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Essay Instructions: Your paper should not exceed THREE pages (typed and double-spaced, 12-point font).
Pages must carry pagination.
Paper must be stapled, and carry your name.

TOPIC: The Structure and Meaning of the Fourfold Noble Truth (that is to say, the fundamentals of the Buddhist Dharma, excluding the Mahayana and East Asian developments). This is not to be a history oriented paper, but should concentrate on the underlying thought. It is also not an opinion paper, but should be based on our classroom discussions and on the Suttas from the TheravA?da tradition.


The email's subject line should read:
YOUR SURNAME, EALC/RLST 132, SP 2013--1st paper



Please, read the instructions below carefully!

Hope you are all doing fine -- AM

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The Four Noble Truths are meant to throw light on the reality of life:
duhkha/suffering, samudaya/causes, nirodha/ending of the causes, and marga/path.

Please analyze how the human situation is presented in the Four Noble Truths.

How do the four truths specifically aim at correcting an inadequate view of the human situation.

In what way can the four truths be understood as a consistent and coherent whole?

You do NOT need to list all the items on the "bible sheet", but should concentrate on what is essential. Please do not lightly assume that the Buddha did not really understand what he was talking about.

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Some guide-lines: Your paper should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Make sure, that what you say can be understood, without unnecessary guessing, why you say, what you say.

Be careful about ARGUMENT LOGIC GRAMMAR STYLE TERMINOLOGY
"Argue" means that you should be critical (discernful, not opinionated) both of what you read that is being said, and about yourself. Avoid formulations such as: "I believe", "I feel", etc. That is to say: state your case clearly. Be specific.

Make sure that your paper is carefully proof-read (no unnecessary typos, and grammatical problems). It is a good idea to ask someone to read your paper whom you can trust to possess a critical judgment! I do not consider it extra-ordinary, if you keep re-writing your paper before submitting it. Consider, whether what you offer, is the best you have to offer.

Please, avoid awkward constructions such as: "Once ONE understands the nature of desire, THEY will become free of it." This type of construction (mixing singular and plural) unfortunately has become very common, but it is grammatically incorrect. The problem is the non-congruence in number of ONE and THEY. If you use a 3rd person singular pronoun "he/she/it", it is ok to consistently use either "he", OR "she". Do not begin to mix it. Grammatical and biological gender must not be confused.

You do not need a separate sheet "Bibliography". Just be accountable, and refer to your sources, primarily the two books (e.g. Gethin, p.xxx).


There are faxes for this order.

Essay Instructions: List some ways you have seen the Four Noble truths of Buddhism expressed in your life and then explain whether or not the Eightfold Path be seen as a universal Light Use the following web Sites
Online Resources
BuddhaNet's Buddhist Studies (http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/index.htm):
an educational material resource on Buddhism from Buddhanet (http://www.buddhanet.net). The site links to a Basic Buddhism Guide, an Online Buddhist Study Guide and resources on Buddhist scripture, history, culture and teachings. An excellent resource!

Buddhism (http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/religionet/er/buddhism/index.htm):
From the University of Wyoming, the best, most comprehensive link for eastern and western religious traditions.

Buddhism (http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/BUDDHISM/CONTENTS.HTM):
From Washington State University, a nicely presented overview of the principles and major sects of Buddhism.

Buddhism (http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_fisher_lvreligion_5/) and select Buddhism from the pull-down menu:
Living Traditions' companion web site features self-evaluative quizzes, resources, including QuickTime videos, research tools and other online activities. Be sure to visit their Destinations link for more online resources.

Essay Instructions: Please just focus on structure and meaning of the Fourfold Noble Truth, do not include too many extra things like philosophy or history. This is an undergraduate general education class, so don't be too professional.
Followed are all information and requirements the instructor provided:


TOPIC: The Structure and Meaning of the Fourfold Noble Truth (that is to say, the fundamentals of the Buddhist Dharma, excluding the Mahayana and East Asian developments). This is not to be a history oriented paper, but should concentrate on the underlying thought. It is also not an opinion paper, but should be based on our classroom discussions and on the Suttas from the TheravA?da tradition.

NEVER PLAGIARIZE. YOUR CHANCE TO GET AWAY WITH IT IS ONLY SLIM!

Please, read the instructions below carefully!

Hope you are all doing fine

----------------------------------
The Four Noble Truths are meant to throw light on the reality of life:
duhkha/suffering, samudaya/causes, nirodha/ending of the causes, and marga/path.

Please analyze how the human situation is presented in the Four Noble Truths.

How do the four truths specifically aim at correcting an inadequate view of the human situation.

In what way can the four truths be understood as a consistent and coherent whole?

You should concentrate on what is essential. Please do not lightly assume that the Buddha did not really understand what he was talking about.

----------------------------------

Some guide-lines: Your paper should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Make sure, that what you say can be understood, without unnecessary guessing, why you say, what you say.

Be careful about ARGUMENT LOGIC GRAMMAR STYLE TERMINOLOGY
"Argue" means that you should be critical (discernful, not opinionated) both of what you read that is being said, and about yourself. Avoid formulations such as: "I believe", "I feel", etc. That is to say: state your case clearly. Be specific.

Never plagiarize other's works. Quotations always marked!
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Essay Instructions: THIS PAPER SHOULD BE ABOUT: need a philosophical critique of classical buddhism's reaction/solution to the evil and suffering in the world. Need a critical analysis of Buddha's thought, and the strengths and or weaknesses of the four noble truths. This papers needs to have four paragraphs each one devoted to a separate noble truth.

INFORMATION NEEDED FOR THE PAPER:
The Buddhist Reaction to Suffering-Solution (siddhartha guatama, born 563-483 B.C.E.)

Facing the fragility of life, and the facts of disease, decay, and death, young Siddhartha (29 years old) left his family in search of peae and enlightenment through meditating. On finally becoming "awakened", he preached Four Noble Truths:

Main focus: What causes suffering and what is the solution in terms of escaping from it.

1. All life is sorrow - from birth to death, every aspect of our lives that is tied to our individuality inevitably involves suffering.
2. We suffer because we crave things; pleasure, life and power - the more we try to satisfy our cravings, the worse they become, making us suffer even more.
3. Only putting an end to craving will end our suffering - our cravings keep us returning to successive rebirths. Nirvana is the final liberation from the pain of repeated embodiments (the Wheel of Becoming, Samsara). Nirvana can only happen if the ignorance of regarding oneself as a substantial permanent ego is dispelled. Then ultimate and unending calm is attained.
4. Craving can be ended only by following the Noble Eightfold Path - Right understanding, right thought, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration will lead to the ultimate enlightenment - Nirvana. The reason being that this eightfold path contributes to selflessness in deed and metapysical perspective or knowledge: (the self is not a substantial permanent ego).

BOOK USED FOR THIS CLASS:
Philosophy of religion by louis p pojman