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Buddhism - A Very Short Introduction - Kusala Bhikshu
Twenty-five centuries ago a man awoke to a new reality, he was known as the Buddha. Without the aid of
gods or men, he found his way through the tangled web of birth, sickness, old age and death into the
everlasting peace of nirvana.
The Buddha achieved nirvana at the age of thirty-five. By the end of his life, at the age of eighty, the Buddha
had spent forty-five years teaching only two things: why humans suffer and the cessation of suffering.
The most succinct formulation of the Buddha's doctrine was provided in his first sermon, namely:
1. There is suffering, misery and misfortune.
2. There is a cause.
3. There is cessation.
4. There is a path leading to cessation.
The early Buddhist path leading to cessation includes both precept practice and meditation practice. Buddhist
practice initially transforms unskillful karma into skillful, but ultimately practice brings an end to the misery and
misfortunes of life.
The goal of precept practice is the wholesome transformation of speech and action. The precepts are; avoid
taking life, avoid taking what is not given, avoid sexual misconduct, avoid lying and avoid consuming
intoxicants.
The goal of meditation practice is the wholesome transformation of consciousness. Buddhist meditation is
composed of both tranquility and insight. Meditation allows the Buddhist cultivator to see clearly, beyond a
limited self view, and facilitates positive change through heightened awareness and a deeper understanding of
the true nature of existence.
Over time, a Buddhist comes to realize he or she has the power to change certain conditions through skillful
choices, and accept other conditions through daily practice. Choice and practice allow a Buddhist to actively
participate in his or her own liberation.