"Buddhism" is neither a religion nor a philosophy; it is a path of practice summed up in four ennobling truths. Meditation is development to superheroic heights (naturalnews.com). Buddhism tells us that everything in the world arises due to causes and conditions and is subject to change. Nothing is permanent. However, it is in this process of change that we can cultivate profitable conditions (merit) that lead us to a better future. Buddhism points out the causes of suffering and, moreover, how we can bring suffering to a final end.
Buddhists look upon the Buddha as a teacher. He is an ideal teacher who has realized the truth of life and phenomena in the universe. He has freed himself from greed, hatred, and ignorance -- and he assures us that we can do the same. He was pure in conduct and perfect in wisdom and compassion.
He shared his experiences and taught us methods of practice to evolve. It is by making our own effort, putting into practice these teachings, that we can gradually develop a calm, rational, and compassionate mind, purifying our conduct and ending our suffering.
We, too, can attain perfect wisdom, compassion, and other virtues just like the Buddha, who pointed out that:
By ourselves is wrong done;
By ourselves we pain endure.
By ourselves we cease from harm;
By ourselves become we pure.
No one saves us but ourselves;
No one can and no one may.
We ourselves must walk the path,
Buddhas only point the way.
(Wisdom Quarterly translation, Dhammapada 165)
Four Truths that Ennoble Practitioners
Dharmachari Seven, Wisdom Quarterly
The first truth one realizes long before coming to Buddhism is that life is beset by unpleasant and unsatisfactory experiences.
There is disappointment. This message is forever useful and fresh because it leads to the second realization: There is a cause.
There are reasons why this is happening. Our distress does not pop out of nothing. What are the causes and supporting conditions for it? More importantly, what are the causes and conditions for happiness, peace, and freedom?
That happiness, peace, and freedom from all that is disappointing is the third truth, the truth of nirvana (the end of suffering). But so what if there is unhappiness, so what if it has a cause, so what if there is a solution, what does any of that matter if it were not for the fourth truth: the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering?
So the Four Noble Truths are all about ending suffering. They lead to enlightenment and nirvana, the ultimate. Nowadays we would be less put off if Buddhism were not phrased negatively focusing on suffering: There is an illness. There is a cause. There is a cure. Here is the cure.
The Dharma in a nutshell could just as easily be phrased positively: There is a cure. There is a cause of getting better. Of course, it goes without saying that there is an illness. Here is the cure!
The fourth truth is the Noble Eightfold Path, a tightly packed set of instructions that must be unpacked to be put into proper practice. All told, the practice that leads to enlightenment has 37 requisites.
Introduction
The Noble Eightfold Path and its Factors Explained
Preface
By ourselves we pain endure.
By ourselves we cease from harm;
By ourselves become we pure.
No one saves us but ourselves;
No one can and no one may.
We ourselves must walk the path,
Buddhas only point the way.
(Wisdom Quarterly translation, Dhammapada 165)
Four Truths that Ennoble Practitioners
Dharmachari Seven, Wisdom Quarterly
The first truth one realizes long before coming to Buddhism is that life is beset by unpleasant and unsatisfactory experiences.There is disappointment. This message is forever useful and fresh because it leads to the second realization: There is a cause.
There are reasons why this is happening. Our distress does not pop out of nothing. What are the causes and supporting conditions for it? More importantly, what are the causes and conditions for happiness, peace, and freedom?
That happiness, peace, and freedom from all that is disappointing is the third truth, the truth of nirvana (the end of suffering). But so what if there is unhappiness, so what if it has a cause, so what if there is a solution, what does any of that matter if it were not for the fourth truth: the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering?
So the Four Noble Truths are all about ending suffering. They lead to enlightenment and nirvana, the ultimate. Nowadays we would be less put off if Buddhism were not phrased negatively focusing on suffering: There is an illness. There is a cause. There is a cure. Here is the cure.
The Dharma in a nutshell could just as easily be phrased positively: There is a cure. There is a cause of getting better. Of course, it goes without saying that there is an illness. Here is the cure!
The fourth truth is the Noble Eightfold Path, a tightly packed set of instructions that must be unpacked to be put into proper practice. All told, the practice that leads to enlightenment has 37 requisites.Introduction
The Noble Eightfold Path and its Factors Explained
Preface
- I. Right View
- II. Right Thought
- III. Right Speech
- IV. Right Action
- V. Right Livelihood
- VI. Right Effort
- VII. Right Mindfulness
- VIII. Right Concentration
