In the readings on the Buddhist paths to enlightenment and meditation Jacobus (2002) introduces the way that Buddhists hope to achieve ônirvanaö, or peace that ôlies beyond all human understandingö (p. 646). One of the ways that a Buddhist will attempt to achieve nirvana is by shaping ôkarmaö, or action, in this life so that they move up in the next life. There are at least two schools of thought on how to achieve this. One school of thought uses koans, or riddles to contemplate in order to reach enlightenment, while another school believes that sitting in quiet meditation, or zazen, is the way to enlightenment (p. 647).
Jacobus further points out that most Buddhist texts are in a ôhow-toö format, and offer step-by-step ways of examining the self and working on meditation. For example, many texts use enumeration as a method of teaching Buddhist thought. In other words, there are eight noble truths, twenty-eight advantages to sitting in quiet meditation, four holy truths, and eight progressive steps of meditation, as well as other poems and texts written on how to practice introversion.
For example, the eight noble paths are ways of behavior that will aid in creating good karma. They are: 1) right viewsùavoiding delusion; 2) right aimsùdirect intentions to achieve nirvana; 3) right speechùspeaking the truth; 4) right conductùbeing honest in behavior; 5) right livingùavoiding hurting any living being, this usually means a vegetarian diet; 6) Self-controlùdisciplined behavior; 7) right-mindednessùbeing aware and alert; and 8) right meditationùdeep contemplation of life and the process of thought (p. 646).
The twenty-eight advantages to sitting in quiet meditation are, according to Buddhist teachings, the way that the Tathagatas (those who have achieved enlightenment) have ôwon their all-knowledgeö (p. 648). Some of these advantages include long life, strength, contentment, confidence, and vigor. Alon...