Religion is perhaps one of the greatest influences on philosophy throughout the world. Whether we know it or not, growing up with or without religion instills in us many philosophies that affect our view of life and its meaning. In my own life, I have been greatly influenced by Sikhism, which is the religion I was born into. Even though I did not choose to be born there, the philosophies and ideas present in Sikhism became a part of my reality. As I begin to study new religions, I notice many similarities between religions originating in the eastern part of the world. Buddhism is a religion that has many similarities to my personal philosophy. Buddhism focuses on the teachings and practices of Buddha, who emphasized finding practical ways to end suffering through meditation and detachment from worldly things. Ultimately, a human being's goal is to escape and break the cycle of reincarnation by reaching Nirvana, which is a state in which suffering, desire, and sense of self are no longer present. When it comes to philosophy and self-understanding, Buddhism emphasizes that there is no self to understand, and it is this absence of self that affects one's view of human nature and personality. of oneself. Buddhists essentially believe that there are five "hung khandhas", or called hung aggregates, which constitute human nature. All humans are born with these elements and Buddhism breaks down these 5 aggregates as follows: form, feeling, perception, fabrications and consciousness, and it is these five aggregates that constitute the human burden. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, an American Theravada Buddhist monk and author, translates these 5 aggregates as: "Form... which covers the physical phenomena of all... middle of paper... here on this planet and what is our purpose. , and it is exactly this missing answer that gives us the ability to find our own philosophies in life, whether they derive from religion or not. Works Cited “Bhāra Sutta: The Burden” (SN 22.22), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), November 30, 2013 “Five piles of bricks: Khandhas as burden and path”, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (Legacy Edition), June 5, 2010. Konvicka, Jarda. “BBC Documentary on the Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World.” Online movie. Youtube. Youtube, April 20, 2013. Web. March 1, 2014. Nāgārjuna, Jay L. Garfield, Nāgārjuna and Nāgārjuna. The fundamental wisdom of the Middle Way: Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna. New York: Oxford UP, 1995. “No Self or No Self?” », by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight (legacy edition), November 24 2013.