Buddhist Belief Blog

Over the time this blog has been in existence, we’ve been talking about the Noble Truths of Buddhist Belief. We’ve learned that life can be full of dissatisfaction and suffering. We’ve learned that the reason this is true is because of our cravings, our clinging, our attachments, our greed and our foolish desires. We’ve also learned how to end this suffering by relinquishing this way of living from our lives and including the daily practice of meditation in our lives. This is the self without suffering as taught in the first Three Noble Truths by Buddha.

Next, let’s begin our discussion of the Fourth Noble Truth, which is the path to this release, the freedom from clinging and suffering. It is also called the Eightfold Path — or the Eight Steps to Enlightenment — or the Eight Principles of Enlightened Living.

Once we delve into this subject, we’ll begin to see how these teachings of Buddha can be summed up as the true essence of all he taught. There are two principles here: the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The first, the Four Noble Truths, covers the aspect of doctrine. What I’m referring to as the doctrine, is our clear understanding of the facts of life as I described them in the first paragraph above and in the previous articles.

The Eightfold Path covers the principle of discipline. What I’m referring to as the discipline, is the call for us to enter into a more spiritual way of living. What I feel is important here is to understand the interrelationship of the two principles. It is how the doctrine and the discipline lock together in what Buddhists refer to as the Dhamma or Dharma. This locking together, this unity of the Dharma, is guaranteed by the fact that the last of the Four Noble Truths, the Fourth Noble Truth, is in fact, the Noble Eightfold Path.

(Stay with me for another moment … don’t give up, it will become clear ….)

As you will learn shortly, the first factor, or step, of the Noble Eightfold Path is Right View, which means to have a clear understanding of the entire Four Noble Truths.

Thus the two principles, doctrine and discipline, penetrate and include one another, the Four Noble Truths contain the Eightfold Path and the Eightfold Path contains the Four Noble Truths.

(I hope I haven’t confused you. I know I had to read those last paragraphs again after I wrote them!)

(Sidenote: I used to think that the words Dhamma and Dharma meant two different things. I’ve since learned these words do mean the same thing: they both mean the teachings of Buddha which lead to enlightenment. The words are merely different languages; Dhamma from Pali and Dharma from the Sanscrit.)

One thing about Buddhism I believe with all my being is this — we can all be free of suffering. This is the beautiful message of Buddhist Belief.

Once we understand that nothing is permanent, we can begin to see how everything can be workable. If nothing is eternally ruined, or fixed or hopeless, if everything is changing and not what we think it is, then the conclusion is that no matter where we are or what situation we find ourselves in, we can bring change to it. If you think about it, this will also include you and me as individuals. Sure we can sit in our place of meditation and find moments of inner peace, but for a true, lasting inner peace — to live a life filled with compassion and love, we need to do some work. The work we’ll be talking about in these next articles is the true work.

The Noble Eightfold Path can be basically divided into three segments — self-discipline or morality, meditation and wisdom. When we talk about wisdom, it helps if we understand that wisdom and compassion are not separate concepts. If you can grasp the wisdom, the reality that we are all one — that we are all interrelated — you will realize the inseparability of yourself and others. With that wisdom as a part of you, there will be less selfishness on your part. You’ll begin to see that your needs are the same as the other guys and you’ll treat them accordingly. This is true wisdom. What happens when you have this wonderful knowledge? The natural thing coming out of this wisdom is your compassion for others. Why would we do something to harm ourselves? In simple terms, we have learned to recognize ourselves in others.

There are, however, some cautions we need to consider when talking about wisdom and compassion. One thing to consider is how does this relate to us in our lives? I would love to just write down an answer to that question for you. But, it’s a question only you can answer. You will find the answer in your own meditation practice — in your own investigation — in your own personal, spiritual life.

In Buddhist Belief, you are learning a way to freedom. You could say, “Okay, if nothing is permanent, and everything is empty, then I’ll practice some wild and crazy wisdom. I’ll just drink myself to death.” You are free to take this route. It’s always your choice. But, in the conventional sense this is harmful and not useful. If you find yourself rationalizing your behavior with this “wisdom loophole”, the idea that “if everything is the same it doesn’t matter what I do loophole”, be careful. It will surely backfire. It’s a sure signal you have more work to do.

Look deeply into your own hearts as you interpret your wisdom and you will know. You will be able to see the difference between what is right and what is wrong. You will see the oneness of all beings. You will see how harming yourself will bring harm to others. You will learn to see that if someone is choosing immorality, or is choosing addictive behavior, they obviously have not completed their own spiritual work.

See you in the next articles.
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The Buddhist Belief Bookshelf

For those who wanted me to repeat the links for the books I’ve mentioned in the last few articles, here they are again — and I’ve added one more:

Eckhart Tolle’s amazing best seller, “A New Earth“Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”