Preview

Personal Narrative: The Eightfold Path

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1598 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Personal Narrative: The Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is essentially a step by step explanation to achieving Nirvana. Buddhists believe that as long as you have wants and desires for more than you need, eventually it will accumulate bad karma. The way bad karma works its way out is by rebirth. The process of being reborn can happen over and over again, never letting the soul rest. Buddhists believe the way to break free from this cycle of rebirth was to reach a place of total detachment. If one could rid themselves of feelings of desire, passion, and financial security they could then rid themselves of the bad karma opening up the path to Nirvana.
The Four Noble Truths are the stepping stones to the Eightfold Path. The first one is, Life mean Suffering. Essentially it states that if you are going to live and experience life, you will inevitably suffer some sort of physical or …show more content…
My relationships with my family and friends would be healthier. I would always do the right thing and not take advantage of any situation. I would speak better to my parents, and not manipulate them for my own benefit. I would never lose my temper or become frustrated. As a Buddhist, my interest in material things would be less than it is now. I don’t believe that I am overly obsessed with “things” but I wouldn’t want to lose any of the stuff I have now. To begin I wouldn’t have the attachment that I do have now, so I probably wouldn’t have the things I have. Ideally speaking I wouldn’t have any desires to obtain them either. I don’t believe that as a Buddhist my choice or choices of employment would be of any difference. I feel like I am in line with Right Liveliness. One principle that the Eightfold Path touches on is Right Intention. I believe that as a Buddhist, I would better develop my feelings of compassion. Instead of driving by the person on the side of the road, I would be more inclined to stop and see if there was any way that I could
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Spread of Buddhism in China DBQ
    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Spread of Buddhism in China DBQ

    At 350 C.E. when the Asian steppe nomads invaded China, people lower than the aristocrats needed a sense of comfort so they turned to Buddhism. The acceptance of Buddhism turns to the tradition of the religion as the Chinese scholar, Zhi Dun states that whoever will behold the Buddha and be enlightened in his spirit, will then enter Nirvana” (Document 2). “The Four Noble Truths” preaches the truth of sorrow, arising of sorrow, stopping of sorrow, the way that leads to the stopping of sorrow. The stopping of sorrow seems to be the main point as it is the “complete stopping of that craving, so that no passion remains, leaving it, being emancipated from it, being released from it, giving no place to it” (Document 1). It is teaching the followers to be pure so that they become closer to their destination of Nirvana.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddism Worksheet
    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Buddism Worksheet

    In the Buddhist teachings there are three marks of reality impermanence, insubstantiality, and frustration. Impermanence is everything that is conditioned changes. Insubstantiality (or no self) means the denial of the teaching that there is an atta (Pali) or atman (Sanskrit), which roughly translated means a soul. Frustration means what sense our unenlightened experience of the world is one of suffering, frustration, or un-satisfactoriness. There are four noble truths which are there is suffering which is common to all. Cause of suffering we are the cause of our suffering. End of suffering stop doing what causes suffering. Path to end suffering everyone can be enlightened. The noble eightfold paths are, Right View the right way to think about life. Right Thought, We are what we think. Right Speech, By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone. Right Conduct, No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Right Livelihood, This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. Right Effort, A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. Right Mindfulness, This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Right Concentration, Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personal Narrative: A Modest Proposal
    • 64 Words
    • 1 Page

    Personal Narrative: A Modest Proposal

    As Hannah knows, I had to take my car in for some unexpected repairs today so am a little short on money at the moment.…

    • 64 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddhism Worksheet Research Paper
    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Buddhism Worksheet Research Paper

    Dukkha means that to live an ordinary life is suffering. Samudaya explains that suffering is caused by ignorance and craving. Nirodha tells us that suffering can be transcended. While the last Magga explains that if you follow the Noble Eightfold Middle Path you will be able to transcend from suffering. The Nobel Eightfold Middle Path is the “right” way to live your life it consist of 8 steps conjoined by 3 different categories; Wisdom, Ethical Conduct and Mental Development. Following these steps is a guideline to ethical and mental development. The goal of the Nobel Eightfold path is to show the mind delusions and allow them to be free of…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Siddhartha Gautama's Analysis
    • 1081 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Siddhartha Gautama's Analysis

