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Introduction to Buddhism

Historical Background Buddhism was born in northeastern

India in the year 588 BC founded by Siddhattha Gautama

Buddha. He was born on the full moon day of the sixth lunar

month 623 years before Christ at beautiful Lumbini Garden,

located between Kapilavatthu and Devadaha City south west of

the country known as Nepal today. His father was King

Suddhodana and his mother was Queen Sirimahamaya or

Queen Maya. He married Princes Yasodhara when he was

sixteen years old and became a monk at the age of 29. He lived

a luxurious life during his 29 years in me palace. After he left

me palace, he studied and practiced meditation with the very popular gurus of his time, Arala

and Utaka, passing many levels of concentration or tranquil meditation. When he completed

the causes of study from those teachers, he left them to find the way known as Atthanggika

Magga or Middle Eightfold Path, and he attained enlightenment in the sixth year of his

monkshood. His mind became free from all the ten fetters:

1. Personality-belief (sakkaya-ditthi),

2. Sceptical doubt (vicikiccha), 3. Clinging to mere rules and ritual (silabbatapramasa;

upadana), 4. Sensual craving (kama-raga), 5. Ill-will (vyapada), 6. Craving for fine

materiel existence (rupa-raga), 7. Craving for immaterial existence (arupa-raga), 8.

Vanity (mana), 9. Restlessness (uddhacca), 10. Ignorance (avijja).

His mind filled with clear understanding, rationality, understanding of cause and effect,

understanding of cause and effect of sensual craving and how to let go of craving. His mind

filled with acceptance of the way things really are, and with loving-kindness and compassion,

clear comprehension of born visible and invisible mental objects, the value of a simple and

humble way of life, and he shined with the light of right understanding. He became known as

The Buddha, the Awakened One.

What the Buddha Taught

The Buddha taught us the Four Noble Truths, the truth of all beings with and without

consciousness. They are:

1. Noble Truth of Dissatisfactoriness or hardship of maintenance (Dukkha).

2. Noble Truth of Cause of Dissatisfactoriness (samudaya).

3. Noble Truth of Cessation of Dissatisfactoriness (nirodha).

4. Noble Truth of Path leading to the Cessation of Cause of Dissatisfactoriness (magga).

Dukkha: The Noble Truth of Dissatisfaction or Suffering. Buddhism did not view anything in

an optimistic nor pessimistic manner, but Buddhism views everything in a realistic way. When

Buddhism talks about Dukkha or suffering or Dissatisfactoriness it means the hardship of

maintenance and the problems in daily life, such as birth, old age, diseases, death, sorrow and

frustrations of every kind. What is undesirable is painful, so too is not getting something

desired. All problems are unwanted but although people try their best to avoid trouble and to

be free from suffering, they cannot protect themselves from it The truth Buddha taught solves

the problems and problematic situations which, when observed and comprehended by self-

investigation, helps us learn for ourselves whether the teaching is true. With careful

observation of life, we can see mat all life is unstable, decaying and subject to change.

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Samudaya: The Noble Truth of Origin of Dissatisfaction (dukkhosamudaya-ariyasacca); The

origin (origins) of dissatisfaction are many, depending upon the conditions. Every kind of

dissatisfaction has its origins in craving (tanha) or selfish desire, which is the result of

ignorance (avijja) or delusion, resulting in hatred, destruction, violence and suffering in

society in the past, today and in the future. Craving produces re-existence and re-becoming

(ponobbavika), and is bound up with passionate greed (nandiragasahagata), finding fresh

delight now here and now there (tatratatrabhinandini), namely 1. Craving for sense-pleasures

(kama-tanha), 2. Craving for existence and becoming (bhava-tanha) and, 3. Craving for non-

existence or self-annihilation (vibhava-tanha). It is this craving, desire, greed, manifesting

itself in various ways, that gives rise to all forms of suffering and continuity of beings. It

should not be taken as the first cause, for there is no first cause possible as, according to

Buddhism, everything is relative and hater-dependent

Nirodha: The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (dukkhanirodha-ariyosacea), which is

Nibbana or Nirvana in Sanskrit To uproot the suffering, the Buddha introduced the Path

(magga) leading to the cessation of suffering. It is the cessation of craving, cessation of hatred,

cessation of illusion or ignorance. There are great details in the suttas about the way to practice

to put an end to these mental defilements.

