...The absolutist position that Adam Gopnik takes against Buddhism, as Robert Wright laid out, seems indicative of the exact position of duality that Buddhism does not favor. Specifically, when Gopnik says “Science is putting names on things and telling stories about them, the very habits that Buddhists urge us to transcend” he implies that naming something is giving it a self – which is unclear. Why does something have to have a self just because it is named? This kind of thinking (something has to be one thing, and if it is that one thing, it cannot be another) is precisely the habit that “Buddhists urge us to transcend,” not “putting names on things.” Every object/person/idea can have more than one way of believing or existing, multiple facets...
Words: 380 - Pages: 2
...Critical Thinking Assignment APOL-104 June 25, 2012 Critical Thinking Assignment PART ONE: The Question of Origin In Buddhism, they do not teach nor do they believe that there is an all-powerful God that created the universe. They look to Buddha, the religion’s founder, for a model of how to behave. In the Buddhist view, the universe is infinite in both time and space and the universe is created and destroyed over and over again in a process we call natural evolution. The Question of Identity Buddhist considers all life to be sacred and/or spiritual in nature. They believe in reincarnation and a person’s spiritual future is based solely on one’s good or bad actions in this lifetime, also known as Karma. The Question of Meaning/Purpose In Buddhism, the primary purpose is to end suffering. The Buddha believed and therefore taught that humans suffer because they are to consumed in things that do not give long lasting happiness and are too busy trying to hold on to things such as friends, material possessions, and things that do not last, and in the end brings upon sorrow. This is where the beliefs of the Four Noble Truths come in: teaches that all life is marked by suffering, suffering is caused by desire and attachment, suffering can be stopped, and the way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path. The Question of Morality Respect, love, and compassion are highly valued in Buddhism as are an ethical and moral path is the basis for their model...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...relationship with a Buddhist or anyone for that matter I would first start with one-self, then recognizing the Buddhist worldviews using critical thinking. This way I will be able to perceive and have more of an understanding, to build that trust factor. Some practical steps: Not to be judgmental and focus on the good of Buddhism, because no-one is perfect and everyone have faults. Remember to smile it is a visual teaching. Be helpful, kind, and positive it shows’ gratitude. What barriers/hindrances would exist with presenting the Christian gospel to a person from this worldview? Some common objections and Evangelism of hindrances would be the fact of having different perspectives. Christians, for example, speak of a God who has emotions such as anger and love, but Buddhists see such emotions as indicating too much attachment to the ego (Tsering, P. 157). Most Buddhists believe that there are many paths to God. Buddhism believes Jesus is not unique and may see Jesus as being a spiritual Master on a par with Buddha (Theravada Buddhism) or as a bodhisattva (Mahayana Buddhism) (www.internationalstudents.org). In addition, Buddhism denies the existence of God, Buddhism worldview is monistic, there is no such thing to Buddhism as sin against a supreme being, according to the Buddhist belief man is worthless, having only temporary existence, and Buddhism takes on many forms that are contradicting. What personal challenges might you have with presenting the gospel? Al though, I was brought...
Words: 326 - Pages: 2
...Critical Thinking Assignment Instructions Overview: 1. Answer the following questions in 2 clearly separate parts I, II (500 words). 2. Be sure to answer every question. 3. Meeting the minimum word count as required for each part (I, II) is important. a. Do NOT include the question as part of your word count b. Direct quotations should be short and limited 4. Quotations and material used from other sources should be cited using current APA, MLA, or Turabian formatting (whichever corresponds to your degree program). 5. Check your work for spelling and grammatical errors. 6. Be sure to do your own work, do not plagiarize. I. Part One: (250 words) 1. Select ONE of the worldviews (Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam) that have been considered in the course content. 2. Using course content and/or sources outside of the course, complete the following- How would the worldview that you selected answer: i. The Question of Origin - ii. The Question of Identity - iii. The Question of Meaning/Purpose - iv. The Question of Morality - v. The Question of Destiny - * An overview of these questions can be found in chapter 4 of the Weider & Gutierrez text Consider. II. Part Two: (250 words) 3. Compare and contrast your selected worldview’s answers (as given in Part One) to a Biblical/Christian worldview. 4. Do not just copy and paste, but you...
