The Buddhist Discipline Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Buddhist Discipline - Research Paper Example This research paper demonstrates Buddhists history, practices, teachings and disciplines, that are followed by more than 375 million people these days. Founded in northeastern India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhism has emerged into one of the world’s most influential major religions and philosophical thoughts. Through missionary activity, it spreads from India to Central and Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, and in the 20th century it found its way into Africa, Europe, The Americas, and Australia. Currently, the fourth largest religion, Buddhism plays a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of its followers. Despite the distinctive practices and unique collections of canonical texts of the two schools (branches) of Buddhism, Mahayana and Theravada, Buddhism’s main teachings (discipline) are focused on resolving the issue of human suffering. These teaching are summarized in the Four Noble Truths, of which the fourth is the Eightfold Path. Accepted by all schools of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and is said to have been taught by the Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, in his first sermon, which he delivered after his enlightenment. The Eightfold Path is a subject of less discussion in Buddhist circle than the Four Noble Truths. These eight elements, which are correct view, an accurate understanding of the nature of things, specifically the Four Noble Truths. Rebirth and karma are other Buddhist teachings, that are mentioned in this research paper.

Impact of Colonialism on the Middle East Term Paper

Impact of Colonialism on the Middle East - Term Paper Example However, their political allegiance was always with the country of origin. Other such examples include those of the people of: North America, Australia, New Zealand and Algeria. Imperialism is derived from Latin word Imperium which means to command. It is thus a way that one country exercises power over another, whether through settlement, sovereignty or indirect control, without significant settlement. Typical examples include Africa, American domination of Philippines and Puerto Rico. Colonialism in the Middle East: European colonial activity in Africa and Middle East reached the peak in the late 19th and early 20th century. The British became heavily involved in the affairs of Egypt and Sudan. The British annexed Aden in 1839. The British and the French built and operated the Suez Canal in 1869; Britain went to war with Iran in 1856 over night of way to India and China through Iran. Algeria fell under the French rule in 1830. The French invaded Morocco and occupied Tunisia in 1881 . Zanizibar became a British protectorate in 1890. Germany took over Daras Salaam, and French captured Senegal in 1890. Britain and Russia divided Iran into spheres of interest while Italy captured Libya in 1911. 2-EUROPIAN IMPERIALISM May it be for economic nationalist or humanitarian reasons, more powerful nations have often interfered with the affairs of the weaker nations. The more powerful nations, including the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany and several other European countries have in the past exploited less powerful and backward countries. European imperialism is used to refer to more recent colonial Empires of Britain, France, Portugal and Spain during the European â€Å"age of exploration†. During the 15th century, Portugal and Spain had the most power navies. Portugal established a powerful Empire which was highly useful for trade. In the 16th, 17th and 18th century, Britain entered the arena largely due to its envy of the Portuguese and S panish properties, which grew to eventually cover an entire quarter of the world population and land mass. This included countries like Egypt, India, Australia, Hong Kong and much of North America. In the 19th century, the imperialistic designs of US and Germany damaged the British stronghold; this tension resulted in the First World War in which the German Empire was taken apart. After the Second World War period of decolonization began as most European power granted independence to their territories. Russia is another example of European imperialism that is stretched across half the world along its longitudinal axis. 3-US IMPERIALISM As said by the Historian Donald W Mening, imperial behavior for the US dates at least to the â€Å"LOUISIANA Purchase† which he described as an Imperial acquisition; imperial in the sense of the gaining control over the territory of another, resulting in the subjugation of the people to alien rule. The US policies towards the Native Americans w ere designed to remold them into a people more appropriately conformed to imperial desires. IIThe Unites States had been the dominant world power over the Middle East since the Second World War. US imperialistic policies drives its strength from the thoughts of the famous think tank A.T Mahan, who maintained that modern industrial nations must secure foreign markets for the purpose of exchanging good and later on, they must maintain a maritime force that is capable of protecting these trade routes. The outcome of the US business and