Buddhism

Buddhism

Alejandro Rueda

Western International University

Religions of the World/Hum 127

Edward Sinclair

November 20, 2005

Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Siddartha Gautama, and eventually, he became the Buddha. His intentions were not to form a new religion, only to modify an older one.

Brahmanism, or Hinduism, had become very orthodox and Siddartha was a minor king of Northern India. One day, he ventured outside the palace walls and saw how life really was. Inspired, Siddartha left his home and family to look for the meaning of life. For years he listened to and studied with the Indian wise men; then he turned to meditation. Discouraged from not finding the answer he wanted, he sat under a fig tree. Siddartha determined that he sat there until he found the answer, this lasted 49 days. It finally came to him, and he became Buddha. Buddhism was founded.

Buddhism is a reformed version of Hinduism which includes the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are the foundation for all forms of Buddhist philosophy:

1. There is suffering.

2. Suffering is caused.

3. Eliminating the causes of suffering can extinguish suffering.

4. The way to extinguish the causes of suffering is to follow the Middle Way stated in the Eightfold Path (Fisher, 2005).

The Eightfold Path also comes from Buddha. It teaches to practice moderation. It is the practical side of Buddhism. If followed, one may achieve true enlightenment, or nirvana. Buddha believed that you could live a perfect life and not have to continue in the samsara. The basic way to this is the Eightfold Path, which says to practice moderation in these areas:

1. Right views. You must have the right mind set.

2. Right intent (or right resolution) a person must want actively to eliminate suffering.

3. Right speech. You must not lie, slander others, or insult. You're not to cause suffering with words.

4. Right conduct (or right action). To behave in a way that does not cause suffering.

5. Right means of livelihood. Not to live in a way or hold a job that causes suffering.

6. Right endeavor (or right effort) to prevent unclean states of mind from happening.

7. Right mindfulness, to be aware of body activities, the senses, perceptions, and thoughts.

8. Right meditation, the specific concentration to improve oneself (Fisher 2005).

Buddhists believe that if you follow this you will be enlightened. Many Buddhist beliefs are almost the same as a Hindu's. However, Buddhists do not practice the caste system. One of the only ways to achieve nirvana in one lifetime is to be a monk or a nun. If you break an area in the Eightfold Path, then you cannot achieve nirvana. Also, in order to follow the 4th part of The Eightfold Path, all Buddhists must remain vegetarians. Killing of an animal is seen as causing suffering. Like the Hindus, an animal has a soul.

Despite all the talk about suffering, Buddhism is really about the absence of suffering. Buddhism is a way to develop the ability to love the entire universe, simply because it is. It is understanding that the universe exits inside a blade of grass, just as the blade of grass resides within the universe. All things are inter-connected (Baker, 2005).

Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the five major religions in our world today. They are widely practiced, and have survived for centuries. Both have similarities and differences, as do all forms of religion.

Both Hinduism and Buddhism accept and believe that there is one creator spirit. Each of them recognizes Brahma or a version of Brahma as the creator spirit. Though they also recognize other gods, Brahma is the ultimate god. All praise goes to him, no matter which god you are praising. This is a significant similarity between the two religions (Fisher, 2005).

The two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism believe in the process of reincarnation. Reincarnation is being reborn again with one soul. Inside this belief, they also believe that your deeds, or activities, during your life will determine where you will end up. If you have lived a good life, you will be rewarded by another good life, or you might be allowed finally to rejoin with Brahma. If you've led a bad life, you will remain on earth longer, and most likely have a bad life when you are reborn.

Another similarity is that both Hinduism and Buddhism are very kind to animals. They believe every living creature has a soul, and through reincarnation, you might one day end up as one. Most Hindus and Buddhists that strictly follow the religion are vegetarians of one sort or another. It's impossible to tell whether or not that hamburger you ate at Burger King was a relative of yours. Eating them would bring you bad karma, and break one of the Eightfold Paths.

In the religion of Hinduism there are castes, or social classes. They decide what your lifestyle will be like in that lifetime. If you are born a slave, you must stay a slave your whole life. Or, if you are born a wealthy man or woman that is what you must be all of your life. To the Hindus, it is a sin to try to change what caste you belong to. As well as to associate with a person from a caste that is lower than yours.

On the other hand, the teachings of the Buddha did away with the caste system. A person is allowed to change their social class. They can go from a slave to an emperor or a president, if that is their calling. If they follow the Eightfold Path, then this is permissible. It is an honor to be a monk or a nun, for they are the ones who can achieve nirvana. Buddhists also will mingle with those of less importance then themselves.

Hinduism teaches that you must go through samsara in order to finally reach moksha. They do not believe that a soul can totally cleanse itself of all impurities in just one life. It is a gradual process involving dharma, balancing one's life, and karma, weighing the deeds of a lifetime.

Meanwhile, the Buddha found that it is possible to cleanse oneself in one