Religion as Social Space in Human Culture

Religious Observation
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Religious Observation
Religion remains a vital aspect of the social space in human culture. From my religious observation, it was notable that each religion has a unique way of perceiving their version of the Supreme Being. Aspects such as dressing, the manner in which the service is conducted, the religious symbols, and the general behaviors of the attendees all mark the unique aspects of different religious groups. In my observation, I congregated with members at Hsi Lai Temple located in Hacienda Heights, California on November 16, 2019. The experience gained from observation and an interview with a believer called T. S would revitalize my understanding of the religion and especially if compared to Christianity.
First among the notable aspects is the symbol of Dharmachakra or the Dharma wheel. The Dharma wheel is some kind of a chariot wheel with protruding spokes attached to the center. The wheel had a total of eight spokes and is painted in gold. It is placed at the entrance of the temple and any person can see it as he/she enters. At first glance, one can automatically tell that the wheel is the Buddhist equivalent of the cross in Christianity. Upon inquiry from T. S, he implied that each aspect of the wheel, the hub, the rim, and the spokes represent different aspects of the religion.
The other obvious aspects of distinction of Buddhism from other religions are the manner in which people dress and how they conduct the services. At Hsi Lai, one could tell that there was a trend in which people adorned their attires. While the majority dressed casua...