Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Entrepreneurs Essay Download Pdf - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1471 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Economics Essay Type Critical essay Did you like this example? Introduction As economies continue to integrate due to globalisation and formally closed economies like India and China march toward total liberalisation, entrepreneurship is on the increase. A close analysis of developed and industrialised economies indicates a common denominator that stands out amongst all of them. This is the most important role played by entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in such economies. Donââ¬â¢t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Entrepreneurs Essay Download Pdf" essay for you Create order This phenomenon has proved to us that if an economy is to develop fully, entrepreneurship should be allowed to flourish. Therefore it is the objective of this paper to critically analyse the impact of entrepreneurs in any given economy. In this paper the writer will identify and discuss the many benefits afforded to an economy through entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship and the disadvantages of the same and draw conclusions on the overall impact of the entrepreneurs. Innovation Individuals often resort to entrepreneurship for one of the following reasons; they find a market niche and have the solution to profit from such niche; they have been unable to find suitable employment or a suitable means of income and therefore have resorted to using their creativity to generate an income for themselves; or they have the technological know-how and the financial resources (or able to source all of the above) necessary to generate income by satisfying a need in the marketplace. Irrespective of which of the above led an individual to become an entrepreneur it is clear that innovation and creativity is the driving factor and therefore, it can be stated that the biggest impact of entrepreneurs to an economy is the innovative contribution that they make. Job Creation As stated in the previous section, one of the main reasons that individuals tend to become entrepreneurs is because they are unable to find suitable jobs. As a result, by being enterprising, creative and finding a market niche, not only are they able to generate an income for themselves but also to employ other individuals in their business operations. Therefore, one of the most positive impacts that entrepreneurs make on an economy is job creation and the reduction of unemployment levels. In developed countries we see that almost 40 ââ¬â 50% of the workforce are employed in small and medium scale business enterprises that were started up by very enterprising individuals. Likewise in countries like India, we see that millions of women have been able to pull their families out of poverty through self-employment and entrepreneurship that has been made possible by different Non-Governmental Organisations and due to the availability of such resources through micro finance etc . Africa is another good example of small scale entrepreneurs helping to reduce poverty and helping many to avoid destitution. Therefore based on everything that has been stated above it is apparent that entrepreneurs can cause a great degree of impact on an economy through job creation and income generation. Increased Competition Another positive impact of entrepreneurship on an economy is the increasing level of competition as new entrepreneurs join the fray in existing domestic markets. While one may venture to say that this will only lead to market saturation, the upside of such a phenomenon is that it causes all the players in the market to re-evaluate their operational capabilities, increase value addition, lower costs and become more efficient. Thus it can be stated that competition reduces the likelihood of monopolies and oligopolies in the marketplace and is beneficial to the customer and the economy as a whole. Increased Productivity One of the advantages of increased competition in an economy is that individuals and firms continue to source methods that can better improve their operations, use resources more efficiently and most importantly reduce costs while adding value. All this often results in an increase in productivity in an economy and an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP), which is indeed a benefit for the economy. While opponents tend to state that when productivity increases the unemployment can often increase, thus reducing the positive impacts, it is the opinion of the writer that increased productivity leading to increased unemployment will then cause more individuals to be creative, find niche markets, become entrepreneurs and begin generating more employment opportunities, thus re-inventing the wheel and driving the economy forward. New Markets As stated in the previous section increased competition in the marketplace can cause saturation and as a result many entrepreneurs maybe driven to seek new markets for their products and services or adapt market penetration tactics. Either way such a phenomena of increased competition, which ultimately causes individuals to look for new markets, can be considered as