    The Eightfold Path, or the Middle Way, is Buddha’s prescription on how to end suffering. It is a set of eight principles that can be categorized into three groups: Wisdom (right understand and intention), Ethical Conduct (right speech, action and livelihood), and Meditation (right effort, mindfulness and concentration). According to The Four Noble Truths the article entitled “The Four Noble Truths” adds, “If we can control our body and mind in a way that we help others instead of doing them harm, and generating wisdom in our own mind, we can end our suffering and problems.” The first principle, right understanding, is simply accepting Buddhist teachings. Buddha never wanted his followers to forcefully believe his teachings, but to practice them at their own will and determine if they were truthful or not. The second element, right intention, basically means to free the mind of all evil and avoid the Three Roots of Evil. Right speech and right conduct are in accordance with one another as they both focus on attaining positive behavior and kindness. The fifth principle, right livelihood, intends to maintain a respectful way of living, such as never killing or harming an animal. Right effort consists of avoiding evil and obtaining a joyful perseverance. Right mindfulness is the seventh element toward ceasing suffering. It concentrates on having a clear mind state and being aware of one’s mental and physical well-being. The last principle, right concentration, involves the use of meditation to achieve the high level enlightenment. According to World Religions Online the article entitled “Life of the Buddha” states, “A person who practices right concentration will come to the enlightenment that Siddhartha attained.” The elements in the Eightfold Path are not meant to be followed in order, but to support and enforce one…

    • 1081 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Personal Narrative: The New Frontier
    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Personal Narrative: The New Frontier

    Traveling into the Indian Territory, we were being angrily chased down by three Indians furiously shouting at us. Dashing through the thick forest, the savage Indians were throwing spears and shooting arrows that narrowly missed us. Although neither Gideon nor I was mortally injured, I did suffer from a nick from an arrow piercing near my ear. Thankfully, a group of burly fur traders approached from the side, which frightened the Indians to run away. Acknowledging that Gideon and I were inexperienced travelers in the west, they offered us protection in exchange for some valuable possessions. As a consequence, knowing that they were our best alternative for survival, we gave them our antique gold pocket watches and assumed the identities of novice fur traders. From that point on, we followed them through the west and adopted their skills for efficiently hunting animals and keeping warm in the harsh, cold weather. During one of our rest points, we approached a large Cherokee settlement located in Park Hill in which our group leader was friends with the Cherokee leader John Ross.…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personal Narrative: My Path
    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Personal Narrative: My Path

    Most teenagers do not have a clue about what they want to be when they grow up. Most young adults also do not know where their path is in life. Even some full-blown adults are still trying to figure out their purpose. I was lucky. I knew exactly where I belonged from about the time I was seven up until now, at the decently young age of nineteen. I do not see my path changing anytime soon; in fact, I know it will never change. But, I did not just wake up one day as a child and know what my path was, while that would be impressive. Defining moments in one’s life defines who they are. There were lots of things I experienced in my life that made me realize my purpose, my absolute passion. I had four of these defining moments in my short span of…

    • 270 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personal Narrative: The Key
    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Personal Narrative: The Key

    In chapter 12, the key event to me was when Claudia and Finn talked to each other through the keys. I felt many emotions when reading their interaction one of them being happy. I felt happy when they talked to each other because it was a turning point in the story in my opinion. I also felt surprised because at first, I thought by having two keys, there would be a lock that would need both keys to hear and speak to each other. I also felt confused by the way they conversed; How could they now hear each other but not before. I think by having one key being touched, the other key can hear because on page 153 Claudia says she breathed and rubbed on the key making it warm and on page 154 Finn says when he touches the key it's warm.I like the way the author wrote the scene from both perspectives, it gave us the readers a clearer understanding of how both Finn and Claudia felt. I also like how the author described the way both keys affect each other and have a "key" connection.…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Critical Thinking Paper
    • 577 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Critical Thinking Paper

    In Buddhism, the main goal that we are to achieve is to end suffering. Buddha taught that humans are always suffering because they seek after things that can never give lasting happiness. All of Buddha’s teachings were based on suffering and how to attain happiness. In the quest for happiness, one must focus on the Four Noble truths which are a belief that: suffering is life, the cause of suffering is our desires, to stop suffering one must stop desire, and the way to stop desire is the Eightfold Noble Path. Through this Eightfold Path, a Buddhist releases himself from desire.…

    • 577 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Budism by Huston Smith
    • 1609 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Budism by Huston Smith

