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Example research essay topic: Four Noble Truths Good And Evil - 1,470 words

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... onasteries. Other holy and sacred places include, Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, and Bodhi Gaya, where the "tree of enlightenment" stood when Buddha was enlightened. Buddhism is an analytic religion based on thought and proving a belief. Although early Buddhism did revolve around some mythology and some still does today, much of the mythology has been replaced by scientific findings. Early Buddhist mythology believed that the universe consisted of innumerable world systems throughout infinite space.

In these world systems existed supernatural beings regarded as spirits. These spirits were good and evil and some were considered semi-divine beings. The good and evil spirits brought about troublesome and beneficial feelings, emotions, and actions amongst the beings they surrounded. The semi-divine beings dweller in gardens, houses, hills, rivers, seas, trees and in the waters. Only those who caused anxiety and fear to mankind were grouped as demons or evil spirits (Haldak 139). The early mythology of Buddhism also explained Heaven and Hell.

Heaven was to be composed of two worlds "Devaloka", a heaven for the gods, and "Brahmaloka" a heaven for the Brahmas. Under the Brahmaloka, were six worlds of desire known as "Devaloka. " Under these were the eight major realms of hell. These sixteen worlds are stacked upon each other like stories of a building with heaven being at the top where there is no suffering and with hell at the bottom, a place of endless punishment. Other mythological stories exist about different gods who are above the human level but inferior to Buddha. Although Buddha is not thought of as a mythological character, his story can be interpreted as somewhat mythical.

Unlike many religions of worship, Buddhism focuses on reaching a transcendental state of consciousness, beyond the reach of linguistic expression (Kalupahana 47). It does not seek to convert or force people into believing or joining their faith but it fulfills the spiritual need within its members. Buddhism is a school of thought, based on logic and aesthetics. The pre-requisite for these is honesty. When members meditate or practice yoga, they may reach a higher state of contemplation where they find peace, balance, and deep meaning in life through their deep thoughts. One Buddhist principle is to respect all forms of life.

If one devoutly follows this principle they will discover that they become kinder and less selfish people. These characteristics make for a happier world and lifestyle (Mark Dickinson). All the focal symbols of Buddhism reinforce a peaceful and calm environment for meditation and yoga. From a Freudian perspective, these symbols represent the ego. The ego strives for a balance between the id, our basic human desires, and the superego, ones mental recorder that has the ability to judge our options in any situation. In life, one must find that balance and meaning to find ones real self and to find spiritual happiness.

Millions worldwide of all ages, races, economic classes, and ethnic groups join to make up the religion of Buddhism. In the beginning Buddhism started as a small religion in India and it spread through East Asia to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, through China, Korea, Japan, and Tibet. It wasn't until 1900 A. D. that Buddhism found its beginnings in the West and by 1960 A. D.

Buddhism had widespread establishments in the West (Schmidt 288 - 311). Buddhist members can always find themselves in a warm community were anger, egos, and attachments are left behind. Members can find peace in meditation together or alone. Most sects of the religion have a democratic like government where all members have a voice in the community (Mark Dickinson). There is a traditional hierarchy organization within Buddhism. There is a higher and lower clergy.

The higher clergy is made up of the Dalai Lama and the Patches Lama, the Hutukutus, spiritual dignitaries, and the Hobilghans or Bodhisattuas, who have undertaken various ethical and spiritual disciplines with view to achieving Buddhahood, or complete enlightenment. These three groups make up the incarnations of Buddhist saints. The lower clergy must take a vow of celibacy, live in monasteries and usually shave their heads. The lower clergy includes the novice, assistant priest, religions mendicant, and the teacher or abbot (Encarta Tibetan Buddhism).

