RELI 448N Week 3 Discussion Buddhism
University:
Chamberlain University
RELI 448N Week 3 Discussion Buddhism
Paper Instructions
Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, respond to only one of the following options;
Option 1
For this option, address the following;
a. Define Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism.
b. Describe the Arhat and the Bodhisattva and explain how each achieves the goal of nirvana.
c. Examine how each ideal relates to one or more of the following key concepts/teachings Four Noble Truths, Three marks of reality, Noble Eightfold Path.
d. Explain which of these ideals you believe best expresses healthcare ideals.
Option 2
For this option, address the following;
a. Explain the Buddhist understanding of dukkha.
b. Why do many scholars feel that “suffering” may be a misleading translation of the word dukkha? What might be a better translation?
c. What did the Buddha offer as a way to overcome dukkha and how does it explain his understanding?
d. In what ways does the Buddhist notion of dukkha challenge or affirm Western medical practice?
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. Respond to a peer who chose an option different from the one you chose. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
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Sample Answer
According to Malloy (2020), “The third characteristic of reality, known as dukkha (Pali), or duhkha (Sanskrit), is usually translated as “suffering” or “sorrow.” It may also be translated as “dissatisfaction” or “difficulty.” It refers to the fact that life, when lived conventionally, can never be fully satisfying”. The understanding is that because in life things are always changing it is impossible to achieve permanent satisfaction. Many scholars think it is a misleading translation because suffering is typically associated with negative situations that arise in our life.
But as Durk (2012) explains, “Even the most positive, rewarding and enjoyable experience is at least slightly colored by the fact that it will end, or by the fact that at the same moment innocent people are in the midst of terrible suffering”. While I do not think there is one simple translation for this complex term, a better translation of the word may be discontent. Using this term, it does not isolate the meaning to only include sad and depressing situations but can also include the downside of even the positive feelings.
What Buddha offered as a way to overcome dukkha is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. By understanding the Four Noble Truths you understand that suffering is a natural part of life. The suffering that you experience comes from your desires. If you can cut off your desires, this will simultaneously end your suffering. And if you follow the Noble Eightfold Path you can reach nirvana. This path focuses on having the right understanding, intention, speech, action, work, effort, meditation, and contemplation. The following of this path is the key to reaching inner peace.
The notion of dukkha challenges Western medical practices because in Western medicine there is a large emphasis on mental health practices. When focusing on our mental health we are taught to embrace our emotions and explore them further. We also focus on the fact that some emotions are out of our control if there is a mental health disorder. This does not align with the notion of dukkha in that we cannot simply end suffering by eliminating our desires.
References
- Burk, D. (2012, November 18). Not Misunderstanding Dukkha. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https //brightwayzen.org/not-misunderstanding-dukkha/Links to an external site.
- Molloy, M. (2020). Experiencing the world’s religions Tradition, challenge, and change (pp. 25) (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill
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