Words: 532 - Pages: 3
...Critical Thinking Paper Final Paper Critical Thinking – PHI 210 12/14/2012 Religions are the Cause of War Most religions are not complex in their beliefs. There is a God and his angels or a hierarchy of deities to get to God. There is a heaven and a hell of sorts that the person will go to when they pass on. Most times this depends on how you treated your fellow man or what you did to show God how you felt about him. It’s a no brainer really, the whole “Do unto others as you have them do unto you” or a form of this is in every religion. Then let’s not forget the Messiah or Prophet. Every religion has one. The messiah/prophet was sent by God; a form of himself as human to save humanity from their evil ways. In some religions he was born of the virgin and in others he did not get his calling until he was older. They are more than life and do no wrong. They go throughout the world helping the poor. A Robin Hood if you will; who took from the rich to give to the poor. Religions are rooted and grounded in tradition and give people something to believe in. A “Higher Power”. The “Higher Power” gives a sense of direction. The church through religion gives guidance on how to live our lives and be better people. Regardless of religion or sect, the church brings people together for understanding of the religion and to pray. The church plays an important and is very influential role in the way people live or conduct their lives (Erwin, 2012). With most religions...
Words: 1413 - Pages: 6
...CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT I. Part One: Buddhism i. The Question of Origin – Buddhists believe that the world has no beginning, and not everything that exists has to have one. As the famous quote by Bertrand Russell says: “There is no reason to suppose that the world had a beginning at all. The idea that things have a beginning is really due to the poverty of our thoughts.” (Thera, 2002) ii. The Question of Identity – Buddhism teaches that there is no self, but instead there are separate, ever-changing components that make up who we are. Defining one’s “self” would mean adhering to whatever our role or composition is today, which will certainly change in due time. This dependency followed by change would inflict suffering - what Buddhists live to avoid. (Silver, 2012) iii. The Question of Meaning/Purpose – Buddhists believe that their main goal is life is to end suffering by ending desire. According to this religion, humans suffer because they desire and hold on to things that are temporary and will eventually vanish. The purpose in life of the Buddhist is to follow the Eightfold Path – as directed by the fourth of the Four Noble Truths – to end suffering and attain enlightment. (Religion Facts, 2005) iv. The Question of Morality – Buddhism answers the question of morality with the term sila, which is the natural condition of goodness that we were born with. They attempt to preserve their sila and avoid being altered by worldly influences. Buddhists follow...
Words: 720 - Pages: 3
...Critical Thinking Assignment – Week 6 – Everette I. I have selected Buddhism for this week’s assignment. Answer the questions of Origin? Identity? Meaning/Purpose? Morality? And Destiny? ; As seen by the followers of Buddhism. Though Buddhism is based off of, and follows some principles of Hinduism, Buddhism does not believe in a god or entity as ultimately everything is created in one’s own mind. When researching Buddhism, there is no specific view on the origin of man, or the planet. It was mentioned several places that a person does not need to know the origin of man in order to achieve enlightenment, or in other words there is no need to know where you came from, only where you are going. Modern Buddhism, as a generalization, has adopted the theory of evolution as they do not believe there is anything to dispute it. So how do they view themselves? Identity is more about answering question about yourself with regards to the fetters (areas of suffering). There are ten fetters total, however the top three, and most important to identity are 1. Belief in self (sakkaya-ditthi), 2. Doubt (vickiccha), and 3. Attachment to rites and rituals (silbabatta-parsmaso). How one handles these suffering is how you can view their identity. The question of morality is very close to Christianity, I have read a lot about Buddhism and there are a lot of factual references stating that moral behavior flows from the mastering of one’s ego and desires, that the growth of love and compassion...
Words: 752 - Pages: 4
...There are many different religions that are practiced all over the world. Most all of these religions share eight elements. These include a belief system, community, central myths, rituals, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expression and sacredness. These various religions all have special traditions that honor the sacred to which its followers believe. Although, there are key critical issues in the study of religion, there are also many benefits. Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam are three examples of religion types that are practiced throughout the world. However, there are also different varieties of these religions practiced. In Christianity, the Orthodox churches of Greece, Russia, Romania and elsewhere are closely related to each other, but are rather different from western Catholicism. There are also numerous forms of Protestant Christianity such as Methodism, Baptist, and Pentecostalism. Different types of Buddhism include Theravada Buddhism which is practiced in Sri Lanka and in South East Asia. Mahayana, Tibetan, and Shingon are other examples of Buddhism. The most prominent division in the Islam religion is between the Sunnites and Shi’ites. The first of the eight elements that these religions share is their belief system. They have a common belief or worldview of the universe and what place the human being’s have in it. Community means that this belief is shared and practiced by all its members or group. Central Myths are stories that express...
