Buddhist Teachings
Who was the Buddha?
The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama as a prince in India in the 6th century B.C. Living in opulence, his father was determined to shelter him from the harsh realities and unpleasantness of life. It was not until his late 20’s that Siddhartha ventured beyond the palace walls and witnessed poverty, disease, old age and death. It was then that he shed his royal clothes and habits and went in search of the truth. He walked the countryside, studied with sages, and became an ascetic, but did not find the truth until one day, as it is believed, he sat under a Bodhi tree, determined not to get up until the truth came to him. It was here, at age 35, that he experienced enlightenment. Determined to share the truth with others, he spent the remaining 45 years of his life teaching in India and Nepal.
The Buddha is not a god, nor is he the son of God or a divinity of any kind. Buddhism is a non-deist system of thought. The Buddha was a human being who was given the title “buddha,” which means “enlightened one.” More...
What did the Buddha teach?
The Buddha’s teachings, which were extensive, were passed on through memorization and oral tradition for 300 years until they were transcribed in Sri Lanka. Overall, the Buddha’s teachings are known as the “dharma.” Today there are over 10,000 suttas (texts) that pertain to his teachings, all of which are universal and practical. The Buddha encouraged respect for, and inclusion of, all religions, and urged his disciples not to adopt his teachings on faith. Instead, he emphasized learning through questioning, and a process of self-discovery and understanding. He underscored that he was only a guide and a teacher, and that individuals must each travel a path to enlightenment. The insight and meditation practice that is at its core was not divinely revealed but sprang from an understanding of the true nature of the mind. The Buddha’s path of spiritual awakening and way of practice (“practice” refers to an application of the Buddha’s teachings) are ones that individuals can follow in their daily lives. Buddhism is as relevant today as it was in Buddha’s time. The Buddhist path includes compassionate action, meditation and wisdom. It teaches that the purpose of an individual’s journey to awakening or enlightenment is not only to serve the individual, but to benefit all of humankind. It seeks to enable individuals to open their hearts and act with compassion. More…
As indicated, the Budda’s teachings are extensive. They are contained in over 2,000 “suttas,” which house his teachings. His first teaching plus 1,000 suttas can be found on the website, Access to Insight.
Following are three of his most basic concepts.
1) The Four Noble Truths
The Buddha’s first talk following his enlightenment outlined his most fundamental teaching: The Four Noble Truths which are the heart of all Buddhist principles and practices. The Buddha advanced that 1) all beings experience suffering, or dissatisfaction, that causes unhappiness, stress or a loss of meaning; 2) the cause of suffering is craving or attachment to ideas, conditions, or desires. He taught that 3) there could be an end to suffering and 4) The Eightfold Path, is a way to freedom and happiness More…
2) The Eightfold Path
The Buddha offered the Eightfold Path as a guide for individuals to follow to free themselves from craving its consequent suffering. Although The Eightfold Path is often perceived as a series of steps, it can be better understood as eight interrelated aspects of life. It is divided into three areas: 1) Wisdom: Right View and Right Intention 2) Ethical Conduct: Right Speech, Right Livelihood and Right Action and 3) Mental Discipline: Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, and Right Effort. Following the path is a daily practice. More...
3) The Middle Way
When the Buddha left the palace in search of truth, he became an ascetic in hopes that self deprivation would enable him to find and see the truth. He found, however, that it didn’t. This led him to conclude that the extremes – neither self-deprivation (as an ascetic) or self-indulgence (which he had experienced at the palace) – would not lead to truth and liberation. Instead, he advocated choosing a path between the extremes and offered The Eightfold Path as a middle way. Buddhism itself is sometimes referred to as “the middle way.” More…
What is Karma?
The Buddhist concept of karma (or kamma) has been distorted in the West, and often used flippantly to denote a person’s legacy. Rather, in Pali, karma means action and it relates to the principle of cause and effect. It refers to the adage: “We reap what we sow.” If we are kind and generous, we will receive kindness and generosity – although we don’t know when! Significant time may pass. In fact, the result may be felt in another lifetime. Because of this, it isn’t easy to connect a specific action with a specific effect. Karma produces a karmic outcome only when a person has acted with intention or volition. If you did not intentionally cause harm, for example, this will not produce a karmic effect. As well, if you did not intentionally cause kindness, this will not produce a karmic effect. More…
What is Nirvana?
Nirvana is another complex term that has been distorted in the West, especially as it has entered our everyday language. It is often referred to simply as a state of bliss. For Buddhists, however, nirvana represents freedom from craving and suffering, which results in a state of liberation and peace. It is a Buddhist’s goal. More…
What exactly is Meditation, and why is it so important? What is Mindfulness?
A Buddhist seeks to gain insight and to tap his or her inner wisdom. But, how can this be accomplished? Meditation is a basic tool. Most of us have been oriented to looking outward more than looking inward. We are accustomed to our minds “running the show,” creating stories, roaming around, and at times quite aimlessly without observing what is right in front of us. We are often not attuned to the present, but instead are ruminating on the past or anticipating the future. Meditation is a tool that is used to be present in the moment, develop the skill of looking inward, strengthen our ability to calm our mind and explore its nature, and harness our mind to maintain a deep level of concentration. Meditation is important because gaining insight and tapping our wisdom requires a clear and concentrated mind. More…
Mindfulness
is paying attention in a particular way – purposefully, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. It’s a gentle effort to be continuously living in the present moment. The goal, however, is not only to be mindful during periods of meditation. The goal is to be mindful throughout the day – in eating breakfast, tasting the food and noticing the movement of the fork or spoon, or washing a plate and experiencing all of your movements and the cleaning of the plate.
Mindfulness is a state that is important to Buddhists because it is through this state that focus, concentration, and insight is possible. But mindfulness has become relevant to many today, not just Buddhists. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, created the well-known Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course that is offered across the country. Locally, it is available through Kaiser Permanente and offered by individuals and at various centers throughout the Bay Area. For many Buddhists, Kabat-Zinn’s course is a doorway into Buddhist practice.
What is it like to be a Buddhist? What do Buddhists do?
There is no one way to be a Buddhist! Those who identify themselves as Buddhists often refer to their “practice,” which consists of strategies they employ to connect themselves to the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhist practice entails working with yourself. It might be said to reflect the adage, “Be the change in the world you want to see.”
So, what do Buddhists do? Typically, seek to live as mindfully as possible throughout the day, sit in meditation for a certain period each day, and gain insight that enables freedom from hatred, attachment, and ignorance. In addition, one might be a part of a Sangha, take classes or have a Buddhist teacher. One might attend retreats that can range from one day to three or more months. Or be involved in service to others as a way of practicing socially engaged Buddhism.
Zen Master and Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who along with His Eminence the Dalai Lama, is one of the most revered Buddhists in the world, has written prolifically and beautifully about Buddhist practice. Here he describes a Buddhist’s approach to life:
“Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours await me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” Thich Nhat Hanh