The openness of the Buddhist faith does not need to force people to convert. Buddhists simply spread their teachings and kindness with all they meet. There seems to be a great future for Buddhism in America due to freedom of religion but the American mind set would need to change before Buddhism would ever become a dominant religion of the land (Mark Dickinson). The Buddhist scripture is known as the canon composed of two parts, the Tripitaka and the exegetical commentary. The Tripitaka is separated into three parts, the Vinaya, which describes conduct, the Sutta, which are the discourses, and the Abhidhamma, which are supplementary doctrines. The basic principle found in the Buddhist scripture relates to suffering and finding the end of it.

The Four Noble Truths help explain suffering and how to avoid it. The Four Noble Truths are Duhkhasatya, the truth of dukkha, Samudayasatya, the truth of the cause, Nirodhasatya, the truth of cessation, and Mrgasatya, the truth of the way or path. Duhkhastya is translated as "life is suffering" but more appropriately as "life is painfully out of balance." Dukkha was a word used to refer to a wheel whose axle was off-center. The Buddha named four specific points in life where this pain is most evident: birth, illness, old age, and the fear approaching death.

He also added: to be separated from what one loves, and to be saddled with what one hates. The second truth is that the cause of Dukkha is tank, or "thirst." Tank is also generally translated as "desire", but "thirst" suggests that it is meant more specifically, as "personal desire." The desire for private fulfillment causes actions at the expense of others. It interferes with the oneness of all things, leads to ignorance, and brings suffering. The third truth declares that a nirodha, or "cessation" of the cravings can be attained. When selfish cravings, ignorance, and hatred are overcome, balance will be restored to life.

The fourth truth describes that a ma, "path" or "way" exists to overcome the tank (cravings). The Eightfold Path is the middle way which lies between the extremes of asceticism and indulgence. The Eightfold Path can be broken down into three aspects, Morality, Concentration, and Wisdom. Under Morality falls right speech, action, and livelihood. Concentration includes right effort, mindfulness, and concentration.

And wisdom contains right understanding and right thought. These three qualities must be developed to attain Nirvana. The ultimate goal of the Buddhist path is release from the round of phenomenal existence with its inherent suffering. To achieve this goal is to attain nirvana, an enlightened state in which the fires of greed, hatred, and ignorance have been quenched. Anyone can attain nirvana but usually it is a more realistic goal for those members of the monastic community. Karma has a great impact on whether or not one will attain nirvana.

The law of karma says that for every event that occurs, there will follow another event whose existence was caused by the first, and this second event will be pleasant or unpleasant according as its cause was skillful or unskillful (web site). Human actions lead to rebirth, where good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished. One's karma determines such matter as one's species, beauty, intelligence, longevity, wealth, and social status. Karma can lead to rebirth as a human, an animal, a hungry ghost, a denizen of hell, or even one of the Hindu gods. This spiritual energy found in all things is part of the continuum of life. Buddha was one of the greatest human beings, a man of noble character, warm compassion, and profound thought.

Through the religion he established, he was able to affect millions throughout the world for nearly 2500 years. His teachings and philosophies are a way to live by if one wants to attain peace in one's life. Bibliography: Works Cited An-che, Li. History of Tibetan Religion: A study in the field. Beijing, China: New World Press, 1994.

Holder, J. R. Early Buddhist Mythology. New Delhi: Manohar, 1977. Kalupahana, David. The Principles of Buddhist Psychology.

New York: State university of New York, 1987. Philosophical Library. The Wisdom of Buddha. New York: P. F. Collier and Son Company, 1968.

Rinpoche, Dagyab. Buddhist Symbols in Tibetan Culture. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995. Schmidt, Roger, et al. Patters of Religion. Chicago: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1999.

Other sources: Interview with Mark Dickinson on April 24, 2000 at Buddhist temple in Long Beach Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia, Microsoft corporation, 1993 - 1997. Articles used: Buddha - contributed by Wing-That Chan Buddhism - contributed by james paul McDermolt Tibetan Buddhism Web Site: web


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Research essay sample on Four Noble Truths Good And Evil

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