Buddhism is a journey into the depths of one’s mind, an exploration of who we are and what we are. This spiritual journey is nothing more and nothing less then discovering the inner reality of our essence. The main teaching of Buddhist path shows us the pure nature of reality, the truth of our own mind as well as the world outside. It is important to realize that these teachings do not constitute a religion in the conventional sense. Rather, they represent a genuine science of mind a pursuit of insight order to uncover the authentic nature of the mind and the world that we experience. Buddhism is a philosophy of life. It deals with what it means to be a human being and helps us to understand how we can ease the suffering of the world.
A science of mind
Buddhism is a science; we do not mean the dry analysis of material things. We are talking about something much bigger looking at the reality of our inner world, which is the most powerful world. There are similarities between this inner science and the outer science. For example, in the outer science we bring our concepts and ideas into the laboratory for testing. Those tests bring about a certain result, a fruition of the idea. In a similar way, we hear or read about concept taught by Buddha. We then examine this concept. We analyze it thoroughly in the laboratory of our mind perhaps by looking deeply into our emotions and thoughts. Through the process of meditation, our analysis reveals to us yes; this is true or not true. Through repeating these investigations over time, we can explore our intrinsic true nature and see ourselves and our world more accurately.
A philosophy of life
As we come to know our minds we become more capable of manifesting the compassionate activity that is inseparably linked to wisdom. Our resulting understanding of mind brings us greater clarity about how to lead our lives effectively and meaningfully. The Buddha taught that if we explore our minds, the suffering, the joy, the disturbing emotions, and the confusion we will discover that the basic nature of mind is absolutely clear. There is nothing in the fundamental nature of mind that is “wrong” there are no imperfections in its essence. This basic clarity is another aspect of the mind that we explore on the Buddhist path of spirituality and in our daily lives.
Exploring these two aspects of the path, with the guidance of teachers and the support of a community, can enable us to discover the potential of our enlightened mind. This philosophy of life can also help us to experience each moment in a way that can bring greater meaning into our lives so that we can be of benefit to the world.
The four noble truths
1) Life means suffering
2) The origin of suffering is the attachment
3) The cessation of suffering is attainable
4) The path to the cessation of suffering
1) Life means suffering
To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical, suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age and eventually death, and we have to endure psychological suffering such as sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment and depression. There are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering such as ease, comfort and happiness. Life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to have permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day too.
2) The origin of suffering is attachment.
The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and in greater sense all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity or in short craving and clinging. The objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a “self ” which is delusion because there is no abiding self what we call “self ” is just and imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.
3) The cessation of suffering is attainable
The cessation of suffering can be attained thorough nirodha. Nirodha means removing sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended thorough extinguishing passion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome simply by removing the cause of suffering. Extinguishing passion involves a many level process. Ultimately, it results in achieving the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana cannot be comprehended by those who have not attained it.
4) The path to the cessation of suffering
There is a path to end suffering. A gradual path of self-improvement which is described in detail in the eightfold path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self mortification (asceticism) and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality distinguishes it from other paths which are merely “wandering on the wheel of becoming” because these do not have a final outcome. The path to end suffering can extend over many lifetimes. Every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craviing, ignorance, delusions and their effects will disappear gradually as progress is made on the path.
Click on pictures below to see God & Goddess of Buddhism
