The Precious Garland Summary

1104 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What are the similarities and differences in buddhism and christianity

Nagarjuna
The Precious Garland
(Circa 200 BCE)
“The Precious Garland” is Nagarjuna’s detailed explanation of the Buddhist philosophy of emptiness. Achary Nagarjuna, an Indian philosopher contributed the development of Buddhism. Acharya was born a Hindu but later he converted to Buddhism. He is the founder of the school of Buddhism known as Madhyamaka, or the “The Middle Path”. “The Precious Garland” verses are addressed to an ancient Indian King named Satavahana. Buddhism and Christianity have the same concepts of the self and human nature. Buddhist and Christians believed in after life, had their religious practices and had their Doctrine. Buddhist believed that the afterlife is a cessation of suffering, which is nirvana; and there is a …show more content…

The Four Noble Truths were the Buddha 's method for achieving spiritual health. They relate directly to karma and to the idea of interdependence. The Four Truths describe the condition of our lives. They also explain suffering and the means by which we can free ourselves from the misery of the world. The Four Noble Truths are The Noble truth of suffering; The Noble truth of the cause of suffering that is illusion and desire; the Noble Truth of Nirvana, a realm free from suffering; and the Truth of the Noble Eightfold Path, the path to nirvana. “Thus one who has heard but does not examine the doctrine which destroys are all suffering, And fears the fearless state Trembles due to ignorance.” (The Precious Garland, p. 113) Stating if you do not follow or study the doctrine you will not be able to live at peace. By obeying the doctrine you are released from all suffering. Christians also have their own doctrine which is The Holy Bible. Christians follow and obey the bible. “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” (Timothy 3:16) God purposely put the bible here so the Christians can know the history of him. The bible is also the guide to the Christians to live a righteous life. “But as for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching.” (Titus 2:1) Meaning practice …show more content…

Although their beliefs are different they share the common belief in something. Buddhist believes in Buddha. Christians believe in God. We can compare the two but at the end each has their style. Buddhist and Christians share the common interest of self-concepts and human nature. They will continue to live on their beliefs and remain to be righteous in the way their religion has taught them to

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Living Buddha, Living Christ By Thích Nh At Hanh

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thích Nh’at Hanh is a world renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, religious figure and accomplished writer. Living Buddha, Living Christ is only one of his many famous publications. Thích Nh’at Hanh, is famous for his insights into spiritual heritage and mindfulness in the present moment. Many Americans are seeking religious understanding and personal spirituality, even if they do not practice in the traditional manner. Throughout this book Nh’at Hang encourages readers to find meaning, understanding, mindfulness, and peace in the teachings of Buddha and Christ. His main focus is to open meaningful dialogue between different traditions, cultures, and religious groups around the world, for the betterment

    Read More

  • Suffering In Buddhism In Stephen Prothero's God Is Not One

    775 Words  | 2 Pages

    Similar to Hinduism, the cycle of rebirth is undesirable and life is marked by suffering in Buddhism (p.177). Suffering is referred to as dukkha and Buddhism seeks to end suffering through nirvana.While techniques vary, Buddhists share common core beliefs. Suffering is the problem and nirvana is seen as the

    Read More

  • The Temptation of St. Pigsy, final paper

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    Buddhism is one of the prominent and influential religions and philosophies of the world. A basic tenet of Buddhism is that worldly desires and possessions cause all suffering. To absolve one’s self of necessities beyond basic human survival is one of the many plateaus that Buddhists strive to achieve. Furthermore, Buddhists free themselves from temptation via seclusion from society and attempt to allow nature to support them. They believe that Nirvana, the ascension to heaven, can be achieved by freeing oneself of earthly desires.

    Read More

  • The Four Noble Truths in Siddhartha's Journey to Self-Enlightenment

    1782 Words  | 4 Pages

    In order to understand the concepts of the Four Noble Truths, one needs to understand the aim of Buddhist practice. “The aim of Buddhist practice is to cure craving, the desire conditioned by ignorance that leads to suffering” (Demoss 1).2 Buddhism advocates meditation, and a “…goal of Buddhist meditation is to produce right mindfulness, an alert awareness of what is happening in body, mind, and world at the present moment” (Demoss 318).3 “Traditionally, ‘right action’ is defined in Buddhist ethics by the five percepts: do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in illicit sex, do not lie, and do not become intoxicated” (Demoss 319).4 “According to Buddhism a person does not have an intrinsic permanent changeless identity. There is no core self. The self is empty” (Demoss 1).5 The Four Noble Truths provide a conceptual framework for all Buddhist thought. According to the Four Noble Truths, craving leads to suffering, but craving can cease if one cultivates a path of mental discipline, wisdom, and moral conduct (Demoss 309).6 An understanding of Buddhism is...

    Read More

  • A Tibetan Perspective on Birth and Death

    1436 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both of these religions originated in India. Buddhists and Hindus believe that death is not final. They believe that a person comes back after he or she dies. This process is known as reincarnation, and it provides opportunities for people to enter the world multiple times in different forms. Buddhists and Hindus want to reenter the world as humans, and they want to improve their status through reincarnation.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Christianity And Buddhism

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    Christianity and Buddhism, two of the world’s largest religions, each have primary figures perhaps as big as the religions themselves. Jesus Christ, the primary figure in Catholicism, and Gautama Buddha, the founder and key figure of Buddhism, share many similarities as symbols of their respective religions, but generally have stark differences in their roles for each institution. Followed by billions across the world, the teachings of Jesus and Buddha have a profound global impact, even thousands of years after their lives on earth. For Christians, Jesus Christ serves as a definitive, divine symbol of unquestioned moral authority; while Buddha represents an enlightened human being whose teachings offer a more ambiguous set of guidelines for

    Read More

  • The Buddhist Four Noble Truths Of A Transcendental World

    1934 Words  | 4 Pages

    Christians believe that one must obey the commandments w/o fail to reach heaven, Buddhists believe that a person who leads a good life, will be reborn into a good life.

