Estimated to have four hundred millions of followers,

Buddhism is the fifth largest ethical system in the world.

About Buddhism*

One fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, in a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again.

After many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering.

The Three Trainings or Practices:

1. Sila: Virtue, good conduct, morality:

   • The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal.

   • The principle of reciprocity  -- to do onto others as you would wish them do onto you.

2. Samadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct.

3. Prajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.

The Four Noble Truths:

The Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as:

1. Dukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.)

2. Samudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.)

3. Nirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.)

4. Magga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path.

The Five Precepts:

1. Do not kill. Sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence.

2. Do not steal. Generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation.

3. Do not lie. Sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, etc.

4. Do not misuse sex. 

5. Do not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind. Some have included as a drug other methods of divorcing ourselves from reality -- e.g. movies, television. ₁

The Eightfold Path:

• Panna: Discernment, wisdom:

  • 1) Samma ditthi Right Understanding of the Four Noble Truths

  • 2) Samma sankappa: Right thinking; following the right path in life

• Sila: Virtue, morality:

  • 3) Samma vaca: Right speech: no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language

  • 4) Samma kammanta Right conduct by following the Five Precepts

  • 5) Samma ajiva: Right livelihood; support yourself without harming others

• Samadhi: Concentration, meditation:

  • 6) Samma vayama Right Effort: promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts

  • 7) Samma sati Right Mindfulness: Become aware of your body, mind and feelings

  • 8) Samma samadhi Right Concentration: Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

* From:  http://www.religioustolerance.org/buddhism1.htm