a positive impact on the economy. Therefore, entrepreneurs can be considered to play a very important role in the economy. As integration of economies continues due to globalisation, entrepreneurs often tend to look for markets that are outside of their domestic sphere thus generating foreign revenue and increasing the prosperity of the economy as a whole. While this may be a very simplistic explanation of the impact that entrepreneurs make on an economy, it is also safe to say that the employment generation, increased competition, market expansion, market penetration and sourcing new markets all result in income generation that ultimately help an economy to become more prosperous, drawing millions out of poverty and generating funds for social welfare activities that ultimately uplift the living standards of its citizenry. Negative Impacts of Entrepreneurs The single largest negative impact of entrepreneurs on an economy is the plundering of resources, which can have a disastrous effect on the environment. While such negative impacts are mitigated to some extent in developed economies due to the enforcement of environmental protection standards and regulations, this is not the case in developing economies. Further entrepreneurship requires a certain degree of business knowledge and know how, without which entrepreneurial ventures can often fail, which can also cause many financial hardship that in extreme cases can even lead to destitution. Social Entrepreneurship Today we see the realm of social entrepreneurship growing exponentially which is a very positive sign and has helped to draw millions out of poverty, decrease unemployment, decrease the number of people dependent on social welfare and all in all uplift the living standards and quality of life of millions. Further social entrepreneurship initiatives are also often seen as ââ¬Ëgreen initiatives that take into consideration the impact on the natural environment and therefore strives to keep this at a minimum. This increases awareness about such issues, avoids the plundering of natural resources and conserving the environment wherever possible. Therefore, it can be stated that the negative impacts of entrepreneurs on an economy can be mitigated to some extent through social entrepreneurship. Conclusion Based on everything that has been discussed above it is apparent that the positive impacts of entrepreneurs on an economy, far outweigh the negative impacts. Job creation, reduction in unemployment levels, increased competition, opening new markets, increasing productivity, foreign income generation and poverty alleviation are some of the positive impacts that entrepreneurs have on an economy. However, this is not to say that there are no negative impacts such as the wastage and plundering of resources, yet taken as a whole it is apparent that the entrepreneurs positively impact an economy. Bibliography Assudani, R. H. (2009). ââ¬ËEthnic Entrepreneurship: The Distinct Role of Ties. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 22(2), pp. 197 206. Boissin, J., Branchet, B., Emin, S., Herbert, J. I. (2009). ââ¬ËStudents and Entrepreneurship: A Comparative Study of France and the United States. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 22(2), pp. 101 ââ¬â 105. Butler, J. S. Kozmetsky, G. (Eds.). (2004). Immigrant and Minority Entrepreneurship: The Continuous Rebirth of American Communities. Westport, CT: Praeger. Dheeriya, P. L. (2009). ââ¬ËA Conceptual Framework for Describing Online Entrepreneurship. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 22(3), pp. 275 281. Frith, K., Mcelwee, G. (2009). ââ¬ËValue-Adding and Value-Extracting Entrepreneurship at the Margins. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 22(1), pp. 39 41. Harman, J. (2008, February). ââ¬ËSuccessful Social Entrepreneurship: the Case of the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop. Journal of Services Research pp. 201 203. Harper, D. A. (2003). Foundations of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. New York: Routledge. Hart, D. M. (Ed.). (2003). The Emergence of Entrepreneurship Policy: Governance, Start-Up, and Growth in the U.S. Knowledge Economy. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Light, P. C. (2009, Summer). ââ¬ËSocial Entrepreneurship Revisited. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 7, pp. 21 23. Menkhoff, T. Gerke, S. (Eds.). (2002). Chinese Entrepreneurship and Asian Business Networks. London: RoutledgeCurzon. Nicholls, A. (Ed.). (2006). Social Entrepreneurship: New Models of Sustainable Social Change. New York: Oxford University Press. Parnell, J. A., Lester, D. L. (2007). ââ¬ËReevaluating the Entrepreneurship-management Conundrum: Challenges and Solutions. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 12(4), pp. 74 77. Wasilczuk, J., Zieba, K. (2008). ââ¬ËFemale Entrepreneurship in Transitional Economies: The Case of Poland. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 21(2), pp. 153 155. Welsch, H. P. (Ed.). (2003). Entrepreneurship: The Way Ahead. New York: Routledge. Williams, C. C. (2009). ââ¬ËBeyond Legitimate Entrepreneurship: The Prevalence of Off-the-Books Entrepreneurs in Ukraine. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 22(1), pp. 55 61.
