By Alexis Winans

Buddhism

Buddhism is a major global religion with a complex history and system of beliefs.

The major points that make up Buddhism are: The Four Noble Truths, Nirvana, Karma , and the Eightfold Path.

What is Buddhism?

The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha’s teachings. They are:

The truth of sufferingThe truth of the cause of sufferingThe truth of the end of sufferingThe truth of the path that leads to the end of

suffering.

The Four Noble Truths

Basically the Four Noble Truths state that suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end and it has a cause that leads to an end.

The Four Noble Truths are a plan for dealing with the suffering humanity faces, suffering of a physical and mental nature. In Buddhism desire and ignorance lie at the root of suffering.

Suffering

The Four Noble Truths are achieved by the Eightfold Path:

Right to understandingRight though (no bad or negative thoughts)Right speech (no bad or negative words)Right Action (no bad or negative actions)

The Eightfold Path

5. Right livelihood (living right)6. Right Effort (always attempting to do the

right thing)7. Right Mindfulness (having the right

intentions)8. Right Concentration (concentrating on

what is important)

Eightfold Path Cont.

The karma is Buddhism is different than society’s karma. It does not refer to preordained fate.

Karma refers to good or bad actions a person takes during his/her lifetime.

Good actions involve either the absence of bad actions or actual positive acts, bring about happiness in the long run.

Bad actions like lying or stealing bring about unhappiness in the long run.

Karma

The weight that bad actions carry is determined by 5 conditions:

Frequent Repetitive ActionsDetermine/Intentional ActionAction performed without RegretActions against Extraordinary PersonsActions toward those who have helped one in

the past

Karma Cont.

Other than good karma and bad karma there is neutral karma.

Neutral karma derives from acts such as breathing, eating and sleeping. Neutral karma has no benefits or costs.

Why would they think that simple acts such as these would create any karma?

This is because when we breathe we kill living organisms in the air. When we eat we are eating what was once a living animal or plant. When we sleep may lay or accidently squish a living organism.

Neutral Karma

Nirvana-transcendent state free from suffering and our worldly cycle of birth and rebirth, spiritual enlightenment has been achieved.

This is the entire goal in Buddhism. To be freed from the reincarnation cycle and become enlightened.

Nirvana

This is what a Buddhist Temple may look like:

I think that Buddhism is a really interesting religion to learn about. Their concepts are so different from my religions but I also see some of that are the same. For example: Bad actions in Buddhism are kind of the same concept as sins. In both Buddhism and Christianity lying, cheating and stealing are wrong. Another thing they have in common is the fact that we are taught not to dwell on material things.

Buddhism to Me

My “Ah Ha” moment was the fact that karma has such an influence on these people’s lives. They live every day trying to create no karma either good or bad. It must be incredibly hard to make decisions, I cannot imagine that kind of pressure.

My “Ah Ha” Moment

We should learn about Buddhism for the same reason we need to learn about all other religions; understanding.

In order to teach our diverse student we need to know where they come from and what religions and customs they do or do not practice. How can we teach someone that we do not understand?

Why Should We Learn About Buddhism?

Basics of Buddhismwww.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm

Works Cited