Australian Buddhist Mission Inc.
PO Box 16 Cherrybrook NSW 2126
(043) 75-1178
What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is one of the major world religions and has its origins more than 2,500
years ago when Siddhattha Gotama was fully awakened (enlightened) at the age
of 35. He came to be known as the Buddha. The word Buddha comes from the root
word 'budh', meaning 'to know or to awaken'.
Who was the Buddha?
The Buddha was a fully enlightened teacher who was born into a royal family
in northern India, in 563 BC. Known as Siddhattha Gotama, he realised at the
age of 29 that wealth and luxury did not guarantee happiness, so he explored
the different teachings, religions and philosophies of the day, to find the
key to human happiness. After six years of study and meditation he finally found
'the middle path' and gained enlightenment. After enlightenment, the Buddha
spent the rest of his life teaching the Dhamma, or Truth - until his passing
away at the age of 80. He taught a path to enlightenment from his own experience.
His teachings (the Dhamma) came to be known as Buddhism and is maintained by
the Sangha, the community of monks and nuns.
How Can Buddhism Help Me?
Buddhism provides a clear sense of purpose and direction in life, it explains
apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of
practice or way of life which leads to true happiness.
Do Buddhists Worship Idols?
Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor
to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap
and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within
ourselves. When Buddhists bow they are actually venerating or showing their
respect and appreciation for the triple gem (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the
Sangha). Bowing is an expression of reverence, humility and gratitude.
Is Buddhism a Religion?
To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or way of
life. It is a philosophy because philosophy means 'love of wisdom' and the Buddhist
path can be summed up as:
* to lead a moral life,
* to be mindful and aware of thoughts, speech and actions, and
* to develop wisdom and understanding.
Are Other Religions Wrong?
Buddhism is also a belief system which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions.
Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions, but Buddhism goes
further by providing a long term purpose within our existence, through wisdom
and true understanding. Real Buddhism is very tolerant and not concerned with
labels like 'Christian', 'Moslem', 'Hindu' or 'Buddhist'. Hence, no wars have
been fought in the name of Buddhism. This is also why Buddhists do not preach
and try to convert, but instead, explain if an explanation is sought.
Are There Different Types of Buddhism?
There are different schools within Buddhism such as Theravada, Mahayana and
Vajrayana. Whilst all maintain the basic teachings, the emphasis and interpretation
may vary to accommodate the needs of individual aspirants with different traditional
and cultural backgrounds, and may also vary due to different levels of development
and understanding.
Why is Buddhism Becoming Popular?
Buddhism is becoming popular in western countries for a number of reasons. Firstly,
Buddhism has holistic answers to many of the problems in modern materialistic
societies. It also includes (for those who are interested) a deep understanding
of the human mind (and natural therapies) which prominent psychologists and
therapists have found to be very advanced and effective.
Is Buddhism Scientific?
Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends upon seeing
and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fits
into this definition, because the Four Noble Truths (see below) can be tested
and proven by anyone. In fact the Buddha himself asked his followers to test
the teaching rather than simply accept his teaching. Buddhism depends more on
understanding and practice than faith. Although Buddhism is realistic and objective,
it goes beyond the limits of modern day science in its explanations.
What did the Buddha Teach?
The Dhamma can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold
Path.
What is the First Noble Truth?
The first truth is that life is unsatisfactory (dukkha), that is, life encompasses
pain, old age, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering
like loneliness, frustrations, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, anger, etc.
This is an irrefutable fact which cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than
pessimistic because it views all things as transient and changing. Buddhism
is also optimistic in that it explains how suffering can be avoided and how
we can be truly happy.
What is the Second Noble Truth?
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving. We will suffer if we
expect other people to conform to our expectations, or we do not get something
we want, etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness.
Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your desires.
Attachment and craving deprive us of contentment and happiness, and lead to
physical and mental suffering. A lifetime of desires and craving, and especially
the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the
individual to be reborn. On the other hand craving for non-existence can lead
to suicide.
What is the Third Noble Truth?
The third truth is that suffering and all forms of unsatisfactoriness can be
overcome with the cessation of craving, which leads to the realisation of the
ultimate state of Nirvana. In other words, if there is no craving, there is
no attachment, then there is no becoming, no rebirth, no old age, no sickness
and death.
What is the Fourth Noble Truth?
The fourth truth is the way or path to the complete cessation of suffering.
This is called the Noble Eight-fold Path.
What is the Noble Eight-fold Path?
In summary, the Noble Eight-fold Path is being moral (through what we say and
do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts
and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and
by developing compassion (concern) for others.
What Are the 5 Precepts?
The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the basic five are:
not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given,
to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from
false and harsh speech, and to avoid intoxication (ie, losing mindfulness).
What is Wisdom?
Buddhism teaches that wisdom consists of Right Thought and Right Understanding.
The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are inter-dependent,
incomplete, impermanent and do not constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is
not simply believing what we are told, but instead experiencing and understanding
truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective and unbigoted mind. Wisdom
is intelligence with understanding.
What is Compassion?
Compassion is the wish for the well-being of suffering beings. This motivates
us to help others with consoling speech and kind actions. Compassion includes
the qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, empathy, concern and caring.
What is Karma?
Karma means volition - or an intentional action expressed in thought, speech
or bodily action. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible
for their past and present actions. This simple law explains a number of things:
inequality in the world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why
some live only a short life, etc. According to the law of Karma, good begets
good, evil begets evil. We are what we are as a result of our past thoughts,
speech and actions. What we will be in the future will be the result of our
present thoughts, speech and actions.
How do I Become a Buddhist?
Formal conversion to Buddhism is not necessary, because one's label or category
is less important than "avoiding evil, doing good and purifying the mind".
Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone because the solutions
to our problems are within ourselves, not outside. The Buddha asked all his
followers to test the teachings for themselves (not just taking his word). Buddhism
encourages personal responsibility for one's own actions.