About Buddhism

What did the Buddha Teach?

The original teachings of the Buddha were given in the form of discourses by the Buddha and these were memorised by monks and nuns and shared with the emerging Buddhist community. After the Buddha’s passing, thousands of discourses were handed down in oral form for four hundred years until they were written down in what is now known as the ‘Pali Canon’.

These teachings subsequently spread across Asia and now into the West, adapting to each new host culture, giving rise to the three main schools of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Theravada, often seen as the “Teaching of the Elders,” focuses on the earliest teachings of the Buddha and emphasises individual enlightenment through meditation and ethical living. Mahayana, the “Great Vehicle,” expands the path to include helping all beings achieve enlightenment, with an emphasis on compassion and the bodhisattva ideal. Vajrayana, often referred to as the “Diamond Vehicle,” builds on Mahayana principles but incorporates esoteric practices, rituals, and meditation techniques to accelerate the path to enlightenment. Each school offers a distinct approach but shares the core teachings of the Buddha.

The teachings of the Buddha were maintained and added to by the various traditions for over 2500 years by the ‘Sangha’, the community of monks and nuns. Increasingly, lay Buddhist practitioners are interested in studying these ancient texts and preserving the teachings.

Read about some of the core teachings of the Buddha that are shared by all Buddhist tradition below. 

The Four Noble Truths

The Buddha’s first teaching after his enlightenment was the Four Noble Truths. These truths form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy and practice and are shared by all later Buddhist traditions. They offer a framework for understanding the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.

1. The First Noble Truth – Dukkha (Suffering): This truth acknowledges that suffering is an inherent part of life. It includes physical pain, emotional distress, and existential dissatisfaction. All beings experience suffering, whether through aging, illness, death, or unfulfilled desires.
2. The Second Noble Truth – Samudaya (The Cause of Suffering): The Buddha taught that suffering arises from craving (tanha) and attachment. This craving for pleasure, existence, or non-existence leads to clinging, which in turn causes suffering. Ignorance of the true nature of reality also contributes to this cycle.
3. The Third Noble Truth – Nirodha (The Cessation of Suffering): The cessation of suffering is possible by eliminating craving and attachment. This truth assures that suffering can be overcome through the cessation of its causes, leading to a state of liberation, peace, and enlightenment (nirvana).
4. The Fourth Noble Truth – Magga (The Path to the Cessation of Suffering): The Buddha outlined the Noble Eightfold Path as the means to end suffering. This path includes right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Practicing this path leads to the cessation of suffering and the realization of nirvana.

The Four Noble Truths provide a clear analysis of human suffering and a practical path for overcoming it through ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path is the practical guide to end suffering and achieve enlightenment (nirvana). It consists of eight interconnected practices, grouped into three categories: wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.

1. Right Understanding (Sammā-ditthi): Gaining insight into the Four Noble Truths and the nature of reality, understanding that suffering arises from craving and can be overcome.
2. Right Intention (Sammā-sankappa): Cultivating thoughts of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness. This involves developing the right attitude, free from desire, hatred, and delusion.
3. Right Speech (Sammā-vācā): Speaking truthfully, kindly, and without harmful intent. This includes avoiding lying, gossip, harsh words, and divisive speech.
4. Right Action (Sammā-kammanta): Acting ethically by refraining from harmful behaviors such as killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct. It involves living with integrity and compassion.
5. Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva): Earning a living in a way that does not harm others or lead to suffering. This includes avoiding occupations that exploit, deceive, or harm people or the environment.
6. Right Effort (Sammā-vāyāma): Making a conscious effort to cultivate positive qualities like compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom, while eliminating negative traits such as greed, anger, and ignorance.
7. Right Mindfulness (Sammā-sati): Developing awareness of the body, feelings, thoughts, and mental states. This practice helps one remain present and attentive, cultivating insight into the impermanent nature of all phenomena.
8. Right Concentration (Sammā-samādhi): Practicing meditation to develop deep concentration and mental clarity. This leads to a focused, balanced mind, capable of insight and wisdom.

Together, the Eightfold Path provides a comprehensive approach to living an ethical, mindful, and wise life, helping individuals move toward the cessation of suffering and the realisation of enlightenment.

Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha Dharma, and Sangha

In Buddhism, the Three Jewels (also known as the Triple Gem, or the Three Refuges) are the core principles that guide practitioners on their path to enlightenment.

• The Buddha: the awakened teacher who embodies the potential for enlightenment
• The Dharma: the teachings and truth that lead to liberation from suffering
• The Sangha: the community of enlightened beings who have realised the Buddha’s teachings for themselves and inspire our own spiritual journey.

The practice of Going for Refuge means formally committing to these Three Jewels as a source of guidance, protection, and inspiration. It is a practice of seeking shelter in the Buddha’s wisdom, the Dharma’s path, and the Sangha’s supportive presence, acknowledging that they provide the foundation for a life of wisdom, ethical conduct, and compassion.

The Five Precepts

Some Buddhists take a vow to follow the five precepts taught by the Buddha as the basic ethical conduct we need to protect ourselves and others from harm. The five precepts are:

1. Refrain from killing
2. Refrain from stealing
3. Refrain from sexual misconduct
4. Refrain from harmful speech
5. Refrain from taking intoxicants. 

Breaking the precepts is not seen as a sin In Buddhism, they are more like guard rails that help guide us toward making wiser, more compassionate choices. Instead of punishment, breaking the precepts is an opportunity for self-reflection and growth,.

Taken together, the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts are said to be the essential undertakings that make someone a Buddhist. Many newcomers to Buddhism take the refuges and precepts as part of a ceremony to mark their commitment to the Buddhist path. Practicing Buddhists often refresh these undertakings in ceremonies at temples or on festival days. 

Finding Your Own Way

There’s no one ‘right’ way to be a Buddhist. Some Buddhists go on retreats to spend time in quiet reflection and meditation, or on pilgrimages to holy places. For traditional Buddhists, ordained monks and nuns play the central role in the Buddhist community as teachers and spiritual leaders, although some Buddhists prefer less ceremony and instead learn from lay teachers.

Anyone can explore and test out Buddhist teachings and see how they might be understood in the context of living in the 21st century – the Buddha encouraged his students to test them by applying them to daily life. Whatever form of practice you choose, you will know it is working if you see a reduction of suffering in your life and an increase in your happiness.