Siddhartha, Essay Example

Siddhartha, or who we know today as Buddha began his spiritual career by sitting under a Bodhi tree in deep meditation. Determined to find real truth, he became enlightened.

The four noble paths of Buddha center around suffering and journey. They paths are suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering and the path.

The eight-fold path:

1. Right understanding (Samma ditthi) Everyone must answer for the things that they have done.
2. Right thought (Samma sankappa) Renounce earthly pleasure and seek enlightenment.
3. Right speech (Samma vaca) Do not speak ill of people or lie.
4. Right action (Samma kammanta) Do good deeds/ the right thing.
5. Right livelihood (Samma ajiva) Live a good life without pursuit of wealth.
6. Right effort (Samma vayama) Always do your best.
7. Right mindfulness (Samma sati) Pay attention to what is going on around you.
8. Right concentration (Samma samadhi) Seek nirvana through meditation.

Similarities between Theravada Mahayana Vajrayana – they are all ways to attain enlightenment.
Differences: Theravada only recognizes the Pali Canon (rules) Mahayana believe in continual rebirth. Vajrayana have intricated and complicated levels of deities and canons.

Geography: Theravada- Sri Lanka. Mahyahana – China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan.

Buddhists are stalwart advocates of peace in the world today. They believe that you should not harm anything.

Similarities between Buddism/Hinduism – Unlimited Reincarnation. Difference – Hindu believe in a constant soul, Buddhists do not. The term Dharma is used by both. For Buddhists it means a collection of Buddha’s teaching; for Hindu’s it means ones role in the universe.

Buddhism in the west has been secularized, it is doubtful whether many believe in multiple reincarnations. It does, however, act as a way to retain a deep-seated peace and sense of purpose int their lives.