Buddhism is both religion and philosophy. The first of three World Religions, it is equal parts psychological and spiritual therapy. While Buddhism has different sects like most religions, the main pillars remain the same. Buddhism sprang from Hinduism, the religion by birth of the Buddha. He renounced religious authority, ritual, metaphysics/explanations, tradition, grace and mystery, all the markers of typical religions. His religion was one of intense self control, therapeutic, scientific, empirical, egalitarian, pragmatic, psychological, and it was directed to individuals. This religion is based on the Four Noble Truths. The first is that life is dukkha, or suffering. The second is trishna or tanha which is the specific desire for personal fulfillment. This craving or desire is the cause of our life's suffering or dukkha. The third noble truth is nirvana, to cease or blow out, which is the cure for the craving. The fourth noble truth is the way to reach the cure- the 8 fold path. The 8-fold path is as follows:
1. Right Knowledge
2. Right Aspiration
3. Right Speech
4. Right Behavior
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Absorption
The first, right knowledge, specifically refers to the Four Noble Truths. In order for us to reach nirvana we must first understand life's problem. The second, right aspiration, means to find what we really want. The single-minded pursuit of liberation is the way to continue on the Path. Number 3, right speech, is fairly self-explanatory. We have to, according to Smith, "notice our speech and what it reveals about our character... False witness, idle chatter, gossip, slander and abuse are all to be avoided." He also notes in one of my favorite quotes, "[the covert forms of the aforementioned forms of speech to be avoided] -subtle, belittling, "accidental" tactlessness and barbed wit - are often more vicious because their animus is veiled." Right behavior, the fourth step on the Path, is pretty familiar to most religious or spiritual people. Do not kill, steal, lie, be unchaste, or take drugs/intoxicants are all precepts of any moral policy. Step five, or right livelihood, counsels us to choose an occupation that promotes life instead of destroying it. Personally, I think in the modern age this is one of the hardest steps to follow given that for the majority money is of the utmost importance. Right effort, or step six, can best be described in the wonderful William James quote : "the slow dull heave of the will." Moral exertion is imperative to reaching enlightenment. Right mindfulness, step 7, counsels us to maintain a steady self-awareness. It is only through self-examination that we can recognize the finite nature of ourselves and everything around us. Last is right absorption, the goal is to be absorbed only in our own liberation and the practices that will get us there.
Over all, I love Buddhism and could extol it's virtues to most everyone. My biggest problem with Buddhism is that for me it's so clear that there is a unifying force in all of us. The Hindus call it Atman, and most Westerners would call it the Soul. Whatever name attached to it, it is the foundation of my spirituality. And while it could be argued that I need to feel connected to a Higher Power that cares for me in order to comfort myself, it is nonetheless very real to me. I love the Namaste, the recognition of God in myself and all others. This is not to negate the beauty in Buddhism, of which there is much.
I think you have hit the major division between Hinduism and Buddhism: the positing of a nondual Divinity or reality. I too need that in my life. While I cannot logically prove there is such a reality, my experiences in meditation lead me to it. And I too find the Namaste beautiful, and so much more meaningful that shaking hands as a way of saying, "See I am unarmed." How sad we in the west have to make this our initial contact with one another. Why do you think we developed that manner of greeting while the Hindus developed Namaste?
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