Friday, May 15, 2020
International Regulation Of Copyright Law Essay - 1687 Words
1) Introduction: Trademark: Trademark recognizable features, expression, or other symbol that indicates a particular product or service, and legally it apart from all other products. It also serves to only identify the product or service from a particular company, and the recognition of ownership of the company brand. The protected products are generally considered to be a form of property. Most countries have agencies through which companies can have their products with trademarks. One of the main goals of a product is protected to protect the product from used without the permission of the original society. Most countries have patent laws that are designed to defend against patent breach. International regulation of copyright is much more complex, because there is no universally recognized Patent Office Patent: A patent is basically a government license which provides the holder the exclusive right to process, design or new invention for a specific time period. Patent applications are usually handled by government agencies. You can use a patent to protect his invention. It provides you the opportunity to take legal steps against anyone who makes, used, sold or imported without your permission. To obtain a patent, your invention must be all of the following: â⬠¢ Something that can be used or â⬠¢ New â⬠¢ Inventive - not just a simple modification of something that already exists You cannot patent the invention, certain types, including: â⬠¢ way of doingShow MoreRelatedThe Intellectual Property Rights Of The North American Country856 Words à |à 4 PagesRights In a general term, intellectual property is any personââ¬â¢s human intellect, which is often protected by law, in order to safeguard its use from another person. The possession of such kind of property generates limited monopoly in the safeguarded property. Intellectual property can be subdivided into copyrights, patents, trademark and trade secrets (Intellectual Property Rights, 2014). The law protects the Intellectual Property so that the people who created and invented the property can get appreciationRead MoreThe Rights Of The Sound Maker1575 Words à |à 7 Pagesfixation. If the sound recordings are published before the copyright expires, the term application is seventy years before its publication or a hundred years from the date of fixation. Consequently, it also extends the copyright for musical performers works contained in the recordings (Craig, 2011, p.226). According to McCormack (2010), the Canadian Intellectual Property Office defines performersââ¬â¢ performances. It states that copyright applies to a performerââ¬â¢s performance provided that it occursRead MoreThe Importance of Internet Regulation in Fighting Piracy and Enforcing Copyright Claims1710 Words à |à 7 PagesInternet Regulation in Fighting Piracy and Enforcing Copyright Claims In 1980s, the Internet developed, and this brought about the growth of the file transfer protocol (FTP) servers, electronic mail (e-mail), and World Wide Web (WWW) as online services. The development has caused major challenges for copyright law. Digital technologies and Internet services have facilitated the reproduction and worldwide copyright dissemination easy and high-speed quantities with the protected works at no qualityRead MoreThe Copyright Law Of Canada Connected With An Ethical Line Within Music Sharing1672 Words à |à 7 PagesThis paper discusses the copyright law in Canada connected with an ethical line in music sharing. Before embarking on the discussion, it is imperative to understand what copyright entails under the umbrella of intellectual property; the latter refers to intangible property, which is entirely a creation of the mind (Alexander Penalver, 2012, p. 188). Copyright is the exclusive right granted to the original author of literary work. In this effect, i t prevents other people from using an authorshipRead MoreEssay on Legislation of ICT1190 Words à |à 5 Pagesintroduced stop these three things: 1. Unauthorised access to computer material. 2. Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences. 3. Unauthorised modification of computer material. -Copyright, designs and patents act in 1989 The act gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the ways in which their material may be used. The rights cover: broadcast and public performance, copyingRead MoreImportance Of Copyright Laws On The Globalized And Digital Era1563 Words à |à 7 Pages Copyright Name of the Student Name of the Institution Copyright The importance of copyright laws in the globalized and digital era cannot be gainsaid. The protection given to any form of creation is critical in ensuring that it is not abused by third parties (Atkinson, 2007). For example, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (the movie) is a Copyright Warner Brothers. In the event that Warner Brothers wants to release a new movie or produce a book on Harry Porter, they use copiesRead MoreA; Lkdf775 Words à |à 4 Pagesbound by the terms of this agreement. If you do not agree with the terms of this license agreement, the software must be removed, including any installation files and archival files. The software is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and