Rel 133 Buddhism Worksheet Research Paper
Buddhism Worksheet
Calvin Young
REL 133
April 14, 2015
Dr. William Sunday
University of Phoenix Material
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.
Across all the schools of Buddhism, there is a set of fundamental teachings that are commonly held. The first is that all of reality bears three characteristics: that the world is constantly changing, nothing possessed a permanent identity, and that life is suffering. The realization of these 3 mark of reality is essential to the formation of the basic understandings of Buddhism. Buddha taught these basic beliefs as …show more content…
Ahimsa is the belief of nonviolence, which Buddhism justifies by reminding followers that all life experience suffering and additional pain is not needed in this world. Also, Buddhism teaches the belief in the cycle of rebirth, however, without a belief in a soul; Buddhists believe it is the parts of the individual’s personality that reform in the new life. Finally, Buddhism teaches followers about nirvana granting release from the cycle of rebirth. Nirvana is a state of bliss without pain, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth and Buddhists believe that it can be obtained within one’s lifetime, rather than at death (Molloy, …show more content…
While each school believes in the correctness of the path, they do not see a distinction between themselves and other Buddhists. The three major schools of Buddhism are the Theravada, The Mahayana, and the Vajrayana. The Theravada, or the way of the elders, is the oldest of the three major Buddhist traditions. Theravada is known for its focus of the monastic life, and for deliberate conservatism towards any change. Theravada Buddhists believe only a monk may achieve nirvana, and only men can live a monastic life. In response to the limited access to the divine in Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, or Big Vehicle, found a home in China and Japan, with a focus on elaborate ritual, esoteric beliefs and a path to nirvana for all, rather than just monastics. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is the belief of beings just beneath Buddha, known as Bodhisattvas, which refrain from leaving the cycle of rebirth in order to return and lead others to nirvana. When Mahayana Buddhism traveled to Tibet and fused with local spiritual religions, Vajrayana Buddhism was conceived. Vajrayana Buddhism, or the Diamond Vehicle, expands on the esoteric nature of Mahayana Buddhism while blending in Tibetan Shamanism and Tantric beliefs. Vajrayana Buddhists believe that with correct ritual and sacred objects, the blessings of Buddha, and the bodhisattvas can be obtained, and empower the believer (Molloy,
Calvin Young
REL 133
April 14, 2015
Dr. William Sunday
University of Phoenix Material
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.
Across all the schools of Buddhism, there is a set of fundamental teachings that are commonly held. The first is that all of reality bears three characteristics: that the world is constantly changing, nothing possessed a permanent identity, and that life is suffering. The realization of these 3 mark of reality is essential to the formation of the basic understandings of Buddhism. Buddha taught these basic beliefs as …show more content…
Ahimsa is the belief of nonviolence, which Buddhism justifies by reminding followers that all life experience suffering and additional pain is not needed in this world. Also, Buddhism teaches the belief in the cycle of rebirth, however, without a belief in a soul; Buddhists believe it is the parts of the individual’s personality that reform in the new life. Finally, Buddhism teaches followers about nirvana granting release from the cycle of rebirth. Nirvana is a state of bliss without pain, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth and Buddhists believe that it can be obtained within one’s lifetime, rather than at death (Molloy, …show more content…
While each school believes in the correctness of the path, they do not see a distinction between themselves and other Buddhists. The three major schools of Buddhism are the Theravada, The Mahayana, and the Vajrayana. The Theravada, or the way of the elders, is the oldest of the three major Buddhist traditions. Theravada is known for its focus of the monastic life, and for deliberate conservatism towards any change. Theravada Buddhists believe only a monk may achieve nirvana, and only men can live a monastic life. In response to the limited access to the divine in Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, or Big Vehicle, found a home in China and Japan, with a focus on elaborate ritual, esoteric beliefs and a path to nirvana for all, rather than just monastics. In Mahayana Buddhism, there is the belief of beings just beneath Buddha, known as Bodhisattvas, which refrain from leaving the cycle of rebirth in order to return and lead others to nirvana. When Mahayana Buddhism traveled to Tibet and fused with local spiritual religions, Vajrayana Buddhism was conceived. Vajrayana Buddhism, or the Diamond Vehicle, expands on the esoteric nature of Mahayana Buddhism while blending in Tibetan Shamanism and Tantric beliefs. Vajrayana Buddhists believe that with correct ritual and sacred objects, the blessings of Buddha, and the bodhisattvas can be obtained, and empower the believer (Molloy,