Buddhism :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the early parts of my life, I learned about all of the laws that restrict our actions, as practitioners of Buddhism. I was educated about the four basic truths that all Buddhists believe. The four basic truths are Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, and Marga (Anderson 24). Dukkha, or its meaning in English, suffering, tells of all the frustration in life. In order to find the end of suffering, I found that one must review the purpose for the suffering to being in one’s life (Harvey 49). the second holy truth, Samudaya deals with the origin of suffering. In my studies and from what material I was instructed, I learnedin order to deal with suffering one must find out its cause in their life. After one has found the cause, then we can begin to do something about it ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part I† 3). Nirodha, the third truth, is the extinction of suffering. To be able to end the sufferingone must think that the suffering can end and have confidence in attaining the end of suffering ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part I† 5/6). Marga, or the fourth noble truth is also known as the eight-fold path. Avoiding indulgences in pleasure and temptation are the ways to walk down this path ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part II† 3). As I was instructed on the eight-fold path I learned that in order to attain the end of suffering I needed to have all of the â€Å"right† pieces of the puzzle. These are right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihook, effort, mindfulness, and concentration (â€Å"Buddhist Teachings† 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my religion we have a code of ethics that tells our followers to avoid stealing, lying, killing all living organisms, committing improper sexual activity, and destructive occupations (Anderson 26/27). the five governing precepts explain more in depth about the code of ethics. The first precpt says to refrain form taking life away from all that are breathing (Harvey 202). I and many other followers are vegetarians because of this precept. In the second precept stealing is prohibited. Improper sexual activity is covered in the third precept. In it, it tells us that sexual activity is only to be used in order to conceive children. Polygamy, adultery, and incest are also forbidden in this precept. Lying, or as the fourth precept calls it, false speech is also forbidden (Harvey 206). The fifth precept covers alcohol and improper drug use. It is said that if one breaks this precept that person is more likely to break any or all of the previous precepts (Harvey