Buddhism Can Not Be Categorized As A Religion - 1149 Words

Buddhism is a religion unlike any other in what they believe in and the teachings they follow. Before reading Damien Keown’s Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, I did not know much about Buddhism at all. The only things I knew is that people worship a Buddha, and that Tiger Wood’s is a Buddhist. Damien Keown helped me to understand the Buddhism belief’s and teaching’s, as well as help me get a better understanding of what Buddhism really is. I realized that Buddhism is almost more of a way of life than a religion. Although, it is hard to fully classify Buddhism as a religion, way of life, philosophy, or code of ethics. Buddhism cannot quite be categorized as a â€Å"religion† because it lacks the belief in a central God, or creator God.†¦show more content†¦The Buddha uses these teachings and spiritual practices to help people end their suffering. A critical spiritual practice in Buddhism is meditation. Right Meditation is the eighth path in the Eightfold Path, and is in the Meditation division. The Eightfold Path is the fourth of Buddha’s Four Noble Truths. I think that Buddhist Meditation can be helpful to Buddhist and non-Buddhists alike. I know I could personally benefit from it because I have a busy schedule from golf and school. They are both stressful at times and the meditation could help calm me down on and off the golf course. I think it could help everyone who has busy schedules, so that they can slow down and calm themselves during a stressful day. In the book Thich Nhat Hanh: Essential Writings, he explains different ways of meditation. He talks about walking meditation and how enjoyable and beneficial it can be. He says to walk slowly, and either by yourself or with friends. Thich Nhat Hanh says in the book, â€Å"Walking meditation is really to enjoy the walking—walking not in order to arrive, just for walking† (Hanh 33). The idea of just meditating on walking and enjoying the pre sent moment sounds like a great way to calm yourself and focus on the present. â€Å"Therefore you have to shake off all worries and anxieties, not thinking of the future, not thinking of the past, just enjoying the present moment† (Hanh 33) Thich Nhat Hanh’s chapter about the Tangerine Party caught my