Buddhism and the Principles of Buddhism

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of Buddhism

Buddhism (Chinese: 佛教 – Sanskrit: बुद्ध धर्म – IAST: buddha dharm, English: Buddhism) or Buddhism is a religion and also a system of philosophy originating from India, including a series of teachings, philosophical thoughts as well as thoughts and thinking about humanism, cosmology, worldview, explaining natural phenomena, spirituality, society, the nature of things and events; methods of practice and cultivation based on the original teachings of a real historical figure named Siddhārtha Gautama (悉達多瞿曇, सिद्धार्थ गौतम, Siddhārtha Gautama) and the traditions and beliefs formed during the process of spreading and developing Buddhism after Siddhārtha Gautama.

Siddhārtha Gautama is often called Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha or Buddha or “the enlightened one”, “the awakened one”. According to many Buddhist scriptures, as well as scientific and archaeological documents, it has been proven that Buddha lived and preached in the northeastern region of present-day India from about the 6th century BC to the 5th century BC. After the Buddha’s passing into nirvana, about 100 years later, when the Second Buddhist Council took place, Buddhism began to divide into many different branches and ideologies, with many differences, although they all originated from the original Buddhist thought of the Buddha. Today, there are three main Buddhist traditions in the world.

Principles Recognized in Buddhism.

1. The Four Noble Truths

These are the four fundamental truths that Buddha realized upon attaining enlightenment:

The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Suffering is an unavoidable reality of life. All beings experience suffering in forms such as birth, aging, sickness, and death.
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samudaya): The cause of suffering lies in desire, aversion, and ignorance—mental states that arise from attachment, desire, and clinging.
The Truth of the End of Suffering (Nirodha): Liberation from suffering is possible by eliminating desire, aversion, and ignorance and reaching Nirvana—a state of no more suffering.
The Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering (Magga): The way to liberation and the cessation of suffering is the Eightfold Path.

2. The Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path is a set of eight practices to help practitioners overcome suffering, attain peace, and reach enlightenment. It includes:

Right Understanding: Having a correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the true nature of life.
Right Thought: Thinking in a way that avoids greed, anger, and violence.
Right Speech: Speaking truthfully, avoiding lies, harmful speech, or divisive words.
Right Action: Acting righteously, with compassion, refraining from killing, stealing, or engaging in harmful conduct.
Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not cause harm to others.
Right Effort: Maintaining the will to eliminate negative thoughts and cultivate positive ones.
Right Mindfulness: Being fully aware of one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Right Concentration: Practicing correct meditation to develop wisdom.

3. No-Self and Impermanence

Buddhism teaches that there is no fixed “self” (Anatta)—all beings and things are constantly changing and lack an independent essence. Everything in life is impermanent; nothing exists eternally.

4. Karma and Reincarnation

The law of karma is a fundamental rule that explains how a person’s actions (karma) in the past create consequences in the present and future. Buddhists believe that all beings undergo reincarnation, experiencing numerous lives until they achieve enlightenment and are freed from the cycle of reincarnation.

5. Compassion and Wisdom

Buddhism encourages the cultivation of compassion (karuṇā) and wisdom (prajñā) as essential qualities for personal growth. Compassion fosters kindness and prevents harm to others, while wisdom enables correct understanding and helps one avoid delusions.

Buddhism is not only a religion but also a philosophy of life, guiding people to live kindly, peacefully, and mindfully, with the purpose of attaining happiness and liberation through understanding and practice.