'Buddhism Essay Essay\r'

'One of the Buddha’s most signifi assholet t all(prenominal)ings is that everyone is different, and hence each man-to-man’s row to wisdom is unique. For this reason, Buddhists ac familiarity that they must take rapture from a variety of authors to complete their individual excursion to paradise. Belief in the concept of profundity is hence important in spite of appearance Buddhism with different branches and schools giving change emphasis to the many another(prenominal) teachings of Buddha and his destruction chase, patch whatsoever remember in Bodhisattvas, from whom they take motivation, entirely call back in pliant their individual effort to carry through enlightenment. Through knocked disclose(p) this essay, the Buddha’s teachings on feeling and enlightenment, how the quatern dire Truths and Buddhist practices relate to belief and enlightenment, and the positions of the both(prenominal) major branches of Buddhism †Theravada a nd Mahayana †will all be analysed to pose the role of belief in Buddhism, and hence show or disprove the above comments on enlightenment and belief for Buddhists.\r\nEnlightenment or _enlightenment_ is a domineering state; free from worthless, individual existence and all worldly concerns; such(prenominal) as greed, hate and ignorance. It is the last-ditch goal of all Buddhists, bre equivalentg the otherwise never-failing cycle of death and rebirth kn confess as samsara. Theravada Buddhism (â€Å"Doctrine of the Elders”) teaches that by refraining from all kinds of evil, purifying the caput and having a deep thirst for knowledge, â€Å"… a Theravada Buddhist can pertain the state of perfection and take furcate Nirvana.” ( seer ThinkQuest, 2012) This knowledge comes almost enti avow from the Tipitaka, meaning â€Å" triplet baskets”. This collection of scriptures contains slightly different versions amid the twain schools, barely is consi dered to comprise of the most accurate accounts of the Buddha and his close disciples.\r\nIt is important to none that Theravada Buddhists believe that due to the requirements for enlightenment, monastics and nuns argon importantly more likely to achieve Nirvana than ready sight who should thitherfore focus on gaining good karma enabling them to be a monk or nun in their next rebirth. Mahayana Buddhism has a variety of scriptures, many of which have been compose by high ranking monks since the time of the Buddha, in vagabond to backing the teachings up to date with the culture of the period. Notably, they as well as believe that all battalion have the readiness to become enlightened.\r\nA disunite from the different scripture emphasis, Mahayana Buddism is significantly diverse to Theravada due to the belief in quadruplicate Buddhas and Boddhisattvas. Boddhisattvas argon people of deep compassion who are said to delay entering Nirvana in ensnare to serve up guide other s to enlightenment. As such, Mahayana Buddhism adds to the Theravadan explanation of Nirvana being the absence of self-centeredness (and thereof the absence of suffering) and the state of spiritual perfection, displayed by sum compassion and concern for others. Two well-known Buddhist quotes which summarise the Buddha’s position on beliefs and enlightenment are:\r\nâ€Å"Don’t blindly believe what I say. Don’t believe me be come others move you of my words. Don’t believe anything you see, read, or come upon from others, whether of authority, religious teachers or texts. Don’t rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don’t translate or be deceived by appearances.”\r\nâ€Å"Find out for yourself what is truth, what is real. Discover that there are virtuous things and there are non-virtuous things. Once you have discovered for yourself bind up the bad and embrace the good.”\r\nThe above quotes help explain why Buddhists dislik e teachings being referred to as beliefs. The first quote highlights the need for scepticism when indicant the teachings. The secondment quote goes further by explaining the individualism of Nirvana, and the idea that not all teachings apply to everyone. Be make believe followers of Buddhism are encouraged to challenge ideas presented and ascertain their own understanding of the major teachings, it is offensive to refer to this knowledge as belief, since `belief’ frequently refers to assent or trust in an idea(s) which has not been psycheally experienced. indeed Buddhists altogether believe in Nirvana, and the basic principles to reach their goal.\r\nTheravada and Mahayana both agree with the Buddha’s view that anyone can attain Nirvana, and one can do it inside one’s present life if the Buddha’s instructions are followed carefully and applied sincerely. The 2 main branches of Buddhism have the same Four Noble Truths and interpret these teachings in a similar manner. The whole relevant difference is that Mahayana Buddhists have Bodhisattvas to aid in follower’s quests for Nirvana, whereas Theravada Buddhists believe that since this path is unique, it is the individual’s task to determine how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings in their own kick the buckets. As stated on BuddhaNet, _”Theravada Buddhism places great emphasis on the clergy (Sangha) as the only ones capable of attaining Nirvana__.”_ (Lyall, 2008).\r\nAs such, the role of the laity (lay people: normal house contriveers) in Theravada Buddhism is to support the clergy and lead a good life according to the Buddha, in the expect of a better rebirth. Whilst it is not taught that a lay somebody cannot reach enlightenment, as this would be divergence against a popular teaching of the Buddha, it is perceived as highly unlikely. In return for the lay people’s support, it is common for the monks to teach the laity, provide ad vice and expatriate ceremonies such as marriages. In contrast, the Mahayana Teachings encourage both the laity and the clergy to become Boddhisattvas and attain enlightenment in their current life. Especially in the case of the laity, belief in the possibility of enlightenment at round stage in the many rebirths a person can undergo, is vitally important and an integral part of not only the worship, but the various cultures the religion exists within.