Buddha Dharma: Tibetan Buddhism Essay

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It is paramount to understand Buddhism as a whole before breaking it down into its two Tibetan forms, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhism, a non-theistic religion which is very prevalent in Southeast Asia, was founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama around the filth century B.C. Siddhartha came to realize the correct path to awakening after a series of events like extreme asceticism, failed. Siddhartha, otherwise known as the Buddha, taught his followers that everything of existence was impermanent, meaning there was no such thing as a permanent self. This truth is one of the key beliefs in Buddhism, and one that is still believed and taught to this day.

The worldview of Buddhism in terms of self relates directly to the idea of impermanence. Since there is no such thing as a permanent soul, all life is characterized through suffering, “…everything in existence is being conditioned by other things which themselves are conditioned…so is suffering”(page 103). Through this realization, the Buddha created what we know as the four noble truths.

The first truth is the previously mentioned existence of suffering, the “truth of dukkha.” The second is reasoning for our suffering, or “origin of dukkha,” which the Buddha tells us is because of our human craving and attachment to worldly objects. The third of four noble truths is the “cessation of dukkha,” or the removal of inacceptable experiences and their causes. The fourth and final noble truth is the “path to the cessation of dukkha.” This particular path to the ultimate cessation of dukkha is known today as the “Noble Eightfold Path,” and is the ultimate, quintessence, practice of Buddhism.

The Eigthfold Path is the underlying dominant teaching of Buddhism. It is the path to the...

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...f all sentient beings. These are attended by throngs of laypeople… ” (pg, 220). On day one of the New Year, monks perform sacraments and practice certain customs, which lead into the second day. On this day high monks interact with political leaders. Ending Losar, laypeople celebrate and enjoy the company of monks. New Year for most is “a time for contemplation and devotion. Large numbers of people perform prostrations in front of holy structures and personages, and they light butter lamps, make offerings to the monastic community, and renew their commitment to the dharma through increased devotion… ” (221). Through these actions the follower will earn merit allowing them to get a step closer to the end goal of all Buddhists, enlightenment.

Works Cited

Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 2007. Print.

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