Theravada Buddhism and Escaping Rebirth Essay - 1192 Words

Many of the mainline religions have the ultimate goal of receiving enlightenment. Most of which, enlightenment comes in the form of eternal afterlife in a superior setting with the higher power. Buddhism however, reaches enlightenment or also known as Nirvana by escaping the cycle of rebirth. Buddhism has been around as a religion for quite some time now an in today’s society it may seem too be viewed a bit different but still the main principles it was founded on still stand. Buddhism gets more in detail and specific if it is being observed to that extent, into three branches also known as vehicles. Theravada (the small vehicle) even called Hinayana is one branch, Mahayana (the large vehicle), and Vayrayana (the thunderbolt, or†¦show more content†¦The First Noble Truth is that life is suffering. Dukkha in Pali stands for life is suffering, but what some people fail to realize is that an opinion that life is bad or suffering. In Buddhism it is realized that life bein g suffering is a reality to everyone and an outlook on life. As we go through life we lose loved ones to death, friends for many various reason, and etc. From the Buddhism perspective there is no way to escape the things in life that cause suffering and therefore looking for the good things in life or things believed to bring happiness are pointless. Birth is suffering; decay is suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering. Presence of objects we hate is suffering; separation from objects we love is suffering; not to obtain what we desire is suffering. (Young, 2005) Complete understanding of this First Noble Truth is important to be able to prosper along with following and understanding the proceeding Truths. With the First Nobel Truth being life is suffering (dukkha); it leads to the Second Noble Truth (Tanha) which states suffering is caused by craving. It is that craving that leads back to birth, along with the lure and the lust that lingers longingly now here, now there: namely, the craving for sensual pleasure, the craving to be born again, the craving for existence to end. (Young, 2005) In other religions this craving too in similar manners is a down fall to humanity. Hinduism is the most similarShow MoreRelatedDifferences Of Theravada And Mahayana Buddhism1181 Words   |  5 Pages There are two major divisions of Buddhism. These two major divisions are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. Both of these divisions of Buddhism are similar but also different in some aspects. Theravada Buddhism is known as the traditions of the elders and Mahayana Buddhism is known as the expansive way. I will talk about three difference in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. There are also many lit tle differences in both they will also be brought up in the describing the two divisions. OneRead MoreThe Main Elements Of The Doctrine Of Salvation1454 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION Buddhism is one of the oldest religion in the world. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama during the sixth century B.C. Siddhartha’s life is divided into three periods: enjoyment (563-534 B.C), enquiry (534-528 B.C) and enlightenment (528-483 B.C). He became the Buddha (meaning â€Å"the enlightened one†) after he resisted the temptations of Mà ¢ra, the evil one. Then he devoted his life guiding people into the way to enlightenment or salvation. There are two main branches in Buddhism: â€Å"Mahayana†Read MoreThe Jataka Tale Of The Hungry Tigress947 Words   |  4 Pagesprotagonist to the practice and teachings of the Arahat of the Theravada school, the Bodhisattva of the Mahayana school and the follower of the quicker path to Buddhahood of the Vajrayana school. However, the self-sacrificial actions of the bodhisattva at the end of the tale is analogous to the Guru of the school of Vajrayana, leading one to believe that this story best follows the thunderbolt v ehicle of Vajrayana. In the school of Theravada Buddhism, one strives to become an Arahat, â€Å"one who has attainedRead MoreHinduism And Buddhism And Hinduism1276 Words   |  6 PagesOut of the worlds many beliefs and religions, Buddhism and Hinduism make of about 20% of them (The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050). Hinduism and Buddhism are the most influential and popular in the eastern hemisphere, mostly in and around the Asian continent. These two religions have similar ideologies. So much so that many say that Buddhism is an appendage of Hinduism. Such religions have different religious structures, which allow broader interpretations toRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Theravada Buddhism Essay2239 Words   |  9 PagesTheravada Buddhism is known as the â€Å"representative school of the earliest of the branches of Buddhism†, as it is also known as â€Å"Hinayana or the small vehicle† (Young). Founded by Buddha, this branch of religion is extremely simil ar to Hinduism in the fact that it seeks to help people reach a state of liberation from the cycle of Earthly rebirth, but one major difference is that Buddhism â€Å"emerged from the Buddha s honest and penetrating assessment of the human condition† instead of focusing on theRead MoreTheravada Buddhism And The Human Condition Essay2258 Words   |  10 PagesTheravada Buddhism is known to be the â€Å"a representative school of the earliest of the branches of Buddhism†, as it is also known as â€Å"Hinayana or the small vehicle† (Young). Founded by Buddha, this branch of religion is extremely similar to Hinduism in the fact that it seeks to help people reach a state of liberation from the cycle of Earthly rebirth, but one major difference is that Buddhism â€Å"emerged from the Buddha s honest and penetrating assessment of the human condition† instead of focusingRead MoreWat Buddharangsi Of Miami : Theravada Buddhist Temple1799 Words   |  8 PagesMiam i: Theravada Buddhist Temple Site visit: Saturday, 7/15/2016, 2 hour meditation Interviewee: Sunny â€Å"Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.† (Siddhartha Guatamma) This is one of the many wise words spoken from the kindhearted Buddha. After my brief study of Buddhism I feel