Buddhism Worksheet
Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following.
1. Explain the basic Buddhist teachings including the three marks of reality, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path.
In order to explain the basic Buddhist teachings I would like to provide information on key points due to the fact no one knows precisely what the Buddha’s teachings were because his teaching were done orally and as a result there were many interpretations, in addition the stories have not been recorded until after his death. In essence people rely on the stories as well as the texts that were recorded and his teaching is based on trustworthiness. The three marks of reality are constant change, lack of permanent identity, and the existence of suffering. Constant change refers to taking life for what it really is the fact of the matter is that nothing that we experience remains the same. Lack of permanent identity refers to each person or thing is viewed as being made up of parts to be called something Labels are the reality. The existence of suffering refers to the fact that life cannot be fully satisfying, even after pleasure there comes a point of dissatisfaction. The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Paths are a linked chain of the truths about life and by following the Noble Eightfold Paths you will be able to attain release from suffering. (Malloy 2010)
2. Describe the three major Buddhist traditions—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—and how each tradition developed from the early teachings.
Theravada is the unchanged teachings of Buddha also known as: The Way of The Elders. With this Buddhist Teaching it is perceived that the Elders teach based on their past experiences and journey through life. This tradition has developed from early teachings because Buddha taught after he reached enlightenment. The teaching was adopted by Theravada Buddhism.