World Religions Report
INTRODUCTION
I have always been fascinated with other religions, how people explain the events around them and how they get the courage to continue trough each day. This is primarily why I chose to visit a Buddhist temple and describe my experience for the Cultural report. I went alone to the Fo Guang Shan Hsi Fang Temple in on Saturday th at approximately. I went to observe a meditation and learn as much as I could about the religion.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Buddhism began in the sixth century BC with the birth of Siddharta Gautama the known Buddha in what in now known as Nepal. After living in luxury with his father for some time, he renounced his former life and began to live without any worldly pleasures, but found that to be meaningless and moved to living a life of complete moderation. After reaching enlightenment he taught a wide range of people throughout Asia (Wikipedia April 2007). Buddhism now has spread throughout the world in countries including the United States, Australia, Russia, and some of Europe. (BBC, 2006)
Buddhist teachings (Dharma) center on the 4 noble truths and the Eightfold path and the three marks of existence, which are the way to enlightenment. The 4 noble truths are:
1. All existence is unsatisfactory and filled with suffering.
2. The root of suffering can be defined as a craving or clinging to the wrong things; searching to find stability in a shifting world is the wrong way.
3. It is possible to find an end to suffering.
4. The Noble Eightfold path, which is Right View, Right intention, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right concentration. (BBC, 2006)
These basic teachings and through meditation are the core of Buddhism. Meditation is important for someone to reach an understanding of what is happening within yourself instead of having your thoughts being pulled out into the world around you. In the basic...
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