A Minor Charater in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

A Minor Charater in Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness is a novel in which many relatively minor characters serve major functions in the overall meaning of the work. One such character is Kurtz's Intended who starkly contrasts against Kurtz's evil to better show the evil and primal side of man. The Intended is the embodiment of man's denial of the truth of inner evil. In the painting of the Intended, her blindfold shows her blindness to the truth, symbolized by the torch she holds. The truth of man's evil is within her grasp, but yet she allows herself to be blinded so she cannot accept this to be true. She is in denial -- as far as she knows, if she can't see the evil or that it holds a penetrating presence, it does not exist to her. Ironically, however, Conrad describes the Intended as having "a shade of truthfulness upon [her] features." She is an innocent -- the word "halo" compounds that notion; however this too is ironic. She is only a person, just as capable of malevolence as anyone else, which is symbolized by the black she wears. Marlow only lies about Kurtz's life and death to spare the Intended the knowledge of what Kurtz had become -- a manifestation of raw human evil. Marlow is the blindfold that shields her from the truth that Kurtz fell to a natural inner compulsion towards iniquity, and that this inner evil exists everywhere. Because she denies the existence of an inner evil, the Intended is only as innocent as a human being can be. This innocence contrasts severely with Kurtz's own evil. This innocent girl was the fiancee of a murderer "demi-god" who decapitated people. She is the innocent side of the relationship, or the yang. She is pure, but with a spot of darkness being the potential for evil only because she is human. Kurtz is the dark side of the relationship, the yin. He is an "animated figure of death" who once was noble and innocent, like the fiancee. He went to Africa with good intentions, but was corrupted by unadulterated freedom. With no society to tell him how to act, he fell prey to his inner darkness.

