Buddha's Teachings

Buddha taught that both good things and hard things come to every person. Both are part of life. But if you choose to follow Buddhist law (called Dharma, or the Middle Way) you will live a good life and find peace, perhaps even reach Nirvana. You don't need priests to pray for you, you don't need to make sacrifices to the Gods, and you don't have to be of a certain caste in society. Buddha taught that all people can avoid the extremes of behavior (selfish pleasure or self-denial) which lead to suffering, and follow the Middle Way to a good life. The Buddhist law is comprised of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

Four Noble Truths (the causes of suffering):
1. Suffering consists of disease, old age, and death; separation from those we love; craving what we cannot obtain; hating what we cannot avoid.
2. All suffering is caused by desire and the attempt to satisfy our desires.
3. Therefore, suffering can be overcome by ceasing to desire.
4. The way to end desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path (the solution):
This is a series of eight stages that lead to the end of desire. The first few can be achieved in everyday life, the later ones require more concentration and effort.

1. Right opinion: understanding the Four Noble Truths
2. Right intentions: a person decides to set his/her life on the
3. Right speech: not lying, criticizing unfairly, using harsh language, or gossiping
4. Right conduct: no kllling, stealing, cruelty or lustful activities
5. Right livelihood: earn a living in a way that doesn't harm any living thing
6. Right effort: conquer all evil thoughts, try to have only good thoughts
7. Right mindfulness: becoming intensely aware of all states of body, mind, feelings
8. Right concentration: deep meditation that leads to higher state of consciousness

A person who practices right concentration will come to the enlightenment that Siddhartha attained.