Words: 953 - Pages: 4
...Critical Thinking Assignment Buddhism/Christian Worldview Robert Barbour, Jr. Liberty University Online APOL 104 Professor Robert Hunter September 29, 2014 In Aspect I of this essay, I will make an effort to respond on several concerns regarding the overall viewpoint from which Buddhists see and understand the world. I deem that the Buddhists worldview can be very fascinating and complicated in several ways. In addition, in Aspect II, I will display how the Buddhists worldview makes a large comparison in comparison to a/the Spiritual / Christian worldview. Aspect I Presenting Buddhism’s Multiple Viewpoints on Worldview The question of Origin: Buddhism is a religion that involves a wide range of customs, values and methods mostly depending on lessons linked to Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhist believe the world have no beginning or end. “The Buddha added the notion that all creatures, including man, are fictions: there is really no "self"; only a series of occurrences that appear to be individual persons and things.” (The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error 2. Compiled by Steven Cory. Copyright 1986, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. ). The question of Identity: Buddhism instructs that there is no self, but instead there are individual, ever-changing elements that create who we are. Buddhists also believe “what keeps man in this cycle is known as Karma. Although good Karma can have a positive effect, it is still viewed as a curse; since good and bad Karma keeps a person...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
...Antonio Venzor 12/11/12 REl 133 Proff. Sunday Buddhism Worksheet University of Phoenix Material Buddhism Worksheet Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following. 1. Explain the basic Buddhist teachings including the three marks of reality, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path. The three marks of reality are; 1) Change – The only thing constant in life is change. 2) No Permanent Identity- As humans we are made up of several different parts and we are constantly changing never to remain the same as we once were. 3) Suffering- To live life is to suffer and experience sorrow; we can never be satisfied because of life’s avoidable change. The Four Noble Truths are a linked chain of truths about life: 1) Suffering exists 2) It has a cause 3) It has an end 4) There is a way to attain release from suffering—namely, by following the Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path are 8 steps that Buddhist follow that they believe will help them to reach Nirvana. Nirvana suggests many things: the end of suffering, inner peace, and freedom from limitations of the world. When Nirvana is reached it is believed to end karma and rebirth after the present life. The Noble Eightfold Path is meant to guide Buddhist to 3 goals: 1) Face life objectively 2) To live Kindly 3) To develop inner peace The 8 steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are as followed: 1) Right understanding -I recognize the impermanence of life, the mechanic...
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
...Critical Thinking Part I – Analysis of Buddhism Origin A young prince named Siddhartha Gautama was whole heartedly affected by the poverty, disease, old age, and death he witnessed from beyond the gates of his shelter. Gautama rebelled and took drastic measures that included abandoning the life he was given, self denial of nourishment, and extended periods of meditation in which he achieved the highest level of knowledge called nirvana, hence the name the Buddha, which means “the Enlightened One” (Carner, 2005, p. 114-115). Identity Buddhism is a dharmic religion that charted off from Hinduism and thus becoming independent of Hindu’s vague philosophy and unsatisfying goals (Carner, 2005, p. 114). While Buddhism is a religion, it is also a philosophical belief system in terms of life in general; it teaches how to save oneself from life’s suffering and aguish by following very specific rules through doctrines known as Pali Canon, which were developed shortly after the death of Gautama. Pali Canon also called the Tripitaka, contained rules for conduct, methods for spiritual attainment, and the ethics taught by the Buddha (Rast, Contender Ministries, n.d.). Meaning The Buddha developed what is called the Four Noble Truths which he taught were the principles to live by in order to attain enlightenment. According to the beliefs of Buddhism, through his own efforts man can save himself from human desires, misery, suffering, and pain...
