Buddhism Written Report

Background Information

When studying the different religions of the world we tend of focus on the distinctions between these religions

and understanding what makes them unique, however it is important to note that although these religions are

distinct and unique in their own way, there are common themes and structures that can be applied to them.

Some of the common elements present in the different religions that we will be studying this semester are:

– Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Writings

o Divinely inspired writings that contain origins of the religion, essential beliefs, and major

teachings. Some religions also revere writings of prominent figures throughout their history

who have contributed to expounding the theology of the religion (ex: writings of the

Christian saints)

– Beliefs and Practices

o Tenets of the religion that unify its community of believers on a variety of topics ranging

from their relationship with the divine, soteriology, creation, eschatology, anthropology, etc.

– Prayer and Worship

o Liturgical practices that believers of the faith participate in throughout their daily lives. Some

liturgical practices and rituals of prayer are performed in conjunction with the celebration of

religious festivals at particular times of the week (ex: Sabbath) or times of the year (ex:

Christmas)

– Morality – Code of Ethics

o Guiding principles that adherents of the faith abide by throughout their lives informed by the

theology of the religion

– History

o Understanding how the religion was established and the advances of the religion throughout

human history that shape the global image of the religion today while also recognizing

changes in theology that have occurred throughout history due to major historical events

Report Instructions

In your reading of Chapter 5 – Encountering Buddhism: The Middle Path to Liberation you have gained a better

understanding of what the religion of Buddhism is all about from the context of its history, beliefs and practices,

code of ethics, etc. You will now use the information gleaned in the chapter to expand upon particular elements

of Buddhism enumerated below:

1. Buddhist Symbols – ½ page

a. Identify a common Buddhist symbol and explain its significance

i. Consider the following:

1. History/Origins of the symbol

2. Important religious figure(s) associated with the symbol and their involvement

with it

3. How the symbol is utilized by Buddhists today?

a. Is it used during prayer/worship?

b. Worn as an outward sign of faith?

b. Distinguish between the terms: Buddhism and The Buddha as they relate to the religion

itself

2. Life of Siddhartha Gautama – ½ to 1 page

a. Discuss who Siddhartha Gautama was and the impact that he had on Buddhism

b. Describe 3 key events from the Siddhartha Gautama’s life

c. Address how these events are commemorated by Buddhist today

3. Beliefs and Practices – 2 – 3 pages

o Throughout his life, Siddhartha Gautama did not record any of his teachings, but he is known

for his influential sermons and the discussions that he had with his fellow monks. These

sermons were transmitted orally for centuries before they were finally committed to writing

by several different Buddhist groups. One of the most famous of The Buddha’s discourses is

his first discourse titled Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma and in this discourse he

outlines two ideas that would become the foundation of all Buddhist thought: The Four

Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path.

a. Interpret the meaning of each of The Four Noble Truths:

• This section of the report should be about 1 to 1 ½ page in length

i. All life is suffering.

ii. The Cause of Suffering is desire.

iii. To end desire is to end suffering.

iv. To end desire, one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

b. Articulate the significance of each of the aspects of The Noble Eightfold Path listed below

and demonstrate how Buddhists believe that following these practical techniques will help

them to achieve nirvana

i. Right Understanding

ii. Right Thought (Intention)

iii. Right Speech

iv. Right Conduct

v. Right Livelihood

vi. Right Effort

vii. Right Mindfulness

viii. Right Concentration (Contemplation)

Formatting Guidelines

When completing this written report, the following guidelines must be followed. Failure to do so will result in

points being deducted from your grade:

a. This report must be typed in 12pt. font, double-spaced, & Times New Roman

b. Each section of the report must:

a. Include Section Title on a separate line

i. Ex: Buddhists Symbols, Beliefs and Practices, etc.

b. Adhere to the page length as outlined above

c. Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with appropriate footnotes from either the course text

(World RELG4: Introduction to World Religions) or one of the databases/encyclopedias

available through St. Thomas University Library

i. When citing your sources, you must use Chicago Manuel Style

Buddhism Written Report

Background Information

When studying the different religions of the world we tend of focus on the distinctions between these religions

and understanding what makes them unique, however it is important to note that although these religions are

distinct and unique in their own way, there are common themes and structures that can be applied to them.

