Philosophical analysis Essay

Judging from the topics raised in the Introduction of this work, it is clear that whiz must(prenominal) consider Buddhism a suit of school of thought that is, as a way of carriage. Many authors deem already proceeded to claim that this particular religious phenomenon is chiefly characterized by the numerous practical precepts which serve as guides towards an instruct living. It is good to note that Buddhism, pretty much like philosophy, is concerned with the pursuit of enlightenment or accuracy. An tyro self immortalized perhaps in Western Philosophy by Platos Allegory of the Cave is surely the goal why one enters into philosophical discourses.In so far as Buddhism offers its own trenchant ways to attain enlightenment as well, it is therefore with good reasons that one should classify this religion as philosophical in many ways. Buddhism however does not stop at stipulating suggestions for right living alone. As a musical arrangement of belief, it also offers perspect ives about the whole of ingenuousness. Like philosophical discourses, Buddhism is a belief system that speaks of its perspective about the ultimate realities like humankind existence, cosmology, human knowledge, ontology and god.Surely, there is a need to flavor into these briefly Buddhisms take on reality encourages an placement of detachment on account of a belief that everything is impermanent (Griffiths, 1997, p. 16), and therefore in a state of constant flux. Much of Buddhisms view about reality rests on the belief that the world is full of diversity, and the more is able to happen upon or appreciate it, the closer is one to the truth about the ever passing universe (Williams, 1989, p. 3).This idea is interestingly shargond by an ancient Western philosopher that went by the name Heraclitus, who taught that fire- an element in a perpetual state of movement is the basic element that constitutes reality. Buddhism, one need to remember, is not so much concerned with the rig orous definition of reality. But in so far it embraces an attitude of non-attachment in relating to all(a) things, Buddhism has to anchor this belief system on a formidable reason that ones attachment everyplace things is futile given the fact that all things pass away.In fact, most of what Buddhism teaches is pull from this ontological belief and this doctrine of impermanence must be go overn as a recurrent write up in its whole system of perspective. As far as Epistemology is concerned, the doctrine of impermanence is also maintained. Buddhism teaches that nix cigarette be known with exact certitude because all things are ephemeral and thus, as mentioned a while ago, they are not what they seem (Griffiths, 1997, p. 19). Everything is subject to change and passes away.Thus, one may not pull through at a definitive knowledge about things at all. Which is why, Buddha maintained that dissatisfaction is a constant mind that defines the feelings of all who search for knowledge or truth (Mitchell, 2002, p. 33). No one is able to know what reality is and its appearance is often misleading. One may notice that this epistemology is actually consistent with Buddhisms anthropology, or, its dread of human nature. If one checks the teachings of Buddha about man, one can clearly see the doctrine of impermanence as evident in it too.Buddha believes that human nature is nothing but a constitution of events called materiality, sensation, conceptualization, volition and consciousness (Griffiths, 1997, p. 20). This type of anthropology views man not as an existing individual substance (which most of Western Philosophy have understood what human nature is), but an impermanent self constituted by personal events (Griffith, 1997, p. 20). cosmogeny for Buddhism follows the same line of logic. Constant flux is patent in its belief that the world follows a regular recurrence of birth and rebirth, of cycle and current, of existence and passage.The bulk of Buddhisms teachin gs therefore solemnly enjoin its adherents to develop an attitude of detachment. Anchored on a belief that nothing in this world ever remains the same over a period of time, Buddhism points that the path towards Nirvana or ultimate sense of bliss lies in a state of total freedom from what this world actually offers. Lastly, it is quite interesting to point out that Buddhism seldom engages in a question about the ultimate reality or God. Broadly speaking, the whole philosophy of impermanence is at odds with a concept of deity.The general theory about God stipulates that It is a Supreme Being defined by eternality, omniscience, omnipotence and changelessness. In a belief system where the central truth about reality rests on the ephemeral nature of all things, the concept of God is really something dangerous to conceive (Griffiths, 1997, p. 22). How can there be such a Being when the general characteristic of all things supposedly including God is change and flux? More importantly , one can ask how can one consider Buddhism a religion at all if one is not willing to reconcile its theology with its ontology?Griffith believes that the metaphysics of impermanence makes Buddhism deny the existence of God all together (Griffith, 1997, p. 23). But the image of Buddha as the example of their quest for a transcendent end, translated in Nirvana, is perhaps the only figure of deity Buddhism actually posses. oddment Buddhism is both a philosophy and a religious movement. As a philosophy, it offers its adherents a way of life observed in a tradition marked by meditation, introspection, constant purgation of desire and an staring(a) quest for enlightenment.As a religious movement, it is concerned with the pursuit of transcendent ends (Slater, 1978, p. 6) they call Nirvana. Buddhism offers its own understanding of reality too. Its doctrines are highly influenced by the teachings of its founder Gautama Buddha. In this paper, it has been noted that their belief system can also be evaluated under the categories which Western philosophy uses metaphysics, epistemology, cosmology, anthropology and theology.These aspects are given meaning by a pervading concept of impermanence and dissatisfaction. Buddhism draws largely from a belief that everything in the world is impermanent, and that all people are enjoined to meet it with an attitude of detachment and self-control. The path towards true enlightenment happens only when one is able to see beyond what reality offers, and seek the true meaning of existence that lies only within.References Humphreys, C. (1997). A Popular dictionary of Buddhism.Chicago NTC. Griffiths, P. Buddhism. In Quinn, P. & Taliaferro, C. (Eds. ), A Companion to Philosophy of Religion. Massachusetts Blackwell. McCutcheon, R. (2007). Studying Religion. An Introduction. London Equinox. Mitchell, D. (2002). Introducing the Buddhist Experience. New York Oxford University Slater, P. (1978). The dynamics of Religion. Meaning and Change in Religious Traditions. San Francisco Harper and Row. Williams, P. (1989). Mahayana Buddhism. Doctrinal Foundations. New York Routledge.