Buddhism: Basic Buddhist Teachings and Practices

Buddhism’s founder, Siddhartha Guatama, born into royalty in India around 600 B.C. It is one of the world's leading religions with diffused geographical distribution; it has a major socio-cultural influence. It is largely an “Eastern” religion (in fact, a philosophy) that is becoming popular in the Western world, especially, its meditation practices. Benefits of meditation practices will be discussed in a later article.

The Buddha never considered himself as a god or any type of divine being. Instead, he considered himself to be a person showing the "way to overcome suffering," for others. According to Buddhism, instead of a beginning or an end, there is an endless circle of birth and death--samsara. Buddhism teaches that Nibbāna is the highest state of mental achievement--a state of pure being. Nibbāna has to be personally realized and thus, cannot be defined in terms or by rationalizing. Therefore, it cannot be borrowed, purchase or taught; it can only be realized.

What is Buddhism:

Buddhism contains a profound harmonious philosophy. It is a spiritual tradition that teaches a way of life to alleviate from suffering in addition to the explanations of true nature or reality. The Buddha taught this via a number of discourses (sutta in Pali language) over 2,600 years ago. The ultimate goal is to achieve the Supreme Nibbāna by breaking the vicious cycle of rebirth and death cycle. Globally it is estimated there are over 900 million people following this tradition; the third largest religious group, worldwide. 

Buddhism is diverse and it is a philosophy. It consists of two broad traditions, Theravada (small vehicle) and Mahayana (large vehicle). Theravada is the original teaching and disciplinary code that Buddha taught, in which the goal is to attain the ultimate enlightenment, the Nibbāna, which can achieve through engaging in deep meditation practices. Mahayana Buddhism holds full enlightenment or ‘Buddhahood’ as the widely proclaimed goal. Within the Mahayana sector, there are several sub-sectors of Buddhism, such as Vajrayana Tantrayana, Pure Land, Zen, Tendai, Nichiren, Shingon, and Ryoku, etc., which will be discussed in the next article.

Buddhist Principles:

Key Buddhist principles include, exercising the free will and choice, open-mindedness, not harming other living beings, not to believe hearsay or gossips, and to inquire before accepting anything. In Theravada Buddhism, there are no rituals; there are no punishments of the followers by anyone, including by seen or unseen beings. 

Buddhists, however, believe the good and bad karma, rebirth, smasara, and the "Cause and Effect." Considering that Buddhism is a highly disciplined “way of life,” it perfectly aligns with the generally accepted common laws in most countries. In part, the teachings of Buddhism are focused on the consequences (i.e., the Cause and Effect); each action has a reaction; once's thoughts and actions will have effects in this and in future lives.

Buddhist Five-Precepts:

The Five-Precepts in Buddhism are suggestions for good behavior; the first step is towards achieving the right livelihood (including, good behavior); none of these are commandments. Let's briefly examine these Five Precepts. The first precept is to abstain from killing living beings, that includes, humans, animals, and insects. The goal is to practice the spread of loving-kindness to all beings and follow a nonviolence path.  

The second precept is to abstain from steeling; knowingly taking things, any living being, or material/money/valuables, that does not belongs to you or not given to you. It also encompass the generosity, openness and transparency and being honest, and help those who are in need without any expectation of return. 

The third precept is not to undertake, encourage or exploit others, including sexual, mental, emotional, and physical exploitation and engaged in any kind of misconducts. Buddhism doesn’t enforce abstinent; instead advice to be conscious of once’s actions within the socially accepted norms and not harming others. The intent is to strive the practice of simplicity and content with what you have.

Forth Precept explains telling the Truth. It encompasses abstaining from purpose-less and false speech, lying, and hiding things from others (i.e., or intentional over-ups). Be truthful to oneself and to others. 

The final (Fifth) Precept is to avoid indulging with any mind-altering substances (i.e., avoiding substances that confuse or clutter the mind), such as alcohol, hallucinogens, illegal drugs, 'audio-visuals,' etc., and any substance abuse. Mind-altering substances confuse the mind and could cause hallucinations, which can cause further harm to self and/or others. These might also cause losing once’s sense of reality, the focus, responsibility, and social norms; taking actions with altered mind could lead to un-thoughtful actions that he or she will likely to regret later. 