Magga: The Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering. Dukkhanirodhagaminipatipada-

ariyasacca). This is known as The Middle Way (majjhima-patipada), because it avoids two

extremes; one extreme is to search for happiness through the pleasures of the senses which is

low, common, unprofitable and the way of the ordinary people; the other method is the search

for happiness through self-mortification in different forms of asceticism, which is painful,

unworthy and unprofitable. The Buddha himself tried these two extremes and having found

them to be useless, the Buddha discovered through personal experience. The Middle Path,

which gives vision and knowledge and leads to experiencing Calm, Insight, Enlightenment,

Nibbana. This Path is known hi Pali as Ariya-Atthangika-Magga because it is composed of

eight categories, namely:

Wisdom level

1. Right Understanding (Samma-ditthi)

2. Right Thought (Samma-sankappa)

Moral level

3. Right Speech (Samma-vaca)

4. Right Action (Samma-kammanta)

5. Right Livelihood (Samma-ajiva)

Samadhi level

6. Right Effort (Samma-vayama)

7. Right Mindfulness (Samma-sati)

8. Right Concentration (Samma-samadhi)

The whole teaching of the Buddha, to which he devoted himself for 45 years, deals with this

Path. Buddha explained the Dhamma in different ways with different words to different

people, according to the stage of their development and their capacity to understand and

follow him, but the essence of those many thousand discourses scattered hi the Buddhist

Scriptures are found hi the Noble Eightfold Path and summarized hi the Threefold Doctrines

namely;

1. Not to do bad

2. To do good, and

3. To purify the mind from its impurities or mental defilement

The eight categories of the Path should not be followed and practiced one after the other in the

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numerical order as given the list above, but they are to be developed more or less

simultaneously, as far as possible according to the capacity of each individual. The eight

factors aim at promoting and perfecting the three essentials of the Buddhist training and

discipline:

1. Moral Conduct (Sila),

2. Mental Discipline (Samadhi),

3. Wisdom (Panna).

Moral Conduct:

Moral conduct is the basic principle of Buddhism for the training and developing of an

ordinary person to become a perfect human being. It consists of commitment to (1) avoid

killing and harming living beings while trying to develop loving-kindness and compassion; (2)

avoid taking what is not given while trying to develop sincerity and respect for ownership and

the possessions of others; (3) avoid sexual misconduct while trying to develop honesty and

respect toward the opposite sex; (4) avoid false speech while trying to develop truthfulness and

sincerity; (5) avoid taking intoxicating drink and harmful drugs while trying to develop

mindfulness and awareness in daily life.

Mental Discipline:

When we develop moral conduct, we are certain to have peaceful family and peaceful

society, and then we are ready to go for meditation practice for more training in mental

culture. Mental culture develops the human mind to become a noble being and finally to

become a perfect noble one through wisdom training. There are two lands of mental culture,

namely; Concentration meditation (Samatha Bhavna) and Insight meditation (Vipassana

Bhavna). The details of meditation practice cannot be given here but those who want more

information about meditation practice may contact Wat Thai,D.C. at the mailing address

provided below.

Wisdom Training:

Wisdom is the way to see the ultimate truth of reality. When the mind of the meditation

practitioner becomes calm, dear and peaceful, he or she may apply peaceful mind to look at

the ways of all thing visible and invisible as they really are. Their ways are as follows;

1. Impermanence (Aniccam)

2. Hard to maintain (Dukkham)

3. Out of control (Anatta)

When the mind understands the way of everything as it really is, the mind does not

cling and does not attach to anything, the meditation practitioner will see and view all things

with a realistic approach. At that level of meditation the mind becomes free from all kinds of

mental defilement, becoming a mind that can be called free mind, independent mind, perfect

mind or enlightened mind. The person who lives with this mind will always live his or her life

in peace and happiness here and now, not waiting until after death. This is what the Buddha

taught and the goal of Buddhism.

