Religion and Theology

There are several beliefs in the world that define a certain type of religion. Following the beliefs to the letter is very important for anyone who wants to be recognized as a full follower of a particular religion. Buddhism is a religion which developed from Hinduism, and it has got teachings which are followed by its followers. This paper seeks to explain the reasoning behind the four noble truths and the eightfold path in Buddhism.

What are the Four Noble Truths
There are four noble truths in the Buddhism religion. The first noble truth states that Life means suffering. The world we live in the human nature is imperfect. A man usually endures a lot of physical suffering in form of sickness, pain, tiredness, injury and finally death. There are different degrees of suffering and positive experiences in life. Life is incomplete in its totality because our world has a lot of impermanence. Human beings are never able to keep what they have permanently. Even if the happy moments come, they are bound to pass at one time. Additionally, all people will also pass away one day (Myanmar, 2010).

The second noble truth states that The origin of suffering is attachment (Myanmar, 2010). The transient or the passing things are the ideas or the objects of the peoples perception and the physical objects that surround man. Men lack to understand the attachment they have to impermanent things because of ignorance. Additionally, men suffer because of their attachment to passion, desire, ardor and the strife for fame and popularity. In short, all this attachment is referred to as clinging or craving. The loss of the transient objects that a man attaches himself to is inevitable which consequently results to suffering (Myanmar, 2010).

The cessation of suffering is attainable is the third truth. According to this truth, it can be attained through nirodha, which means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. This truth expresses the notion of suffering that can only be put to a stop by attaining casualness. Nirodha extinguishes all types of attachment and clinging. Therefore, suffering can be fought through removing the cause of suffering. Perfection and attainment of dispassion is a process which involves several steps, and it ultimately results to a state known as Nirvana, which means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it (Myanmar, 2010).

The last truth is the path to cessation of suffering. It states that there is a way to the end of suffering. This is a steady path which is best described in the eightfold path. This path is the middle of two extremes, those of excessive self mortification (asceticism) an indulgence (hedonism). It leads to the end of the rebirth cycle (Myanmar, 2010).

Reasoning involved with the teachings of the four noble truths
According to the first noble truth, the human condition becomes more in suffering. In some way, life becomes alienated from reality. The second noble truth talks about the cause of the displacement in life. Suffering and anxiety is as a result of indulgence in greedy desires. The various forms of suffering separate the people from others, reality and life. The third noble truth states that suffering will only come to an end when man overcomes, suppresses and masters the desires and cravings. All men must learn not to be attached to the things of the world. The fourth noble truth explains how treatment is offered, through following the eight fold path (Library Think Quest, 2010).

The role of the eightfold path in Buddhism
The noble eightfold path is a perfect description to the end of suffering according to Buddhists. It was laid down by Siddhartha Guatama, and its goal is to release the individual from delusions and attachments (Myanmar, 2010).
 
The first noble eightfold path is referred to as the Right view. This view is therefore seen as the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It begins with the belief that all beings are subject to suffering. Since the way man views the world is a formation of our actions and our thoughts, the right view yields the right actions and thoughts. The right intention refers to the volitional aspect, which is the mental energy behind the control of the actions of man. Right intention is described as commitment to mental and ethical self improvement. Intentions include that of renunciation, which means the pull of desire. The intention of good will means resistance to feelings of aversion and anger (Myanmar, 2010).

The right speech is the initial principle of the eightfold path as far as ethical conduct is concerned. According to this path, speech is very important in that it can save or break lives, make friends or enemies, create peace and start war. The aspect states that man should abstain from deliberate lies and avoid deceit. Slanderous speech and malicious words should be avoided as they only end up hurting others. Only the truth should be talked about, and everyone should talk it out when it is necessary. Right action is the second principle related to ethics. It involves the body as a means of expression and deeds that are involved with bodily actions. The principle is also well seen in terms of abstaining from any kind of harm to conscious beings and coveting another persons property. One is also supposed to abstain from all forms of sexual misconduct (Myanmar, 2010).  

The fifth principle is supposed to be that of right livelihood. Every person should earn a living in a way that is right, and wealth should be gained peacefully and legally. There are four specific activities that are seen to be of harm to human beings. These activities include dealing with weapons, all kinds of human beings, working in butchery or a meat production centre and the sale of poisons and intoxicants, like drugs and alcohol. Without effort in all aspects of life, nothing in the world can be achieved. Therefore, right effort serves as a misguided effort and as a distraction of the mind in the tasks that it performs (Myanmar, 2010).

Right mindfulness is the seventh principle which is perfected and controlled by the cognition faculty. The cognitive process starts with an impression which is brought about by a thought or perception. However, man severally conceptualizes thoughts and impressions immediately. The right concentration is the eighth principle which is concerned with the faculties of the mind. All mental faculties are directed and unified onto one particular object. Buddhism relates concentration to meditation. A meditating mind centralizes on a specific object and continually practices it (Myanmar, 2010).

Reasoning involved with the eightfold paths in Buddhism
A therapeutic analysis is given by Buddha concerning the analysis of the eightfold path. The right knowledge is needed so as to have the right facts. The right aspirations are required, and the head and the heart are used to dedicate to our goals. The right speech controls the thinking of a person and holds what is in the consciousness. The right kind of behavior should be initiated, and is also behind the control of our thoughts through following the right precepts. Everyone should engage in a right livelihood, and spiritual progress will be complex if the occupation of a human being pulls him to an opposite direction. There is a great effort needed so that a person can attain a fulfillment spiritually. The right absorption and contemplation brings the candidate to a level of consciousness which is beyond the worldly suffering, desires and things. All the Buddhism followers who follow the eightfold path and arrive at a point where they suffer are said to have achieved a level of Nirvana, or saint (Library Think Quest, 2010).

Conclusion
Religion is viewed as an institution which binds all the people together. Therefore, it is necessary for all people to follow the paths and the noble truths so that they can feel fulfilled according to the Buddhism religion.