Buddhist Philosophy - Essay Example

HOW ONE CAN APPLY BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHIES TO MODERN JOB WORLD Buddhist philosophy is a thought process that can be easily applicable in the die-hard competition of the Modern era. It can bring solace to the human mind once applied correctly. Buddhism has an often-overlapping quest for the ultimate end in life- Enlightenment. The concept of enlightenment in Buddhism is called Nirvana, a Sanskrit word that connotes extinction or extinguishing (of passions). It is a state of mind and existence that is free from emotions and thoughts of desire, lust or cravings- the 'Kileshas', and is marked by inner peace, contentment, and freedom from sorrows or 'Dukha'. This state of "the highest happiness" as defined by the Buddha in 'Dhammapada', is not a ephemeral, material happiness, but an enduring and transcendental one integral to the calmness attained through enlightenment (Skilton, 87). Thus if this component is kept in mind much of the stress would be comforted. The Buddha elucidates immersion into Nirvana as achieving 'deathlessness' ( in Pali amata or amaravatai) or ' the unconditioned' and the highest spiritual attainment, which can be acquired through following a life of virtuous conduct in accordance with 'Dharma' (Bechert, 154). Buddhism approaches the concept of life through a sense of the higher and inner Soul or the "I" that describes the notion of void and selflessness. In Buddhism 'Moksha' or salvation happens when the soul or 'jivatman' recognizes its union with the source of all phenomenal existence - the Brahman. Advaita Vedanta says that the Self or Supreme Soul is formless, beyond being and non-being, beyond tangibility and comprehension (Bhaskarananda). An analogy is that the soul is like a drop of water, which upon salvation, merges with the ocean or the Supreme soul. The concept of non-duality through enlightment is best summed through the Sanskrit phrase - 'Tat Tvam Asi' or 'Thou Art That'. The quest of life is to break free of separation of the 'me' and 'you' and see everything as 'I AM' (Bhaskarananda, 177). This is the approach of a dignified self-confidence that should one possess while enduring the stress of a modern job. It should be remembered that the 'I' here is not the ego but the 'True Self'. Everything is part of this larger 'I' and when awareness shifts from the egocentric 'me, mine and I" to the real 'I', you actually see all that is just you and break free from all duality (Bhaskarananda, 51). Thus the path to selflessness is a deep, truthful understanding of the self rather than creating a void. Moksha is seen as a final release from one's worldly conception of the self and breaking free of the shackle of experiential duality and re-establishment of one's own fundamental nature (Sinha, 88). The state of salvation is seen differently from each ones' perspective depending on the inner soul. This would be best explained in view of a modern American literature. The basic measures of the story "Exchange Value", Charles R Johnson, can be drawn directly from this phase. Charles R Johnson's empathy towards philosophy drove the conclusion of the story towards an end that could justified as completely philosophic in nature. This philosophy is dominantly backed by the teachings of Buddha where the preacher exerts a similar non utilitarian valuation of riches. It is true that the brothers in the story ere predominantly motivated by greed in the first place and it never seized to exist in any part of the story but the main aspect that the author Charles R Johnson incorporated in the story is the ultimate lack of utility or valuation of the fortune that brothers failed to notice. (Roberts, 14) There is always a value for material that could be evaluated at a scale of money, even if it is not utilized but it is still a greater truth that without proper usage any material would loose its current value is remained unutilized. This is exactly what went wrong with the brothers and specifically with the woman before them in the story. Thus, in a way, it can be mentioned that this story is a patch of Buddhist philosophy incorporated under the perspective and parameters of the market economy induced world of the 1990's. (Roberts, viii) Buddhism considers the world as a place of sorrows and pain and the objective of human life as defined by the religion is to end this sorrow. It calls for joining the Order or quest for 'Nirvana', i.e., enlightenment at any stage in life depending on individual spiritual preparedness.). The 'Four Noble Truths' point towards preparing for Nirvana. Buddha also defined an Eightfold path of Dharma, which was a middle way between materialism and idealism (Skilton, 224). Nirvana is accessible to men and women alike (Smith, 27). Moksha is also attainable for both men and women though the responsibilities that are part of earlier stages in life are different and must be fulfilled virtuously to reach the path of Moksha (Smith, 116). Though Hinduism sees the human form as supreme against all other living creations, the cycle of birth and death and Moksha is open to all forms of being and animals (Sinha, 61). Buddhism also supports the idea of Nirvana being attainable by any living being, which follows a life of virtue (Bechert, 254). This virtue is very important in the modern world and specifically in the stress and anxiety of corporate arena. One should always be positive about attaining the difficult measures. Additionally, Nirvana is accessible to men and women alike (Smith, 23). Moksha is also attainable for both men and women though the responsibilities that are part of earlier stages in life are different and must be fulfilled virtuously to reach the path of Moksha (Smith, 55). Though Hinduism sees the human form as supreme against all other living creations, the cycle of birth and death and Moksha is open to all forms of being and animals (Sinha, 186). Buddhism also supports the idea of Nirvana being attainable by any living being, which follows a life of virtue (Bechert, 17). This no gender biased preaching and thus in today's world it is even more modern than the usual corporate gender inequality. Thus, it is obvious that the proper implementation of Buddhist philosophy can be very relevant in the world of corporate competition. This tool that can be used to grant solace to the soul and mind is otherwise tattered by the stress of work pressure. The Buddhist philosophy is the medicine of such stress and once stress is negated out of the equation, it is logical that one would be successful in job and personal life. Works cited: Roberts, O M; (2006); The World of Charles R Johnson: An Approach in Tomorrow's Perspective; Wellington: National Book Trust. Bechert, Heinz & Richard Gombrich. The World of Buddhism. London: Thames & Hudson, 1984. Bhaskarananda, Swami. The Essentials of Buddhist Philosophy: a comprehensive overview of the world's oldest religion. Seattle, WA: Viveka Press, 1994. Sinha, H.P. Bharatiya darshan ki ruparekha (Features of Indian Philosophy). Beraras: Motilal Banarasidas Publ, 1993. Skilton, Andrew. A Concise History of Buddhism. NY: Windhorse Publications, 1997. Smith, Huston. The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. Read More