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BUDDHISM

Stacey Troup

March 14, 2016

Matthew Morrison

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BUDDHISM

This Week Three paper focuses on the life of Buddha, the basic teachings of Buddhism

and why I find Zen Buddhism of a particular interest.

THE LIFE OF BUDDAH

Born in the 6th century B.C., Siddhartha Gautama, who would become known as Buddha,

was a spiritual leader whose life would become the foundation for the Buddhist religion (A & E

Television Networks, N.D.). While sitting under a sacred fig now known as a Bodhi Tree, he

began to meditate and became embroiled in a battle with a demon known as Mara who is said to

be responsible for “the passions that delude us”. After attempting to send several soldiers to

attempt to attack him, she sent her most beautiful daughter in an attempt to seduce him but her

attempts were in vane and wildly unsuccessful (Buddha's Life, 2014).

While raised within temple walls, he became curious and took off on a journey. When

returning, he discovered that his wife had given birth to their son, he was unhappy at the

decadence that he was surrounded by. That night, he shaved his head, changed into a beggars

robe and took his first steps toward spiritual enlightenment (Buddha's Life, 2014).

Seeking enlightenment, he spent time with many teachers but when all they had to tech

him was through, he still felt empty and unsatisfied. He and five deciples began their own

journey. Although a falling out occurred over his acceptance of a bowl of rice milk from a

young girl and the deciples had left him, he later took pilgramage to India where he was reunited

with them and began his first teachings (Buddha's Life, 2014).

Upon his trip to India he finally reconciled with his father (the King) as well as his wife

who became a nun and his seven year old son who became a novice Monk at that age. Preaching

until his death at the age of 80, his last words to his followers were "Behold, O monks, this is my

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last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work

hard to gain your own salvation." (Buddha's Life, 2014).

THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM

The Four Noble Truths are at the core of the teachings of Buddhism. They are said to

explain the nature of dukkha (anxiety, suffering, etc), its causes and how to overcome them. The

Four Truths are: “The truth of dukkha, the truth of the origin of dukkha, the truth of the

cessation of dukkha; and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha” (Buddhism,

N.D.). The Noble Eightfold Path is said to be the guide for overcoming dukkha (anxiety) in

order to attain our own spiritual enlightenment and true happiness (Buddhism, N.D.).

ZEN BUDDHISM

Developed in China more than 15 centuries ago, Zen Buddhism stems from the

Mahayana Buddhism schools of its time. Translated, it means a “mind absorbed in meditation”.

It began when Bodhidharma taught at the Shaolin Monastery of China (O'Brien, Zen 101: An

Introduction, N.D.).

Zen is often called "the face-to-face transmission of the dharma outside the sutras." 

(O'Brien, Zen 101: An Introduction, N.D.). Under Zen, teachers trasmit their realization of

Dharma to students by working with them one on one (more face to face) and it allows teachers

to trace their lineage back to the beginning of Buddhism (O'Brien, Zen 101: An Introduction,

N.D.).

Zen students are taught the essence of breath control in order to master meditation. Once

they have mastered this art, they may begin koan studies with a Zen teacher. Rather than focus

on religious teachings and preachings, Zen Buddhism focuses on inner reflection through

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meditation. The ideal goal is to come face-to-face with yourself through inner reflection

(O'Brien, Zen 101: An Introduction, N.D.).

CONCLUSION

While the life of Buddah is one of modesty and self reflection, Zen Buddhism is an

extension of that life. Zen Budhists can trace their lineage of teaching back to the beginning of

time and focus their teachings on becoming one with themselves. Their focus on inner reflection

and self awareness is why Zen Buddhism is of great interest to both the people who study it as

well as to myself. I also feel that it inspires many western traditions we practice today including

that of yoga and the various schools of yoga.

Zen Buddhists are truly selfless people who have a lifelong goal of inner peace and

happiness. That ideal is often disregarded in today’s day and age of excess and the thought of

someone giving their life to the ideal of innear sanctuary and living without posessions is a very

radical idea, even centuries after it was originally developed.

Many people in the U.S. meditate and do yoga to become more centered and graceful and

as a way to calm themselves through their own strife in life. What we in the U.S. have learned

from Zen Buddhists and Buddah himself is truly amazing. The practices of meditation and yoga

extend beyond the borders of religion, race and gender and have found a place with all who seek

that inner truth and peace. We have ancient Buddists and Buddha himself to thank for our

ability to self soothe.

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References

A & E Television Networks. (N.D.). Buddha - Religious Figure. Retrieved March 14, 2016, from

Biography.com: http://www.biography.com/people/buddha-9230587

Buddhism. (N.D.). Retrieved from Wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

O'Brien, B. (2014, December 6). Buddha's Life. Retrieved from About Religion:

http://buddhism.about.com/od/lifeofthebuddha/a/buddhalife.htm

O'Brien, B. (N.D.). Zen 101: An Introduction. Retrieved from About Religion:

http://buddhism.about.com/od/chanandzenbuddhism/a/zen101.htm