2007-08-03 10:55:56 · 9 answers · asked by Monk 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The fourth noble truth is NOT the eightfold path. The fourth noble truth is that ending desire ends suffering. The eightfold path is supposedly the way to achieve this, though I disagree because of the blatant use of morality. Buddhists, of all people, should know that morality is relative and a path to nothing except more pain and suffering. Buddhists should end their desire to be moral!
2007-08-04 00:59:21 · update #1
Hello, good point.
And yes there are branches of Buddhism which teach the same based roughly on what you are thinking: being human and very incapable of copying the path that Shakamuni took to gain enlightenment, and being in a time in which the attainment of enlightenment through those means is impossible it is still our duty to try to end suffering, keeping in tact the idea of removal from attachment, and to place it in a format more suitable for the times.
It was proposed in Senchakushu by Honen, that the purpose of the incredible precepts, great meditation, and compliance to the eightfold path was nothing but to show people their inability to go through the same gate. With that he opened another gate by expounding the vows of Amida which was proposed to be "the original intent" of Shakamuni. Honen therefore rejected anything that was not related to the 18th vow as miscelaneous, which would include the eightfold path. The teachings of Honen have spread rapidly since, and the number of followers of denominations which claim Honen form a number far outweighing those who propone to Japanese Zen.
http://www.jsri.jp/English/Main.html
2007-08-04 14:01:59 · answer #1 · answered by Bonbu 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ethical behavior is not mere morality. The Four Noble Truths have a great deal to do with the Law of Cause and Effect and impermanence, the Twelve Links of Dependent Arising, the simultaneous presence of the conventional and ultimate and all of the consciousnesses that apprehend these. Necessarily, there are lesser and greater interpretations of these Four Noble Truths and they are Noble because upon analysis they are irrefutable; furthermore, were someone a little more fluent with these Truths, they would know with certainty that even desire itself can be transmuted into something useful. Lastly, the term 'path' has to do with "pathway mind" and you would need a firm basis of understanding of shunyata as described in the Heart (of Wisdom) Sutra before attacking that one. So, in short, the view that you propose is among the highest out there, but it is necessarily based on an understanding and application of the lower tenets.
2007-08-04 01:59:35 · answer #2 · answered by shrill alarmist, I'm sure 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sure. Buddhism is extra of a philosophy than a faith. this is, there are possibly no longer tricky and rapid policies, aside from priests. Lay human beings are allowed to take what works for them and discard something. in case you prefer to connect a Sangha, it is going to in all probability have a particular association mutually with Nichiren or Mahayana, yet that does no longer mean everybody believes precisely the comparable way. case in point, the meditation center I attend is nominally Theravadan, notwithstanding that's open to discussing issues approximately Zen, Mahayana, or perhaps Christian if it is going to upward thrust up. the concentration is often on the 8-fold course and four Noble truths and different info are used as an help to wisdom the comparable, yet no longer a controversy to divide over.
2016-10-01 08:37:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the fourth noble truth IS the eightfold path, so you cannot accept one and not the other. And yes, as far as I know, every single branch of buddhism is based ond both the four noble truths and the eightfold path.
2007-08-03 11:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Roz 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
What is the point of accepting the Four Noble Truths, if one has no intention or desire to follow a path which leads to the cessation of suffering?
PS. I do give a thumbs up to craig for the ninth fold - right humor. LOL
2007-08-03 17:12:35 · answer #5 · answered by MarkS 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You are right to reject the eightfold path. As anyone can try at home, you can only fold a path seven times before it becomes too bulky.
2007-08-03 11:03:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Apparently you'll not believe in any form of Buddhism then... the Eightfold path is what it's all about. Anything that says they don't believe in it... aren't really Buddhist.
_()_
2007-08-03 11:20:45 · answer #7 · answered by vinslave 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I don't know a lot about "Pure Land" Buddhism.
It doesn't resonate with me the way the Theravadan traditions do, but I wish you the best with it.
2007-08-04 15:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by TomParrish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time.....time...time is not on your side no it's not.
2007-08-03 10:59:57 · answer #9 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