"It will pass....." - an outline of Buddhism

Tibet & Tibetan Buddhism Archive


What is Buddhism? Is it a religion, a philosophy, or both? Is it something that can help a person be the best they can be (Om mane Padme om), or is it just an interesting curiosity? After more than 2,500 years Buddhism has stood the test of time, yet this author comes to it with many questions. Despite reading about Buddhism, and especially Tibetan Buddhism, for almost thirty years - since the mid 1990s - it was only attendance at a series of classes on meditation during January 2015 that revealed its essence. I finally understood what Buddhism was about, and what was at its core. What I found - after going back to a number of biographical studies of the life of Buddha during 2014 and looking at his own path to enlightenment, along with taking on board the wise words delivered as part of the 2015 meditation course - was a revelation. I was enlightened about the true meaning of enlightenment and the path leading to it. I have therefore tried to summarize my new understanding - my revelation - below with a few brief notes. They are written primarily for my own reference, so that I do not forget them, but also to help others who come to Buddhism and are confused by its many forms, strands and often complex terminology. To an outsider, there are Three Jewels which help explain Buddhism:

3 Jewels
  1. The life and example of Buddha (the person)
  2. The Dharma i.e. doctrine or teaching of Buddha
  3. The Sangha i.e. monastic order or community which practices Buddhism
Much of the complexity of the dharma came later, following the death of Buddha, as followers and students of his teachings reflected upon, and developed them. However Buddha himself, like the Dalai Lama, was a simple monk. His teachings, at their heart, were simple, yet profound. For example, he introduced the concept of complete responsibility for one's own fate. Buddha's teachings were for every person on the planet, irregardless of individual religious beliefs, race or status. They offer a path to inner peace and happiness and allow us all to manage the suffering which is a normal part of everyday existence. The climax of Buddha's searching, contemplation and meditation was the Eureka! moment when he discovered the four noble truths, the key to achieving inner peace:

4 Noble Truths
  1. Suffering exists.
  2. There is a cause of suffering.
  3. The cause is desire or craving.
  4. The end of suffering is through the Noble 8-fold Path.
These Noble Truths refer to personal, internal suffering arising from desire and externalities, and not to physical suffering arising from pain or illness, which may or may not be related. The 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism are like the Ten Commandments of Christianity, only more central to the teaching. From them everything else flows. In times of doubt and confusion we should return to them. The revelation of the 4 Noble Truths to Buddha came after many years of meditation and life experience. It was a powerful moment, and the core of all that followed in his life. Their simplicity is breath-taking, yet their significance is profound.

In regards to my own journey, I found that meditation was the key to unlocking what Buddhism was all about. All of a sudden I understood why the iconic images we have of Buddha are of him meditating. Meditation is such an important element to implementation of the 4 Noble Truths, for through meditation one can achieve enlightenment and live life according to the Noble 8-fold Path. We can read about all of this in numerous texts, but meditation is integral to a true understanding and practical implementation. The Noble 8-fold Path is a means of achieving an end to personal suffering, just as meditation enables one to clear the mind of suffering. It is composed of the following elements:

Noble 8-fold Path
  1. Right Speech (truthful, nice)
  2. Right bodily action (be good, not bad)
  3. Right living (not wrong living)
  4. Right effort (stop evilness and wrong doing, both by self and others)
  5. Right mindfulness (awareness)
  6. Right concentration (meditation)
  7. Right view (ceasing of ill will)
  8. Right thought (harmlessness)
The first three elements are often referred to under the general heading of MORALITY. The second three are referred to in respect of MEDITATION. The final two refer to the attainment of WISDOM.  If one follows these as a way of life, then the path to enlightenment is open. Buddha spoke of the Middle Way in achieving enlightenment, and this meant that anyone could do it - from the monk meditating along in a cave on a hill or with others in a monastery, to an ordinary person working and raising a family and living a 'good' life. These Noble 8-fold Path and the 4 Noble Truths are the core around which Buddhist teachings, scriptures and practiced have developed over time, and continue to develop. Other elements of understanding that assist with the attainment of an end to suffering, or enlightenment (nirvana), include:
 
12 Link Chain of Causation
  1. Ignorance
  2. Volition
  3. Consciousness
  4. Mind and body
  5. Six senses
  6. Contact
  7. Feeling
  8. Craving / desire
  9. Grasping
  10. Becoming
  11. Birth
  12. Old age
All of these elements can effect the path to enlightenment. The 3 Signs of Being are also commonly referred to in discussions aimed at understanding and achieving enlightenment.

3 Sign of Being
  1. Impermanence
  2. Suffering
  3. No soul / No I
  4. Nirvana
These are simple elements at the core of Buddhism. From all these the vast complexity of modern understanding, practice and scripture flows. Impermanence, especially, is a core element of Buddhism, for an appreciation of impermanence can assist one in obtaining perspective regarding what is important in life and death.
 
References
 
Melvin McLeod, No Self, No Suffering, Lion's Roar, [Blog],  28 July 2022. Abstract: The Buddha made a big promise — that if we know the cause of suffering we can end it. Melvin McLeod breaks down the Buddha’s four noble truths — including his unique insight into the real cause of our suffering — and argues it’s not only the ultimate self-help formula, but the best guide to helping others and benefiting the world.
 
---------------------- 

Created: 1 June 2015
Last updated: 1 August 2022
Michael Organ, Australia

Comments

Post a Comment