Gethin's Foundation of Buddhism chapter 1 on Buddha was very interesting. Much of the philosophy of Buddha discussed in the chapter resemble Sufi philosophy. Last semester, I took a religion class on Islam and was exposed to Sufism. The goal of a Sufi is to find salvation and enlightenment by finding himself through which he will find God. Similarly, in the Buddhist way, one must give up their worldly pleasures and concentrate on something that is above this world. "The 'renouncer' abandons conventional means of livelihood, such as farming or trade, and adopts instead the religious life as a means of livelihood" (Gethin 10). A Sufi's life also consists of giving up material possessions and leading a life filled with spirituality. The text states that a wanderer or renouncer may also go through physical pain, "enduring all physical discomforts" (Gethin 10). In some Sufi schools, Sufis will walk on a fire path in order to overcome the physical pain and put their mind over matter. The notion of meditation is also present in Sufi thought similar to the Buddhist practice of meditation and going through all the states of consciousness. The goal of both practices is to concentrate and attain something that is beyond this material world. The last activity of the wanderers that Gethin mentions is different in Sufi thought but has a similar concept. "The development of various philosophical views providing the intellectual justification for particular practices and the theoretical expression of the 'knowledge'" is one such concept that is different in Sufi practice (Gethin 11). Sufism developed into numerous schools of thought that resulted in many texts that are used a reference of knowledge. Of these, the works of Rumi, the poet, are most treasured. Similarly, the teachings of Buddha are valued in the Buddhist faith. In learning about world religions, I have found many similarities and overlapping ideas. I thought this would be one worth mentioning!