Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Assignment

Part I:

I. The Question of Origin - Within Buddhism, individuals do not teach nor do individuals believe there is an all-mighty God that created the heavens and earth. Buddhist religions founder, Buddha, view Buddha just as we look up to our God for guidance on what is right and wrong. In worldview of Buddhist, they see the universe as infinite in both time and space, they also view the universe as it being created and destroyed repeatedly in a cycle that is called natural evolution.

II. The Question of Identity - In the religion, Buddhism, individuals reflect all life to be holy and/or spiritual in nature. Buddhist believe that an individual's spiritual future is based on whether one has good or bad actions within their lifetime, which is also known as karma. Reincarnation is another belief of Buddhism.

III. The Question of Meaning/Purpose - The main goal in Buddhism is to discontinue suffering. Buddha taught that humans suffered because they are too focused on short lived happiness, and humans are too busy being worried and trying to hold onto worldly possession, and then in the end it only causes grief and sorrow. From that being said, this is where the Four Noble Truths take place: It 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.

IV. The Question of Morality - In Buddhism, an ethical and moral path is the foundation for their model of behavior. Love, compassion, and respect are greatly valued within the Buddhist religion. The Noble Eightfold Path is based on the right knowledge; intention; speech; action; livelihood; effort; mindfulness; and concentration. In order to achieve spiritual happiness, Buddhist have to follow the Five Precepts which involve refraining from taking a life; taking what is not given; involving themselves in wrong sexual relations and speech, and using drugs and alcohol.

V. The Question of Destiny - The goal of enlightenment for Buddha was to run away and escape suffering. To go into nirvana, nothing was way better than to stay in this world. With regard to reincarnation, while Hindus believed that the identity of the individual soul is preserved in reincarnations and that recovering singleness is returning to the ultimate reality. For Theravada Buddhists, enlightenment is only available to monks whereas the Mahayana recognizes this ability in everyone. Buddhism would most likely say that there is no assurance of the identity continuing after death, because the soul breaks down into the five essences and then restores in the new cycle.

Part II:

I. The Question of Origin - Theism deals with believing that everything exists, including humans is the result of God. The main belief of Theism is that everything