    Read More

  • Three Paths Of Buddhism

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    Buddhists focus on what an individual can do morally in order to achieve nirvana. “Buddhists believe that individuals can overcome the misery in the world and reach their own Buddha status by a process of mental and moral purification. Morality also asks how one determines right from wrong and this is illustrated in the religion of Buddhism by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. There are two paths that a man who has given up the world must not take; the practice of attachment and the practice of asceticism. However, there is a middle path which opens eyes, bestows understanding, leads to peace of mind, higher wisdom, to full enlightenment, and to nirvana; the Noble Eightfold Path.

    Read More

  • Buddhism and Islam

    1683 Words  | 4 Pages

    Both these religions have basic beliefs that are relatively different from each other. Buddhists on one hand believe in karma, rebirth, dharma and moksa. Karma is "cause, effect and the law which equilibrates the two" . It is the consequences of every action, whether good or bad. This action-reaction may take effect anytime, may be in the current life or not. Rebirth is inter-connected with karma. If one did more good things than bad in his life, his karma will lead him to a life of better condition than the previous one. Dharma is the basic concept of the religion; that is the Buddhist teaching, also meaning the nature of existence. Lastly, moksa refers to the renunciation of the world, which is parallel to the Hindu belief in the importance of asceticism and meditation .

    Read More

  • Key Differences Between Christianity and Buddhism

    1825 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although Buddhism and Christianity show several parallels, their three key differences are that Buddhists do not believe in one divine being, and have different views about both the purpose of life and the concept of afterlife. Buddhists do not believe in a Supreme Being, God or Creator, though many Buddhists today worship the Buddha - the central figure of Buddhism - and his teachings. They view him as someone with a universal spirit, an essence that can be attained by everyone rather than only a higher deity that rules over the world (Brown). Especially in Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of the Buddha nature is fundamental (“Pure Land”).... ...

    Read More

  • Buddhism And Christianity Compare And Contrast Essay

    1871 Words  | 4 Pages

    Buddhism is centered upon the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, whereas Christianity is centered on the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion, i.e., it does not believe in a supreme creator being God. Christianity is a monotheistic religion and believes that Christ Is the Son Of God. In Christianity, they believe in Jesus. Christianity is monotheistic because they only believe in one God, unlike Buddhism whom believes in several Gods. First and foremost, I will start by looking at the various similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. Both religions are based on the golden rule which concerns individual wellbeing as well as the interests of other people. Both Lord Buddha and Jesus Christ taught their disciples about the welfare of all human beings. They encouraged their followers to do good to others the same way they would like others do unto them. Jesus and Buddha preached the importance of social values and ethics. Both Buddha and Jesus rejected and highly condemned excessive asceticism and emphasized on self-liberation. Both Buddhism and Christianity doctrines lay emphasis on equal love for all human beings. According to Buddhism, this love should be extended to human beings as well as other living things. Similarly, Christian doctrines are based on the principle of loving a neighbor as much as one loves him/herself. This special kind of love, usually referred to as Agape by Christians, begins at individual levels and should be extended to all people, including friends and enemies. Both Buddhism and Christianity entail worships that involve use of rosaries, incense and performance of rituals among other spiritual practices. Buddhists and Christians worship through personal confessions, monasticism, bowing before holy images and mediations. Often, bells are rung to indicate transitions within prayer

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Buddhism And Christianity

    896 Words  | 2 Pages

    Buddhism and Christianity are different religions. Both have numerous similarities as well as differences that one might find really interesting to look at in details. These two religions have certain beliefs, values and traditions which are really compatible. On the other hand, some of these values, beliefs and traditional practices are quite contradicting and conflicting. This makes the study of these two religions an inevitable and pleasurable task. Theology historians have raised adequate concerns and issues relating to connections between Buddhism and Christianity. They claim that there is strong comparability between the characters of Jesus and Buddha, especially their lives and teachings.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Four Noble Truths Of Buddhism

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism capture ethos of the spirituality and its teachings. By just these four lessons, Buddha preaches the principles of tranquility within meditation of mere concentration. From these truths he developed a guidance referred to as the Eightfold Path, a series of principles that lead to awakening when practiced and understood. He preaches that inevitable suffering comes from desire, however he concludes with a solution to a life lived in nirvana. The first two of the Four Noble Truths are Dukha and Avidya, focusing on the primitive presence of suffering within day to day life. The other two are Nirodha and Magga, contributions to having faith that solvents for all suffering do exist and how it is accomplished. The combination of each understanding is a simple recipe to ultimate salvation, hence the contribution to development of self awareness and happiness within cultures across the map.

    Read More

  • Comparing Christianity And Buddhism Salvation

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    A comparative analysis of salvation in Christianity and Buddhism exposes stark contrasts between the grace of Jesus Christ and the self-saving action and enlightenment of Buddha. I attempt to compare the Christian and Buddhist concepts of salvation in this essay to emphasise on the significance of each founder's roles in salvation, and to extract similarities and differences between them both.

    Read More

  • Comparative Study of Religions

    1229 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...he same morals and ideals. They each want to do good deeds, and live a sinful-less life as possible. Every person is going to be different as well as his or her beliefs, even within certain religions. What is more important is that believers do not get caught up in becoming hatful towards each other or doing sinful things that God does not stand for to prove a point.

    Read More

More about The Precious Garland Summary

Open Document