The Basics: What the Buddha Taught
The primary teachings shared by all schools of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the Precepts. Within these teachings are woven the Buddhist doctrines of suffering (dukkha), the five aggregates of being (skandhas), no-self (anatta, shunyata), ethics, karma, rebirth, enlightenment and Nirvana.
What Is Buddhism?
There's more to Buddhism than shaving one's head, wearing orange robes and being blissful. Here is a guide to the basic basics for those who don't know nothin' about Buddhism.
There's more to Buddhism than shaving one's head, wearing orange robes and being blissful. Here is a guide to the basic basics for those who don't know nothin' about Buddhism.
Dependent Origination
Dependent Origination is a Buddhist teaching on the nature of existence -- nothing exists independently of other things.
Dependent Origination is a Buddhist teaching on the nature of existence -- nothing exists independently of other things.
The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
The Buddha said there are twelve links (nidanas) in the "chain" of Dependent Origination. Dependent Origination is the Buddhist teaching on how things come to be, are, and cease to be. According to this teaching, no beings or phenomena exist independently of other beings and phenomena.
The Buddha said there are twelve links (nidanas) in the "chain" of Dependent Origination. Dependent Origination is the Buddhist teaching on how things come to be, are, and cease to be. According to this teaching, no beings or phenomena exist independently of other beings and phenomena.
The Four Seals of the Dharma
Buddhism is distinguished by four characteristics, called the Four Dharma Seals. Any religion or philosophy that contains these four seals is Buddhist, whether it calls itself "Buddhist" or not. By the same token, a "Buddhism" that contradicts any of the Four Seals is not Buddhism, whether it calls itself that or not.
Buddhism is distinguished by four characteristics, called the Four Dharma Seals. Any religion or philosophy that contains these four seals is Buddhist, whether it calls itself "Buddhist" or not. By the same token, a "Buddhism" that contradicts any of the Four Seals is not Buddhism, whether it calls itself that or not.
Three Marks of Existence
The Buddha taught that everything in the physical world, including mental activity and psychological experience, is marked with three characteristics -- impermance, suffering and egolessness. Thorough examination and awareness of these marks helps us abandon the grasping and clinging that bind us.
The Buddha taught that everything in the physical world, including mental activity and psychological experience, is marked with three characteristics -- impermance, suffering and egolessness. Thorough examination and awareness of these marks helps us abandon the grasping and clinging that bind us.
Brahma-vihara: The Four Divine States or Four Immeasurables
The Buddha taught his monks to cultivate four states of mind, called the "Brahma-vihara," "four divine states of dwelling" or "Four Immeasurables." These are loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
The Buddha taught his monks to cultivate four states of mind, called the "Brahma-vihara," "four divine states of dwelling" or "Four Immeasurables." These are loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
Buddhism: Philosophy or Religion?
Is Buddhism a philosophy or a religion? Many have strong opinions it is one or the other. Clarifying this point is important to understanding Buddhism.
Is Buddhism a philosophy or a religion? Many have strong opinions it is one or the other. Clarifying this point is important to understanding Buddhism.
Faith, Doubt and Buddhism
The word "faith" often is used as a synonym for religion; people say "What is your faith?" to mean "What is your religion?" But what do we mean by "faith," and what part does faith play in Buddhism?
The word "faith" often is used as a synonym for religion; people say "What is your faith?" to mean "What is your religion?" But what do we mean by "faith," and what part does faith play in Buddhism?
Why Do Buddhists Avoid Attachment?
You may have heard that Buddhists are supposed to be free of attachments. But "attachment" may not mean what you think it means.
You may have heard that Buddhists are supposed to be free of attachments. But "attachment" may not mean what you think it means.
War and Buddhism
Buddhism opposes war, but sometimes Buddhists must go to war. Buddhism values pacifism, yet Buddhism is associated with martial arts. What does Buddhism teach about war?
Buddhism opposes war, but sometimes Buddhists must go to war. Buddhism values pacifism, yet Buddhism is associated with martial arts. What does Buddhism teach about war?
Perfection of Giving
Giving to others is essential to the practice of Buddhism. However, one's motivation for giving to others is at least as important as what is given.
Giving to others is essential to the practice of Buddhism. However, one's motivation for giving to others is at least as important as what is given.
Buddhism and Abortion
Buddhism teaches that abortion is the taking of a human life, but at the same time most Buddhists are reluctant to interfere with a woman's personal decision to abort. From a Buddhist perspective, these positions are not contradictory.
Buddhism teaches that abortion is the taking of a human life, but at the same time most Buddhists are reluctant to interfere with a woman's personal decision to abort. From a Buddhist perspective, these positions are not contradictory.
Sex and Buddhism
Buddhism challenges us to think about sexual ethics and morals very differently from the way most of us have been taught to think about them. What does Buddhism teach about sex?
Buddhism challenges us to think about sexual ethics and morals very differently from the way most of us have been taught to think about them. What does Buddhism teach about sex?
Buddhism and Morality
The Buddhist Approach to morality avoids absolutes and rigid commandments. Instead, Buddhists are encouraged to weigh and analyze situations to come to their own decisions about what is moral.
The Buddhist Approach to morality avoids absolutes and rigid commandments. Instead, Buddhists are encouraged to weigh and analyze situations to come to their own decisions about what is moral.
What Do Buddhists Believe?
Religions usually are defined by their beliefs, and religious people are supposed to "believe in" the doctrines they are taught. But in Buddhism, beliefs are beside the point, and doctrines are a means to an end, not the end itself.
Religions usually are defined by their beliefs, and religious people are supposed to "believe in" the doctrines they are taught. But in Buddhism, beliefs are beside the point, and doctrines are a means to an end, not the end itself.
Atheism and Devotion in Buddhism
If atheism is the absence of belief in gods, then many Buddhists are atheists. Why then do Buddhists pray and bow to Buddha figures on altars?
If atheism is the absence of belief in gods, then many Buddhists are atheists. Why then do Buddhists pray and bow to Buddha figures on altars?
Buddhism and Evil
This essay explores common conceptualizations of evil and compares them to Buddhist teachings on evil.
This essay explores common conceptualizations of evil and compares them to Buddhist teachings on evil.
Anger and Buddhism
Anger is a poison and an obstacle to enlightenment, the Buddha said. Yet we all get angry. What does Buddhism teach about dealing with anger?
Anger is a poison and an obstacle to enlightenment, the Buddha said. Yet we all get angry. What does Buddhism teach about dealing with anger?
Buddhism and Vegetarianism
The historical Buddha and his disciples were not vegetarians. Why then did vegetarianism come to be associated with Buddhism?
The historical Buddha and his disciples were not vegetarians. Why then did vegetarianism come to be associated with Buddhism?
Introduction to Buddhism
An essay explaining how Buddhists view the world, the four main teachings of the Buddha, and the Buddhist view of the self.
An essay explaining how Buddhists view the world, the four main teachings of the Buddha, and the Buddhist view of the self.