by international treaties. You acknowledge that no title to the intellectual property in the software is transferred to you. You further acknowledge that title and full ownership rights to the software will remain the exclusive propertyRead MoreWhy A Property Should Be Protected Or Not : Originality And Reproducibility1413 Words à |à 6 Pagesreproducibility nature of the art. In an era of an overflow of information and easy access to technology, it is easy to think that digital art or technology do not need to be protected; however, through public awareness or the establishment of strict regulations and standards, these intellectual property should too be protected (QiaoSharon). To elaborate on the process of purchasing a font, in most countries, when a consumer purchases a font, they have the right to use the license to the font softwareRead MoreThe European Court Of Justice Case : Pez Hejduk V Energy Agentur.nrw Gmbh Essay1486 Words à |à 6 Pagesjudgment at the expense of the defendant. That Energie Agentur has infringed her copyright for making her photographs publicly available without her consent and without providing a statement of authorship. Ms Hejduk in justifying the selection of that jurisdiction relies on Article 7(2) Regulation 1215/2012. Energie Agentur raised an objection to the issue of jurisdiction, that the Handelsgericht Wien lacked international and local jurisdiction, claiming that its website is not directed at AustriaRead MoreMedia Piracy And Copyright Issues1671 Words à |à 7 PagesMedia piracy and copyright issues have been seen as a huge issue in the history of national and international law. These issues have grown to greater concern up to this point in time because of the advancements in technology, the ease of stealing information, and the accepting culture of copying, sharing and redistributing copyright material. It has become a part of our daily lives like downloading music from YouTube through third-party sites, pirating movies from online websites through torrents
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Sir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay - 1113 Words
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Sir Gawain Faces Temptation nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Sir Gawain was known as a noble and honest man who was willing to stare death in the face to protect King Arthur. However, the courtly Sir Gawain is submitted to the unexpectedââ¬ânot to the test he expects, but to one he does not expect (qtd. in Spearing). The underlying theme throughout the entire poem is temptation, which, is Sir Gawainââ¬â¢s greatest challenge because he is not aware of it. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; He faltered not nor feared nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;But quickly went his way, nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;His road was rough and weird,â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The opposition between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight began when the knight entered the kings hall on New Years Eve. He challenged anyone present to strike him with an axe, providing that he could do the same one-year later. Gawain, not wanting the King to partake in such a game, takes up the challenge and cuts off the Green Knightââ¬â¢s Berry 3 head. The knight then, picks up his head, and tells Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel in one year. Gawain goes searching for the Green Chapel ten months later. He stays at a nearby castle for Christmas and New Years, entertained by the Lordââ¬â¢s wife. At the end of each day Gawain was to exchange with the lord whatever he had gained. While the Lord is off hunting, his wife, ââ¬Å"attempts his [Gawainââ¬â¢s] chastityâ⬠(Stone 11). However, the wife can do no more than kiss Gawain, for he would not allow it. The wife of the Lord tries one more time to seduce the noble knight in his bed. This time she is dressed much more provocatively. Gawain, amazed at her appearance, says: ââ¬Å"God love you gracious ladyâ⬠(Norton 234). Further, he is happy that a very beautiful woman like the Lordââ¬â¢s wife spends time talking with him: ââ¬Å"it is a pleasure surpassingâ⬠¦ it comforts my hurtâ⬠Show MoreRelatedSir Gawain And The Green Knight1359 Words à |à 6 PagesIn the poem ââ¬Å"Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,â⬠a protagonist emerges depicting an Arthurian knight named Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain, King Arthurââ¬â¢s nephew, takes initiative by accepting the challenge requested by the Green Knight in place of his uncle. He undergoes a perilous adventure, seeking for the Green Knight to recei ve the final blow. Although Sir Gawain is not viewed as a hero for his military accomplishments, he is, however, viewed as a heroic figure by the Knights at the Round Table for hisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight862 Words à |à 4 PagesIn Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by an unknown author referred to as the ââ¬Å"Pearl Poet,â⬠we are introduced to Sir Gawain. Gawain is a knight of the Round Table and he is also the nephew of King Arthur. As a knight, Gawain is expected to possess and abide by many chivalrous facets. Throughout the poem