What are the principals of Buddhism?

Question

What are the principals of Buddhism? Or could you give a basic overview of what it entails?

Answer 1

*This is a Short version of Buddhism, in a nutshell.

Buddhists do not convert, or evangelize, but share with people who ask only, as you have just done.

The Principles of Buddhism are contained within the Four Noble Truths {the 4th Truth is the means to end dissatisfaction and sufferings in life which is: The Noble Eightfold Path.

**Please Patiently Read. *Thank You.

Right View
The Four Noble Truths:
1. The truth about suffering is that it exists. Life is suffering. Birth, aging, sickness and dying is suffering. Dukkha, in Pali, actually means much more than the english term suffering: it means something deeper than pain and misery, it refers to a basic unsatisfactoriness running through our lives. Sometimes this unsatisfactoriness
errupts into the open as sorrow, grief, disappointments or despair, but usually it hovers over our awareness as a vague unlocalized sense that things are never quite perfect, fully adequate to our expectations of what they should be. It even appears that in our inner reactions to disagreeable situations and events: in the sorrow, pain, self-righteousness, arrogance, anger, hatred, frustrations are fear aroused by painful separations, by unpleasant encounters, and by the failure to always get what we want, we experience suffering {Dukkha).
2. Our reaching into the world of dreams, our desire to fulfill what cannot be fulfilled is what brings us our suffering.
3. Only when we have broken the mirrors of illusion can we end our suffering, and
4. The Eight-Fold Path can help us to break our habits of suffering.
When we are able to recognize suffering as it enters our lives, see that our own unwholesome desires have brought us this pain, and understand that letting go of this desire can bring us peace we have attained Right View.
Right Thought:
Reality grows in the garden of the mind. Our world is the fruit of our thoughts that sprout from the seeds of ideas. We must therefore be discerning gardeners, looking carefully at what ideas we allow to take root within the mind. We must be able to recognize which ideas and thoughts are born of desire and which carry the seeds of desire that causes our suffering.
The seeds of suffering that take root within the mind are those of greed, ill-will, hostility, denigration, dominance, envy, jealousy, hypocrisy, fraud, obstinacy, presumption, conceit, arrogance, vanity and negligence. These are known as the 15 Unwholesome Defilements, and their are 6 methods for removing such negative defilements from the mind:
1. Restraining:
Restrain from what pleases the senses but bears poison.
2. Using:
Use all that we are, all that we have, all there is to cultivate peace.
3. Tolerating:
Tolerate all adversity, and never abandon our gardens to the wild.
4. Avoiding:
Avoid all that is impure and spoils the soil of the mind. Tend only to what is pure and that which nurtures the pure.
5. Destroying:
Remove the defilements by destroying them from the root.
6. Developing:
Never cease to develop our skills of peacefulness.
Right Speech:
We are often judged by our words. Long after we leave this world, our words shall remain. Words can often be sharper than the blade of the sword, bringing harm to the spirit of a person which can cause wounds that are deeper and last longer than that of a dagger. Therefore, we must choose our words carefully. We need to learn the 4 methods of speech that bring peace to our lives and the lives of those who surround us.
1. Words of Honesty:
Speaking without truth can be a means to our end and to the end of others. Therefore, honesty is always the best policy.
2. Words of Kindness:
Speaking words of kindness, we will never be the cause that divides hearts or puts brother against brother. “We become peacemakers.” Our words are cherished and valued and shall bring peacefulness to ourselves and to those surrounding us.
3. Words that are Nurturing:
Words that comfort rather than harm the heart, shall travel to the heart, and bring long lasting peace.
4. Words that are Worthy:
Speaking only what is worthy and valuable for the moment, our words will always be found sweet to the ears of others and shall always be considered in a peaceful manner. Words of gossip, untruth, and selfishness do not return to us with peace. The worth of our words is measured by how much they improve the silence.
Right Action:
All of our lives we have been instructed to do the right thing. Often we are perplexed with what is the right thing. Ultimately, we must decide for ourselves what is right- but often our judgment is clouded by the defilements of the mind. While upon the Eight-Fold path, we must remember that our aim is to end our suffering. All we do, comes back to us in one way or another, eventually. What may be the right thing for the moment may not be the right thing for the next. Although this moment is the only one that exists, we must not fail to realize that within this moment- the past, present and future are contained. The truly right does not change from moment to moment. Look deep within your own heart, and you will know what is right.
The Golden Rule IS “Do no harm” !
The following code of conduct is to be practiced in life:
1. Respect life. All Life is Sacred. Do not harm, and Do Not Kill any living thing.
2. Earn all that you have.
3. Control all your desires, rather than allowing your desires to control you.
Right Livelihood:
Often when one begins practicing the ways of Peace, a time comes when lifestyle must be evaluated. In this life, we have the opportunity to liberate ourselves from the cycle of suffering and find peace. We also have the opportunity to help others break free. Does one's way of life support or hinder the ways of Peace? Only the heart knows.
Right Effort:
The path is not an easy one. Our habits of suffering are strong, and deeply imprinted in our way of life. It is difficult to maneuver peacefully in a world of chaos. Many of the things that we know we must let go of are things that we have held dearly for we have fought fiercely to obtain them. Our very own self- identity may have been formed with great personal sacrifice. Discipline and diligence is key to persevering on the path. Therefore, our decision to take up the path to liberation must be firm, and executed with right effort. When we have realized the truth of suffering, and are willing to seek liberation with the same tenacity as a drowning man struggles for a breath, then right effort has been attained.
Right Mindfulness:
Being mindful of our thoughts and the heart of matters can help us to overcome suffering with understanding. When sitting, laying or moving, being mindful of the following four frames of references help us achieve great understanding, and can even help us unlock the secrets that are within our hearts.
1. The Body:
Paying attention to our physical being can help us direct the mind away from the distractions of the world. Focusing on our breath, our movements, our actions, our components, and on the sheer miracle of our physical existence we can arrive at calmness and clarity.
2. Feelings:
Paying attention to our external and internal feelings, observing their rise and fall, can help us realize their origination, development and decline. Understanding the nature of our feelings can help us let go and break our habits of clinging.
3. Mind:
Turning the mind upon itself, observing our thoughts objectively, can help us realize the origination and aim of our thoughts, as well as our attitudes and true intentions. With this understanding, we can understand the nature of the mind and overcome our thought habits of suffering.
4. Mental Qualities:
Paying attention to our mental state of mind can help us recognize the five hindrances of our mentality (sensual desire, ill-will, laziness, anxiety and doubt).Objectively observing their origination, development and decline, can help us realize how we can overcome them. By observing the origination, the components, the development, and the decline of things in regard to these frames of reference, we can find a deep understanding in the nature of ourselves, and to know our own hearts is to know the hearts of others.
Right Concentration/Right Meditation:
{Insight meditation, and Samatha meditation are the primary methods).
As we sail through life, the winds of desire push us toward the Ocean of Suffering. But the skillful stand firm in virtue at the helm, directing the rudder of the mind toward peace. Single-minded concentration on the path to Peace - The Eight-Fold Path is right concentration. It is picking yourself up when you stumble and continuing onward. It is recognizing why you have fallen astray. It is recognizing when you are about to fall. It is continuing upon the path without hesitation or doubt. It is never ceasing to develop our skill in this way.