    As a college student that has lived and grown up in western New York, I do not have too much experience with the other religions of the world. I have grown up a Christian Protestant my whole life, and I am a firm believer in my religion. Soon after reading the chapter on Buddhism in Huston Smith’s book The World’s Religions, I came to understand and respect the Buddhist religion. I came to learn who the Buddha as a man really was, and the steps he took in becoming a religious icon. I know understand that Buddhism is not all meditation and relaxing. There is a strict code of the four noble truths and the prescription of getting through them called the eightfold path. Much like Christianity Buddhism also has many different views on how to follow the religion, and has been broken up into different paths (yanas). The book also covers how Buddhism has a way of crossing into nirvana, and the journey enlighten followers have to make. In conclusion of the chapter Smith talks about the similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism and how they work with each others ideas. Throughout reading this chapter on Buddhism has had a profound affect on my view and my opinion of the religion has changed drastically.…

    • 1609 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Siddhartha Gautama Research Paper
    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Siddhartha Gautama Research Paper

    The first consists of the Anicca, impermanence: situations or problems transition, nothing lasts forever, everything shall pass. The second is Anatta, No-Self or No-Soul which means human beings and all of existence, is without a soul or self. The third mark of existence is of Dukkha or suffering, all of existence, not just human existence but even in states of meditation, is a form of meditation. Three Marks of Existence are based of the Four Noble Truths, which also based of Buddhist essential theories for example, that of Pratityasamutpada: Dependent Origination, or Interdependent Co-arising. All things are caused by other thing (the domino effect would be example for better understanding) according to this theory there was no commencement to the chain of unexpected situations. However, it can be ended (that is the ultimate goal of Buddhism), and the ultimate liberation of all creatures from the pain of…

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personal Narrative: A Positive Influence In My Life
    • 266 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Personal Narrative: A Positive Influence In My Life

    My mother, “Regina Hopkins,” has been a positive influence in my life. She has raised 6 kids all by herself as well as earned a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a City College in Gainesville, Florida. My mother has been through pretty much everything a person can go through outside of war and was still able to be there and provide for all 6 of her kids. In high school, my mother wanted to play football and couldn't because she was a girl and back-in-the-day women were not allowed to play football with the guys. However, she remained strong by raising 6 kids and independently took care of all of us on her own. My mother has several qualities that I would love to develop. The first quality she has is balance; she certainly knows how to make…

    • 266 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddhism Jainism Path
    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Buddhism Jainism Path

    Right Understanding is coming to believe that happiness is not outside of us and things of the world pass away. Right Purpose is to pursue a way of being. Right speech is speaking kindly and Right Conduct is acting kindly. Right Occupation is no butchering, soldiering, or weapon making. Right Effort means appropriate effort is put into changing our pacifist mental lives. Right Attention focuses on things like the good of others. The last step in the Noble Eightfold Path is Right Meditation, or Mindfulness, which means that through meditation your mind will become calm. Someone following all of these daily rituals is closer to the Buddhist way and achieving nirvana. I think that the steps are more accessible because they are straight forward and practical, so followers will know exactly how to live their lives by these rules and make progress towards enlightenment, which is the final…

    • 1076 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist Views on Benevolence in Regards to Human Flourishing
    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist Views on Benevolence in Regards to Human Flourishing

    The Buddhists’ ultimate goal is to end suffering by achieving enlightenment, or nirvana (Kessler, pg. 186). Benevolence is indefinitely required to reach this state. Enlightenment can only be obtained by recognizing the Four Noble Truths. This basically states that life is suffering, which is the result of bad karma caused by malevolent actions that are driven by natural human desires. The end of desire will inevitably be the end of suffering. The only way to end suffering is by following in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment (Kessler, pg. 166). This method of bringing an end to suffering is otherwise known as the Eightfold Path, or the Way of the Buddha. In order to obtain the same enlightenment, Buddhists are required to uphold a strict set of rules regarding the way to behave as a beneficial member of society, including “right view, right thought, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation.” (Kessler, pg. 224).…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Eightfold Path
    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Eightfold Path

    The right view principle, which is both the beginning and the end of the path, represents wisdom and means that one should see and understand things as they really are (Noss, 2008). It also means that one needs to understand the law of karma. For a practicing Buddhist living in contemporary society the right view principle is the most important to attain. It will help guide them through day to day life, helping them to see what is real and to learn to take things for what they are and not what someone tries to sell them as being true. The next principle is right intention. Right intention is the commitment to both ethical and mental self-improvement. There are three types of right intentions; the intention of renunciation, the intention of goodwill and the intention of harmlessness (Bodhi, 2010). Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. This principle may be hard for some Buddhists to follow completely. There is much temptation in the world today as well as hot tempered…

    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics