Buddhism

In the broad sense, dependent arising is something I would consider a simple idea. In my interpretation, dependent arising refers to the concept that everything arises due to something else. It is basically a cause-effect theory in Buddhism. However, when you begin to dissect what Buddha really means when he brings up the core idea of dependent arising, it can seem perplexing. For the most part it seems that Buddhists use the principle to illustrate life, specifically birth and death, and how…

that Buddhism, Confucianism, and Greek platonic philosophy are all one-in-the-same, teaches the view of reality, and follow the same guidelines; however, others will argue and say that each one is unique, teaches different views of reality, and follows different guidelines. While each one can be described with their own level of transcendental. Buddhism, Confucianism, and Greek platonic philosophy are a matter of fact quite different from each other. So, with that being said no, Buddhism,…

Similarities between Buddhism and the work of Socrates and Plato It is not an easy task to discuss that Siddhartha Gautama and Socrates, the unquestionably eminent diplomats of two philosophies socially adopted to be slightly distinct, are also especially related in concept. Regardless of the detail that the two philosophers were of different origin, existed in separate periods, led diverging lives, they seem to have in common their interest for the Universal Truth, and related beliefs. 1.…

The Buddha is a symbol that most of the western world is familiar with in some way or another. The overweight man smiling and sitting crisscross waiting to grant you luck when you rub his belly. Though this is not Buddhism, not its entirety, this is a small form of Buddhism syncretism at work. Some Buddhist practiced the worship of Bodhisattva Budai in hopes of relaxation and correct learnedness of worldly pleasures. So the laughing Buddha is a small example of how Buddhism’s great influence has…

Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or a way of life. The Buddhist way of life of peace, love, kindness and wisdom is relevant today, just as much as it was in ancient India. All of our problematic sufferings arise from the confusion that causes a negative state of mind, and all of our good fortune arises from a peaceful state of mind. Buddha taught methods so that negative states of mind, such as jealousy, anger, and ignorance, could be gradually overcome. Having done this…

After reading the chapter on Buddhism, there was many interesting aspect of philosophy that are shown in everyday life. One of these interesting aspects was through Siddhartha Gautama, “the Buddha,” in which we need to look inward on ourselves to find true meaning. This aspect is shown in the ten stages of the zen oxherding pictures, which are shown below. To fully understand what is being depicted in these pictures, a small background of the Buddha needs to be known. The Buddha, whose real name…

What led to the spread of Buddhism during the Mauaryan period? What lead to such rapid growth of a religion? In the following essay I will try to argue how Emperor Ashoka's kingdom was a doorway for the spread of Buddhism. This happened majorly due to three reasons- Firstly, Ashoka the emperor of such a vast kingdom himself preached the religion of Buddhism. Secondly Emperor Ashoka played a major role in propagation of Buddhism by spreading the teachings of Buddhism through his rock and pillar…

There are many ethical issues throughout the human race which are approached differently by each religion. With the ethical issue of abortion and euthanasia, Hinduism, Theravada Buddhism, and Christianity all have different and similar views about this huge debate in society today. Hinduism, being the root of many religions, is the world’s oldest major religion till this day. With most ancient religions, outsiders were the ones who appointed a name for a discovered group of beliefs. The name…

Firstly, the Buddha is called Siddhartha. The son of the king named Suddhodana and the queen named Maya. At the age of five days, Lord Suddhodana invited eight Brahmins to foretell the characteristics of Prince Siddhartha. To offer prophecy and the youngest Brahmin named kondanna predict that Prince Siddhartha will be enlightened as the Buddha. When Prince Siddhartha grew up until he was 16 years old, he married and at the age of 29 he had a son. Prince Siddhartha was in the nostrils until one…

Through the continuous impacts of Buddhism it has encompassed the greater community with an understanding in principal spiritual teachings and practices, providing insight towards adherents path to enlightenment or Nirvana. Buddhism is the way of life that avoids the extremes of denial and indulgence and proposes a middle way (Noble Eightfold Path). A significant figure that contributes to the Buddhist teachings in the global community is his holiness the ‘Dalai Lama’ the manifestation of the…