Buddhism Essay

Submitted By hillarylacks
Words: 496
Pages: 2

While Buddhism can lead to spiritual fulfillment, a positive afterlife, and an orderly society, it is also marked with self-deprivation, emptiness and is seen to cause a chaotic society with a disregard for laws. Nirvana, the final goal for Buddhists, is a state of complete relaxation and no desire. Anyone who serves the Buddha and correctly observes the commandments will enter Nirvana at the end of his life. A life of observing Buddhism and an afterlife of Nirvana is seen as the most spiritually connected and peaceful way to live for many people (Document 2). In contrast, it can be argued that he who leads a life of Buddhism leads a life filled with sorrow. Buddhism preaches the “Four Noble Truths,” a sermon teaching that everything in life is filled with sorrow (Document 1). Buddhists live simple lives in order to connect with their spirituality as much as possible. They see wives, children, and property as luxuries of the world and frequently, Buddhist monks go all their life without these luxuries. People who do not celebrate Buddhism may see Buddhists as living lives of emptiness because they do enjoy material luxuries. However, Buddhists see themselves as applying the wonders of the Way, which are simple living and inaction (Document 3). In addition to being portrayed as people who live empty lives full of sorrow, Buddhists are also seen as people who disregard the laws and rules of their societies, causing chaos. It is said in Document 4 that Buddha was a man of the barbarians who did not speak Chinese and who wore clothes of a different fashion. He did not conform to Chinese laws, and his religion led other people to do the same. Likewise, Document 6 states that Buddhism wears out people’s strengths, causing them to abandon their parents and lords. The document says “if even one man fails to work the fields, someone must go hungry; if one woman does not tend her silkworms, someone will go cold.” This quote implies that