The Lotus Sutra, “Lotus of the True Dharma” notes the empowerment and influence from the philosophies of Buddhism as it shows the way towards Nirvana (Doc 3). The purpose of the Sutra is to convey to people of the hardships of making it to “Tathagata”, which encourages them to work harder and mature mindfully. Furthermore, the practices of Buddhism is also shown in an edict of Ashoka, the emperor of the Maurya Dynasty (Doc 6). He was a strong supporter of Buddhism and based many propagandas from the religion. His form of the religion, however, is the practice of great education and a path to happiness.
In “The Buddha’s Message” by Christopher Gowans, we are presented with an overview of the Buddha’s teaching. Gowans expounds on certain central aspects of Buddhism, namely the idea of suffering, the 4 Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Nirvana providing examples and analogies to elucidate these ideas. In this paper, I shall argue in agreement with the sentiment that life is suffering on two main fronts, those being that I agree with the idea that the universe possesses an impermanent nature, causing happiness gained from fulfilling all desires impermanent as well and thus suffering inevitable, followed by my belief that flesh naturally begets suffering, that is, our physical existence is a source of suffering so long as we physically exist.
Throughout humanity, the idea of suffering played a major role in human lives, in some cases by ending it. Nevertheless, according to popular religious traditions, the first humans, Adam and Eve, were placed on Earth to suffer for their sins in a life of misery. All humans are a part of this “original sin,” thus there is no such thing as innocent humans suffering in the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Popular religious themes are centered on the idea of continual suffering in life, like the Israelites who continued to suffer through the Holocaust.
Buddhism is a religion born in India 563 B.C. with Siddhartha as there founder. the basic beliefs are the 4 noble truths (Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, and Marga). Like document 6 says noble truth one (Dukkha) "birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering etc." In noble truth four (Marga) says "right intention, right action, right effort ect." Which means if you are suffering in some type of way you stop it by doing something right.
Religions have existed for millenniums, cultivation and sculpting the old world into what it is today. Each religion is unique in its own sense, meaning that each religion is its own mix, it’s own jam. Every one of these jams, or religions, have been spread across nations. Some jams are smooth like butter, finding easy acceptance and even easier assimilation, whereas some jams are chunky and laden with difficulties. Buddhism’s jam was one of interesting circumstance, containing a vary of smooth and chunky consistency.
Documents 1 and 5 do not directly show support or contempt for Buddhism, but rather give another perspective of the religion. Document 1 comes from a sermon preached by the Buddha himself. “The Four Noble Truths” shows us the basic guidelines of the religion. This information is vital because many people who just simply chose a side of the fight for or against Buddhism may not actually know what the religion represents. By reading the sermon, the Chinese citizens could form a better understanding of Buddhism.
These sets of laws were part of the first sermon preached by Buddha in the fifth century B.C.E. The first truth is sorrow, “Birth is sorrow, age is sorrow, disease is sorrow, death is sorrow, contact with the unpleasant is sorrow, separation from the pleasant is sorrow, every wish unfulfilled is sorrow”. The second truth is the arising of sorrow, “it arises from craving, which leads to rebirth, which brings delight and passion, and seeks pleasure- the craving for sensual pleasure, the craving for continued life, and the craving for power”. The third truth is the stopping of sorrow, “It is the complete stopping of that craving, so that no passion remains, leaving it, being emancipated from it, being released from it, giving no place to it”. The fourth truth is “the way that leads to the stopping of sorrow”.
first noble truth is that life is about suffering. To live, you should suffer. We need to persevere through physical suffering like illness, tiredness, old age and in the long run death and we need to bear mental suffering like loneliness, frustration, fear, shame, disappointment and, rage. We spend our entire lives looking for happiness when in fact; we will never be able to achieve nirvana. How can it be when our incarnation on earth is a punishment, and a test to prove the purity of our souls Now that I have explained the philosophical reason to write about the beast in the jungle.
In Buddhism, desire and ignorance are the root of suffering; although, suffering is unavoidable but can also be a stimulus for personal and spiritual growth. Gilgamesh’s suffering also caused by his wants that can never be satisfied and his sufferings lead to his maturity. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh is written in the ancient time, we could still derive the lesson and apply to the modern day, because human’s fundamental traits are basically remaining the same. Buddhism principle of suffering and suffering explained in Gilgamesh are both relevant to our modern society. Nowadays our lives have become more complicated since things are taking more advance.
Buddhism is also a polytheism religion they also believe in one god. That god is name is Buddha One of their sacred texts is called both records the words of the Buddha. They have many Holy days here is a few Vesak, Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path of Buddhism is the eight practices called right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi. So the Noble eightfold path is one of the principal teachings.
Buddhism’s ideal practitioners focus on wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Buddhists seek knowledge, act properly, and mediate to obtain liberation. These traits contrast Taoism by Taoists believing knowledge is not something to strive for because it leads to desire, which leads to forceful action. Although, The Analects by Confucius has a theme of wisdom and learning, which parallels Buddhist’s values for wisdom. Confucianism is also similar to Buddhism in the importance of proper behavior.
What you consider pain and pleasure is according to your own measuring scale. What Duryodhana considers comforting is according to his own measuring scale. The world that you perceive according to your measuring scale is a mere delusion (maya). Only the enlightened know the truth of the world, while the rest construct a delusion that pleases their own ego. Therefore the enlightened are at peace while the rest are in a constant search for peace.
Everyone suffers. This simple fact of life has plagued humans for centuries, perplexing the wisest thinkers down to the most common among us. It demands an explanation, and history has granted us many - often in the form of religion. Buddhism revolves around the concept of suffering, attempting to explain its origin and how to break free of it. It teaches that no matter how righteous a person acts, they will always suffer until they fully achieve enlightenment.
The four noble truths are that all is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, the way to be rid of suffering is to be rid of desire, the way to rid yourself of desire is to follow the eight fold path. The four noble truths is the pathway to rid yourself of desire so that you can focus enough to reach enlightenment. Their are many paths the Buddha has lied out for Buddhist. Following the fourth noble truth there’s the concept of the Five Precepts which is part of the Eightfold Path. These percepts are no killing, no stealing, no sexual sin, no lying and no alcohol.
It is believed that the origin of the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path came from Buddha himself. “The Buddha explained these as the heart of his teachings (Wangu).” According to Buddha, the ultimate goal of Buddhism is to put an end to suffering and rebirth (Keown). These are the wise words of Buddha “Both is in the past and now, I set forth only this, suffering and the end of suffering
