Buddhism Worksheet Analysis

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.

The three marks of reality, or looking at life as it really is, are: Dukkha, Anichcha, Anatta. “Dukkha is usually translated as “suffering” or “sorrow,” but it also means “dissatisfaction” or “dis-ease.”” (Molloy, 2013, p.132). What that means is that one will never be truly happy, even when life if going great and there is nothing to worry about one would know that in a few days something will be there to ruin things. Happiness is never fully unobtainable as it’s fleeting. The next, Anichcha,
The first noble truth explains that realistically, at some point in your life you will experience pain and suffering. That is a part of living, of having a mortal body and it is completely and totally inevitable. Next, the second noble truth is nothing good ever comes from desire. If you want what you cannot have, you will suffer. Third, to put a stop to the pain and suffering you must put a stop to your desire. Accept what you cannont change or have, and move on. Do not let it rule your world. And the fourth and final one, nirvana. Nirvana can ultimately be achieved through the release of suffering. Which brings us to the Noble Eightfold Path. The way out of suffering is through the Noble Eightfold Path. The Noble Eight Fold Path includes: Right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right work, right effort, right meditation, right contemplation. “The eight “steps” of the path actually form a program that the Buddha taught will lead us toward liberation from the impermanence and suffering of reality.” (Molloy, 2013,
“The Theravada school takes its name from its goal of passing on the Buddha’s teachings unchanged. It means “the way (vada) of the elders (thera).” (Molloy, 2013, p.140). Theravada monks first began to pass their teachings down orally, by ways of telling. Of course, later on the monks would begin to write down their teachings to keep a more clear message. Though it is unlikely that their teachings have stay exactly the same, they have continued to keep a conservative view point. Theravada teaching styles are most commonly found in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia area. Mahayana, which tends to translate into ‘big vechicle’ is the next tradition. “It suggests a large ferryboat in which all types of people can be carried across a river, and it hints at the broad scope of the Mahayana vision, which can accommodate a wide variety of people seeking enlightenment.” (Molloy, 2013, p.146). Mahayana have the view that everyone can be happy, everyone has the ability to obtain nirvana, it is not just limited to monks. It is believed that enlightenment can be achieved through helping others. You make yourself happy, by making others happy. Lastly, Vajrayana. The name itself means the vechicle of Vajrayana, which could suggest clairity and wisdom. Some would consider Vajrayana as a special form of Mahayana, though it is more oftenly considered the third branch of Buddhism. One of the main beliefs that comes from Vajrayana is