 A brief look at Buddhism:Founded about 2,500 years ago in India by Guatama Sidhartha, the Buddha or "Enlightened One". Major Scriptures: The Tripitaka, Anguttra-Nikaya, Dhammapada, Sutta-Nipata, Samyutta-Nikaya, etc. Life's goal is Nirvana - the end of change, neither existence nor non-existence. |
Buddha's teachings: Four Noble Truths ("chatvari arya satyani")
The Truth of Suffering: Suffering (dukha) is the central fact of life. Pain is being born, growing old, sickness, death. Pain is union with what we dislike, separation from what we like, not fulfilling desires.
The Truth of Origin (Samudaya) of Suffering: The cause of suffering is desires (ichcha), craving (tanha) or thirst (tishna) for sensual pleasures, for existence and experience, for worldly possessions and power. This craving binds one to rebirth, samsara.
The Truth of Cessation (Nirodha) of Suffering: Suffering can cease only by complete cessation of desires.
The Truth of the Path (Marga) To Ending Suffering: Suffering can be overcome by following eight-fold path (arya ashtanga marga), right belief, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation.
Some Buddhist Holidays:
February 17th - Losar - Tibetan Buddhist New Year
April 5th - Quan-Yin's Birthday
April 30th – Wesak Celebration
July 31st - Quan-Yin's Enlightenment
November 7 - Quan-Yin Renunciation