Catherine Marron
Phil 509
Professor Fairweather
15 May 2015
Wisdom: Eightfold Noble Path
Wisdom is one of the most important divisions of the eightfold noble path. This division basically emphasizes discernment and how important it is to follow. Wisdom consists of two separate parts, which are right view and right intention.
Right view basically means that when you’re starting anything you need to have some reason for starting it. The Buddha thought if you had the right view, the reason you would be starting the eightfold path is because you have accepted his diagnosis of suffering. And if you have accepted that then you would want to come out of suffering in this lifetime instead of waiting and hoping that maybe you would be reborn into a
Wisdom is such an important part of the eightfold noble path since it is involves understanding the four noble truths and establishing the right mindset to navigate through this life of pain. With the right view one can learn what to focus on and learn about the necessary steps to take changing your perception and outlook on life. The right intention follows naturally, because once you realize what matters in your life then it will motivate you carry out those changes through establishing the right intentions. You will no longer wish ill will upon anyone and will establish a loving viewpoint that will make you feel interconnected with the universe and those around you. This particular division really does show how this aspect of life is crucial in understanding because it will radically change your perception of the world and others around you for the better. Not only will you gain insight and vision, but also you will have clarity in your life. With these things you naturally become wiser and are able to realize how your intellect and the things you think about shape the way you see life all around you. The eightfold noble path truly shows what it means to have wisdom, discernment, right view, and right intention. It accomplishes this goal one hundred percent, because it shows people that instead of living a spiritually blind life,
However, I find it hard to really follow exactly what he says about non-attachment. It is hard to simply be non-attached to the ones I love, because I care about their well-being and happiness. It would be extremely hard for me to simply become non-attached to them, because I love them so much. But the Buddha states that non-attachment is one of the steps in establishing the “right” intention in order to attain nibbana. This is extremely hard for me as a human being to simply become non-attached to the people I care about in my life. I don’t think Buddha’s account of the important issues raised in the division of wisdom necessarily are the “best” ways to go about living a spiritual life, but I really do value his insight into many other things he states. This one in particular is hard for me to completely agree with because of the mere fact that he is saying non-attachment is one of the steps to attain nibbana. In that case, I would much rather stay attached to my loved ones health and happiness at the expense that I wouldn’t attain nibbana. This just goes to show that although the Buddha was a very wise man, his philosophies aren’t always the best ways to approach life. I respect the man dearly; I just would prefer to live my life the way it is now, because there are some things I just can’t let go
The wisdom that comes from being aware of your surroundings is very helpful. When there was a fire for the first time in Pleasantville, Bud knew that it needed to be put out so he called over the fire department and had them put it out. This relates to Rashi because Bud’s eyes were open and he used his wisdom that came from keeping his eyes open. If Adam and Eve “opened their eyes” they would've had the knowledge that they needed to know that they shouldn’t have eaten the apple. The wisdom that is provided from knowing your surroundings can change what happens for the
Buddhism is one of the prominent and influential religions and philosophies of the world. A basic tenet of Buddhism is that worldly desires and possessions cause all suffering. To absolve one’s self of necessities beyond basic human survival is one of the many plateaus that Buddhists strive to achieve. Furthermore, Buddhists free themselves from temptation via seclusion from society and attempt to allow nature to support them. They believe that Nirvana, the ascension to heaven, can be achieved by freeing oneself of earthly desires.
Growing up, children learn most everything from their elders. Yet, an elder nor a book can help a person to enlightenment. Nor can they teach a person to find their soul. The path to a person’s Atman is a personal journey, one to be endured, not taught. The meaning of a person’s life is not a subject to be read in books. The meaning of life is slowly attained through wisdom, enduring life and searching for the right path along the way. In the novel Siddhartha, Gotama cannot teach enlightenment because that wisdom cannot be communicated through words, only through experience.
In both Pleasantville and Fahrenheit 451 shows us that when finding the truth, you must first obtain wisdom. For example, In Fahrenheit 451, Guy Montag gains knowledge from the books he read and learns the truth of fire. Montag burned books as a living and was proud of doing it. Until he starts to read the banned books. He gains knowledge and learns that burning
...at the key to happiness is an equality of self, knowledge and love. Without these key ingredients the path for harmony becomes twisted and unmanageable. With Siddhartha's wise findings and example, it is much easier to reach the destination of balance. From Siddhartha's philosophies, the most consequential lesson I acquired is not to draw boundaries or label. In Siddhartha's progression, he falters twice, and then attains his goal. He overcame all obstacles, with perseverance, and his life can truly be defined as a legacy. Siddhartha's journey broke a cultural barrier for me and taught me a valuable lesson in acceptance. Not only did Siddhartha's determination cause metamorphoses in his own part, but gave me hope for progress and the achievement of my goals, through implementing his fundamental principles and all that I have previously acquired.
