Siddhartha Gautama, also known as “the Buddha,” founded Buddhism over 2,500 years ago in India. It is now considered one of the major world religions, with an estimated 500 million to one billion followers. While Buddhism doesn’t worship any gods or deities, it is often seen as a philosophy or a moral code rather than a traditional organized religion.
Conquer the angry one by not getting angry; conquer the wicked by goodness; conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth.
Siddhartha Gautama, a prince from present-day Nepal, lived a life of wealth and privilege. However, he felt compelled to confront the issue of existential suffering and sought a solution. In his early adulthood, he left behind his comfortable life and joined various wandering ascetics who claimed to have the answer.
Dissatisfied with their teachings, he forged his own path. Through a combination of meditation and profound insights, he achieved enlightenment—a state that marked the end of all suffering. For the next 45 years, he dedicated himself to sharing the wisdom and practices that led him to this profound realization.
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
Buddha’s teachings revolve around the Four Noble Truths, which capture the essence of his wisdom.
The First Truth acknowledges the existence of suffering.
The Second Truth delves into the cause of suffering. According to Buddhism, desire and ignorance lie at its core. Desire encompasses the longing for pleasure, material possessions, and immortality—cravings that can never be fully satisfied and ultimately lead to suffering. Ignorance, on the other hand, refers to a distorted perception of reality. Without developing mental concentration and insight, one’s mind remains undeveloped, leading to vices like greed, envy, hatred, and anger.
The Third Noble Truth offers hope by revealing the path to the end of suffering: achieving Nirvana. Nirvana represents a transcendent state that liberates individuals from suffering and the cycle of birth and rebirth, leading to spiritual enlightenment.
Finally, the Fourth Noble Truth outlines the method for attaining liberation from suffering. It consists of three interconnected themes: practicing good moral conduct, engaging in meditation and mental development, and cultivating wisdom and insight. This path guides individuals toward the cessation of suffering and the attainment of true peace and understanding.
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
Buddha’s approach differs from simply commanding his followers to blindly follow his teachings. Instead, he urges people to explore and examine them. Ehipassiko, a term frequently used by Buddha, essentially means “come and see for yourselves.”
Editors’ finds
Puzzle: Moral Machine, a platform for gathering a human perspective on moral choices
Newsletter: Life-Changing Concepts, your guide to mental models
Words of wisdom
“We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full.” —Marcel Proust
“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.” —Sigmund Freud
“Modern man thinks he loses something—time—when he does not do things quickly. Yet he does not know what to do with the time he gains—except kill it.” —Erich Fromm
“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” —Aldous Huxley
Bibliography
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