Buddhism
Q1
Buddhism religion is based on four noble teachings, which form the foundation of its practices. These truths include suffering is inherent in life. In asserting this teaching, Buddha pointed out that pain is inevitable in daily life, and it occurs in many forms. The second truth is that the cause of suffering is desire, thus for suffering to end, there must be an end to desire. The next fact is that there is a way to put an end to desire and suffering. Lastly is the way in the Noble Eightfold Path. They are divided into three divisions which serve distinctive purposes. These divisions’ objectives include wisdom, cultivating ethical conduct, and promoting concentration. The four noble truths follow the steps which ancient Indian doctors utilized to diagnose and treat ailments. These steps included identification of a symptom, discovering its cause, ascertaining if there a way to remove the origin, and prescribing therapy to effect a cure. By following these steps, people that follow the noble truths of Buddhism are empowered to comprehend the root cause of suffering hence are capable of treating themselves.
Q2
The three marks of existence were used by Buddha to build on his teaching about interrelatedness and interdependence of things. These marks include impermanence, suffering, and No self. Buddha’s doctrine of impermanence holds that all things are dynamic, indicating that nothing remains the same even for a moment. Everything is always in a state of becoming. The teaching of suffering is central to Dharma. He articulated that suffering is caused by the desire to hold on to things when, in reality, nothing can be held. Lastly is the doctrine of No-Self, which holds that of all things that we desire, it is highly possible to be attached to the notion of self. Buddha taught that there are five essential components of every self include; the body, perception, feelings, innate tendencies shaped by karma, and thought. Buddha further asserted that each shifts his self in response to transformations occurring.
Q3
Bodhisattva is a term used to denote different things in Buddhism, depending on distinct periods in the religion. In early Buddhism, Bodhisattva was used to refer to Gautama, a Buddha that lived to enlightenment. It was also used to denote future Buddha. Later Mahayana Buddhists began to describe multiple bodhisattvas. Some were people that only took bodhisattva vow to help others while other bodhisattvas were figures that had already attained insight and power, which almost equaled that of a Buddha. Many people deemed them intervening in the lives of both ordinary people and aspiring saints with concise wisdom, psychic powers, and skillful magic. They were famous for their compassion and devotion to others. Later forms of Buddhism, especially those that acknowledge the existence of supernatural beings, refer to bodhisattva as a supreme being which they believe in and are devoted to. To them, a bodhisattva is understood as intermediary figures who serve others hence are perceived to bestow innumerable benefits to their followers.
Q4
Zen is one of the best known Mahayana Buddhist schools in the West. It is widely embraced by Japanese cultural and military elites and significantly influences the Japanese culture. Zen became a distinct school when South Indian sage Bodhidharma brought it to China. Other features that characterize Zen include its emphasis on practice over doctrine. Zen considers doctrine to be a distraction from the sudden, spontaneous experience of enlightenment. The second characteristic is its creative aspect that deeply ingrained sense of humor. Zen uses artistic mediums such as poetry, calligraphy, and garden design to enable the insights gained in meditation and find articulation beyond the restraints of language. The next characteristic is Zen’s assertion of the total efficacy of the mind as the only path to enlightenment and liberation. Zen rejects the notion of unswerving devotion to a savior figure as the single path to enlightenment. Lastly, Zen is deemed as radically self-reliant among Buddhist traditions.
Q5
Pure Land Buddhism, also known as Jodo Buddhism, is a doctrine that begun in the fifth century C.E and was founded by Pure Land Sutras. The belief’s eminence exists throughout East Asia as it is argued to be the most vital of all schools with Mahayana tradition. The doctrine teaches of the existence of a kind of heaven where the religious followers will enjoy abundance, happiness, and affluence. Pure Land Buddhists rely on the grace of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of boundless light, who brings those who call upon him to rebirth in his realm. This makes it depict stark contrast to Theravada Buddhism’s insistence on self-reliance and an individual’s effort. Pure Land Buddhism is prominent in Japanese culture due to its enduring and greatest impact on their cultural practices. Today Pure Land Buddhism is practiced in almost every home in Japan.
Q6
Vajrayana Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that began in India in the sixth or seventh century C.E. Despite its foundation in India, its presence in this country is minimal. Vajrayana Buddhism is the dominant form of Buddhism in Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, and Bhutan. Followers of the faith articulate that its tradition can be traced to Buddha, who began expounding its teachings sixteen years after his enlightenment. Vajrayana depicts uniqueness from other forms of Buddhism due to its integration of elements of Mahayana and Tantras teachings. Vajrayana Buddhism teachings are based on Tantras texts, which reveal a system of thought and practice based on a notion that the material world is a manifestation of divine energy. The sect is based on several practices with the most fundamental being deity yoga, an exercise that involves visualizing oneself as a deity, which ultimately to the experience of becoming one. Other forms of Vajrayana capitalize on states in which the mind is adjusted to the true nature of things and well-positioned to be enlightened.
Q7
The Middle Way is a principle in Buddhism that is used to state that neither sensual indulgence nor self-denial is helpful in the expedition for understanding and liberation of suffering. This is because they both weaken the body and the mind. The Middle Way principle, therefore, articulates that the best path lies between attachment and aversion. This principle became foundational in Buddhism as it provided the foundational basis of the religion. Mainly, the Middle Way set forth the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, both of which are used to describe the cause and cure of sufferings that occur in life. Moreover, it helped draw faithful into inclining into the religion’s teaching. These followers later became devoted to the faith and later became first Buddhist monks and the initial members of the Buddhist Sangha community.