Mallory Hogan 1 29 -14 Mr.

. Armstrong A belief system is an important key to a successful civilization, because of its role in an every day basis in a civilization. Different practices and beliefs, are taught upon what they believe is the right way to live and the way to base morals around. Different cultures value different things in life, and develop different meanings of a good character. A belief system will determine ones thinking during a situation, and how they will act towards another person. These different practices and teachings in different cultures have an impact on the civilizations peace and success. A belief system has a certain impact on how the people within a civilization act and develop a character. These good actions will bring social harmony and success to a community. To better understand the role of belief systems within a civilization and how they can influence the actions and decisions of people, consider the following moral dilemma: Joe is a fourteen-year-old boy who wanted to go to camp very much. His father promised him he could go if he saved up the money for it himself. So Joe worked hard at his paper route and saved up the $40 dollars it cost to go to camp, and a little more besides. But just before camp was going to start, his father changed his mind. Some of his fathers friends decided to go on a special fishing trip, and Joe's father was short of the `money it would cost. So he told Joe to give him the money he had saved from the paper route. Joe didn't want to give up going to camp, so he thinks of refusing to give his father the money. In this scenario of this moral dilemma, different belief systems would have different ways of handling the issues that arise. In this case, comparing two different religions Hinduism, and Buddhism, to see the different decisions they would make and why, based on their beliefs and teachings. During this time in this moral dilemma, a boy of a Hindu religion would give the money to his father in order to benefit his dharma and karma. First, it would

benefit his dharma, which is to to carry out ones duty according to social class. The son would have to respect his father, and do a good thing by handing over his hard earned money. This would not only benefit him by following his dharma, but also benefitting his karma. Karma was made up of all the good and evil that a person had done in past lives. If people lived well, they might be born into a higher class in their next life (Frey 149). His good karma will help him later on, when he dies and gets reborn (or reincarnated) in his next life. This belief in karma and dharma benefits the civilization by decreasing the violence levels, due to the need of getting good karma. Also, following dharma will also create social harmony in each social class, and people within the Hindu civilization would be compelled to follow their duty. Lastly, Joe (the boy) would know the right moral decision to make, which would not have him question what the right decision would be. In conclusion, by respecting his dharma and improving his karma he will be glad to know that he is doing the right thing by giving his money to his dad, and why he is doing it. In regards to a Buddhist practices, it would be the right thing to do for neither of them to go to their concert, nor fishing trip according to the Eightfold Path. This moral decision would be made upon the Buddhists teachings. He taught people to follow a certain set of rules, or ways to live. He called these rules, the middle way. To end suffering, he [the Buddha] taught, people should travel the Eightfold Path (Frey 159). The boy and father would choose to neither go to the concert nor fishing trip because both father and son were craving different things. Cravings are not okay, according to the Eightfold Path. Also according to the Four Noble Truths, the only way to end suffering (caused by cravings) is to give up all cravings. The father would also be wrong for disobeying another rule of the Eightfold Path, which is to be honest to your word and truthful, which he did not follow. Lastly, both were wrongdoing due to the fact they were both being selfish, which is also looked down upon in the Eightfold Path. The Buddhist teachings would impact everyday life in a civilization by reducing crime and violence, and having the people within the civilization developing good character as well as generosity. People will promote good actions, which will lead to a peaceful society.

In conclusion, the decisions that Joe and his father would make would be made upon the Buddhists teachings that the religion follows. After seeing the impact of belief systems, it is proven that it is a key to a successful civilization. A belief system will lead to positive changes and improvements, which will benefit he civilizations environment. As seen in the moral dilemma, the boy knows what to do, and is glad to do it knowing what he will receive out of it. This will prevent uprisings of the question what is right and wrong? It will also urge people to develop a good character, which will make the civilization close, and working together in harmony. Peace and good actions will come out of developing a belief system, which will positively impact every day life, and that is why it is a key to creating a successful civilization. In an effort to create a successful civilization the people of Hogzvale have established their own belief system. It shares similar religious beliefs and teachings with other world religions and helps the people of Hogzvale because of its role in an every day basis in a civilization. Here are some examples. One of the first beliefs in the Hogzvale civilization to make it more successful is the practice of Bukaka. Bukaka is described as centering your mind body and soul with positive thinking and meditation. The people of Hogzvale carry out this practice by being required to attend a palace at least once a week for thirty minutes. They will stand in a fountain and close their eyes and be in a place of relaxation to center their minds. This practice is similar to the Buddahs teaching in the eightfold path of right mindfulness and awareness. This part of the eightfold path told you to maintain mindfulness along with right concentration. This will improve the Hogzvale civilizations environment and community with happy and centered people. The next belief that will be practiced is Hakuna Matata. Hakuna Matata preaches the acts of kindness and respect. This will positively affect the Hogzvalians attitude and kindness towards people in their community which will reduce the

amount of fights and crime. The way Hakuna Matata is practiced is by respectfully talking to people and respecting others. This will include not gossiping or spreading rumors. This practice is similar to such shown in the Buddhist religion by following right speech and using kind words from the eightfold path. The third belief in Hogzvale is called Stapls. Stapls is carrying out the act of being kind and donating to the less fortunate. Stapls is practiced by having each Hogzvaleian donating at least one dollar each time they see a less fortunate or homeless person in need. By practicing Stapls, poverty will be reduced and people will learn to be kind to each other. This belief is similar to Zakat, which is practiced by the Islam faith. The last belief that is important to the Hogzvale community is Duckman. Duckman preaches good action and hard work. This belief will make sure things get done around the civilization and the citizens are happy to do it knowing that it is the right thing to do. Also, by doing good deeds such, as picking up a piece of trash will make the city cleaner and happier to live in. By having every Hogzvaleian being taught to do good deeds, the civilization can be a pleasing environment to live in. The belief of Duckman is related to the Buddahs teachings in the eightfold path which states to preform good actions through right living.