People believe that they are “wise” when they “know” something. A common member of society most often feels that knowledge enables people to feel powerful and misknowledge shows a certain weakness. Thurman explained, “Being right means that the world affirms us in what we think we know. ‘Knowing’ something is a way of controlling it, being able to put it in its proper place in relation to us so that we can use it effectively… So, knowledge is power, in the sense that it empowers us to act successfully. Misknowledge… is weakness, in the sense that our action may fail in their aim, backfire, or have unintended consequences. Knowledge is security, in that we know our vulnerabilities and can avoid harm. Misknowledge is danger, in that we don 't know what others might do to us or what traps may await us. We therefore feel powerful and secure when were right, weak and vulnerable when were wrong” (Thurman 446). Thurman took a distinctive approach and taught that not knowing meant obtaining freedom and achieving wisdom. Thurman taught, “… the Buddha discovered that this most certain knowledge of the ‘self’ is actually ‘misknowledge’—a fundamental misunderstanding, a delusion. And what 's more, he realized that this discovery was the key to liberation, the gateway to enlightenment” (Thurman 447). From a social standpoint, “wisdom” allows people to obtain a certain knowledge of themselves and in this way, acquire freedom. Once this “wisdom” is gained, one becomes selfless and allows him or her self to be a greater part of
Most people know what wisdom is. On the other hand though, why is it valued so highly in western civilization? Wisdom is a building block of western civilization. Wisdom was valued even in ancient Greece. Socrates was known as the wise scholar. Wisdom has always been a trait that people have admired. Wisdom is admired because wisdom leads to make right choices in life. A wise person would know when to push their luck or when to back down. The complete understanding of a situation is a very desirable trait for all people.
Our knowledge is a key to our success and happiness in our life to give us personal satisfaction. Knowledge is power but not always. Sometimes our self-awareness and growth as an individual gives us negative thoughts that make us want to go back to undo it. Everyone wants to unlearn a part in our life that brought us pain and problems. Good or bad experiences brought by true wisdom can be used for our self-acceptance, self-fulfillment and these experiences would make us stronger as we walk to the road of our so called “life”, but Douglas’s and my experience about knowledge confirmed his belief that “Knowledge is a curse”. Both of us felt frustrated and sad from learning knowledge.
Virtues of thought are about achieving wisdom, knowledge, and reasoning. He believed that virtues can be gained through practice. Our character traits are grown throughout your life and as you gain experience. It is possible to work on your skills as you work to achieve your full potential. At the same time, virtues of character also should be at a mean state— finding the right balance by not having too much or being too deficient in a certain trait. All virtues center around the four moral or cardinal virtues: prudence, temperance, courage, and justice. Prudence is the virtue of determining the right goal or end. Temperance is the virtue of self-control while courage is the ability to overcome fear. Justice is about fairness and making sure everyone is given what they are rightfully due.
Wisdom is the synthesis of knowledge and experiences into insights that deepen one’s understanding of relationships and the meaning of life. In other words, knowledge is a tool, and wisdom is the craft in which the tool is used. (Knowledge vs. Wisdom)
Dukha is by definition the first truth that preaches realization that suffering is universal, one of the most important teachings in all of Buddhism. It is translated into an understanding that everything in life is conditioned, temporary and independent from other functions of living. Anything is justified as beautiful because it is dukkha, meaning at some point it will come to an end. This has taught Buddhist followers to appreciate the qualities of life by cherishing and not taking anything for granted. It is often misinterpreted as a negative form of appreciation, seeming as though there is no acknowledgment for an end. However it is supported by further philosophies to appreciate what life has to offer by “living each day as if it were the last” (unknown). The third Noble Truth is referred to as Nirodha, the ac...
Buddhism is one of the major world religions with many followers around the world. It is unique in its nature as it is frequently referred to as a ‘spiritual tradition’ (Miller, 2010). Buddhism focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life (Johnston, 2003). Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. This belief in the impermanence of all things underpins the Buddhist interpretation of the world and reality (Maguire, 2001).
The Fourth Noble Truth leads to the end of suffering and provides a practical pathway to the realization of Nibbana in the form of the Noble Eightfold Path. This consists of eight factors: right understanding, right thought,...
Hinduism believes in the teachings of one human man, the Buddha, the “Enlightened One”. The ultimate objective of a Buddhist is to reach nirvana which is a state of enlightenment where a person no longer desires or suffers and is at peace. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths. Fiero lists the Four Noble Truths as “pain is universal, desire causes pain, ceasing to desire relieves pain, and right conduct leads to release from pain” (11). The Buddha believed and taught that insight and knowledge come from following the Eightfold Path (Middle Way). Fiero states that the Eightfold Path includes “right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration” (11). If a person follows the Eightfold Path which leads to insight and knowledge then they could ultimately achieve nirvana. A Buddhist that avoids suffering and gains enlightenment is then released from what Fiero calls the “endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth” (11). Only then has a person accomplished extinction of the Self or salvation. The aspect of the release from the cycle of rebirth is similar to the goal of a Hindu and like Hinduism; Buddhism encourages moral behavior in order to attain inner
The Eightfold Path labels all of the rights of monks and helps guide them to peace within themselves. The Eightfold Path guides monks and nuns towards Nirvana through eight simple principles. The first principle, the Right of Understanding, explains the significance of understanding situations the way they occur instead of understanding things from one’s personal experiences. “Right thought involves our intentions. The spirit in which we approach everything” (Sach). These two rights form into its own category ...