Religion 212 - Discussion Three - Week 3

The Way of Awakening – Buddhism
Briefly discuss the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Four Noble Truths

One of the teaching of the Dharma is the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths was the foundation for Buddha in his first sermon at Sarnath. His realistic approach signified that life involves the state of suffering, dissatisfaction and distress and that craving facilitates a state of suffering which ceases when craving ceases. Also, that the elimination of craving and suffering can be obtained by following the Noble Eightfold Path that consist of following a path to ethical conduct, concentration and wisdom.

Under the first truth, this realistic viewpoint is that all are human and as one traverses their own life pattern it will be at one time encumbered with grief, unfulfilled desires, sickness or illness, old age, physical and mental pain, mental anguish and death. Further because our self is impermanent which means that we are not in a constant state of equable and therefore are vulnerable to changes or lack of equilibrium.

Under the second truth, this realistic viewpoint is the status of craving and clinging is attributed to sensory pleasure to receive fame and fortune with desire for the things to stay the same or be able to differentiate with attachment to things and ideas. Further the inability to realize the unobtainable is realized which acts as a facilitator to stress and suffering.

Under the third truth, this realistic viewpoint is the status of craving and clinging will cease when craving and clinging ceases. As the true state of realization becomes a state of conception and nirvana is achieved then comes the level of a more equitable state of peace.

Under the fourth and last truth, this realistic viewpoint establishes that craving and suffering can be annihilated and extinguished by following the Noble Eightfold Path which is a facilitator and path to ethical conduct, concentration and focus, and wisdom.

Noble Eightfold Path

This path is a systematic approach that assists human beings in extricating themselves from states of suffering to achieve the final goal of liberation (freedom from afflictive emotions and avoidance of unwise choices). Further by following this path this is an attributor to a happier state as well as favorable rebirth as well as peace of nirvana.

The first aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the correct conception (understanding) of reality through interpretation of the Four Noble Truths with the ability to discern the incorrectness of unstable thoughts or incorrect assumptions. Further a purified mind will yield actions that are wholesome and an unpurified mind will yield actions that are not wholesome and will allow suffering to occur.

The second aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is having the right thought or motivation. As such Buddha’s teaching help to correct afflictive emotions that contribute to our mindsets that has as a complement our selfish desires or tendency to conceal imperfection.

The third aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is right speech. Having and knowing the proper channels of communication to allow the relinquishing of the propensity to lie, gossip, speaking harshly to each other, engage in divisive speech.

The fourth aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the right action. Having and knowing the proper channels of communication to allow the relinquishing of the propensity to lie, gossip, speaking harshly to each other and engage in divisive speech.

The fifth aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the right livelihood. This consist of having a livelihood that does not compromise the five precepts (does not trade in weapons, living beings, meat, alcoholic drink or poison) which would cause harm to others or social harmony.

The six aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the right effort. This consist of striving continuously to eliminates impurities of the mind and cultivating wholesome actions of body, speech and mind to achieve a higher state of inner consciousness.

The seventh aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the right mindfulness. This consist of acknowledging the path to liberation requires discipline and cultivation of awareness from moment to moment of reality that impermanent exist and affects self.

The eighth aspect of the Noble Eightford Path is the right meditation. This consists of using mental discipline to quiet the mind and develop single-pointed concentration.

What did the Buddha say was the fundamental problem(s) of life?

The fundamental problem of life per Buddha involves the nature of humans struggle to solve and eradicate the basic problem of life which are dukkha (suffering), anicca (impermanence) affective states of change and anatta (eternal self) the acquiring and removing of spiritual disruption. Based upon these three are the thought that without the chance to develop self-perfection man is not an enviable creature. Self-development is hindered as well as ethical establishment which leaves man problematic, dysfunctional and incapable. Life in itself breeds suffering and is not a facilitator in itself or a liberator.

What did you find interesting about these religious teachings?

I found the diversity and strictness of discipline to be incredible and the manner of fasting and procedural rituals that go hand in hand with these different religions daunting and awesome. Further as a behavioral changer, I would agree that these rituals and acceptance of these varying religious procedures should facilitate a change because change is a learned behavior and is inclusive with evolution or evolving and as such I agree change can be done. As a practitioner (male or female), the level of purity can be obtained by either sex whether it is physically, mentally or psychologically. Further because desire is a motivator and stimulus a state of enlightenment is possible whether extreme or not.

Briefly discuss the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism.

The concept of Nirvan in Buddhism is conceived as a desired state of mind (mindset) as thus the only way perceivable to obtain this is to end the cycle of suffering which thereby ends craving as well. Therefore, a life free of attachment is enabled as well as riddance of karmic burden or karmic consequence. Because of obtaining this desired state the person has become as quiet (a quiet heart) along with a state beyond grasping, aging and dying, the uttermost security from bonds which is synonymous with free.

Research a sect of Buddhism and share at least 4 things that you learned about this sect. Also, share why you found this sect to be interesting.

A sect of Buddhism that I found intriguing was Ambekarite Buddhism which was established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) who was born in India under conflicting and oppressive standards and was considered an “untouchable” now known as Dalits. This person was given a pamphlet entitled “Buddhism Will Make You Free” written by a Buddhist monk named Lokanatha which was addressed to the “Depressed Classes” of India. This book was instrumental in him becoming the first person of lowest caste to graduate from high school and helped him in fighting oppression of the Hindu caste system. He became a Buddha because it offered him freedom and dignity to all human beings.

Dr. Ambedkar changed the Buddhism system radically and made emphasis on active social engagements, helping the people rather than renunciation and meditation and replaced a lot of meditative rituals with affirmations to give confidence and build self-esteem to fight the psychological detrimental effect of casteism.

The reason why I found this sect interesting because I see a parellism in the Country of America wherein the people of color (Black/African American) discriminate against each other based upon the color of skin (from the lightest of light to the darkest of dark). Based on their socialized and accepted conceptions is the thought that the lightest of people are more valuable, intelligent, moral, dignified, civilized, cultured, etcetera than the shades of brown and deepest of black.

I am sorry but I have always found this amusing and could not resist a little humor at the conceived thoughts in people who were deliberately stolen, breeded and controlled by deliberate division and favoritism attributed to people of lighter complexion vs almost a hate exhibit toward brown and dark skin people.

Thank you.

Felicia

References:
Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living Religions. Upper Saddle River, N.J. Pearson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path#Right_livelihood
http://www.buddhanetz.org/texte/rights.htm

Response to Co-Student

I agree with your post that the Four Noble Truths is one of the most pragmatic and realistic views of life that has been stated simply and taught and is very profound.

Being selfish, greedy and grasping, jealous and envious are states of being that cause people suffering because they cannot have their way.

Further once a person concedes to the higher power and gives themself to God's judgment and love this too acts as a facilitator to end suffering and is very like the Noble Eightfold because it brings contentment and satisfaction for what you receive.

Religious people call it a state of being "saved" this position tells all that you love God with all your heart, soul and mind and you belong to him and only him. As such living the ten commandments is all a person strives to do along with helping their fellow man.

Although, I am not a Buddha the state of Nirvana is the state I would embrace and claim as mine. Women are not considered to be enabled to reach the state of purity and because of this they have restrictions and limits.

Thank you.

Felicia