What is the Goal of Buddhism?

The Awakened One, the Buddha, classified people into two groups and set goals for

both to help them according to their capabilities, namely;

1. Goal for the householders, and

2. Goal for those who life monastic life or monks.

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Goal for householders is to live their life in a happy way by following at least three of the

precepts of the Eightfold Path namely; right action, right speech and right livelihood in moral

training. This includes the administration and governmental affairs, as the Buddha introduced

10 virtues* of rulers or administrators to carry out duties and responsibilities in righteous

ways.

Goal far the monks or those who live monastic life is Nibbana,enlightenment or perfect

freedom of the mind by following me Eightfold Path as above mentioned. The monks have to

strictly observe moral conduct (Sila Visuddhi) and clarification of their moral disciplines set

out by the Buddha, proved by the Sangha. Monks must train themselves in meditation practice

(Samadhi-Vipassana Bhavna) to cultivate wisdom to be able to purify their minds from mental

impurities or delusion.

Meditation Instruction

And Practice

What is Meditation?

In Buddhism the word “Meditation” is translated

from the Pali language. The Pali word is “Bhavana,” which

means to develop, to improve, to cultivate mindfulness and

awareness, so the mind becomes healthy and strong.

Meditation is the way to cultivate the mind so it becomes

calm, clear, peaceful, stable, bright, light and pure.

A concentrated mind can focus clearly on a

particular object. Such a developed mind can be purified

when defiling mental obstructions such as hatred, greed, carving, delusion, unwholesome

thoughts, ignorance, etc. are removed. A controlled and disciplined mind, free from

impurities, is released from tension, worry and stress.

Meditation is the way to psychologically train the mind to develop the tool of insight,

or Vipassana enabling meditators to realize Enlightenment, the highest wisdom for ordinary

persons to become complete human beings so that human beings can become “noble ones,” or

ariya puggala (Pali).

The oldest form of Vipassana (insight) meditation is taught in the Theravada tradition

of Southeast Asia. The devilment of mindfulness and awareness is the heart of Buddhist

meditation. The “Four Foundations of Mindfulness” (The Satipatthana Sutta) were

emphasized by the historical Buddha, as follows: “There is one way, O monks, for the

purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow, and lamentation, for the disappearance of

suffering, grief and pain, for the winning the noble path, for realizing Enlightenment, Nibbana,

that is to say, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.” (Details will be given in later chapters

regarding meditation objects.)

Meditation can be practiced in many ways to develop the mind to have the mind relax

and become clam. We see in the West today many people who practice meditation by

themselves through reading books, without supervisors, teachers, guides or experienced

friends to help them.

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Meditation can be applied for different purposes. Some apply meditation in the wrong

way and for negative purposes, such as mundane magical power, and so on. In short,

meditation is the way to purify the mind from hatred, (Pali:dosa) greed, (Pali: lobpa) and

ignorance, (Pali: moha) so we can cultivate mindfulness and awareness to see things as they

really are. The ways things are impermanent (Pali: aniccam) hard to maintain or suffering

(Pali: dukkham) and out of control, non-self or selflessness (Pali: anatta.)

It is very useful and wonderful to learn, study and practice meditation because living

without meditation is very dangerous: it like driving a car without a road map and with no

directions. Living with meditation is just the opposite, providing all the tools you need to get

to your destination.

Why should we train our minds?

The mind is of primary importance, the most important element in human life. All

deeds, wholesome or unwholesome, are the result of mental processes. In the Dhammapada,

the Buddha said, “Mind is the forerunner of all action, mind is chief; mind made are they. If

one speaks or acts with an evil mind, suffering follows him/her, even as the wheel of the cart

follows the ox that draws the cart.” “Mind is the forerunner of all actions, mind is chief, mind-

made are they. If one speaks or acts with a wholesome mind, happiness follows him (her),

even as his (her) own shadow.”

