Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Origins Of Buddhism - Online Term Papers

Origins Of Buddhism

Today's Western religions revolve around a central God that is one and the same for all of the followers of that religion. For instance, a Catholic goes to Church and prays to the same God as the person sitting beside them. There are many Eastern religions where that is not the case. Buddhism, one of the world's oldest religions, is one such instance. Buddhism, in fact, stresses a more individual approach to spirituality. In 563 B.C., in India, a man named Siddartha Guatama was born into the ruling family of the Sakya people. Because of his elevated position in society he was forced to live a life of seclusion. When he was twenty-nine years old, he ventured out into the world and ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

one). He was the fourth man recorded to have done so, but is credited with the creation of the Buddhist religion. Today Buddhism is one of the most commonly practiced Eastern religions. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Its characteristics are simple and strive only for spiritual enlightenment. The critical element of Buddhism is what Buddha called the Four Noble Truths. The First Noble Truth as related by Buddha is that suffering is unavoidable and universal to all beings. It is suffering that teaches us the lessons we need to learn to become enlightened. The Second Noble Truth reveals the root of that suffering; desire. Desires for things such as sex, wealth and power are what blind us to the true nature of reality. The Third Noble Truth is the way in which we alleviate suffering. By clearing oneself of desire, one can reach a state of mind known as Nirvana. The Fourth Noble Truth is knowing the path taken by Buddha himself, the Middle Way.The Middle Way ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.

Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE:

APA
MLA
Chicago
Turabian

Origins Of Buddhism. (2006, November 13). Retrieved April 20, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Origins-Of-Buddhism/55527

"Origins Of Buddhism." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 13 Nov. 2006. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Origins-Of-Buddhism/55527>

"Origins Of Buddhism." Essayworld.com. November 13, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Origins-Of-Buddhism/55527.

JOIN NOW

Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays

PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/13/2006 02:32:33 PM
Category: World History
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1164
Pages: 5

Save |

Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS

Save and find your favorite essays easier