Comparing Buddhism And The Noble Eightfold Path

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Buddhism began with a man named Siddhartha Gautama who had lived in northern India in the sixth or fifth century B.C.E. The religion has its teachings in two forms; these are the Four Noble Truths and the eight fold Path. The four noble truths teach that life is full disappointment and suffering; that suffering is a result of one's desires for pleasure; that in order to stop ones suffering one must stop desiring; and finally the way to stop desiring and thus suffering is through Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way of living through good intentions, right action, being awareness, and meditation/ reflection on doing good. These lessons were taught for people to discover the state of release called nirvana meaning blowing …show more content…

The Buddhist religion views sex a natural part of human life, but as something that is associated with craving and temptation. The view of sex is that it is something that leads you into suffering and away from the goals of the taught by Buddha. The Buddhist path is about overcoming these cravings and temptations; this means there should be no sex involved in ones life. Most Buddhist practice the tradition of celibacy which means that the individuals will not participate in sexual activities. “Celibacy traditionally signifies a noble, yet mystifying devotion that is difficult to understand and has become the subject of much critique.” This essay will give information on the subject from various traditions, with an emphasis sexual orientation, action and celibacy within the Buddhism …show more content…

This forces the individual to find a different sense of independence from temptation. It teaches the celibate individual that he or she does not need to depend on such temptations to be themselves and to be happy. The Buddhist tradition shows the importance of meditation and reflection of good and bad. Celibacy teaches oneself patients, pride, and self restraint of temptation. But it is not in itself celibacy that reflects the traditions of Buddhism; instead it is the realization of the truth that a person does not need sexual desire to be happy. The point of Buddhism is that the individual lives a life away from suffering which is caused by desire; and the individual wants to avoid suffering by living the right way. Celibacy is just one way a person can realize the truth and become aware of needless

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