Bodhisattvas

It is something people are usually born into based off of their parents religion. In Buddhism specifically, Buddha teaches with a great passion for everyone to succeed in life and attain Nirvana. There is such passion with being a Buddhist, they do not do specific things for anyone else but themselves. Their deeds are what will guide them to their life goal. They worship Buddha’s teachings because it is morally right.

Buddha set out to find enlightenment and then to share it with the world. I don’t know if he thought it would become as widespread as it has, but he was very successful and convincing others that his path was the one to follow. Anyone looking for a simple peaceful life, Buddhism is a great choice for them. Works Cited The Buddha and Buddhism by Karen Marchant

The book starts with the introduction of the unique characteristics of Buddhism. The Buddha credited all his realization and achievements to human endeavor and intelligence. Unlike other teachers or religions, in Buddhism, every man has his potential to become a Buddha. Man is his own master. Thus, the realization of truth is also depends on his own.

“Buddha” means the enlightened one; a Buddha is a person who perceives within his own life the essence, or reality of life itself. Unlike other religious philosophies or systems of religious thought, Buddhism makes no clear distinction between divinity and humanity. Its teachings enable people to attain enlightenment, to become Buddhas themselves. This ultimate reality supports and nourishes humanity, and all other living beings. Those who have perceived this ultimate reality inherent in their own lives truly know themselves, they are Buddhas.

While there are many similarities in both religions, they each contrast each other in many ways as well. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion, meaning that practitioners of the Buddhist religion do not recognize or worship a God. Instead, practicing Buddhists follow the teachings of a man named Siddhartha Gautama, who is more commonly known as Buddha. The term “Buddha” can be translated to mean “the awakened one”. Buddha’s followers recognize his as the enlightened teacher who would be able to help them let go of human wants, desires and ignorance to the goal of reaching a state of nirvana.

The consummation of his exploration came about while he was meditating beneath a Bodhi tree, where he was finally able to understand how to be liberated and free from any suffering and ultimately, to achieve salvation. Furthermore, ensuing this insight, Siddartha was known as the Buddha, which holds the meaning “The Enlightened One.” Throughout traveling India, the Buddha spent the remainder of his life teaching others what he had come to realize and understand. Moreover, as the author states, “The Buddha taught about earthly suffering and its cure. Many religions offer comforting supernatural solutions to the difficulties of earthly life. Early Buddhism was quite different: It held that liberation from suffering depends on our own efforts.

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 Noble Eightfold Marga( ways or paths ) :- The goal of a theravada buddhist is to become an arhat . The layperson is asked by theravada buddhism to follow the middle path between the two extremes . The goal of a mahayana buddhist is to attain buddhahood . The eight ethical concepts are recommended by the 4 Noble Truths and we are told that an end to sufferings is possible by following the eight Noble steps .Sufferings and a rebirth are created by cravings , clinging and accumulation of karmas .Buddhism tell us that the bad effects are created by cravings and clinging . Karmas can be cancelled by self-control , meditation and mindfulness .

Nathan Grakowsky Professor Dunagan Phil 1311 – 007 18 February 2014 I am a Buddhist I am a Mahayana Buddhist living in Japan. We call it “the Great Vehicle” meaning we are derived from the original Theravada Buddhists, but we are philosophical and compassionate. We are compassionate and helpful towards one another for the reason of the path of Bodhisattva, for our enlightenment for one day reaching Nirvana. What in my religion is most important to me is to be a Bodhisattva. Once we reach Nirvana, instead of ending the cycle of rebirth, we answer the prayers of those who need our help; we are compassionate even in death.

It is commonly practiced in Japan, Tibet, and Mongolia. The path to nirvana in Pure Land focuses primarily on faith, whereas, Theravada, the focus is on the individuals’ actions. Theravada, reinforces that one must follow the four noble truths to achieve nirvana. In a person’s life, they accumulate both good and bad karma. The good karma will aid a person in breaking the cycle of rebirth, but if too much bad karma accumulates then the person is automatically reincarnated.