by David Kramer

Created on: April 06, 2010

Buddhism is a way of life taught by The Buddha, which means Enlightened One.   The Buddha was originally a man named Siddharah Guatama.   This article references a bit of history on this man and the philosophies he promoted.

There are many legends surrounding Buddhism, but essentially Guatama was born into wealth and not content with his life, he left his wife and children in search of truth.  Consequently he experienced the other extreme of poverty.  Determined to find truth, he deprived himself and sat under a tree to pontificate or die.

His quest leads him to the conclusion called the middle of the road theory.  Life is not about riches, nor suffering, but rather one should keep focused on the median to find contentment and peace.  He devised what is known as the four fold truths and eight paths to enlightenment.  He rose from the tree, declared himself as The Buddha, obtained five disciples and the philosophies have been spreading since.

The four fold truths, are to live is to suffer, desire causes suffering, eliminating attachments ends suffering, and the need to follow the eight paths toward enlightenment. The eight paths to eliminate pain are: intentions, speech, actions, livelihood, efforts, mindfulness, and concentration.

Suffering, according to the middle way theory, is what caused by the two extremes of affluence and poverty and avoiding luxury and self-depravation is the solution.   Suffering occurs when one longs for things that they do not have and this suffering can be eliminated by simply not longing for them.

The eight paths state one must first accept the views of the noble truths.  The Buddhist attempts develop the right willpower to resist or renounce pleasures, and harm no person or living thing.   Speech involves never slandering or telling things that are untrue.  Actions involve interaction between others and the world around us, never causing harm to others and controlling sexual urges.   Earning a living that does not take advantage of others, and abandoning evil qualities for good qualities are keys to proper livelihood and effort.  Finally mindfulness and concentration involve letting go of desires and pain and focusing on meditative skills.

Buddhist considers God as an impersonal concept.  Jesus, who claimed to be God, was simply a spiritual master. Everyone is a collection of the universe living in a temporary state and sin is the holding

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