Philosophy

The Origin and the Teaching of Buddhism

The Buddha's main concern was to end the suffering of all sentient beings. For this he had to find a remedy.

His approach is compared to that of a scientist, and his teachings resemble medical or psychological prescriptions.

Like a physician, he observed the symptoms of the illnesses from which people suffered. In the next step, he made a diagnosis identifying the causes of the illness. He then gave the prognosis that healing is possible.

Finally, he showed the path by which suffering can be brought to an end.

«If you are looking in the right direction, all you need to do is keep walking.» -Buddhist wisdom

Buddha's First Teaching: The Four Noble Truths

The first Noble Truth of “dukkha” (which means pain or suffering) describes the unsatisfactory quality of our life. Despite the fact that everything is impermanent and in constant change, we want to experience only happiness while at the same time avoiding all pain.

The second Noble Truth teaches that suffering arises through our craving, the selfish grasping at pleasure and clinging to it, while simultaneously avoiding pain and loss.

The third Noble Truth states that a state without clinging and pain, that is, liberation from suffering (dukkha), is possible.

The fourth Noble Truth shows the path by which this liberation can be attained. It describes the Eightfold Path, which leads to nirvana, the final cessation of suffering.

The Buddha's intention was a practical philosophy aimed at the happiness of all sentient beings. While he outlined his fundamental principles, he warned against believing them blindly. He encouraged his students to test all his statements against their own experience.

The teachings can be divided into three parts:
The teaching of philosophy: understanding through study.
The teaching of rituals: prayers, mantra recitations and the like.
The teaching of practice: familiarization through meditation and mind training.

The most important thing, however, is the development of love and compassion: bodhicitta

The Seventeen Mahapanditas from Nalanda University
(Tib./Engl.)