My References: The Mulalapariyaya, Sabbasava, Sammaditthi, Satipatthana, Vitakkasanthana, Abhaya, Mahacattarisaka, and The Bhaddekaratta Suttas of the Majjhima Nikaya, The Middle Length Discourses of Siddharthe Guatama{The first Buddha).

Thanks for Patiently reading this. Not trying to convert you, only wishing to share with you an answer to your question.

With Metta {loving-kindness and friendship)

Answer 2

The basics of Buddhism are the 4 Noble Truths:

1. Everything is "suffering" (as we define it)
2. Suffering is caused by aversions and attachments to things we think are pleasureable
3. There's a solution to ending our suffering (Nirvana)
4. The way to get to the solution is the Path of Liberation

There's more at Buddhanet.net if you're interested in exploring further... there's far too much to the principals to explain in any detail in here, and there are far too many schools of thought to get into that too.

_()_

Answer 3

There's a lot of web information about this so I'll be brief.
Recognizing that we are all suffer.
Following a path that eliminates your own suffering as well as the suffering of others.
Practicing kindheartnedness.
Practicing compassion.
You then have the '37 Practices of Bodhisattvas' which need a lot of explanation. You have the Noble Truths.
Really, if I were to boil it down, you want to seek enlightment (peace and an end to suffering inside yourself) so that you can help eliminate the suffering of others. Non-violence in all things is key. In speech, in thought, in action, in all aspects of your life. Anger is one of the things that causes the most suffering. There's just a lot to go into but if you need extra help or have more specific questions feel free to contact me.

Answer 4

It entails adherence to a set of moral precepts- that is the main focus and there is little if any in the way of doctrine or complex theology.

Answer 5

To purify one's mind

Answer 6

here

http://www.11meditation.co.nr

it will help you to get a big picture.

Answer 7

God is in you