Buddhism Essay

363 words - 2 pages

The Four Noble Truths (and the Eightfold Path which followed from them) represent the basis of the Buddha's teaching. Historically, Lord Buddha Shakyamuni is said to have preached on these topics during his first public commentary following his enlightenment.
The First Noble Truth states that dukkha (suffering, dissatisfaction) exists, even that this is the natural and universal state of beings. The translation of the word dukkha from Pali has a bearing on how many readers will come to comprehend the basic teachings of the Buddha. ...view middle of the document...

Sukha is good fortune, happiness, pleasure. Some scholars opine that the Buddha did not need to address sukha in his teaching because it was not seen as a problem. Sukha was desirable and dukkha was not. There would not have been a great point in discussing something good happening.
Using other translations of dukkha might lead us to (at least slightly) different conclusions as to the meaning of the First Noble Truth. The second rendering above, dukkha as dissatisfaction, may come closer to the intent of the original statement. "Dissatisfaction exists" seems a little more straightforward, a little less dire. Life is flawed, so there. It doesn't mean we will never have enjoyable moments, only that we will not only have them.
Expressed in a slightly different way, one could arrive at the conclusion that everything in the world, no matter how wonderful it may seem, is ultimately unsatisfying. One more twist and we can arrive at the conclusion that it is not possible to satisfy ourselves with worldly things, no matter how sweet they may seem. This may be the best translation of them all. Of course, the fact that we cannot be ultimately and finally satisfied means all things are touched with dukkha, and we suffer because of this.

Other Essays Like Buddhism

540 words - 3 pages
very identities are thoroughly dependent on each other” (64). With this philosophy, everything is interwoven and dependent on one another.
Also in Buddhism, there is the theory of emptiness that states, “things and events are empty in that they do not posses any immutable essence, intrinsic reality, or absolutely being that affords independence” (47). Therefore, because all things happen in reliance upon causes and circumstances, they are

1613 words - 7 pages
The Islamic and Buddhist faiths are vastly different. So distant from each other, it is hard to draw parallels between the two religions. The Islamic religion is exactly that; a monotheistic religion that believes in heaven, hell, and earth. However, the Buddhist religion is almost not a religion. The Buddhist faith rejects the idea of an afterlife and also rejects the idea of deity. Instead Buddhism focuses on reaching nirvana. The Islamic

712 words - 3 pages
AO1: “Examine the distinctive features of Pure Land Buddhism”
Pure Land Buddhism offers a way to enlightenment for people who can’t handle the subtleties of meditation, endure long rituals, or just live especially good lives. The essential practice in Pure Land Buddhism is the chanting of the name Amitabha Buddha with total concentration, trusting that one will reborn in Pure Land, where it is much easier for a being to work towards

834 words - 4 pages
The ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism both originated in India. However, the origin of Hinduism dates back to over 5,000 years ago whereas the origin of Buddhism came much later after that. Although Buddhism might show some Hindu ideas, it is still its own religion and continues to be practiced by millions today. Both religions have a huge influence throughout the world and have a lot in common while still showing unique individual rituals

613 words - 3 pages
Hinduism vs. Buddhism It is very easy to confuse Hinduism and Buddhism religions. In many ways the two religions are a lot like, but they also differ in a lot of ways. This paper will better inform you by comparing and contrasting Hinduism and Buddhism.Hinduism, a religion that originated in India and is still practiced by most of its inhabitants, is a blend of ancient Aryan traditions with religious beliefs of peoples the Aryans conquered

1314 words - 6 pages
Viewing Buddhism Through Christian Eyes
“The true meaning of the precepts is not just that one should refrain from drinking alcohol, but also from getting drunk on nirvana.” Bassui. Just one of the inspirational quotes that were preached to me over my past experiences of the religion known as Buddhism. As a Christian (Baptist) you usually overlook other views on what their persona consist of in their religion, but I took the time to pursue

8060 words - 33 pages
What's Buddhist about Socially Engaged BuddhismDavid R. LoyWhat makes socially engaged Buddhism Buddhist? Is it enough to say, «Buddhism emphasizes compassion, so I try to live compassionately»? Compassion is essential to Buddhism, to be sure, but that sentiment does not by itself distinguish socially engaged Buddhism from socially engaged Christianity, or any other socially engaged form of spirituality. If every major religion

1345 words - 6 pages
for the purpose of bringing those who practice it into a particularly close experience of ‘ultimate reality.’ Most believe that the experiences one has are not going to be constantly or consistently direct experiences of ‘the divine.’
The first example is of Buddhism of the Theravada tradition. Most commonly practiced in the Southeast of Asia, excluding the country of Vietnam. This meditational practice is called Satipatthana. It is done

2085 words - 9 pages
Buddhism
Traci Gentry
Hum 130
01-15-2012
Buddhism is a path one chooses to take and it is not considered a religion. Buddhism is about experiencing the right of life through enlightenment. Meditation is the way of life for a Buddhist; anyone can learn meditation and experience great beliefs. The story of Buddhism begins with Siddhartha Gautama.
Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, approximately 2,500 years ago. He was said to

2548 words - 11 pages
Sullivan, PAGE 8 Sullivan, PAGE 9
Annie Sullivan21 September, 2014Professor ThrashEnglish-123-Q1139The Future of Buddhism in the WestPerhaps the most universal question among humanity is in regards to the purpose of our existence here on earth. In Western society, a multitude of beliefs and theories hearten the curiosity of many people- but is that really enough anymore? The state of the world is in crisis as war, poverty, and sickness

691 words - 3 pages
A community, a system of belief, a tradition and a way of life- Catholicism and Theravada Buddhism are all of these and many more. There are many affinities between Theravada Buddhism and Catholicism, but each tradition is marked with its own unique origins. Thus it is valuable to explore Buddhist rituals, practices, ethics and morals comparatively to those Catholic, but equally important to examine those features that are uniquely their own

Related Papers

1071 words - 5 pages
Buddhism Presentation: Zen Buddhism
Chiffon Anderson
REL/133
Deborah Wilkinson
February 23, 2015
Buddhism Presentation: Zen Buddhism
The religion of Buddhism started in the country of India around the fifth century BCE. Buddhism is known as a noneistic religion or as dharma which is the right way of living. Buddhism has a number of traditions, practices and beliefs all largely attributed t Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha “the awakened one

1436 words - 6 pages
Running Head: Historical and Contemporary Manifestations of Worldwide Buddhism
Historical and Contemporary Manifestations of Worldwide Buddhism
Team B
KaMaria, Lakisha, Regina, and Tara
University of Phoenix
Overview and History of Buddhism
Reginaâ€™s section hereâ€¦
Beliefs and Rituals of the four types of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism practice is an intense, dedicated, and time-consuming effort to

448 words - 2 pages
Hinduism and Buddhism are two very unique religions. Buddhism is a monotheistic religion which was founded by a man named Siddhartha Guatama, also known as the Buddha, where as Hinduism has no true founder. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that originated with the Aryans and eventually spread throughout India. These two religions were both founded in India and have several similarities and differences. Both have a spiritual goal but differ in

1445 words - 6 pages
of life that would avoid the pains of endless rebirthâ€ (Hopkins 53). Question 4- Salvation and the Self Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism have similar views for salvation and the realization of reality. Karma plays a big role in both. In both, ignorance is a big obstacle in oneâ€™s personality. In Buddhism, salvation is nirvana, â€œfreedom from all evil, craving, hatred and ignorance, freedom from all terms of duality, relativity, time and