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.
Buddhism and Abortion - Discuss Buddhist Views on Abortion
Buddhism does consider abortion to be the taking of a human life. At the same time, many western Buddhists are pro-choice. Is being pro-choice consistent with Buddhist teachings?
Buddhism does consider abortion to be the taking of a human life. At the same time, many western Buddhists are pro-choice. Is being pro-choice consistent with Buddhist teachings?
Does Buddhism Conflict With Science
Do Buddhism and science agree? Do they have to agree? What if they disagree? Most of us, I suspect, in our own heads automatically interpret and "update" the ancient texts to match our knowledge of earth science. The nature of what we are trying to understand does not depend on believing in Four Great Elements rather than atoms and molecules. Is this OK?
Do Buddhism and science agree? Do they have to agree? What if they disagree? Most of us, I suspect, in our own heads automatically interpret and "update" the ancient texts to match our knowledge of earth science. The nature of what we are trying to understand does not depend on believing in Four Great Elements rather than atoms and molecules. Is this OK?
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?
Buddhism and Compassion
The Buddha taught that compassion isn't just a nice virtue; it is essential to realizing enlightenment.
The Buddha taught that compassion isn't just a nice virtue; it is essential to realizing enlightenment.
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.
Buddhism and Science
If there is an article of faith among many present-day Buddhists, it's that the more science discovers, the better scientific knowledge harmonizes with Buddhism. Is this true, and is it a good way to approach Buddhism?
If there is an article of faith among many present-day Buddhists, it's that the more science discovers, the better scientific knowledge harmonizes with Buddhism. Is this true, and is it a good way to approach Buddhism?
Misunderstanding Buddhism
Buddhists want to get enlightened so they can be blissed out all the time. And they believe in reincarnation, and if something bad happens to you it's because of something you did in a past life. And Buddhists have to be vegetarians. Everybody knows that. Unfortunately, much of what "everybody knows" about Buddhism isn't true.
Buddhists want to get enlightened so they can be blissed out all the time. And they believe in reincarnation, and if something bad happens to you it's because of something you did in a past life. And Buddhists have to be vegetarians. Everybody knows that. Unfortunately, much of what "everybody knows" about Buddhism isn't true.
How People Misunderstand Buddhism
Buddhists want to get enlightened so they can be blissed out all the time. And they believe in reincarnation, and if something bad happens to you it's because of something you did in a past life. And Buddhists have to be vegetarians. Everybody knows that. Unfortunately, much of what "everybody knows" about Buddhism isn't true. What do you think are the most common things people believe about Budd…
Buddhists want to get enlightened so they can be blissed out all the time. And they believe in reincarnation, and if something bad happens to you it's because of something you did in a past life. And Buddhists have to be vegetarians. Everybody knows that. Unfortunately, much of what "everybody knows" about Buddhism isn't true. What do you think are the most common things people believe about Budd…
Buddhist Economics
E.F. Schumacher built an economic theory on Buddhist values. Now his ideas, once considered heresy, seem prophetic.
E.F. Schumacher built an economic theory on Buddhist values. Now his ideas, once considered heresy, seem prophetic.
Greed and Desire
Desires are inexhaustible, especially in our consumerist culture. What does Buddhism teach about greed and desire?
Desires are inexhaustible, especially in our consumerist culture. What does Buddhism teach about greed and desire?
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?
Dealing With Anger: Readers Respond
Anger. Rage. Fury. Wrath. Whatever you call it, it happens to all of us, including Buddhists. However much we value loving kindness, we Buddhists are still human beings, and sometimes we get angry. How do you work with anger in your practice?
Anger. Rage. Fury. Wrath. Whatever you call it, it happens to all of us, including Buddhists. However much we value loving kindness, we Buddhists are still human beings, and sometimes we get angry. How do you work with anger in your practice?
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.
Eight Awarenesses of Enlightenment
The Eight Awarenesses, or Aspects, of Enlightenment are a guide to Buddhist practice, but they are also the characteristics that distinguish a Buddha. It is said that to fully realize the Awarenesses is Nirvana.
The Eight Awarenesses, or Aspects, of Enlightenment are a guide to Buddhist practice, but they are also the characteristics that distinguish a Buddha. It is said that to fully realize the Awarenesses is Nirvana.
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.