Although religions differ greatly in the beliefs and practices they endorse, many universal themes can be found when comparing the underlying reasons that people practice religion. Freud believed that people practice religion as a form of displacement so that they could be at ease with themselves while not coming to terms with the actuality of their convictions. Someone who is a Buddhist by this theory may only be so because they are dissatisfied with their current situation and do not know why specifically. Perhaps Jung was correct when he said that we create religion because of a collective unconscious or similar thought process among members of a given society. Hence people of one time and space may have beliefs that coincide. When exploring Buddhist Fundamentalism it is important to ask who is involved within the religion? There are two methods through which people can be introduced to the ideals and practices of Buddhism. These ways will affect the perception and interpretation of what Buddhism means to that person. The first way is growing up within a Buddhist environment; having Buddhist parents, a society in which the Buddhist religion is very observable. This would be the simplest way for a person to be introduced to a religious belief. In many ways this might also be the easiest form of the spread of religion because there is no conflict associated with the undertaking of the practices. The second way for people to undertake Buddhist beliefs is when it is encountered outside of their normal routine. These people might be dissatisfied with their present lifestyle whether it is religious or not. This way also includes the spread of Buddhism through the media and popular culture. For example, famous and therefore influential individuals like Richard Gere and Adam Yauch (Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys) who might introduce the awareness of the Buddhist religion to people who otherwise might not have encountered it. In ...
