Buddhism

I think the buddha's life is extremely interesting. He is born and is able to walk 8 steps and talk. Then is is put in this wonderful please palace by his dad. His dad hopes that the please palace will distract the Buddha enough that he wont realize the harsh realities of the world. However, eventually the Buddha does leave and he slowly sees the terrible reality of the world. People get old, they get sick, they are poor, etc. Seeing this ruins the Buddha, for he becomes completely distraught and he refuses to live knowing he's going to become old, sick, and eventually die. The Buddha searches for a way out of this life. At first he tries fasting, but after 6 years of only eating a grain of rice a day and become grossly skinny, he realizes that he must be strong and well- nourished to truly meditate and become enlightened. I think this whole story is fascinating, but i don't quite understand the Buddha's extreme reactions to thing. He doesn't do things halfway, but instead goes completely overboard and become very dedicated and obsessed with certain things.

However, i like the way he runs his religion. The "spirit" of Buddhism is very unique, and it is fascinating because of it's differences. The religion is non ritualistic, which immediately intrigues me. I don't particularly like going to church and doing similar rituals. I understand why the Buddha sees them as a waste of time, and i think there are many other valuable ways to spend one's time. The religion is also non metaphysical/ non-abstract, which means not worrying about things you don't know. This aspect of the religion makes me wish i followed Buddhism, for i am constantly worrying and it would be very nice to be able to stop. The Buddha also believes he is unnecessary to the religion, but that everyone should be their own Buddha. I like this philosophy, for you don't have to depend on anyone but yourself. There are no secrets in Buddhism, for it is revolved around the individual themselves. People need to be aware if themselves, and to just rely on themselves. I find the idea of relying on one god or one priest very limiting and frustrating,

so Buddhism greatly appeals to me.

Another part of Buddhism i find very intriguing is nirvana. It is giving up craving, desires, and hatred, and is overall the state of no attachment, which is described as 'bliss'.

For me, nirvana means happiness and an overwhelming peace. You are happy with yourself, and you have no worries in the world. Peace means

being calm in your heart and calm with yourself. The quote attached describes it well, for that would be my nirvana.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is knowledge. It means properly understanding your soul and you body. It means understanding that you are atman and brahman is everything. You don't do actions, you're just a cavity with an atman inside. You must realize you are not really you. The only thing that is really you is your atman. It means detaching yourself from everything that is temporary. The focus is on understand what is real, and what is just 'stuff'.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga means doing your duty, whatever that may be, without worrying or being anxious about the results. It means doing your work wholeheartedly simply for the satisfaction of doing it. It means not worrying about getting a raise, or making money, but just doing work for the spiritual satisfaction. It means reaching Moksha, and releasing your atman to your brahman. You do the duty, for your religion and for your deities, instead of for the material rewards. If i did Karma Yoga, i wouldn't worry about getting good grades, making money, or getting a raise. I would simply be working and learning to do my duty and to help whoever i could in the process. I would do my best in school and i would help my parents with their work and with chores around the house. I wouldn't complain about the duty i needed to do. I would use up all my free time to accomplish my duties and therefore, i wouldn't watch TV or go on Facebook or use up my time with any other menial pleasure. I wouldn't spend time hanging out with friends or anything like that. Even if i became very successful and made lots of money, i wouldn't care about it because i wouldn't be doing work for the goal of being successful. I would help people and do whatever i could to help all people all around the world. I would do this for my god and for the spirits of the world. It wouldn't matter whether i got a material reward for it, as long as i had the satisfaction that i had done my duty.