Explorando as semelhanças e diferenças entre o budismo e o estoicismo

Buddhism and Stoicism are two ancient philosophical traditions that have attracted widespread attention for their practical approach to achieving a happy and fulfilling life. Both these traditions offer unique perspectives on how to find inner peace and meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world. While there are significant differences between the two, such as their cultural and historical contexts, there are also many striking similarities in their principles and practices. In this article, we will compare Buddhism and Stoicism, and exploring some of the key similarities and differences between them and how they can inform our own search for personal growth and enlightenment.

Os fundadores do estoicismo e do budismo

O estoicismo e o budismo se originaram em outros lados do globo com séculos de diferença. O estoicismo foi fundado por Zenão de Cítio em Atenas por volta de 300 aC, enquanto o budismo foi fundado por Siddhartha Gautama no atual Nepal por volta de 600 aC.

Zenão de Cítio

Zeno, a wealthy merchant, lost his fortune in a shipwreck that left him stranded in Athens, Greece. Despite his misfortune, he is quoted to have remarked, “I made a prosperous voyage when I was shipwrecked.” With no material possessions, he stumbled upon a bookstore and discovered Xenophon’s Memorabilia, which introduced him to the philosophers of Greece. Zeno was greatly inspired by Socrates and inquired with a bookseller about the whereabouts of otherwise individuals like him. The bookseller directed him to the cynic philosopher Crates of Thebes. After a decade of learning, Zeno diverged from cynicism and eventually founded his own school of Stoicism.

O Buda

Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was also born into a wealthy family as the son of a king and queen. His birth was accompanied by prophecies of his greatness; some believed he would become a powerful emperor, while others saw him as a potential spiritual leader, provided he left the palace. However, his parents decided to keep him sheltered from the outside world, so they locked him inside the palace. To ensure their son was never exposed to any form of suffering, the king ordered that he be kept away from anything that withered or died. The young prince grew up in a world where all his desires were fulfilled, completely unaware of the existence of pain and suffering.

Com o passar do tempo, Siddhartha começou a ouvir histórias do mundo além dos muros do palácio. Um dia, um músico veio ao palácio e cantou sobre todas as maravilhas do mundo, inspirando Siddhartha a embarcar em uma jornada para ver o reino que um dia governaria. Aos 29 anos, ele se aventurou pelo mundo em uma carruagem acompanhado por seu cocheiro Channa.

According to different versions of the story, Siddhartha’s journey consisted of either four separate journeys or one long journey. Regardless, all versions agree that the young prince underwent a profound transformation after seeing what are called “the foresights.” The first sight was that of an old man, which made Siddhartha realize that all beings eventually age. The second sight was that of a sick person, shocking him, but he soon realized that all beings are subject to sickness and suffering. The third sight was that of a dead body, which overwhelmed Siddhartha with sorrow and sadness. Chana explained to him that death is inevitable and that all living things eventually pass away.

A quarta visão foi a de um asceta que se dedicou a encontrar a causa do sofrimento humano. Isso deu a Siddhartha esperança de que havia uma saída para o sofrimento e um meio de renascer. Ele embarcou em uma vida de ascetismo, privando-se de todos os prazeres terrenos.

Em sua busca pela iluminação, Siddhartha Gautama praticou um ascetismo extremo, que incluía ingestão mínima de alimentos, diferentes formas de controle da respiração e controle mental forçado. Os primeiros textos descrevem como ele ficou tão magro que seus ossos se tornaram visíveis através de sua pele. No entanto, Siddhartha acabou percebendo que essa forma extrema de abnegação não o estava ajudando a alcançar a iluminação.

Foi então que ele se lembrou de uma experiência meditativa anterior que teve quando criança, sentado debaixo de uma árvore enquanto seu pai trabalhava. Em outras versões da história, ele se lembra de ter visto um sem-teto meditando. Essa memória o levou a entender que a meditação era o caminho para a iluminação. De acordo com os textos, o Buda alcançou todas as quatro meditações, seguidas pelas três

A Magia das Quatro: As Quatro Virtudes Estóicas vs As Quatro Nobres Verdades

The Stoics formulated a set of values that embodied the essence of their philosophy, which aimed to help individuals lead meaningful life. These values included four cardinal virtues that served as a guide for living a virtuous life.

1. Wisdom– agir racionalmente e ver o mundo com objetividade.
2. Justice– tratar os outros com justiça e gentileza.
3. Courage– ser corajoso quando confrontado com a adversidade e entender que o medo muitas vezes pode causar mais danos do que aquilo de que temos medo.
4. Temperance– resistir às tentações e escolher ações virtuosas em vez do vício.

