- more info:
- http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/things/mandalas.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala
- images: https://www.google.com/search?q=buddhist+mandala&client=firefox-a&hs=39s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ii73VMi4FPOHsQSwuoL4BQ&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=634
http://www.times-standard.com/boomers/ci_26453301/death-and-dying-from-buddhist-perspective
What are the Four Noble Truths? What is the Eightfold Path? How might these ideas help you even if you are not Buddhist?
Here are some other resources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/ataglance/glance.shtml
Video of the monk Thich Naht Hahn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9UtuWfs3U
Video of His Holiness (the monk) Dalai Lama
http://www.upworthy.com/the-dalai-lama-has-some-very-uplifting-and-wise-words-about-farting
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path convey a message that pain and suffering are parts of life that we are not able to escape from. Suffering and anxiety are caused by human desires and attachments. We can overcome these weaknesses and conquer them with the Noble Truths. Simply put that we if we place a high importance on material things and attach ourselves to them and get enjoyment from then then we truly will not be happy according to the Buddha religion. We as humans are always wanting more and are never truly satisfied and we are afraid of losing those items we collect (Mckay, Ebrey, Beck, Crowston, Wiesner-Hanks, 2013, p.67).
ReplyDeleteFour Noble Truths
1. Pain and suffering, frustration, and anxiety are ugly but inescapable parts of human life
2. Suffering and anxiety are caused by human desires and attachments.
3. People can understand these weaknesses and triumph over them.
4. This triumph is made possible by following a simple code of conduct, the Eightfold Path (Mckay, Ebrey, Beck, Crowston, Wiesner-Hanks, 2013, p.67).
The Eightfold Path is the code of conduct that the Buddha live by. It is a series of steps
1. Right knowledge and recognizing the universality of suffering
2. Right purpose and freeing themselves from suffering
3. Right conduct including abstaining from taking life
4. Right speech
5. Right livelihood
6. Right endeavor
7. Right awareness which is the constant contemplation of one's deeds and words, giving full thought to their importance and whether they lead to enlightenment.
8. Right contemplation is the last step that entails deep mediation on the impermanence of everything in the world. Those who achieve liberation are freed from the cycle of birth and death and enter Nirvana and are free from reincarnation (Mckay, Ebrey, Beck, Crowston, Wiesner-Hanks, 2013, p.67).
I think in today's materialistic world, the four noble truths and the eight fold path could be used by anyone. Life is suffering, and suffering is cause by craving. How many times do we anguish over the things we do not have; cars, clothes, newest iPhone, ect... this want for material things causes us never to be happy with what we have, and always want more. If we could use the Buddhist teaching just to cut back on some of the cravings in this society, I believe we all would be happier and better off.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you Erick but one must question is a religion who does not believe in a true "God" qualify as a quote religion? The Four Noble Truths and the Eight fold Path is a good rule of thumb to learn how to be good to others and not to place importance on the material items. Do you think that it is a solid representation of how a person gets to the afterlife? Does not idolizing things place you in the path to enter heaven when you die? People can be good and bad in their lifetime but does that excuse their behavior and permit them to do bad things knowing the good will counter act it? Should we be accountable to a higher power? It comes down to what your believe but I am interested in hearing you opinion. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteTo many, Buddhism is a way of life, not just a religion. The Buddhist path can be summed up as 1)to lead a moral life
ReplyDelete2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions
3) to develop wisdom and understanding
I think that these three things can help anyone live a better life even if they are not Buddhist. I think the idea of karma is also helpful. When I get frustrated that people do not treat others the way they would want to be treated I think about karma. I also think about it when deciding how I should react to people it treat them, even when they aren't nice to me. I think everyone can find something in Buddhism to help them in life.
The Four Noble Truths are a type of plan for dealing with the suffering within everyday life. Suffering can be depicted as something physical or mental. The First Truth involves acknowledging the presence of suffering. The Second Truth looks to find the cause of suffering as a whole. To Buddhists, desire and ignorance are the main source of suffering. Next, the Third Truth looks at the importance of reaching Nirvana in order to end this suffering. Finally, the Fourth Truth charts the method for obtaining the end of suffering, the Noble Eightfold Path. A few of these steps involve Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, and Right Effort.
ReplyDeleteEven if a person is not a Buddhist, I feel that he can still look at these beliefs and try to apply them to his life. To me, these beliefs depict that by leading a moral and decent life you can ultimately end up where you want to be after death. Many people can most likely relate to some of the Buddhist beliefs such as striving to reach Nirvana, a Heaven-like place of rest, harmony, and stability.
I am in no way a practicing Buddhist. However, I think that what the Buddhist believes in is what we should all strive to do. Lead a moral life and you will be able to move on to whatever afterlife you believe in. I think it is an interesting take on life itself. One of the biggest principals is that there will be suffering in your life, but you don't have to make everything so hard on yourself. Humans have so much anxiety and fear about life and they must learn to control these emotions with mental discipline.
ReplyDelete