Understanding BUDDHISM -- What is Buddhism?

The first thing I have to say is that I am not, in any real way, an expert on Buddhism.

Secondly, Buddhism has been around since the sixth century before our common era, so is more than two and a half millenia old. It originated in India, and alongside Confucianism (and presumably Marxist atheism) is a major force in China, and alongside Shinto (and presumably secular materialism, ie, consumerism or "capitalism") is a major force in Japan.

So, unsurprisingly, it is a complex tradition with many strands, schools, ideas, and theologies, which do not necessarily all match up with each other.

There is some sense, however, in which I am a practicing Buddhist.

I do not think that Buddha was sent from God, or granted divine knowledge through a book like Mohammed, nor was he the Son of the Divine, the Incarnate come to save mankind from our sins.

My interpretation of Siddhartha Gautama (who was the original Buddha) is that he taught and practiced a way of approaching our own minds and emotions that was relatively original (though is clearly grounded in Hinduism), as well as a way of conducting life, and approaching it, that could bring us more peace of mind and serenity than other approaches.

I am open to the idea that he never actually existed, and I do not think that it is important whether he existed or not. To me, the key is to experiment with Buddhist practices, and see, over time, if they seem to "bear fruit."

As most people know, strictly speaking Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and in the idea of karma. If you behave badly in this life, you store up bad karma, which results in you being reborn as a "lower" life form the next time around. If, on the other hand, you behave well, then you store up good karma, and you are reborn as a higher life form, as a life form closer to the Ultimate Nothingness, which is termed "Nirvana."

I am not particularly concerned as to whether this is true or not. I am inclined to say not, but truly this sceptical stance is not one I have delved into deeply, nor do I really intend to.

However, whether or not there is a Universal Oneness called Nirvana, that we can attain knowledge of, whether individuality of objects, people and minds is a Great Illusion, because all is One, does not really interest me because, for me, Buddhism can be practiced as a Do-It-Yourself form of psychotherapy, without reference to religion, philosophy, or metaphysics.

Buddhism does however teach some truths which seem to me to be incontrovertibly right.

One of these is that WE ARE NOT OUR OWN THOUGHTS. The practice of meditation is a slow process of learning to observe our own thoughts and feelings as they arise, and move through our minds and bodies, so that it becomes increasingly obvious that there IS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THOSE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS OBSERVING THOSE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.

This, for me, is a keystone to insight into humankind. It means we can cultivate a state of mind wherein we can observe our own thoughts, ideas, feelings, and thinking processes, and see them for what they are, see them with less "attachment"... and become less controlled by them.

Buddhism's fundamental insight is that attachment brings suffering.

Attachment to our own thoughts, our own passions, can lead us down paths that are unhealthy, erroneous, or poorly-advised.

Attachment to the outcomes of events can cause us to become obsessed with matters that are not, on reflection, as important as we make them.

And addictions are excesses of attachment.

Nevertheless, Buddhism is not about dropping out, or ignoring the world's problems.

Another key concept in Buddhism is that of "Dharma". Dharma means, basically, "duty."

In other words, for a Buddhist it is self-evident that compassion, loving, and duty, respect and obligation are a part of life. And, indeed, your karma depends on these things.

However, the principle of non-attachment reigns supreme. So duty and morality are not related to "sin" or "guilt" because these are concepts that breed over-attachment to ourselves and our behaviours.

Again, instead our duty to our fellow human beings, as well as to nature, is simply "self-evident."

This is my interpretation of Buddhism. Nobody would call me a Zen master, and I do  not "worship" the Buddha, or think about things like "Nirvana" or "enlightenment."

However, as a practice, as a way of seeing the world, it makes sense to me. And it seems  basically correct in the form I have laid it out here.