Do you practice Buddhism? Have you been following the footsteps of a Buddhist but lack the fundamental principles to exercise fully? Then, this article is a detailed guide to see you through.

Buddhism is a non-theistic system. That is to say, they do not believe in the existence of a supreme being. However, it is a way of life. And, Buddhism is beyond religion. In addition, about an estimated 488 million in the world practice Buddhism. Hence, it represents up to 9% to 10% of the worlds total population.

Buddhism as a philosophy exists across many cultures and periods. Also, it goes with variable teachings and practices. Despite the differences among Buddhist traditions, they still share a standard set of core beliefs.

Thus, in Buddhism, the primary purpose of life is to end suffering. The Buddha teachings emphasize that humans suffer because of earthly pleasures. In the same manner, he taught that these pleasures mask the rate of human suffering. Therefore, Buddhism teaches us the importance of recognizing the impermanence of all things. And, above all, how to free oneself from such attachments.

This is one of the core beliefs of Buddhism. Hence, Reincarnation is the concept that people are reborn after dying. In general sense, it is merely understood as living a multiple life. But, the idea of reincarnation is quite broad in Buddhism. In other words, reincarnation can also be referred to as rebirth. However, the idea behind the two might differ to a certain extent.

To clarify, in reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. But for rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to earth as the same entity ever again.

From Buddhism, it generally takes between 49 days and two years after death.

Buddhism teaches the belief in karma. Certainly, Karma means that all actions have consequential effects. Furthermore, the consequences of acts undertaken in earlier lifetimes will be felt immediately, or years later.

The laws of karma are all about the positive and negative implications of our words, thoughts, and deeds. In essence, everything we do links to our karma. Thus:

Indeed, it is a Buddhist aim to educate oneself through how karma works to escape the adverse effects.

Meditation is an essential practice of a Buddhist. Most of all, meditation means focusing the mind on achieving an inner stillness that leads to a state of enlightenment. More so, it is a devotional exercise. Meditation is merely the practice of focusing your attention on a particular object of practice. Or, generally something simple, like a word or phrase. Also, it is another core belief of Buddhism. Meditation is the key. That is to say, the practice of meditation helps you attend a heightened state of awareness and focused attention.

With meditation, you can achieve a tremendous calming effect. Surprisingly, it can make your brain age slower. Also, meditation removes your mind from unnecessary worries. And, it increases the life span.

One can practice meditation in various forms. It can be:

Meditation can also help those affected by:

Its importance can never be overemphasized. Most importantly, except by calming our mind, and examining our minds nature, we will never reach enlightenment.

Other teachings of the Buddha are ideas expressed most briefly in the Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts. Similarly, they form together a foundation of belief for all branches of Buddhism.

Suffering can come in many forms. However, there are three distinct kinds of pain corresponding to the first three sights the Buddha. More so, these are what the Buddha saw on his first journey outside his palace. Thus, they include:

Even more, according to the Buddha, the problem of suffering goes much deeper. As a result, Life is not ideal. Hence, it frequently fails to come up to our expectations.

Human beings are subject to desires and cravings. But, even when we can satisfy these desires, the satisfaction is only temporary. That is to say, pleasure does not last. Or, even if it does, it becomes boring.

However, when we are not suffering from outward causes like illness or grief, we are unfulfilled and unsatisfied. This is the truth of suffering. Although, some people who encounter this teaching may find it doubtful. Either way, Buddhists find it neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic.

Fortunately, the Buddhas teachings do not end with suffering. Instead, they go on to tell us what we can do about it. And, also, how to stop it.

Our day-to-day troubles may come from the following causes: thirst, failure, pain from an injury, sadness from the loss of a loved one. Certainly, in the second of his Noble Truths, the Buddha taught about the cause of all suffering. And, most noteworthy, it is much more deeply rooted than our immediate worries.

The Buddha taught that the root of all suffering is desire, tanh. Further, this comes in three forms. And, can come in any of the listed names as the Buddha described:

Greed and desire and envy are the three ultimate roots of evil.

The Three Fires are hate, greed and ignorance exhibited simultaneously.

Ignorance or delusion, represented by a pig. Then, hatred and destructive urges, represented by a snake.

The Buddha taught that the way to extinguish desire, which causes suffering, is to liberate oneself from attachment.

By extinguishing the three fires of greed, delusion, and hatred. Above all, the Buddha himself showed the possibility of such virtue during his lifetime.

The final Noble Truth is the Buddhas prescription for the end of suffering. This is a set of principles called the Eightfold Path.

According to the fourth Noble Truth, one can permanently escape suffering by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

You need to know things as they indeed are without misunderstandings for all things change. Hence, the need to develop the wisdom of how things work. On the same note, identify yourself and respect others.

Always set your life on the correct path. Similarly, make a full resolution and dedication to overcoming the urge for self-centered craving. Certainly, one can achieve this by developing love, kindness, empathy, and compassion for others.

Abstain from lies and deceptions, backbiting, idle, and abusive speech. Instead, cultivate honesty and truthfulness. Also, practice speech that is kind and benevolent. Let your words reflect your desire to help, not harm others.

Practice selfless conduct that reflects the highest state of the life you want to live. That is to say, express the manner that is peaceful, honest and pure showing compassion for all beings.

