and RushProfessor AmitaHistory Topics: BuddhismDecember 16, 2013“Finding Yourself in a World Based on Suffering”PLEDGE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITYOn my honor, I have not received or provided any unauthorized assistance for this exam ( task). ___________Paije Rush_______Printed Name____________Paije Rush______Signature (Print name again on electronic submission)__________December 17, 2013________DateAll our problems and suffering originate from confused, negative states of mind, and all happiness and good fortune arise from peaceful, positive states of mind. In this course we learned about the Buddha, the Dharma, the Four Noble Truths, and the cause and effect of suffering in one's life. In this course I learned to creatively and critically analyze literary materials learned through the insights of the Buddha from over 2,000 years ago. I was taught methods to gradually overcome negative minds such as anger to develop minds with love, compassion and wisdom, attributes that are gained through experience. Topics in the history of Buddhism have taught me that Buddhism is a religion in its own right that is learned through practice and experience rather than a belief. This idea is a little complicated for some to understand. In our culture, “religion” is a better system and “faith” is the way to accept those beliefs. The Buddha taught us not to accept any teaching without first testing it. Instead of believing in the teachings, one should practice the teachings to realize their truth. In Buddhism there are three general levels of communication. There is the enlightened level, the intellectual level and the common level. Within these three levels the learning and practice of the Buddha's teachings is strengthened. With the...... halves of the paper...... our life changes. They went from having extremely poor behavior to influencing others to be involved in such an inspirational journey. Overall, from this course I gained the notion that overcoming suffering truly depends on the person and their dedication to free themselves from suffering, pain, violence and fear to live a liberated life. As long as we are shrouded in ignorance, thinking about self, the world, and anything else is just a theory until it is proven true. One must understand the idea that the extinction of desire, Nirvana, and following the steps on the path to liberation is the ultimate goal of a life without suffering. Once one can successfully cultivate one's mind so that one is free from self-delusion and craving for the wrong kind of pleasures, one can see oneself with one's own eyes and have a clear understanding of reality...