Is Buddhism A Philosophy Or A Religion - 932 Words

Is Buddhism a Philosophy Or a Religion? Joe Gilmore Mr. Porter 4-17-16 Buddhist teachings consist of teaching others how to end suffering in their own lives. Buddha teaches that if you follow an eightfold path, then you are moving toward reaching nirvana. This is the end of all suffering and the goal of all Buddhists. Though Buddhism is commonly labeled as a religion, it fits the definition of a philosophy rather than a religion. Buddhism’s founder was a man named Siddhartha Gautama, meaning â€Å"one who realized his goal.† Buddhists believe that when Siddhartha’s mother, Maha, was conceived she had a dream involving a white elephant carrying a lotus flower. She interpreted the dream to mean that her son would grow up to become a great spiritual leader. Just a week after Siddhartha was born, his mother died. Upon her death, he lived with his wealthy aunt and his father on a large estate. As Siddhartha grew up, his father kept him away from all suffering and anguish of the world. Unlike many of his peers, he was well educated and free from the world’s sorrows. When he was 17 years old, Siddhartha grew bored of his easy life and left his family. As he traveled through the town, he encountered three men: an old man, a sick man, and a dead man. These three encounters symbolized the different levels of suffering Siddhartha had never experienced while living on the estate. These encounters made Siddhartha realize how much pain and suffering filled the world.Show MoreRelatedBuddhism : The Philosophy And Religion1426 Words   |  6 PagesBuddhism originated 2,500 years ago in India and today – is the prevailing world religion in the East. There are more than 360 million followers of Buddhism, including one million American followers. Buddhism has branched into a diverse selection of forms throughout its long history, however, all methods of Buddhism share an admiration for the teachings of Buddha with the ultimate focus on ending suffering (Religionfacts.com, 2015). 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