Earn a living that does not harm other living beings. Thus, avoid work that causes suffering to others. Or, that makes a decent, virtuous life impossible. Therefore, do not engage in any occupation that opposes or distracts one from the path of love. Most of all, serve the world through your work.

Seek to make a balance in the exertion of your spiritual path. Hence, Moderate your life, not to over-zealously do things. Work to develop more wholesome mind states, while gently striving to go deeper and live more fully.

Become intensely aware of all the states in the body, feeling, and mind. Through meditation always examine your thoughts, speech, and action. Moreover, do not set your mind on self-centered thoughts. Instead, be aware of your thoughts, emotions, body, and world as they exist in the present moment. Note also, your thoughts create your reality!

Deep meditation leads to a higher state of consciousness (enlightenment). Therefore, through the application of meditation and mental discipline, always seek to extinguish the last flame of consciousness. Therein, develop an emptiness that has room to embrace and love all things.

The Five Precepts are basic ethical guidelines for the followers of Buddhism. As a result, they are to be undertaken voluntarily. In contrast to the idea of commandments from a god.

According to Patimokkha, there exist over 227 rules of conduct that all Buddhist are supposed to observe. However, the five Buddhist precepts summarize all.

The above five principles are closely related. But, they are the core five ethical rules of Buddhism. One can refer to them as Buddhist commandments.

The five precepts are like candle lights which cannot burn without fire. Hence, it is the spiritual life of every Buddhist.

To clarify,

A Buddhist is such a person who cares more about existence, both living and non- living things. Lying in the conscience of any practicing Buddhist is such a kind heart to associate with all and sundry. Hereafter, contributing mainly towards the growth of humanity and its environs.

The Buddha encouraged his followers to refrain from consuming intoxicating drinks and drugs. Because this will lead to carelessness. Examples of intoxicants include alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. These substances are inconsistent with Buddhist beliefs as they distort the mind. Therefore, it is unreliable with a Buddhists quest to understand and develop the mind.

According to our belief, by practicing meditation, wisdom, and morality, every individual has the ability to experience eternal happiness. Hence, as we regard the mind as precious, we work earnestly by mastering it through mediation.

Ideally, this means avoidance of fornication, rape, adultery or any form of satisfying ones libidinal inclination. Most noteworthy, this precept can best be achieved by avoiding sexual activity. And, however, practicing celibacy at all cost.

Thus, having different building positions for the monks and nun serves as the best policy to breaching temptation that may arise due to proximity issues.

This is merely avoiding an act of theft. A Buddhist fails this precept when he, with the intention of robbery, takes away others possessions. Consequently, he outrightly loses his status as a bonafide member.

Supposedly, a Buddhist directly supports someone to steal for him or pays a token for a prohibited product by the custom to be smuggled in for him; such persons status is questionable. Also, traveling with an invalid ticket is also a theft case in the Buddhist community.

A Buddhist, may either out of insanity or owing to complete absentmindedness, or under the influence of a painful disease, takes someone elses possession. He does not commit any crime. That is to say, such will be condoned regarding the situation at the moment. But, urgent attention is giving afterward to prevent a repetition of such actions.

Evil is a word many people use without thinking deeply about what it signifies. Although, human history documents a lot of atrocities committed by humanity against themselves due to personal beliefs. However, relating this to Buddhist teachings, no member has an entitlement to such an act.

Any Buddhist intoxicated by self-righteousness. And, as such does terrible things to those he hates or fear does not qualify as a member.

A later discovery will warrant a severe punishment for such a fellow.

No, usually people have two different thinking about Buddhismthat Buddhists believe in reincarnation and that all Buddhists are vegetarian.

These two beliefs are false. However, Buddhist teachings on rebirth are considerably different from what most people call reincarnation. And, although Buddhism encourages vegetarianism in many sects it is a personal choice, not a requirement.

To say that doctrines and teachings shouldnt be accepted on blind faith does not mean they are not important. As a result, the many lessons of Buddhism are like maps to follow on a spiritual journey. In addition, it is like a boat to carry you across a river. Daily meditation or chanting may seem pointless. But, when practiced with sincerity they have a real impact on your life and outlook.

Over the centuries Buddhism has developed diverse schools with distinctive, and sometimes contradictory, doctrines. As such, you might often read that Buddhists believe in an idea. But, it applies to only one school of thought.

Throughout Asia, one can find a kind of folk Buddhism. Here, the Buddha and other iconic characters from Buddhist literature appear to be divine beings who can hear prayers and grant wishes. There are Buddhists with such beliefs. However, focusing on those beliefs will teach you little about Buddhism. Hence, remember the Zen saying The hand pointing to the moon is not the moon.

In most religions, their belief defines them. But, in Buddhism, merely believing in doctrines is beside the point. Rather, the Buddha said that one should not accept doctrines just because they are in scripture or taught by priests.

Therefore, instead of teaching doctrines that one can memorize and believe, the Buddha taught how to realize the truth for yourself. Conclusively, the focus of Buddhism is on practice rather than belief.

If you want to learn about Buddhism, put aside all assumptions. This includes assumptions about Buddhism, and then assumptions about religion. Also, put aside assumptions about the nature of the self, of reality, of existence. Keep yourself open to new understanding. Thereby, whatever beliefs you hold, hold it in a free hand and not a tight fist. Just practice, and see where it takes you. Hence, practice what you teach and teach what you practice

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THE CORE BELIEFS OF BUDDHISM - Buddhism Zone