One day, Siddhartha took several rides in a chariot across the countryside because he was so curious. He encountered terrible views of an old man, a sick man, and a corpse on his trips. He was deeply disturbed by the bleak depictions of old age, illness and death. Later, he came to a wandering ascetic looking for freedom from the fear of pain and death after giving up the world. For a while, he went back to living at the palace, but he wasn’t very happy there. Even the news of the birth of his son did not make him happy. He was alone in the palace one night when he wondered around and felt his opulent existence was pointless. He left the palace, shaved his head, put on a beggar’s robe instead of his princely attire, and started his quest for enlightenment. Siddhartha had discussions with esteemed professors and studied meditation and religious theories. He still couldn’t find any solutions to his uncertainties and queries. He then started his own independent search for enlightenment along with five disciplines. Through physical restraint, putting up with discomfort, holding their breath and starving almost to hunger, they sought freedom from suffering. Siddhartha tried the middle path but couldn’t find a solution. He came to understand that mental discipline was the key to release. He obtained enlightenment while meditating under a sacred fig tree that became known as the Bodhi tree. His spiritual conflict was mythologized as a Great battle with Mara, a demonic figure who symbolizes human passions and whose name means “destruction”.
- In his quest of enlightenment, Buddha discovered and taught the four Noble Truths. However, they were taught as a religion by Buddhists. Explain whether Buddhism is a Philosophy or a religion in this aspect.
- Describe how you can use Buddhist principles in Governance.
- What does Buddhism define as Karma?
- The “Path to Liberation is through the Discipline of Mind”, how did Buddha came to understand and use it?
- Which is known as Middle-Path in Buddhism?
A Philosophical Approach to Buddhism
It can be interpreted that Buddhism is a religion that incorporates philosophical views. The main ideas about this philosophy are The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the principles that support spiritual development with no need for the divinity. That was because it was important to be aware of that the Buddhists are known to perform rituals and the Buddha’s teachings can be regarded as religion, contributing more to the religious content.
Application of Buddhist Tenets to Government
These are tenets to which a citizen will be enlightened, which is, compassion, ethical leadership, and mindfulness and, when one or more persons act, or if one acts, without making it in society, that act is, will be in the interest of society.
Karma in Buddhism
This means that an action, whether positive or negative, will lead to a change in the person’s future life.
Discipline of the Mind
Buddha realized that the way he could achieve liberation from suffering, he could control his mind, and that was sufficient in the course of his enlightenment. Through meditation under the Bodhi tree, he attained a state of discipline and became enlightened.
The Middle Path in Buddhism
Middle Path in the Buddhist system refers to a concept where one tries not to fully give up pleasures or extreme asceticism.
Buddhism can be considered as philosophy amd a religion, depending on the perspective.
Philosophical aspects
Buddhist teachings focus on the understanding reality,human nature and cause of suffering.Buddhist concept like interconnected and non self are the ideas of philosophical buddist.
Religious aspect
Buddhist practice involved ceremony and devotion to the buddha.Thr Buddhist sangha and instructional order.
Buddhist principal in governance
-Compassion: governance should pritorize the well being and happiness of all citizens
– non-violence: resolve conflict among people and spread peace among people.
-Interdependence: recognise the individual, communities and environment of people.
– Equity : Ensure fairness and justice among people.
Buddist concept of karma
Karma refer to universal law of cause and effect where actions have consequences.good action provide positive outcome. Bad action provide negative outcome. Karma is the result of once action.
Path liberation through mind discipline
Buddha realized that mental discipline is key to liberation through mindfulness, concentration and wisdom
Mindfulness refer to observing thoughts, emotion and action of people.
Concentration refer to focusing the mind through meditation
Wisdom refer to understanding of reality.
In person discipline allow an individual to
Recognise and overcome negative pattern . And attain enlightenment among people.make positive qualities like compassion and wisdom..
The middle path in Buddhism promote balance and mindful living and cultivating wisdom and compassion.
One individual can avoid harmful exterms.develop mental clarity and wellbeing and progress toward englighte ment in people.