\r\nThe Four Noble Truths are the essence of the Buddha’s teachings. Similar to a doctor’s system for analysing a health issue, the Buddha has diagnosed the problem (suffering) and identified the cause (of the suffering) within the first and second Noble Truths. The ordinal Noble Truth is the description of a cure, while the quarter is the prescription and instructions to recover. Buddhists believe in the Four Noble Truths in the hope of acquire closer to enlightenment and find these teachings realistic and hopeful, alternatively than pessimistic. The first Noble Truth, suffering (Dukkha), describes suffering as presenting itself in many forms of which some are obvious, such as old age, sickness and death (which Buddha encountered directly after leaving his palace), and others more subliminal. Buddha explained the problem in a more profound way, teaching that all human beings are subject to desires and cravings but acquiring satisfaction from these desires and pleasure is temporary and will not last without becoming monotonous.\r\nThe origin of suffering (Samudaya) is the second Noble Truth, and consists of Buddha’s claims to have found the cause of all suffering †desire (tanha) †which comes in lead forms (which have had various names including the Three grow of Evil, the Three Fires and the Three Poisons). These forms are the ultimate source of suffering, and are; greed and desire, ignorance or delusion, and hatred and wasteful urges. The way to extinguish desire is to li berate oneself from attachment, as is explained in the third Noble Truth †conclusion of Suffering (Nirodha). This truth states that attaining enlightenment involves extinguishing the collar fires of greed, delusion and hatred and could be considered as a `definition’ for Nirvana. The path to the cessation of suffering (Magga) is the fourth Noble Truth and is often referred to as the eight-spotfold Path because Buddha outlined a set of eight principles to follow. These are the right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.\r\nTheravada Buddhism, being the more traditionalist branch, follows the practices that have been passed down by senior monks since the Buddha’s time. These traditions or practices include living in forests and performing both sitting and go meditation. As part of their early training, Theravadan monks and nuns generally live in huts called `kutis’ determine in forests. These huts are built on stilts to keep animals and insects out and have a path for walking meditation.\r\nOlder monks and nuns are not required to live in the forest, often residing in monasteries. Early each morning and evening, the monks and nuns from a particular school jar against together for meditation and recitation. After these ceremonies, which are called _pujas_, they are required to study the Dharma. An important ritual carried out by people entering the tabernacles is to wash their feet with peeing which has been carried up to the monastery from a stream, generally found on a lower floor in the forest. The goal of the monks and nuns is to become an _Arhat_, a person free of suffering, through the meditation. Once free of suffering they can continue on their path to Nirvana.\r\n divergent forms of Mahayana Buddhism have different religious practices. These practices are often heavily influenced by the culture of the society the Buddhist school(s) resides in. Tibetan Buddhist templ es are heavily â€Å"… decorate with many kinds of Buddha images and wall hangings called _thankas_.” Big prayer wheels, containing mantras written on strips of rice paper, are set into the walls of the temple while smaller, handheld versions are also common. Tibetan monks generally live in these temples and in between turning the prayer wheels and studying the various teachings, they hold various festivals.\r\nThese festivals incorporate an array of prayer flags and other colourful decorations to celebrate significant periods. Japanese and Chinese monasteries are very similar to the Tibetan’s, but often with less vibrant, colourful decorations and less festivals. The monks and nuns distinguish Sutras and sit in meditation together regularly, akin to their Tibetan counterparts. The idea of studying, reciting and meditation in Mahayana Buddhism is to try to accelerate the monks and nuns journey’s to enlightenment, in order that they can become Bodhisattva s and assist others as they cuddle their journey’s end.\r\nTheravada and Mahayana Buddhism are very similar with regard to the fundamental teachings. They both accept Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) as the Teacher, have identical Four Noble Truths (and therefore Eightfold Path), share ideas on the origins of the world, practice their faith similarly and accept many comparable Buddhist concepts. The only outright difference is the scriptures they most take account and consider authoritative, which affect the general path members of each branch follow to attain Nirvana. Belief in the concept of enlightenment is therefore important within Buddhism with different branches and schools giving varying emphasis to the many teachings of Buddha and his close followers, while some believe in Bodhisattvas, from whom they take motivation, all believe in shaping their individual effort to achieve enlightenment.\r\nBIBLIOGRAPHY\r\nBBC, 2009a. BBC †Religions †Buddhism: surmisal [WWW Document]. BBC Religions. uniform resource locator http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/customs/meditation_1.shtml\r\nBBC, 2009b. BBC †Religions †Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths [WWW Document]. BBC Religions. universal resource locator\r\nhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/beliefs/fournobletruths_1.shtml\r\nDr. C. George Boeree, 2000. Buddhist Meditation [WWW Document]. Shippensburg University. URL http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/meditation.html\r\nGCSE RE site, 2011. Revision: Buddhism [WWW Document]. GCSE RE Site. URL http://www.mmiweb.org.uk/gcsere/revision/buddhism/keybeliefs/6_theravada.html\r\nGoldburg, P., Blundell, P., Jordan, T., 2009. look into religion. Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, Vic.\r\nGunasekara, V., 2012. Basic Buddhism [WWW Document]. URL http://www.vgweb.org/bsq/basbud.htm#ch5\r\nGursam, L., 2009. The Importance of Meditation [WWW Document]. URL http://www.lamagursam.org/importance_of_meditation.html\r\nHarderwi jk, R., 2011. The Four Noble Truths [WWW Document]. View on Buddhism. URL http://viewonbuddhism.org/4_noble_truths.html\r\nHeckert, L., 2012. An Overview of Buddhist Meditation [WWW Document].\r\nJohansson, R., Tillekeratna, A., De Silva, L., 2012. Buddhist Studies: Nirvana [WWW Document]. URL http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd43.htm\r\nLyall, G., 2008. Buddhist Studies: The Rise of the Mahayana [WWW Document]. BuddhaNet. URL http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/maha2.htm\r\nNikaya, S., 2012. The 4th Noble Truth [WWW Document]. BuddhaNet. URL http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/truths5.htm\r\nOracle ThinkQuest, 2012. Buddhism: Buddha [WWW Document]. Oracle ThinkQuest Library: Projects by Students for Students. URL\r\n'