Buddhism in America
... this method and in turn continued to teach the ways of the Buddha. This new group that was formed was called the Sangha. Buddhism as it became to be called follows guidelines. There are three major sets. The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, and The Three Jewels of Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths are as stated, 1. Suffering is experienced by all living creatures. 2. Suffering is always cause by desires for sense-pleasures, to cling to life or as a death-wish. 3. Suffering can be overcome. 4. Following the Eightfold Path will bring freedom from desire, ending suffering in this life, and rebirth. The Eightfold Path is like the Ten Commandments of Christianity. They are as stated, Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. The Three Jewels of Buddhism are like The Profession of Faith in Christianity. They are as stated. 1. I take refuge in the Buddha. 2. I take refuge in the dharma. 3. I take refuge in the sangha. The religion spread quickly throughout Asia. Coming over the Himalayan Mountains over to China by a man by the name of Bodhidarma. China quickly adapted to the new faith due to their current outdated Confucianism. They slightly altered the religion into a new form called Ch’an Buddhism. From China the Japanese combined Buddhism with their current faith Shinto to form Zen Buddhism. Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Tibet also adopted Buddhism. In contrast, most of the European settlers in America were of Christian faith. This religion also focuses on one man, Jesus Christ. Dutch and English settlers brought this Christian faith along with them to the new world. They even tried to convert the Native Americans. They built Churches and celebrated Christmas in America. For decades America was predominantly Christian. Jesus was born the Son of God. He was crucified and died to repent for the sins of the people. But the main objective in Christianity is to obey the Ten Commandments as to achieve the purity required to enter heaven. As with Buddhism, the goal of a Buddhist is to purge ones self of all selfish desires in order to escape the cycle of suffering and attain enlightenment along with perfect dharma for rebirth. The way of life for a Buddhist is not concentrated so much on going to Church every week like a Christian but more on meditation. Meditation is the vehicle of enlightenment. It is considered wrong if a Christian does not attend Church every Sunday. In Buddhism you are not a bad Buddhist if you do not meditate or practice rituals you are just continuing to suffer on your own behalf. The origins of Buddhism in America are frequently disputed b...