Buddhism

Buddhism 101: The Basics

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition and philosophy founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th–4th century BCE in India. It focuses on self-transformation, wisdom, and liberation from suffering.

1. The Four Noble Truths

(The Core of Buddhist Teaching)

  1. Dukkha (Suffering Exists): Life contains suffering (birth, aging, illness, death, loss, dissatisfaction).
  2. Samudaya (Cause of Suffering): The root of suffering is desire (craving and attachment) and ignorance.
  3. Nirodha (End of Suffering): Liberation from suffering is possible by letting go of attachment.
  4. Magga (The Path to Liberation): The way to end suffering is through the Eightfold Path.

2. The Eightfold Path

(The Road to Enlightenment)

The Eightfold Path is divided into three categories:

Wisdom (Prajna)

  1. Right View – Understanding the nature of reality and the Four Noble Truths.
  2. Right Intention – Thinking with compassion, non-violence, and renunciation of selfish desires.

Ethical Conduct (Sila)

  1. Right Speech – Speaking truthfully, kindly, and avoiding harm.
  2. Right Action – Acting morally, avoiding harm, stealing, or unethical behavior.
  3. Right Livelihood – Choosing work that benefits others and avoids harm (e.g., not dealing in weapons or exploitation).

Mental Discipline (Samadhi)

  1. Right Effort – Cultivating positive states of mind and resisting negative ones.
  2. Right Mindfulness – Developing awareness of body, emotions, and thoughts.
  3. Right Concentration – Deep meditation leading to higher states of consciousness.

3. Key Concepts in Buddhism

  • Karma: Actions (good or bad) create future consequences.
  • Rebirth: After death, consciousness continues in a cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara).
  • Nirvana: The ultimate goal—liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
  • Meditation: The main practice to cultivate mindfulness, wisdom, and inner peace.

4. Major Schools of Buddhism

  1. Theravāda ("The Teaching of the Elders") – Focuses on meditation and personal enlightenment, mostly found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar.
  2. Mahayāna ("The Great Vehicle") – Emphasizes compassion and the Bodhisattva path (helping others reach enlightenment), found in China, Japan, and Korea.
  3. Vajrayāna ("The Diamond Vehicle") – A mystical form of Buddhism that includes esoteric rituals, found mainly in Tibet and Mongolia.

5. How It Relates to E-Masonry & Psychology

  • Self-Mastery – Like Masonry, Buddhism teaches self-discipline and inner growth.
  • Symbolism of Enlightenment – Masonic degrees mirror the Buddhist journey from ignorance to wisdom.
  • Jungian Connection – Carl Jung studied Buddhist thought, relating it to individuation (realizing the Self beyond the ego).