Buddhism Essay -- essays research papers

Buddhism Buddhism, one of the major religions of the world, was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, who lived in northern India from 560 to 480 B.C. The time of the Buddha was one of social and religious change, marked by the further advance of Aryan Civilization into the Ganges Plain, the development of trade and cities, the breakdown of old tribal structures, and the rise of a whole spectrum of new religious movements that responded to the demands of the times (Conze 10). These movements were derived from the Brahmanic tradition of Hinduism but were also reactions against it. Of the new sects, Buddhism was the most successful and eventually spread throughout India and most of Asia. Today it is common to divide Buddhism into two main branches. The Theravada, or "Way of the Elders," is the more conservative of the two; it is dominant in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand (Berry 23). The Mahayana, or "Great Vehicle," is more diverse and liberal; it is found mainly in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, and among Tibetan peoples, where it is distinguished by its emphasis on the Buddhist Tantras (Berry 24). In recent times both branches, as well as Tibetan Buddhism, have gained followers in the West. It is virtually impossible to tell what the Buddhist population of the world is today; statistics are difficult to obtain because persons might have Buddhist beliefs and engage in Buddhist rites while maintaining folk or other religions such as Shinto, Confucian, Taoist, and Hindu (Corless 41). Such persons might or might not call themselves or be counted as Buddhists. Nevertheless, the number of Buddhists worldwide is frequently estimated at more than 300 million (Berry 32). Just what the original teaching of the Buddha was is a matter of some debate. Nonetheless, it may be said to have centered on certain basic doctrines. The first of the Four Noble Truths, the Buddha held, is suffering, or duhkha. By this, he meant not only that human existence is occasionally painful but that all beings; humans, animals, ghosts, hell- beings, even the gods in the heavens; are caught up in samsara, a cycle of rebirth, a maze of suffering in which their actions, or karma, keep them wandering (Coomaraswamy 53). Samsara ... ...bsp; The heart of Zen monasticism is the practice of meditation; it is this feature that has been most popular in Zen's spread to the West. Zen meditation highlights the experience of enlightenment, or satori, and the possibility of attaining it in this life. The strict training of Zen monks, the daily physical chores, the constant wrestling with koans, the long hours of sitting in meditation, and the special intensive periods of practice, or sesshin, are all directed toward this end. At the same time, enlightenment is generally thought of as being sudden. The meditator needs to be jolted awake, and the only one who can do this is his Zen master (Davids 113). The master-disciple relationship often involves private interviews in which the Zen trait of unconventionality sometimes comes to the fore; the master will allow no refuge in the Buddha or the sutras but demands from his disciple a direct answer to his assigned koan (Davids 114). Conversely, the master may goad the disciple by remaining silent or compassionately help him out, but with the constant aim of trying to cause a breakthrough from conventional to absolute truth (Corless 131).

Gym Visit

Visiting Local My Local Gym Every person in the world would like to have a perfect body including myself. In order to have a healthy and a strong body, I would need to consider going to a gym to work out. Before going to the gym I did not knew of what to expect of a gym. Certainly, I would expect a wide selection of equipment available. I would enjoy a well-educated staff who knows everything I would want to know about working out. The Bally Total Fitness that just turned into LA Fitness, is a perfect match for me. I would definitely enjoy working out at the LA Fitness gym. The closest gym to my neighborhood was LA Fitness. This gym has six different club amenities and features. It starts at a reasonable price for working out, a price you cannot deny to become a healthy person. When I entered into LA Fitness I knew to expect a good environment for training and physical activities. At the LA Fitness gym they provide the members with an enormous amount of equipment. Throughout my tour with Monica, the tour instructor, she informed me that there are various amount of duplicity equipment for manageable workouts. For example, some equipment that I seen where treadmills, stationery bicycles, bench press, dung bells, medicine balls etc. All equipment found inside the gym is up to date and easy to handle. The work out machines informs you how to use them and lets you know what parts of your body you will be working out on. The best part of LA Fitness is the helpful trainers that make you lead to your goal. Working out with a personal trainer brings out good benefits to club members. All trainers designed a customized workout plan for each individual member. The workout plan has an ongoing motivation and supporters the member. All LA Fitness member received one hour fitness assessment before going in your own way. Having a trainer helps you work out effectively to attain your goal. Your trainer also shows you personally how the exercise machine is properly used and as well as teaching you the main principal of the workout that it is being performed. For better results for your own health trainers are there to pace you and keep you from not over doing the exercise. You have the opportunity of being inform from a personal trainer to aware you from your strengths and weakness. With a variety of different occupational centers to take advantage. To set a pace and a weekly routine you can choose from various events and relaxation options. You can choose from running in treadmills to relaxing in sauna or swimming your stress away. For comfortable workout you can also join in groups to follow a special routine provided by a trainer. Some group fitness classes that are provided in this facility are kickboxing, yoga, zumba, body conditioning, and cardio jam. Fitness groups are available from 7am through 8:15p. m from Sunday through Saturday. If you have a child and you have your workout routine set to a certain time day care is provided with an additional charge of $10. 00. The day care at LA Fitness has a schedule from Monday-Friday from 8:00 a. m. until 1:00 p. m. and 4:00 p. m. – 9:00 p. m. Saturday 8am until noon. The LA Fitness gym has its operating hours as followed Monday through Thursday from 5 a. . until midnight, Friday from 5 a. m. until 10 p. m. , and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a. m. through 8p. m. To join the gym has different pricing start from $9. 95 for one person for one week with no Initiation fee. No contract needed to get started and you pay as you go. Additional charge for certain amenities, such as racquetball, kids club, personal training, and juice bar. La fitness is a good environme nt to look up to and enjoy being part of with a various amount of different equipment to use and different fitness groups. In conclusion, La Fitness would be a great starting point towards a healthy life style. With having a gym full of new exercise machines and trainers on the side giving you good advice toward your exercise. Trainers will always support and motivate you to attain your healthy goal. After having a good workout you can always help yourself to enjoy the comfortableness of a sauna. The gym would always be open throughout the day and night to help you release some stress. It is an inexpensive opportunity for you to get in shape and start feeling healthy.

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