What is Buddhism: The Doctrine of Awakening

Introduction to Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the great religions of the world, founded in India in the 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. It is a non-theistic and philosophical religion, with an emphasis on personal transformation through meditative practice and ethics.

The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was born in a princely family of the Shakya clan in what is now Nepal. At 29, he abandoned his princely life to seek liberation from suffering. After six years of search, he attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya.

The Four Noble Truths

The heart of the Buddha's teaching:

1. Dukkha (Suffering): life contains suffering
2. Samudaya (Origin): desire (tanha) is the cause of suffering
3. Nirodha (Cessation): suffering can cease
4. Magga (Path): the Noble Eightfold Path leads to cessation

The Noble Eightfold Path

8 factors in 3 groups:

• Wisdom: right view, right intention
• Ethics: right speech, right action, right livelihood
• Concentration: right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration

The Three Marks of Existence

1. Anicca (Impermanence): everything changes
2. Dukkha (Suffering): everything is unsatisfactory
3. Anatta (Non-self): there is no permanent self

The Main Traditions

Theravada

The oldest. Predominant in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos.

Mahayana

The "Great Vehicle". Predominant in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan.

Vajrayana

The "Diamond Vehicle" or Tantric. Predominant in Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan.

Practice

• Meditation: vipassana, samatha, zazen, tonglen
• Ethics: 5 precepts
• Wisdom: study of sutras

Sources

• Richard Gombrich: Theravada Buddhism
• Paul Williams: Mahayana Buddhism
• John Powers: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism