Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison

The controversial philosophical views of Friedrich Nietzsche and the peaceful teachings of Buddha had somehow, through history, become entwined. Nietzsche a German philosopher was strong in nihilistic atheism, pessimism, and an inherent rejection of Christianity, or religion as a whole. Buddha “the enlightened one” witnessed suffering and death, and eventually set out to discover ways of learning how to cope with the unpleasant aspects of the world. He gathered a loyal following and eventually became a teacher of such a philosophy that spread from country to country. These philosophers have been compared but ever so slightly and eventually reflect the aspects that make them so truly different.

The philosophy of Buddhism began with an Indian prince named Siddhartha Gautama. He was later known as Buddha, which means the Enlightened One. During his early years, his father shielded him from the unpleasant aspects of life; age, suffering, death. Eventually he witnessed people in the place of death and suffering only to abandon his current life of luxury, and to turn to monasticism. His never-ending quests for Enlightenment lead him to establish a monastery where he attracted loyal followers through his preaching and teachings. Buddha’s work was never recorded and it became the burden of his followers to record his life and philosophy. They followed the ideas of karma, reincarnation, and the journey towards nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are the center of Buddhist philosophy. They explain the true aspects of life and how acceptance of their unpleasant nature may help one to become spiritually awoken. The first Noble Truth says that life is not kind and involves inherent suffering and sadness. The second Noble Truth explains that the reason there is suffering is because people are unenlightened and unaware. Attachment to earthly possessions and sensual pleasures inhibits the ability to become truly enlightened. Buddha believed if people...