Buddhism

Philosophy 210                                                                                                   Justin Hernandez
                                                                            March 23rd, 2011
World Religions                                                                                                                       Page 1

Think Paper #2

Religious assumptions from a dominant culture can be most definitely challenged by the theories and teachings of Buddhism.   Assumptions of beliefs, human life, and roles of men and women provoke questions about the patterns of a Buddhist lifestyle.   The characteristics of the many Buddhist religions also inspire interest in the origin of these cultures.   Discovering such a foreign concept of religion can be quite perplexing to grasp from an opposed prejudice and preconception.
Often times I have asked myself, “What do Buddhists believe in?”   I have found to be true that the beliefs and practices of a Buddhist society are fascinating in spite of their complexity throughout the many different theories and branches of enlightenment in this civilization.   The mystical orientations in the development of the ideas of ahimsa, karma and nirvana have become highly influential concepts among the Buddhist religions.   The ritual of dhyana and acceptance of following the four noble truths and the eightfold path correctly through the teachings of karuna can lead a Buddhist to become a bodhisattva.   This proves evidence of the sacramental orientation of this religion.   The analysis of bodhi and samasara proved intriguing to my westerly preconceived notions.    
The views of human life within the Buddhist teachings, or Dharma are definitely imaginative and intellectual.   In Buddhism, the purpose of life is to seek liberation from the
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