What are Buddhisms basic teachings?
The Four Noble Truths To exist is to encounter suffering. • The cause of suffering is desire. (Why? Because all things are impermanent.) • Suffering ceases when desire ceases. • Desire is extinguished by following the eight-fold path. • The Eight-fold Path Panna (“wisdom”) Right understanding • Right thought • Sila (“ethical conduct”) Right speech • Right action • Right livelihood • Smadhi (“mental discipline”) Right effort • Right awareness • Right meditation • Other Important Concepts Anatha. There is no self. There is no permanent entity called the soul; only transitory functions. • Samsara. There is a cycle of birth and rebirth. • Karma. Experiences are the consequences of past actions. • Nirvana (“extinction”). There is a release from samsara, and the extinction of suffering and desire. Nirvana is, however, indescribable. It is neither existence nor non-existence. • How did Buddhism develop? There are two main streams of Buddhism: Hinayana Buddhism (“The Lesser Vehicle”) This is a