Post by Harley Scarow on Nov 2, 2006 5:29:46 GMT -5
Peter Dang
October 23, 2006
AP History Essay
Buddhism developed from Hinduism after a prince who was always in his palace, as he wasn’t allowed to go outside as per his parent’s orders actually did emerge from the place to view something he never thought even existed in the world. His parents intentionally kept him inside so he would never see what the real world was like with all the suffering people went through everyday, spoiling him with endless riches and forcing him to believe life was nothing but joy and wonder. Once he did arrive at the exterior, everything he saw was the complete opposite of what he had thought his entire life-- everyone was suffering in the real world, and his eyes opened to the truth of what his rich life was, knowing the pain they go through. He then wanted to make a difference.
This emerging from riches and glory into the real world of famine and torture began the development of Buddhism, although at this point nobody even knew what it was yet. He went over to a tree and meditated under it for many days, trying to find the answer, which caused pain to everyone in the world. It was completely isolated from most of society, so he could focus on the truth of the world he needed to find out to stop the pain everyone he saw was feeling. During the days he was meditating, the evil spirits trying to tempt him to go away and stop his impossible task were there to haunt him; he managed to fight all of them in the end, and he finally found the secret to all of life’s suffering: all of it was caused by desire, and eventually this began the spring of a new religion-- Buddhism.
He eventually formed the Four Noble Truths to explain the suffering, which were: 1. Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering; 2. It is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination; 3. It is the remainder less fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, and non-reliance on it; 4. It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Buddhism didn’t use the caste system like Hinduism, so anyone could reach enlightenment (Nirvana) at any time. Because of that belief, a plethora of people began following its teachings. People were also getting the idea it was a little too drastic, such as giving up everything you had so you could reach this point. Theravada Buddhism was so intense; some dedicated Buddhist monks even burned themselves…this sight wasn’t so pleasant to some people, as many still wanted to achieve enlightenment without giving up their lives at the same time. From this disastrous part of Buddhism emerged Mahayana Buddhism, which involved followers still dedicated to Buddhist teachings, but they could still live their regular lives. The fact normal life is possible is welcoming for many others to follow the path, causing many others to follow the teachings.
Many began to go to Buddhism because some thought Hinduism was a biased system, only being able to reach the target by reaching the top point. In Hinduism, you could only advance to the next stage depending on which part of the caste you were in at the time, meaning advancing only works after you die; there’s also a chance during that time you didn’t make it higher, and you may be reduced to somewhere lower on the scale. This made reaching enlightenment extremely difficult, considering there are many levels and judgments you’d have to go through. This is one of the reasons why people decided to convert to Buddhism-- so they could reach the top of their religion at any time.
Buddhism is similar to Hinduism in terms of reincarnation and enlightenment, but different in the terms you could achieve what you wanted whenever. Achieving enlightenment was possible for anyone at anytime, even if you were just a toddler. It did teach desire was all the pain; so wanting to reach the top wouldn’t work either, so most people discern they have been enlightened on a dream or an additional indication. The system did get a little unwilling though, as when some Buddhist monks made it so you had to live in monasteries. It then developed to a more present version where you could be alongside the rest of society and still achieve enlightenment.
The eightfold path is composed of the following:
· 1.Wisdom
· 1.1 Right understanding
· 1.2 Right thought
· 2. Ethical conduct
· 2.1 Right speech
· 2.2 Right action
· 2.3 Right livelihood
· 3. Mental development
· 3.1 Right effort
· 3.2 Right mindfulness
· 3.3 Right concentration
There is a stereotype that Buddhism and Hinduism are against each other and are always fighting; on the other hand it’s not true. While some may disagree with the contradictory side since they both have different concepts, they both flourish. As a matter of fact, the cons Hinduism has, as everything must have the downsides led to the prosperity of Buddhism, allowing it to spread to several countries. Commencing from one person unfamiliar to the rest of the world it continued on with the teachings of Buddhism, explaining how to get there. The countries accepting it either needed a religion or wanted an additional one, so that was put into account as well. Also, being enlightened at anytime was one of the most dynamic forces following the broaden. Usually, the influential parts from diminutive fine points can lead to the living of a religion.