he portrays many of the qualities a knight should possess, such as bravery, courtesy, and honor among others. Because of his ability to possess these virtues even when tempted to stray away from themRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight1100 Words à |à 5 PagesThe poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight compares a super natural creature to nature. The mystery of the poem is ironic to the anonymous author. The story dates back into the fourteenth century, but no one knows who originally wrote the poem. This unknown author explains in the poem of Sir Gawain not knowing of the location of the Green Chapel and or who the Green Knight really is. This keeps the reader entertained with the suspicion of not knowing. The author then does not give his name orRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1687 Words à |à 7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight contains ambiguity and irony that make it interesting to read and teach. Gawainââ¬â¢s conflict arose when he accepted the girdle that could protect him and when he lied to his host, severing fellowship with the lord for courtesy with the lady. By utilizing a social reconstructionist philosophy of teaching that emphasizes personal beliefs and ethics, a teacher will help the students establish their identities and learn to appreciate classic literature. Sir Gawain and theRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1514 Words à |à 7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem written in the mid to late fourteenth century by an unknown author. Throughout the tale, Sir Gawain, a Knight at the Round Table in Camelot, is presented with many hardships, the first being a challenge on Christmas by a man in which, ââ¬Å"Everything about him was an elegant greenâ⬠(161). This ââ¬Å"Green Knightâ⬠challenged someone in Camelot to accept his game which they will chop off his head with his axe and the Green Knight will do the same to the playerRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1335 Words à |à 6 PagesSir Gawain: The Ironic Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale of the utmost irony in which Sir Gawain, the most loyal and courteous of all of King Arthurââ¬â¢s knights, fails utterly to be loyal and courteous to his king, his host, his vows, and his God. In each case, Sir Gawain not only fails to perform well, but performs particularly poorly, especially in the case of his relationship with God. Ultimately, Sir Gawain chooses magic over faith, and by doing so, shows his ironic nature as aRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight906 Words à |à 4 Pagesusually the latter. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we see Sir Bertilak go off to hunt three very specific animals as a game with Sir Gawain. They agree that ââ¬Å"what ever [Bertilak catches] in the wood shall become [Sir Gawainââ¬â¢s], and what ever mishap comes [Sir Gawainââ¬â¢s] way will be given to [Bertilak] in exchange.â⬠(Sir Gawainâ⬠¦, ln 1105-1007). In this deal we slowly see Gawain loose his honor as paralleled with Sir B ertilakââ¬â¢s hunt. The first animal that is hunted by the knight is a deer, while thisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1521 Words à |à 7 PagesFall 16 Donnelly Many years ago, knights were expected to form a certain type of relationship with their king, this relationship was otherwise known as fealty. Fealty is a knightââ¬â¢s sworn loyalty to their king (in other words a loyal relationship should be formed between the two). The use of this relationship is shown in the poem called ââ¬Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knightâ⬠( the author is unknown). This poem has a classic quest type of formula, with a knight receiving a challenge and then going outRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1455 Words à |à 6 PagesHowever, for Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight temptation existed around every corner while he was playing the game of the Green Knight. Temptation existed every day and each day it existed in a new way. Gawain never knew what was coming his way throughout the grand scheme of the game, but one thing was for certain he was being tested. Without his reliance religious faith and dedication to his reputation, Gawain wo uld not have been able to make it through the game of the Green Knight alive andRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1020 Words à |à 5 PagesBoth Sir Gawain, from ââ¬Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knightâ⬠translated by Marie Borroff, and Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, serve as heroes in different times of Medieval English Literature. Many of the basic principles that describe heroes in Medieval Literature are seen in both of these characters even though they were written in different times. There are distinct similarities, differences, and also a progression of what the hero was in English literature, between Sir Gawain and
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The Role And Nature Of Suffering In Christianity And Buddhism
