The Basic Beliefs of Buddhism: The Path of Wisdom from Awakening to Practice

In the long river of human civilization, Buddhism is like a lamp of wisdom, illuminating the journey of countless people exploring the meaning of life. It does not pursue worship of gods, but guides people to seek the truth of enlightenment from within themselves. Let us trace the origin and core essence of this ancient wisdom through over 2500 years of history.

1、 The Origin of Buddhism: The Awakening Path of Princes

About 2500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha Gautama of Kapilavastu in India fell into confusion about the essence of life in his magnificent palace. When he first walked out of the palace and witnessed the pain of the sick, the frailty of the elderly, the coldness of the dead, and the serene figure of a monk, he finally understood that even as a prince, he could not escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. This shocking realization of the Four Noble Truths prompted him to give up his luxurious lifestyle and become a wandering sage, embarking on the path of seeking the “root of pain” in his spiritual practice.

After years of hard work, Siddhartha entered into deep meditation under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India (not under the poplar tree). When the morning star rises, he finally breaks through ignorance, realizes the truth of life, and becomes the “Buddha” (meaning “awakened one”). This awakening is not a myth, but a true exploration of human spiritual transcendence.

2、 The core teachings of Buddha: the Three Noble Truths and the Four Noble Truths

1) Three universal truths – wisdom that penetrates appearances

Anicca: All things in the world are constantly changing like flowing water, with seasons changing and human affairs changing. There is no eternal and unchanging existence.

Anatta: There is no independent and constant “self” or soul, and the so-called “I” is just a temporary aggregation of the five aggregates (color, sensation, thought, action, and consciousness).

Dukkha: Persisting in the “constant” and “self” will lead to greed, anger, and delusion, which is the root of life’s suffering.

2) The Four Noble Truths – A Map Out of Pain

（1）. Bitter truth: birth, aging, sickness, and death, love and separation, resentment and hatred, and inability to seek, all of which are inevitable pains in the essence of life.

（2）. Jidi: The root of pain is “greed” (attachment to material, emotional, and conceptual things).

（3）. Extinction truth: When greed and love are extinguished, pain will come to an end and reach the state of silence known as “Nirvana”.

（4）. Dao Di: Through the practice of the “Middle Way”, one can eliminate pain and move towards enlightenment.

3、 The Middle Way and the Eightfold Path: The Path of Practical Awakening

Buddha opposed extreme asceticism or indulgence and advocated the “Middle Way” – finding a balance between material and spiritual, pleasure and abstinence. This path is concretized as the “Eightfold Path”, which covers the comprehensive cultivation of thought, language, and behavior:

The Eight Way Path, Core Connotation, and Practical Direction

Correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths, observing the reality of life with wisdom

Positive thinking, cultivating compassion and selflessness, and staying away from selfish obsession

Correct language, no lying, no vulgar language, no vulgar language; Language conveys goodwill

Upholding one’s profession, refraining from killing, stealing, and indulging in debauchery; Ethical behavior

Upholding integrity, engaging in harmless professions, and balancing livelihood with morality

Strive for excellence, eliminate evil thoughts, cultivate good thoughts, and continuously improve oneself

Mindfulness, awareness of the current state of mind and body, living in every moment

Zhengding, obtaining spiritual concentration through meditation, and the determination to reach Nirvana

4、 Meditation: The Art of Dialogue with the Heart

Meditation is not an escape from reality, but a focused training that frees the mind from the constraints of distractions. There are various forms of Buddhist meditation:

• Stop mindfulness meditation: Concentrate attention through observing breathing, holding mantras, and other methods to gain insight into the essence of the body and mind;

• Walking meditation: Observe footsteps and breath while walking, and integrate practice into daily life;

• Public case meditation: such as contemplating the sound of one hand clapping, breaking through the limitations of logical thinking;

Mandala meditation: Guiding consciousness into deep tranquility by visualizing sacred patterns.

Regardless of its form, the core of meditation is to “see as it is” – to perceive the present without judgment or attachment, ultimately achieving spiritual awakening.

5、 The Inheritance of Buddhism: From Oral Transmission to Classics

After Buddha’s Nirvana, his disciples compiled his teachings into the Tripitaka, which means “Tripitaka”:

• Canon: The teachings of Buddha;

• Vinaya: Code of conduct for monastic communities;

• Abhidharma: Interpretation and debate of doctrines.

These scriptures, originally written on palm leaves, have been passed down for thousands of years and become the foundation of Buddhist thought.

6、 The Spread of Buddhism: From India to the World

Buddhism has gradually formed two major schools of thought due to differences in believers’ understanding of its doctrines:

Theravada Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism): emphasizes personal liberation and is mainly spread in Southeast Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar;

Mahayana Buddhism advocates for the “universal salvation of all sentient beings” and has formed multiple branches after integrating various cultures

· Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism): focusing on esoteric practice, spreading in Xizang and Nepal;

Pure Land Sect: With the core of reciting Buddha’s name and going to the Pure Land, it is prevalent in China and Japan;

Zen Buddhism: Through enlightenment, one can reach the Buddha nature and have a profound influence on East Asian culture.

7、 The Five Precepts: The Living Standards of Buddhists

Despite their different factions, all Buddhists follow the basic moral code – the “Five Precepts”:

（1）. Do not kill: Respect all life and cultivate compassion;

（2）. Do not steal: Respect others’ property and uphold integrity;

（3）. Not indulging in debauchery: adhering to marriage ethics and maintaining proper behavior;

（4）. Not lying or stirring up rumors;

（5）. Do not drink alcohol: maintain physical and mental purity, and avoid causing intoxication.

The Five Precepts are not restraints, but barriers that protect the soul and help practitioners maintain mindfulness in secular life.

Conclusion: Wisdom Living in Consciousness

The core of Buddhism is to teach people to transcend external attachments and achieve inner awakening through perception and practice. From the awakening of Prince Siddhartha, to the practical guidance of the Eightfold Path, and to the living standards of the Five Precepts, this system of wisdom transcends time and space, always guiding people to seek eternal spiritual home in the impermanent world. It does not require blind faith, but invites everyone to personally verify the truth of life through reason and practice – perhaps this is why Buddhism remains vibrant after thousands of years.