Apol 104 Critical Thinking
Jesus Lopez
Apol 104 Week 6
June 25th, 2012 Critical Thinking Assignment
A prince named Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) founded “Buddhism” in the sixth century before the birth of Christ. Buddhism is better understood as philosophy rather than a religion and follows the concept of the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Noble path.
Part I - Analysis of Buddhism
1. Origin – In the Buddhist Worldview, life and the world have no beginning or end. “There is no reason to suppose that the world had a beginning at all. The idea that things must have a beginning is really due to the poverty of our thoughts” (Russel, 1924) Creation occurs repeatedly throughout time.
2. Identity – The Buddhist believe that they are an impermanent collection of aggregates/for some personal existence continues for a while.
3. Meaning/Purpose – Buddhists believe suffering is real it is not an illusion and that it is the reason man is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. The purpose is to “eliminate suffering by eliminating desire or craving that which is temporary” (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011pg 60). This can be achieved by following the four noble truths and the eightfold path, which lead to a state of Nirvana. Buddhists believe we suffer because we strive to hold on to things, which do not give lasting happiness.
4. Morality – Morality is directly woven into Buddhist teachings. The Third Noble Truth, “The way to liberate oneself from suffering is by eliminating all desire”. The Eightfold path connects to morality with the concepts of right speech, right action, and right livelihood.
5. Destiny - In the Buddhist Worldview, our destiny is not controlled by God but, by us. Actions we take and decisions we make determine if we have good or bad karma. When we go through the cycle of reincarnation, it is karma that determines who we become when we are reborn.
Part II – Comparison and Contrast of Buddhism with a Biblical Worldview
1. Origin –
Apol 104 Week 6
June 25th, 2012 Critical Thinking Assignment
A prince named Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) founded “Buddhism” in the sixth century before the birth of Christ. Buddhism is better understood as philosophy rather than a religion and follows the concept of the Four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Noble path.
Part I - Analysis of Buddhism
1. Origin – In the Buddhist Worldview, life and the world have no beginning or end. “There is no reason to suppose that the world had a beginning at all. The idea that things must have a beginning is really due to the poverty of our thoughts” (Russel, 1924) Creation occurs repeatedly throughout time.
2. Identity – The Buddhist believe that they are an impermanent collection of aggregates/for some personal existence continues for a while.
3. Meaning/Purpose – Buddhists believe suffering is real it is not an illusion and that it is the reason man is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation. The purpose is to “eliminate suffering by eliminating desire or craving that which is temporary” (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011pg 60). This can be achieved by following the four noble truths and the eightfold path, which lead to a state of Nirvana. Buddhists believe we suffer because we strive to hold on to things, which do not give lasting happiness.
4. Morality – Morality is directly woven into Buddhist teachings. The Third Noble Truth, “The way to liberate oneself from suffering is by eliminating all desire”. The Eightfold path connects to morality with the concepts of right speech, right action, and right livelihood.
5. Destiny - In the Buddhist Worldview, our destiny is not controlled by God but, by us. Actions we take and decisions we make determine if we have good or bad karma. When we go through the cycle of reincarnation, it is karma that determines who we become when we are reborn.
Part II – Comparison and Contrast of Buddhism with a Biblical Worldview
1. Origin –