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Buddhism was founded by a young Sakya prince named Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha. He studied religious practices in hope that they would cure suffering, but he was not satisfied with any of them. After giving away everything he had and living as a beggar, Siddhartha realized that he was going nowhere through extremes. When he meditated on the solution to suffering under the Bodhi Tree, he decided that the best way to live was to avoid extremes and instead follow the guidelines which he called the Middle Way. He taught his followers how to do this through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path (both listed below), and he continued his teachings until he died at the age of 80.
2. Suffering and general dissatisfaction come to human beings because they are possessive, greedy and, above all, self-centered.
3. Egocentricism, possessivism and greed can, however, be understood, overcome, and rooted out.
4. This rooting out, this vanquishing, can be brought about by following a simple, reasonable Eightfold Path of behavior in thought, word and deed. Change of viewpoint will manifest itself in a new outlook and new patterns of behavior.
The first Noble Truth is that there is always suffering. Buddha taught that happiness is only temporary and that suffering will always exist, whether it be suffering of the body or suffering of the mind.
The second Noble Truth explains why suffering exists. It blames the human being for his own suffering because of his selfishness and greed. Humans want only for themselves, and because of this suffering becomes a part of their lives.
The third Noble Truth gives hope because it assures the suffering humans that their suffering can be overcome. It tells about a state called nirvana, a freedom from all worries and trouble, that can be attained by removing selfishness and greed.
The fourth Noble Truth explains how to drive out selfishness by following the Eightfold Path. By living the teachings of these laws, it is possible for a person to improve their lives by lessening the amount of suffering that they have to bear.
2. Right purpose, or aspiration
3. Right speech
4. Right conduct
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right kind of awareness or mindfulness
8. Right concentration, or meditation
Step 1 of the Eightfold Path is to have right views, which means to see and understand the reality and truth of all things. Right view is the first step because once a person attains perception of the truth they can use their wisdom to complete the rest of the steps.
Step 2 of the Eightfold Path is to have right purpose or intention, which means that a person is committed to improving themselves in body and mind. The three right purposes that Buddha taught were the intention of good will, the intention of harmlessness, and the intention of renunciation of desire.
Step 3 of the Eightfold Path is to have right speech, which means to abstain from lying, using malicious words, gossiping, spreading rumors, or making useless conversation. In order to follow the third step, a person must be honest, nice, and speak only when necessary.
Step 4 of the Eightfold Path is to have right action, which means to abstain from killing or using violent behavior, from stealing, and from sexual misconduct. In order to follow the fourth step, a person must act peacefully and respect the lives and property of others.
Step 5 of the Eightfold Path is to have right livelihood, which means to pursue wealth in a righteous way. In order to follow the fifth step, a person must avoid dealing with weapons, meat production, prostitution, alcohol, or drugs.
Step 6 of the Eightfold Path is to have right effort, which means using physical and mental energy to get rid of suffering. Right effort is the key to achieving happiness because it is the without right effort none of the other steps can possible be completed.
Step 7 of the Eightfold Path is to have right mindfulness, which means to have the ability to see things with clear consciousness. Buddha taught that the four foundations of mindfulness are contemplation of the body, contemplation of feeling, contemplation of the state of mind, and contemplation of phenomena.
Step 8 of the Eightfold Path is to have right concentration, which means to have the ability to focus all mental processing on a single object with no distractions. Buddha taught that the best way to achieve right concentration is through mediation.
2. Next you must decide that you want to be cured.
3. You must act as to aim at being cured.
4. You must speak as to aim at being cured.
5. Your livelihood must not conflict with your therapy.
6. That therapy must go forward at the "staying speed", that is, the critical velocity that can be sustained.
7. You must think about it incessantly.
8. Learn how to contemplate with the "deep mind."
2. Refrain from stealing.
3. Refrain from lying, slandering, gossiping, and spreading rumors.
4. Refrain from sexual misconduct.
5. Refrain from taking intoxicants.
