Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths which state that suffering exists, it has a cause, it can end, and following the Eightfold Path will end it. The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. Karma refers to good or bad actions that bring future happiness or unhappiness. The ultimate goal is to achieve Nirvana and be freed from reincarnation.

1. By Alexis Winans

2.  Buddhism is a major global religion with a complex
history and system of beliefs.
 The major points that make up Buddhism are: The
Four Noble Truths, Nirvana, Karma , and the Eightfold
Path.

3.  The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of
Buddha’s teachings. They are:
 The truth of suffering
 The truth of the cause of suffering
 The truth of the end of suffering
 The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

4.  Basically the Four Noble Truths state that suffering
exists; it has a cause; it has an end and it has a cause
that leads to an end.
 The Four Noble Truths are a plan for dealing with the
suffering humanity faces, suffering of a physical and
mental nature. In Buddhism desire and ignorance lie
at the root of suffering.

5.  The Four Noble Truths are achieved by the Eightfold
Path:
 Right to understanding
 Right though (no bad or negative thoughts)
 Right speech (no bad or negative words)
 Right Action (no bad or negative actions)

6.  5. Right livelihood (living right)
 6. Right Effort (always attempting to do the right
thing)
 7. Right Mindfulness (having the right intentions)
 8. Right Concentration (concentrating on what is
important)

7.  The karma is Buddhism is different than society’s
karma. It does not refer to preordained fate.
 Karma refers to good or bad actions a person takes
during his/her lifetime.
 Good actions involve either the absence of bad actions
or actual positive acts, bring about happiness in the
long run.
 Bad actions like lying or stealing bring about
unhappiness in the long run.

8.  The weight that bad actions carry is determined by 5
conditions:
 Frequent Repetitive Actions
 Determine/Intentional Action
 Action performed without Regret
 Actions against Extraordinary Persons
 Actions toward those who have helped one in the past

9.  Other than good karma and bad karma there is
neutral karma.
 Neutral karma derives from acts such as breathing,
eating and sleeping. Neutral karma has no benefits or
costs.
 Why would they think that simple acts such as these
would create any karma?
 This is because when we breathe we kill living
organisms in the air. When we eat we are eating what
was once a living animal or plant. When we sleep may
lay or accidently squish a living organism.

10.  Nirvana-transcendent state free from suffering and our
worldly cycle of birth and rebirth, spiritual
enlightenment has been achieved.
 This is the entire goal in Buddhism. To be freed from
the reincarnation cycle and become enlightened.

12.  I think that Buddhism is a really interesting religion to
learn about. Their concepts are so different from my
religions but I also see some of that are the same. For
example: Bad actions in Buddhism are kind of the
same concept as sins. In both Buddhism and
Christianity lying, cheating and stealing are wrong.
Another thing they have in common is the fact that we
are taught not to dwell on material things.

13.  My “Ah Ha” moment was the fact that karma has such
an influence on these people’s lives. They live every
day trying to create no karma either good or bad. It
must be incredibly hard to make decisions, I cannot
imagine that kind of pressure.

14.  We should learn about Buddhism for the same reason
we need to learn about all other religions;
understanding.
 In order to teach our diverse student we need to know
where they come from and what religions and customs
they do or do not practice. How can we teach someone
that we do not understand?

15.  Basics of Buddhism
 www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm