About Buddhism

Buddhism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a 5th century B.C.E Nepalese prince. As a young man Siddhartha renounced his worldly inheritance and chose instead the path of spiritual exploration. After a series of journeys he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and so became the Buddha. He then spent the remainder of his life spreading the teachings (Dhamma) and ordaining monks to the new order (Sangha). The Buddha (Teacher), Dhamma (Doctrine) and the Sangha (Brotherhood) represent the three jewels of Buddhism and together are known as the Triple Gem.

Today Buddhism is one of the worlds great, living religions with an estimated 500 million adherents. The Buddhist system of thought is built upon the foundation of the Four Noble Truths together with the Eightfold Path.

The 4 Noble Truths

1. Life brings suffering. Pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, depression and death are all a part of living; life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete.
2. The origin of suffering is craving and desire. Our world is subject to impermanence and it is our craving and clinging to impermanent objects and ideas that causes suffering.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable. Suffering can be ended by releasing ourselves from sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The ultimate goal of this process is to reach the state of Nirvana.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering. The way to end suffering is to follow the 'middle way' between self-indulgence and self-denial. This approach is described in more detail in the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path:

1. Right view - to see and to understand things as they really are
2. Right intention - the volitional commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement
3. Right speech - to tell the truth and speak with kindness and gentleness
4. Right action - do no harm, act honourably and with compassion
5. Right livelihood - to earn one's living in a righteous way
6. Right effort - to exercise constant vigilance in attaining wholesome states
7. Right mindfulness - clear perception, clear consciousness
8. Right concentration - single mindedness on wholesome thoughts and actions

Links

Here are some useful links if you want to learn more about Buddhism:

A good place to start : www.thaibuddhism.net/aspects.ht
Buddhism in Thailand : www.thaibuddhism.net/page1.htm
Four Noble Truths : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths
Eighhfold Path : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path
The ordination process : www.thailandlife.com/ordination_001.htm
Wat Doi Suthep : http://doisuthep.com
Introduction to Theravada Buddhism : www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html
Readings in Theravada Buddhism : www.accesstoinsight.org/
Further reading : www.thebigview.com/buddhism/