A Buddhists Worldview
PART I
A Buddhists worldview The Question of Origin - “How did life begin?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists are atheists meaning they do not believe in God (Caner, 2008). Buddhists believe in a philosophy and their belief is not considered a religion. (Caner, 2008) Buddhism was founded by Siddartha Gautama. Siddartha Gautama was a prince and was born in northeastern India around 560 B.C. (Caner, 2008) Gautama fasted underneath a fig tree and meditated for seven days. After mediating and after no eating or drinking, Gautama reached a state of Nirvana. The fig tree was renamed as the Bodhi tree (tree of wisdom) and Siddartha Gautama renamed himself as Buddha (Enlightened One). The “Buddha” shared his teachings of the “four noble truths” (Caner, 2008). These teachings from Buddha lack the understanding of how life began.
The Question of Identity – “What does it mean to be a human?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists follow the teachings from Buddha. The teachings are the “Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path” (Caner, 2008). By following the “Eightfold Noble Path” a Buddhist believes they can reach perfection. Buddhists believe in balancing their energy and finding there “middle way.” (Caner, 2008)
The Question of Meaning/Purpose – “Why does mankind exist?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists believe their purpose/meaning is defined by the “Four Noble Truths”. The first noble truth is “Suffering is life”. The second noble truth is “the cause of suffering is desired.” The third noble truth is “to stop suffering a Buddhist must stop desire”. The fourth noble truth is, “to stop desire, which would stop suffering, is the Eightfold Noble Path.” (Caner, 2008)
The Question of Morality – “What is meant by right and wrong?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) The Buddha’s “Eightfold Noble Path” is eight steps to releasing oneself from suffering. The eight steps are, “right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness, right meditation, right understanding,
A Buddhists worldview The Question of Origin - “How did life begin?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists are atheists meaning they do not believe in God (Caner, 2008). Buddhists believe in a philosophy and their belief is not considered a religion. (Caner, 2008) Buddhism was founded by Siddartha Gautama. Siddartha Gautama was a prince and was born in northeastern India around 560 B.C. (Caner, 2008) Gautama fasted underneath a fig tree and meditated for seven days. After mediating and after no eating or drinking, Gautama reached a state of Nirvana. The fig tree was renamed as the Bodhi tree (tree of wisdom) and Siddartha Gautama renamed himself as Buddha (Enlightened One). The “Buddha” shared his teachings of the “four noble truths” (Caner, 2008). These teachings from Buddha lack the understanding of how life began.
The Question of Identity – “What does it mean to be a human?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists follow the teachings from Buddha. The teachings are the “Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path” (Caner, 2008). By following the “Eightfold Noble Path” a Buddhist believes they can reach perfection. Buddhists believe in balancing their energy and finding there “middle way.” (Caner, 2008)
The Question of Meaning/Purpose – “Why does mankind exist?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) Buddhists believe their purpose/meaning is defined by the “Four Noble Truths”. The first noble truth is “Suffering is life”. The second noble truth is “the cause of suffering is desired.” The third noble truth is “to stop suffering a Buddhist must stop desire”. The fourth noble truth is, “to stop desire, which would stop suffering, is the Eightfold Noble Path.” (Caner, 2008)
The Question of Morality – “What is meant by right and wrong?” (Dr. Weider, 2011) The Buddha’s “Eightfold Noble Path” is eight steps to releasing oneself from suffering. The eight steps are, “right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness, right meditation, right understanding,
Bibliography: Caner, E. a. (2008). The popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics . Eugene: Harvest House Publishers. Dr. Weider, L. a. (2011). Consider. Virginia Beach: Academx Publishing Services.