Buddhism
Essay Preview: Buddhism
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Buddhism is a religion that evolved from Siddhartha Gautama dissatisfaction with life and the search for lasting happiness which underpins the teachings of Buddhism today.
Buddha lived a life of great affluence and plentifulness in the sixth century in Nepal. His dissatisfaction with this life lead him to search for lasting happiness a path to enlightenment.Siddhartha described this path as the Middle way, living a moderate life that provided the body with what was only necessary. The practice of meditation enabled him to enter into a state where he focused solely on enlightenment.
Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at the age of 35 where he sat and meditated and vowed to stay until he had reached enlightenment. According to the Buddhist Council of NSW, ‘Buddha whom he became known as, taught this path of enlightenment until he died at the age of 80 from his own experience’. The collection of these teachings ‘The Dharma’ are the basis of the teachings of Buddhism today.
Consequently this worldview of Siddhartha’s search for enlightenment through dissatisfaction with life developed teachings that would enable all people to reach enlightenment.
Buddha provided a plan to help people navigate through the challenges of life which is presented in the Four Noble Truths which are the foundations of the Buddhist worldview teachings. Recognising and understanding the notion of suffering (dukkha), that is a part of the human condition that can never be satisfied is the first noble truth. The second noble truth refers to identifying what causes suffering, the human cravings of life that do not provide contentment. Once a person can cease to desire, than suffering can cease and the person enters a transcendent state (nirvana), which is the third Noble Truth. To end suffering and attain enlightenment the Noble Eightfold Path provides a way of living through right intentions. The practice of mediation prepares the body and mind to enter more fully into a state of being.Through the preparation and application of the mind to achieve right intention, right action can be obtained. According to the Buddhist Council of NSW, ‘Buddhism points to the underlying causes of our day to day problems and teaches a graduated path to liberate us from suffering.’ Therefore through reducing suffering and identifying the challenges of life, a state of enlightenment can be achieved.
The preparation of the mind and body through right intentions and actions, assist in reaching Nirvana which is the complete freeing from Samsara, the cycle of life a Buddhist worldview. Buddhist believe that in practicing the Eightfold path one can be relieved of suffering and reach enlightenment. The path involves eight steps of which the last is enlightenment. Right intentions and actions provide a direction to assist in releasing a person from Samsara. The cycle of life is intertwined with Karma