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Assignment: Religions and Religious Practices of Indians in South Asia 2015/2016
Assignment: Religions and Religious Practices of Indians in South Asia 2015/2016
GIA2008
RELIGIONS AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF INDIANS
IN SOUTH ASIA
2015/2016
QUESTION 3
Buddhism is treated as one of the religions consisting of high level of moral
conducts which has been depicted through well- popularized 4th Noble
Truth and 8 Path Way. Give your opinion on appropriateness of the 4th
Noble Truth and 8 Path Way in present day life-style of an ordinary man.
1
1.0 Introduction
The Four Noble Truths are regarded as the central to the Buddha’s teachings. These
four truths point out the nature of Dukkha, the causes of Dukkha, cessation of Dukkha
and Magga.
In Sanskrit, ‘Du’ means worthless, and ‘kha’ means hollow. In Buddhism, Dukkha, or
‘suffering’ comes in many forms.2 ‘Suffering’ includes physical suffering. According
to the 1st Noble Truth, the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death is unavoidable.
For instance, no matter how much a son cares for his mother who is growing old, he
cannot suffer the pains of aging on her behalf. Besides, suffering also includes mental
suffering. According to Buddhism, it can be summed up as painful feelings when we
are apart from someone that we love; being with some people whom we dislike; or
unable to achieve what we desire. Except sufferings in life, there is also happiness.
There are many kind of happiness such as the happiness of friendship or family, the
1
(2009). Buddhism at a glance.BBC. Retrieved from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/ataglance/glance.shtml
2
Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo. The Emptiness & Form of the Four Noble Truths & the Eightfold Path. Aro
Encyclopedia. Retrieved from:
http://aroencyclopaedia.org/shared/text/n/noble_truths_ar_eng.php
2
happiness from celebration and also the excitement from sharing and giving.
Nevertheless, such happiness is real but impermanent. Eventually, the happiness will
fade off leaving the feeling of suffering. Human suffers because the pleasures are
temporary in nature and cannot be lasted. Therefore, Buddha taught his people not to
be distracted by temporary pleasures, and they should learn more about the true way to
end suffering. Thus, Buddhists believe that before seeking way to end suffering, they
must first accept that suffering is actually a fact of life.3
Since there is cause of suffering, there must be a way to end such suffering. Buddha
spent six years and finally discovered the method to end suffering, and so the
achievement of Nirvana, were his ultimate achievements. Nirvana is a Sanskrit word
which means ‘the blowing out of’ or ‘extinguishing of’. It is a total, absolute and
permanent end of all suffering. It also represents a state of bliss or pure happiness
attained when the idea of the self is eradicated.5
Hence, the ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to attain the stage of Nirvana. A person who
attain Nirvana is completely freed from all sorts of craving and ignorance. He
3
Buddhist Studies: The First Noble Truth. Retrieved from:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s03.htm
4
Buddhist Studies: The Second Noble Truth. Retrieved from:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s04.htm
5
The Path to Peace: The Third Noble Truth of Buddhism. Retrieved from:
http://www.noble-buddhism-beliefs.com/the-third-noble-truth.html
3
understands the real nature of everything through his wisdom and thus helping peoples
in overcoming their suffering.
Buddhists believe that by following the Four Noble Truths, Buddha's teachings will
lead them to the stage of Nirvana. To end all suffering, all desires, ill will and ignorance
must be extinguished. As demonstrated by Buddha himself, Nirvana can be attained in
our lives while we are still living there is an end to suffering and it can happen to
anybody, anywhere, here and now.6
2.4 The Fourth Noble Truth- Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga)
Finally, Buddha shows us the path to end all suffering. It is a set of principles called the
Eight-Fold Path. The Eight-Fold Path is a path of the middle way as it is free from
extremes of indulgence and denial. A follower of this path do not seek endless pleasures
nor torture themselves with pain. The principles of the Noble Eight-Fold Path would
be discussed as below.
In short, the eightfold path as discovered by Buddha himself, is the only way to Nirvana.
It rejects the extreme idea of self-torture and self- indulgence. There are eight factors
as explained below:
Right view is the guide for all the other factors. We must practice the right view to be
able to distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad and completely understand
the Four Noble Truths. It can be compared as a compass for a traveller in providing a
clear direction and leading to the correct destination. By developing a right view, one
is free from delusion and ignorance and moves closer to the deep wisdom. 7
6
Buddhist Studies: The Third Noble Truth. Retrieved from:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s05.htm
7
Bhikkhu Bodhi (1999). The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering. Retrieved from:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html#ch2
4
3.2 Right Intention
Right intention can be categorised as (i) the intention of renunciation; (ii) the intention
of good will, and (iii) the intention of harmlessness.89 In contrast, there are also 3 types
of wrong intention, namely intention governed by desire, intention governed by ill will,
and intention governed by harmfulness.10 In order to end suffering, we must possess
the right intention before committing any actions.
To escape from suffering, we must first abstain ourselves from uttering false,
slanderous, and harsh speech and idle chatter. This is because the effect of speech can
be enormous. We must always be careful of how we use the words and speech in
communicating with other people to prevent causing harm to others. 11
8
Nekkhammasankappa, abyapada sankappa, avihimsasankappa.
9
Ibid.
10
Kamasankappa, byapadasankappa, avihimsasankappa.
11
See supra note 7.
12
Dana Nourie (2013). What is the Eightfold Path? Secular Buddhist Association. Retrieved from:
http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/05/03/what-is-the-eightfold-path/
13
See supra, note 7.
