Question

way, beggars, kings and slave girls. at night, they would sleep where they were; when hungry they would ask for a little food.
whenever the buddha went, he won the hearts of the people because he dealt with their true feelings. he advised them not to accept his words on blind faith, but to decide for themselves whether his teachings are right or wrong, then follow them. he encouraged everyone to have compassion for each other and develop their own virtue, \you should do your own work, for i can teach only the way.\
he never became angry or impatient or spoke harshly to anyone, not even to those who opposed him. he always taught in such a way that everyone could understand. each person thought the buddha was speaking especially for him. the buddha told his followers to help each other on the way. following is a story of the buddha living as an example to his disciples.
once the buddha and ananda (his disciple) visited a monastery where a monk was suffering from a contagious disease. the poor man lay in a mess with no one looking after him. the buddha himself washed the sick monk and placed him on a new bed. afterwards, he admonished the other monks. \monks, you have neither mother nor father to look after you. if you do not look after each other, who will look after you? whoever serves the sick and suffering, serves me.\
the last years
shakyamuni buddha passed away around 486 bc at the age of eighty. although he has left the world, the spirit of his kindness and compassion remains. the buddha realized that that he was not the first to become a buddha. \there have been many buddhas before me and will be many buddhas in the future,\ the buddha recalled to his disciples. \all living beings have the buddha nature and can become buddhas.\ for this reason, he taught the way to buddhahood.
the two main goals of buddhism are getting to know ourselves and learning the buddhas teachings. to know who we are, we need to understand that we have two natures. one is called our ordinary nature, which is made up of unpleasant feelings such as fear, anger, and jealousy. the other is our true nature, the part of us that is pure, wise, and perfect. in buddhism, it is called the buddha nature. the only difference between us and the buddha is that we have not awakened to our true nature.

1. what are the basic teachings of buddha?

the four noble truths and the noble eight - fold path.

1. what is the ultimate goal of buddhists, as seen in the life of buddha?
2. what parts of this story seem realistic, which parts unrealistic?
3. what similarities do you see with other religions we have studied?

Explanation:

1. The basic teachings of Buddha include the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight - fold Path which are central to Buddhist philosophy for understanding suffering and the way to end it.
2. The ultimate goal of Buddhists, as seen in Buddha's life, is to achieve Buddhahood, which is the awakening to one's true nature, the Buddha nature.
3. Realistic parts could be the description of human behavior like monks neglecting a sick peer and the human emotions involved. Unrealistic parts might include the concept of an inherent 'Buddha nature' which is a spiritual and philosophical idea not provable by empirical means.
4. Similarities with other religions may include the emphasis on compassion and moral living. For example, in Christianity, there is a call to love one's neighbor, similar to Buddha's teaching of compassion for each other.

Answer:

1. The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight - fold Path.
2. To achieve Buddhahood by awakening to one's true nature.
3. Realistic: Monks' neglect, human emotions. Unrealistic: Inherent Buddha nature concept.
4. Emphasis on compassion and moral living, like loving one's neighbor in Christianity.