World Religion

Matt Ayres

World religion

Final Paper

Buddhism

The teachings of dharma and the four noble truths were to become the essence of Buddhism. Buddha taught that the supreme good of life is nirvana,” the extinction” or “blowing out” of suffering and desire and awakening to what is most real. A Sanskrit term, “Buddha” means “awakened” or “enlighten one.” Buddhism also teaches pacifism and nonviolence. (The Everything World Religion Book)

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| Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born some 2,500 years ago as a prince in what is now called Lumbini in Nepal. When Gautama was 29 years old, he discovered there was much suffering in the world around him. Traditionally it is explained that he suddenly recognized the problems of sickness, old age and death when visiting the city. Being shocked by the suffering of all living beings, he decided to search for way to end it. He left his wife and child, the palace and even his royal clothes, and started out on a spiritual quest. Gautama studied under various teachers and followed their practices until he mastered them all. After about six years of searching, he realized that just wearing down his body did not generate new insights, but rather leads to weakness and self-destruction. | |

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He then sat down in a place now called Bodhgaya (North India) under a Bodhi-tree and decided not to get up anymore until he discovered the truth. Just a short time later, he became a fully enlightened Buddha. With this, he realized the true nature of existence and suffering how suffering can be ended. Seven weeks after enlightenment, the Buddha gave his first discourse in Sarnath, near Varanasi. Here he taught the four Noble Truths. The Buddha continued to teach during his life, until passing away at the age of 81.( The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching P. 303) |

The core of the Buddhist doctrine is the four noble truths and the eightfold path. Buddha’s view of the human condition and solution to the spiritual ills of the...