What Is Buddhism?

 Buddhism is a religion and spiritual tradition that has greatly influenced many cultures and societies over the past 2,600 years. Founded by Siddhattha Gotama, known as the Buddha (Awakened One), Buddhism originated in northern India and has since spread across Asia and most of the world. It offers a deep and systematic approach to understanding the nature of reality, the causes of human suffering and the path to spiritual liberation. Buddhism emphasizes personal experience and practical steps over dogma, encouraging practitioners to investigate and realize truths for themselves. This path is marked by moral conduct (Sila), meditation (Samadhi) and cultivation of wisdom (Panna). Buddhism encompasses a variety of schools and practices, with Theravada Buddhism being the oldest and most traditional form, adhering closely to the original teachings of the Buddha.

The Four Noble Truths

At the heart of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths, which encapsulate the essence of the Buddha’s teaching. All of the teachings of the Buddha are encompassed within the Four Noble Truths:

1.    The Truth of Dukkha

Dukkha is generally translated as suffering but it has a far more broad meaning than suffering. It encompasses a spectrum of experience from  severe physical and emotional pain on one end to more subtle forms of stress, dissatisfaction and discontent on the other end. The Buddha taught that life inevitably involves some form of Dukkha.

2.    The Truth of the Cause of Dukkha (Samudaya)

The Second Noble Truth teaches us that this experience of Dukkha isn’t an unalterable aspect of existence. It has a cause and that cause is craving (Tanha). Craving can take different forms, either craving for sensual pleasure, craving for things to be a certain way or craving for things to not be the way they are. These cravings arise because of our fundamental misunderstanding of our human nature and the nature of reality.

3.    The Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha (Nirodha)

The Third Noble Truth teaches us that there is a complete ending to Dukkha.

4.    The Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha (Magga)

The Fourth Noble Truth is the Eightfold Noble Path. This is a path that when developed and cultivated leads to the end of all forms of Dukkha.

This path has eight factors which are:

1.    Right View

2.    Right Intention

3.    Right Speech

4.    Right Action

5.    Right Livelihood

6.    Right Effort

7.    Right Mindfulness

8.    Right Concentration

Each factor of the path is interdependent and supports the development of the others.