October 23, 2006
AP History Essay
Change Over Time
Trace the connection between Hinduism and Buddhism and show how Buddhism evolved and spread.
Trace the connection between Hinduism and Buddhism and show how Buddhism evolved and spread.
Buddhism developed from Hinduism after a prince who was always in his palace, as he wasn’t allowed to go outside as per his parent’s orders actually did emerge from the place to view something he never thought even existed in the world. His parents intentionally kept him inside so he would never see what the real world was like with all the suffering people went through everyday, spoiling him with endless riches and forcing him to believe life was nothing but joy and wonder. Once he did arrive at the exterior, everything he saw was the complete opposite of what he had thought his entire life-- everyone was suffering in the real world, and his eyes opened to the truth of what his rich life was, knowing the pain they go through. He then wanted to make a difference.
This emerging from riches and glory into the real world of famine and torture began the development of Buddhism, although at this point nobody even knew what it was yet. He went over to a tree and meditated under it for many days, trying to find the answer, which caused pain to everyone in the world. It was completely isolated from most of society, so he could focus on the truth of the world he needed to find out to stop the pain everyone he saw was feeling. During the days he was meditating, the evil spirits trying to tempt him to go away and stop his impossible task were there to haunt him; he managed to fight all of them in the end, and he finally found the secret to all of life’s suffering: all of it was caused by desire, and eventually this began the spring of a new religion-- Buddhism.
He eventually formed the Four Noble Truths to explain the suffering, which were: 1. Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering; 2. It is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination; 3. It is the remainder less fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, and non-reliance on it; 4. It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Buddhism didn’t use the caste system like Hinduism, so anyone could reach enlightenment (Nirvana) at any time. Because of that belief, a plethora of people began following its teachings. People were also getting the idea it was a little too drastic, such as giving up everything you had so you could reach this point. Theravada Buddhism was so intense; some dedicated Buddhist monks even burned themselves…this sight wasn’t so pleasant to some people, as many still wanted to achieve enlightenment without giving up their lives at the same time. From this disastrous part of Buddhism emerged Mahayana Buddhism, which involved followers still dedicated to Buddhist teachings, but they could still live their regular lives. The fact normal life is possible is welcoming for many others to follow the path, causing many others to follow the teachings.
Many began to go to Buddhism because some thought Hinduism was a biased system, only being able to reach the target by reaching the top point. In Hinduism, you could only advance to the next stage depending on which part of the caste you were in at the time, meaning advancing only works after you die; there’s also a chance during that time you didn’t make it higher, and you may be reduced to somewhere lower on the scale. This made reaching enlightenment extremely difficult, considering there are many levels and judgments you’d have to go through. This is one of the reasons why people decided to convert to Buddhism-- so they could reach the top of their religion at any time.
Buddhism is similar to Hinduism in terms of reincarnation and enlightenment, but different in the terms you could achieve what you wanted whenever. Achieving enlightenment was possible for anyone at anytime, even if you were just a toddler. It did teach desire was all the pain; so wanting to reach the top wouldn’t work either, so most people discern they have been enlightened on a dream or an additional indication. The system did get a little unwilling though, as when some Buddhist monks made it so you had to live in monasteries. It then developed to a more present version where you could be alongside the rest of society and still achieve enlightenment.
The eightfold path is composed of the following:
· 1.Wisdom
· 1.1 Right understanding
· 1.2 Right thought
· 2. Ethical conduct
· 2.1 Right speech
· 2.2 Right action
· 2.3 Right livelihood
· 3. Mental development
· 3.1 Right effort
· 3.2 Right mindfulness
· 3.3 Right concentration
There is a stereotype that Buddhism and Hinduism are against each other and are always fighting; on the other hand it’s not true. While some may disagree with the contradictory side since they both have different concepts, they both flourish. As a matter of fact, the cons Hinduism has, as everything must have the downsides led to the prosperity of Buddhism, allowing it to spread to several countries. Commencing from one person unfamiliar to the rest of the world it continued on with the teachings of Buddhism, explaining how to get there. The countries accepting it either needed a religion or wanted an additional one, so that was put into account as well. Also, being enlightened at anytime was one of the most dynamic forces following the broaden. Usually, the influential parts from diminutive fine points can lead to the living of a religion.
