Religion is a guiding light that illuminates all factors of life. It builds a person's character and personality and affects their perspective on their surroundings. Religion wears many hats, as it can range from a vague philosophy to a strict and demanding code of conduct. Ralph Waldo Emerson's religion was a nontraditional religion that emphasized self-reliance (Rowe 5), individuality (St. John 6), and the natural goodness of man (Jue 7). He viewed religion as a relative, personal set of beliefs that can change and vary greatly between practitioners, and even within the same person over time. In fact, Emerson began his religious journey as a Calvinist at Harvard's School of Divinity, then had a career as a minister of a Unitarian church in Boston (Leude 1). His beliefs as a Unitarian were similar to his transcendentalist philosophies (1), discovered shortly after his resignation as minister. Analyzed from a biblical perspective, Emerson's literary works clearly reflect the influences of religion and Eastern mysticism in their depiction of nature as well as God, the human spirit, and religion. Eastern philosophy is based on religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism, and Confucianism (Hagin 1). The core values ​​of these religions have many similarities. Judgment comes from measuring good works against bad ones. Morality and ethics are emphasized as being more important than belief in a specific doctrine. Most Eastern religions believe in the ideas of karma and reincarnation. Karma is the force that determines the cycle of reincarnation based on the works of the individual (2). Buddhists specifically follow a moral code called the Eightfold Path. It's about right vision, resolve, speech, action, means of existence...... middle of paper ......y>.Lewis, Todd and Ted Bicknell. “The Asian Soul of Transcendentalism.” Education on Asia, October 2011: 12-17. Association for Asian Studies. Association for Asian Studies, Inc., October 2011. Web. April 24, 2014. .McDowell, Josh. What are the differences between Christianity and Eastern religions. Answers to difficult questions. San Bernadino: Here is life, 1980. 180. Print. "Ralph Waldo Emerson." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, nd Web. April 28, 2014. Rowe, Brad James, “Emersonian Perfectionism: A Man is a God in Ruins” (2007). All graduate theses and dissertations. Paper 109. .St. John, Raymond A. American Literature for Christian Schools. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1991, 1994. 196-207. Print.