(Pali: Manopubbam gama dhamma, manasettha manomaya, mansa ce padutthena, bhasati

va karoti va, tato nam dukkhamannaveti, cakkam va vahato padam “…manasa ce

pasannena pasati va karoti va tato nam sukkhamanveti chayava anapayini.)

Why should we meditate?

Mind is by nature originally pure. Great extensive spiritual power is all complete

within the mind. You may ask yourself what you want to have in your life. The answer is

likely be peace and real happiness because what the mind want is peace and real happiness.

How can we reach that stage where we will have a peaceful mind and happiness? The

answer is through the practice of meditation. This is the tool that helps us train our mind to be

peaceful and pure. With a peaceful and pure mind we will be able to experience real

happiness and the highest wisdom in life.

Meditation is a spiritual training in all the world’s religions. Many people talk

about peace and happiness in their daily gatherings and meetings. In other words, an

individual with a deluded mind cannot fine the right way to experience real happiness and

peace for himself (herself) and others expect by cultivating a clear and pure mind. To

experience that stage, each person must train his or her own mind to develop in the proper

way. Meditation plays a key role in this matter.

Meditation helps to train and refine the mind; it helps the person who engages in

meditation practice to concentrate and to be mindful in daily activities. Everyone benefits

from this training. Foe example, the student needs concentration while doing homework

assignments. Administrators need concentration and a clear mind while running their offices.

Parents need concentration and a clear mind while doing their work at home, conducting

family life in a calm and peaceful way.

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Meditation helps everyone at all times to live and work effectively and successfully.

Everyone wants to be happy in life. The way to lead oneself to real happiness and have a

peaceful life may be different, but without a peaceful, calm and clear mind, real happiness

cannot be realized. Meditation can help in this regard. The Exalted One, the Buddha said,

“The peaceful mind excels all other happiness.” (Pali: natthi santi param sukkham)

What would happen if one worked without right mindfulness and right concentration?

The answer is simple. If one worked without right mindfulness and concentration,

work would be ineffective. For example, if one studies without mindfulness and full attention,

one cannot remember the subject being studied. Consequently, a poor performance would

result. As you can see, there is a role to be played by concentration and mindfulness during

study. In the same way, right understanding and insight, as worldly tools, need to be applied

before starting any work. Working without mindfulness and concentration results in more

harm than good. The way to apply these tools is to learn how to be aware, moment by

moment in our daily activities, that is, to know what we are doing, what we are saying and

what we are thinking. Without mindfulness and concentration there is no life. We are in

“automatic pilot.”

We may conclude this small paper in hoping that the readers may find the essences of

the Buddha's teachings, the law of impermanence, cause and effect and self reliance to realize

ultimate reality. Finally, we can find me way of Buddhist realistic view.

May all beings be free from enmity, be free from ill-treatment, be free from troubles.

May all beings be free from suffering. May all beings be happy.

* Dasa Dhamma: 1. Dana; charity, generosity, liberality. 2. Sila: high moral character.

3. Pariccaga: self-sacrifice. 4. Ajjava: honesty, integrity. 5. Maddava: kindness, gentleness.

6. Tapa: austerity, self discipline, non indulgence. 7. Akkodha: non-angry, non-fury.

8. Avihimsa: nonviolence, non-Oppression. 9. Khanti: patience, forbearance, tolerance,

endeavor, endurance. 10. Avirodhana: non-opposition, non-deviation from righteousness,

confromity to the law.

For more information please feel free to contact :

Ven. Phramaha Thanat Inthisan, Ph.D.

Secretary General of The Council of Thai Bhikkhus in USA.

Wat Thai Washington, D.C. 13440 Layhill Road , Silver Spring ,

MD 20906

Phone : (301) 871-8660, 871-8661, Fax. (301) 871-5007

E-mail: t_inthisan@hotmail.com, www.t-dhamma.org,

www.thaitemple.org