Basic of Buddhism

[localboyz]

TweetWhat is Buddhism?

Buddhism is a religion that originated in northern India over 2500 years ago. From there it spread into China, Japan and to Tibet. Today it is practiced throughout the world, attracting over 350 million followers. Like other religions, it has its own special teachings and practices but, unlike other religions, does not believe in God. Consequently, it is sometimes referred to as an atheistic religion. It does, however, like all religions, have the idea of 'transcendence' - of 'going beyond' ordinary consciousness - central to its teaching.

Who was the Buddha?

The word 'Buddha' means 'enlightened one' or 'awakened one'. The person who became a Buddha was Siddhattha Gotama who was born in Northern India in or around the sixth century BCE. The traditional story describes him as a prince who became discontented with his life of pleasure when he began to realize that it would pass and that life was subject to old age, sickness and death. Consequently, he left his home and family and spent six years searching for enlightenment. To achieve this, he starved his body and undertook other activities hoping that he would find an ultimate answer to the mysteries of life. At the end of these six years, he realized that the methods he was using were not working. So, he went back to eating properly again, thinking that it was important that he looked after his body enough to maintain health and vigor. And then, one day, he sat under a tree and began to meditate, determined to win enlightenment or die. Before he arose once again from that spot, Gotama Siddhattha had become an enlightened being - a Buddha.

The essence of the Buddha's teaching is encapsulated in The Four Noble Truths:

1. The Noble Truth of Suffering

The First Noble Truth is suffering or dukkha. This includes physical, emotional and mental forms of suffering but can also be interpreted more widely as a feeling of ‘dissatisfaction’. Any happiness that we have in life will not last forever – old age, sickness and inevitably death cannot be avoided. In the scriptures, suffering is defined according to the following categories: Birth, Decay, Death, Sorrow, Lamentation, Pain, Grief and Despair. It is also defined as not getting what one desires.

2. The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering

The Second Noble Truth points to the origin of suffering, namely craving or tanha (literally ‘thirst’). At its most simple this relates to our constant craving for what is pleasurable in what we see, hear, smell, taste, touch and think. Our lives are constantly driven by our desire for pleasant sensations. When such pleasant sensations are denied us, as they inevitably are from time to time, then we feel frustrated, dissatisfied - we suffer. There can be more subtle forms of craving – a desire for fame, wealth, recognition – the list is endless.
3. The Noble Truth of the Extinction of Suffering

The Third Noble Truth refers to Nibbana in which craving has faded completely and thereby suffering too. It is an irrevocable ‘state’ of peace, in which greed, hatred and delusion have completely disappeared. By attaining to it, no more kamma is produced and the round of rebirths comes to an end.

4. The Noble Truth that leads to the Extinction of Suffering

The Fourth Noble Truth provides a practical pathway to the realization of Nibbana in the form of the Noble Eightfold Path. This consists of eight factors: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.


https://buddhism.about.com

[trip]

TweetFinally, another Buddhist lifter, yeah

[localboyz]

Tweetsorry bro, just trying to raise awareness. not buddhist though.

[warpalien]

Tweeti live close to a buddhist temple thing