chapter 1 — the Buddhist attitude of mind
The teachings of Buddha. Truth is knowing and seeing, not believing. The teaching is like a raft, not something to carry. Emancipation lies on one’s own realization of the Truth. Principle of individual responsibility. Doubt is one of the hindrances to a clear understanding of the truth. Labels on the teachings are immaterial. Metaphysical questions that are purely speculative are not of use and create unnecessary, imaginary problems.
the four noble truths
chapter 2 — the first noble truth: dukkha
Dukkha is not suffering, but rather the impermanence of life. Happy feelings or conditions are not permanent. It is an idea of realism as opposed to optimism or pessimism. There is no “I”, only a sense of it created by the Five Aggregates: matter, sensations, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness (🔗 無我, No “I”, śūnyatā, All the visions that we see in our lifetime are like a big dream).
Being impatient or angry at suffering does not remove it. On the contrary, it adds a little more to one’s troubles, and aggravates and exacerbates a situation already disagreeable. What is necessary is not anger or impatience, but the understanding of the question of suffering, how it comes about, and how to get rid of it, and then to work accordingly with patience, intelligence, determination, and energy.
chapter 3 — the second noble truth: samudaya: “the arising of dukkha”
Samudaya is the thirst or craving that produces re-existence and re-becoming. It is the most immediate cause of dukkha. It refers to the desire for sense-pleasures, wealth, power, ideas, beliefs, conceptions, opinions, and theories. Karma is mental volition, which can be good or bad. Good karma produces good effects, and bad karma produces bad ones. The theory of karma is the theory of cause and effect. These effects may extend beyond death. There is no existences of “I” or the soul, but rather the continuity of energy and the desire to exist. This cycle ceases once there is no more thirst to become.
chapter 4 — the third noble truth: nirodha: “the Cessation of dukkha”
Freedom from thirst is Nirvana. It is the annihilation of the false idea of “self”. It is freedom from evil, craving, hatred, ignorance, duality, relativity, time, and space. Nirvana is the Absolute Truth that there is nothing absolute in this world. Everything is impermanent. It is not a state or location, it is not a cause or effect. Nirvana is. Truth is. He who realizes it is the happiest in the world because he lives only in the present moment. “Nirvana is ‘to be realized by the wise within themselves.’”
chapter 5 — the fourth noble truth: magga: “the path”
The Middle Path - the Noble Eightfold Path avoids the search for happiness through sense pleasures and extreme ascetism. It is referred to as the Noble Eightfold Path. The steps are categorized into Ethical Conduct (happy and harmonious life both for the individual and for society), Mental Discipline, and Wisdom.
chapter 5 — the doctrine of no-soul: Anatta
Everything is a series of cause and effect. There is no such thing as free will because it cannot be independent from the world. “I am” is a conception that must be let go. There is conventional truth and ultimate truth; the use of the word “I” is not a lie because it is conforming to the convention of the world. But in reality, “I” does not exist. What we call “I” or “being” is merely a combination of physical and mental aggregates, which work together within cause and effect. Nothing is permanent, everything is relative. Note that one shouldn’t say that “there is no self” or “there is self”, but, instead, let go of the idea of “I am” and being.
One is one’s own refuge.
chapter 7 — meditation or mental culture: bhāvanā
Meditation is misunderstood. It is the cultivation of the mind. It doesn’t necessarily have to be following certain instructions and sitting still. That is vipassanā meditation, focusing on the breath. Other kinds of meditation can be done doing whatever. Living in the present moment is meditation. Reading is meditation. Being aware of your feelings is meditation. Pondering and thinking is meditation. You can study, think, and deliberate on
- the Five Hinderances
- lustful desires
- ill-will, hatred, or anger
- torpor and languor
- restlessness and worry
- skeptical doubts
- Seven Factors of Enlightenment
- mindfulness
- investigation and research into the various problems of doctrine
- energy
- joy
- relaxation
- concentration
- equanimity
- Five Aggregates
- What is being? What is it that is called “I”?
- Four Noble Truths
These can lead to the realization of the Ultimate Truth. There are many other subjects of meditation. Particularly notable are the
- Four Sublime States
- extending unlimited, universal love and good-will to all living beings without any kind of discrimination
- compassion for all living beings who are suffering, in trouble and affliction
- sympathetic joy in others’ success, welfare, and happiness
- equanimity in all vicissitudes of life
chapter 8 — what the Buddha taught and the world today
Buddhism is a way of life. If one is convinced that his teaching is the right path and tries to follow it, then he is Buddhist. The minimum moral obligations of a lay Buddhist (Five Precepts) are
- not to destroy life
- not to steal
- not to commit adultery
- not to tell lies
- not to take intoxicating drinks