What is Buddhism

Buddhism is a path of practice through which we can evolve towards causing less suffering for our selves and for others. Ultimately it leads to complete freedom from suffering, along with the development of other positive qualities such as Love, Wisdom and Compassion.

This path of evolution was re-discovered by the historical person known as Siddhartha Gautama 2550 years ago. Upon re-discovering the path he became known as the Buddha, a name meaning ‘one who is awake’. In other words he was Enlightened and fully awake to the nature of reality, completely free from biases and distorted confused views of reality and so, with full wisdom and compassion, completely free from suffering.

Buddhists believe that it’s possible for all of us to evolve and develop our full potential in this way, by following this well trodden path of practice. In Buddhism there is no creator god. Instead our experience is said to be the consequence of our actions and other conditions. The Buddhist path consists of meditation, through which we can take responsibility for our selves, transform our hearts and minds and become more aware. With more awareness and a deepening insight into the nature of things we can make better and more skilful choices in the actions we take, leading to less suffering all around.

There are no moral commandments in Buddhism, but instead there are natural ethical training principles. They are part of the Buddhist path and undertaking them is a process of becoming more skilful at putting them into practice in a way that they become, ideally, quite natural to us over time. These ethical training principles, combined with taking responsibility and transformation through meditation can be said to be the main ingredients of the Buddhist path. A path that can lead to the complete realisation and transformation of our selves and the world, and ultimately freedom from suffering.