Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Buddhism - Essay Example Mahayana or the ‘lesser vehicle’ is the physical, mental and spiritual discipline to maintain the purity of mind and body. As stated in the Yoga Darshana Upanishad, â€Å"not to do any ill-being in the act, in a word, in thought, that is ahimsa according to the Veda, for the Atman is present everywhere, inaccessible to the senses, in all beings; recognizing atman in them, that is true ahimsa†. It teaches compassion, ascesis, and contentment. The Lotus Sutra explains the infinite possibilities open to man. People have an infinite capacity to be good or bad. Through the Lotus Sutra, man can realize that it is possible to change for the better. Second, it teaches that all things are manifestations of the great life-force of the universe. In short, all things are coexisting and necessary for existence. Hinayana or the ‘greater vehicle’ can be equated to Theravada. The teachings concentrate on the four Noble Truths as defined by Buddha. For all these, the first Noble Truth is to be comprehended; the second is to be abandoned; the third is to be realized while the fourth is to be developed. In order to do this, there is a need to reconcile the physical senses and desires to a person’s mental concept of the things ‘desired’ by man. It teaches the concept that nothing is permanent, thus there is nothing significant when it pertains to anything physical in nature. With the recognition that everything is an offset from desire, there is a need to purge the mind of desires by recognizing the Four Noble Truths. (De Bary, 1969). 3. The Four Noble Truths form the very heart of Buddha’s teaching. It consists of the ‘Dukkha’ or suffering, the origin of suffering, the end to suffering, and lastly, the path to the end of suffering. Firstly, it must be recognized by an individual that there is suffering (Dukkha). Second, one must realize the origin of one’s suffering and it is attached to three kinds of desire (tanha): desire for sense of pleasure (kama tanha); desire to become (bhava tanha); and desire to get rid of