Words: 1131 - Pages: 5
...Critical Thinking Paper Instructions Before you begin writing your paper, you should first consider which formatting style that you will be using. In this course, we allow you to choose the one that you are more familiar with, or the one that will ultimately be the style most often used within your major. (See Formatting Style document) This is a research paper, not a Discussion Board Forum, so it is expected that your paper will be formatted and cited using one of the following styles: current APA, MLA, or Turabian format. Requirements: 1. Cover page – This is the first page to be included in your paper (based on the formatting style that you will be using, see the sample papers in Blackboard). a. APA: For this course, a Summary or Abstract is not required. b. MLA: This format does not require a title page, but does have a specific format for Ssudent information. 2. Content pages – These pages will contain your content and fulfill the requirements as listed below. c. Be sure to complete the minimum word count (500–1,000 words). i. Do NOT include the question as part of your word count Use only your answers. ii. Direct quotations must be short and limited. iii. Include your word count at the bottom of the paper. iv. NOTE: Submissions totaling fewer than 250 words will not receive credit. d. Quotations and material used from other sources must be cited using current APA, MLA or Turabian. You...
Words: 771 - Pages: 4
...Buddhism Worldview 1. The Question of Origin i. The two branches of Buddhism, one conservative and one liberal, have two different views on the existence of God. Theravada (conservative) follows that there was neither confirmation nor denial of God by Buddha. Mahayana Buddhists (liberal) create deities that they pray, bow, and make offerings to, and look to Buddha as an essence that has many manifestations (Halverson 2). Therefore, there is no origin or creator of this Earth or us; it has been in existence and a part of an impersonal force (Weider and Gutierrez 66). ii. Christianity, on the other hand, affirms that God created the Earth and us, so there is no dispute on our origin (Genesis 1). 2. The Question of Identity iii. In Buddhism, everything that exists is of an essence and is looked at as being on the same level. Karma, and good or bad deeds helps one to move either closer or further away from Nirvana in levels of life form. Mahayana Buddhists believe that there are Bodhisattvas, who have earned Nirvana but postpone it in order to help others to reach it. Although they are above man, they are still subject to karma and can lose their level when their good karma is up (Prebish 16). iv. God created us in his likeness, in order to rule over his creations of the Earth, plants, and animals (Gen 1:26-27). Sowing and reaping, in biblical context, is much like karma for Buddhists in which good deeds produce positive rewards, and bad actions...
Words: 813 - Pages: 4
...Critical Thinking Assignment Part I - Analysis of Buddhism Origin The founder of Buddhism was a Hindu Prince named Siddhartha Gautama who lived in India. The young boy was sheltered from the world in hopes to keep him safe, but he saw many things that scared him; poverty, illness, death and aging. At the age of 35 he ran away from home in search for peace to all these things; leaving his family behind. For six years he fasted, eating one grain of rice a day for two years, a sip of water a day for two years and then nothing at all for two years. Gautama came upon a fig tree and mediated for seven days and reach Nirvana. Nirvana is a place where a person is free from all the evil or bad in the physical world. Everything is at peace. This is where the Bodhi or “The Tree of Wisdom” was created and when Gautama changed his name to Buddha or “The Enlightened One”. (Hindson & Caner, 2008, p.115) Identity In Buddhism, all life is sacred. The soul is eternal and when your physical body dies you may reach a state of Nirvana and be one with The Buddha. Or, your soul is reincarnated, depending on how you lived your previous life. Good deeds are rewarded, bad deeds you are reincarnated into a lower life form. Since all life in sacred, humans and animals have similar essence and are partners in searching for eternal oneness. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2013, p. 67) Meaning Mans purpose is to end reincarnation so that the soul can reach a state of Nirvana, or liberation. In...
Words: 1199 - Pages: 5
...CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT: BUDDHISM PART I 1. The Question of Origin - Buddhism began based on a foundation of Hinduism context. However, the creator of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, decided to split from Hinduism and form his own religious system. After four visions, Gautama decided to leave his life of comfort and ultimately find the true meaning of life through endless meditation, wandering and fasting. This created a following before and after his death to follow his teaching of how to reach a state of nirvana. 2. The Question of Identity – “Unlike the Judeo-Christian tradition, Buddhism affirms the unity of all living beings, all equally possess the Buddha-nature, and all have the potential to become Buddhas, that is, to become fully and perfectly enlightened, (Epstein, 1990). In essence, this state reveals that Buddhist see animals and all other living beings has sentient having life of equal value just as human beings. 3. The Question of Meaning/Purpose –It is my opinion based on research that the teachings of the Buddha make known that our experiences are what makes us all individuals and is one of the main purposes of our existence. Once we realize this valid profundity it helps us to dig a little deeper and thus reach nirvana. 4. The Question of Morality –In the Buddhist religion there are standards of right and wrong, which is why the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Noble Path was created to give followers guidelines of maintaining morality...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
