Buddhism

Buddhism is a practical way of living your life that not only benefits you, but those around you as well. It focuses on life as it is happening to you now, instead of trying to prepare you for an uncertain afterlife. One way to explain Buddhism is to imagine that you are one link in a gold chain wrapped around the world, and as long as you keep your link bright and shiny the whole chain will sparkle with little effort. Simple huh? So let's get into it. The heart of Buddhism is the Eight-Fold Path.

The Eight-Fold Path

1. Right Knowledge- Above all you have to know that your life as you know it is impermanent. You will in fact die some day, and what ever happens then you can't be sure of. (You can read various religious texts that all say different things, but you can't be sure) So why not make your short stay of life on Earth enjoyable for you and the ones you love? And If when you die you are judged by another entity, how can that entity look poorly on a life of harmony? (I always say to my friend of other faiths that god gave you a life and a mind of your own so that you could explore and learn, I think he would be proud of you for seeking out a peaceful existence within the world).

2. Right Thought- Meaning that you should not wish any ill-will or cruelty on another. After all, you probably would not want anything bad to happen to you. This is applicable to all living things no matter how small. We all have a right to live.

3. Right Speech- This includes not lying, and avoiding idle talk. Lying only makes your life difficult in the long run. I'm sure you know that one lie can lead to two, and three, etc. etc. And truth will make you a trusted and admired person. By being able to listen when you are wrong and admitting you don't know something and asking for help, you give yourself a chance to learn something new. And someone that learns something new from a discussion always comes out ahead from the discussion. None us us were born brilliant, learning is an art in humility.

4. Right Conduct- Right conduct would be not doing anything to another that you would not have done to you. Not out of fear of punishment, but in order to preserve the harmony of the universe.

5. Right Livelihood- Don't in the course of you life's endeavors endanger anyone's well being or happiness. (For example, being a professional car thief would violate this principal).

6. Right Efforts- This is about trying to avoid evil thoughts and deeds from you life and cultivate good. For example if somebody does something you do not like, instead of getting mad, learn to walk away without confrontation. And if somebody does something you like thank them. Go out of your way to do good in your life. Help people when they need help without expecting retribution. And listen to people when they have something to say.

7. Right Mindfulness- Increase your focus in life. Examine what is important to you and find the best way to achieve it. I often hear people say that they want money and material things, but as it turns out the money and material things are not what they truly want. Usually they want respect, admiration, and/or love. I tell them that though they think money and material things will gain them these things, they will not. Respect is given to someone who on account of their actions deserves it, but doesn't ask for it. Admiration is given to those people who have achieved happiness in their lives (wealth doesn't matter here as many people think it does; a happy poor person is often admired more that an unhappy rich person) And a person can only be loved when they love themselves. A happy person is always more attractive and fun to be with than an unhappy person; and as we all know money truly doesn't buy happiness. (The suicide rate is higher among the rich than the poor).

8. Right Concentration- By focusing on yourself and understanding your being, one day you may be enlightened; though the path is different for everyone.

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism

1. The world is full of suffering
2. Suffering is caused by desire
3. Suffering can be overcome
4. The way is the eight-fold path

Bhsvacahra (The Wheel of Becoming)

Ignorance - Preconception
Karmic Formation - Conception
Consciousness - Prebirth
Development - Prebirth
Senses - Prebirth
Contact - Birth
Feeling - Heightening of the senses
Craving - A want for earthly pleasures
Grasping - Experiencing earthly pleasures
Becoming - A result of experiences
Longing - A desire for past experiences
Age & Death