Os estóicos acreditavam que viver de acordo com esses valores era equivalente a viver de acordo com a natureza. Assim como a natureza é racional e bem ordenada, os seres humanos também são. Portanto, viver uma vida virtuosa significava viver em harmonia com a ordem natural do universo.

Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between things we can control and things we cannot. According to him, focusing on the former and letting go of the latter is the key to living a good life.

On the other hand, Buddhists sought to achieve enlightenment or Nirvana by letting go of all attachments and living in the present moment. Unlike the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism, Buddhism promoted the Four Noble Truths developed by the Buddha.

1. Dukkha– A vida é sofrimento
2. Samudaya– O sofrimento é causado pelo apego e pelo desejo
3. Nirodha– É possível escapar do ciclo de sofrimento
4. Marga– O Nobre Caminho Óctuplo é o caminho para acabar com o sofrimento

O Caminho Óctuplo não é uma linha linear reta, mas sim um caminho do meio, que se refere ao modo de vida entre o excesso e a deficiência, também conhecido como moderação. O Nobre Caminho Óctuplo inclui as seguintes etapas:

• Right View:Compreender as Quatro Nobres Verdades e a natureza da realidade.
• Right Intention/Resolve:Desenvolver a intenção de não prejudicar e boa vontade para com todos os seres.
• Right Speech:Falar com sinceridade e gentileza, evitando mentiras, calúnias e discursos prejudiciais.
• Right Action/Conduct:Agir com ética e evitar ações que causem danos a si mesmo ou a outras pessoas.
• Right Livelihood:Ganhar a vida de uma forma que não seja prejudicial a si mesmo ou aos outros.
• Right Effort:Cultivar estados mentais saudáveis e abandonar os prejudiciais.
• Right Mindfulness:Cultivar a consciência e a atenção ao momento presente e evitar distrações.
• Right Concentration/Samadhi:Desenvolver a capacidade de concentrar a mente através da meditação, levando a uma visão e compreensão mais profundas.

O Nirvana é o estado final que se alcança ao seguir o Nobre Caminho Óctuplo. Nirvana é o estado de não ter desejos e a cessação do sofrimento. Em sânscrito, Nirvana significa "o sopro" e se refere à extinção da chama do desejo pessoal e à extinção do fogo da vida. O Nirvana é considerado o refúgio definitivo, proporcionando segurança, emancipação, paz e liberdade.

Semelhanças entre budismo e estoicismo

A busca para aliviar o sofrimento está no cerne de ambas as filosofias, dada a dureza da vida no mundo antigo devido à guerra, fome e falta de tecnologia. Consequentemente, os pensadores antigos buscaram maneiras de reduzir o sofrimento e alcançar um estado de calma e estabilidade. Enquanto os estóicos pretendiam ser como rochas resilientes que se mantinham firmes contra as ondas das provações da vida, o Buda ensinava a resistir aos desejos carnais e buscar o Nirvana, onde os apegos são cortados e o sofrimento extinto.

After alleviating suffering, how does one attain happiness? Both schools advocate for moderation as the path to happiness. By eliminating excess and focusing on the essential aspects of life, one can experience true satisfaction and harmony.

Buda expressou essa ideia dizendo: "A temperança é uma árvore que tem por raiz muito pouco contentamento e por seu fruto calma e paz".

Both philosophies recognize that happiness is not dependent on pleasure or material possessions. Anxiety, a common source of suffering, is often caused by our obsession with the past or fear of the future. The stoics encourage us to stay in the present moment and tame our minds, while the Buddhists recommend meditation as a way to stay grounded in the present and avoid anxiety. As a famous stoic saying goes, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” By letting go of our attachments and focusing on the present, we can find inner calm and peace.

Diferenças entre estoicismo e budismo

At first glance, it may appear that Stoicism and Buddhism share many practical teachings and a similar understanding of the human mind. However, one notable difference is that Buddhism is widely recognized as a religion, while Stoicism is regarded as a philosophy. Around 8% of the world’s population practices Buddhism, but it doesn’t conform to the traditional definition of a religion or a philosophy. Buddhism is non-dogmatic and doesn’t require its followers to worship any supreme deity or creator. Its primary aim is to seek the truth. Unlike Christianity, Buddhism doesn’t have a savior figure, and individuals must find their own path and use the Buddha as a guide rather than blindly following him. Unlike Buddhism, Stoicism is not an organized religion but a philosophical school of thought that anyone can adopt and apply to their own lives. Stoics do not gather in shrines to pray or participate in communal worship, but instead, they share a common bond of spirit and ideology.

O estoicismo é amplamente ensinado e estudado como filosofia em muitas universidades do Ocidente, enquanto o budismo tem uma presença mais forte no Oriente, particularmente em países como Índia, Japão, China, Mianmar e outros. No entanto, vale a pena notar que muitos budistas também residem no Ocidente, assim como as ideias estóicas estão se tornando cada vez mais populares no Oriente. Apesar disso, o estoicismo continua sendo principalmente uma filosofia ocidental, enquanto o budismo é um ensinamento oriental.

Benefícios de Viver de Acordo com os Princípios Budistas e Estóicos

Viver de acordo com os princípios budistas ou estóicos pode resultar em benefícios psicológicos significativos. Ambas as práticas podem levar a um estado de espírito mais calmo e sereno e promover o refinamento espiritual e a paz interior.

Stoicism, in particular, emphasizes the importance of personal well-being and a harmonious relationship with society. The philosophy encourages individuals to do the right thing for themselves and for the world at large without expecting any external rewards or validation. Stoics believe that true satisfaction cannot come from external sources and that wisdom and self-improvement are their own rewards. This honest and truthful approach to living can make Stoicism more appealing and attainable in contemporary society. As the world becomes increasingly materialistic and focused on external rewards, the stoic philosophy offers a refreshing alternative that focuses on inner peace and self-improvement.

Marco Aurélio, the last of the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire (Coluna de Aurélio), was a Stoic philosopher whose teachings have endured for centuries. His personal diary later published as ‘As Meditações‘ is considered one of the most influential works of philosophy and spirituality. He wrote these personal notes to himself during battles against germanic armies while also suffering from a deadly plague. In these writings, Aurelius offers his stoic views on how to live a good and meaningful life no matter what life throws at you.

Se você está angustiado por qualquer coisa externa, a dor não se deve à coisa em si, mas à sua estimativa dela; e isso você tem o poder de revogar a qualquer momento.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The central concept of all Buddhist teachings is Dharma, which can be translated as truth, reality, or law. The ultimate goal of life is to achieve nobility of the spirit, a form of purity that stems not from a God but from oneself. Dharma exists both in the minds of individuals and as a universal law of righteousness imbued in every aspect of the universe, from the tides of the seas to the changing of the seasons.

Viver de acordo com o Dharma permite que os indivíduos escapem do mistério e alcancem o Nirvana, a libertação definitiva de todo sofrimento. Os budistas acreditam que, por meio da meditação, ioga e concentração, os indivíduos podem treinar sua memória para ver seu renascimento como uma sucessão de elos, até mesmo obtendo informações sobre suas vidas anteriores.

Furthermore, Buddhism teaches that through enlightenment and true wisdom, individuals can attain Nirvana in this life and eventually arrive at the end of the chain of rebirths.

The Mauryan Imperador Ashoka is one of the most iconic rulers of India’s ancient past. A powerful and ambitious ruler, Ashoka was also a great patron of Buddhism. He converted to the religion following his conquest of Kalinga and went on to become one of its most influential supporters. Ashoka is remembered today for his reforms and the patronage he showed towards Buddhism and its spread across India and beyond. His legacy of peaceful rule stands as an example to the world.

Eu impus a lei contra matar certos animais e muitos outros, mas o maior progresso de justiça entre os homens vem da exortação em favor da não lesão à vida e da abstenção de matar seres vivos.

Ashoka The Great

Conclusão

Although separated by continents and through Time, Buddhism and Stoicism are remarkably similar as much as they are different. As one Japanese anecdote narrates, Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), once welcomed a Western university professor to his temple. The guest was interested in learning about Buddhist practices and sharing his views on the matter. Nan-in served tea to the professor and as he poured, he continued well after the cup was full. The professor grew puzzled at first and then frustrated as he watched the overflow; unable to contain himself any longer, he yelled, “But the cup is overfull and cannot take any more tea!” Nan-in replied, “Like this cup, you too are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I teach you Buddhism unless you first empty your own cup?” The professor fell silent, and thus his training began.

This story highlights the importance of emptying one’s mind of prejudices and opinions when learning a philosophy, whether from the East or West. It emphasizes the need to focus on the essentials and cultivate dedication to the teachings to become a master of philosophy. However, it also reminds us that everything in life is impermanent, and we should keep this in mind even as we strive to deepen our understanding of philosophy.