Introduction to Buddhism

Introduction to Buddhism
By: Chip Tolaney

Buddhism has captured the hearts and imaginations of seekers of spiritual understanding across the world. Some 2,500 years ago, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the royal Shakya Clan of Nepal, meditated under the bodhi tree (a type of fig tree) in the Indian town of Bodh Gaya (in eastern India) and attained enlightenment. Today, thousands of pilgrims still travel to this sacred town.

A Special Destiny:'Buddha' means 'the awakened one' and this is the title Siddhartha was known by after his enlightenment. His was a miraculous birth, heralded by an auspicious dream the queen mother Mahamaya had. Siddhartha was a unique infant, and was able to speak to his mother soon after he was born. He told her that his calling was to liberate mankind from suffering. When Siddhartha turned 16, he won the heart and hand of the beautiful princess Yashodhara in a competition of physical strength and strategy against her many suitors. Although he lived a life of pleasure and luxury in the palace, he knew there was something far more meaningful to seek out. On seeing the suffering of fellow human beings he renounced the royal life and set out to find answers to life's most important question: what is the purpose of all life?

Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree: Reaching the town of Bodh Gaya in what is today the state of Bihar (India), Siddhartha decided to meditate until he found the answers he sought, and to this end, he sat under a bodhi tree. He had a vision of all his previous lives, battled with the demons who threatened his meditation and, finally, many days later, on a full moon night, he discovered the Truth that liberates and became the Buddha. At first, it seemed to the Buddha that no one would understand the Truth, but Brahma, the King of the gods (in the Hindu pantheon), persuaded him to teach what he had learned, and the Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath near Varanasi (in north India). During the sermon he explained the basic tenets of Buddhism - the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

The Popularity of Buddhism: Buddhism spread quickly throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, China, Korea, and by around 520 to 550 AD had reached Japan. Buddhism came to America in the 19th century and influenced prominent personalities like Emerson, Thoreau, Aldous Huxley, and Eric Fromm. In Europe, great thinkers such as Jung, Heidigger, and Toynbee were impressed by Buddhism. A large number of American intellectuals have taken to Buddhism in their search for ways to tame the "monsters of the mind" so easily created by material excesses. The ultimate goal of the Buddhist is to accept responsibility for his own circumstances and to understand how he himself creates illusion and suffering.

The Philosophy of Buddhism: Buddhist philosophy accepts the inevitability of disease, death, and emotional pain in a human's life. The cause of human suffering is attributed to the attachment to things that have shape and form. The antidote offered is simple - to cure suffering, free yourself from attachment. Practical ways to end suffering has been prescribed through eight pursuits - right speech, right action, right livelihood, right concentration, right view, right intention, right mindfulness, and right effort.

A Guide to the Principles Teachings of Buddhism

To understand the basic principles of Buddhism, it is not necessary to believe in heaven or hell or to chant mantras. The aim of the Buddha was simply to show mankind how to live without turmoil and in harmony with all living creatures by following The Middle Way between the extremes of over-indulgence and self-denial. To this end he introduced the Eight-Fold Path and the Ten Precepts, as well as the Four Noble Truths. While monks must practice all the precepts, the lay Buddhist (if he is to be called Buddhist) is expected to follow the five main precepts. Buddhist principles are based on the basic idea of cause and effect, also known in eastern philosophy as karma. According to this law every intention, thought and action has a consequence that equals the energy invested in it. From good deeds come good results. Leading a disciplined life can ensure that suffering is kept to a minimum. The calm mind that comes from a disciplined life leads down the path of spirituality to the goal of all human life - self realization, or what the Buddhists call Nirvana. The Buddhist philosophy and way of life is laid out in the Three Jewels, the Four Noble Truths, the Eight Fold Path and the Five Precepts. The first three doctrines are pursued by those who either adopt a monastic life or are involved in a deep philosophical interpretation of Buddhism.

The Philosophy of Buddhism&: The Buddha presented his philosophy in the Four Noble Truths:

Life is suffering: Disease, death and emotional pain are inevitable.

Attachment causes suffering: An attempt to derive happiness from things that have shape and form results in suffering because these are not permanent.

To cure suffering, free yourself from attachment: The cause of suffering is attachment, so make attempts to free yourself from attachment.

The eightfold path will show you the way out of suffering: The Buddha taught practical ways to end suffering through eight pursuits - right speech, right action, right livelihood, right concentration, right view, right intention, right mindfulness, and right effort.

The Five Precepts are what a lay Buddhist is expected to follow in day-to-day living. The Five Main Precepts

Refrain from killing: In order to live harmoniously with all living creatures and create positive instead of negative vibrations, the Buddhist must be vegetarian. This is necessary for the growth of compassion.

Refrain from stealing: In order to be free of guilt, and not cause pain to others, Buddhists must not take anything that is not freely given.

Refrain from sexual misconduct: The Buddha taught his disciples that sexual desire is the greatest obstacle to enlightenment, and the most difficult to overcome. Sexual misconduct is forbidden.

Refrain from lying: To tell a lie is to deny the truth, and a Buddhist centers his life around truth - whether it is the truth of his spiritual path, the truth about himself, or the truth of the universe. Denial of the truth leads to confusion, guilt and disharmony.

Refrain from drugs and alcohol: If we are to clearly see the truth, and gain an accurate perception of life and reality, our minds must be free from the delusion and fuzziness caused by alcohol and drugs. An alert mind is capable of controlling actions efficiently and directing them along virtuous paths.

Buddhism affords believers an oasis where they can regain equilibrium by following the Middle Way. Buddhism enables people to look at life anew and stop blaming God, the universe, and others for their plight. They are the creators of their own worlds. Once they can grasp this great truth, life becomes a joyful journey.