Buddhism
Buddhism follows
the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who lived in India sometime
around 500 BCE. The principle philosophy
of Buddha may be summed up as this: All suffering arises from desire; to end
suffering, we must, rather than seeking to fulfill our desires, seek to stop
desiring; we can stop desiring by recognizing that what we desire is illusion;
we can realize this by following the eightfold path.
The Four Noble Truths:
This is Buddha’s first teaching
(1)
Life is suffering.
(2)
Suffering is caused by desire – either desire to gain
something, or desire for something to cease.
(3)
Suffering ends when desire ends. We can stop desiring, though, only when we
realize that both our existence and the world around us are illusion.
(4)
We will reach this liberated state – nirvana – by
following the Eightfold path.
The Eightfold Path: These
are Buddha’s teachings about how to live so that we can reach enlightenment.
(1)
Right seeing – see the world as it is, not as it
appears to be
(2)
Right intention – have the intention of harmlessness
and renunciation
(3)
Right speaking – speak the truth, speak no hurtful
words
(4)
Right action – do no harm
(5)
Right livelihood – make a living in a way that does no
harm
(6)
Right effort – make the effort to improve
(7)
Right awareness – be aware, be here now, without desire
or aversion
(8)
Right mediation – practice correct meditation
The Five Precepts:
These are the five training rules, meant to help aspirants follow the path more
easily.
(1)
Refrain from taking life
(2)
Refrain from taking that which is not given
(3)
Refrain from sensual misconduct
(4)
Refrain from lying
(5)
Refrain from toxicant which will lead to loss of
mindfulness
Nirvana: This
means emptiness, being “blown out”; it is the goal of a good Buddha. Buddhist philosophy/religion holds that souls
are reborn over and over. Only by
achieving Nirvana can we climb off the great wheel and achieve the peace of
Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism holds that
once that enlightenment is achieved, we simply reach the end of the cycle of
rebirths and are at peace. Mahayana Buddhism believes enlightened souls become
Buddha, and advance to a celestial realm, a heaven; although some bodhisattvas remain on earth to help
other souls achieve enlightenment.
Bodhisattva:
Various sorts of Buddhas or very-near Buddhas who are delaying their
enlightenment in order to remain on earth and aid in the enlightenment of
others.
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