Beliefs
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." - Buddha
The four noble truths and the eightfold path are the most important in Buddha’s teachings. The four noble truths stand for the cause of suffering and the eightfold path is the solution to end your suffering. Together they are the Dharma of Buddhism.
The Four Noble Truths
1. Suffering exists
2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3. There is an end of suffering
4. The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path
Wisdom (panna)
1. Right understanding
Means right understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right intention
Means that trough right intentions, a person makes the right decisions and sets his or her life on the correct path.
Morality (sila)
3. Right speech
Means that a person should not lie, not gossip, not use ruthless language and not criticize a person unfairly.
4. Right action
Means that a person should not kill, steal, be cruel or do immoral activities.
5. Right livelihood
Means that a person must earn a living in a way that does not harm any living thing.
Meditation (samadhi)
6. Right effort
Means that a person should overcome all evil thoughts, and try to have only good thoughts.
7. Right mindfulness
Means that a person comes aware of all states of his or her body, feeling and mind.
8. Right concentration
Means deep meditation what leads to a higher state of awareness. A person, who will achieve this goal, will come to the enlightenment that Buddha reached.
The Three Jewels
1. The Buddha
2. The Dhamma
The path what follows the teachings of the Buddha, and which will lead to awakening.
3. The Sangha
Buddha and sangha; group of monks and nuns
The Precepts
There are five percepts which for all Buddhists apply
1. Kill or harm no living thing.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not commit adultery.
4. Tell no lies.
5. Do not drink intoxicants or take drugs.
The next five are for monks and nuns
1. Eat moderately and only at the appointed time.
2. Avoid that which excites the senses.
3. Do not wear adornments.
4. Do not sleep in luxurious beds.
5. Accept no silver or gold.
Meditation is the heart of the Buddhist way of life. It helps you to attain a higher level of consciousness, they way to the nirvana. Just starting meditating is not a good idea, there are special methods to learn meditating. The best thing to do is to join a group or teacher to learn the proper way of meditation.
