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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 6 page paper discusses the similarities and differences between Buddhism and Taoism comparing and contrasting the various beliefs and practices to identify the similarities and differences. The paper also outlines why they should both be considered major religions. The bibliography cites 5 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TS14_TEtaobud.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the full extent of the similarities and the importance of the differences can be appreciated. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, born in Lumbini (Napal) in 563 BCE. When
he was 29 years of age Siddhartha Gautama left his family and life behind so he could seek out the truth. This was not unusual in this era, with many
other men following the same path having and then leaving a family. He went to study Brahmanism with like minded peers (Gyatso, 2000). During this period he fasted, supposedly
to the point of near death. However, he rejected this path when he realised that enlightenment could not be gained though the extremes of hedonism or mortification of the flesh.
The way to the ultimate goal of Nirvana; a state of freedom from suffering, could only be reached though what he called the middle Way. The Middle way was a
path of moderation and accompanied by meditation (Gyatso, 2000). When he gained enlightenment he became Lord Buddha, meaning "one who has awakened". By the time he died in 483 BCE
he had already gained a large following (Gyatso, 2000). Buddhism can be seen as becoming more formalised when two and a half centuries later many of his works were collected
together and many oral stories were also collected by Buddhist monks to become the Tripitaka, which include the well known Sutras, which are commentaries (Gyatso, 2000). As Buddhism
became more popular spreading across the Asian continent it divided into two may forms; Theravada Buddhism, most popular in Southeast Asia, and Mahayana Buddhism more popular in China and Japan.
There is also Tibetan Buddhism and other more marginal forms (Goleman, 2004). However, all traditions of Buddhism have some core beliefs. The fundamental belief of Buddhists is the concept
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