Some of the common elements present in the different religions that we will be studying this semester are:

– Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Writings

o Divinely inspired writings that contain origins of the religion, essential beliefs, and major

teachings. Some religions also revere writings of prominent figures throughout their history

who have contributed to expounding the theology of the religion (ex: writings of the

Christian saints)

– Beliefs and Practices

o Tenets of the religion that unify its community of believers on a variety of topics ranging

from their relationship with the divine, soteriology, creation, eschatology, anthropology, etc.

– Prayer and Worship

o Liturgical practices that believers of the faith participate in throughout their daily lives. Some

liturgical practices and rituals of prayer are performed in conjunction with the celebration of

religious festivals at particular times of the week (ex: Sabbath) or times of the year (ex:

Christmas)

– Morality – Code of Ethics

o Guiding principles that adherents of the faith abide by throughout their lives informed by the

theology of the religion

– History

o Understanding how the religion was established and the advances of the religion throughout

human history that shape the global image of the religion today while also recognizing

changes in theology that have occurred throughout history due to major historical events

Report Instructions

In your reading of Chapter 5 – Encountering Buddhism: The Middle Path to Liberation you have gained a better

understanding of what the religion of Buddhism is all about from the context of its history, beliefs and practices,

code of ethics, etc. You will now use the information gleaned in the chapter to expand upon particular elements

of Buddhism enumerated below:

1. Buddhist Symbols – ½ page

a. Identify a common Buddhist symbol and explain its significance

i. Consider the following:

1. History/Origins of the symbol

2. Important religious figure(s) associated with the symbol and their involvement

with it

3. How the symbol is utilized by Buddhists today?

a. Is it used during prayer/worship?

b. Worn as an outward sign of faith?

b. Distinguish between the terms: Buddhism and The Buddha as they relate to the religion

itself

2. Life of Siddhartha Gautama – ½ to 1 page

a. Discuss who Siddhartha Gautama was and the impact that he had on Buddhism

b. Describe 3 key events from the Siddhartha Gautama’s life

c. Address how these events are commemorated by Buddhist today

3. Beliefs and Practices – 2 – 3 pages

o Throughout his life, Siddhartha Gautama did not record any of his teachings, but he is known

for his influential sermons and the discussions that he had with his fellow monks. These

sermons were transmitted orally for centuries before they were finally committed to writing

by several different Buddhist groups. One of the most famous of The Buddha’s discourses is

his first discourse titled Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma and in this discourse he

outlines two ideas that would become the foundation of all Buddhist thought: The Four

Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path.

a. Interpret the meaning of each of The Four Noble Truths:

• This section of the report should be about 1 to 1 ½ page in length

i. All life is suffering.

ii. The Cause of Suffering is desire.

iii. To end desire is to end suffering.

iv. To end desire, one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

b. Articulate the significance of each of the aspects of The Noble Eightfold Path listed below

and demonstrate how Buddhists believe that following these practical techniques will help

them to achieve nirvana

i. Right Understanding

ii. Right Thought (Intention)

iii. Right Speech

iv. Right Conduct

v. Right Livelihood

vi. Right Effort

vii. Right Mindfulness

viii. Right Concentration (Contemplation)

Formatting Guidelines

When completing this written report, the following guidelines must be followed. Failure to do so will result in

points being deducted from your grade:

a. This report must be typed in 12pt. font, double-spaced, & Times New Roman

b. Each section of the report must:

a. Include Section Title on a separate line

i. Ex: Buddhists Symbols, Beliefs and Practices, etc.

b. Adhere to the page length as outlined above

c. Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with appropriate footnotes from either the course text

(World RELG4: Introduction to World Religions) or one of the databases/encyclopedias

available through St. Thomas University Library

i. When citing your sources, you must use Chicago Manuel Style

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