prakhar


 * Can we have beliefs or knowledge which are independent of our culture?**

Knowledge can be acquired through sense perception, logical operations (reason) and emotional reactions. This type of knowledge in its basic form is generated by biological responses to stimuli, and could be regarded as independent of culture. **We know for example that facial expressions of basic emotions are** [|**biologically determined**] ** not learned. ** Our knowledge acquired through **senses, emotions and reasoning** may initially be private, but get shaped by the environment. Through interaction with the environment and cultural osmosis we learn concepts, ways of thinking, norms, values and language. Although culture does not completely determine our thinking it shapes it to a large degree and [|**language**] [| plays an important role in this].

A philosopher once visited Buddha and asked him: "Without words, without the wordless, will you tell me **the truth**?"


 * Buddha kept silence. **

After a while the philosopher rose up gently, made a solemn bow and thanked Buddha saying: "With your loving kindness, I have cleared away all my delusions and entered the true path."

When the philosopher had left, Ananda, a senior disciple of Buddha, enquired: "O, Blessed one, what hath this philosopher attained?"

Buddha replied: "A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip!

The Buddhists believe it is possible to acquire knowledge through direct experience. Such experiences can be reached in **silent meditation.** Contrary to western philosophical tradition which emphasizes clear expression of **ideas and debate**, the Buddhists think that words can come away to discovering the truth. However, the acceptance of Buddhists beliefs and practices as **prerequisite** to discover the truth demonstrates the culture dependency of such knowledge.

China today is strongest nation amongst all, and reason being changing their way of living. They started developing western culture in their country, because they thought it’s the best way to go with trend. It was their thinking that continuing our own culture not letting those wins; even they had most populated army. Their knowledge was acquired with emotional reactions and with experience.


 * AOK- Human sciences and Mathematics.**