Question: Discuss about the Role And Nature Of Suffering In Christianity And Buddhism. Answer: The Role and Nature of Suffering in Buddhism and Christianity Suffering has always been an integral part of human lives. Generally, suffering results from the awareness of lack of harmony within the environment which is characterized by feelings of loss and abandonment (Fitzpatrick et al., 2015). Suffering is inevitable for living organisms. Consequently, different religions have had an interest in suffering theoretically and in public debates. In different religions suffering has different purposes such as punishment and creating awareness. Therefore, this essay explores the role and nature of suffering in Buddhism and Christianity. Suffering can be defined as an act that is associated with physical and emotional pain. In both religions, suffering can be attributed to peoples deeds. In addition, in Christianity, suffering can be a form of punishment from God (Singarayar, 2016). In Buddhism, suffering is due to cravings and ignorance as will be illustrated below. However, in both it is still painful, purposeful and a way to test people. For example, Buddhists use suffering in meditation to understand the nature of suffering in order to overcome it. Similarly, Christians suffer willingly because Christ suffered. Further, both religions acknowledge that suffering is a process that entails a lot of stages to overcome. Conclusively, the nature of suffering is similar to both religions. Buddhism is centered around the Four Noble Truths which are accredited to Gotama Buddha. The first Noble Truth is dukkha which refers to how unsatisfying life is (Kang, 2011). According to this Truth, materiality, feeling, mental formations, consciousness and perception make up a human being (Teasdale and Chaskalson (Kulananda), 2011). In summary, these components are referred to as suffering. Additionally, birth, death, and aging are regarded as suffering. Dukkha exists in three forms (Ingram and Loy, 2005). First, the normal physical and emotional pain we are all accustomed to. Second, the lack of permanence in life. Though we may enjoy life, we are faced with the impending time of our death. The third is dukkha refers to the lack of self. The cause of this suffering is said to be craving which is described in terms of sensuality, existence, and non-existence. The second Noble Truth is used to explain how ignorance leads to suffering. This is done through the pa?icca-samupp?da doctrine (Kang, 2011). It has twelve links that start with ignorance and end with suffering. The components in the links include ignorance, activities, base of sense, form, name, consciousness, clinging, craving, becoming, feeling, suffering and birth. The third Noble Truth is the ending of suffering through the elimination of craving and ignorance (Eltschinger, 2013). This state, Nibb?na, is the highest point of spirituality in this religion (Kang, 2011). This is attained through the Fourth Noble Truth that provides a path with eight components which are the view, thought, speech, action, livelihood, concentration, effort, and mindfulness. Therefore, Buddhism regards suffering as a state to be liberated from. On the other hand, based on the scriptures, suffering makes Christians trust in God and live by his teachings. According to Paul, individuals can be controlled by forces that hinder them from doing Gods will. These forces are ruled by the flesh which separates human beings from God and nature. However, God has provided salvation to save mankind from the punishment of sin which is hell. In the old testament, God used prophets to make sure His followers abide by His rules. In the new testament, He sent His son to face suffering through prosecution and death (Ingram and Loy, 2005). On this account, Christians continue with His work and share in His suffering. Moreover, in Christianity suffering is characterized in martyrdom. Martyrdom is the act of persevering through suffering due to ones religious belief. Furthermore, it can be regarded as a way to witness for Jesus Christ. There exist two types of martyrs that are the red and white ones (Greene-McCreight, 2015). Red martyrs are those who die because of their faith while white martyrs exercise the act of cruciform in their everyday lives. According to the scriptures, Christians are called to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. With this affirmation, Christians can withstand suffering. This also unifies them as they share in the suffering of Christ. In both religions, suffering is a form of punishment. In Christianity, one suffers when they lead a sinful life, with the eventual punishment being hell. In Buddhism, karma is a form of punishment based on what person is. The understanding of karma is what happens based on what someone becomes due to the motivations of their actions (Ingram and Loy, 2005). For example, those whose deeds are motivated by greed, delusion and ill will manipulate people which eventually alienates them leading to suffering. Meanwhile, those whose deeds are motivated by kindness attract kindness in return. The reason for the ill motivations is the human beings sense of lack. For Christians, the sense of lack leads to sin while for Buddhists it leads to karma. In both cases, the solution is found in life after death. Finally, Christians believe heaven to be their paradise while Buddhists believe in Nirvana. In biblical teachings, God plays a part in eliminating