Rel 133 Buddhism Worksheet

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Buddhism Worksheet
University of Phoenix
Willie Howard
Rel. 133
Dr. R. Bennett Furlow
March 8, 2017

1. Explain the basic Buddhist teachings including the three marks of reality, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddhism is a religion that educate and guide an individual’s perception of the world. This perception comes with the three marks of reality. Mark number one is change. According to Buddhism, the world undergoes constant change. These changes can be gradual or sudden and ties directly into the second teaching which is there is no permanent identity.
Every soul is constantly changing and impacted by everyday life that is not feasible to have a permanent identity. It includes actions, appearances, and events …show more content…

These lessons are realities that an individual must overcome during an individual’s lifetime in order to achieve Nirvana. Truth number one is to live is to suffer. In translation, life is not easy and will eventually impact everyone. The second truth is suffering comes from desire; most of humanities wants can be traced directly to suffering. Human nature is said to gravitate to wanting more from life. An individual long for power and wealth rather than focused and wanting more or to be grateful for what one already possesses. The fourth truth is the release from suffering. This is possible and can be attained by following the eight nobility guidelines. This path will help an individual achieve Nirvana and inner peace. The Eightfold path goes as follows: The right to understand what causes suffering, the intention of personal desires, the act of not harming another human being, the right work assuring that it does not harm anyone including oneself, noble efforts to improve through moderation, the right to mediation which allows for one to absorb reality and nature, the right contemplation allows and promotes inner peace. Following the Four Truths along with the Eightfold path can ultimately aid in achieving happiness and inner peace for its …show more content…

The three branches are Theravada, Vajrayana, and Mahayana Buddhism. Theravada refers to the way of the three elders. This branch of Buddhism is considered to be conservative. Some monasteries are located within the cities, which can be beneficial so that monks would be able to ask for food. Mahayana is another branch of Buddhism and it is translated to mean big vehicle. One important key element that separates Mahayana from Theravada is that Nirvana is possible for everyone and not just monks. Mahayana believes in order to achieve Nirvana, one must help and assist others. Taking this action will demonstrate great sacrifice and monks are held in high regard. Vajrayana is known as part of the Mahayana tradition and uses channels and rituals to achieve super normal powers. This is considered the way of adamant or diamond. The Vajrayana is similar to Mahayana, but the differences is in the rituals in which they practice. Vajrayana use symbolic items like images, bells, candles, hand gestures, and visual exercises that are used in