These precepts directly align with the Buddhist practices of mindfulness. As discussed in previous articles above, the mindfulness is a form of regular mind-training that should be extended to one’s daily life; being aware and conscious of the present moment and owning once' thinking and actions, feelings, and the behavior.[8]  

Four Noble Truths:

The Buddhist teachings include, the Four Noble Truths; suffering and rebirth is an intrinsic part of ordinary samaric life, which can be ceased by breaking the vicious cycle of death, and rebirth. Practical aspects of these are reflected in (some Buddhist sectors) the Four Bodhisattva Vows, leading to ending the suffering.

First noble truth is the truth of suffering: The first bodhisattva pledge is to rescue living beings from suffering. Suffering in Buddhism refers to the both physical and mental suffering of all living beings. 

The second noble truth is to recognize the Cause of Suffering. Suffering arise from desire, ignorance, jealousy, and the craving for pleasure and material goods. Ending desires and cravings can be achieved through mind cultivation--meditation and development of wisdom. Based on the Buddhist traditions, this can be achieved in this life itself or practices pursued over many lifetimes. 

The third noble truth is the understanding what would pave the path (i.e., taking steps) to end the suffering. Learning dhamma (how our living cause and affect suffering), achieving wisdom and enlightenment though meditation is a part of this process. 

The fourth Noble Truth is the path that leads to the end of suffering. Suffering ends when one reaches the enlightenment and Nibbāna. To attain Nibbāna, one needs to strive to live the life according to the Noble Eightfold Path.

Eight Nobel Path:

Thus, the fundamentals of Buddhist practices are, the followings of the Precepts, Four Noble Truths (belief behind Buddhism), and the Noble Eightfold Path (the discipline—the way of living the life). The key to ending suffering is the attainment of Nibbāna, achieve through adhering and practicing a way of life according to the Noble Eightfold Path (following the “Middle Way”). The Noble Eightfold Path teaches us to live a worthy life. This includes:

A). Right speech, action, and the Right livelihood; following these three elements involve living according to the Buddhist, beyond Five-Precepts.

B). Right effort, mindfulness, and concentration; achieved through practicing meditation.

C). Right understanding and thought; developed through the regular practices of meditation, cultivation of the mindfulness, development of the wisdom, and live according to the Buddhist Precepts.

Above, we have explored the fundamental teachings of The Buddha, let us now briefly examine the karma.

Good and bad deeds—Karma:

Karma (also known as kamma) means action. As discussed above, in Four Nobel Truth and Eight Noble Paths, Buddhist philosophy emphasizes the importance of once’s intentions and actions and the fact that consequences are to follow ( “Cause and Effects”). Good thoughts and actions are generally motivated by generosity and compassion, consequently, brings well-being to self and others.

Unwholesome actions include but not limited to all bad deeds¾breaking the Five Precepts, being selfish, greedy, hatred, and declining to help others, etc. Most these are motivated by greed, jealousy, and hatred, and bring harm and misery. Such bad deeds enhance and perpetuate the life’s sufferings (samsara) and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth; the sufferings that Buddhists try to get rid of. Buddhists believe that life is a cycle of death, reincarnation (rebirth), and suffering. Each of once’s actions has consequences (effects) to self or to others, in this life or later lives. 

The practice of Dhamma:

Dhamma is The Buddhist teachings, describes the true reality of our lives and the nature of the world. Applicability of dhamma varies with the changing reality and the situation; one’s perception, choices, and actions.  Dhamma is current and never get expired. Dhamma is the path that the Buddha taught us in his teachings of his highest ranking monks, also have been embedded in Buddhist discloses (suttas). 

Like meditation, Dhamma is to be practiced in our daily lives, moving toward to achieving the enlightenment. Buddhist teaching as taught in dhamma, encompass that the happiness of a person depends on their ethical behavior, economic security, steady and adequate income/wealth, freedom from debt, and conducting a blameless moral and spiritual life.  

Buddhist’s believe that by understanding the Four Noble Truths, and adhering and practicing Prefects, the Eight Noble Paths, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Satha Bojjanga; in some sectors),  and by following the Buddhist doctrine, one’s life could be improved much.

The next article will discuss different Buddhist traditions.

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Professor Sunil J. Wimalawansa, MD, PhD, MBA, DSc, is a physician-scientist, educator, social entrepreneur, and process consultant. He is a philanthropist with experience in long-term strategic planning, cost-effective investment and interventions globally for preventing non-communicable diseases. [recent charitable work]. The author has no conflicts of interest and received no funding for this work.