Budhism Interlude

Four Noble Truths of Buddhism

1) Everything is suffering

• everything is impermanent
• there is no self or permanent identity---just a series of causal process and continuity.
• Life constantly changes and their is no permanent identity that endures from one moment to the next---the self is transient and constantly changing.
• no permanent reality that endures

Recognizing this allows us to let go of the things that cause suffering

2) Arising of Suffering

• ignorance leads to desire which leads to birth
• Our desire for stuff that thinks will fulfill us leads to the ongoing suffering cycle

3) Nirvana-Cessation of Suffering - blowing out the candle of suffering

4) Path to Nirvana (Noble Eightfold Path)

• Right thought, action...etc
• Can be boiled down to 3 things - Moral conduct, Mental concentration, Wisdom

Don't do evil, do good and purify one's mind

Shrines to the Buddha aren't really praying to the Buddha because he has achieved nirvana and is no longer available; technically, its about reminding oneself of the teachings and practices. However, through certain relics left behind by the Buddha, its possible to access the power which reminds us of the Buddha's absence.