Question

2. What does it mean to say that Buddhism teaches the way of the Middle Path? How does this connect with Epicurus' notion of pleasure?

Answer 1

What does it mean to say that Buddhism teaches the way of the Middle Path? How does this connect with Epicurus' notion of pleasure?

Buddha has described the middle path. The middle path is referred to as the path that falls in the midst of self mortification as well as self indulgence. Buddhism is said to show the middle way since there are 8 practices described in the 8 fold path, where, right resolve, right view, right conduct, right speech, right samadhi, right livelihood and right mindfulness. This teaches that as a person would restrain themself, cultivate discipline and carry out meditation. They would attain nirvana with them controlling their cravings which would ultimately end their rebirth as well as suffering.

With the ideals of Epicureanism, a person would always seek out pleasure and would want to be further indulged. As the middle path talks of both, the ideas of self indulgence and the ideas of ascetism. According to the epicurean ideals, if there is a practice of ascetism, there is also a possibility that desires are also being satisfied, such that they would want to gain an object. The middle path allows both pain or pleasure, so as to maintain a balance between the two.