Buddhism and Its Motivation - Essay Example

Buddhism and Its Motivation Buddhism is a practice and spiritual growth that leads to insight concerning thetrue nature of reality. In this understanding, therefore, some practices of Buddhism such as meditation help an individual to change and develop the values of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. On the other hand, meditation is a practice of Buddhism through which people develop an array of values (Wilkinson, & Teague, 2003). Buddhism enhances the enlightenment with the possibility of clearly seeing the nature of reality. Buddhism does not include the worshipping of a creator god, but it teaches on practical and straightforward notions. For instance, the teaching of nothing is permanent and that actions have consequences helps people to check on their activities thus transformation in individuals. In this regard, therefore, Buddhism remains relevant to all people regardless of their skin color, nationality, sexuality or gender. In addition, the teachings of Buddhism help are helpful to all occupations. To a larger extent, the lessons help people to take full charge of their lives with the possibility of transforming for the better. The paper seeks to give a detailed analysis on the role of meditation in understanding emptiness and dependent origination. In doing this, the paper also presents a comparison of practitioners who have all used the meditation techniques inspired by Buddhism. Meditation helps in understanding of emptiness in Buddhism. Emptiness is one of the key teachings of Buddhism, though; it remains misunderstood. Concerning Buddhism, emptiness is not the complete nothingness. In other words, emptiness in Buddhism does not mean that nothing exists at all, but rather emptiness is the true nature of things and events. In addition, emptiness also includes the true nature of the mind (Wilkinson, & Teague, 2003). In this regard, people exist but they may have or lack thoughts hence the true nature of reality. Therefore, emptiness in the realms of Buddha is the endowment of qualities of awakened mind that can enable the individual change. The qualities of wisdom, bliss, compassion, clarity and courage are always with an individual to allow him change and become responsible for live. Emptiness helps people understand why they go through suffering. In this regard, emptiness teaches people that there is no permanent situation and that an individual has power over what happens in life. In addition, emptiness emphasizes the fact that nothing exists on its own and that all things are dependent on their parts. Meditation remains playing a number of functions both in history and concerning Buddhism. For instance, meditation helps in mental and physical growth and stability. The growth comes from the increased happiness and the reduced anxiety and problems (Young, 2005). On the other hand, meditation helps bring harmony and personal change. All these dimensions work together to ensuring a stable person with responsibilities. In this place, a person gets to know that he or she is entirely responsible for his life hence the need to make the right decisions. In this regard, therefore, meditations help in empowering human beings and assuring them that they can be the best if they so wish. The thinking makes people regard themselves as the agents of change that they want to see. Buddhism plays a significant role in inspiring people to achieve greater heights. In this regard, Buddhism remains the most excellent source of inspirations for the students of Chan Master Hui Neng in the seventh century China (Nagarjuna, & Campbell, 2012). Hui Neng never knew how to read and write until his death, and he believed that change happens suddenly. According to Hui Neng nature, is given free and empty but in it all Dharmas were born. The meaning is that all people and students have capabilities bestowed on them. Therefore, a person is likely to experience the very best of the dream if he works hard. This interpretation motivated the students to put more effort in whatever they were doing with the intentions of achieving their goals. In addition, the inspiration is that all students were the determinants of their future life. Once a person works hard, he or she is entitled to a better life. On the other hand, the teachings of Buddhism help the inmates at the Donaldson correction facility situated in Alabama. The inspirations, primarily, come from the natural and reality teachings regarding the situation one find himself or herself (Bosworth, 2005). The correctional facility of Donaldson at Alabama holds some of the most violent mentally challenged prisoners. The prisoners pose a challenge to people within and without because of their unstable mental health. However to the contrary, the teachings of Buddhism help both the officers and the offenders on the true nature of people. Although some prisoners argued that the ten-day course came too late, they acknowledged the importance of the course. The ten-day course helped a number of prisoners reduce their anger. In addition, the meditation course motivated prisoners to help their colleagues in prison. The ten-day meditation course created an environment full of peace and love. Given to the dangers involved in taking care of the prisoners, the officers have a way of responding to the needs of the prisoners. For instance, there was no direct contact between the officers and the criminals. There is the existence of the isolation blocks for the dangerous criminals to reduce injuries to the other convicts and officers feeding them. The ten-day course changed the situation as the criminals were no longer dangerous. The criminals were now composed and slow to anger hence, a peaceful coexistence in the prisons. The inmates who undertook the ten-day course showed a change in their daily work. For instance, the gym room that was initially used as a room for the gym was transformed to a peaceful Vipassana. Vipassana came to be known as seeing things as they are (Bosworth, 2005). In addition, the inmates engaged in serious silent meditation at the room. Furthermore, the commitment by the inmates to come to the isolated gym every day from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. shows that nothing is wasteful and that people can take control of their lives. A number of prisoners stopped smoking and drinking coffee with only an internal examination of how the body reacted. The feeling and change of behavior amongst the prisoners shows that Buddhism is an excellent source of inspiration to the inmates. In this regard, therefore, emptiness gets manifested in the real nature and thus the teaching of Buddhism. For instance, a prisoner after undergoing meditation he or she gets into trouble less often. The individual struggles to have the highest quality of life. Concerning the Zen Buddhists in the contemporary Brazil, there is a lot of motivation coming from its teaching (Rocha, 2006). The ability of Buddhism spreading relates to its teachings that empower people and make them feel in charge of their lives. Buddhism first came to Brazil in 1908 by the Japanese immigrants though it came to be known later in life. The meditation technique in Buddhism helps the Zen Buddhists to overcome stress. The ability to overcome stress draws a lot of admiration for the teachings of Buddhism. In addition, in an interview with the Sao Paulo newspaper, Busshinji agreed that on the relevance of lectures given by Buddhism to people from all races. The non-discriminating nature of Buddhism gives people a reason to admire. In this regard, therefore, Buddhism gives people room to continue with their daily lives as they learn the valuable lessons of Buddhism. The freeness of Buddhism without the intention of disputing nor converting people remains one of the greatest inspirations of the Brazilian people for this way of life. The Zen Buddhists are allowed to continue with their normal lives and religions as they get lectures on Buddhism. Concerning the above three practitioners of the Buddhist way of life, the inmates at the Donaldson correction facility in Alabama are likely to understand the real meaning of emptiness and dependent origination through their meditation practices. The prisoners seemed to see and recognize change and were more ready to help their colleagues in prison. In conclusion, People should understand that everything stands to change with proper procedures. In addition, nothing is lost in the universe at all times. What a person does translate directly to what he or she gets in return. To a larger extent, Buddhism, is simply a way of life. References Bosworth, M. (2005). Encyclopedia of Prisons & correctional facilities. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Nagarjuna, & Campbell, W. (2012). The Tree of Wisdom. Altenmünster: Jazzybee Verlag. Rocha, C. (2006). Zen in Brazil. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. Wilkinson, P., & Teague, S. (2003). Buddhism. New York: DK Pub. Young, W. (2005). The worlds religions. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. Read More