BUDDHISM

BUDDHISM IN A NUTSHELL Four Noble Truths 1. Suffering exists 2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires 3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path the Eightfold Path Right View Right Thought Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Contemplation Characteristics of Existence 1. Transiency 2. Sorrow 3. Selflessness Hindrances 1. Sensuous lust 2. Aversion and ill will 3. Sloth and torpor 4. Restlessness and worry 5. Sceptical doubt Factors of Enlightenment 1. Mindfulness 2. Investigation 3. Energy 4. Rapture 5. Tranquillity 6. Concentration 7. Equanimity Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done. In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true. Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent. Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good. You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection. ** ---------------------------------------- ** Once upon a time I wrote what I thought was a reasonable & succinct goal in life: At first I was concerned that maximizing happiness for "yourself" was (perhaps) misplaced. However, I doubted if anyone would adopt such a "rule of life" unless it included such a goal. Now, I see that Buddha and I agree, eh? Of course, there are other Rules of Life (practised by many): # If thou art strong, bully the weak. # If thou art weak, chastise the strong. # Covet thy neighbour's possessions. # When vocabulary will not suffice, swear. # Be wary and abusive to those who differ from thyself. # If thou hast strong beliefs, proselytize. # Be a hypocrite, for then thy true self is hidden. # Speak, do not listen, for the world is thy stage. # Ravage the Earth, for it is infinite in resource. # Accumulate wealth, for it commands respect and envy. These lead me to write this.