2. Introduction: What is Buddhism about?

Buddhism explains a natural force that exists in universe called Karma. Karma causes the living beings to be trapped in a never ending circle of birth death and rebirth which is termed as Sansara. This fundamental idea is explained in 4 Noble Truths and Three marks of existence. One must first read these two ideas to understand the essence of Buddhism.

One must break the cycle of sansara to liberate one's self (self is used in very broad terms). When one breaks this cycle, he attains a blissful mental state defined as nirvana where feeling of greed (tanha) no longer exists!

Lord Buddha in his teachings (Dhamma) explained how one can understand the nature of our existence in universe and the path one must follow to attain this supreme state of Nirvana. This path advocates neither extreme pleasures nor extreme suffering. It includes practicing meditation, intense study of the teachings, observing precepts (seela) and performing wholesome acts (Kusala karma).

Fundamentally Dhamma is all about the mind. Purifying the mind is the key. A purified mind results in a purified existence. The profound importance of mind is explained in the following two verses of the Dhamma Pada.

All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner. They have mind as their chief. They are mind-made.  If one speaks or acts with an evil mind, suffering follows him just as the wheel follows the hoof print of the ox that draws the cart.

Manopubbangama dhamma manosettha manomaya manasa ce padutthena bhasati va karoti va tato nam dukkhamanvet cakkamva vahato padam

All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner. They have mind as their chief. They are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness (sukha) follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.

Manopubbangama dhamma manosettha manomaya manasa ce pasannena bhasati va karoti va tato nam sukha1 manveti chayava anapayini.

Buddhism promotes the principle of equality of all living beings and respect for all life.

Buddhism is for you to read, question, understand, believe and follow if you feel it is logical and right! Buddhist teachings do not explain questions in science and most of its teaching cannot be explained by modern scientific principles.

Buddhists do not believe in horoscopes and astrology, they believe in right effort!

The fool who procrastinates what is to be done waiting for an auspicious time will not achieve the objective. If you could achieve your objective, that itself is auspicious. What could the stars in the sky do?

Nakkathan pathimeneththan atthobalan upachchaga Aththo Aththassa nakaththan, kin karissathi tharaka

Buddhist must not seek help in gods, they seek refuge in Dhamma, Dhamma helps to cope with pain, and Dhamma shows the path out of pain.

This collection of articles is only an introduction to the phylosophy and once you understand the foundations of the teaching, you can gradually delve into advanced areas of Buddhism.

Even though the objective is to achieve Nirvana, Most of the teachings can be practiced for the wellbeing of yourself and the society.  We are clouded by the materialistic nature of the life driven by mass media.  Monetary growth driven by competition prevails in our world. You can use Buddhism to see the light and adjust a balanced life to lead a peaceful existence.

A mind free of hate and greed becomes less agitated and peaceful; it leads to wisdom (panna). Buddhism opens up your mind and shows you how to become a mindful and caring human being.

Here are few other good short explanations on Buddhism: 

Buddhism is about realization and experience, not institutions or divine authority. This makes it especially suited to those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious.

Buddhism is the one world religion that has no God. It is the nontheistic religion.

That changes everything. Yes, like other religions Buddhism describes a nonmaterial, spiritual reality (perhaps the realer reality) and addresses what happens after we die. But at the same time, it is down-to-earth and practical: it is about us, our minds, and our suffering. It’s about being fully and deeply human, and it has something to offer everyone.

First, a couple of cautions. Like other religions, Buddhism is practiced at different levels of subtlety, and sometimes it can be just as theistic as any other religion. Buddhism is practiced by people, so there’s good and bad. We come to Buddhism as we are, so there’s definitely going to be ego involved. That’s no problem — it is the working basis of the path. The key is where we go from there.

This is not an attempt to convert anyone to Buddhism. There is no need for that. But those who think of themselves as spiritual but not religious can find a lot in Buddhism to help them on their personal path, however they define it.

There is no Buddhist God.

It’s about your basic goodness.

The problem is suffering. The answer is waking up.

The way to do that is by working with your mind.

No one can do it for you. But you can do it.

There is a spiritual, nonmaterial reality.

But you don’t have to take anything on faith.

Buddhism offers a wealth of skilful means for different people’s needs.

It’s open, progressive, and not institutional.

And it works.