What is Buddhist Philosophy gives an introduction to some key points developed here. Buddhism will be explored from some of its less known attributes:

• Its influence on medicine and healing.
• Buddhist Cosmology.
• The teachings of Buddhist rasayana.
• The development of a secular religion.
• Non theistic ethics and morality

History

Buddhism often traces its religious foundation to the life and inspiration of the Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddhism has been associated with peacefulness towards others, including animals (especially the monkey), and an emphasis on meditation. Many words originally largely associated with Buddhism are now part of Western usage, for example: Zen, karma, mantra, nirvana.

What Led to the Buddha's Enlightenment?

The semi-mythological nature of the Buddha's life is also reflected in many Sufi tales of princes who gave up their kingdoms to follow paths of spiritual unfolding, although these stories are much much later and as such were probably influenced by the Buddha story (for an important academic analysis of the Buddha story, see 'Suttas as History' by Jonathan Walters in History of Religion, University of Chicago). The Buddha was born to the ruler of a small kingdom in Nepal and led a sheltered life. After seeing the four signs, he resolved to leave his life of ease and find the cause of overcoming of dissatisfaction or dukkha. After study, ascetic and meditative practices, the Buddha developed an understanding or realization. The rest of his life was spent in transmitting this realization.

Buddha expressed his philosophy when he said: "I teach only two things, O disciples, the fact of suffering and the possibility of escape from suffering."

Buddha inspired the famous "Four Noble Truths" and "Eightfold Path," which allows people to achieve nirvana. What is nirvana? Before this is answered, you must understand the concept of karma. Buddhist Philosophy states that everything is subject to the law of karma. Buddha taught that positive actions build up karma, and negative ones detract from it. Buddhists try to achieve good karma, and free themselves from bad karma by living a morally sound life, and by following Buddhism. Nirvana is the state of being free from mental defilements (klesha), which are chiefly hate, desire and ignorance; ignorance being the cause of all of them. With the cessation of kleshas, all forms of suffering cease, and a state of bliss and equanimity is attained. According to Buddhist philosophy, life is part of a cycle of suffering called Samsara. If one achieves good karma, and follows the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, then this cycle will end, and rather than being subject to the law of karma, they will be free of it, and will live in a state of eternal happiness.

What Were the Four Signs?

The Buddha led a leisured and protected life within a royal palace and fathered a child. When he, against advice, left the palace, he encountered four signs of human suffering:

1. An old person
2. A sick person
3. A dead person
4. A wandering ascetic

Siddartha was affected by what he saw, and resolved to find out why there was suffering, the cause of the suffering, and how to end one's suffering.

The Sanskrit word "karma" literally means "action". Hetu is the Sanskrit for "intention" and phala designates "effect". Karma may be either "positive" or "negative" and both categories of actions have their respective effect.

What are the Four Noble Truths?

1. Existence entails discomfort, or suffering. (dukkha) All worldly life is unsatisfactory and disjointed.
2. The cause of this (dukkha) is attachment, craving or desire. (tanha)
3. The cessation of dukkha (Nirodha) There is a way out of suffering, which is to eliminate attachment and desire.
4. The way leading to the cessation of dukkha (Marga): The path that leads out of suffering is called the Noble Eightfold Path

Buddha taught that in order to achieve nirvana (Nirodha), man must free himself from his ego, and give up all desires. Buddha claimed that by having so many desires (such as wanting pleasure, wealth, happiness, security, success, long life, etc.), man condemns himself to suffering, and will never escape the cycle of rebirths.

Buddhism believes that suffering is self-created.

Four leading Western Buddhist teachers each explore the meaning of one of The Four Noble Truths for the contemporary audience. -

What is The Eight Fold Path?

1. Right View/Understanding
2. Right Thoughts
3. Right Speech, abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter. (Sutta Nipata 45.8)
4. Right Action, abstaining from taking life, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from unchastity. (Sutta Nipata 45.8)
5. Right Livelihood, there is the case where a disciple of the noble ones, having abandoned dishonest livelihood, keeps his life going with right livelihood (Sutta Nipata 45.8). Basically this means not selling guns, living creatures, poisons, and others which may harm any being.
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration, meditation

What are the Three Jewels?

The crowning achievements of the Buddha were

1. The Buddha ~ His lifetime of gaining wisdom, understanding and awakening
2. The Teaching (Dharma) ~ The oral teachings and transmission
3. The Community (Sangha) ~ The group of awoken teachers or disciples of the Buddha

The Thirty-One Realms (Bhumi 31)

Buddhism knows about 31 types of realms, where beings lived. Human realm is one of the 31 realms, where human (manussa bhumi) is included in the happy realms (sugati bhumi). The realms are divided into four main divisions, which are

1. The suffering realms (apaya bhumi), consists of the Hell (niraya), the asura, the peta, and animals. Beings are being reborn here because of their bad actions in their past lives.
2. The happy realms (sugati bhumi) or the realms of sense (kama bhumi), which consists of the human realm and the six realms of gods (the meaning of 'god' should be distinguished with the meaning of 'God'). Beings are being reborn here as the result of their good deeds (mainly by practicing generosity, self-constraint/virtue, and meditation).
3. The form realms, where beings who have successfully practiced meditation to the level of rupa-jhana are being reborn.
4. The formless realms, where beings who have successfully practiced meditation to the level of arupa-jhama are being reborn.

Buddha Level: Training the Buddha

Buddha Level: Trained and nowhere to go

Human Development: Young adult

Human Development: Mature adult