Whereas, in Theravada: individual effort leads to enlightenment, it is for the self only, it strives for wisdom first, it centers on meditation and requires personal dedication such as being a monk or nun, it is followed as a teaching or philosophy, and finally its early works are written in Pali. ... The one main strength of Theravada is that it is probably a bit more easy to understand because it is the ideals and philosophy of the Buddha that are being taught not something so obscure as enlightenment. ...

• Word Count: 1093
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The underlying philosophy of Jainism is that renunciation of worldly desires and self-conquest leads to perfect wisdom. ... This idea or fundamental view can also be seen in Greek philosophy, particularly with the presocratics in their ideas about the world's origin in its naturalistic form. Although the Greeks were primarily focused on this naturalistic view in terms of their philosophy and politics, the way in which they viewed the fundamental question of the universe and the lack of a primary role for the Gods is similar to that of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. .....

• Word Count: 774
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The relationship between Bodhidharma and Huike reflects the "learn through observing" philosophy as opposed to the "listen to my words" of early Buddhism. ... The Daoist teachings of "sitting and forgetting everything" (Laozi & Zhuangzi, 103) greatly influenced Chan philosophy and meditation....

• Word Count: 1302
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Buddhism is a nontheistic religion that is based on the teachings of the Buddha, or "the awakened one." The philosophy aims to help sentient beings end their suffering by eliminating the greed and ignorance from their lives. Buddhism arose during the fifth century BCE in India and is currently prac...

• Word Count: 542
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Buddhism: The culture and the individual (Option #3) With the rise of the Asian population in the U.S., Buddhism has made a tremendous impact in the United States. Cultural changes in America inclined many to seek alternatives to Western traditions, and some of the disillusioned found their way t...

• Word Count: 985
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Of the many religions that originated in the Indian peninsula, Buddhism is the one that, during the last decade, has known the biggest enthusiasm and the greatest increase in interest in the West (Baumann & Prebish, p. 85). In fact, this increase in interest is reflected by the numerous stories related by the media as well as the various research conducted by university scholars since the dawn of the 21st century (ibid.). Buddhism, however, is a religion of long history. More precisely, Buddhism takes roots in the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a sage that lived during the 6th century B.C. i...

• Word Count: 2720
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate