Incarnations Buddha was a human, a fully enlightened spiritual teacher and inspiration. As there is no belief in or relevant God, there are no incarnations of God worshipped. | |
Origin of Universe and Life Buddhists consider it the job of scientists to explain origins of the universe and life. There is no contradiction with scientific discovery, however many maintain that the world creates and recreates itself millions of times every fraction of a second. | |
After Death There is no transmigration of individual souls, but through the law of karma, one's wholesome or unwholesome intentions become imprinted in the mind. Negative mental states persist through continual rebirth until one's intentions become wholesome. Once fully enlightened, one is liberated from rebirths, reaching a state of absolute selflessness resulting in ultimate bliss called Nirvana--the "Deathless State." One becomes Buddha (or one with Buddha). Some Buddhists, especially modern Western, don't emphasize or believe in literal rebirth. | |
Why Evil? People have free will to commit wrongs or rights. Evil doings may result when egoism, cravings, attachments, and ignorance are expressed as greed, hatred, and violence, which, if unmitigated, is perpetuated through rebirth. | |
Salvation Enlightenment is an individual journey to Nirvana (complete bliss)--liberation from suffering and cycles of rebirth--acheived by following the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. To eliminate karma, which causes rebirth, one must extinguish the belief in a separate self that give rise to cravings, desires, and attachments. The path to enlightenment includes loving-kindness and compassion, moral conduct, charity, wisdom, and meditation. | |
Undeserved Suffering Unenlightened life is suffering, and the cessation of this suffering is the primary goal of Buddhism--to reach Nirvana, to end cycles of rebirth. Suffering is a result of past-life greed, hatred, and ignorance, which return as suffering (karma), while compassion toward others who suffer reduces the effects of karma. | |
Contemporary Issues Abortion is considered murder, and all violent acts cause horrific karmic consequence. Homosexuality in itself is not specifically condemned by scripture, but opinions vary, especially among various Buddhist cultures--e.g., Buddhists in the United States are generally very accepting, while some Asian Buddhists are generally strongly opposed to homosexuality. It is believed thatdivorcewouldn't occur if one follows Buddhist precepts, but a couple is not condemned if they separate due to vast personal differences. In Theravada countries, gender roles are generally traditional (e.g. woman as child caretakers and men as providers), but less rigid as contemporary demands are made on women (e.g. working women). Part 3: I was initially surprised to find that I was a Theravada buddhist, because I have never studied buddhism, nor do I know much about it. I agree with the findings, because Buddhism seems like it is much more concentrated on the individual finding enlightenment, which is something that sounds appealing. I have heard of buddhism, mainly through the book I'm currently reading. Many of the questions made me think, because I am still young, so I don't know what spiritual path I will take. |
Part 4: Theravada Buddhism or "the teaching of the elders" is one of the oldest
Buddhist schools still in existence. It believes that your past experiences will give you insight, rather
than relying solely on blind faith. The religion also emphasizes following the advice of the wise,
considering the advice and the evaluation of one's own experiences are the tests by which practices
should be judged. Theravada is based on 4 truths, or better known as the Four Sublime Truths, which
are the problem, the cause, the solution, and the pathway to the solution.
These are the four truths
Dukkha: All that a person feels from separating from attachments or associating with bad attachments
is encompassed in this term.
Dukkha Samudaya: Craving, which leads to attachment and ultimately suffering.
Dukkha Nirodha: The person needs to adjust their mind through detachment, so that they no longer
have to suffer.
Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada: This is the pathway to enlightenment.
Theravada is practiced in many countries, it is the biggest religion in Sri Lanka. The religion was founded in India and
has stayed relatively conservative and close to Buddhism's roots. The religion has adapted a lot to many modern issues
that face us today, including the green movement, syncretism with other Buddhist traditions, women's rights, and gay
rights. Meditation is the key tool in becoming enlightened, the meditation is called Samatha, which means
"tranquilizing, calming", "visualizing", and "achieving." This meditation makes a person skillful in concentration of
mind and able to see through the "veil of ignorance."
I think that this religion is very peaceful and focused on finding enlightenment through detachment to
the real world, when someone detaches themselves from everything else, they no longer have to suffer.
This is a very interesting concept, because it offers a way to reach enlightenment. I think that this religion
was a good fit, because I enjoy the concept of finding ones self and helping others along the way. Also, I was glad that
I took the test, in order to find what religion would fit me best, although I'm still young, if I ever wanted to be religious
then I would know where to start.
