Buddhism Informative Speech

Hello, I am Bodhisattva Joanna. For those of you who aren’t aware of what being a Bodhisattva entails, it refers to “a being that compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshipped as a deity in Buddhism.” (“Bodhisattva.”). In other words, I help others to reach the enlightened state; people would otherwise have trouble finding peace within themselves throughout the hardships of life on their own. In the Buddhist world, these hardships are referred to as suffering. The best way to end suffering is to first find the root of what is causing it. Craving and ignorance are the two main obstacles one will cross through suffering in order to make it to the state of enlightenment and nirvana. First, clinging and attachment are what craving refers to. Attaching
Each of these things brings you to ultimate relaxation and helps you find your inner peace. “Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Buddhist meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and a calm seeing of the true nature of things.” (“What is Meditation?”). One simply stops activity of the mind in deep relaxation to effectively connect to the inner self. This is important because connecting with one’s inner self and realizing the true meanings of life are all part of reaching nirvana and enlightenment. Yoga is also another important aspect of relaxation. It is “a series of postures and breathing exercises practiced to achieve control of the body and mind, tranquility, etc.”(“Yoga.”). Once the body and mind are controlled, you can then, again, connect with your inner self. For some, yoga works better than meditating. Some can’t stop their mind from running a million miles an hour in meditation, so in yoga, the series of movements along with methods of breathing tends to soothe the mind