Bite Sized Buddhism
The Four Noble Truths
This is the centre of the Buddha’s teaching. After gaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha made a conscious decision to engage with the world. To help other beings awaken to the truth or Dharma, he taught about the Four Noble Truths:
- Suffering exists
- Suffering is created through craving
- There can be a cessation to suffering
- The cessation of suffering is actualised through the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path
www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/nobleEight.htm
In engaging with the world, the Buddha taught that the key to ending suffering was through the actualisation of the Eightfold Path, which is as follows:
- Right View
- Right Thinking
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Diligence
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
Meditation
www.mro.org/zmm/teachings/meditation.php
A central part of Buddhist practice, meditation is also a valuable tool in engagement. During protests, NEB has used meditation effectively to dissolve confrontational situations with police officers. Simply sit in silent meditation.
Practicing meditation has other benefits such as reduced blood pressure, relaxation and stress management. It also boosts the immune system, promotes a sense of well being and develops cortical matter in the brain.
The Precepts
www.gardendigest.com/zen/ten.htm
Working with precepts is a vital part of Buddhist practice. They help to open the heart of compassion and engagement in everyday life.
Depending on the tradition of practice, whether laity, a nun or monk, there are many different precepts given to work with.
The five basic precepts, common to most traditions in one form or another are:
- To refrain from taking life
- Refrain from taking things not given
- Refrain from lustful action
- Refrain from deceit
- Refrain from taking drugs or alcohol to induce recklessness