human suffering. In the old testament, God wrote the ten commandments for people to follow to avoid sin. Later, He sent prophets to communicate to people His will. Eventually, He sent His son to die on the cross and save mankind. Clearly, God has consistently helped to ease human suffering. On the contrary, Buddhism does not recognize God in the elimination of suffering (Ingram and Loy, 2005). The teachings of Buddhism encourage individuals to seek awareness through the eightfold path to get rid of suffering. In both Christianity and Buddhism, suffering plays a significant role in mysticism. In light of the above descriptions of the two religions, Buddhists view suffering as a problem that needs to be understood then solved hence liberation. On the other hand, Christians should accept suffering in form of a mystery which they should endure in compassion since they are participating in the suffering of Christ. The aforementioned is the general approach to suffering for both religions. Additionally, there are other approaches that illustrate the role of suffering in mysticism in both religions. The first approach defines the two religions in relation to crucifixion and suffering. A Buddhist experiences death and suffering differently when compared to the average person (Urbaniak, 2014). The average person experiences physical and emotional pain and suffering. Contrary, an enlightened Buddhist experiences only the physical pain and suffering through the teachings of lack of self. Moreover, death loses its meaning for the enlightened one since after dying one experiences Nirvana not rebirth. In Christianity, the crucifixion of Christ symbolizes the crucifixion of self which leads to rebirth without sin. This differs from Buddhism which doesnt recognize the existence of the self. Therefore, there is no crucifixion. The second approach is related to how Christians and Buddhists experience suffering. Christians welcome suffering as it is their way to experience spiritual freedom where they are free from sin and share in Christs suffering. This is beneficial to Christians because they know when they suffer for Christ they are not alone and their faith is strengthened. In fact, Jesus encouraged His followers to forget about themselves and carry their cross (Urbaniak, 2014). For Buddhists, meditating on suffering creates a sense of awareness which can be used to overcome suffering. In addition, as stated by Tibetan Buddhists, it encourages empathy hence one is able to show compassion to other people. Understanding suffering in this way also helps one to overcome worry and stress during illnesses. As illustrated Christianity and Buddhism approach suffering differently. However, there are two similarities in the two religious approaches. First, they acknowledge that suffering is part of our existence (Urbaniak, 2014). This is defined in the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism and salvation in Christianity. Second, they provide a way for human beings to overcome suffering to a place where there is peace. For Buddhists, the eightfold path leads to enlightenment and nirvana after death. For Christianity, the salvation which is freedom from sin leads to eternal life after death. Ultimately, though different the two religions appreciate suffering and use it as a means to acquire freedom and ultimate happiness. In conclusion, essentially, Buddhism is a religion based on enlightenment while Christianity is based on faith. Through Buddhism, suffering is understood as a state that exists due to ignorance and can be eliminated through enlightenment. Christianity depicts suffering as a way of sharing in the work of Christ. In both cases, to be free of suffering one must first be rid of self. In Buddhism, the lack of self gets rid of the sense of lack while in Christianity Jesus said to save ones life one must lose it. In light of the above, the two religions complement each other. Bibliography Eltschinger, V. (2013). The Four Nobles Truths and Their 16 Aspects: On the Dogmatic and Soteriological Presuppositions of the Buddhist Epistemologists Views on Ni?caya.Journal of Indian Philosophy, 42(2-3). Fitzpatrick, S., Kerridge, I., Jordens, C., Zoloth, L., Tollefsen, C., Tsomo, K., Jensen, M., Sachedina, A. and Salma, D. (2015). Religious Perspectives on Human Suffering: Implications for Medicine and Bioethics.Journal of Religion and Health, 55(1), pp.159-173. Greene-McCreight, K. (2015). Martyrdom as Christian vocation: United in suffering.The Christian Century, pp.41-42. Ingram, P. and Loy, D. (2005). The Self and Suffering: A Buddhist-Christian Conversation.Dialog: A Journal of Theology, 44(1), pp.101-110. Kang, C. (2011). Sarkar on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths.Philosophy East and West, 61(2), pp.303-323. Singaraar, J. (2016). God uses suffering to accomplish His purposes in our lives.The Priest, pp.10-13. Teasdale, J. and Chaskon (Kulananda), M. (2011). How does mindfulness transform suffering? I: the nature and origins of dukkha.Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), pp.89-102. Urbaniak, J. (2014). Suffering in the mystical traditions of Buddhism and Christianity.HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 70(1).
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