What are some of Buddhism's Central Ideas?

Answer 1

There are only five principles to follow:
1. Don't say lies.
2. Don't do adultery.
3. Don't drink alcohol.
4. Don't kill any creature.
5. Don't steal anything.

Answer 2

The central ideas is Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths; the Noble Eightfold Path and the 10 Paramita. (or culmination of practices) I have listed these below, however it will take more then a brief Q & A session to understand them. I have included links below that should help you understand them a little better should you decide you would like more information.

The primarily guiding principle of Buddhist practice is the Middle Way. The Middle Way the practice of non-extremism, meaning that you do not deprive yourself of anything yet you do not flourish in excess either. In other words Balance. In Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism this can be symbolized through the In & Yang symbol, although this symbol predates Buddhism in China it was adapted into the Buddhist philosophy as were many of the Taoist principals. Even today, many Ch'an and Zen students read the Taoist text, "Tao Ta Ching" because it's basic principals mirror many of the Buddhist principals.

One important aspect of Buddhism to note is that there are many different schools of Buddhism that focuses on different aspects of the Buddha's Teachings. None of these schools in more correct or better then any other. It depends entirely on the practitioner. What is useful to one student my not work with another and what doesn’t work for one may be helpful to others. If you wish to learn more, ask about different schools of Buddhism or look them up for yourself. Personally, I follow the Ch'an and Seon (Chinese and Korean Zen) schools of thought. That is not to say I think these are better schools, just better for me. You may prefer the Japanese Zen or the Chinese Pure Land or one of the schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Only you can decide that for yourself. Whatever school you choose, if you schools to study the Buddhas teachings, the core principals are the same.

DETAILS:
The Four Noble Truths:
1) All life is suffering.
2) Craving and desire lead to Suffering.
3) There is a way to end craving and desires and thus suffering.
4) The way to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path:
1) Right View - Realizing the Four Noble Truths.
2) Right Intention - Commitment to mental and Ethical growth in moderation.
3) Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way.
4) Right Action - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would hurt others.
5) Right Livelihood - Ones job does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly.
6) Right Effort - One makes an effort to improve.
7) Right Mindfulness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness.
8) Right Concentration - State where one reaches enlightenment and the ego has disappeared

The 10 Paramita (culmination of practice):
1) Dana paramita: generosity, giving of oneself
2) Sila paramita : virtue, morality, proper conduct
3) Kshanti paramita : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, endurance
4) Virya paramita : energy, diligence, vigor, effort
5) Dhyana paramita : one-pointed concentration, contemplation
6) Prajna paramita : wisdom, insight
7) Upaya paramita: skillful means
8) Pranidhana paramita: vow, resolution, aspiration, determination
9) Bala paramita: spiritual power
10) Jnana paramita: knowledge

(In short, the Buddha teaches that nothing last forever and everything is impermanent so worrying about material things is a waste of time especially when all it can cause is suffering. To end suffering you must think, speak and behave with compassion to all things.)

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

The four noble truths and the eightfold path

[edit] Doctrines

Gautama Buddha, Gandhara, northern Pakistan.

Numerous distinct groups have developed since the passing of the Buddha, with diverse teachings that vary widely in practice, philosophical emphasis, and culture. However, there are certain doctrines which are common to the majority of schools and traditions in Buddhism.


[edit] The Four Noble Truths

Main article: The Four Noble Truths



The Buddha taught that in life there exists sorrow / suffering which is caused by desire and it can be cured (ceased) by following the Noble Eightfold Path (Sanskrit: Årya 'a??Ç?ga MÇrga? , PÇli: Ariyo A??ha?giko Maggo). This teaching is called the CatvÇry ÅryasatyÇni (Pali: CattÇri AriyasaccÇni), the "Four Noble Truths".

1.Suffering: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.
2.The cause of suffering: The desire which leads to renewed existence (rebirth).
3.The cessation of suffering: The cessation of desire.
4.The way leading to the cessation of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path;


According to the scriptures, the Four Noble Truths were the topic of the first sermon given by the Buddha after his enlightenment[3], which was given to the five ascetics with whom he had practiced austerities, and were originally spoken by the Buddha, not in the form of a religious or philosophical text, but in the form of a common medical prescription of the time.[citation needed]




[edit] The Noble Eightfold Path

Main article: Noble Eightfold Path



The eight-spoked Dharmachakra. The eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism.According to a saying attributed in some traditions to the Buddha, if a person does not follow the goal of Total Realization, one lives one's life like a preoccupied child playing with toys in a house that is burning to the ground.[4]

The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to the cessation of suffering, the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths. In order to fully understand the noble truths and investigate whether they were in fact true,[citation needed] the Buddha recommended that a certain path be followed which consists of:

1.Right Viewpoint - Realizing the Four Noble Truths (samyag-d???i, sammÇ-di??hi)
2.Right Intention - Commitment to mental and ethical growth in moderation (samyak-sa?kalpa, sammÇ-sa?kappa)
3.Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way (samyag-vÇc, sammÇ-vÇcÇ)
4.Right Actions - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm (samyak-karmÇnta, sammÇ-kammanta)
5.Right Livelihood - One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly (samyag-Çj¥va, sammÇ-Çj¥va}
6.Right Effort - One makes an effort to improve (samyag-vyÇyÇma, sammÇ-vÇyÇma)
7.Right Mindfulness - Mental ability to see things for what they are with clear consciousness (samyak-sm?ti, sammÇ-sati)
8.Right Meditation - Concentration in "altered states of consciousness (samyak-samÇdhi, sammÇ-samÇdhi)


The word samyak means "perfect". There are a number of ways to interpret the Eightfold Path. On one hand, the Eightfold Path is spoken of as being a progressive series of stages through which the practitioner moves, the culmination of one leading to the beginning of another, whereas others see the states of the 'Path' as requiring simultaneous development. It is also common to categorize the Eightfold Path into prajñÇ (PÇli paññÇ, wisdom), Ê¥la (PÇli s¥la, virtuous behaviour) and samÇdhi (concentration).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Answer 4

four noble truth and teh eight fold path, no classes in society, no worship deities