Education & Economics Essay

Education is normally regarded to be one of the things that remain as relatively permanent in this world. Thus, from my personal experiences, it is seen as a solid foundation that is made of sturdy and solid bricks, which it as well serves a obliging partner in attaining my personal and career goals. Although, there are already definite stepping-stones that I have started with regard to my educational growth and development, I still see the need for pursuing an educational program in Economics as an addition to the ones that I already have. It is of great certainty that there are far greater heights to which I am compelled to achieve and persistently pursue these goals by submitting myself to an educational program in Economics Major as a partner in attaining for the said endeavor. The list of reasons for pursuing such objectives includes influences from personal growth requirements. First, it has been my life-long dream to achieve the highest echelon of learning, which is that of a Major in Economics. Thus, this is seen as a constant quest for learning everyday as I feel the great prerequisite to take further steps into the field to which I am most passionate and dedicated about. As such, it is my career goal to be in the said industry as one of the most reliable and reputable practitioners in the field of Economics and established a great career a head. Likewise, achieving such career goal in the said field is also my own way of preparation in facing the challenges of the future. Moreover, as one of the aspirants in such line of business, it has come to my understanding that such endeavour will never be an easy task but is rather a long road of travel filled with several challenges. Likewise, I truthfully comprehend the significance and meaning of Education as the foremost key towards the achievement of my dreams in the field of Economics. In this regard, I truthfully believe that receiving formal studies with that of Major in Economics Major would make me more equipped and prepared for my future career and personal goal. With the current work experiences I have, my future has become more defined and is guided towards achieving success in the particular field I am most passionate about. Thus, with the employment that I have been through, I would say that my qualities and capabilities as an individual has improved that has made me more all set to undergo educational program in Economics. With my experience as a Marketing Manager in Moxie Company on behalf of Hong Kong Information Security Group in which I have worked for three months, this particular experience has gave me a brilliant opportunity to work in a world class environment wherein I get to witness actual progression of business. As such, the same experience has also helped me understand the cultural differences around the world through the chances I got in communicating with different people coming from diverse cultural background. In this regard, my passion and interest to financial matters has been further enhanced and empowered that the whole experience has made more decided to further reach for my personal and career endeavors. Although, the my stint as a Marketing Manager has been through a minimal amount of time, the experience and the learning are indeed essential as well as helpful for me in pursuing a Major in Economics wherein I get the chance to have a grasp of actual business actions and has the opportunity to be more familiar the actual proceedings in the real world. Nonetheless, through these actual work experiences as a Marketing Manager, I am able gain positive traits and characteristics in which I have learned to be more professional and committed to the tasks I have to do and adhere to the duties as well as to the responsibilities that I am compelled attend in the most optimistic and effective manner I could in order to attain the most positive outcome. In addition to this, the chance of being involved through various volunteer works is also seen as relevant in pursuing my dreams and having a major in Economic as these experiences have helped me become more committed in all the things that I do and acquire positive traits in terms of personal and professional capabilities. As such, through this social works, I have learned to be more devoted and passionate not just to my own personal goals and objective but as well as being as equally dedicated to help the society and the people in facing the challenges of life together. In Hong Kong, I have participated in the fund raising event of â€Å"Lifeline Express Dance for Sight† wherein my involvement is to help restore the sense of sight for the blind cataract patients that are living in the remote areas of Mainland china. In here, I just do not solely enjoy the feeling of helping other people but at the same I am also able to learn more about Financial Matters, as seen essential in my goal of pursuing a Major Economics, which this said volunteer work is about fund raising. Nonetheless, it is really my happiness to be involved to different volunteer works. Aside from the fact that I am helping other people through such involvement, the entire experience for me is also helpful personally wherein in every social task that I do I am able to acquire new things and learning that are all helpful in pursuing my dreams and having a Major in Economics. Prompt II Every individual has his/her own personal characteristics that serve as the defining factor for the different goals intended to be achieved. In my academic and professional career, I see that my personal qualities, achievements, and experiences that have given me the chance to see a better future ahead of me. First, I am family-oriented and always have within me the gratefulness of my parents, especially my mother. Every decision I make, the behavior I exhibit, and the ideas that I carry out have their corresponding impact to my family that is why I am always cautious of the path I take. In this endeavor, I consider my family to be a factor and inspiration towards the success that I want to achieve. With them being the supporting framework of my goals, I have the confidence that I am standing on more stable grounds than if I am all alone. Likewise, the values that are provided to me by my family have defined the person that I am now. Being the first set of social group I get to interact with in my early days up to now, they have given me enough training in establishing and maintaining valuable relationships both within the family and in the external environment. I see this as a valuable factor in my success in the academic setting because there is a bigger social sphere that is present within the university and this affects the academic performance of people. No man is an island is a rule that applies to this and the ability to relate well to other people within the school serves as a good factor for the achievement of several goals. In addition to this, the gratefulness that I have within my heart serves as a positive driving force for me to do well in every activity that I intend to accomplish in the school. Compared to other motivating factors that last only for a short period of time, this level of gratefulness and the need to reciprocate the kindness my mother has shown me is on a futuristic perspective that has the strength to last. Second, I consider myself as an enthusiastic, optimistic, active, and resourceful person especially in school activities. The enthusiasm that I have provides me with the courage to deal with difficult undertakings. While some may seem hard to achieve as it entails gargantuan tasks, I never gave up because of the determination and enthusiasm I have over studying and doing far more than what is expected of me. Likewise, I always opt to look at the brighter side of things that make it easier for me to accomplish goals. Instead of dwelling over the difficulties I face in school, I look for the things which could help me accomplish the things I need to do and this has worked for me over the years. Moreover, the activities I join in have given me the chance to socialize and learn through it. I realized that not all of the things I need to learn in life are found within the four walls of the classroom. Rather, learning could also occur in the extracurricular activities I engage into such as the volunteer works, past work experiences, sports, and dancing activities that helped me learn more than what is taught of me in these programs. There are values such as collaboration, sportsmanship, perseverance, hard work, diligence, and will that I have derived from the training that is received out of these activities. Third, the volunteer activities I completed have also given me a sense of pride and honor and have added a piece to my life’s puzzle. I have connected with the purpose of the programs and activities that are at the center of our goals and this has built within me the ability to relate to the larger social sphere which I am in. Not everyone is given the chance to understand critically the society, especially with the problems that beset it today. This is important to me because it has given me the chance to get a preview and a taste of how it really is in the world outside the university. This is the practical side of life and aside from the theories found within the pages of the books, it is important for students to be able to understand the life beyond what is being considered by the experts and theorists in the different fields. This is carried with the belief that there is no single theory which can hold true for the present-day scenario. There is really the need to immerse in the areas where problems exist in order to find out the theory that is suitable for it. Fourth, I have earned several accomplishments during my school years. I have been given Honors Award for the year 2004-2005 for the Schools Dance Festival (Hong Kong) and Commended Award for the year 2002-2004 in the same respect. Likewise, I received certification for the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Education Series in 2003 and serves as a team leader for the Contemporary Dance Team. Lastly, I have also participated in the Grace House Committee. All of these personal and academic accomplishments serve as my proof that I could achieve several things if there is patience and hard work. I learned that the effort that I exert would be commensurate to the outcome that I will achieve out of the activities I engage in. Indeed, I have been able to achieve several things during the length of time I stayed within the university. This has taught me several valuable insights that lead me to become better in achieving things. Likewise, my family, most especially my mother, has shaped me to become the person that I am today and this is one thing that I am most grateful for. Personally, I could say that the right mix of determination, enthusiasm, optimism, and resourcefulness brought success to the intentions I have.

