Buddhist Fundamentals Although religions differ greatly in the beliefs and practices they uphold, many universal themes can be found by comparing the underlying reasons why people practice the religion. Freud believed that people practiced religion as a form of displacement so they could feel comfortable with themselves without coming to terms with the actuality of their beliefs. Someone who is Buddhist according to this theory may be so only because he is dissatisfied with his current situation and does not know why specifically. Perhaps Jung was right when he said that we create religion because of a collective unconscious or similar thought process among members of a given society. So people of one time and space can have beliefs that coincide. When exploring Buddhist fundamentalism it is important to ask who is involved in the religion? There are two methods by which people can be introduced to the ideals and practices of Buddhism. These ways will influence that person's perception and interpretation of what Buddhism means. The first way is to grow up in a Buddhist environment; having Buddhist parents, a society where the Buddhist religion is very observable. This would be the easiest way to introduce a person to a religious belief. In many ways this may also be the simplest form of spreading religion because there is no conflict associated with adopting such practices. The second way people embrace Buddhist belief is when they encounter it outside of their normal routine. These people may be dissatisfied with their current lifestyle, whether it is religious or not. This also includes the spread of Buddhism through the media and popular culture. For example, famous and therefore influential individuals such as Richard Gere and Adam Yauch (Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys) who could introduce awareness of the Buddhist religion to people who otherwise would not have encountered it. In line with this, people might be influenced by their normal religious beliefs because they appear exotic or foreign and therefore attractive. It is also important to ask: what exactly is Buddhist fundamentalism? There is an important distinction to make regarding what the true practice of Buddhism actually is and the perception of it as portrayed in the media. Perhaps the profound and transcendent nature of Buddhism appeals to people who have lost faith in Western society's pursuit of material wealth..