Theravada

Tibet’s Buddhist art has developed into in to its own distinct style because of the initial influences and interactions with other countries and regions like Nepal, China and Central Asia. Between these different exchanges of thought and techniques Tibet has established its own form of Buddhist art that is separate from other forms of Buddhist art. From the early development of Tibetan Buddhist art to contemporary art, the Tibetans have managed to maintain their unique style. This paper will…

Since the beginning of mankind, humans have searched for collective actualization in order to truly understand themselves and the world around them. The concept of self-discovery is explored in the novel, Siddhartha, through the spiritual journey of the main character during the lifetime of the historical Buddha. Originally a Brahman, a member of the highest Hindu class, Siddhartha abandons his life in hope of finding wisdom and reaching Nirvana, the final goal of Buddhism. Throughout the novel,…

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a fiction book that is also based on some facts. The book portrays the Buddha’s (also known as Siddhartha) path to enlightenment. Siddhartha is born as the son of a Brahmin into a happy life, everyone has high expectations and receives constant praise from his friend Govinda. He is living a life that anyone would long for, but secretly, he is unhappy and unsatisfied. He has been practicing the ways for the brahmin for years like his dad hasn’t found enlightenment.…

According to the Jstor article, “From Bodhisattva to Buddha: The Beginning of Iconic Representation in Buddhist Art” by Ju-Hyung Rhi, he states in his article that the term Bodhisattva and Buddha have a different implication in the early Buddhism. He said that the term Bodhisattva a is name that used to call Siddhartha Gautama before he reaches enlightenment. He found many inscriptions and images that support this understanding that Bodhisattva is the Buddha before he reaches enlightenment. The…

Before the name Buddha comes into play he started off as Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism itself to be a Dharma away a teaching and it's much less focused on the exterior it's not really monotheistic or polytheistic- they're not talking about gods or goddesses they're talking about you they're talking about what you cando to free yourself to find enlightenment of what they call Nirvana and we'll talk about that in a moment but we have the year at about 563 BCE and you have to remember that a lot of…

The idea of karma in Western Civilization has grown to an exponential misunderstanding of the true meaning behind the word. We see karma in almost every TV/Movie program and all, give the wrong definition of the truth behind the word karma. Karma is the “sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.”(Wikipedia) Karma is not about helping an old man cross the street and then you being rewarded with the winning numbers to…

The discipline of Yoga provides the fabric of life in which disciples secede from the material world in the direction of ‘the great disembodied thought’ and spiritual freedom. An idea that people are not bound to what appears to be the only real existence. A way of freeing the mind and true identity from obstruction and society. (pg. 29) The basis for Yoga is control of the body and working towards separation from the physical self and material world. The goal is to become an observer in which…

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Honor thy mother and thy father. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, wife or possession. Scum! Do you enjoy wrecking people’s lives? Parasite! What do you get out of this? Get a life! Stay out of my…

I entered upon the chapter of Buddhism with the foundation that Buddhism derived its beliefs and practices from the Hindu religion. Nevertheless, I am continually fascinated by the two religions’ strikingly identical but contrasting qualities observable throughout The World’s Wisdom text. Section 12 especially delineates many of the similarities Hinduism and Buddhism share. Reaching Nirvana and therefore attaining freedom at last from the cycle of rebirth seems to be an utmost objective for…

Competition surrounds everyone. Whether it be in School, at a job, or a company, competition is found. Nowadays we see students slaving away to be the best in the class, to feel noticed. In a job, we see people sabotaging one another's work, competing to get the position. With companies, we see them fighting each other over who can make the most money. Competition is everywhere, and it is not beneficial to us. It affects how one lives and perceives life. Competition can make…