Cold Blood By Truman Capote - 1332 Words

Education offers endless doors of opportunity for the people who pursue it. Not only does knowledge breed confidence, but it sets society on a path and purpose towards success. Wandering without a purpose, people lose their goals and aspirations. Some individuals never find direction, developing a sense of insecurity and isolation. They begin to have thoughts which result as defense mechanisms to safeguard them from feeling alone and abnormal. When these reactions happen, the outcome of their actions become unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Moreover these individuals will create their own world from their insecurities and act on them like reality. Often, these cases embody victims of mental disorders, overlooked by society. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote suggests criminals deserve careful analysis, an unpopular opinion; he refers to the lives of two characters, dreams shattered, suffering from the same fate. Through the investigation of a detective bureau and the author s int erpretation, the perpetrators symbolize a bigger picture. Although the details of the crime convey Perry as a cold-blooded murderer, Capote illustrates Perry as a victim of his childhood by emphasizing his insecurities and fears. Capote highlights Perry s actions through the analysis of his crimes to suggest fear causes people to make unreasonable decisions. Perry s lack of self esteem forces him to make unthinkable actions to make up for his lack of self-worth. By committing these outlandishShow MoreRelatedCold Blood By Truman Capote1354 Words   |  6 Pageschildhood and later adult life Dick and Perry are exposed to experiences which contribute to their lawlessness in the book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Recurring trends throughout each man’s lives such as their involvements in traumatic car accidents and higher education contribute to their unstable mental being, which eventually leads to the murders of the Clutter family. In Cold Blood argues that Dick and Perryâ₠¬â„¢s backgrounds make their criminality inevitable. Both Perry and Dick committed crimes thatRead MoreCold Blood By Truman Capote1322 Words   |  6 Pages In Cold Blood by Truman Capote would be a good, diverse addition to the ENG 3U course for many reasons, beginning with how the novel is non-fiction, but still manages to create a story line, while remaining appealing for the reason that it differs from most novels on course syllabus to the way the author can make you feel for the characters. In Cold Blood is a novel written about a real life event that happened in Holcomb, Kansas, 1959. A family of four is murdered in their house in cold bloodRead MoreCold Blood, By Truman Capote1942 Words   |  8 Pagesnon-fiction novel, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote follows the tail of the Clutter family murder in Holcomb Kansas. Four members of the Clutter family are brutally murdered by two ex-cons and the story follows the hunt for the murderers, their capture, and eventually some country justice. The murder took place on the night of November 15, 1959. The investigators had no motive for the crime and the only clues that they had were two pairs of boot prints left by the killers. Capote took all of his notesRead MoreCold Blood by Truman Capote900 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1965, Truman Capote created the infamous tale known as â€Å"In Cold Blood†. The book created the illusion of fantasy while based on reality. Many people were floored at the brilliance Capote demonstrated within the pages. The book took the literary concept of a novel with the literary elements of designed scenes, characters, a story formed with an introduction, rising action, climax and resolution to the real events surrounding the murder of the Clutter family. Those that worked in the field ofRead MoreThe Cold Blood By Truman Capote967 Words   |  4 PagesIn Cold Blood Do you think that every crime has to be breathtaking to attract readers` attention? Not at all. â€Å"In Cold Blood† is a non-fiction novel of 1967 by Truman Capote, where a life story of the Clutter family is told. Exactly this story of crime can make you a philosopher – while reading, you will definitely think over the tragedy and the meaning of life. The Clutters met a lot of difficulties on their way to find happiness, but were murdered because of no reason. The police was baffled, asRead MoreCold Blood By Truman Capote986 Words   |  4 Pages In In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, the device of juxtaposition is used to contrast the differing mental states of Dick and Perry, which is emphasized by the syntax, diction, and tone throughout the two passages. Capote uses opposing accounts of the same situation to add a deeper characterization of the two men, and to emphasize their differences psychologically. Throughout the book Capote attempts to show the true complexity of the killers, and how their backgrounds and psyches affected their actionsRead MoreAnalysis of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote861 Words   |  4 Pages A4 AP English 11 29 August 2013 In Cold Blood In the literary world, the concept of using a silent narrator is complex. The novel In Cold Blood was the first nonfiction novel published in an era of journalism. Capote gained many fans and critics. Truman Capote, in his nonfiction novel In Cold Blood effectively uses a silent narrator to influence the reader’s opinions of characters based off of actions and words, but as the novel continues Capote begins to reveal his true opinions and thoughtsRead MoreCold Blood Is A Book By Truman Capote956 Words   |  4 PagesIn Cold Blood is a book written by Truman Capote. It’s a non-fictional book written in the style of a creative fictional book. The story follows two criminals, Dick and Perry, after they’ve murdered four members of the Clutter family. The already experienced murderers make sure to leave no evidence, clues, or traces to them in the crime scene. As investigators attempt to figure out the mystery of the Clutter family murders, Dick and Perry make their way to Mexico until they get found out and getRead MoreTruman Capote s The Cold Blood1705 Words   |  7 Pages Truman Capote’s â€Å"In Cold Blood† is widely considered today as the first â€Å"non-fiction novel.† Published in 1966 and the fruit of over 6 years of research, the novel is an account of the gruesome murder of the Clutter family by two fellow ex-convicts Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. The four members of the Clutter household, Kenyon, Nancy, Bonnie, and Herbert Clutter were all taken to a different location in the house and promptly executed, each by a brutal shot to the head with a 12-gauge shotgunRead MoreTruman Capote s The Cold Blood Essay1472 Words   |  6 PagesTruman Capote’s novel â€Å"In cold blood† was identified as a new form of non-fiction genre in which an objective approach was taken by the author, as his opinions and judgements were absent from the text, leaving only the truth for the reader to interpret. Capote’s narrative method allows the murders to be explained and rationalised within a framework of middle-cla ss ideology and psychological analysis (Hollowell, 1997). Kazin (reference) conveys that the novel â€Å"In cold blood† creates a strong connection