14
Dr. Mohana Dass a/l Ramasamy. (2016). Buddhism II: The Teachings of Buddha. [PowerPoint
slides]. Retrieved from:
http://spectrum.um.edu.my/pluginfile.php/389300/mod_resource/content/0/Lect%2014%20-%20Buddh
ism%20II%20-%20Teachings%20%28Students%29.pdf
5
3.6 Right Mindfulness
Mindfulness is defined as the presence of mind, attentiveness or awareness. Through
development of rightfulness, the mind is able to remain openly, quietly, alert in
contemplating all present happenings. Meditation is the tool to develop mindfulness.
One who develop a right mindfulness can remain his mind at present, without distracted
by any thoughts.15
As we can see, the 4 Noble Truths and 8-Fold Path are the essences of teachings in
Buddhism. They serves as a guideline in leading Buddhist to attain the ultimate aim of
Nirvana. Nonetheless, the question here is whether or not these 2 doctrines still be
applicable in the life-style of an ordinary person nowadays. Here, ‘ordinary’ means ‘not
15
See supra, note 13.
16
See supra, note 7.
17
See supra, note 12.
6
different’ or ‘usual’.18 Hence, our scope today is limited to ‘ordinary people’ which
means the general public who are not famous nor from upper classes.19
Due to the rapid development in this modernised world, many people are busy chasing
their aims in order to fulfil expectations given by themselves or others. For example,
many parents are busy in working so that they could earn more to provide a better living
for their family whereas the students have no choice but to study all the time in order
to achieve excellent results in their exams. Sometimes, people get sick and tired of these
repeatedly routines and they started to ponder the purpose of doing so, and their roles
in this world, the meaning of life and so on. Then, they will eventually seek for answers
to their questions.
In my opinion, the understanding by Buddha as provided by the Four Noble Truths can
clear their doubts. It explains the nature of suffering and that ‘suffering’ is a fact of life.
Nothing is permanent, be it in the form of physical or mental, or happiness. Buddha
pointed out that the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death is unavoidable and
due to human desires and ignorance, a person is never be satisfied. This is absolutely
relevant to our norms of society nowadays. People now tend to attach themselves to
impermanent things such as money, fame, branded clothes and so on. When they could
not achieve their expectations, they feel stressed, lost and sorrow. Hence, this doctrine
helps to clarify that they are actually undergoing ‘suffering’ and also providing the
cause of sufferings, the way to end the sufferings and the steps to be taken in stopping
all the sufferings. This teachings reflects the reality of life and thus it is appropriate to
be adopted by the society today.
18
Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Retrieved from:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ordinary
19
MacMillan Dictionary. Retrieved from:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/people_1#people_1__4
7
4.2 The Teaching of Eight-Fold Path Provides a Clear Guidelines to the
Followers.
In my opinion, the Eight-Fold Path are suitable to be applied by people today because
it serves as a clear and unambiguous way to escape all miserable sufferings in these
days. Moreover, the 8 factors (which has been explained in above) are not impossible
for one to follow. This teaching show us things that we should do; and things that we
should refrain from doing it. It can be easily accepted by ordinary person because it is
relevant to our daily lifestyle.
For instance, Internet is used widely throughout the world and the usage of social media
such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is not a new phenomenon today. In
consequence, some users tend to misuse the social media to comment maliciously, to
spread defamation statements and to uttered slanderous words. By practicing ‘right
speech’, one of the 8 – Fold Path, the person would abstain himself from doing so.
Instead, he would be careful in using his words when communicating with others since
he is aware of the importance and consequence of his speech. From here, we can see
that Buddhism does not totally prohibit the usage of Internet or social media, but it
reminds the people to practice ‘right speech’ to avoid doing harms to other persons.
Hence, the Eight-Fold Path serves as a reminder and guidelines in lightening the
pathway to achieve the Nirvana.
20
See supra, note 7.
8
5.0 Conclusion
Instead of seeking help from gods, people are taught to find their own enlightenment in
Buddhism. Thus, Buddhists must be able to understand the Four Noble Truths and those
who follows the Eightfold Path will break the bonds that tie one to life and will achieve
release from the cycle. 21 He is said to have reached the cessation of suffering and
attained the ultimate destination of Nirvana. Such understandings and paths are still
relevant to be applicable in the present context due to the moderate teachings of Buddha
as explained in the reasons above.
21
See supra, note 14.
9
6.0 Bibliography
Books
Bhikkhu Bodhi (1999). The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering.
Retrieved from:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html#ch2
Dictionaries
Cambridge Dictionaries Online. Retrieved from:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ordinary
Journal Articles
(2009). Buddhism at a glance.BBC. Retrieved from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/ataglance/glance.shtml
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and Centre for World Peace and Health. Retrieved from:
http://www.samyeling.org/about/buddhism-and-meditation/teaching-archive-
2/kenchen-thrangu-rinpoche/the-four-noble-truths-and-the-eightfold-path/
10
Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo. The Emptiness & Form of the Four Noble Truths &
the Eightfold Path. Aro Encyclopedia. Retrieved from:
http://aroencyclopaedia.org/shared/text/n/noble_truths_ar_eng.php
The Path to Peace: The Third Noble Truth of Buddhism. Retrieved from:
http://www.noble-buddhism-beliefs.com/the-third-noble-truth.html
Lecture Slides
Dr. Mohana Dass a/l Ramasamy. (2016). Buddhism II: The Teachings of Buddha.
[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from:
http://spectrum.um.edu.my/pluginfile.php/389300/mod_resource/content/0/Lect%201
4%20-%20Buddhism%20II%20-%20Teachings%20%28Students%29.pdf
11