Ocean Of Perspectives

Buddhism isn’t a religion, but a philosophy. It’s a way of life where the focus isn’t on worshiping a deity, but on improving oneself through control of the mind and actions.

The Buddha taught that expectations and desires are the root of suffering. Because this world is impermanent, changes from joy to sorrow, good health to illness and so on, are a reality. By accepting that opposites exist in life and developing detachment through meditation, right thinking and actions, suffering is reduced. One is encouraged to become aware of the mind and then controlling it. The basic belief is that using meditation to learn to control the mind and right acts will then lead to enlightenment. The truly enlightened will achieve Nirvana, which enables one to be released from the cycles of birth and death. Buddhists believe that the Buddha is the enlightened one and therefore an example of what one should seek to become.

Buddhist teachings are based in The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path and The Precepts, which is the moral code or guidance for living a better life.

The Four Noble Truths

Life Means Suffering

The Origin of Suffering Is Attachment

There Can Be an End to Desire

The Path to Cessation of Suffering

Buddhists believe every aspect of life is made up of positive and negative aspects, i.e. joy/sorrow, health/illness, which should be accepted as a part of life that cannot be escaped and should not to be ignored. Attachments such as desire or cravings are illusions that bind us to impermanent things and are the root of all suffering. Therefore, to stop suffering, one must separate from the illusion of attachment and desire.

The Eightfold Path

Wisdom

1. Right view

2. Right intention

Ethical conduct

3. Right speech (Use words in a positive manner)

4. Right action (Conduct)

5. Right livelihood (Choose work or a profession that harms no one)

Mental discipline

6. Right effort (Continue to strive for perfection)

7. Right mindfulness (Be aware and act with purpose)

8. Right concentration (Meditate to reach the state of no self)

The Precepts

1. Do not kill any living thing
2. Don’t steal
3. Don’t commit adultery or sexual misconduct
4. Refrain from lying and deceiving
5. Abstain from intoxicants

There are five more Precepts for monks and nuns that aren’t included here. More information can be found in the many books available in stores as well as the internet.

Tags: Religions, philosophies //